The 12 Best Makeup Brushes of All Time, According to Our Editors

Updated on 10/13/2023 at 4:10 PM

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Building a collection of great makeup products is only half the battle, while the other is finding the best makeup brushes to make application a breeze. When searching for the best face makeup brushes, it's important to keep one thing in mind: the tool that you use to apply your makeup is just as important as the powders, liquids, and creams themselves. That's why when we find a makeup brush we like, we stick to it. While many of us typically search beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty for new makeup brushes to try, some of the best drugstore makeup brushes can be found at Target, CVS, and Amazon.

On the list ahead, we've rounded up our favorite brushes of all time — ones that have earned that title not only for their ability to seamlessly apply our beauty products but also for their ultrasoft bristles, not-so-hefty price tags, and durability. Some are new to the market, while others have been our editors' go-to's for years. Whether it's a buffing foundation brush that pairs beautifully with all formulas and gives skin an airbrushed finish, a dense eyeshadow brush to pack on the pigment from your favorite palette, or a travel-friendly kabuki brush you'll want to bring with you everywhere, we've included them all.

Check out our editors' favorite makeup brushes ahead.

— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez

Best Foundation Makeup Brush

Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki Brush ($25)

The Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki Brush blends foundation onto your skin quickly and seamlessly. The dense bristles help to get a full-coverage look on your skin.

Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki Brush

From

$25

Best Powder Makeup Brush

e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush ($8)

The sturdy, under-$10 e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush sweeps loose powder across your face to give you a seamless, airbrushed complexion.

e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush

From

Best Highlighter Makeup Brush

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush 120 ($32)

The unique shape of the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush 120 allows you to get natural-looking color on your cheeks. It will make your makeup look both effortless and flawless at the same time.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush 120

From

$32

Best Contour Makeup Brush

Kevyn Aucoin Duet Contour Brush ($50)

The Kevyn Aucoin Duet Contour Brush is perfect for all of your contour needs. It has a larger brush on one side and a smaller-size one on the other, so you can blend product on areas like your cheeks and forehead, as well as tinier spots such as your nose and eyes.

Kevyn Aucoin Duet Contour Brush

From

$50

Best Eyeshadow Makeup Brush

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable All-Over Eyeshadow Brush ($15)

If you've been searching for one eyeshadow brush to get you through every eye look imaginable, look no further than the Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable All-Over Eyeshadow Brush. The shape of the brush mimics your fingertip, which is meant to give you maximum control when blending out your pigments.

Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable All-Over Eyeshadow Brush

From

$15

Best Blush Makeup Brush

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush ($65)

As the girlies on TikTok like to say, there's no such thing as too much blush. However, making sure it looks perfect requires the best blush brush out there, which we can guarantee is this one from Bobbi Brown. The bristles are soft but packed together densely enough that they'll give you the best application possible.

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush

From

$65

POPSUGAR Photography

Best Angled Makeup Brush

MAC Small Angle Brush ($24)

The MAC Small Angle Brush is an angled eye brush that is typically used for precise gel liner application, but you can utilize it in other ways, too. Get a bold brow look by sketching a white pigment around your arches and then blending it in to make them stand out more.

MAC Small Angle Brush

From

$24

Best Setting Powder Makeup Brush

Real Techniques Makeup Setting Brush ($8)

The soft and fluffy bristles of the Real Techniques Makeup Setting Brush will successfully lock in your concealer to create a fresh and flawless finish. It can also be used to dust on your favorite highlighter, contour, or blush.

Real Techniques Makeup Setting Brush

From

Best Buffer Makeup Brush

Morphe Flat Buffer Foundation Brush in "M6" ($16)

Who needs a filter when you have the Morphe Flat Buffer Foundation Brush in "M6" which has supersoft synthetic bristles in a dense, kabuki shape that's perfect for buffing.

Morphe Flat Buffer Foundation Brush in "M6"

From

$16

Best Blending Makeup Brush

E.l.f. Cosmetics Travel Blending Brush ($7)

The e.l.f Cosmetics Travel Blending Brush is great for blending all of your favorite powder, liquids, or cream products. Plus, its small size makes it travel-friendly and easy to use on the go.

E.l.f. Cosmetics Travel Blending Brush

From

Best Multi-Use Makeup Brush

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 ($50)

The It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 is our go-to brush for applying both concealer and foundation. It blends products smoothly, and the fact that the brush is double-sided means we can pack one less thing in our already overflowing makeup bags.

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7

From

$50

Best Makeup Brush Set

It Cosmetics Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Makeup Brush Set ($51)

The It Cosmetics Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Makeup Brush Set is the ultimate travel set, featuring six different brushes for all your makeup needs. Not traveling anytime soon? Don't worry — the set is perfect no matter where you are.

It Cosmetics Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Makeup Brush Set

From

$51