Choose for the way you use makeup
Before buying a full set, think about the products you actually use. A tool for blending eyeshadow serves a different purpose from a brush for applying powder. Size and shape matter more than having a huge collection.
Professional brands such as MAC group their tools by use: foundation, powder, blush or eyes. That can be a helpful guide, without making any one brand or a particular number of brushes a requirement.
Build your own kit
Lay out your everyday products and note how you like to apply them. You might use a sponge for one, a brush for another and the applicator that comes with a third. Buy to meet a real need, not to complete a picture.
If two tools do much the same job in your routine, you can start with one. The best kit is the one you know and enjoy using, not the one that takes up the most space in your makeup bag. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using and cleaning each tool.
Sources and further reading
A sample article for this editorial proposal. General information, not breaking news or personalized advice.
