When I first started my journey with makeup, I found it hard to decide which products were essential for my makeup routine. I remember I just used eyeliner, mascara and some foundation. I would eventually used an old angled eyeliner brush that I had stolen from my mom (she never used it, by the way). Having said that, I know from experience how easy it is for a beginner to feel lost with the overwhelming variety of makeup brushes out there.

To help you make a better decision on which brushes to start your essentials, I’ve rounded up a list of the five key brushes that every beginner needs in their kit.

All-Over Eyeshadow brush

If you’re a makeup newbie, this is where to start. A medium-sized brush with a slight fan means it will help to apply the perfect amount of eyeshadow (not too much or too little) easily.

Angled eyebrow brush

A flat angled brush makes it easy to draw on feathery strokes for a natural-looking brow.

Look for a short stumpy brush with tightly-packed bristles, this will ensure packing on product cleanly.

Angled Face Brush

The Angled Face brush will help you contour small, slanted areas of your face. You can use it to apply a darker shade of foundation or bronzer, or you can use it as a blending brush for spot concealing in hard to reach or angled areas.

Powder Brush

The powder brush you choose will depend on what type of powder you’re using, but if you’re using a setting powder where you’re not looking to gain coverage, it’s better to look for a soft, fluffy brush. This way, you won’t be applying too much powder. Depending on the size of your brush, you could also get away with applying blush or bronzer with this type of brush.