By Sheila Arkee
When it comes to essential brushes for your makeup collection, lets not forget the kabuki brush.
The name “kabuki” comes from the Japanese theatrical performance, characterized by intense makeup applications. The kabuki is excellent for evenly dispersing powder or liquid with it’s short, concentrated fibers. The kabuki brush is built to be short, squat, and full. Imagine a the head of a full powder brush and that’s it.
Although it’s most commonly used with powder foundations, especially mineral foundations, one cool thing about the kabuki is that you can also use it with liquid foundations to get an airbrushed appearance. What is it about the word “airbrushed” that grabs your attention straightaway? Because a brush is much less expensive than a machine, perhaps? The promise of perfection at a fraction of the price!
Why does it work so well? It’s all about control. With the concentrated brush fibers, you have a bit more control over the intenisty of the makeup application.
Kabuki brushes are commonly manufactured and available at a variety of price ranges. Eco Tools makes a really beautiful version which retails for around $7.99.
Do you consider a kabuki brush an essential part of your brush collection?
Absolutely! I’ve had several over the years but my favorite is elf’s face Kabuki. I’m now on the lookout for a synthetic flat top Kabuki. I have the elf powder flat top nut want one with a smaller handle.
My only remaining useful item from Bare Minerals (even the smallest amount left every pore and line on my face enhanced) was the kabuki brush. I’ve been interested in a low-cost replacement. I LOVE other elf products and I have a few Eco Tools brushes, so I’ll put both brands on my wish list-which seems to grow exponentially with each Painted Ladies article).
I wonder how I ever put my mineral foundation without one. I have both a natural fiber and an synthetic fiber brush. It is interesting as to how different the two are. I don’t think I took too much into consideration years ago when I was a makeup artist. Things have changed…not only me but the industry.
I still use my short handled kabuki brush that I have owned for several years now. It is definitely essential depending on the coverage you are trying to achieve. I have yet to try the latest taklon brushes, but I look forward to doing so.
I can’t figure out how I put foundation on without a flat top kabuki brush (or any brush for that matter)
I have a retractable one from Too Faced that was so soft when I bought it. But I’ve tried so many different ways to clean it and make it as soft as it once was but can’t get it back to its original state. I’m looking at getting flat top one now. I agree, kabukis are great for foundation!
Ah, I’m so sorry about your brush! It’s such a bummer when that happens.