There’s something to be said about using your fingers to get precise application when you’re putting your makeup on. But if you’re ready to move on to a more professional way to apply, wipe that stuff off your fingers and ditch those teeny little brushes and sponges that come with the makeup you buy. While there’s nothing really wrong with them, those sponges and brushes aren’t precise enough and/or don’t cover enough area on your face to be accurate. Many women don’t invest in brushes, choosing instead to buy so many products that it crowds the makeup drawer. However, if you know how to apply a few strategic products, then you can get rid of the rest of the junk. There are five essential brushes that you need to apply makeup: foundation/concealer brush, blush brush, powder or kabuki brush, lip brush and eyeshadow brush.

It may sound strange to apply a liquid such as foundation or concealer with a brush, but a flat, wide brush can grab and distribute less product more evenly so that it doesn’t glob up on your face. This approach is a gentle way to prevent fine lines, too. An angled blush brush is a great way to highlight and contour cheekbones. It places the color exactly where you need it to give cheeks the rosy, natural look they need. A powder brush, sometimes called a “kabuki” brush, applies just the right amount of loose powder all over the face, and it’s ideal for applying bronzer. The slightly rounded bristles of a small eyeshadow brush can help distribute color to each corner of the eye, without depositing too much on larger areas like the eyelid. And last but not least is the lip brush, a tiny brush that reins in color and keeps it inside the lines created with lip liner. It’s also a perfect precision tool when you need concealer applied to a blemish.