The essentials: the best brushes for makeup of the face, eyes, lips and eyebrows

Choosing the right products is not as important as having the right tools when it comes to getting a flawless makeup look. Whether you’re defining your eyes, adding a pop of color to your lips, or blending foundation, makeup brushes are a must for a polished look.

Every brush is made with a specific function in mind, whether it’s precisely filling in your brows or contouring your cheekbones. However, it can be difficult to decide which brushes are worth buying and which ones will have the biggest impact on your makeup routine because there are so many options available.

This guide will help you navigate the world of makeup brushes, highlighting the best options for your face, eyes, lips, and eyebrows. Knowing which brushes to use can help you achieve a higher level of makeup application, regardless of experience level.

Type of Brush	Recommended Use
Foundation Brush	For smooth, even foundation application
Concealer Brush	To cover blemishes and dark circles
Blush Brush	For a soft, natural blush on the cheeks
Eyeshadow Brush	To apply and blend eyeshadow evenly
Eyebrow Brush	For shaping and defining brows
Lip Brush	To apply lipstick or gloss with precision

The best makeup brushes: how to choose?

Consider your preferred techniques and the beauty products you use most frequently when selecting makeup brushes. Invest in those that will undoubtedly come in useful.

Pile: natural or synthetic?

It is one of the first questions that comes up. There is a misconception that natural brushes are of higher quality than synthetic ones. This is untrue. Different material brushes are required for cosmetics with varying textures.

For powders, natural brushes work well. Creamy products or liquids are absorbed by porous bristles, which turns the brush into a dust and dirt magnet. If you do use a brush like that for applying "wet" cosmetics, make sure to wash it right away because if you don’t, it will harbor bacteria and you run the risk of getting them onto your skin repeatedly.

Consequently, brushes with synthetic bristles should be used to apply cream and liquid products.

Additionally, there are hybrid brushes that have synthetic bristles on the tips and a natural bristle base. We refer to them as "duofiber."

Which handle material is the best?

There are several options, all of which are fairly dependable, including wood, plastic, and metal. Select the option that you find most comfortable. Make sure to check that the iron clamp and handle are securely fastened.

Later in the piece, we will provide you with more information about which brushes the editors believe are deserving of notice.

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Top best face brushes

For powder

If you use powder frequently, you should have a large, wide, fluffy, and volumizing brush in your basic cosmetic bag, such as the Urban Decay Large Powder Brush.

While many manufacturers make powder brushes with natural bristles, Urban Decay only uses synthetic ones, and the company uses recycled plastic bottles as a raw material, which is a significant plus for the brand because it shows concern for the environment.

This has no bearing on quality because Urban Decay ensured that the artificial bristles are just as pleasant and soft as natural ones. Because it doesn’t absorb moisture—as we already mentioned—it is more hygienic, and cleaning the brushes is also made easier. It is simple to clean and get ready for use again after using the powder. Here is more information about powder brushes.

For foundation

Tonal cream brushes yield a range of results. In order to discover "your own," you must take into account the product’s texture as well as the finish you require. A rounded-edged flat brush, like NYX Professional Makeup’s Flat No. 07 Pro Brush, can be useful in applying light coverage. It works best for dispersing liquids, or goods that must be "stretched" across the skin.

For working with creams, you need a voluminous duofiber brush such as the Dual Fiber No. 04 Pro Brush from the same brand. Products are applied to the face in light, sweeping motions, gathering on the white tips of the bristles. This produces an airy effect and makes the cream layer invisible from the side, giving the appearance of a "second skin."

For concealer

A product called concealer is used to hide flaws in specific areas. The ideal way to apply it is to target the precise area of skin that needs to match the tone of the "background." To type the product to the very tip and leave it in the proper amount where it is needed, a small concoor brush is therefore necessary. All you need to do is use your fingertips to gently blend the application, softening its edges.

For contouring

For contouring, a fairly dense, voluminous brush with a diagonal cut will be helpful. Applying sculpting powder under the cheekbones and blending it diagonally, from the corners of the lips to the temples, is made easier with a beveled brush. Additionally, it will make it simple for you to brush the skin in areas that need to be darkened for a particular effect, such as the hairline, the bottom of the cheeks, and other spots.

This fluffy brush’s width makes it possible to blend contouring products qualitatively, which is crucial because, once the face’s oval has been corrected, there shouldn’t be any visible lines.

For blush

With the exception of being more compact, a blush brush is very similar to a contouring brush in terms of shape and cut.

A tiny, soft brush that will assist in applying and shaving blush so that the color appears as close to the natural "apples" of the cheeks as feasible. Using this brush, you can create the illusion that the color is actually penetrating the skin, much like a blush would.

Rating of the best brushes for eye makeup

For eyeliner

An appropriate brush with a sharp tip is required for fans of graphic eye makeup featuring "sharp" arrows. Extremely thin; it works well with liquid eyeliner as well. Furthermore, drawing even lines is made easier by the curved handle.

Pencil outlining of the eyelids can be followed by light brush shading to soften the effect. In this manner, you can combine the smoky effect with the contour for emphasis.

For eyeshadow

There’s no doubt that makeup artists carry a dozen different eyeshadow brushes in their cases. Additionally, people who require one for daily use should look for one that can handle both application and shading. That’s exactly how NYX Professional Makeup does their Pro Brush Blending.

She can project and disperse shadows with enough volume, then move the boundaries of those shadows to create the illusion of smokey eyes.

For eyebrows

If you apply eyebrow makeup with the same level of precision as eye makeup, you simply must have a double-sided brush like Giorgio Armani’s Eye Brow Maestro.

You can use the circular brush at one end of it to properly position the hairs and create a well-groomed eyebrow. And for working with colored powder or gel, you’ll need the beveled brush at the other end.

You can use it to fill in any empty spaces inside your eyebrows and give them a more defined outline. The guidelines for selecting an eyebrow brush are covered in more detail here.

To get the perfect look for your face, eyes, lips, or eyebrows, selecting the correct makeup brushes is essential. The best brush types for each area are highlighted in this guide, along with information on their special qualities and how to use them to improve your makeup routine and achieve the ideal look every time.

Which brushes are best for lip makeup?

Standard lip makeup brushes are flat, have a clean arched cut, and are thin at the tip. It’s simple to draw the contour of the lips, add color, and finish with a really polished appearance.

The Giorgio Armani Maestro Brush is a synthetic bristle brush that applies lipstick evenly across the lips instead of absorbing it, giving the lips a volumized, highly appealing appearance.

Rules for caring for makeup brushes

Hygiene is the primary requirement for high-quality work. Washing brushes should be done as frequently as feasible. Failing to do this turns even synthetic brushes into a haven for bacteria. They bring dirt particles and makeup into contact with the skin, which can lead to irritation and even inflammation.

While brushes can be cleaned with regular soap, specific antibacterial sprays are available to ensure the bristles are clean. You can purchase an additional tool to make it even more convenient, like a special mat with rubber "spikes," which will aid in removing dirt if you move a brush dipped in water and dishwashing liquid over them in circular motions.

In this video tutorial, we went into more detail about cleaning makeup brushes.

Brushes should be kept out of the way of dust; once they have dried from a wash, store them in a closed cosmetic bag or beauty case.

Tips from professionals on choosing brushes

The majority of makeup artists suggest spending more money on superior professional brushes, which are more costly than ordinary brushes but also function flawlessly and last longer. Make sure to inspect the fastening before purchasing; the handle shouldn’t sway or seem like it might fall off.

Should the bristles "climb," the quality is far from ideal. Make sure the hairs are smooth and free of creases; they should be elastic and flexible enough to return to their original shape. In the real world, careful selection will definitely pay off. In this video, we demonstrated how to use each of the chosen brushes.

Choosing the appropriate brushes for your makeup application can significantly impact your ability to achieve a flawless appearance. Every tool has a specific function to improve your beauty routine, from foundation brushes for a flawless base to lip brushes with pinpoint accuracy for the ideal pout.

Take the size, shape, and bristle type into account when choosing brushes. Natural bristles are better suited for powders, but synthetic brushes are best for liquids and creams. Remember your own preferences and go back to your go-to makeup techniques.

Purchasing high-quality brushes will enhance your makeup application and prolong their lifespan when properly maintained. To keep your brushes effective and prolong their life, clean them on a regular basis.