OK, I’ll admit it: I own an embarrassing amount of makeup brushes. While most people don't need hundreds of makeup brushes, as the beauty editor of Best Products, I'm constantly testing the best new beauty products, including makeup tools — so naturally, my collection is quite massive. Luckily for you, I've carefully edited my collection to reveal the best makeup brushes to apply eye shadow and buff skin to perfection.
If you ever needed the motivation to trash old, ratty, and discolored brushes consider this a sign. Trust me: Investing in these high quality brushes are worth it because they have lasted me for years, apply cosmetics quickly and effectively, and level up the final makeup look. They also prevent acne-causing oil and bacteria on fingers and dirty makeup sponges from transferring to the face. Plus, sponges are too large to apply and blend eye makeup, while fingers leave behind embarrassing streaks across the skin.
The majority of the best makeup brushes today are synthetic because, over the last decade, many brands, such as MAC have shifted toward clean beauty and have switched over to using synthetic materials. Synthetic brushes are highly effective products that don't break the bank while also being cruelty-free — making them a win-win for us.
Celebrity makeup artists Jenny Patinkin and Emma Peters of AlephH Beauty agree that synthetic brushes have some pretty great benefits for the everyday person. “In recent years, synthetic brushes have made quantum leaps and have been developed to completely mimic animal fibers even down to having a cuticle and tip, which allows for better pick up of product,” says Peters, who has 30 years of pro artistry experience. Unlike natural hair brushes, synthetic bristles are compatible with all formulas of makeup, like liquids, creams, and powders.
According to Patinkin, it's important to note that synthetic brushes take a little longer to wash and dry than natural brushes.
After several years of building my collection, here are the best makeup brushes that are available on your favorite sites, including everything from Amazon to Sephora. Some of these brushes have been staples I've been using for years, while others are more recent discoveries that I gravitate toward time and time again.
A bonus: These multipurpose recommendations start at just $12!
If I had to restart my brush collection from scratch, then this is the first one I would order. This award-winning product is well worth the $50 price tag because it’s a reliable 2-in-1 face brush that has lasted me for two years. Plus, it’s made with thousands of soft bristles to blend liquid, powder, and cream complexion products like a dream.
Speaking of bristles, they're plush and closely packed, which provides medium-to-full buildable coverage that's perfect for daily use and special occasions alike. (When I want a sheer finish, I opt for a stippling brush.)
Since it features a larger and denser side for foundation and a smaller end for spot concealing around my nose and under the eyes, it saves me some precious space in my cosmetic bag when traveling.
Ever since I discovered the Golden Triangle collection back in 2020, this eyeshadow brush has become a staple in my daily makeup routine.
I can easily apply powder eyeshadow to my lid and blend out my crease for a soft, diffused look, thanks to the soft angular shape. It plays great with all eyeshadow finishes, including glitter, shimmer, and matte, to boot.
The blue wooden handle is aesthetically pleasing and functional. Each item from the Golden Triangle collection features ergonomic handles that legit do not roll off my vanity — a first-world pain I have experienced with other brushes.
953 excels above other similar makeup brushes because it sports medium-density bristles that are soft to the touch, but don't bend when applying foundation.
Stippling brushes have two layers that are typically different colors. The top portion picks up the foundation, while the bottom half pushs the product into skin. 953 has the shortest white tips among my array of stippling brushes, and I find it doesn't soak up liquid foundation. Instead, it applies dozens of tiny dots of product on my face. The results: A flawless finish without using a cumbersome and expensive airbrush makeup machine.
This brush is most compatible with liquid foundations, such as the LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum or Armani Luminous Silk. It also pairs nicely with thicker coverups on days I want to camouflage pimples and acne scars.
This is the best makeup brush for days I wear a cream foundation or just need a full face beat for a special occasion.
The short handle has a nice weight and offers good control, but the brush head is where it shines and makes the $47 price 100% worth it. Vanish Foundation Stick has a slightly angular dome brush head that makes blending foundation into my hairline and down my neck a breeze. I find this small brush head also glides along the curves of my face, including the nose, jaw, and undereye area.
I kid you not: When I pair it with the famous Hourglass Veil Primer and Vanish Stick Foundation, I get a great slip, allowing me to seamlessly blend my makeup in 90 seconds or less. You seriously need this brush, especially on mornings when you're in a rush.
Liquid Touch is the cheapest face brush on my list, but it has outperformed other concealer brushes in my extensive collection.
Its most distinctive selling point is the sizeable tapered brush head that looks similar to a fingertip. The soft bristles gently spread liquid and cream concealers under my eyes, and the tapered end is small enough to reach the inner corners of my eyes. I also use this brush to pack on coverup elsewhere on my face.
Although Selena Gomez labels this as a concealer brush, through my testing, I discovered that it is also a solid lip brush. I'll dip the clean brush tips into a potted hydrating lip mask to prep my pout overnight or before applying makeup. Using a brush is cleaner than my finger and is mess-free since the bristles don't soak up too much balm.
In my experience, most highlighter brushes are either too small and deposit an excessive amount of product or are too fluffy and spread shimmer all over my face.
However, this is like the Goldilocks of highlighter brushes. The soft, tapered brush head features a pointed tip that allows me to get precise cheekbone placement without looking like a disco ball. Its tip is also small enough to add shimmer down the bridge of the nose, above the cupid's bow, and under the brow bones.
And if I ever mess up highlighter placement, I use the side of the brush to sweep away any mistakes.
The price is steep, but it is my ideal powder brush. These bristles are loosely packed together, preventing blotchiness and stopping me from wasting product. Most importantly, it doesn't rub away my foundation and concealer, a common problem with other powder brushes.
For my daily look, I sweep the larger bristles over my face to help control oil throughout the day. When I want to look glowy AF, I like using the smaller end to strategically apply setting powder under my eyes and my Hourglass finishing powder to the high points of my face.
IT Cosmetics created a superb powder blush brush. The duo-fiber tool is of average size with soft and feathery bristles that have a nice bounce when I pat it on my face.
Thanks to its angular shape, I can deposit a light layer of blush on the apples of my cheeks and blend upward to achieve a sculpted flush that has recently become popular on TikTok.
While I can use it to stipple on some of my cream blushes, I prefer pairing this makeup brush with powder rouges, including my current favorite: Sigma Cor-de-Rosa Blush Palette.
This IT Cosmetics tool has more densely packed and longer bristles than my favorite cream blush brush (more details in the next slide). It's also taller and features a unique clear bubble that looks odd but feels comfortable to hold while swiping on blush.
If you're like me, then you likely heard of Sigma when beauty YouTubers were sponsored by the brand in the late 2000s to early 2010s. While the company isn't as popular as it once was, for me, the love affair is still going strong. They make great MAC dupes that are handcrafted and backed by a 2-year warranty.
The F53 Air is by far Sigma's best stippling brush. The white tips are a bit longer than other models, which helps me achieve a sheer wash of color when working with pigmented cream and liquid blushes, bronzers, and contour products.
A bonus: After testing for several months, I find it also plays nicely with an array of loose and pressed powders.
Pretty much every makeup artist suggests owning a flat shader brush to pack eyeshadow onto your lid, and this one is your best bet. Despite its low price, this medium flat brush performs just as well as more expensive shader brushes and the size will fit smaller eyelids like mine.
It's made with hypoallergenic bristles that effortlessly apply powder and cream shadows to my eyelids. Since the brush hairs have a semi-stiff rounded tip, I find it's easier to apply eyeshadow on my lower lash line when using this brush rather than a traditional pencil brush. It's equally great at smudging out my top eyeliner when I want a smokey eye moment.
Overall, this is a classic and multipurpose hit that I like to keep in my rotation for day and night looks.
Despite its short and slim handle and fun-sized head, this eyeliner brush is as firm and reliable as the first time I used it 3 years ago.
It's the best makeup brush for nailing a cat eye because its super-fine angled shape does the leg work for you. The E06 picks up just the right amount of product and lays it down evenly, allowing me to create a refined feline flick. It also works wet or dry and with all eyeshadow formulations.
The application is straightforward: I press the small brush into my shadow of choice and sketch out the shape. Once I get to the outer corner, I make sure the brush is tilted at a 45-degree angle to create a lifted feline flick. After I'm satisfied with its initial structure, I'll go in with a second layer of shadow to deepen the final look.
Nicole SaundersBeauty EditorNicole Saunders is the Beauty Editor at BestProducts.com, where she oversees coverage on all things beauty.
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