The Best Makeup Brush Set

Buying Guide

Makeup brushes are designed to make the application and blending of products like eye shadow and foundation easier, giving your face a smoother, more attractive look. You shouldn’t need to spend a large amount of money to buy quality tools, but if you’re in the market for brushes you will want to think about what you are trying to achieve with them.

If you are just getting started, here’s what you need to know. You’ll find small sets with five or so multi-purpose brushes, but you can also get medium and larger-sized kits that offer brushes that are made for specific effects. Get a smaller set if you don’t want to become overwhelmed by too many options. Remember, something like an eyeshadow brush could also be used as a concealer brush, and unless you’re a professional makeup artist you may never use some of the more specialized tools.

As far as the basics go, you should have a foundation brush for liquid or cream foundation, a blush brush for the cheeks, a powder brush to disperse powder across your face, a flat eyeshadow brush and an eyeshadow crease brush. From there, you can consider adding a contour brush, bronzer brush, a fan brush for highlighting, an eyeliner brush and so on.

If you have money to spend, consider getting natural brushes made from animal hair such as goat or sable. These hairs spread out well when pressure is applied, so they are able to create smooth and even finishes. They look and feel fluffy and soft against the skin and are well-suited for powder-based makeup products. Natural brushes are harder to clean, though, since they tend to absorb pigments and products; they sometimes shed as well.

Synthetic makeup brushes are more affordable and made from materials like polyester and nylon. Professionals like using these for liquid and cream products because they don’t absorb the products as readily. You’ll also notice that they are stiffer and flatter than their natural counterparts and can be cut into sharp angles for more precise applications. These brushes also shed less and are easier to clean and store.

• Use natural makeup brushes for powder products and heavy blending.
• Synthetic brushes are better for liquid and cream products, plus precise lipstick and eyeliner applications.
• The brush’s bristles should not be ragged or frayed and must be attached firmly to the handles.
• A good makeup brush will feel balanced in your hand, not too light or heavy.
• Clean your makeup brushes regularly for the best results and to prevent bacteria growth.
• Even if you clean them regularly, you’ll have to replace your makeup brushes ideally every 1-5 years. Check for discoloration, smells, shedding and a loss of shape or shedding.