Makeup is an art. It’s as much a form of expression as creating a painting is for an artist. Also quite synonymously, what paint brushes are to a painting, makeup brushes are to makeup. And as much a flawless makeup depends on the products, it equally is a result of the kind of tools you use.
A makeup brush is like a magic wand that gives you a well-blended and smooth finish once swiped and swirled. While you might be using your fingers or makeup sponges to do your makeup, the efficacy of brushes is at par which makes them a makeup kit essential. So, if you haven’t already experienced the finesse of brushes, now is the time to indulge in it.
However, it’s also imperative to know your brushes well before buying them. Different makeup needs necessitate different types of brushes and you should buy them accordingly. From a foundation brush, a concealer brush and a powder brush to a blush brush, an eyeshadow crease brush and an eyeshadow blending one, your kits should definitely be equipped with these basic wands.
And once you’re fluent with these brushes, you can move onto a contour brush, a highlighter brush and a lip brush, among others to create those trending looks.
These tools are unquestionably an integral part of a makeup vanity and there’s simply no doing without them. And to help you pick the right ones for yourself, we’ve enlisted some of the best of them down below. Right from ideal separates to duos and sets, this list covers them all and would make scouting a makeup brush a lot easier for you.
(Hero & Featured Image Courtesy: Raphael Lovaski/Unsplash)
If you’re someone who swears by both brushes and a beauty blender then this duo is meant for you. While the sponge helps you dab and blend into the deepest contours of your face, the brush gives you a smooth natural-looking coverage. The foundation brush is rounded with densely-packed tapered fibres that deliver an effortless blend.
Known for their collection of high-quality brushes, MAC Cosmetics is a popular brand to consider for buying not just your makeup but also the tools. Get your hands on this large angled contour brush that’s made with 100% synthetic fibres. This hand-sculpted and assembled makeup brush is sleek yet sturdy and has a fine make. It’s soft and buffed edge delivers a great finish.
A tool that’s perfect for even beginners, the Huda Beauty blush and bronze face brush is a fluffy synthetic brush that accentuates your face with colour perfectly. The brush picks up just the right amount of product sans any wastage and lends a seamless finish. While the solid handle is made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, the synthetic bristles are soft on the skin.
Real Techniques is a highly preferred brand when it comes to buying the best makeup brush from, even for professional makeup artists. And their Mini Expert Face Brush is that perfect travel makeup brush that everyone needs. With a compact handle and a full-sized head, the design of this buffing brush is user-friendly and delivers a flawless base in an excellent finish.
It blends (used in circular motion) all cream-based products like liquid foundation, blush and contour perfectly into your skin even in the smallest areas of your face with its smaller, denser head.
Looking for a kit of essentials? This set of eight must-have brushes for face and eyes is what you should cop right away. To be stored in a classy clutch bag that comes along, this makeup brush set is especially apt for beginners to invest in. The brushes are handcrafted with matte black handles, rose gold ferrules and both natural and synthetic fibres that can be used with powder and cream-based products accordingly.
The Dior Eyeshadow Shader is a flat and tapered brush that’s apt for both setting and shading the eyeshadow. Its round shape helps in building and blending the product precisely as it takes up and uses just the required pigment. It’s made with high-quality synthetic bristles that makes it a great cruelty-free purchase.
As the name suggests, the Fenty Beauty Cheek-Hugging Bronzer Brush is designed to hug all the curves and contours of your face perfectly. Crafted with the softest synthetic bristles, this is the best makeup brush for applying your bronzer and contour powder products on areas like temples, cheeks and jawline. It’s bigger in size as compared to its counterpart Highlight Brush 120.
Fabricated with 189,000 bristles to give you a seamless and poreless finish is the Shu Uemura Petal 55 foundation brush. Made in a unique hexagon design for a comfortable grip, the brush allows an easy reach to every corner of your face from different angles. The streak-free and natural base achieved is a testament of the professional and high quality of this makeup brush.
Designed to enhance your brows, this synthetic bristle brush is firm yet flexible, with its small-angled head delivering a buildable coverage. Ideal for shaping and further defining your eyebrows, this makeup brush is meant to be used along with other products for a top notch brow game.
And it’s time to line your eyelids with an eyeliner using this flat makeup brush that ensures an expertly precise placement of pigment along your lash line. Made with synthetic bristles narrowing into a thin flat line, this eyeliner brush even helps in tightlining the eyes to a tee.
If you’ve been on a lookout for a highlighter brush then your search ends here with the Zoeva 129 Luxe Fan. Suitable for applying that blinding highlight on your face, this fan brush must make it to your makeup vanity. It feels super soft and embraces a mix of both natural and synthetic bristles to deliver a natural finish. And not just that but you can also use it to brush away the eyeshadow fall out easily.
One of the cult synthetic brushes, the Yachiyo Kabuki Brush by NARS is a dome-shaped multifunctional brush with a gently tapered spiral head. It works well for defining cheekbones, highlighting and blending the product around the eyes or setting in the loose powder. Its hand-spun black wisteria handle lends it a unique edge that makes it look stunning and feel easy to hold and use.
Yet another must-have is a concealer brush that ensures precise application and blending. Made with synthetic fibres, this one by Hourglass is a great pick and makes the concealing process effortless. Its tapered and slim design offers great control that helps in achieving an impeccable blend. This brush works with all kinds of concealer be it liquid, powder or cream-based.
If using a fan brush for highlighting purposes gets a little tricky for you, try using this rounded brush by Make Up For Ever. Its synthetic fibres feel soft on the skin whilst providing a smooth and flawless finish. The brush can be used with both powder and cream-based highlighters to make the high points of your face like cheekbones, nose and cupid’s bow outshine.
Handcrafted by a master brush maker in Europe with 100% synthetic fibres and sustainable wood handle, this eye blending brush by Charlotte Tilbury is a gem. Densely packed in a tapered shape, the soft bristles glide on smoothly on your skin to lend you that perfectly blended eye makeup. It’s ideal for both softening a smokey eye or building intensity.
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind while shopping for makeup brushes and first is their quality. Your makeup brush should be soft and have bristles that are densely packed. To test that, rub it against your hand. Avoid any brush that feels hard or scratchy or has its fibre falling out already. The next thing you’d want to know is whether the brush is made up of synthetic hair or natural hair.
It’s also essential to know the types of brushes one needs. While there are some must haves, there are others that you might not have a need for. Hence, instead of buying an entire set of 32 brushes, build your collection as per your requirements.
Yes, they are totally worth buying and all that splurge. They deliver a clean, smooth and properly blended finish that lends your makeup the beauty it deserves. Investing in good quality brushes will always be a game changer.
Yes, they are. And if sustainability is something that you resonate with, bamboo brushes make for an ideal choice.
Yes, expensive brushes are absolutely worth the money. Right from the softness of the bristles and the quality of the brush to the seamless looks they create, buying high-priced brushes is an investment that your makeup definitely deserves.
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