In a MEGA exclusive, celebrity makeup artist Muriel Vega Perez gave a beauty masterclass on makeup brushes, including his product picks and his best advice on how to clean your tools
Brushes, sponges, spatulas—the conversation about makeup brushes is often a happy medium between the mainstream favorites and none at all—let’s change that. Beauty tools, as we know it, are just as important as the products we use to create a look, and it’s one sentiment that makeup artist Muriel Vega Perez agrees with. “Aside from the power of our magical hands, beauty tools were invented for precision and convenience of makeup application,” he shared in an exclusive interview. “More so, we can create looks beyond the boundaries of our imagination.”
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While it’s evident that beauty tools are crucial to creating a flawless finish, learning about it is no easy feat. However, that shouldn’t discourage you at all. In fact, the makeup artist emphasized that beauty tools are for everyone. “Whether you are an expert or just an enthusiast, beauty tools are created for a certain application to get a certain result,” he said. To introduce a definitive guide, he detailed a beginner’s guide to everything you need to know about beauty tools.
Naming the artist
Muriel Vega Perez has made a name for himself as one of the country’s in demand makeup artists. After completing his makeup studies in Indonesia and France, he pursued his craft through editorial and endorsement shoots. Perez’s impressive roster of muses can’t be left unmentioned as it speaks volumes about his expertise. Sunshine Cruz, for example, is among the stars who call him her most trusted makeup artist. Moreover, he has also worked with names such as Ivana Alawi, Solenn Heusaff, Pia Wurtzbach, and Dolly de Leon.
The secret to perfecting base makeup
Excellent makeup formulations are an essential part of every base routine, but it’s also the works of the right beauty tools that can make all the difference. Take a cue from the artist who emphasized the importance of makeup brushes for streak-free applications. The Kiko Milano Stippling Brush is his favorite choice for applying liquid or cream foundations. As for his favorite powder brush? The MAC Large Flat Powder Brush. “The bristles are incredibly soft and get the powder products just right,” he explained. “And because of its size, it can set the face with powder quickly.”
The key to a flawlessly blended eyeshadow
Eyeshadow brushes are the primary tool for sweeping and blending products all across the lid and upper eye area. “Small brushes are perfect in creating the perfect eye base,” the makeup artist said. “Meanwhile, blending brushes are ideal for buffing out the eyeshadow smoothly, as well as creating a really good transition to a color.” Elsewhere, Perez recommends using angled liner brushes to emphasize the tiniest details in the eyes. “It is good [to apply] a tight line or a graphic line using a gel liner,” he added.
The best tools for sculpting and color play
The roles of blush and contouring brushes are to be never underestimated. Apart from picking up the ideal amount of product, these tools are created to control the density and contrast of the colors applied to the face. The results are simply transformative. Use each one correctly and they can sculpt, correct, and highlight one’s features. Vice Cosmetics Gandoll Contour Brush, Perez’s top choice for contouring, is an ideal pick to define the face with cream or powder products. Moreover, the artist trusts the Tom Ford Cheek Brush for depositing blushes.
Take it from the pro
In searching for the right beauty tools, Perez recommends starting by researching the best brands for a certain tool. “Keep in mind that not all brands offer the best tools in the market,” he said. “And of course, it’s a great practice to look more into the brand’s background to see if they source and create their products ethically.” He also suggests opting for multi-use brushes, adding, “These tools are good [to keep in] a compact makeup kit.” Elsewhere, the makeup artist emphasized the importance of price point. “I always consider my budget when I buy my beauty tools. I make sure I get good quality for any amount I paid for, whether it is PHP 500 or PHP 5,000.”
In the realm of cleaning and maintaining beauty tools, Perez shared an age-old trick. “The best way is by using a gentle soap and washing it with lukewarm water and air drying it,” he said. “And the most time-efficient way to do it is by using brush cleaners like my favorite Tilla, a brand owned by a Filipino professional artist.”
Featured Image: MEGA ARCHIVES
