The 11 Very Best Makeup Brushes and Makeup-Brush Sets

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Best makeup-brush sets

Usage:Full face |Bristle density:Miscellaneous |Bristle material:Hybrid

This 12-piece brush bundle from Bdellium includes every tool you’d need for a flawless full face, from large, fluffy blending brushes to tiny precision brushes for detail work. The brand’s brushes are suitable for all skill levels, whether you’re a makeup newbie or a professional makeup artist; in fact, it was makeup artistCrystal Gossman’s go-to when she first started out, and she knows multiple other artists who are loyal to Bdellium. “I’m always trying to find the most cost-effective tools, and these are very good quality for the price,” Grossman says, adding that none of Bdellium’s individual brushes exceed $30.

The brand is also a favorite of makeup artistAmanda Thesen, who points to the Maestro line in particular for its blend of synthetic and natural hairs. (Bdellium also offers several lines that areall synthetic.) “This set is a really comprehensive way to get a good amount of high-quality brushes into your kit,” Thesen says, noting that although these brushes are a bit heavier due to the nickel-plated brass ferrules (the metal sleeve that joins the bristles and handle together), that also makes them more durable: “You’re going to get a lot more use out of them, and they hold up better. I’ve had mine for years and years.”

Usage:Full face |Bristle density:Miscellaneous |Bristle material:Synthetic

I’ve owned this set of EcoTools brushes for years and won’t ever toss them. (A 4.7-star rating and more than 400 reviews on Target.com don’t lie, either.) They’re cruelty free and vegan, they feel supersoft, and I love the littlestorage casethat keeps them from gettinglost in my drawers. The five brushes are versatile enough to cover a full face of makeup, and their long, generous handles are lightweight, making them easy to pack. Best of all, the bristle fallout is still minimal after what might be a decade of using them, which is impressive considering the price.

Usage:Full face |Bristle density:Miscellaneous |Bristle material:Synthetic

This trio of synthetic brushes is “hardworking, multitasking, luxurious-feeling, and makes seamless makeup application easy,” says Black, who particularly likes using the Tulip Blending Brush to create a soft-focusliplook. “I find myself throwing them into my bag for touch-ups as well as using them in the studio.” Personally, I started using the Hybrid Face Brush with Monika Blunder’screamy foundation— a winner if you’re looking for buildable coverage with a lightweight feel — but I’ve since tried it with all sorts of foundations, including liquid. It’s soft, so it takes a little longer than my dense foundation brushes, but I’ve found that it’s worth the extra time. The angled brush is designed for buffing, so it works for both cream foundations andbronzeralike. And the Tulip Blending Brush can be used for everything from blendingeye shadowtoconcealingzits or, to Black’s point, applying lip color.

Usage:Full face |Bristle density:Miscellaneous |Bristle material:Synthetic

Gloss says Ami Cole’s brushes “are some of the softest, highest-quality brushes I’ve seen in a long time.” This trio includes a foundation brush, a concealer brush, and a setting-powder brush, and Gloss likes that they come with very unique shapes. “The foundation brush and the concealer brush are angled dense brushes, which you don’t always see — they’re usually flat. But because they have a taper, you can get a lot of coverage and a really nice blend at the same time,” Gloss explains. In fact, she loves this brush set so much that she’s gone back and repurchased it twice; her original set, which she received two years ago, is still soft and has yet to start shedding.

Usage:Full face |Bristle density:Miscellaneous |Bristle material:Synthetic

Jaikaran points to this set as being high quality with a relatively budget-friendly price. While it features a more basic lineup of brushes — a short-bristled foundation brush, a small crease brush foreye makeup, a fluffy powder brush, and a smaller setting brush — this configuration offers a ton of versatility. (In fact, makeup artistLindsay Kastukowns at least eight of the setting brush in her kit — she uses it for “buffing out foundation, applying cream blush, setting with powder, and dusting with highlighter. It’s a really a perfect size,” she says.) On top of that, “what’s great about this set is that you also get a beauty sponge, which also comes in handy for makeup application,” Jaikaran says — and thisvery spongewas deemed “so much better than the original beauty blender” by Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton.

Usage:Full face |Bristle density:Miscellaneous |Bristle material:Synthetic

Morphe is known for its makeup brush sets, which offer a ton of value. “They are the best quality brush for their price point,” Adam says. Low-quality brushes tend to shed or break easily, but here the synthetic bristles are firmly anchored into the ferrule; Gossman has experienced cheaper brushes falling apart, but says that Morphe brushes “are comparable to MAC’s and stay together very well.” The shorter handles (and includedcarrying case) make this set an especially good option for travel. And with six different uses ranging from complexion to eye, it guarantees you’ll be covered wherever your trip may take you.

Usage:Complexion |Bristle density:Very dense |Bristle material:Synthetic

Although it’s a relative splurge, three of our experts rave about Tom Ford’s foundation brushes, largely because you get what you pay for. “I love that they’re well made,” says makeup artistNick Barose, who notes that the weighty handles are designed for comfort and control. Makeup artistTobi Henneyappreciates their ability to blend beautifully so you’re not left with any obvious streaks. And their bristles are synthetic, Black says, “but you would never know given their ultraluxurious feel.” And though the bristles are white, Black says they’re surprisingly easy tokeep clean“even after hot-pink lipstick, electric-blueeye shadow, orange blush, and other pigments I’ve used them with.”

Usage:Complexion |Bristle density:Dense |Bristle material:Synthetic

Whether you’re short on storage space or just don’t want to deal with swapping out multiple brushes every morning, this dual-ended tool comes in handy. “The big, wide side is perfect for blending and buffing foundation all over,” Barose says. “The smaller side is perfect for more detailed work like under the eyes and smallspots.” It’s ideal if you find yourself using both foundation andconcealeron a regular basis, and the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold no matter how you’re wielding it.

Usage:Eyes |Bristle density:Fluffy |Bristle material:Synthetic

It’s not makeup artistBobbi Brown’s first rodeo — she sold her eponymous line to Estée Lauder before starting Jones Road Beauty — so it’s no surprise that her new line would feature great brushes. This one has enough density to blendeye shadowand eliminate any lines, but it’s still gentle and fluffy. “Because of its synthetic fibers, I can use both cream formulas and powder eye shadows with this brush,” says makeup artistDaniel Martin. Bonus: You can also use it for buffing out concealer around the eyes because it’s that soft, Martin says. (Just remember to clean it in between.)

As a more affordable alternative, we named theEcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Setone of the best-rated brush sets at Ulta in a previous version of this story. One reviewer calls the beginner-friendly duo “definitely the softest brushes I own,” while another says the double-sided brushes are “all you need to … blend, pack, smear shimmers, and put on some liner.”

Usage:Eyes |Bristle density:Very dense |Bristle material:Hybrid

Anytime you need to create fine, precise lines — for filling inbrow hairsor achieving an ultrathin swoop ofeyeliner— consider a painting brush. This small one isn’t a dedicated makeup brush, but Martin swears by it. “This has been my favorite angle brush for brows andeyelinerfor almost 20 years, and you get it at the art store,” he says. “It’s the best!” Clocking in at $6, it’s also the most affordable option on our list.

Usage:Complexion |Bristle density:Fluffy |Bristle material:Hybrid

A goodblushbrush has to be able to shift between blush andbronzerwith ease. It also shouldn’t leave streaks, which is a telltale sign your “natural flush” actually came from a cheek palette. That’s where this brush is especially helpful. “I love the slightly pointed oval shape that allows you to create seamless application on thecheekswithout blotchiness,” Barose says. I use it to dust blush just below my eyes at the center of my cheeks, which (per a makeup artist) looks more realistic because that’s where the sun hits. Then I tap off excess product and dip it intobronzer, which I brush in a “3” shape around my forehead, down the side of my face and beneath my cheekbones, and just under my jawline.