BRUSHES WITH FAME

Sure, you can rely on your fingers to apply your cosmetics, but nothing gives you precise application quite like a set of quality makeup brushes. Aside from keeping your fingers clean, brushes give your makeup a finished look. Here's a look at some of the tools you'll want to have in your makeup arsenal that will perfect your face.

Smudge out your smoky eyeliner with the Smashbox Double Ended Smudger Brush #20. You'll never see a hard line again.

Once you've applied all of your eye shadows, use an angle brush such as this Laura Mercier Angle Eye Colour Brush to blend the colors together.

For applying eye shadow to the base of your eyelid, look for a brush with a large, fluffy head. Try MAC Cosmetics Fluff Eye Shadow Brush.

Cream and gel eyeliners require a steady hand, but the Benefit Get Bent Eye Liner Brush with its ergonomic head makes application a breeze.

Makeup artists rely on a liner brush with a slim shape such as this Sisley Eyelid Brush Liner to apply cream and gel liners. Try it when you want to use one of your powder shadows as an eyeliner as well.

Precision work requires a precision tool. Look for a crease brush such as the Smashbox Crease Brush to apply darker eye shadow to your crease.

Use the Trish McEvoy 55 Deluxe Blender Brush to blend all of your makeup once you finish application.

When you want to apply eye shadow to the entire eye area from lid to brow, rely on a brush with a large head and fluffy bristles. Try the Bobbi Brown Eye Shader Brush.

The synthetic bristles on a foundation brush ensure smooth and opaque coverage of liquid and cream foundations. Try the Smashbox Foundation Brush.

While the pad of your finger can help you apply concealer, a brush, such as the Becca Travel Concealer Brush, will offer better coverage of dark circles and blemishes.

Make sure you use a big, soft and fluffy brush for your powders and then use the side of this brush to finish your look. Try the Trish McEvoy #5 Luxurious Powder Brush.

To ensure you have the right-sized blush brush, look for one with a head that matches the apple of your cheek. Too big, and blush will go everywhere. Too small and your blush will look streaky. Try the Lancome Petit Precision Cheek Brush.

An alternative to the blush brush, this contour brush from Haute Face comes with a slightly angled head.

A good lip brush will help your lipstick stay on longer. Look for one with a brush head large enough to apply lipstick in several strokes, such as the MAC Covered Lip Brush.

Bronzers and shimmers go on evenly with a fan brush, such as the Becca Bronzer/Shimmer Fan Brush.

The newest brush on the market, the MAC Cosmetics Duo Fiber Face Brush, helps you lightly apply face powders or layer them for effect.

For the woman who wants a multi-purpose face brush, turn to the Trish McEvoy Bronzer Brush for one that can be used with powder, bronzer or blush.

Stray hairs are easier to remove with a pointed-tip tweezers, such as the Tweezerman Point Tweezers.

Finish off your look with a little curl to your eyelashes. The best? The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler.

Contact Image Editor Susan Stapleton at sstapleton@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2909.