What Are Some Good Makeup Brush Sets

The best face brushes
The best eye & brow brushes
The all-time brush sets
Natural hair versus constructed brushes

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate committee. Learn more.

Whether you realize information technology or not, brushes tin brand or break your makeup. A good castor is durable, distributes pigment evenly, and blends seamlessly without irritating the pare or causing patchiness. While different brushes are intended for unlike purposes, in that location aren't technically any difficult and fast rules. The most important affair is to observe what works for you and invest in quality brushes — and most of the time, bristle softness is a major indicator of quality.

Aside from feeling luxurious, the softest brushes volition as well help your makeup to look its all-time. "Whether they are natural hair or constructed yous want something that feels soft to touch against the eyes and face — this is going to exist key to blending," says Charlie Riddle, makeup artist and Stila Global Beauty Director. "Any castor that is more than coarse is going to brand your makeup look more textured and be difficult to alloy."

When choosing brushes, it'south also helpful to consider how ofttimes you'll utilize them. If you typically use makeup brushes daily or travel with them regularly, it is worth it to invest in ones that are high-quality. "I always look for quality because I launder them so ofttimes," says Los Angeles-based makeup creative person Tarryn Feldman.

The best makeup brushes, according to makeup artists, in 2022:

The best face up brushes

Stila Double-Concluded Complexion Brush

This multitasking tool features a large fluffy brush on ane end and a smaller, more precise brush on the other. "I love dual ended brushes," says Riddle. "Non only are you getting ii for one but this is great for buffing on a light foundation or cream products. I love to apply concealer or highlighter with the smaller end."

Japonesque Blush Brush

"I use this brush on every client," says Riddle. "It is so soft and gives an airbrush-like cease. I take used this to utilize foam also every bit powder products." Though information technology's designed for blush, this brush is also great for highlighting, contouring, or applying setting powder.

Surratt Artistique Face up Brush

If y'all're going to care for yourself to one luxury makeup brush, make it this one. "Definitely a splurge but worth it," Riddle says of the fluffy face castor. "It is so soft and perfect for applying powders. Every product goes on effortlessly with this brush."

LYS Foundation Castor

Glory makeup artist Jamie Dorman recommends this castor due to its ultra-soft fibers that allow for flawless foundation application. "Its gentle beard brand for a glowing, skin-like finish," she says.

Westmore Double Feature Chroma Brush

The double-sided nature of this castor makes it suitable for both liquid or cream blush besides as other face products. "The sponge end stipples on the production and the brush end can blend the edges and apply a pulverisation blush on top for longevity," Dorman explains.

Zoeva Luxe Powder Fusion Chroma

If you're a highlighter fanatic, this castor will make a peachy addition to your collection. The fluffy tapered end is ideal for diffusing liquid or pulverisation highlighter as well every bit precise pulverisation application, Dorman says.

Hakuhodo Pulverisation Brush

The fluffy powder castor is perfect for diffused, natural-looking bronzer application. "Its soft edges preclude harsh lines and its tapered tip allows precise product placement," says Dorman.

The all-time eye & brow brushes

Senna Brow Pro 40 Synthetic

Every makeup drove needs a brow brush, and a double-sided one similar this choice from Senna is ideal. Dorman loves how the dumbo angled brush side is fine enough to create hair-like strokes while the spoolie side is swell for blending out harsh lines.

Louise Young LY38B

Non all eyeshadow brushes are created equal. "[This] is the perfect brush if you have small-scale eyes, not much lid space, or need a precisely placed pucker shade," Dorman says. "The edges blend the placed line as yous apply information technology."

MAC Cosmetics 217

A staple amid makeup artists and enthusiasts alike, the MAC 217 is what Dorman calls "the perfect shadow blending castor." She continues: "This brush works for blending harsh shadow, applying a wash of color, or for applying lipstick like a stain. Information technology is one of the most versatile brushes in my kit."

The best brush sets

Wayne Goss The Artist Collection

Inspired by traditional Japanese calligraphy brushes, this 3-piece set up is simply equally much a piece of work of art as it is commonsensical. Riddle says the pocket-sized castor is perfect for blending and a precise awarding of loose powders.

Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan 11-Brush Set up

This set'southward higher price point is justified by the impeccable quality and luxurious blueprint. Feldman says they're a staple both in her professional kit and personal collection, touting them as the best vegan brushes she's ever used. "I launder my brushes and then oftentimes and they hold up and then wonderfully," she says. "I love the handles too because they are so durable."

BH Cosmetics BH Signature Rose Gilded 13-Piece Brush Set

Dorman recommends this option if you lot're in need of a full set up of basic makeup brushes, but don't desire to break the banking company. Plus, it comes with a compact instance that'south convenient for storage and travel.

Natural hair versus synthetic brushes

Makeup brush bristles are available in three main categories: natural, synthetic, or a blend of the two. If y'all attach to a vegan lifestyle, prefer vegan products, or have any allergies to animal pilus that's used in natural brushes, yous'll want to stick with synthetic brushes. These are typically made from nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fibers.

Both natural and synthetic brushes can be beneficial for different reasons. "Annihilation natural hair is amazing for blending; optics, blush, powder." Riddle explains. "Synthetics are slap-up for applying primers, foundations, concealers, contour. I wouldn't say one is meliorate than the other — it really depends on the specific use of the brush."

Catherine Santino

Freelance Writer

Catherine Santino is a freelance writer who covers beauty, civilization, and entertainment. Her work has appeared in Hurry, HelloGiggles, Ladygunn Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, and many more. Acquire more nigh how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.