4 Professional Fan Brush Techniques Every Makeup Lover Could Master

Makeup lover will understand that having the right tools can make all the difference—and one of the most underrated tools in your kit might just be the fan brush. With its sleek shape and soft, fanned-out bristles, this unique brush isn’t just aesthetically pleasing—it’s also incredibly functional once you know how to use it.

At first glance, a fan brush can seem a little puzzling. It doesn’t look like your typical fluffy powder brush or angled contour tool, so it often gets overlooked. But don’t let it gather dust on your vanity—this lightweight, elegant brush is a favorite among professional makeup artists and beauty lovers for a reason. From applying highlighter with precision to sweeping away excess powder or fallout, the fan brush is a true multitasker.

Curious about how to unlock its full potential? In this guide, we’re sharing four easy and effective ways to use a fan brush like a pro—whether you’re aiming for glowing skin, a seamless finish, or sculpted definition.

How to Use a Fan Brush for Applying Highlighter

Let’s start with our favorite use for a fan brush: applying highlighter.

Choosing the right makeup brush is also key to getting the perfect glow. For a full-face highlight, you’ll want to use a fan brush. We love the F406 Fan Highlight Small—in addition to its elegant pearl-white handle, the bristles are super soft and luxurious. For smaller areas where you want less product and more precision (like the bridge of your nose, Cupid’s bow, or the inner corners of your eyes), the F406 Fan Highlight Small is also a great choice.

Now it’s time to apply. Hold your fan brush flat and press it gently into your highlighter, coating the sides and tip of the bristles. Unlike other makeup brushes, here you want to use the side of the brush head, not just the tip of the bristles. Tap the brush handle lightly with your index finger a few times to shake off any excess powder before applying it to your face.

Then, sweep the brush upward along the tops of your cheekbones toward your temples, laying the shimmery color down with a soft swiping motion to create an almost airbrushed effect. Continue dusting the powder over your cheekbones until you achieve your desired glow. Then, switch to your smaller fan brush (or stick with the same one) and repeat the process on the tip and bridge of your nose, your Cupid’s bow, and just above and below your brow bones. Remember to use the edge of the bristles for precise, even application.

How to Use a Fan Brush for Eyeshadow Fallout

Another popular use for the trusty fan brush is removing any excess powder that drops down from your eyeshadow. We’ve all had those days—maybe more often than we’d like—when we apply eye makeup in a rush and end up with fallout. Luckily, a fan brush can clean up eyeshadow mess in just a few seconds.

Grab a smaller, fluffier fan brush, like the F602 Duo Fiber Fan, and brush underneath your eyes right after a messy eyeshadow application. One swipe will pick up any stray pigment and instantly tidy up your under-eye area.

GREEN BRUSH PRO TIP: For an ultra-clean eye makeup look, apply your under-eye concealer after you've done your eyeshadow and brushed away the fallout with your fan brush. This ensures your carefully-applied concealer doesn’t get ruined by loose powder particles.

How to Use a Fan Brush to Apply Powder Products

Put your traditional powder brush aside—a fan brush is amazing for applying bronzer, blush, powder foundation, setting powder, and other powder products in your routine. The trick is to use a fluffier, denser brush like the F601 Powder Fan. These thicker bristles make it easier to pat, buff, and sweep product over your face without leaving harsh lines.

Here, you’ll want to use the tip of the bristles and swirl them into your powder. Then, sweep the brush across your face using soft swiping or circular motions, depending on which powder product you're applying. For foundation, gently buff the powder all over your face to create a smooth, streak-free finish. When applying bronzer, buff it into areas the sun would naturally hit, like the bridge of your nose, hairline, and jawline. For blush, swirl in a circular motion on the apples of your cheeks for a soft wash of color.

How to Use a Fan Brush for an Ultra-Sharp Contour

If you're into a sharp, defined contour, your fan brush can help get you there. For this look, the F601 Powder Fan is your go-to. Swirl the tip of the bristles into your bronzer or contour powder, then move the edge of the fan back and forth under your cheekbones (suck in your cheeks to find the natural hollow). This creates an ultra-precise, blended line beneath your cheekbones.

You can also contour your nose: simply sweep the bristles down each side of your nose to create a subtle, just-defined shadow.