3 brushes I use on a daily basis

Kabuki-in-my-life

Darlings, on this super-sunny Friday I want to introduce you to 3 of my favourite make-up brushes.

Whether I'm doing a simple make-up for day, a considered make-up for a business meeting or a full-on glamour puss look in preparation for night out, these three brushes form an integral part of the process.

First up is my Kabuki brush (see image above).

Compact and with soft but densely packed fibres, this is simply a fantastic brush for applying pressed or loose powder. It sits teeny-tiny in my make-up bag and enables me to deftly apply a little powder to my t-zone in seconds. I also use it buff in the rest of my make-up around the sides of my face and working from the top of my neck down.

I bought this little beauty in Australia (Sportsgirl nonetheless!) but there are a number of different kabuki brushes available in the UK. Here are my top 3:

- Buy now: Real Techniques Kabuki Brush (RRP £11.99 from Boots, angled for contouring and retractable for powder! Invented by the lovely ladies @Pixiwoo)
- Save: Lancôme Kabuki Brush 010 (RRP £31 from Boots)
- In your dreams: NARS Botan Brush / N°20, part of the Kabuki Artisan range (RRP £55)

Brighton to the Bahamas in seconds

Next up is 'The brush I couldn't live without', my MAC Large Angled Contour Brush (No. 168, RRP £26).

I first learnt to contour when I trained at the London College of Fashion. For those of you who are unfamiliar with contouring, it is the name given to the technique of applying a matte bronzer (shimmery in the summer) to the areas of the face you want to sculpt / give the appearance of shadow. For example, just beneath your cheek bones, along the hairline, down the nose and a little on the chin. Contouring is by far and away my favourite beauty tip. It's also my go-to pick me up whenever I'm feeling a little washed out.

Illamasqua's not-so-secret weapon!

Last but definitely not least, Illamasqua's (best selling) Eye Brow Brush (RRP: £18.50, currently out of stock due to insane demand! Yep folks, it's that good).

Boyish brows are so on trend right now so there's no excuse not to dip your toe in this cult beauty technique. Defined brows frame your face and draw attention to your eyes. The secret's in the way you do them:

- eye shadow/brow powder works best (rather than pencil). Make-up artist favourites for brows include the following MAC eye shadows: Omega for blondes/red heads, Copperplate for brunettes and Concrete for black skin.

- choose a shade which is 1 shade lighter than your natural hair colour (e.g. black hair = brown eye shadow)

- work the colour in bit by bit, moving up through and in between the brow hairs

- taper at the edges

What's your favourite brush? I'd love to know!