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Jul 07, 2023

Best makeup brushes list: A beginner's guide to the best makeup brushes every beauty bag needs

The time for using our hands to apply foundation, and then one brush to apply everything that's in powder form is over. Thanks to TikTok makeup stars and YouTube tutorials, even the most novice of

The time for using our hands to apply foundation, and then one brush to apply everything that's in powder form is over. Thanks to TikTok makeup stars and YouTube tutorials, even the most novice of makeup users need a collection of the best makeup brushes to perfect their application.

Don't worry – if you're not someone who wears a lot of makeup, you don't need to spend a fortune on an array of makeup brushes. But there is a reason there are so many to choose from. The right makeup brushes for your routine will have you expertly applying blush onto the apples of your cheeks, following the line of your cheekbones and creating a perfect smoky eye without having to wash it all off repeatedly.

Here is our foolproof guide to the makeup brushes everyone should have in their beauty bag.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Take the effort out of creating a collection with these all-inclusive sets.

This affordable makeup brush set has a foundation buffing brush, bronzing brush, angled blush brush, complexion brush for highlighting, eye shading brush, eye blending brush and angled brush for eyeliner and brows.

The cheapest collection of makeup brushes we have seen of late, this BS-MALL set also has rave reviews on Amazon.

"I've been using these for over 2 months, and I'm happy to say there is no bristle loss, and they hold up beautifully. Fantastic value, really lovely makeup brushes!" one fan wrote recently.

Every type of brush is covered here, so if you're looking for an affordable kit to start experimenting with eye and lip looks, this is it.

Real Techniques is famous among makeup artists and beauty influencers for their fluffy, high-quality products, which make makeup application a breeze. This set may be small, but it has everything you need for flawless foundation, concealer, blush, highlighter and eyeshadow.

The soft, vegan nylon hairs of these brushes are so luxurious you could easily be tricked into thinking they were animal hair. Perfect for those with multi-step makeup routines, this set has all the critical brush types for complex eye looks and creating a smooth, lasting base. Usually $159, you can save 30 per cent on these today.

Dampen with water and add foundation, then tap onto your face. You'll be amazed at the difference a foundation sponge can make in blending and concealing.

This set of six makeup sponges means you'll never be without your new beauty tool. Made of latex, they're durable, easy to use and work wet or dry. "Honestly, the best sponge, better than other ones that are more expensive," one reviewer recently wrote on Amazon.

This popular foundation sponge has the unique selling point of a flat side, which makes applying along the under-eye area and in the contours of your nose way easier. "I love this sponge so much," one reviewer said on Adore Beauty. "Tried another brand, and it was so inferior compared to this. This sponge is very smooth and soft on the skin, it covers the skin really well and makes putting on foundation really easy."

From blurring redness and dark circles to hiding blemishes, a concealer brush enhances the work of our trusty cream concealers so they stay put and are undetectable.

One side of this brush will blend foundation if you prefer a brush to a sponge, and the other will disguise concealer. You can even use them to add powder on top for extra coverage.

One of the most affordable brands for makeup brushes, elf is also renowned for high-quality products at low prices. This stippling brush has dense bristles that will blur the edges of concealer application without diminishing its efficacy.

Another alternative to a fluffy concealer brush is a flat version, like this Bobbi Brown choice. These are great for those looking to conceal dark circles as you can layer concealer easily, with precision.

The unique domed shape of these brushes means the colour is applied precisely where you need it to be.

Two different bristle lengths in this bronze and blush brush means the colour is picked up well by longer bristles, while the shorter inclusions buff it in seamlessly.

The large head and fluffy bristles of this bronzer brush allow it to both apply bronzer with precision to cheekbones, while also offering an all-over light wash of colour if you choose.

The smaller head and domed shape are the classic shape of blush brushes, designed to target the apple of the cheek for a natural glow finish.

Large in size for even coverage, powder brushes are a godsend for anyone with oily skin looking to mattify.

The ultra-plush, fluffy powder brush by Real Techniques distributes setting powders of the loose and solid variety across the face without caking. Bonus: it's also great to use with mineral foundations.

This popular Amazon pick is extra thick and fans out, making it really easy to apply all-over powder to the face or to use more precision on the t-zone or oily areas that need more attention.

There are two crucial eyeshadow brushes – the entry-level blending brush, which softens the edges of eye makeup, and the crease brush, which can be used to both add depth to makeup looks and smudge.

Soft and domed, this blending brush is so popular that makeup fans are using it for everything from contouring to concealing – as well as blending eyeshadow. "Although I haven't used it for foundation, it's my everything brush for cream contour, blush, bronzer or highlighter," one Amazon reviewer wrote. "Get yourself a few."

The shorter, denser bristles of this eyeshadow brush make it perfect for contouring the eye area and smudging darker shades around the corners and under the lower lash line.

If you use pomade, wax or gel, a dual-sided spoolie and angled bristle brush will set your brows just right.

Short, stiff bristles on one side make shading in brows a breeze and follow angles sharply. The dense spoolie then sets your style in place. Buy this one on The Iconic now for 20 per cent off.

The firm tip of this dual-ended brush mimics brow hairs, so gel and pomade is applied with a natural finish. Then, finish your style with the spoolie tip – it goes very well with the famous Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze styling wax.

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