Tools of the Trade (Makeup)

Ok, Berry Friends, It's Makeup Monday on my Berry Favorite Things facebook page. If you don't already follow it, (click here) and check it out. If you do follow it, you know that I have a passion for all things beauty related, but especially makeup. Makeup should be as important as any outfit or pair of shoes in a girl's closet. You wouldn't put on your best dress with a pair of Crocs, would you? So don't ignore your face. 
Today I want to talk about tools. As we all know, in order to do any job well, you MUST have the right tools. Makeup is no exception. Here are just a few must haves that every gal should have in their collection. 

*Sponges: Makeup sponges are a must. Used wet or dry, they are ideal in getting the perfect clean look with your foundation. But that's not all. They are great for blending concealer, blush and eye makeup as well. They are inexpensive and disposable so you can always use a clean one. 
*Q-Tips: Yup, you read that right. Those handy little swabs you use to clean your ears are a great tool for your makeup. Used wet, you can clean up an uneven eye liner line, or makeup boo-boo, and used dry, they can be used to apply and blend shadows and more. 
*Eye Lash Curler: I know many people are afraid of this tool. I promise you it is not an ancient torture device. Though it takes a little practice to learn to use it well, it is worth it. You can pick these up just about anywhere for around $1-$3 and they can take your lashes from sad to fab. 
*Tweezers: An absolute MUST for any woman is a great pair of tweezers. Even if you have your brows waxed, you can still use them to touch-up in between visits. Also, we all get that random neck or chin hair from time to time, right? I recommend splurging on this tool a bit and getting a good brand. I use Tweezerman point tips and LOVE them. (Also great for removing slivers, by the way.) 
*Blush/Powder Brush: I know what you're thinking... My blush and powder came with brushes, why can't I use those? And you can. But you shouldn't. Those brushes are fine for emergency application, but they aren't quality. A good blush and powder brush should be a  medium to large brush. I recommend a soft bristle, but with a relatively firm feel. You want it to blend the makeup, not just fling it around. Brushes are another tool that I suggest getting a better quality of. Cheap brushes don't hold up to regular use and tend to fall apart when cleaned. 
*Eye Shadow Brush: I have several different styles of shadow brushes. I have a small angled one, a small thin one (great for wet shadow application) and a regular rounded tip style for blending. With these, you really have to just try different styles and see which ones you prefer. I like mine a bit on the firm side, but you may prefer a softer style. 
*Face Brush: This would be those giant brushes you see from time to time. They are great for dusting on a finishing powder, but I like to use mine to just give a quick final blend. I don't use the largest size, I prefer a bit smaller for better control, but again, try different styles and see what you like best. There are no written in stone rules on this. 
*Your Fingers: More often than not, you will find yourself blending, applying and wiping with your fingers. I cannot stress this enough, MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN. Wash your hands prior to doing your makeup and keep a wet rag near you to wipe them off from time to time. 
These are not all the tools by any means, but these are a great place to start. You may find that you prefer to use more or less, depending on your technique and skill level. But try them and see. You may find that using the right tool can make the job easier and better. 
--------- VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION--------
As with all things, cleanliness is of THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. This is especially true when it comes to things you use on your face. 
Washing and cleansing your tools is a must. You don't need expensive cleaners for this, either. For your metal tools, like tweezers and eyelash curlers, a good soak in peroxide or rubbing alcohol every few days (more often if you have skin conditions and immediately after use if you are sharing tools) for at least 15 minutes should do the trick. For brushes, you can soak them as well, but I prefer an easier method. I spray my brushes with Lysol to kill bacteria and germs, then vigorously rub them on a clean, dry towel to remove any excess. For really dirty brushes, a good soak in hot, soapy water will remove clumps and funk. Then rinse out all remaining soap, squeeze out as much of the water as you can, and allow to dry.