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Get flawless skin with these brushes.
By Aly Walansky — Written on Oct 26, 2018
There are a lot of brushes out there, and many of us aren't so sure what we need in our arsenal or how to use those brushes once we have them. Using the best foundation brush is incredibly important for getting seamless, even coverage when applying foundation.
Some may say to dab the flat side of brush in foundation, and then apply color starting in the middle of face, working outward towards the hairline. This will avoid streaks and uneven coverage. But you may also see makeup artists applying foundation to back of the hand and working a light, even coverage onto the bristles.
The best brushes can last for years, but make sure to clean them often. Wash the brush regularly with warm, soapy water, rinse well, then reshape and leave them flat to dry. In the mean time, check out this selection.
Under $20
1. Ecotools Flat Foundation Brush
This foundation brush is made with flat, dense bristles that are perfect to apply liquid and cream foundation seamlessly and evenly across your face for a flawless finish.
(Amazon)
2. Boots No 7 Foundation Brush
This brush is an affordable but excellent way to blend foundation. And it's perfect to throw in your toiletries bag for travel to always have with you.
(Walgreens, $9.99)
3. Rose Bliss Foundation Brush
This foundation brush features a dense and slightly pointed flat brush head, which is ideal for applying cream or liquid foundation. It comes in a beautiful rose gold and is the perfect addition to all makeup kits.
(Walmart, $9.99)
4. Bamboo Foundation Brush
The brushes from this range have a natural bamboo handle, and are eco-friendly and animal cruelty-free.
(Amazon)
5. Rose Quartz Buffing Brush
This buffing brush is ideal for applying powder and mineral foundation to achieve full coverage over desired areas.
(Cala Product, $8.75)
6. Complexion Trip Round 3-in-1 Brush
The Complexion Trio has a blending brush, blending sponge, and small eye brush built to blend makeup along all the angles and curves of the face. It's perfect for women on-the-go, and for quick touch-ups during the day.
(Cala Product, $17.50)
7. Retractable Kabuki Brush
This kabuki brush has soft, dense bristles, perfect for blending powdered foundation and mineral makeup evenly on the skin, creating a very natural looking finish. It's retractable and perfect to toss in your handbag for touch-ups.
(Cala Product, $18.75)
Over $20
8. Cailyn Cosmetics O! Wow Brush
With its ultra-fine, densely packed bristles that feel like velvet, this makeup brush is unlike anything you’ve experienced. It combines the best of a sponge and brush, blending moisturizers, foundation, blushes, bronzers, and powder.
(Amazon)
9. Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Full-Bodied Foundation Brush
This is a medium-density liquid foundation brush designed to give seamless, air-touched, full coverage. It's specifically designed to give the coverage of a flat paddle brush plus the blending of an airbrush so you can achieve the holy grail of long-lasting coverage with an air-touched finish.
(Sephora, $34)
10. Tarte Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush
This is a makeup brush that is meant to achieve the soft finish of airbrushing by blending and buffing makeup for a perfectly airbrushed effect.
(Sephora, $34)
11. BareMinerals Beautiful Finish Foundation Brush
This foundation brush is specifically engineered to hold loose powder foundation like water to a sponge. It even has a skirted silhouette with a rounded center that provides impeccably even coverage.
(Amazon)
12. Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush
This foundation brush packs a lot of performance and is designed with a shape and texture to get the best finish possible. The bristles are super soft and designed to fit all the contours of the face, including around the nose and under the eyes.
(Sephora, $46)
13. Becca 'The One' Perfecting Brush
A true beauty multitasker, this patent-pending brush cuts makeup application time in half by replacing 10 other brushes and tools. The bristles are packed in a 3.5 inch horizontal design, allowing you to effortlessly and evenly cover larger or smaller surface areas.
(Sephora, $49)
14. Jane Iredale Foundation Brush
This vegan and cruelty-free brush is perfect for applying any liquid foundation, gel or cream. It's ideal as a blush brush and is available in graphite or rose gold.
(Amazon)
15. 100% PURE Cruelty Free Flat Kabuki Brush F40
The wide, flat top of this kabuki brush buffs out liquid and cream foundations for an airbrushed effect. The shape of the ultra-soft vegan bristles makes this a very versatile tool for your beauty arsenal.
(Amazon)
16. Raazika Cosmetics Vegan Flat Trop Brush
This vegan synthetic brush has a thick barrel for support and control while the packed bristles help for easy application. All brushes are made in the USA and proceeds of all sales from Raazika Cosmetics are donated to BESTRONG, an organization that helps teens with bullying, substance abuse, and suicide help.
(Raazika Cosmetics, $30)
17. Kjaer Weis Foundation Brush
The Kjaer Weis Foundation Brush always deposits the right amount of makeup to your face, whether you need light or heavy coverage. Made of dermatologically tested synthetic fibers, it's safe for even the most sensitive skin, and the perfect size for travel or home.
(Aillea, $32)
18. RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Foundation Brush
The Skin2Skin foundation brush uses varying bristle lengths that are tightly layered in a swirl pattern to blend your foundation. Because of the expertly placed bristles, this brush presses color into the skin rather than laying on top of the face. This brush is free of animal hair and is completely vegan.
(Aillea, $38)
19. Osmosis Colour Vegan Base Brush
This multitasking tool contains a flat top brush head and can be used for powder as well as liquid and cream foundations. Use this vegan makeup brush for a flawless finish with little to no product absorption.
(Osmosis Skincare, $35)
20. Osmosis Colour Vegan Kabuki Brush
This beauty must-have helps you buff your way to a flawless complexion. Its soft bristles pick up the perfect amount of powder, evenly distributing it for a seamless finish. The short handle offers a comfortable grip and full control, allowing for an effortless application every time.
(Osmosis Skincare, $27)
21. Crunchi No. 1 Flat Top Brush
This one of a kind brush gives you a flawless airbrush look with minimal effort. Additionally, you can use this brush to apply brush and bronzer, allowing you to create stunning definition in seconds.
(Crunchi, $44)
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her at alywalansky@gmail.com.
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