When people ask me about the secret of my flawless and streak-free makeup finish, I mostly give the credit to the applicators rather than the products themselves! Why? Well, makeup brushes have been those weapons that made my makeup journey much smoother than I can imagine. That's why I have come up with a list of the best makeup brushes available in the market that can be your ultimate solution as well to get the flawless Instagram-worthy makeup that you have been admiring for so long! The list consists of makeup brushes, from high-end to budget-friendly, from sets to individual brushes, and from beginner-friendly makeup brushes to professional-quality of the same. In short, I have curated the brushes keeping everyone's needs in mind, drawing from my experience!

These brushes are equipped with soft bristles that give you the ultimate and desired coverage without making your face look too made up, i.e., getting a second-skin-like finish cannot be easier than this! Made of premium fibers, the brushes promise not to cause any adverse effects as they work on the skin's surface. The ergonomically designed handles and compact metal heads further give an extra edge as you work on your face with your favorite makeup products. Now that you have come so far, get one of my recommendations to know why I am stressing so much about having the perfect makeup tool!

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  Best Beginner-friendly Set

  BS-MALL 14-Piece Makeup Brush Set

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BS-Mall is an absolute favorite makeup brush brand for beginners for its ‘inexpensive yet fulfilling the needs’ approach. It offers you a 14-brush set along with a rose gold case that looks super classy any day! Ranging from eye brushes to face brushes, the set offers an array of makeup applications with a dash of ease. Furthermore, the soft silky bristles glide through the skin without being harsh to the surface. Lastly, the high-quality wooden handle and smooth aluminum tube further make the brushes easy to hold and durable in the long run.

2

Best to Vegan-friendly Brush

e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush

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The best part about these makeup brushes by e.l.f. is that they are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, which is an added advantage for mindful beauty lovers! This contour-cum-powder-cum-blush brush is made carefully with the softest bristles for flawless application and the right product deposit in the right places. While the flat side is the best for powder and blush application, the pointy end is precisely given a design for contouring. Multitasking at its peak!

3

Best Contour Brush

Laura Geller Retractable Angled Kabuki Brush

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Imagine having a set of brushes that serves almost all purposes when you do your makeup. The eye-catching appearance is what I liked the most when I got this set for myself years ago, and to be honest, I haven't regretted it for once. Now, let me break it down to you what you are getting in the set- a bronzer brush, a blush brush, and a foundation brush. You can also use the pointy end of the blush brush for contour, or get an airbrush effect in a jiffy!

4

Best Cruelty-free Brush

Lamora Kabuki Makeup Brush Set

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Lamora comes up with one of the best makeup brush sets on the market that covers all your requirements during makeup. I wouldn't mind revealing that this was one of the first makeup brush sets I invested in and I couldn't stress over how the versatility won my heart! Made of premium synthetic bristles, it is much easier to deposit the products, be it cream, powder, or mineral. The incredibly soft and vegan bristles are given a compact shape, thanks to long-lasting copper brush heads.

5

Best for Buffing

Energy Slant Concealer Brush

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Being a makeup enthusiast, I apply concealer on my face at least 3-4 times a week (credit goes to my irregular sleep schedule), and this angled brush by Energy comes in super-handy to apply the same! Owing to it’s flat yet slanting design, this applicator works well with cream, liquid, and powder formulations alike for a natural finish. This makeup brush is ideal for buffing, setting, and blending your concealer without settling it down in fine lines. Plus, the grip offered by the brush makes the process even smoother.

6

Best to Give Buildable Coverage

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7

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If you are looking for something that serves dual purposes, the number 7 brush from It Cosmetics can be your ultimate buddy. I use it mostly for one end for my foundation and the other end of the dense brush for concealer! Made with hygienic material, the soft bristles glide like a dream on your skin without leaving streaks. The best thing I like about the beauty product is that it gives you a flawless airbrush finish without compromising the coverage. What's more? Well, the micro-ends ensure to cover even the smallest pores for the perfect dreamy and second-skin-like finish.

7

Best for Creamy Products

bareMinerals Smoothing Face Brush

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Made of synthetic material, the bareminerals face brush is ideally made for creamy formulas. It doesn't leave streaks while ensuring maximum coverage as it works over your skin depositing the makeup product. Trust me when I say that it takes me a light hand to sweep the brush over my skin to get the desired smooth finish. Plus, whenever I needed more coverage, just a firm hand with a bit of pressure was enough for a more dramatic finish.

8

Best Professional-friendly Brush

Sigma Beauty Essential Makeup Brush Kit

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When it comes to professional makeup brushes, Sigma is the one-stop solution without any doubt! The Essential Makeup Brush Kit has been a staple in my makeup kit since I learned how premium brushes make the whole makeup game easier and nicer. Preferred by professional makeup artists, the kit comes with 12 pieces of brushes and a premium look that will any day elevate your mood with its top-notch fibers and sleek look. Best both for eye and face makeup, you can use the top makeup brushes for smudging, blending, applying, contouring, buffing, etc.

9

Best Lightweight Brush

Real Techniques Tapered Cheek Makeup Brush

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It is almost impossible to be a makeup lover and not hear of the OG Real Techniques makeup brushes! From beginners to professionals, this tapered cheek makeup brush is ideal for perfect blush placements or to set your face with powder for the coveted matte effect. The ergonomically-designed brush looks super-premium, thanks to the cute colored aluminum handle that also offers a firm grip as it helps the product blend like a dream. Drawing from my experience, this tapered shaped high-quality makeup brush needs to be every makeup lover's vanity!

10

Best for Mature Skin

Lune+Aster Foundation Brush

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This high-performance foundation brush from Lune+Aster is one of the top-rated brushes available in the market! And in a minute, you will know why! The makeup brush comes with a sleek and premium-looking body that gives you a luxurious feel as you use it for contouring, blush placements, or applying cream products and even powder foundation. The dense bristles promise to soak minimal product as you apply without leaving streaks or compromising coverage. And I think it is one good investment for every makeup lover who want that natural finish.

Just going through our handpicked recommendations won’t help you find the makeup brush that will best suit your needs and preferences. For further help, you need to go through our detailed buying guide for the ultimate shopping experience.

Choosing the best makeup brush requires you to pay attention to several factors. Here we have listed the most important ones so that you can make an informed choice:

Purpose: 

Not all makeup brushes are built the same. There are different types for different purposes. For instance, there's a different brush for applying foundation, typically dense and dome-like. A lip liner brush is thinner and pointy to help with precise application. Therefore, you must determine exactly why you need a makeup brush to narrow down your choices.

Brush Shape:

Because different makeup brushes serve different makeup brushes, they come in several different shapes. They can be flat, tapered, angled, rounded, thin, stippling, or fan-like. While fluffy or rounded brushes are good for powder application and blending, a fan brush is ideal for applying highlighter.

Bristle Material:

Bristles in makeup brushes are made from both synthetic and natural materials. While natural bristles made from animal hair and fur may feel super soft, they don't always find favor with every makeup enthusiast, especially if they have vegan or cruelty-free concerns. Synthetic brushes, on the other hand, are more cost-effective, easy to maintain, and resistant to bacterial growth as they are made from nylon or Taklon. Choose according to your preferences.

Size And Density:

The size of the brush and the density of the bristles decide how much coverage you will receive. More bristles mean more coverage. They are considered ideal for applying and blending foundation, whereas makeup brushes with fewer bristles are more suitable for applying setting powder.

Handle Length:

The length of the handle is a matter of personal preference. Some people are more comfortable with shorter handles as they offer more control, while others prefer longer handles for their comfortable grip. You must also choose as per your preferences and convenience. 

Reputed Brands:

It is best to purchase a makeup brush from reputed brands and retailers. This ensures that the brushes are authentic and high-quality. They are softer, perform better, and can last longer than cheap brushes.

Budget:

Makeup brushes are available at various price points. You must ascertain how much money you are willing to spend on a makeup brush. However, before deciding you must acquaint yourself with the quality of makeup brushes available at different prices. Investing is brush sets or combo packs is a great way to save some bucks!

It's just a makeup brush. How hard could it be to use it, right? Well, there's a difference between using a makeup brush and using it correctly. So, here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a makeup brush for the best results:

Step 1: Start with a clean and moisturized face. Do your skincare routine as you usually would, and don't forget to wear sunscreen.

Step 2: Once you have given your skin its daily dose of moisturization, it's time to get to makeup.

Step 3: For this, you must pick out the appropriate brushes depending on the type of makeup you intend to do. For instance, pick an angled brush to apply eyeliner, a flat or a stripple brush to apply foundation or a fluffy round brush for blending.

Step 4: Dip the relevant brush into the product and apply it evenly. For foundation, start at the center of your face and move outwards with gentle strokes. For concealer, you must take a concealer brush and use it to dab the product over the areas and imperfections you wish to conceal.

Step 5: Smile wide and you will see the apple of your cheeks. Take a blush brush and sweep it gently in an upward motion. 

Step 6: For eyeshadow, use a flat brush to get the base color. You may use a smaller brush to add details. An angled brush is best for applying eyeliner and defining the brows.    

Step 7: For blending, use a fluffy brush to achieve a seamless finish.

Try out different makeup brushes and see what works best for your needs and preferences. Practice with the brushes to perfect your application and blending. And don’t forget to clean your brushes regularly.