Blush Brush Design for Cream and Powder Collections

For beauty brands, develop a blush brush based on the formulation, intended place of use and the function that the brush will play in the overall collection. A powder blush requires controlled pick up and diffusion of color, whereas cream and liquid formulas create more focus on placement and very precise edge work. Will this brush add value to your product line and will there be clear explanation of its use?

Our face collections at ZOREYA feature a selection of angled cheek brushes, fuller blush heads and rounded powder brushes. These make great starting points for a cheek collection, to extend a complexion range or even to create beauty gift sets that are coordinated.

Define the Role of Each Blush Brush

Pair the Brush with the Formula Concept

A brand launching a cream blush stick will have a very different brief than a retailer looking to add more powder blushes to their range. While the first will want the brush to pick up and place or blend the cream product, the second will want a soft sweep of powder that allows for great control to build color gradually.

Be sure to note the function of each brush before deciding on the color of the handle. A cream blush placed for precise application of the blush should read differently than a large powder brush. Although both may be part of the makeup line, the difference must be apparent not only at the product development meeting but also in the product’s name and marketing images.

Our Pink Metallic Ferrule Makeup Brush Set is suitable for powder, cream and light liquid formulas and here we distinguish between the various types of brushes. The coverage of the formulas in a collection should not be confused with the claim that every individual head of brushes can be used for every application equally well.

Give Each Format a Reason to Exist

A powder blush brush and a broader finishing brush can look very similar in a set photo. It is only by the brand elaborating on the different areas to use the brushes, their different head sizes, and how you apply the products that you can see the real value of the two. If two proposed brushes look almost identical in the set photos and receive almost identical descriptions, then it is likely that you don’t need both of them for the launch.

This is particularly relevant when it comes to compact face collections. A new brush only adds value if it can be used for something different, such as applying cheek color compared to very broad powder. A different color to an existing brush only adds up as a visual option and does not deliver any additional functionality.

Translate Brush Shape into a Clear Product Promise

Angled Heads for Directional Placement

An angled blush brush within the range will have a visible connection to use on the cheekbone area. An angled face of the brush will clearly illustrate a directional use as opposed to a round powder brush and this will be obvious in product shots. You will still need to see the head of the brush at its working width and how the fibers will spread when under light pressure.

Our Pink Metallic Ferrule Makeup Brush Set consists of an angled cheek brush for applying blush, bronzer or for gentle contouring as well as a fuller blush and face brush. The brush heads are made of synthetic fibers, the ferrules are made of pink aluminum and the handles are made of transparent, frosted plastic. This finish ties all the brushes of the coordinated range together. The useful distinction between the single brushes lies in the respective application of the brush heads.

Rounded Heads for Broader Diffusion

A rounded head is another starting point for a powder-led concept. A softer application to the cheek can be made using a larger working surface, but this must be outlined in the product description. A brush intended to be used as a cheek tool in particular needs further explanation if it has a head similar in size to an all-over powder brush.

The Rose Gold Clear Handle Powder Brush features a round head with pink synthetic fibers. Use this tool to apply blush, loose powder, pressed powder or bronzer to the face. The transparent handle of this brush features decorative details of the tool and is paired with a rose gold ferrule. The appearance of this face tool is distinctive and the applications are diverse, however the broad powder function of this brush is clear.

Compare Performance in a Consistent Application Scenario

Comparing similar formulas such as a blush to a blush is best done using the same application in terms of product load and movement, and a comparison of where the color lands on the head and how easily the edges can be buffed off is more useful than trying to figure out what the head shape added in the first place.

For a cream concept, check that the product is being used in a controlled manner as it blends. For a powder concept, check pickup and the gradation of color that can be applied. Compare the initial application of color to the finished edge to ensure that the accurate application of product as opposed to the brush’s broader blending action is being recognized.

Different emphasis needs to be placed on appearance and function of a ferrule or handle compared to the head of the brush and its suitability for the chosen blush. Let the comparison of application suffice to determine whether a brand’s main benefit statement is true.

Build the Brush into the Collection Story

A clearly defined function for the best blush brush within a brand line is key. A short everyday set of makeup brushes would typically include a good cheek brush and a powder brush. An extended face of brushes can then include additional shapes where the differences between them are sensible and warrant explanation.

The new pink metallic collection can be customized for the brush configuration, colors, logos and packaging. The rose gold clear-handle design can also be customized for the head density, ferrule finish and handle appearance. This way, the necessary application characteristics can be connected to a recognizable visual concept, and decorative changes are no longer confused with better makeup performance.

In addition to detailing how to care for a natural blush brush, it is also important to provide suitable care advice for a synthetic blush brush. For our new pink collection, we recommend mild soap or brush cleanser for normal cleaning and storage in a dry, well-ventilated environment. This information should be consistent across the product page, packaging and any demonstrations that are shown.

Conclusion

A blush brush is a more powerful addition to a make-up line when the formula, brush shape and the role it plays in a collection are clear. For brands and retailers alike, linking a different application to a product story that can be consistently told across all touch points is key. At ZOREYA we have brought together a number of cheek and face products, all accompanied by corresponding design options. We have put together a number of focused collections.

Explore ZOREYA design options for your next face brush collection.

FAQ

Q: How should a beauty brand define a blush brush brief?

A: We determine the blush formula, application area, finish of the product and then place the brush within that wider collection. We then determine whether the primary function of the brush is to provide controlled application or more wide spread application or a combination of both and that gives the head shape and size some purpose before we move on to coloring and finish and packaging of the product.

Q: Should cream and powder blush use separate brush designs?

A: It depends on the number of different applications you can explain to your customers. For example, a small tool for compact cream application and a bigger brush for powder would be two different designs. Some designs can hold different products but you have to compare each proposed use with the intended products, do not extend the results of one design to your whole collection.

Q: What distinguishes an angled blush brush in a retail range?

A: The angled head of this blush shows how it can be used for directional cheek application and so is different to a round powder. However, the working size and movement of the fibers will need to be suitable for use as a blush. This information should be shown in product images and product names rather than just in the handle finish.

Q: How can ZOREYA support a coordinated cheek brush collection?

Our range of cheek and face brushes are available in a variety of colors, with options for logo print, packaging and collection. Our pink metallic range combines the angular line of the blush brush with the fuller face shapes of the powder brushes. The rose gold clear-handle powder brush offers a different aesthetic and can be customized in respect of brush head density, fibre color and ferrule finish.