How To Use A Stippling Brush

We’ll be the first ones to admit that when it comes to makeup, there’s a lot to know. Aside from stocking your makeup bag with the best products and keeping up with the latest beauty trends, knowing how to apply your makeup can also make or break your look. And when it comes to flawlessly applying your favorite products, it’s all about using the right tools. One tool, in particular, you should know about is the stippling brush. This makeup brush is essential in your beauty routine, and can be used to apply multiple products. So keep reading to learn how to best use a stippling brush and find out a few of our favorite makeup products to use with it. 

What Is A Stippling Brush?

If your makeup brush collection doesn’t already include a stippling brush, you should consider adding one ASAP. Unlike traditional foundation brushes that have a single layer of bristles, stippling brushes have two. The top layer picks up the makeup product you’re going to apply, and the bottom layer is denser, helping to push the product onto your skin rather than having your bristles absorb the formula. Often, the two layers will come in different colors. 

When you stipple your makeup, you're essentially applying products in tiny dots that are so close together they blend for a flawless finish. With a stippling brush, the top layer of bristles creates those dots for you. The result is an airbrushed appearance with full coverage, making this technique ideal for people who have blemishes and imperfections they want to hide—or anyone who wants to create a flawless-looking complexion.

How To Use A Stippling Brush

Almost any makeup product with a liquid or cream formula can be applied seamlessly when using a stippling brush. This type of brush is not only great for applying foundation, you can also use it to contour, apply blush and bronzer. Ready to put a stippling brush to use? Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Grab Your Stippling Brush

Stippling brushes come in various sizes, so be sure to choose one that suits your needs. A bigger brush generally works better for foundation, while a smaller size can give you better precision to apply your cream blushes. 

Step 2: Apply Your Product And Blend Away 

As we mentioned, products with cream or liquid formulas apply best with a stippling brush. Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight, and apply a small amount of foundation onto your face by dotting on the product. Then grab a large stippling brush and begin quickly dabbing the brush along your skin to blend the foundation in. Feel free to keep building up your foundation until you get an even layer of coverage across your entire face. This long-lasting foundation features an ultra-thin liquid that allows the skin to breathe, so you won’t have to worry about your foundation looking cakey.  

When it comes to contouring, grab your desired contour shade from the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks line. Swipe the foundation across the areas you want to chisel, like the forehead and cheeks, and then use a small stippling brush to blend it onto your skin until you get a natural finish. 

Editor’s Tip: Be sure not to use a large stippling brush when applying your blush and contour products, as a large brush will spread out more product than needed and make it harder for you to blend it out. 

Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks and swipe your brush directly across the shaping stick to transfer the blush onto the bristles. This will help give off a natural-looking flush and make it easy to build-up more color if needed. Dab the brush onto your cheeks in circular motions, and you’re good to go! 

How To Care For Your Stippling Brush

By now, you know the importance of keeping your makeup brushes clean. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), dirty makeup brushes can irritate your skin and cause infections. So be sure to spot clean your stippling brushes with a hand towel and a brush cleanser after each use—then give them a deeper clean once a week. To make sure you clean your brushes the right way, check out our article How to Clean Makeup Brushes and Blenders.

Photo Credit: Shauna Beni 

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