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For Better Blending, Try Holding Your Brush at the End

August 26th, 2015 by Karen 9 Comments

tapered blending brush mac 224

Instead of holding your blending brush like a pen or pencil on the ferrule (the metal part on the end with the brush head), try holding it waaay back on the other end instead.

Just to try it.

You might find yourself naturally applying less pressure on the brush head and making nice, soft circles with the bristles.

Sometimes when I hold the brush up near the ferrule, aka the standard way, I press really hard without even realizing it, like, I dunno…I’m trying to literally force the eyeshadow particles into my skin. Holding the brush from the other end, though, encourages lighter pressure, which makes for nicely diffused eyeshadows and gorgeous gradients.

tapered blending brush mac 224

tapered blending brush mac 224

It’s one of those tips I picked up somewhere along the way but promptly forgot about (whoops!), but I’ve started doing it again, and now (again!) blending is a completely different world. I feel like the brush is doing the work now, instead of my fingers and wrist, if that makes any sense. Try it sometime! And let me know how it goes. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

For Better Blending, Try Holding Your Brush at the End / Originally published August 26th, 2015

There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Makeup Tips/How To

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Comments

  1. breyerchic04 says

    August 26th, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    Maybe I’m a control freak, but I feel like that would cause me to put makeup in the wrong place and lose control.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 26th, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      It’s pretty easy to control, just as long as you use it for blending, not application. Try it sometime! You might like the results.

      Reply
      • breyerchic04 says

        August 26th, 2015 at 10:07 pm

        Of course I will, but until then I’m skeptical and letting my little control freak flag fly.

        Reply
  2. Amanda says

    August 26th, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    I can’t remember the name of the synthetic duo fiber equivalent of this, but I love that brush, to for cream shadows! I should probably pick this one up, too!

    Reply
  3. Carol in a Page says

    August 27th, 2015 at 12:05 am

    I never would’ve thought of this, I’ll definitely try it!

    Reply
  4. Indya says

    August 27th, 2015 at 6:53 am

    Listen, I am so glad for this post because I thought I imagined the whole thing. I happened to do this blending in my foundation and noticed how much better it looked. Also when I blend at a slower speed. Ha! Not insane!

    Reply
  5. Jessica says

    August 27th, 2015 at 7:48 am

    Yes, this applies to painting as well. That’s why many brushes are long-handled. Holding a brush like a pencil is incorrect.

    Reply
  6. Lauren says

    August 27th, 2015 at 7:53 am

    I’m about to try this! I’m very shaky and nervous when I’m in a rush, so I can see the brush flying through the air, but it actually makes a lot of sense!

    Reply
  7. Lily says

    August 27th, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    I just did the patting on with a flat brush and this – it totally worked! It did take a bit longer since I had to do it in several layers, but my crease looks so natural and well-blended!

    Reply

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