Have you heard the saying that a tradesman is only as good as his tools?
It can also be said of makeup brushes.
You could have the most expensive makeup in the world, but if you don’t have the right brushes, you’re not going to achieve that perfect look.
We’ve come up with our top 10 best makeup brushes to help you create the most stunning looks.
Comparison Table
What Are The Different Types Of Makeup Brushes?
When it comes to makeup brushes, nobody would blame you for being confused.
There are so many types of brushes on the market and none of them come with a user manual.
It may seem obvious to some people, but for most us, figuring out which brush to use with which product takes longer than applying the makeup.
Before we share with you our best makeup brushes, we thought a brief explanation of each brush and what it is used for would be helpful.
How We Chose Our Best Makeup Brushes
When we compiled this list, we wanted to include some budget-friendly options along with the high-end brushes.
If you care for your brushes well, there’s no reason why you can’t get great use out of the cheaper versions.
The main difference between high-end brushes and cheaper versions is that you can expect the high-end brushes to last longer before you need to replace them.
We also considered the length of the brushes when we chose them.
Longer brushes tend to be more comfortable to use as your hands won’t brush against your face and mess with the makeup you have already applied.
Customer reviews, where available, were taken into consideration but were taken with a grain of salt. Reviews are in fact, opinions, and what one person may like, another may not.
The Top 10 Best Makeup Brushes
We began our list with high-end, or branded brushes, and we’ve filtered down to more budget-friendly options. See if you agree with our choices.
- 263 Brush is flat shaped with angled tip
- For lining, shading or shaping the eye or eyebrow
- Works with all formulas of eye colour
Used for: Eyeliner and/or eyebrow shaping
Where to buy: M.A.C. online and some department stores
Was there ever any doubt that a MAC brush was going to turn up on this list? MAC cosmetics are an extremely popular brand and with good reason. Their products are always of a high quality and they offer plenty of variety.
The 263 MAC brush is hand-sculpted with a wooden handle and nickel-plated brass ferrules. The ferrules help keep the brush handle strong.
The online reviews were mostly positive. However, one review stated that the top of her brush broke off within a week.
- Soft
- Angled head
- LENGTH 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
Used for: Blush and bronzer application
Where to buy: Sigma online, Amazon and some department stores
This brush has gorgeous soft bristles which glide over the face easily. The bristles are made from synthetic sigmax and the handle fits perfectly into your hand. The online reviews state this is a dense brush which appealed to some but was a negative for others.
- Use it to apply even the darkest shades lightly for a perfect, natural finish every time.
- Use FAN BRUSH #22 to apply even the darkest bronzers or blushes lightly.
- Red
Used for: Highlighting
Where to buy: Smashbox online, Amazon, and some department stores
This is a popular brush that is reported to have amazingly soft bristles. The online reviewers all stated that it was a superior product. One reviewer mentioned that she had owned hers for 10 years and it still didn’t need replacing.
- JAPONESQUE
- Health and Beauty
Used for: Foundation application
Where to buy: Amazon and some department stores
This is a fantastic price for such a high-quality brush. Made with synthetic bristles, it has a small handle which makes it easy to pop in your makeup bag for traveling.
- Slightly firm and rounded brush head for universal blending of products.
- Made with SigmaTech Fibers which are high-performance synthetic fibers engineered to outperform traditional animal hair,...
- Works well to soften intense lines and edges and great for combining colors on the lid. Blend colors onto the lid with...
Used for: Blending
Where to buy: Sigma online, Amazon, and some department stores
Sigma appears on our list for the second time with its E2 blending brush. The bristles are made with synthetic SigmaTech Fibers which are antibacterial and hypoallergenic. It has just the right amount of firmness and roundness.
- MAC 195 Concealer Brush
- A flexible synthetic fibre flat brush with slight pointed tip for precision application and blending of all concealer...
Used for: Concealer application
Where to buy: M.A.C. online and some department stores
This is another beauty of a brush from MAC. It’s a flat brush with synthetic fibers and a pointed tip to allow for exact application.
- Can be used with wet or dry products
- Create a flawless look
- Layered bristles create a soft airbrushed look
Used for: Foundation application
Where to buy: E.L.F. online, Amazon and some department stores
This is your proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a makeup brush to receive good quality. Made with synthetic fibers, this can be used with wet or dry products and as a highlighting brush.
- How to use: use the tip of the brush to swirl pressed or loose powder over your face; ideal for use with pressed or...
- Synthetic taklon bristles are non-porous so do not trap or absorb product bacteria and dead skin cells, making our...
- The color-coded system corresponds to the key steps of makeup application so you can create a flawless base, enhanced...
Used for: Pressed or loose powder application
Where to buy: Real Techniques online and Amazon
The price of this brush ranged from around $ on Amazon to $$ on the Real Techniques website. Our advice would be to read the reviews from Amazon sellers to make sure that you are not buying a fake.
The genuine Real Techniques arched powder brush is weighted for perfectly even distribution and looks classy in your bathroom.
- Created by professionals for chic results. These eye makeup brushes will make makeup applying experience luxurious and...
- The soft cut and dense bristles of the highest quality synthetic fibre provide an incredible touch and feel and they...
- Our set is versatile with each brush bristles hand-cut to the perfect shape, allowing for precise application from dense...
Used for: All makeup applications
Where to buy: Amazon and some department stores
This set come with seven different brushes and a travel bag. These brushes were created by a professional makeup artist and can be used with both wet and dry products. If you’re new to makeup, a set like this is great and will give you an idea of the versatility of brushes available for makeup application.
- Acrylic makeup brushes handles are fulled up with luxurious diamond shape rhinestone, like crystal, very shiny and noble...
- Premium synthetic bristles ensure no bristle fall out, give you superb soft silky feel on the skin, expertly hold...
- Unique designed Face Brush Set is suitable for foudation,powder,mineral,highlight and contour
Used for: All makeup applications
Where to buy: Amazon and some department stores
This is gorgeous looking six brush makeup set made with synthetic bristles, aluminum tubing and acrylic handles. The online reviews are mostly positive with one reviewer stating that she didn’t intend to use the brushes but liked to keep them for decoration.
How To Care For Your Makeup Brushes
Once you have the perfect set of brushes to apply your makeup with, you won’t want anything to happen to them. How you care for your brushes determines how long it will be before you must buy new ones.
According to makeup artist Ashleigh B. Ciucci, you should wash your makeup brushes with shampoo once a month. Every week, you should clean them with a brush cleanser made specifically for that purpose.
Brush Cleaning Method
When it’s time to clean your brushes, pour a small amount of shampoo into a glass and fill it to the top with warm water. Swirl the brushes around in the water and gently massage the bristles. Remember that there will be dirt and bacteria that you can’t see.
When the brushes look and feel clean, rinse with warm, clean, water and carefully squeeze the bristles. You don’t want to change the shape of your brushes so make sure you don’t pull on the bristles.
Lay your brushes flat until they dry. As you’re cleaning them, check for shedding and discoloration. When the bristles start to fall out, or when it’s impossible to get them 100% clean, it’s time to buy some new ones.
The Brands That Make The Best Makeup Brushes
Our list of top 10 best makeup brushes makes it apparent that MAC and Sigma are the two top brands when it comes to high-quality products.
In March 1984, salon owner Frank Angelo and makeup artist and photographer Frank Toskan launched M.A.C. cosmetics in a Toronto, Canada, department store. The two men had been frustrated that they couldn’t find makeup that photographed well. They decided to make their own and haven’t looked back since then.
Sigma was created in 2009, by power couple Dr. Simone Xavier, a molecular bacteriologist, and Rene Xavier Filho, a civil engineer. Their first product was a brush set, so it’s no surprise that they are now considered one of the top brands in makeup brushes.
The Final Word On The Best Makeup Brushes
With such a wide variety of brushes on the market there’s no excuse to use poor quality products. Whether you buy high-end or budget, your makeup routine can only be enhanced by using the proper tools.