11 Best Travel Makeup Brushes to Get Ready on the Go

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 12, 2024
Travel Makeup Brushes to Get Ready On The Go
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No vacation is complete without some ground-breaking makeup looks and you can’t achieve those looks if you do not have all the best travel makeup brushes by your side. Carrying those huge makeup kits and brushes can acquire an inconvenient amount of space in your luggage. Ultimately, you would either have to drop some things behind or sacrifice the number of brushes you take along. Luckily, we have a solution for you. We have curated a list of the 11 best makeup brushes that can help you achieve your favorite makeup looks, anywhere and anytime because these brushes may seem like small tools that can be skipped when traveling, but we’d caution you not to make that mistake.

Our contributor Maya Adivi, a certified makeup artist, says, “A great set of makeup brushes is versatile enough to be used with all sorts of products, including liquids, creams, and powders while traveling. If you buy a set with both firm foundation brushes and fluffy powder blushes, you should also be able to achieve full cover or HD looks.”

Dany Sanz, the founder of Make Up For Ever, says, “The brush is an extension of the hand and is a fundamental tool for a makeup artist. And whether he is a professional or an amateur his canvas is the face and/or the body.”It is no secret that makeup brushes are an important part of any makeup routine. So, if you want to achieve your favorite makeup look while traveling without erring, you need to carry the best travel-size makeup brushes with you. Read ahead to find your perfect match!

11 Best Travel Makeup Brushes

Everybody loves makeup tools that are easy to clean and lightweight to carry. The Makeup Brush set by EcoTools that comes with 5 brushes is one such product that is easy to carry around. It contains brushes for the application of eyeshadow, concealer, foundation, and blush. The kit also comes with a storage tray that helps in easy organizing. The types of brushes in the kit are- angled liner brush, travel blush brush, define crease brush, blurring brush, and angled travel foundation brush. You can use the brushes to apply liquid, powder, or cream-based products.

Pros
  • All types of brushes Soft bristles
  • Can be cleaned easily
  • Lightweight handles
Cons
  • Small in size
  • Best Shape of Bristles

    Real Techniques Mini Multitask Makeup Brush

    Real Techniques Mini Multitask Makeup Brush
  • Having one brush that can take you through your entire makeup routine sounds like a dream but it isn’t! The Mini Multitask Makeup Brush by Real Techniques can be used for several makeup steps. It can be perfectly used to apply blush and bronzer. You can use the brush for diffusing, swirling, and sweeping makeup application techniques. It has tapered bristles that feel soft on the skin and allow smooth application. It is light in weight and travel-friendly due to its small size.

    Pros
    • Soft bristles
    • Lightweight
    • Tapered bristles
    • Helps in smooth application
    Cons
    • May not be hygienic
  • Best in Design

    Falliny Retractable Kabuki Makeup Brush

    Falliny Retractable Kabuki Makeup Brush
  • Another multi-purpose makeup brush on our list, the Falliny Retractable Kabuki Makeup Brush is a palm brush that can be used to complete many major makeup steps. We are talking about applying foundation, blush, highlighter, and bronzer. It has soft bristles which are made up of good quality synthetic fibers. But its biggest advantage is in the packaging. It has a retractable packaging design, which makes it the perfect product to be carried in purses and travel makeup kits. It can be easily cleaned and carried along.

    Pros
    • Retractable design
    • Soft, synthetic bristles
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Small size makes it hard-to-use
  • Best in Application Finish

    Matto Makeup Brushes 9-Piece Makeup Brush Set

    Matto Makeup Brushes 9-Piece Makeup Brush Set
  • Every makeup enthusiast’s deepest desire is to own a travel makeup brush set that can help them complete their makeup routine, without having to use one brush for everything. Well, the 9-piece Makeup Brush Set by Matto Makeup Brushes turns that dream into a reality! The foundation brush set has bristles so soft and dense, that it gives your makeup an airbrushed finish. The bristles are made up of bamboo and have a baking surface finish. The product is 100 percent cruelty-free and doesn’t shed bristles. This long-lasting and gorgeous-looking makeup brush kit comes with a beautiful travel kit too.

    Pros
    • No shedding
    • Soft bristles
    • Airbrush-like application
    • Dense brush heads
    Cons
    • Brush bag has an unpleasant fragrance
  • Zoreya Makeup Brush Set

    Zoreya Makeup Brush Set
  • You would not want to miss this travel brush set at any cost. The Zoreya Makeup Brush Set is a 12-piece set with brushes for almost all makeup steps. The kit has 4 basic brushes to apply products like foundation, and concealer. It also has 8 precise makeup brushes for the detail-oriented application of products like lip liners. Imagine how rich the makeup experience would feel if you traveled with a brush set so well-equipped! This vegan and cruelty-free product has soft bristles which are made up of Nylon. The brushes are fine and dense, and last long.

    Pros
    • Soft Nylon Bristles
    • Brushes for every makeup step
    • Brushes for detailed application too
    • Soft nylon bristles
    Cons
    • Brush holder might get soiled quickly
  • Ethereal Small Makeup Organizer Bag

    Ethereal Small Makeup Organizer Bag
  • The Ethereal Small Makeup Organizer Bag is an organizing wizard for your travel makeup kit. The bag is spacious, easy to clean, and has separate compartments which allow you to organize your makeup brushes, and other makeup products in the best way possible. The bag has two compartments to it. The upper and bigger compartment can hold your makeup products, and the lower and smaller compartment can hold your brushes. The brush compartment has smaller compartments to hold your brushes in place.

    Pros
    • Easy to sort
    • Easy to clean
    • Holds your brushes in place
    • Waterproof
    Cons
    • Too small
  • ZZIHAN Mini Makeup Brushes Set with Travel Case

    ZZIHAN Mini Makeup Brushes Set with Travel Case
  • The ZZIHANable Mini Makeup Brushes Set with Travel Case has 5 brushes in it which can be used for the application of foundation, blending, contouring, and application of blush, and eyeshadow too. The bristles are made up of a mix of pony hair, goat hair, and synthetic hair. 3 brushes out of the 5 are double-sided, which gives the whole set the ability to participate in 8-different makeup steps. The 8 different brush heads include- foundation brush, eyebrow brush, powder brush, lip brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow small shader, eyeshadow classic shader, and eyeshadow angled shader.

    Pros
    • Compact and portable
    • 5 brushes with 8 different brush heads
    • Bristles are a blend of natural and synthetic
    • Cost-effective
    Cons
    • Bristles may shed
  • Best Portable

    MS. WENNY Small Makeup Brush Set Pink

    MS. WENNY Small Makeup Brush Set Pink
  • This product has a packaging so compact that you would feel like you are only carrying one makeup brush along. The MS. Wenny Small Makeup Brush Set Pink is a portable brush that retracts into a small capsule that opens to become a 4-brush set. In this set, you can find brush heads for the application of foundation, powder, highlighter, lipstick, and eyeshadow, among other makeup needs like blending and contouring. The product has retractable packaging, which means that the 4 brush heads retract into one capsule-like set.

    Pros
    • Compact
    • 4 brush heads
    • Can be used for multiple makeup steps
    • Environment-friendly
    Cons
    • Few brushes
  • MAANGE Makeup Brushes

    MAANGE Makeup Brushes
  • A compact travel makeup brush set with a case that provides you the comfort of having 16-brush heads to work with- now that’s called revolutionary! This 10-piece compact makeup brush set comes with 4-basic brushes and 6 double-sided brushes. Another exciting fact is that you also get a makeup sponge, and a brush cleaner mat complimentary along with this product. With this kit, you can achieve every single makeup step flawlessly. It has brush heads for the application of foundation, setting powder, bronzer, and eyeshadow, amongst many others.

    Pros
    • Makeup brushes for multiple makeup steps
    • Portable storage design
    • 16 brush heads
    • Free makeup sponge and brush cleaner mat
    Cons
    • Dense and soft bristles
  • Easy-taken Travel Makeup Brush Set

    Easy-taken Travel Makeup Brush Set
  • The best travel brush set must have a consolidated packaging design, sufficient brushes to go through an entire makeup routine, and brushes that are of reasonable quality. The Easy-taken Travel Makeup Brush Set has it all! It has 5 different brushes, put together in a kit that also comes with a mirror. The brushes are small in size, and the storage packaging is also compact to carry along. With their soft, high-quality, synthetic bristles, the brushes help you achieve flawless makeup application.

    Pros
    • Small in size
    • High-quality, soft bristles
    • Storage packaging has mirrors
    • Cute packaging
    Cons
    • Less number of brush heads when compared to peers
  • FERYES Travel Makeup Brush Holder

    FERYES Travel Makeup Brush Holder
  • If you are aiming to pack efficiently for a trip, you must look for holders and pouches that can hold smaller things like makeup brushes, accessories, etc. This small Silicon Feryes Travel makeup brush holder is a must-have for any travel makeup kit. With its portable and tight design, the product takes up minimal space and can easily fit into the smallest size of luggage. It allows you to store multiple makeup brushes, ensuring that you never have to let your brushes hang around in large bag compartments.

    Pros
    • Compact
    • Holds multiple brushes
    • Trendy in design
    • Environment-friendly material
    Cons
    • Doesn’t have compartments to separate brushes

    What to Consider Before Buying Travel-Friendly Makeup Brushes

    Put an end to your packing struggles with the best travel makeup brushes you can find in the market. But before you get excited about buying new additions to your makeup armory, there are several things to consider before spending on travel-friendly makeup brushes: 

    1. Keep it Light
    Makeup brushes with metal-based handles certainly can be heavier for carry-ons and will add weight to your luggage. So, when choosing makeup brushes for your travel kits, go for lighter designs with ergonomic handles Some designs may look compact but may be heavier when you hold them, so make sure you check the weight of the brushes before you take them on your voyage.

    2. Beware of the Shedders

    No one needs poor-quality brushes that shed bristles all over your makeup. Traveling is all about looking your best and quite often we put our best face forward. To achieve that, we need flawless makeup which is at mercy of our makeup tools. Bad-quality bristles will result in bad makeup application, so make sure the brush has bristles that hold together rather than getting stuck to your makeup.

    3. Type of Bristles

    Hard bristles may irritate your skin and cause breakouts, raining all over your aesthetic Instagram wall. Go for soft brushes that allow flawless makeup application. The softness of the bristles also determines the pigment they can hold to give better makeup application. Check for human-hair type of bristles. Blue squirrel bristles are the best in quality followed by pony hair, kolinsky sable, and goat.

    4. Opt for Portable Designs

    While your makeup brushes should be small in size and travel-friendly, the kit that stores them should also be compact. Whether you want a hard case or a soft bag is up to you, but buy a design that does not get deformed in travel. It should not get compressed or lose shape.

    5. Prioritize Hygiene 

    Hygiene is a very important part of skincare. Go for the material bristles that are easy to clean. You don't want dust and grime getting onto your skin repeatedly! A dirty brush can contaminate your makeup so make sure you store it in a clean bag also remember to never share makeup brushes or sponges!

    Every makeup aficionado’s numero uno concern is carrying adequate makeup along with them while traveling. The makeup packaging is often made up of heavy materials glass, which makes it prone to breakage if not now packed and stored correctly. Also, carrying a whole set of brushes without adding to the bulk of your luggage is a huge task in itself! In a scenario like this, travel-friendly makeup bags and brush sets are your best friends. These brush sets mostly come up with compartmentalized storage designs and the best travel makeup brushes. These options keep your makeup safe, and well-organized, allowing you to access them on the go. You can also pop them in your purse or carry-on for easy accessibility when you need a quick touch-up.

    Contributor: Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog

    FAQ's

    How do you travel with makeup brushes?
    Choose a storage kit with a portable design and it becomes very handy to travel with makeup brushes.
    What is the best way to carry makeup on a plane?
    Makeup kits with a portable design are the best way to carry makeup while flying.
    Does the TSA stop you from makeup?
    TSA has strict guidelines about the packaging of makeup, which must be followed. It’s best to look it up before traveling.
    Should I put my makeup in a carry-on or luggage?
    If you are looking to retouch your makeup during the flight or after landing, it is better to choose a carry-on.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Sayantani, our in-house makeup specialist, claims that travel makeup brushes are a must-have for any beauty enthusiast who’s on the go. They are designed to be compact and retractable or foldable, allowing them to easily fit into your travel bag or purse. After testing them all, she found one set that outperformed the rest. The EcoTools Makeup Brush Set was lightweight and easy to clean and carry. What makes them so great is that they can be used to apply liquid, powder, and cream-based makeup.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Pinkvilla to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More