When it comes to applying makeup, it is really difficult to get a smooth, natural look using just your fingers. It will look splotchy, goopy and uneven. Not to mention how messy it can get. If you forget to wash your hands before applying the makeup, you could cause breakouts all over your skin. Obviously, a brush is the way to go but finding the best makeup brushes can be difficult.
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If you are a beginner, we suggest that you buy a cheap drugstore brush set just to learn how to use a brush and to figure out what you really need. There is no point in buying an expensive brush that you will never use. Once you get more experience, you can start to buy high-end individual brushes to replace the cheap ones.
There are hundreds of types, brands and materials available when it comes to makeup brushes. It can be hard to decide what you really need so we have come up with this guide to help you choose. Below you can find a helpful chart, descriptions of the different types of brushes, how brushes are made and reviews of the best makeup brushes on the market in 2024.
Table of Contents
Ultimate Guide to the Best Makeup Brushes
| Picture | Name | Brushes | Bristles |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sigma Essential Kit | 12 | Natural - Synthetic Combo |
 | Real Techniques Everyday Essentials | 5 | Synthetic |
| Premium Brush Set | 10 | Natural | |
| SHANY Bamboo Brush Set | 7 | Synthetic | |
 | Zoreya Makeup Brush Set | 10 | Synthetic |
Types of Makeup Brushes
Blush Brush
A blush brush is a medium-sized brush with a domed-shaped head and a long handle. It is designed to follow the contour of your cheek when applying blush. This will give you a more natural look. When it comes to blush brushes, try to choose one made from natural animal hair. The hair will help lift pigment and oils from your skin and blend them across the cheek to give you a streak-free glow. To clean a blush brush, wash it weekly with baby shampoo and lay it on a towel to dry with the handle tilted upward. Do not stand the brush up to dry or else the glue that holds the bristles in place could become loose.
Our Recommendation: e.l.f. Angled Blush Brush
Powder Brush
When it comes to powder, you do not want to apply it with a pouf or you could end up with a blotchy mess. A powder brush is the way to go. It will make your skin look more radiant and glowing. A powder brush contains a medium-size, slightly rounded head. They are used to gently dust powder on your nose, chin and forehead while avoiding powder where you don’t want it. A good brush will feel feathery and will not shed on your skin. A shedding brush is a sign of low quality and bad craftsmanship. Plus, no one likes having their perfect makeup ruined by lose bristles. Keep your powder brush clean by washing the bristles once a week.
Our Recommendation: e.l.f. Cosmetics Mineral Powder Brush
Foundation Brush
Applying foundation with a sponge is so outdated. Instead, choose a high quality foundation brush with a blend of natural and synthetic bristles. This will give you a fresh and natural look. The hair will lift the makeup pigment and sweep it across your face while the synthetic bristles will prevent the foundation from soaking into the brush. These type of brushes have a flat top with a contoured shape that lets you get into tight spots around the nose and the corner of the eyes. A foundation brush needs to be washed daily with a good brush cleanser. This will help prevent shedding and will dissolve oils that could cause a breakout.
Our Recommendation: Mary Kay Liquid Foundation Brush
Concealer Brush
A concealer brush is a small, flat brush with a rounded head and stiff bristles. It allows you to blend the concealer into small areas such as below the eyes or onto small blemishes. You should look for a concealer brush with synthetic bristles as these won’t soak up any makeup. Nylon bristles are a good choice as they are easy to clean and they are often packed closer together which makes it easier to get into tight spaces. Plus, nylon bristles are easier to clean as they don’t soak up the makeup. Most makeup will slide right off a nylon bristle with a little bit of water. A concealer brush should be washed after every use or the bristles will stick together.
Our Recommendation: Beauty Junkees Tapered Kabuki Brush for Concealer
Shadow Brush
If you want a smooth, even application of eye shadow, then you will need a shadow brush. These brushes will be short, generally less than ½ an inch in height, with soft, densely packed bristles. The bristles will feel soft, silky and flexible. A lid brush should be flat while a crease brush should be angled. Or you could go for a shadow brush that can be used for both purposes and has a half-moon shape. Be sure to clean your shadow brushes once a month with a good brush cleaner to keep them looking and performing at their best.
Our Recommendation: Bare Escentuals Wet/Dry Shadow Brush
Brow Brush
There are two types of brow brushes available. One type has a brush on one side and a comb on the other. These brushes work fine but most professionals prefer to use the other type – spoolies. A spooley brush looks like a mascara wand and is perfect for making your brows look groomed and polished. You can use it to brush powder into your brows so it looks more natural or it can be used without anything at all to round up any stray hairs sticking out of place. No matter which type of brow brush you use, you should wash it at least once a month.
Our Recommendation: Ardell Duo Brow Brush
Kabuki Brush
A Kabuki brush is a more compact version of a powder brush. The bristles are very compact and the handle is short. This brush is used when you want more coverage in one specific area. It can also be used to give foundation, powder or bronzer an airbrushed finish. The Kabuki brush isn’t essential but is a good option when you need a travel size powder brush or you feel more comfortable with a shorter handle. Many professional makeup artists prefer to use a Kabuki brush instead of a traditional powder or blush brush. Make sure you wash your Kabuki brush once a week.
Our Recommendation: e.l.f. Studio Retractable Kabuki Brush
Lip Brush
A lip brush is used when you need more control when applying lipstick or lip gloss. It allows you to paint it on in thin layers to create an even, smooth look. Most lip brushes are retractable which makes them perfect for traveling. When purchasing a lip brush, look for one with a firm but flexible tip made with synthetic bristles. This will help you smooth on your lip products without them soaking into the brush. This also makes it easy to go from one color to another as the synthetic fibers will not hold onto the color. Always wash your lip brush daily in an antibacterial solution.
Our Recommendation: Bare Escentuals Brush Covered Lip Brush
Eyeliner Brush
An eyeliner brush works to blend your liner into your lashline. It can also be used with water and a dark shadow to make a custom liner. They are tiny brushes that are firm and cut off at the top, sort of like the edge of a razor blade. Always purchase a liner brush made with synthetic bristles which are sharper at the edges. This will give you a more precise line when applying liner. Just like a lip brush, wash the liner brush in antibacterial solution daily. You don’t want to get bacteria in your eye or bad things could happen.
Our Recommendation: Sigma E65 Small Angle Eyeliner Brush
Essential Makeup Brush Sets for Beginners
We highly recommend purchasing a set of essential brushes if you are a beginner when it comes to makeup. Everyone who applies makeup must have a good blush brush, foundation brush, contouring brush, concealer brush and eye shadow brush. An eyeliner brush, Kabuki brush, lip brush and brow brush are good to have on hand but are not essential. Here are three affordable makeup brush kits for beginners:
e.l.f. Professional 9 Piece Brush Set Review
The e.l.f. Professional 12 Piece Brush Set is the perfect set of brushes for beginners. This kit comes with a face brush, blush brush, foundation brush, eyeliner brush, eye shadow brush, eye sponge, defining eye brush, brow brush and lip brush along with a brush roll. The brush roll allows you to keep your brushes organized and safe while traveling. They are high quality brushes and all of e.l.f’s products are cruelty free. Customers who own these brushes rave about the softness and the fact that they do not shed. The best part about this set is that it is super affordable.
DragonPad 32 Piece Makeup Brush Set Review
The DragonPad 32 Piece Makeup Brush Set is a good choice for beginners. It is not as high quality as professional sets but the brushes get the job done well. The bristles are made of a blend of synthetic and natural hairs for an easy application of your makeup.
It contains 32 different brushes – any brush you would ever need and more. They come in a fabric carrying case to keep them clean while traveling. For less than the price of a drugstore lipstick, you can have a full set of high quality brushes.
The best thing about the DragonPad 32 Piece Makeup Brush Set is that you get brushes that you would probably not purchase. You can try them out and if you find that you really like a certain type of brush, you can buy a higher quality brush in the future.
Sixplus Professional Makeup Brushes Set Review
With the Sixplus Professional Makeup Brushes Set, you get eleven high quality makeup brushes in a pretty pink case. Included in this set is a foundation brush, eyeshadow brush, eyebrow brush, lip brush, concealer brush and lip brush. This brush set contains all of the essential brushes you will need to apply your makeup daily.
The cool thing about this brush set is that you don’t have to buy a bunch of brushes that you will never use. You get everything you need in this set and nothing more. It is very affordable which makes it a perfect set for beginners. Sixplus has other brushes and sets so you can add to your collection once you get more experience applying makeup.