How to use a stippling brush (aka "skunk" brush)
One of my fav makeup brushes is my Mac 187. Mac calls it their Duo Fibre brush, but it’s more commonly referred to as a “skunk brush” (because the hairs are white on top and black on the bottom) or a “stippling brush.”
What is a stippling brush?
A stippling brush is versatile brush made up of dual fibres that are not densely packed. The hairs are typically spread out from each other and have a soft/bendy feel to the touch.
This brush type is very versatile. It can be used to apply foundation, blush, and powder. I personally use this brush to apply blush, since I use my hands to apply my foundation.
Why would you use a stippling brush over a blush brush or kabuki?
Because the hairs on a stippling brush aren't densely packed, it can do two things that make it unique: 1) it does a light application of whatever type of makeup you're applying and 2) if you're using it for foundation application, its use can result in an airbrushed look.
I'm Korean, which means I have really high cheekbones. I know that's generally a good thing, but it was a pain in the ass growing up when I couldn't figure out why sunglasses never looked right on me. Anyways, because my high cheekbones accentuate my round face, blush is key for me -- it helps bring out the dimensions in my face. And it also just makes me look jolly ;)
And I love my Mac 187, because no brush can brighten up my cheeks the way this brush can.
How do you use a stippling brush?
The thing to remember when using a stippling brush is to be gentle with it. It's meant for lighter application, when you don't want to use a heavy hand. This works well when I'm putting on blush, because I like a lot of pigment, but I don't want to look like a clown. And the stippling brush allows me to easily layer on in small doses.
When I use a stippling brush to apply blush, I pat it against my blush powder, and then I apply the powder to the apples of my cheeks using a light circular motion.
If you're going to use a stippling brush to apply liquid foundation, you can either move the brush in a circular motion or you can gently pat the brush all over your face.
Here's a pic of my brush (clearly, it needs cleaning):
