A lipstick brush is a long, thin pencil-like wand with soft bristles on the end that typically form a tapered point. The brush is used for applying lipstick, and it is an option many people prefer over applying lip color directly from a tube. These brushes are widely available and can be purchased in most drug or department stores as well as online. Lipstick brushes vary in price from very cheap to very expensive. The more expensive brushes may last longer than the cheaper ones, but it is also possible to get a good-quality brush for a low price.
The advantage of using a lipstick brush over applying lipstick from the tube is that it may make it easier to get the color on perfectly. When using a tube, many people end up with smudges and get the color outside of the natural border of the lips. If a lipstick brush is used, the point is fine enough that it's easy to get the color on without going outside the lines. The tapered end may also make it easier to get the color on evenly in the corners of the mouth, which is an area that many tube lipsticks are too broad to fit into. It may be a good idea to get a lipstick brush that has a retractable base so the brush will be less likely to bump against things, which could cause the bristles to bend and make application messier.
Using a lipstick brush to apply lipstick may result in lipstick lasting longer because less product is generally used with each application. Some people who use these brushes do not even need to use a lip liner because the application tends to be so precise. A lip liner may still be used for added lip definition, and most beauty experts recommend choosing a liner that blends in easily with the lipstick shade. Neutral colors typically blend in well with almost any lipstick color.
Lipstick brushes may develop bacteria within the bristles over time, so it is important to clean them regularly. This is also true of any type of makeup brush, particularly if the brushes are used by more than one person. Most lipstick brushes are safe to use as long as they are cleaned roughly once a week. Soap and water should be all that is needed to clean a lipstick brush of any bacterial buildup. After washing the brush out, the bristles should be combed out so that they will be straight and flat when they're dried rather than crooked.