Give Your Make Up Brushes A Holiday

Make up brushes and tools are great for getting a perfectly polished look. However on your hols when you're happy to go for a more 'undone' look and want to opt for a minimal make up bag, you can ditch the make up brushes and give them a week's holiday – but only once a year!

Have a look at the list below and see which make up brushes you dare to leave behind for your hols as Cassie Lomas, UK Make Up Artist / Expert And Spokesperson For Bourjois talks us through the alternatives.

The Blusher Brush

Cassie Lomas says: "Blusher brushes offer a more precise application of blush. They can customise and sculpt the cheeks." She explains that to get a perfect application with a brush, "suck in your cheeks and swipe the brush over your cheeks, back and forth. Then, on the apples of your cheeks, use circular swirls."

If you can't bare to ditch the blusher brush, we recommend Dior Backstage Makeup – Cheek Brush.

What's the alternative?:

Cassie explains: "A stain is a perfect product for holidays. Apply three small dabs to the apples of your cheek at about the same level as the centre of your ear. Using your middle two fingers, rub in a circular motion. "You can build up the amount you use to get the perfect colour, and it won't budge all day.

Boots recommends:

• Ruby and Millie Cheek Colour Cream
• No7 Cheek Tint Blusher
• Benefit Benetint

The Eye Shadow Brush

To create a beautiful or structured look with eye shadow, application is key. Cassie explains: "Without eye shadow brushes it's hard to contour." Blending accurately with your fingers to merge shades, or the edges of two shades, may prove troublesome. Cassie advises, "if you use more than one colour of eye shadow use a brush." She states: "They are the tool you need to create a dramatic, or smoky-eyed look."

If you can't bare to ditch the eye shadow brush, we recommend: 17 Eyeshadow Brush.

What's the alternative?:

Using a liquid eye shadow can be a simpler way to create a brush-less eye shadow look.

Cassie says the key is to only use one colour. She says: "Apply the liquid eye shadow on to your lid and blend with your finger."

These can also be a fantastic choice for holidays. As well as being able to do without your brush for a week, Cassie explains: "A water-resistant liquid eye shadow is perfect for holiday, as well as being water – resistant, they can feel lighter on the skin."

Boots recommends:
• Bourjois Suivez Mon Regard
• Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Liquid Eyeshadow
• No7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse

The Foundation Brush

Cassie states: "You can get an even coverage if you apply the foundation over your complexion. It makes it easier to blend the foundation in to your jawline and ear area. Without a brush you can sometimes get too much product in the hairline. A foundation brush also makes it easier to distribute the product on the T-zone and blend it outwards, so it becomes lighter towards the outer edge of your face."

If you can't bare to ditch the foundation brush, we recommend No7 Foundation Brush.

What's the alternative?:

"Lots of foundations now come with a brush applicator. These are great for applying the right amount of product on the right areas. When you're using this style of foundation, start with a little bit first then build up the amount you apply."

Boots recommends:
• L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets High Definition Smoothing Foundation
• Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation
• Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Foundation

The Lip Brush

Lip brushes are great for filling in the lip area after you have applied a lip liner. They can be essential for applying bright-coloured lipsticks and bold colours like reds and pinks.

Cassie explains: "They are generally used with lipsticks and offer precise application for the lip area. They are a great tool for applying matt or heavy-textured lipsticks. I use a lip brush on shoots sometimes when I'm applying lipsticks."

If you can't bare to ditch the lip brush, we recommend Boots Retractable Lip Brush.

What's the alternative?:

To go brush-free and still wear colour on your lips, try using a lip gloss or tint. There isn't necessarily the need for precise application with glosses and tints. Also if you go for a lighter colour – look towards the nude, beige or light pink families of lipsticks – then it may be easier to go without a lip brush as the lines aren't so clear.

Cassies says: "Go for a really nice gloss with a good brush that comes with it as an applicator. This is the best alternative to a separate lipstick and lip brush. Leave the bold and bright colours at home with your make up brushes and go for a more sheer or glossy look for your holiday."

Boots recommends:
• Bourjois Effect 3D Max Lip Gloss
• Ruby & Millie Lip Gloss
• Maybelline Watershine Lip Gloss

The Concealer Brush

"They offer precision application," Cassie explains, "and they really get in to areas like around the nose and under the eyes." She continues, "A concealer brush will help stick the concealer in place"

If you can't bare to ditch the concealer brush, we recommend Estee Lauder Concealer Brush.

What's the alternative?:

Liquid concealers with a brush as part of the packaging can be an alternative to using a concealer brush. Cassies explains how to apply concealer to get a gorgeous glowing complexion without a brush: "Dab the concealer on to your skin with your finger. Go over this slightly with bronzer, then again, put concealer on top of this. Press the second level of concealer into your skin and blend outwards."

Boots recommends:
• Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch Concealer
• Bourjois Brush Concealer
• Max Factor Mastertouch Concealer

Read more like this:
Spring Clean Your Make Up Bag For S/S 2010
Make-up must-haves: Snap Up the Pro's Tool Kit
Holiday Beauty: What the Experts Pack Charlotte Tilbury

Related categories:
Make Up Tools
Foundation
Make up
Eyes
Lips