You’re using the wrong makeup brushes, according to Beyoncé’s MUA

The Makeup Brush Mistakes You're Making - Beyonce

Sir John has spoken

Beauty Crew Contributing Editor / February 06 2019

What’s the best brush for applying foundation? Duh, a foundation brush. Right? Not according to Sir John, the celebrity makeup artist behind many of Beyoncé’s red carpet looks. And while you’re at it, don’t even think about using a concealer brush to cover up your imperfections. Sir John has a better option. 

In a recent interview with Refinery29, he dished out some of his top makeup secrets and it turns out, we’ve been applying our makeup all wrong.

“I like to apply foundation in two separate ways. I like using a wet beautyblender, but also a big, fluffy blush brush,” he said. “I don’t use foundation brushes because I feel like the application doesn’t look as seamless.” Apparently, a blush brush – which is bushier and more loosely packed – allows your foundation to better spread and melt into the skin for a flawless coverage.

He’s anti-concealer brushes, too, BTW.

“I blend concealer with a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the MAC 224 Synthetic Tapered Blending Brush. If you blend with a fluffy brush, you can really get in there and it almost airbrushes you. A stiff brush won’t give you a soft colour.” 

Sir John also has a bone to pick with how we’re holding our makeup brushes. “Always get into the habit of holding the brush as far away from the top as you can, and application will be super easy and light.”

The top takeaway tip: Fluffy brushes and a light hand equal a more natural look. And we all know how on-trend ‘no makeup’ makeup is right now.

Want more mind-blowing makeup hacks from celebrity makeup artists? Check out Mario Dedivanovic’s bizarre highlighting hack and Pati Dubroff’s trick for shine-free skin.

Are there any products or beauty tools you use in an unexpected way? We’d love to hear your own beauty hacks!

Main image credit: @sirjohnofficial 

Chelsea is BEAUTYcrew’s Contributing Editor. She has a sweet spot for anything that claims to make skin glow and won’t leave the house without a slick of mascara. Chelsea has 10 years of experience as a beauty editor and her words can be found on BEAUTYcrew, Women’s Health, Daily Addict, The Joye and Primped.