Virtually every beauty stan agrees makeup brushes are integral to applying a full face. There’s a lot you can do with your fingers and a blending sponge, but when it comes to achieving a pro-level finish, brushes are the name of the game.
“The first thing I look at is the shape,” says makeup artist Nick Lujan, explaining that this determines where to use a brush and what product to use it with. According to celebrity makeup artist Erika La’ Pearl, the bristles are what really counts. “The softness and quality of the bristles determine how the makeup applies and whether or not it will evenly distribute,” she tells Byrdie.
There are nearly endless types of brushes out there, and figuring out which one you need can be overwhelming. To help you filter through your options, we researched today’s top-rated designs and purchased 14 to try out in The Lab, our product-testing facility in Manhattan. We put these brushes to the test and carefully looked bandar bola ibcbet at each aspect, including the brush density, material, and intended finish and result.
These are the best makeup brushes Byrdie tested.
After putting 14 makeup brushes to the test, Lune+Aster was a clear winner. This round, angled number earned a perfect overall score, excelling in design, application, and ease of cleaning. Designed for applying liquid, cream, or powder foundation, it’s round with a sloped head. The angle helps you get into all the contours of your face, while the short, thick handle offers a solid grip.
This brush has synthetic bristles, which Lujan prefers. In addition to being vegan-friendly, he explains that they’re often more durable and hygienic. Our tester said the semi-short bristles are dense yet extremely soft.
She liked how the fibers allowed her to quickly apply and blend her foundation without sacrificing smoothness or a natural-looking finish. Beyond that, this makeup brush turned out to be super easy to clean. Liquids and creams squeeze right out when you run the bristles under warm water.
Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/angled | Density: Very dense | Intended Use: Liquid, cream, or powder foundation | Coverage: Full | Vegan: Yes
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What Our Testers Say
“The angled bristles made this brush easy to get around my nose and under my eyes, and the short, thick handle felt great in my hand.”—Julia Fields, Product Tester
Target
Our Ratings
- Design
4.5/5
- Ease of Cleaning
5/5
What We Like
- Versatile
- Smooth results
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- Could be larger
- Some products stain bristles
E.l.f. makes some really excellent budget beauty tools, and this makeup brush is no exception. The round, tapered shape is designed for foundation and concealer, but it also works for contouring and buffing powder products. While she prefers a slightly larger head, our tester said the medium size makes it versatile enough to use around the eyes and nose.
We loved the soft-to-the-touch synthetic bristles. In addition to feeling nice against the skin, this makes for ultra-smooth application and blending. Our tester said her foundation went on so easily and buffed out effortlessly without any streaks or blotchiness. Though some makeup products may stain the bristles, this brush was generally very easy to clean.
Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/tapered | Density: Dense | Intended Use: Foundation, concealer, buffing | Coverage: Medium | Vegan: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“I could apply my foundation effortlessly and quickly without streaks or blotches.”—Julia Fields, Product Tester
Our Ratings
- Design
4.7/5
- Ease of Cleaning
4/5
What We Like
- Smooth results
- High-quality handle
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- Some reviewers note bristle fallout
If you’re willing to invest in a high-quality makeup brush, look no further than IT Cosmetics. This luxurious flat-top features dense synthetic bristles that feel soft against the skin. The unique head does an incredible job of picking up and buffing out pressed and loose powders, but you can also use it for applying and blending liquid foundation.
Our tester said the Heavenly Luxe #6 absorbed hardly any of her liquid foundation and left her with a smooth, streak-free complexion. She also liked how the weight of the handle felt in her hand. This makeup brush is easy to clean, too—all remaining product came right off with minimal effort.
Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/flat | Density: Very dense | Intended Use: Liquid or powder foundation, buffing | Coverage: Full | Vegan: Yes
