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.
If you love mineral makeup, this dense brush is made for you. It packs on the pigment, then blends it in seamlessly.
Tarte Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush, $28, available at Sephora.
Our editors love this soft, vegan blush brush — and for good reason. It feels incredibly luxe and is perfectly sized to apply blush, bronzer, contour, and highlighter with serious precision.
Antonym Contour Brush #3, $22, available at Antonym.
Urban Decay’s Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush is vegan, in case you’re in the market for a great vegan brush. It was originally developed for use with Urban’s Weightless Liquid Foundation, to ensure easy use when blurring out a light liquid, and it does the job well. But it also works for powders and creams due to the densely packed hairs — it’s a great “do it all” face brush for your kit.
Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush, $26, available at Sephora.
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.
e.l.f. Cosmetics, $3.00, available at e.l.f. Cosmetics
Celeb makeup artist Carola Gonzalez turned us on to this brush, which is the perfect tool for applying a smooth face of foundation.
Hourglass No. 7 Finishing Brush, $65, available at Barneys New York.
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.
NARS, $55.00, available at NARS
This foundation brush will help you get achieve all-over coverage without any weird streaks.
Tarte, $34.00, available at Sephora
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.
It Cosmetics, $48.00, available at It Cosmetics
"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."
Sonia Kashuk, $1.99, available at Target
Found: an on-the-go, do-it-all brush that won't get gunky in your purse.
Beautycounter, $32.00, available at Beautycounter
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.
Sonia Kashuk, $7.99, available at Target
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.
Shiseido, $20.00, available at Macy's
A lip brush, like this one from MAC, is perfect for making sure your lipstick stays in place all day.
MAC, $20.00, available at MAC
This brush buffs your face so well, you look airbrushed IRL.
Sisley, $40.00, available at Barneys New York
From concealer to powder, this travel brush does just about everything.
Hourglass, $68.00, available at Sephora
Brows on fleek? This angled number pops pigment onto your set in a snap, without being too heavy-handed.
Beauty Is Life, $26.00, available at Barneys New York
Softest. Blush. Brush. Ever.
By Terry, $85.00, available at Bloomingdale's
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.
Make Up For Ever, $20.00, available at Sephora
The dipped center of this brush makes applying liquid foundation a snap. Just squeeze it into the reservoir and buff it on.
bareMinerals, $28.00, available at Bare Escentuals
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.
Beautycounter, $24.00, available at Beautycounter
We know, the price point is kind of crazy. But, one feel of this über-luxe brush and you may start pinching your pennies.
Surratt, $230.00, available at Barneys New York
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.
Sigma Beauty, $86.00, available at DermStore
Unruly brows have met their match with this powerhouse arch-grooming brush. The large size helps to lift and shape brows fast, and it's the perfect tool to brush through brows after applying gel.
Smith Cosmetics 214 Spoolie Brush, $16, available at Smith Cosmetics.
Sonia Kashuk's brushes are industry leaders among professional makeup artists — probably because they were create by a makeup artist. They're affordable, are soft, and last for years. This blush brush makes an even, diffused pop of color easy.
Sonia Kashuk Domed Blusher Brush No. 29, $17.99, available at Target.
This setting brush is an editor favorite for it's incredibly light touch. Tip: It's also clutch for applying power highlighter!
Real Techniques Setting Brush, $8, available at Real Techniques.
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