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Q:  I went shopping for makeup brushes recently and was
overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Which should I choose, and
what’s the best way to care for them?

A: Selecting the right makeup brushes can get complicated when you consider the many options. The seven essentials:

Foundation Brush. It helps you apply base evenly and won’t absorb
a lot of foundation like sponges do. Choose a wide, flat, tapered,
 firm brush.

Concealer Brush. Slim and rounded to a slight point, this firm,
flat brush allows you to apply concealer evenly under eyes and
camouflage dark spots and blemishes.

Powder Brush. Look for a large fluffy, round head brush to sweep
loose or pressed powder over your face for a light even finish. 

Blush Brush. Select a medium-angled, dense, soft, brush to deposit blush or bronzer to cheeks and sculpt cheekbones.

Eye Shadow Brush. Choose a small to medium round brush with
either flat or fluffy bristles. Flat is good for applying dense color
on eyelids, and fluffy is designed for blending color and applying
sheer color to eyelids, creases and under brows.

Eyeliner Brush. The ideal brush should be slim, angled and flat with soft, firm bristles that work well with powder or cream
eyeliner. It’s also great for filling in brows with powder.

Lip Brush. Look for a small, slim, rounded brush that tapers to a
point so you can apply lip color precisely and blend lip liner.

Care for your brushes by washing them bi-weekly.  Wet the
bristles. Then soap with a small amount of brush cleanser or a gentle
shampoo. Rinse bristles under warm water, taking care not to get the
base or handle wet. Gently press water out of bristles, reshape, then
lay flat on a towel to dry. If you buy quality brushes and care for
them properly, they should last several years.