These make-up brushes keep selling out—as a make-up artist, I just tried them all

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I have some firm favourites, of course

Ciate x Hannah Martin
(Image credit: Ciate)

Here's the reason Hannah Martin has amassed a loyal army of admirers (including royals) for her make-up skills: she does the sort of make-up everyone wants to wear. Think softer than soft-edged smokey eyes, bold lipstick with shimmery lids, and you-but-much-better skin. 

After being asked repeatedly about which brushes worked best for what, she decided to team up with Ciate London to launch her own range of make-up brushes - and then are seriously comprehensive. 

Hannah's goal was to create something which would easily decode brushwork to those who didn't feel quite so confident applying their make-up, and simultaneously thrill make-up aficionados and artists.

As the latter (I'm a make-up artist myself when I'm not writing up the latest beauty news), I can confidently say Hannah has hit her target. The brushes cover all bases (pun intended), and also show the meticulous eye for detail which can only come as the result of hours and hours of doing make-up.

Here's everything you should know about the range:

  • There are 24 brushes in total, and Hannah's put a suggested use for each on the handle - but told me that you can absolutely use them however you see fit.
  • They're all vegan-friendly, and designed to mimic the performance of real hair without harming animals.
  • The handles are sustaibaly-sourced wood - and are lightweight to hold, making them so easy to use.
  • The vegan leather case is perfect to transport and store brushes in - and if you like me clean yours all the time, just use the lid for dirty ones so you know what you need to wash.

Madeleine Spencer and Hannah Martin

(Image credit: Future)

My five favourite brushes from the range:

Powder Detail

I always wear powder - but like to be selective about how much I apply, and where I put it. This gives all the control you need to really push powder into the bits of your face where you need it (like around the nose) with ease. 

Blush

This brush can be used with either a powder or creams and I adore that it's not too big - so many blush brushes are too large, meaning you apply too much. 

Cream Blender

Perfect for concealer or cream shadows, this effortlessly blends edges so you won't end up with any streaks in the finish.

Eye Detailer

Use this when you want a little shadow line/smoke around your eyes but need a bit of softness to the finish. Best used washing back and forth softly to really blend the powder. 

Spoolie

I love that Hannah has made a stand alone spoolie, which you can use to brush brows in place, move brows into place once you've applied something to set them, or even to apply or thin out mascara with once on. 

Buy the Hannah Martin x Ciaté London 24-Piece Professional Brush Collection:

Madeleine Spencer

Madeleine Spencer is a journalist and broadcaster who has contributed to titles including Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, The Independent, The Evening Standard, and Stylist, as well as offering commentary for the BBC, Sky News, and ITV.

She is keen on exploring the significance beauty rituals, products, and memories have on people from different walks of life, and enters into conversation on the topic with guests on her podcast, Beauty Full Lives.