The basics of beauty accessories
The old saying goes a bad workman always blames his tools – and none of us want to be bad workmen, do we?! The tools we incorporate into our beauty routines are just as crucial to the overall result as the actual products we use. Whether it’s for hair, make up or body, make sure your customers choose the correct accessories for their needs and desired results.
Hair
Good quality hair tools are a must, and it’s important for customers to select brushes that are not only suitable for their hair type, but also fit for purpose in terms of their desired result. When it comes to choosing a good quality brush, Grange Snell, co-founder and designer of The Big Brush Company says: “Knowing the right brush for your specific hair type and style is key to maintaining healthy, shiny hair and promoting hair growth. Without this basic knowledge you could unintentionally be causing damage to your hair on a daily basis.” Rose-Marie Jarvis, marketing manager of Goody, adds: “The way of thinking of it is how you would choose your make up brushes. You wouldn’t use a blusher brush to apply your eye shadow, and you need to be just as selective when choosing your hairbrush.”
The bristles on a chosen brush are key and should be examined before customers make their choice. Michel Mercier, International hairdresser, entrepreneur and creator of the Michel Mercier detangling brush, explains: “Stronger and less flexible bristles are best for heavy and curly hair, and softer, more flexible bristles are best for fine soft hair. I recommend that you feel the bristles on a brush first with your fingers – if the feeling is unpleasant and scratchy it will probably have a bad effect on the hair and make it less shiny. Round headed bristles massage the scalp during brushing and they don’t scratch the hair, for a glowing effect and soft feeling.”
The actual shape and style of the brush is also key and both hair type and how you’re going to use it should dictate your choice. Snell suggests: “A barrel brush should be used when blow drying to help lock in the style you are trying to achieve. A barrel brush such as the Big Brush Radial Brush is a fantastic choice as it uses the latest nano silver technology, which provides your brush with up to 99% protection from bacteria and gives your hair incredible shine. Choose a barrel brush with a smaller diameter for added volume or for use on shorter styles. A paddle brush is great for every day brushing of straight or wavy hair. This is the most common type of hair brush and generally a safe bet for most hair types. The one distinguishing feature is that the bristles are in a rubber cushion that is easy on the hair when you’re brushing, so it’s also perfect for those with thin hair. A vent brush is perfect for creating volume and movement during blow drying. It is called a vent brush because the spaces in the head allow hot air from the dryer to flow through, giving added volume to your finished style.” Jarvis adds: “You should look at choosing a ceramic brush when using heated tools, such as Goody’s Start Style Finish 33mm Ceramic Round Brush, or a boar brush if you want something more gentle for your hair. If you have frizzy hair you should go for something with ions, while round brushes are great for heat styling and creating that perfect blow dry. Small barrels are better for shorter hair, while a paddle brush is ideal for longer, thicker hair. Choose a cushion brush for helping control static while smoothing.”
Once they’ve chosen their ideal hair brush, customers can increase its longevity by looking after it well. Mercier advises: “The most effective way to clean a hair brush is by using another brush. Pour some shampoo onto both brushes and gently rub the bristles against each other. The shampoo softens the hair stuck on the brushes and helps to remove it. Rinse the brushes thoroughly afterwards and let them air dry.” Jarvis adds: “Dry naturally with the bristles facing down to let the water drain out.”
Make up
Arguably the most important beauty accessories your customers can buy, it’s worth splashing out on a full set of decent make up brushes as they can radically change the way your make up looks. Jemma Kidd, celebrity make up artist and creator of her own make up and accessories range, says: “It may seem extravagant to kit yourself out with an array of brushes, but it’s a good investment in the long run as they ensure you always get the most out of your products. Applying make up with the appropriate tools gives a longer-lasting finish, greater precision and more natural-looking results. Foundation, concealer and powder will appear to sink into the skin seamlessly, lips and eyes will be defined more accurately, and colours will blend perfectly.”
When selecting good quality brushes, it’s important to look at shape, bristles and cut to ensure they will last and give great results. Rachel Magan, brand and PR manager at SLG Beauty, says: “The density of the hair on brushes is generally an important factor – you need brushes that are packed tightly enough to control the level of powder pick up, but not so tightly packed that you have no control on application. Firmness of the hair, especially on brushes used with powder, is necessary for good pick up and pay off. If a brush is shedding any hair in the store, don’t buy it – it’s not going to get any better!” Lauren Parsons, make up artist for ecoTOOLS, adds: “The way they are cut is one of the key factors that provides the finish. A brush should feel soft but stable. And more expensive doesn’t always mean better quality.”
The materials used for the bristles are key and determine which products each brush should be used with. Jemma Kidd explains: “Natural hair brushes are best for powders and loose pigments, as natural hairs create a softer finish on the skin. Synthetic hair brushes are used to blend cream and liquid formulations, as they absorb less product and hold it on the outside of the hairs, making it easier to disperse.”
Keeping make up brushes clean is important to avoid a build up of bacteria. Parsons says: “If you have a blemish, you’re transferring bacteria from your face to your brush and a constantly unclean brush will mean more blemishes – nobody wants that!” To keep your tools clean, Kidd advises: “Aim to wash your brushes every week using a brush cleanser or mild shampoo, working it thoroughly between the fibres, Rinse and squeeze gently in a towel, then leave to dry over the side of the sink so that air can circulate around the fibres. Avoid hair-drying your brushes as this will damage them.”
Body
Body care routines can be hugely enhanced with the right tools. Karen Bevan-Brown, The Sanctuary senior spa therapist, explains: “Body care accessories used alongside good products can aid with achieving desired results faster. For example, body brushing can really help with the appearance of the skin as well as tone. The Sanctuary Body Boosting Brush from the Revive range is designed to fit comfortably into your hand and allow for quick and easy body buffing. Using this product compared to simply applying a product topically can speed up those desired results of smooth glowing skin. Meanwhile, exfoliating gloves are easy to use and work best alongside an exfoliator, to help remove dead skin that can look lacklustre and dull. They are easy to use and can be used in the shower to increase the exfoliation process, leaving skin glowing and stimulated.”
Hands and feet are key areas of the body where tools can really improve appearance. With hands, it’s all about the nails – and there are a host of accessories out their to help them look their best. Rachel Magan says: “The key manicure accessories are decent quality nail files (don’t use the metal ones as they can split nails); a nail buffer to even out any nail ridges and achieve a natural shine; and a cuticle pusher or orange stick to keep cuticles neat and tidy.” Nail expert and celebrity manicurist, Leighton Denny, adds: “Coarse emery boards can be damaging to the nail and cause it to split and peel. The Leighton Denny Expert Nails Crystal Nail File is safe and easy-to-se as it turns nails to dust, preventing any catching or tears.”
When it comes to feet, hard skin is a key concern and products alone have a tough time tackling this, so hard-working tools can help. A foot file or rasp is crucial. Karen Bevan-Brown says: “A foot file will help to remove the build up of dead skin that can cause dryness on the feet. Use a couple of times a week to get the best results without making the skin sore, to keep feet soft and smooth. A foot file should have a good handle so the customer can grip it correctly, getting the desired pressure, and it should be rough to the touch to make sure it will get rid of that dead skin build up. Always use a foot file on dry skin as if the feet are damp, the results can be less effective.” Another key foot tool is a good pair of nail clippers. Celebrity manicurist Tracey Clemens says: “I won’t go anywhere without the RED by Kiss nail clipper. It has a small ‘jaw’ to allow for great precision so you hardly need to file your nail afterwards. Make sure you clip in a straight line to prevent in-grown toenails.”
The brushes you need
Rachel Magan from SLG Beauty lists the basic brush kit every woman should have
• Powder brush – a soft, natural hair brush used for applying all types of powder. Generally dome shaped brushes with a long handle. Used for lightweight powder distribution on the face to even out the complexion and set foundation.
• Blush brush – slightly smaller version of the powder brush, the blush brush is also a soft, natural hair brush specifically shaped for applying blusher to the apples of your cheeks. With a long handle for control in application, it is often slanted to work with the contours of your face and ensure light, even coverage.
• Foundation brush – a long handled brush with a flat, tapered head. Made using synthetic hair the fine, straight bristles allow for even blending and coverage.
• Large/base eyeshadow blender – a long handled brush with soft, natural hair for ease of pick up and pay off.
• Small eyeshadow blender – a smaller brush head than the base brush, this brush delivers specific colour placement such as along the lash line or up to the crease of the lid. Can be soft, firm, natural hair or soft synthetic hair, with a flat, tapered round head.