There are two types of people, IMO: Those who own approximately one billion makeup brushes, aaaand those who apply makeup with their fingers, and, like one brush that lowkey hasn't been washed in...months. And while neither is wrong (except please clean your makeup brushes!), and you don’t actually need a thousand makeup brushes or blending sponges, I promise you that having a few quality brushes can actually be the key to a flawless makeup application. So which ones are, in fact, the game-changers? That's where I come in.

Just for you, I put together this handy little guide of all of the ~main~ makeup brushes, what each one does, and why you may or may not need it. And to make it all even easier, I also included makeup tips for each of them too. Follow along so you’re never left wondering the difference between stippling and shading again.

1. The kabuki brush

Its name might not ring a bell, but if you've ever played around with makeup, this classic makeup brush definitely will. Made famous by Kabuki Japanese drama theater, this style of brush is most commonly recognized by its short, chubby handle and very dense, firm, flat or dome-shaped bristles.

A synthetic kabuki brush can be used to apply liquid foundation or body makeup for a medium-to-full coverage, but the density of the brush makes it perfect for packing on superfine powders or mineral foundation for a fuller-coverage finish.

How to use a kabuki brush:

Because these bristles are so dense and firm, you'll probs find that a slight pressure is necessary for working the product into the skin. Use the tips of the bristles to pick up the product, then swirl and buff to diffuse it across your face.

2. The stippling brush

In a lot of ways, the stippling brush is the opposite of the kabuki brush. This type of makeup brush is known for its duo fibers, which means the brush is packed with two different kinds and lengths of bristles to make the brush more compact at the base and finer toward the top.

When you want a softer foundation application or a more airbrushed effect, stick with the stipple. Because of its lighter finish, these brushes are also ideal for applying tinted moisturizer or sheering out cream blushes and liquid highlighters without messing up the product underneath (you ever blended those on with your fingers, only to be left with patchiness? Exactly).

How to use a stippling brush:

Dip the bristles into the liquid makeup, or swipe the bristles into a cream stick or powder, then lightly swirl them into your skin. Remember: Just the tips. If you have a heavy hand or the tendency to jab your brushes into your skin (why do we do this?!), hold the brush by the very end, giving you virtually no control over the brush. Then think gently blending the makeup, not bending the bristles.

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