When to Use a Stippling Brush

 How and When to Use Stippling Brush

There are two kinds of girls in this world: those who apply their face products with brushes, and those who prefer to use a sponge. Both types of tools have a place in our makeup bag, because at the end of the day, all makeup comes off — but there are definitely certain products that work better with specific tools.

So what is a stippling brush different from other makeup brushes? It’s a 2-in-1 brush, featuring a 3:2 ratio of tightly packed short bristles in the center, and longer, more flexible bristles around the perimeter.

This combo of short and long bristles allows this brush to build coverage beautifully, while blurring harsh lines that would give all our beauty secrets away. The density at the center packs on color for hiding blemishes, or just adding that extra color payoff where needed. The light outer bristles are great for blending, smoothing, and creating a seamless, airbrushed look.

Stippling Brush + Powder Makeup

This brush is excellent at smoothing powder blush, translucent powder, and powder foundation into the skin, and ensuring there isn’t excess formula lingering on our faces and preventing a natural finish. For example, when pairing this stippling brush with our Fruit Pigmented® Powder Foundation, this brush really transfers that velvety quality onto the skin without adding excess product, overdone coverage, or uneven texture.

To use our stippling brush with powder products, first press the brush into the powder, then press and tap into the skin, concentrating movement in the areas where you want the most color payoff. To blend out, you can use the edges of this brush in light flicking motions.

Stippling Brush + Liquid Makeup

For liquid products, be sure to apply directly to skin, not onto the brush. We don’t want the liquid formula to weigh down the light outer bristles of the brush! Next, choose your formula. For example, a product like our Fruit Pigmented® 2nd Skin Foundation is already pretty matte and lightweight, so the stippling brush just gives it that oomph of perfection.

Pump out enough product for your desired level of coverage and tap onto the skin, working from the center outwards. Use your stippling brush to tap over problem areas, and work in tight circular tapping motions until everything is fully blended out.

Stippling Brush + Cream Makeup

A good stippling brush can really make products with a cream consistency shine. That’s because cream products are solid enough to press the brush directly into the product, but heavy enough that excess product doesn’t transfer onto the brush. It can also be more difficult to blend creamy products into your skin; leaving your makeup looking unfinished or, *gasp* amateur (ouch!).

The repetitive blending and tapping motions of what is a stippling brush that create friction, allowing cream formulas to warm up and melt into the skin. This creates a buttery, glistening finish that looks like we just had a long day at the spa.

Conclusion

We don’t know about you, but the stippling motions we use when applying makeup with this brush actually make us feel like professional makeup artists. Use your nifty stippling brush to fake the look of airbrushed skin, to rival those Instagram makeup moguls. What formula do you like to pair with this brush, and why? Share your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #100percentpure and #nodirtybeauty. Don’t forget to check out our Cruelty-Free Makeup Brush Guide for more makeup artist-worthy tips!