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By Janelle Okwodu and Iman Balagam
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When it comes to finding the best makeup brushes, consumers are spoiled for choice. Thanks to the internet and the plethora of beauty companies in existence, there are thousands of options on the market. All that variety can be overwhelming, but thankfully experts can demystify the process. Here, a guide to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about makeup brushes, from the tools every beginner should test out to how to clean and maintain your investments.
Unless you’re a dedicated collector, professional makeup artist, or beauty junkie, you don’t need to have many brushes. According to the experts, only a handful are necessary. “I think there are five essentials, maybe six if you factor in a concealer brush,” says makeup artist Troy Surratt, whose eponymous brand includes a lineup of ultra-luxury brushes handmade in Kumano, Japan. The trick to keeping things simple is finding tools that multi-task. “A good starter kit would be a medium density face brush that can be used in a multitude of ways,” says Surratt. “That can be used for powder, bronzer, powder foundation, and even blush.”
After investing in a powder brush, Surrat suggests a petite face brush and three dedicated to eyeshadow. “You’ll want to have a fluffy brush that can lay color on the lid, a smaller one that is more of a pencil shape, and then a domed brush for adding color to the eye’s crease or definition to the lash line.” The final essential? A well-designed lip brush for perfecting your pout. “Some people are great at just swiping on their lipstick straight out of the tube, but the lip brush gives you that added precision,” says Surratt. “You’re able to create a sharper lip line and work the color into the texture of the lips, which results in a longer wearing, indelible look.”
With so many different brushes on the market, sometimes it’s best to opt for a brush kit from a trusted brand like Hourglass. We love this one because it comes with 17 (!) super-soft vegan brushes, each with weighted handles designed for your face, cheeks, and eyes.
If you’re in search of an upgrade for your makeup brushes, Sigma’s 12 Beauty Essentials Kit eliminates the guesswork when shopping for brushes. This comprehensive set includes everything you could ever need, from a vegan foundation brush and large powder brush to precise brushes for applying concealer, lipstick, and more.
Few aspects of makeup application are as important as foundation. Creating a smooth, even base is essential, but there are multiple methods to achieve perfection. The best brushes for the task are often made from synthetic fibers, as they play well with cream and liquid formulas and are easy to wash.
While it is tempting to spread the product around on your face and hope for the best, makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes recommends priming the brush to achieve a seamless finish. “Instead of just squirting out the product and using your foundation brush to place it directly onto your face, you can work the product into the brush itself,” says Hughes. “When everything is merged with the brush’s bristles, your application is much smoother, and blending it all out is much quicker because you aren’t just depositing a blob of color directly onto the skin.”
Hughes knows a thing or two about skin; with the work she does for celebrities like Ashley Graham and Rosie Huntington-Whitely and in her stylized Instagram selfies, she’s able to make each person’s complexion seem naturally flawless, the product of great genes rather than layers of product. Her tools of choice include a range of shapes, from the classic paddle style to bristle-packed domed brushes perfect for buffing.
The problem with base brushes is that oftentimes they soak up all of your foundation (which isn’t cheap!). Saie’s Base Brush, on the other hand, is super dense and designed to distribute product evenly across the skin without any wastage.
This angled foundation brush is a game-changer for those who view brushes as tools for painting their faces rather than just for blending. It’s made of synthetic vegan bristles and won’t absorb your foundation—just remember to use a brush cleaner regularly to prevent product buildup.
Though powder is the final touch of most makeup looks, it’s the first brush worth considering. A good powder brush can enhance the entire application process and, if selected wisely, can be used to also apply products like bronzer, highlighter, and even blush. Given their importance, powder brushes tend to be one of the more expensive items within a collection. If you’re going to invest in one type of tool, they’re usually the safest bet.
The realities of your daily beauty routine are something to keep in mind while choosing. Fans of full glam will want something different than makeup minimalists. “The lighter and fluffier the hairs are, the softer and more natural the application will be,” says Surratt. “The denser hairs offer more opaque coverage. I always test by running my thumb over the brush head to see how densely packed the hairs are, and if it is packed tightly, it’s going to deposit a lot of product onto the skin.”
Oversized powder brushes are usually the first option that comes to mind, but bigger isn’t always better. Targeted product application can be as effective, especially for those who prefer to keep their complexions dewy.“More often than not, I find myself using a large eyeshadow brush to set makeup with,” says Hughes. “Under the eyes, around the nose, around the mouth, it works beautifully and gives me the utmost precision. The bigger brushes serve a purpose, but I’ve found that you can do more with the smaller ones.”
This Surratt Beauty brush is far from your average makeup tool; it’s akin to a fine work of art, as stated by the brand, which adheres to the Japanese philosophy of Monozukuri (craftsmanship) in designing all its products. Although a bit of a splurge, it’s carefully assembled by a skilled artisan using hand-tied natural fibers.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one makeup brush, we’d recommend a powder brush for its versatility. This ultra-soft synthetic one from Hourglass takes it a step further with its dual-ended design featuring a large rounded side and a small tapered side.
Everyone has something they’re eager to put a little concealer on, but the makeup bag MVP is best when it’s paired with the right brush. If you’re looking to cover circles under the eye, a small, somewhat dense brush with soft fibers or hairs is ideal for working with the delicate area. Pimples can be hidden using a small detail brush to cover the offending blemish without spreading product around. Given the amount of different issues concealer can be used to address, don’t be afraid to utilize a brush that isn’t labeled specifically for that task. “If you’ve got an eyeshadow brush that works great under your eyes or a lip brush that is the right shape for detail concealer work, then just use it,” says Hughes. “There are absolutely no rules!”
Just a few pats with this cylindrical-shaped brush are all you need to cover any blemishes and imperfections. An added bonus is that the brush is quite tiny, so it doesn’t take up much space in your makeup pouch.
Expert Liquid and Cream Concealer Makeup Brush
At under $10, there’s almost no reason not to try out this brush. Like all Real Techniques brushes, the affordable price doesn’t mean they skimp on quality—it’s soft, durable, and made from dense, rounded bristles to effectively conceal any dark spots and spot treat.
The allure of a sculpted, contoured look is impossible to resist, but achieving the effect takes practice. It isn’t enough to play with light and shadow to create contrast; you have to blend the products. Hindsight is 20/20, and it’s easy to spot unblended contour in photographs or on Instagram, but such mistakes are easily avoidable. If your contour product is powder-based, use a light hand and a fluffy fan brush that leaves an error-proof finish. Cream contour is all about precision and a detail brush that doesn’t let you make thick, harsh lines. No matter what you choose, be sure to buff everything in so that it merges with any foundation, blush, or highlighter.
Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush
Merit is known for perfecting the art of the no-makeup makeup, so naturally, its tapered blending brush is great at ensuring your makeup blends into skin properly. No harsh lines or obvious contours on their account, that’s for sure!
The best blending brush ensures that your skin looks airbrushed when used in conjunction with your favorite foundation. This one from Chantecaille achieves just that with its oversized flat top, which both buffs and blurs.
Turns out, makeup brushes aren’t the only means of perfecting your complexion. If you want your base to look like a second skin, consider the acclaimed Beautyblender or MAC’s sponges to gently buff away product streaks. When it comes to setting, Laura Mercier’s Velour Puff expertly places the brand’s loose setting powder, while Beautyblender’s Pocket Puff is great for setting and baking to ensure long wear.
We’d be surprised if you’ve somehow made it this far in life without ever picking up a Beautyblender. It’s undoubtedly one of the best sponges on the market, guaranteeing an even, smooth blend every single time.
While we can’t count on Rihanna to release new music anytime soon, we can certainly rely on her to deliver quality beauty products. This makeup sponge is three-sided, featuring a slanted edge for stippling, a mini-moon edge for concealing, and a rounded edge to buff the face. The best part is that it pairs effortlessly with cream, powder, and liquid products.
For fans of setting powder, this velour puff really helps you seal the deal—it was designed to be paired with the brand’s iconic translucent powder, after all. Its large size is great for powdering your entire face quickly, as well as for baking underneath the eyes.
Power Pocket Puff Dual-Sided Powder Puff for Setting and Baking
The rumors are true; there’s a new Beautyblender in town. Unlike the OG, which works best when damp, this one is meant to be kept dry. It’s a dual-textured puff designed for use with powders to set, blur, and bake makeup. There’s even a little finger band for easy application.
The wealth of blush formulations on the market means that more than one brush can be devoted to the category. On social media and YouTube tutorials, the focus is always on pigment, but those high-impact powder blushers need to be applied with care. A good rule of thumb is the brighter the hue; the wispier and softer the brush should be. Are you swiping on neon orange or magenta? Opt for a flexible and feathery tool, like the Surrat Cheek brush. Applying a nude beige or light tint? Go for the dense Tom Ford Cheek Brush to make the most of the neutral. Liquid and cream blushes can be applied with your fingers, but if you require a blush brush designed specially for those formulations, opt for a multi-purpose synthetic like Koyudo’s Maikko, which is excellent for applying and blending out liquids.
Paying attention to the density of the hairs and the shape allows for maximum control of color payoff. “You want to be able to pick up saturated color in the center of the brush and have the shorter bristles around it diffuse that color,” says Surratt, who conceived the pom-pom design of his blush brush by considering the way it would fit against the apple of a person’s cheek. “The tool should always fit the size and shape of the area that you’re using it for.”
Sure, you could use your fingers to apply your makeup, but you could also opt for a brush designed to mimic fingertips, like this angled one from Rare Beauty. It’s super soft, hits the apples of your cheeks perfectly, and pairs nicely with both liquid and powder blush.
Les Pinceaux de Chanel Blush Brush No. 110
When in doubt, Chanel it out. This super-soft tapered blush brush is worth the investment, as it’s of such high quality that it will last you for years to come. It feels great on your skin, is the ideal size for your cheekbones, and picks up all the pigment, so you won’t be wasting any product.
Makeup technology is continuously evolving, and one of the newer categories is baked gelée products. While many traditional eyeshadows, blushes, and pressed powders are made by taking dry pigments and mixing them with binders and filler ingredients like kaolin clay or mica, bake gelée formulas are creams that are heated in a special oven until they form a solid. This process gives them a distinctive marbled look and hybrid texture that is soft to the touch without being moist.
The product category—capable of delivering high shine, bold color, and a subtle blurring effect—has attracted plenty of passionate fans. “They all look so velvety and beautiful even on very dry skin; they are my absolute favorite,” says Swiss entrepreneur Sonia G, whose handmade brush line ranks among the world’s best. “I prefer to use natural brushes with them since the structure of the bristle gives the brush more strength to pick up this type of formula, to blend them, or to work the application more efficiently onto the skin.”
Sonia recommends using brushes that are medium density and aren’t floppy. “Depending on the pigmentation of the product, a firm brush that moves smoothly and with discipline will apply and diffuse them more effortlessly,” she explains. “If you feel that you need to press very hard to get enough product onto the brush, this may end up damaging your brush as the bristles will weaken and break, so pick up a denser or firmer brush.”
This brush might be small, but don’t let its cute appearance fool you; it’s sturdy. The bristles are tightly packed together, making it easy to buff and blend both cream and liquid products.
For a contour that could cut glass, you’re going to need an angled sculpting brush. Chantecaille’s is one of our favorites because it’s cruelty-free, with soft synthetic fibers that provide a defined effect every time.
The days of highlighters that can be seen from space are over, but the appeal of sparkle endures. The best brushes for the task will provide both lit from within glow and the aforementioned blinding flash, depending on how they are used. A small fan brush is a classic choice; its cheek hugging shape, making it ideal for dusting on powders, but it’s far from the only option. Stippling brushes that utilize duo fibers (a mix of natural and synthetic) also work well, mainly when covering a larger surface area like the shoulders or collarbone. At the same time, longer tapered options target areas like the brow bone and tip of the nose that need only a hint of shine.
For a highlight that isn’t overtly streaky or patchy, you’re going to need a brush that effortlessly glides along the cheekbones, like this one. It picks up the right amount of product and dusts it enough to give you a subtle glow, avoiding the look of having just dipped your face into glitter.
F03 High Cheekbone Highlighter Brush
If you want a highlight brush that does more than just dusting a bit of sparkle onto your skin, Sigma’s High Cheekbone Highlighter Brush is your go-to. It’s denser than some of the fluffy brushes on the market, allowing you to create a strong highlight on the skin.
If you have one eyeshadow brush within your arsenal, it is likely a paddle-style laydown tool. Excellent for packing product onto the lid or sweeping on a single shade for a one-and-done look, these workhorses are tried and true favorites. Materials vary and serve different specialties. Natural hair options include goat, which is excellent for distributing color, and squirrel, which is softer and better for light application of brighter shades. Synthetic fibers are wonderful for the creams and liquid formulations currently flooding the market—and just about everything else.
Many people—including legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath—use their fingers to apply and blend metallic and glittery eyeshadow. The technique works wonderfully, but brush companies have found ways to mimic it. Ultra-dense eyeshadow brushes allow you to achieve the same effect without getting your hands dirty.
Les Pinceaux de Chanel Retractable Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Brush N°200
Dual-ended eyeshadow brushes are our favorite because, at times, you want to mix shades without worrying about getting things mixed up. The bristles glide easily across the eyelid, are retractable, and come with caps, making them perfect for travel.
Made from synthetic bristles, this round-topped eyeshadow brush is excellent for both powder eyeshadow and cream shadows (which can often be more difficult to blend out). It feels luxe on the eyelids, doesn’t tug, and carries a good amount of pigment.
Smokey eyes are a classic, and the best way to achieve them is through tapered blending brushes. These tools feature longer hairs and extend color in the eye’s crease or combine shades on the lid. Instead of relying on a single color, a good blending brush allows you to mix and create an ombre effect or take that one richly pigmented eyeshadow you have sitting at the bottom of your makeup bag and smoke it out for a beautiful monochromatic look.
The right tapered brush can elevate your makeup game. “I think that they’re game-changers, and they’re not just good for a smokey eye,” says Surratt. “I have three sizes; the large one I use for powdering around the nose or to sweep a medium tone shade across the whole lid. The medium and small versions are perfect for shading and incorporating darker colors to your eyeshadow look to add depth.”
This synthetic bristle brush was designed specifically for blending eyeshadow into the contour and crease area of the eyelid. It’s just the right amount of fluffy and tapered, promising a perfect smokey eye every time.
M506 Tapered Mini Blender Brush
While this brush may be mini, it’s ideal for perfectionists. Its small size allows you to be more precise and thoughtful with your application, enabling you to build upon your pigment rather than smudging everything together in one large swoop.
Applying eyeliner can be tricky, especially if you prefer gel or pressed powder liner, but this thin, finely tapered brush has your back. Made of synthetic bristles, it glides easily and can even be dipped in water for wet lining.
Eyeshadow lovers need at least one flat-topped eyeshadow brush in their kit. That way, all it takes is one swipe to achieve the sharp lines you're looking for.
Eyebrows frame the entire face, and grooming them can be a multi-step process. Still, there is plenty that can be accomplished with a single brush. If your brows are sparse, a stiff angled option allows you to fill in large sections with a powder or gel to fake a bushy brow, while models with thinner tips let you draw on individual hairs and target any bald patches. Extra-wide angled brushes allow for lightning-fast application.
Those already blessed with thick Brooke Shields-esque brows can benefit from a domed eyebrow brush used to place highlighter or the smallest amount of concealer directly onto the brow bone to add a little definition. There is also the good ol’ fashioned spoolie, which serves to brush hairs up or add in a bit of wax to achieve the “feathered” brow looks that’s dominated Instagram and TikTok.
Informally known as the queen of brows, Miss Anastasia wouldn’t disappoint you with just any old brow brush. No, this one is dual-sided, with angled synthetic bristles on one side to fill in any gaps and a spoolie on the other to brush and blend everything together.
Les Pinceaux de Chanel Dual-Ended Brow Brush N°207
Another twofer, this dual-ended brush works great with both cream and powder brow formulas. The angled edge helps to draw precise lines, and the spoolie makes everything look natural and blended.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting a makeup brush is the quality and type of hair it is made of. Many natural options include Saikoho goat, gray squirrel, silver fox, and even Kolinsky sable. Each type of material serves a different purpose, and it varies in terms of softness.
Increasingly, brands are using synthetic materials like Taklon and Micro Crystal fiber that mimics the functionality of natural hair. “The technology behind synthetic hair brushes is so incredible [and] I can achieve a beautiful, refined application on myself and my clients working with them,” explains Gucci Westman, whose Westman Atelier range is handmade by Japanese artisans using cruelty-free nylon bristles and sustainably sourced birchwood from an FSC-certified forest. “Synthetic brush fibers can be shaped more like virgin hair [which] results in a soft feel and smooth application. The quality can so closely mimic natural ones that it can be hard to tell any difference upon the skin.”
The prevalence of synthetic materials is likely to increase as time progresses. Just as many fashion brands have committed to going cruelty-free with their ready-to-wear cosmetics, beauty houses are moving in a similar direction. To ensure that your purchases align with your ethics, be sure to check each tool you purchase and find out precisely what it’s made from.
The very best makeup brushes come directly from Japan, where there is a rich history of brush making—there, artisanal brushes are called fude. Originally stemming from calligraphy, the handmade brushes produced in places like Kumano in Hiroshima prefecture are exquisitely crafted art pieces. “There are more than 100 brush workshops of various sizes in the area,” explains Fude Beauty CEO Takuya Fujiyama, who witnessed the region’s shift from manufacturing writing tools to creating beauty essentials. “The craft evolved from the traditional craft of calligraphy brush making, [so when] holding a Fude makeup brush, you hold centuries of craftsmanship.”
Japanese brands like Shaquda, Chikuhodo, Koyudo, and Bisyodo are prized among makeup artists and collectors, who value the softness and unique touches like lacquered handles and hand-painted floral embellishments. The attention to detail is what separates the brushes from the competition; purchasing a fude tool is an investment intended to last a lifetime. Some rarer creations have price tags that can run into the hundreds and are (usually) reserved for a display case rather than daily use. “They are entirely handmade, including the sorting of bristles to ensure only the finest quality are selected to hand-bundling the bristles into various shapes,” says Fujiyama. “Bristles are left uncut to take advantage of the fine natural tips—this is what gives them the difference in softness, product pick-up, and smooth application.” Why splurge on the fancy option? It’s all about elevating your makeup moments from routine to ritual. “It’s about more than the functionality,” says Osahiro Maruyama of artisan brush company Shaquda, whose all-wood Ubu line has won awards for innovation in design. “The designs can connect to your interiors or style. They’re brushes that are beautiful even when they’re just resting on your table [because] it enhances the experience you have while getting ready each day. ”
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