Flawless makeup can make you feel like a million bucks. If you wear makeup regularly, you probably know the importance of quality makeup and tools.
Whether you want to replace some pieces in a set or get some new individual pieces, you’re in need of a good makeup brush. Large brush sets can be pricey, but buying individual brushes allows you to upgrade your brush collection without spending a fortune.
The quality of your makeup won’t matter if you do not have a good quality makeup brush to apply it with. Poorly applied makeup will simply make it look cheap and of poor quality. While you know you need to buy a new makeup brush, knowing what makeup brush to buy with so many products on the market might feel like a daunting task.
To help you find your perfect makeup brush, we have listed the types of makeup brushes available and their specific purposes.
Things to consider when buying the best makeup brushes
To choose the best makeup brush, it is imperative to have a good idea of what type of makeup brush you want. You also need to know how to spot a good-quality brush. If you don’t do this, you will waste a lot of time looking over many of the wrong brush types.
If you are unsure of where to start, read about the types of makeup brushes you can buy and some features you may like to look out for below.
Make-up brushes can be split into four categories. These are face brushes, foundation brushes, face detail brushes, and eye detail brushes. To decide what type of makeup brush you need, read the description of what each brush does below.
Face
The three main brushes to use on the face, not counting the foundation brushes, are the domed powder/face brush, round blush brush, and the angled face brush.
The domed powder/face brush is best used to create a soft-looking blush with a blusher. This brush is perfectly shaped to blend out the edges of the blusher for a natural look. This kind of makeup brush is also great for adding bronzer, applying finishing powder, and using a highlighter.
Another brush that is used to apply the blusher is the round blush brush. This smaller brush applies a more intense color because there is less space between the bristles. Due to its size, it also applies blusher with more precision. Synthetic round blush brushes can also be used with creams.
Buy an angled face brush if you are looking for a brush to contour with. You can use it with a highlighter, blusher, and powder bronzer. The angle provides you with control for small details when doing eyeshadow or when subtly contouring.
Foundation
The three main brushes used to apply foundation are buffing, stippling, and flat.
A buffing brush is usually used with liquids, tinted moisturizers, and mineral powder foundations. A buffing brush builds coverage gradually, reducing the likelihood of clumps creating airbrushed-looking makeup. A buffing brush creates a long-lasting base that will help good quality makeup last all day.
It is recommended that you use a stippling brush with shimmer powder, finishing powder, and tinted moisturizers. This brush attains light to medium coverage of a water-based product or foundation. This brush is only suitable for applying small amounts of product at a time. It can have some buffing properties when used firmly.
A flat foundation brush can be used to place a lot of foundation on your face at once. It works well with primer, liquid and cream products, and contour cream. A buffing brush should be used after this heavy application to create a smooth and refined finish.
Face detailers
There are three main types of makeup brushes that fall under the category of face detailers. These include the fan brush, flat concealer brush, and small domed blending brush.
Purchase a fan brush for adding details to your makeup. You can use it to apply precise color to the face and highlight. This brush builds layers of makeup products gradually with control. It is helpful for removing excess powder products. The fan brush is usually used with products like highlighter powder and bronzer.
The flat concealer brush is ideal for use with either cream or powder concealer. It can also be used with contour cream, eyeshadow primer, and an eyeshadow base. It will apply many products at once and is best used to conceal blemishes under the eyes.
You should buy a small domed blending brush if you want a brush to blend in concealer and contour. It is also used to achieve full coverage around the tapers of the face and nose. It is a mini version of a buffing brush. This brush works well with cream concealer, contour cream, liquids, and liquid highlighter.
Eye detailers
If you have a particular eye makeup look you want to create, watch a tutorial on how to achieve it. A good tutorial will list the makeup brushes that are needed to achieve it. Many makeup brushes are made for use around the eye area, including eyebrow brush, angled brow brush, precision eyeshadow brush, standard eyeshadow brush, and an eyeliner brush.
How to spot a good quality makeup brush
Look at your makeup brush in person if you can. If you are ordering the makeup brush online, order it in plenty of time before any special occasion you want to use it for. This will give you enough time to test it out and return the brush if it is not the best quality.
A good quality brush shouldn’t feel ragged or frayed and should be soft to touch. Your brush should have a strong ferrule base to keep the bristles in place. If this base wobbles at all, avoid this product. If any bristles fall out when handling the brush, do not buy it as it is a poorly made makeup brush. You wouldn't want any bristles on your face stuck in your makeup as you apply it.
Makeup brush price range
It is easier to find makeup brush sets, but for the individual makeup brushes on the market, you should budget between $8 and $25. You can find a decent-quality makeup brush for personal use for around this price.
FAQs
What makeup brushes do beginners need?
Beginners need eight main makeup brushes, including a fluffy powder brush, blush brush, flat eyeshadow brush, contour brush, highlight brush, fluffy eyeshadow blending brush, angled brush/brow brush, and a tapered crease brush. We also recommend buying a makeup sponge to help set makeup products. Makeup sponges are great for beginners as they're versatile and easy to use.
What are some makeup brush brands?
There are many trusted makeup brush brands. Some highly rated makeup brush brands include Artis, RMS Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, SURRAT Beauty, Sigma Beauty, Rae Morris, EmaxDesign, and Real Techniques. There are many quality brands out there, so feel free to do some research on the specific brands you find.