Most people assume “beauty tools” means makeup brushes or hair stylers or weird facial massagers, but it’s more than just those things. I have a couple tools that I use on practically a daily basis that may seem like throwaways, but my routine would be shit without them.
Innisfree Mask Brush
This mask brush was the best $3 I’ve ever spent. I love a good spatula for thick masks, but for stickier ones, the brush works better to apply an even coat. You could use any flat foundation brush, if you feel like ruining it.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Pore Refining Brush and Mask Tool
Like I said above, spatulas are really great for thicker, creamier masks. This one from e.l.f. is a really good shape and size for getting around your nose and forehead, plus the other side helps open up pores and get extra exfoliation when you’re washing the masks off.
Benefit Cosmetics Angled Brow Brush & Spoolie
Yes, this thing is expensive and you could definitely get a cheaper version, but this is the one that I have and I love it. I use it for both my eyes and eyebrows. The spoolie helps keep my brow hairs tamed and also helps separate my lashes after I use mascara. Since I don’t use a brow powder or pomade, I use the angled brush to add a small line of black eyeshadow to the outer corner of my eye.
Panasonic Facial Hair Trimmer
I come from an Italian family, which means I grow a decent amount of facial hair. This little trimmer helps keep that at bay, which helps make my makeup lay smoother and my face feel clearer.
Washable Organic Nursing Pads (8 Pack)
Okay, so I’m not breastfeeding. In our beauty Slack channel in the office, this was suggested as a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to remove makeup instead of cotton rounds. They’re washable and reusable, and fun to tell people you use.
Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler
This is the only lash curler I’ve ever really loved. The shape of it works with all eye shapes because of its flat arm. It doesn’t pull my lashes and doesn’t get gunked up with product if I don’t manage to get all the mascara off my eyes.
JAPONESQUE Solid Brush Cleanser
While this isn’t technically a beauty “tool,” I use it like one. Cleaning beauty blenders is the pits, but this solid brush cleaner works amazingly well and it’s incredibly cathartic. It also smells astoundingly good and that smell lasts, which is even better when you’re applying makeup.