The best makeup brushes according to makeup artists, plus what to look for in a brush

Face brushes to apply makeup to face laid out on a light pink background

Anna Efetova/Getty Images
  • The best confront brushes
  • The best eye & brow brushes
  • The best brush sets
  • Natural hair versus synthetic brushes

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Whether y'all realize it or not, brushes can make or interruption your makeup. A good brush is durable, distributes pigment evenly, and blends seamlessly without irritating the skin or causing patchiness. While dissimilar brushes are intended for dissimilar purposes, there aren't technically any hard and fast rules. The well-nigh important thing is to find what works for you and invest in quality brushes — and almost of the fourth dimension, bristle softness is a major indicator of quality.

Aside from feeling luxurious, the softest brushes will also assistance your makeup to look its best. "Whether they are natural hair or synthetic you want something that feels soft to bear upon against the eyes and face — this is going to be key to blending," says Charlie Riddle, makeup artist and Stila Global Beauty Director. "Any brush that is more coarse is going to make your makeup look more textured and be difficult to blend."

When choosing brushes, it'due south too helpful to consider how often you lot'll utilise them. If you typically use makeup brushes daily or travel with them regularly, it is worth it to invest in ones that are high-quality. "I always await for quality because I wash them so frequently," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Tarryn Feldman.

The all-time makeup brushes, according to makeup artists, in 2022:

The best face brushes

Stila Double-Ended Complexion Brush

Stila

This multitasking tool features a big fluffy brush on 1 terminate and a smaller, more precise brush on the other. "I honey dual ended brushes," says Riddle. "Not only are you getting ii for 1 only this is great for buffing on a light foundation or foam products. I love to apply concealer or highlighter with the smaller end."

Japonesque Blush Castor

Amazon

"I use this castor on every customer," says Riddle. "It is and then soft and gives an airbrush-like finish. I have used this to apply foam as well as powder products." Though it's designed for blush, this castor is besides nifty for highlighting, contouring, or applying setting pulverisation.

Surratt Artistique Face Brush

Surratt Beauty

If you're going to care for yourself to one luxury makeup brush, make it this 1. "Definitely a splurge but worth it," Riddle says of the fluffy confront brush. "It is so soft and perfect for applying powders. Every product goes on effortlessly with this brush."

LYS Foundation Castor

LYS Beauty

Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman recommends this brush due to its ultra-soft fibers that allow for flawless foundation application. "Its gentle beard make for a glowing, pare-like finish," she says.

Westmore Double Characteristic Blush Brush

Amazon

The double-sided nature of this brush makes it suitable for both liquid or cream blush as well as other confront products. "The sponge end stipples on the product and the brush finish can blend the edges and utilise a pulverisation blush on top for longevity," Dorman explains.

Zoeva Luxe Powder Fusion Blush

Zoeva

If you lot're a highlighter fanatic, this brush volition make a great addition to your collection. The fluffy tapered end is ideal for diffusing liquid or pulverisation highlighter as well every bit precise powder awarding, Dorman says.

Hakuhodo Powder Brush

Hakuhodo

The fluffy pulverisation brush is perfect for diffused, natural-looking bronzer application. "Its soft edges prevent harsh lines and its tapered tip allows precise product placement," says Dorman.

The best eye & forehead brushes

Senna Brow Pro 40 Constructed

Senna Cosmetics

Every makeup collection needs a brow brush, and a double-sided one like this pick from Senna is ideal. Dorman loves how the dumbo angled brush side is fine enough to create hair-similar strokes while the spoolie side is swell for blending out harsh lines.

Louise Immature LY38B

Louise Young

Non all eyeshadow brushes are created equal. "[This] is the perfect castor if y'all take small eyes, not much lid space, or need a precisely placed crease shade," Dorman says. "The edges blend the placed line equally you employ information technology."

MAC Cosmetics 217

MAC Cosmetics

A staple among makeup artists and enthusiasts alike, the MAC 217 is what Dorman calls "the perfect shadow blending castor." She continues: "This castor works for blending harsh shadow, applying a wash of color, or for applying lipstick like a stain. It is one of the about versatile brushes in my kit."

The best castor sets

Wayne Goss The Artist Collection

Beautylish

Inspired by traditional Japanese calligraphy brushes, this iii-slice set is but as much a piece of work of fine art as information technology is commonsensical. Riddle says the pocket-size castor is perfect for blending and a precise application of loose powders.

Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan 11-Brush Set

Jenny Patinkin

This set's higher price point is justified past the impeccable quality and luxurious design. Feldman says they're a staple both in her professional kit and personal collection, touting them equally the all-time vegan brushes she's e'er used. "I wash my brushes and so ofttimes and they hold upward so wonderfully," she says. "I love the handles too because they are so durable."

BH Cosmetics BH Signature Rose Gold 13-Piece Brush Set

Ulta

Dorman recommends this option if you're in need of a total set of basic makeup brushes, but don't desire to pause the bank. Plus, it comes with a meaty case that'southward convenient for storage and travel.

Natural hair versus synthetic brushes

Makeup castor bristles are available in iii primary categories: natural, synthetic, or a blend of the ii. If you attach to a vegan lifestyle, prefer vegan products, or have whatever allergies to fauna pilus that's used in natural brushes, you'll want to stick with synthetic brushes. These are typically made from nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fibers.

Both natural and synthetic brushes can be beneficial for different reasons. "Anything natural hair is astonishing for blending; eyes, blush, powder." Riddle explains. "Synthetics are bang-up for applying primers, foundations, concealers, profile. I wouldn't say one is better than the other — it really depends on the specific utilise of the brush."

Catherine Santino

Freelance Writer

Catherine Santino is a freelance writer who covers beauty, civilization, and amusement. Her work has appeared in Bustle, HelloGiggles, Ladygunn Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, and many more. Learn more well-nigh how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

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