With so many different face makeup tools to choose from, it can be a daunting task to figure out what brushes you actually need, and which products each one is used for in your makeup application. But don’t sweat it—we’re here to break down the five essential cruelty-free face brushes you need in your makeup bag, and how to use each one to your advantage: • Flat foundation brush: This flat brush with dense bristles helps you apply and build coverage with your liquid foundation tinted moisturizer, especially around your face’s tight corners. • Buffing foundation brush: This dome-shaped brush with fluffy bristles is a must for applying and blending liquid and cream products into an airbrushed finish. • Blush brush: Opt for a blush or highlighter brush with a slanted shape to help you sculpt your cream, liquid, or powder blush, bronzers, or highlighters into a contoured look. • Kabuki brush: With its dense, absorbent bristles and rounded shape, this unique compact makeup brush does its best work by buffing and blending powder, liquid, or cream foundations over large areas of the face (and is great to travel with). • Concealer brush: A small brush with flat bristles, this MVP tool helps you mask small imperfections and blur out undereye circles with an expert touch using concealer.