20 Best Makeup Brushes Of All-Time
No makeup collection is complete without the full set of quality brushes.
getty If your face is the canvas and the makeup is the paint, what would a true work of art be without the use of a brush? Not only a brush, but the perfect brush for the perfect application!
Between foundation, shadow, and lip, there are over dozens of the best makeup brushes to help create the perfect masterpiece of makeup art. Unfortunately, brushes are one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated beauty products.
To take the confusion and guessing games out, we've provided 20 of our favorite makeup brushes on the market. Read on as we break down why these brushes are our favorites, and why they belong in your cosmetic bag.
1. 736 Tapered Face Brush by Luxie
This LUXIE 736 Tapered Face brush is one of the best powder brushes on the market. The handle on the brush is dynamic and comforting with its design material. When it comes to the bristles of the brush, it was designed in a unique teardrop shape. This shape allows powder to apply perfectly (masking all the right places). This brush can also be used for both blush and bronzer application.
(Luxie, $34)
2. M310 Large Soft Fan by Morphe
A fan brush is the ultimate accessory for the girls looking to blind the crowd with their intense highlight. The M310 Large Soft Fan is incredibly lightweight and applies perfectly as fanned across the cheekbones.
(Morphe, $5)
3. The Powder Brush from La Mer
A big and softly bristled brush, this powder brush from the luxurious La Mer packs a punch when it comes to applying powder. The synthetic brush hairs make this piece easy to clean and buildable in coverage.
(La Mer, $85)
4. Blush Brush by Milani Cosmetics
If there's anything we like more than blush from Milani, it's Milani's blush brush. The head's bristles fits the rosey apple of our cheeks perfectly, not to mention the nylon fabric works with powdered, cream, or liquid blush.
(Target, $11.99)
5. 228 Synthetic Mini Shader Brush by MAC
The key to an intense and blended smokey eye is the shading brush. So if you're someone who finds themselves rocking the dark shadow, it's wise to invest in an unbelievable shader brush, and the one from MAC is just the piece. What truly makes it is the rounded tip that's packed tightly and gives the shadow extra pressure to blend into the eyelid.
(MAC, $20)
6. The One Perfecting Brush by Becca Cosmetics
This brush is big, and we mean really big! It's the perfect vehicle for contouring. It delivers ample amount of products, but more than that, its ability to blend into the cheek perfectly is the real reason this brush has earned a spot on our list of the best makeup brushes around.
(Sephora, $49)
7. Pillow Blend Collection from PÜR Cosmetics
Speaking of contour, imagine the perfect set of brushes that can work with contour all over the face. The set of Pillow Blenders from PÜR give you the ultimate tools to contour not only the cheek bones, but the bridge of the nose, the forehand and the jaw. The Pillow Blenders are silicon, making it easy to clean and keep free from bacteria.
(PÜR Cosmetics, $39)
8. Lip Brush by Chanel
Otherwise known as Les Pinceaux De Chanel, this brush will leave you feeling fancy. Many may be thinking that many lip products come in bullets or with doe foot applications, but oftentimes the doe foot applicators found in liquid lipstick can vary in quality or lip palettes come with no applicators. This is where the beautiful lip brush from Chanel takes center stage.
(Chanel, $32)
9. 158 Double-Ended Sculpting Brush by Make Up For Ever
The best magic trick in our makeup bags are the 158 Double-Ended Sculpting Brush by Make Up For Ever, because not only can it supply your foundation powder but can also apply blush, contour, highlight and bronzer — all in one brush! This brush works perfectly with compact and loose products.
(Make Up For Ever, $53)
10. E04 Lash Fan Brush by Sigma Beauty
This brush is not only adorable, it's completely useful and creates a beautiful highlight. Meant for both the bridge of the nose and underneath the brow bone, this brush will allow our eyes and nose to receive the same amount of quality, love and attention our cheek bones get on the reg!
(Sigma, $15)
11. Loose Mineral Foundation Brush by ColoreScience
Keeping with the discussion of magic and useful, these are two characteristics of Colorescience's Loose Mineral Foundation Brush. This brush not only gives you a powder applicator, but product to be applied. Best of all, this powder is a perfecting setting powder to liquid foundation as well as a powerful tint to a natural look with medium cover.
(Colorescience, $55)
12. Ita Kabuki Brush by NARS
Believe it or not, the design and aesthetic of this brush is not the main benefits of the piece. This fluffy kabuki brush can be used in many versatile ways including defining cheekbones, highlighting the face, in addition to blending. The design of the brush brought on by the past application of makeup, this is artist piece of choice when applying for various high quality events.
(NARS, $55)
13. Concealer Brush by Amazing Cosmetics
When asking a majority of people what they use to apply concealer, it's common to hear "my finger." A big no no in the makeup world, so not only does this apply unevenly, but you waste product through the absorption of your finger, and it can lead to bacteria build up and clogged pores.
So do the smart thing and apply with a brush. Not just any brush, but the concealing brush by Amazing Cosmetics. The exact precision of this brush gives you ample quality to cover an blemishes throughout the face.
(Amazing Cosmetics, $15)
14. Dome Powder Brush from Osmosis Medical Skincare
Powder pickup is one of the difficulties we run into when using powder dedicated brushes. Fortunately for us, Osmosis found a way to take care of all our problems with their Dome Powdered Brush. The pointed tip also allows us to reach locations on our face that may be harder to read (like around our eyes and the bridge of our nose).
(Osmosis, $35)
15. Blender Brush from Gabriel Cosmetics
Creating the perfect blended crease when applying eye shadow is the ultimate #goals. With Gabriel Cosmetics blending brush, you're guaranteed to get the most flawless and effortless lid. The reason for this brush's insane ability to blend out the crease in our lids is due to its long tapered bristle design.
(Gabriel Cosmetics, $16)
16. Beauty Blender by Beauty Blender
The most popular way to apply liquid foundation is by using the egg-shaped beauty blender. It perfectly and effortlessly blends formula into the skin creating an even application. This blender is also great for concealing under the eye (they also have mini eggs available), as well as baking underneath the under eyes and cheek bones.
(Beauty Blender, $20)
17. Smudge Eye Pen by e.l.f.
Our favorite hack with this smudge brush by e.l.f cosmetics is the perfect shape and size it is to highlight the bridge of the nose, as well as the cupid's bow on the lips. Not to mention, you can't beat the price as it's only one dollar.
(e.l.f., $1)
18. Vegan Shadow Brush by Inika
When we don't compromise quality for ethical products, we make everyone happy, and thanks to INIKA Organic, they were able to create just that. Plus, when it comes to shadow application, this brush is completely versatile and can be used for blending, applying pigment shades, and contouring the eye shape.
(Inika, $22)
19. Fixed Liquid Foundation Brush by Kismet Cosmetics
Finding a perfect liquid foundation brush is a tricky task, and we like to avoid streaky application and create a seamless finish. This is a lot to ask, but Kismet Cosmetic delivers a full packed bristled brush filled with multi levels to create dimension. This brush works for powder foundation as well.
(Kismet, $28)
20. Complexion Trio (Round 3-in-1) Brush by CALA
The complete travel gadget, everything you need in one cosmetic brush. Cala Beauty Care developed the complexion trio with ease of use for their users, complete with a blending brush, a blending sponge, and a small eye brush. Plus, its nifty little packaging is a discussion piece in itself.
(CALA, $17.50)
Best Makeup Sets
When talking about brushes, sometimes it's nice to have the complete set from a brand you love and trust. Below we've outlined two of our favorites.
1. Cala's Natural Bamboo Essential Face & Eye Set
Please note the fan brush is not included in the bundle.
(CALA, $17.50)
2. Jaclyn Hill's Master Brush Collection by Morphe
(Morphe, $165)
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle & travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
YourTango may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through links featured in this article.