Makeup brushes. They're the bedrock of your makeup routine — unless you're one of the talented few that can put your cosmetics on with just your fingers. We try our best to take good care of them, because they take good care of us. But, some do the job a little better than others. Ahead, we round up 19 brushes that hold a significant place in our hearts — and makeup bags. From the ultra-luxe to on-the-cheap scores, there's something for every routine, every price point, and every body. Click through and get in touch with your new favorite bristles.
This is that ideal crescent-shaped brush for getting into the crease of your eye and blending out the perfect smoky look.
Pixi Crease Brush, $14, available at Target.
The Triangle Foundation Brush from YouTube gurus Sam and Nic Chapman is a must-have. From the duo's newly launched Bold Metals Collection, the dual-function brush helps to cover large areas of the face with the flat edge, and then you can get up-close-and-personal with the angled tip.
Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Cosmetic Triangle Foundation Brush, $19, available at Target.
If you’ve ever struggled with blending your smoky eye, you need an Artis brush to help. The now infamous oval brushes may be unusual-looking, but they blend like a dream — and the Oval 3 is perfect for those creases.
Artis Oval 3 Brush, $40, available at Net-A-Porter.
For a brush that rings up at $3, it, surprisingly, doesn't disappoint on quality. The bristles are super soft and it applies blush beautifully.
NARS' Kabuki is a great option for just about everything. It applies contour like a breeze, works for setting powder, and has soft, easy bristles that feel as soft as cotton.
This foundation brush will help you get achieve all-over coverage without any weird streaks.
This lip brush has a genius rounded shape that makes following the outline of your lips supremely easy. Plus, the synthetic bristles are soft to the touch, yet maintain their shape for precise application. Bonus? The handle has an antibacterial coating to keep germs at bay.
Smith Cosmetics 302 Lip Brush, $20, available at Smith Cosmetics.
This brush will not only gently and evenly swipe on your bronzer (body bronzer, too), the bristles are so soft that brushing it over your face feels is a like a calming stress reliever in its own right.
"I'm in the slow-going process of growing out my eyebrows — from the '90s — and am committed to not touching them until Bob Scott, eyebrow guru, gives me the green light," says our deputy fashion & beauty editor, Anne-Marie Guarnieri. "This brush helps keep them from getting too out of hand, until the glorious day that they will be once again professionally groomed. Bless."
Found: an on-the-go, do-it-all brush that won't get gunky in your purse.
Fan brushes are good for applying pigment around your cheekbones, but they're also great for cleaning up messes. Sonia Kashuk's version is perfect for sweeping up wayward specks around your eyes.
That raised zit that doesn't seem to want to get covered? Shiseido's concealer brush helps the stuff stick to even the hardest-to-hide spots.
A lip brush, like this one from MAC, is perfect for making sure your lipstick stays in place all day.
This brush buffs your face so well, you look airbrushed IRL.
From concealer to powder, this travel brush does just about everything.
Brows on fleek? This angled number pops pigment onto your set in a snap, without being too heavy-handed.
Softest. Blush. Brush. Ever.
Unlike other fan brushes, this one has jagged little bristles that work great with cream and liquid products. It's also also strangely good for drawing in details with the side tip.
The dipped center of this brush makes applying liquid foundation a snap. Just squeeze it into the reservoir and buff it on.
Did you know there is such a thing as an ergonomic makeup brush? Well, Beautycounter weighs down the bristles of their brushes so you can apply your makeup in the most comfortable way possible. We particularly love their eye crease brush for blending in eyeshadow seamlessly.
We know, the price point is kind of crazy. But, one feel of this über-luxe brush and you may start pinching your pennies.
This is the ultimate traveling brush set. And for those of us who live by the less-is-more makeup mantra, the ultimate life brush set. With everything from a foundation to a contour to a brow brush, plus a few more, it’s really all you need whether you’re heading out of town or just out.
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