To get the best out of your carefully chosen makeup, you need the right tools. A good set of makeup brushes can really make the difference when you’re applying your products.
There’s a massive range of brushes available to buy, however, and it can be confusing to know which ones you need for each specific make-up techniques - and also the ones that are worth the investment.
Higher-priced brushes will be well-made, meaning the hairs won’t fall out straight away; long-handled brushes will be better balanced for blusher to give you a lighter touch; and different angles and structures will give you the perfect finish.
We’ve narrowed your search and listed the best makeup brushes you can buy. Whatever your budget, scroll down to find out which makeup brushes are worth investing in.
Looking specifically for cruelty-free makeup brushes? We've got you.
Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
Best Makeup Brushes And Sets
1 of 11Real Techniques Flawless Base Makeup Brush Set
If you're looking for affordable makeup brushes designed by real makeup artists, then try brushes by Real Techniques. The range is great quality, despite the very reasonable price tags. In the set, you'll find: 205 Square Foundation Makeup Brush, 204 Buffing Makeup Brush, 206 Contour Makeup Brush, 207 Detailer Makeup Brush and a chic cup to keep them all in.
2 of 11EcoTools Define and Highlight Makeup Brush Duo
EcoTools was created by sisters who wanted affordable, quality makeup brushes that were also eco-friendly. The brushes are vegan and made from recycled materials, with renewable bamboo. Eco warriors, these are the brushes for you. Use the tapered bristles of the Define brush to dust contour shade onto areas of the face you want to define or minimise such as hollows of cheekbones, jawline, or forehead. Then, highlight with the wide fanned bristles of the Highlight brush, gently sweep on highlighting powder to facial features you want to bring forward such as the apples of cheeks, centre of forehead or bridge of nose.
3 of 11Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush
Stippling brushes are brilliant for use with just about any face product. Foundation, blush, bronzer, powder and highlighters - you name it, it can do it. This one from Sigma has short and dense bristles, which make it easy to buff your products. Pop your make-up on to the brush and buff using circular motions.
4 of 11Bobbi Brown Angled Face Brush
The best makeup brushes really can make a difference to your contouring. Choose an angled brush if you're using powder bronzer; this one is great for highlighting and enhancing. It's v flat edge for all-over application and tapered edge for more precise application. It's versatile - use the flat edge of the brush for full coverage, and the tapered edge for cheekbones, nose, chin and forehead.
5 of 11Lottie London Kabuki Babe Brush
Affordable and gorgeous to look at, Lottie London brushes have super soft bristles for that Insta-worthy finished look. This Kabuki brush is perfect for travelling due to its size, but gives the gift of flawless coverage. Perfect for applying your powder, it delivers the right amount of product for a camera-ready complexion.
6 of 11Zoeva Classic Professional Brush Set
These high-performing brushes are loved by makeup enthusiasts all over the globe. This ultra-luxe brush set contains three brushes for base makeup, as well as five for defining and lining the eyes and brows. In this set, you'll get: 105 Luxe Highlight, 125 Stippling, 28 Cream Cheek, 142 Concealer Buffer, 227 Luxe Soft Definer, 228 Luxe Crease, 230 Luxe Pencil, 317 Wing Liner.
7 of 11Spectrum 10 Piece Essential Set, £39.99
Spectrum caused a huge kerfuffle when it burst into the makeup scene with its beautiful, yet high quality brushes. This set gives you everything you need to complete your kit and will absolutely turn some heads. These brush sets regularly sell out, so don't forget to click 'notify me' if it's the set of your choosing. Brushes included: B01 - Flat Top Buffer, A01 - Large Domed Powder, A05 - Small Angled Blush, B03 - Buffing Concealer, A06 - Large Fluffy Shader, B06 - Tall Tapered Blender, B04 - Small Angled Blender, A17 - Angled Brow, A15 - Lip Liner, A09 - Fine Eyeliner.
8 of 11MAC 132S Duo Fibre Foundation Brush
MAC is beloved by makeup artists for its dedication to the base. Its foundation, powder and brushes go hand in hand. The 132S foundation brush utilises two types of synthetic fibres to pick up and deliver the perfect amount of product while effortlessly blending and diffusing. The sturdy paddle shape means it works brilliantly with concealers and foundation, and it's hand-sculpted using the finest materials.
9 of 11Angel 10 piece complete brush set
We don't know about you but we're fully on board with this angel aesthetic. This set of eyeshadow brushes is magical AF and fully vegan. They're high-quality so you can create iconic eye looks in style. In this set, you'll get four face brushes and six eye brushes, including the contour brush, tapered packing foundation brush, petite blending brush, tapered blending brush, detailing highlighting brush, dome fluffy brush and bullet precision brush - everything you need to create fire looks at home or on-the-go.
10 of 11Morphe M143 Deluxe Soft Fan
We've all seen influencers on Instagram with their fan brushes, but there's actually a reason for that. Fan brushes are perfect for applying that sleek line of highlighter onto your cheek, brow bone, Cupid's bow and nose. The M143 brush from Morphe picks up pigment well to help you get that glow. It can also be used to dust off any excess powder.
11 of 11Morphe James Charles Brush Set
If you're a believer in go big or go home, you'll adore this Morphe and James Charles collaboration. Whether you're a MUA or an enthusiast, it has everything you need and more. Naturally, we're not going to name ALL the brushes in this set, but the highlights are: M439 Deluxe Buffer Brush, M405 Contour Blush Brush, M501 Pro Pointed Blender, M224 Oval Camouflage Brush X 2 and M152 Medium Chisel Fluff Brush X 2.
Top tips for choosing make-up brushes:
Natural or synthetic?
You'll need to decide if you want to go for natural (i.e. animal hair) or synthetic. Generally, natural hair brushes are durable and work well with powders as they hold the product better. However, ensuring your brush is cruelty-free and high quality can be difficult with natural.
Synthetic brushes are usually made from nylon or other fibres. They're perfect for using with cream or liquid make-up as they don't trap any product in the strands and they're also much easier to clean. You also won't get any streaks. Also, if you're a fan of cruelty-free beauty, you'll be set with synthetic.
Invest in high-quality
Don't scrimp on your brushes - it's one beauty product where the quality really does reflect the price. If you buy cheap brushes, you'll just end up replacing them more often.
Make sure to wash your brushes at least once a month and air dry them. Just like anything that's built to last, you need to take care of it.
Get the essentials first, then build out.
Start your collection with the brushes you'll use every day. A foundation brush, a concealer brush, a powder brush and a blusher brush. If you wear eyeshadow, add an eyeshadow brush and an angled eyeshadow brush. Once you get the hang of different techniques, you can build up your envious collection.
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Make-up brush guide
Got your new set and struggling to figure out what's what? Here's which brush to use and when.
Foundation brush
A foundation brush is usually domed or square, and can give you a flawless finish by dabbing your product on to your skin and using circular motions to blend it in.
Concealer brush
This tiny brush is perfect for finding those blemishes and zoning in for great coverage.
Powder brush
A light dusting of powder on to any oily areas of the face will complete any look.
Kabuki brush
Also used for powder, Kabuki brushes are easy to hold and allow you to blend powder or mineral foundations seamlessly.
Blush brush
Sometimes similar to a powder brush in shape, but other times angled, this brush allows you to apply blusher or bronzer into the hollows and high points of your face.
Highlighter brush
Usually in a fan shape, a highlighter brush gives you just the right surface to add shimmer to your cheekbones, brow bones, Cupid's bow and the tip of the nose.
Angled liner brush
Ideal for those precision eye looks, and angled liner lets you get right along the lash line.
Eyeshadow brush
If you love subtle looks or to go all out, you'll need a basic eyeshadow brush in your collection.
Crease brush
Get a stunning look by using a back and forth motion on your eye crease with this brush.
Blending brush
This soft and fluffy brush will allow you to really get into blending and take your look to the next level.
Lip brush
To finish off, use a lip brush for a precision application of your favourite lip colour.