When it comes to applying makeup, you want to set yourself up for success by using the correct tools. And while you can certainly apply your makeup with your fingers or a blending sponge, makeup brushes often give the most seamless and flawless finish.
From foundation brushes to eyeshadow brushes and fluffy bronzer and blush brushes, it can be a little bit overwhelming if you’re not sure which one or ones will work best for you and your makeup routine. Which is why we spoke to the experts to get a better understanding of which ones work for what, as well as some of their (and our) top picks.
What makeup brushes do I absolutely need?
As you might expect, this varies from person to person. For example, if you only take five minutes in the morning to do your makeup, you won’t need a makeup bag full of brushes to do so. But if you like to experiment with different eye looks or do a full face of makeup, you will need a wider array of makeup tools.
According to Bailey Collier, Makeup Artist and Head of Marketing at House of Amor, to keep it simple, you only really need four makeup brushes at your disposal: “A foundation brush for applying a smooth, even base; a fluffy powder brush, great for setting your face with powder or adding warmth with bronzer; an angled fluffy brush for applying blush or highlighter with a soft, blended finish; and a fluffy eyeshadow brush.” This is a good starting point to build from.
Or, alternatively, quite a few brands and retailers do brush sets which will include every brush you could possibly need and give you the opportunity to try out some different makeup looks.
Do good makeup brushes make a difference?
The experts all agree that it’s worth it to invest in good-quality makeup brushes, with Bailey explaining that “no matter how great a makeup product is, if you’re not applying it correctly with the right brush, it won’t perform to its full potential.” She adds that, “makeup brushes are often even more important than the product itself.” So, if you routinely shell out quite a bit on your foundation, but don’t have the right brush to apply it, you won’t be getting the most out of the product or your money.
“However, you don’t need to break the bank to get quality brushes,” according to Cosmetify’s Beauty Editor, Maria Mukaranda. “There are plenty of affordable brands that offer great brushes, and many of them come in bundles, making it easier to find good quality at a lower price.” Some of the most affordable, but still impressive, include brands like Real Techniques, Revolution, EcoTools and BH Cosmetics.
“Investing in better makeup brushes also means they’ll have a longer lifespan, lessening product waste and the need to repurchase more often,” adds Grace Ferns, Beauty Expert and Senior Buyer at BEAUTYBAY. And there are some nice mid-range and more luxurious makeup brushes to choose from, as you will see below.
How often should you replace your makeup brushes?
Generally, it’s “a good rule of thumb is to replace your brushes every two years, depending on how often you use them and how well you take care of them,” says Rachael Divers, Resident MUA at Face The Future. But “if they start shedding or lose their shape, it's time for new ones.”
And to keep them looking and performing their best – as well as being hygienic on your skin – regular cleaning is essential. Washing them with a gentle brush cleanser should help them to last longer and stay in good shape. Because even if you’ve picked up a more affordable brush or set, you still want them to last you a good while.
So, if you’re wondering which makeup brushes are best, we’ve broken them down into separate categories, allowing you to pick and choose which ones will work best for you and your current makeup routine.
And these are some of our – and the expert’s – favourites…
Best foundation brush
Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush
If you only buy one foundation brush, it's got to be this one from Bobbi Brown. Now, while there are a few different options when it comes to applying our base, including flat, kabuki-style or angled options, this one allows you to apply liquid and powder foundations, as well as tinted moisturisers, in seconds.
Plus, it's great for beginners and you can really build up the coverage, depending on your personal preference.
I've done the hard work and put what now must be hundreds of concealer brushes to the test over the years, especially as someone who often only wears concealer as their base product. And this angled concealer brush from Beauty Pie is easily an all time favourites.
The angled design allows you to really get into the under eye area, while the dense bristles give you a seamless and flawless finish time and time again.
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Best dual-ended brush
IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Dual Airbrush Foundation Concealer Brush
A great multi-tasking makeup brush, this has been a firm makeup bag favourite for a while now – and it's also great for travel.
Combining a larger fluffier brush – ideal for foundation, powder, blusher or bronzer – and a smaller brush on the other end, which is great for concealer and harder to reach spots, it really is a must-have.
With plenty of five-star reviews, this multi-functional brush from Charlotte Tilbury is brilliant for applying blush and bronzer and is the perfect size to do both with ease.
And the beautiful rose gold design makes it one that we're happy to display on our bedroom vanity.
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"When using powder-based products like loose powder or powder blush, it’s best to opt for a soft, full, rounded shape which helps to evenly distribute product to the skin for a flawless finish," Grace reveals.
And it just so happens that one of the best powder brushes is also one of the most affordable.
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"For a soft, blended look, fluffier brushes are perfect," Maria affirms. And a brush like this allows you to add depth into the crease or finish an eye look off by blending everything out to give it more of a natural look.
This one from Laura Mercier has been one of our holy grail brushes for years now.
For a more concentrated pop of colour or intensity, a flat or denser eyeshadow brush is ideal and we personally adore this one from Rare Beauty.
It almost mimics the effect of applying it with your fingertips but allows you to be much more precise. The bristles are also super soft on the eyelid.
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Alternatively, if you'd prefer to have all the eye brushes that you might need in one handy set, this Ultimate Eye Brush Set from Space NK is one of our favourites.
Complete with four brushes and a brilliant makeup bag to keep them – and other brushes – in, the brushes serve multiple purposes allowing you to also apply concealer, brow products, highlighter and even lipstick with them.
Best angled brow/eyeliner brush
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush #7B Dual Ended Angled Brush
Now 15% Off
"To fill in sparse brows, angled brushes are a must," according to Maria. And if you want to get the most bang for your buck, look out for ones with a spoolie on the end. As not only will this save you from buying one separately, but it can help to soften and blend the brows after you've applied any products.
