11 Essential Makeup Brushes
Are you new to makeup or want to take your game to a new level? Which brushes are an absolute must-have, or where should you get started? Here are my 11 essentials when it comes to makeup brushes.
When I started wearing makeup on a regular basis, I felt quite lost when it came to beauty tools. Should I get a Beauty Blender? Or should I invest on a brush kit? And if I did that, which features should I look for and prioritize?
I remember asking a friend for recommendations back then, but I was still lost because I couldn’t find something that matched my needs. It was early 2010, and the makeup industry was very different from what it is today.
It wasn’t until the last four years that I started taking makeup and skincare more seriously and diving into different brands without being afraid of putting together a selection of brushes that would help me improve my makeup skills and take the result to a different level.
All the products that you’ll see mentioned below are my absolute favorite makeup brushes. Products that I’ve came across during the last couple of years and that I reach for every single time I put some makeup on.
They have been doing wonders for my makeup, and I really hope that you can find something on this list that works just as well for you.
Without further ado, these are my essential makeup brushes.
Foundation Brush
I discovered Sephora’s Multi-Textures Brush 06 the day one of their Sales Assistants used it on me to test the Dior Backstage foundation.
I was so wowed by the result that I purchased both the foundation and the brush on the spot. Since then, I’ve already purchased a few more Sephora Nº6 brushes.
This is one of the most versatile brushes in my collection. I use it every single time I apply makeup, and I use it for both liquid and cream formulas.
The best part? Besides being incredibly good, it only costs 14,99 euros.
Recently, I’ve come across The Base Brush from Saie, which is also incredible. The head is denser than the one from Sephora, and the bristles are very smooth. Plus, the crucial part is that it gives a flawless finish (no brush lines) when applying liquid products.
The con? It retails for 23,73 euros. Slightly pricier than the one from Sephora. Yet, an amazing option.
If you’re interested in any of these, I recommend waiting for a special sale or a discount code from your local retailers.
Concealer Brush
If there’s a brush category I would skip, it would be this one.
Why? Because most days, I blend out my concealer with the same brush I used to apply my foundation.
However, if you opt for just a bit of concealer here and there… I have a good option for you.
It's Sephora's Concealer Brush 02. I discovered this one accidentally, as my partner mistakenly picked it as a birthday gift. Instead of returning it, I decided to try it, and I am so glad I haven't returned it.
What I like the most about it is that it's a small angled brush, and the bristles are quite dense yet very comfortable. Given its size, it's quite easy to apply and blend out the product in this area by lightly tapping it.
The best part? It only retails for 9,99 euros and it has a better performance than certain high-end concealer brushes in the market.
Cream Bronzer Brush
Although it is not a main category within makeup brushes, I decided to include it in this article. Why? My friends, who are makeup enthusiasts, often ask me about it.
When it comes to cream bronzer, a flat, dense brush is the best choice. It will help you collect the right amount of product and then lightly deposit it on your skin.
Whether using Nudestix’s Nudies Matte Bronzer or Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow, I always apply these with Sephora’s Multi-Textures Brush 06, as both formulas are slightly creamy.
If I use a drier formula like Makeup by Mario’s SoftSculpt Shaping Stick, I prefer Wailoha’s Calma Foundation Brush 201. It is dense but slightly angled, simplifying the application of the formula, helping it blend out quickly on the skin, and giving it a natural finish.
Powder Bronzer Brush
Now, it is a whole different story regarding powder bronzers.
You’re looking for something that is slightly wide, has some density, and feels incredibly comfortable on the skin.
Especially if you want a brush that is suitable for all types of powder bronzers, as not all powder bronzers have the same consistency: some are more powdery, and others are denser (like baked bronzers), which will require a thicker brush to retrieve the product.
I am writing this because I felt incredibly frustrated when trying to get the product from a baked bronzer using an angled and fluffy brush. It was a nightmare, and needless to say, my makeup never looked that good.
As I don’t want you to go through the same, I’ll recommend a brush that has proven versatile throughout the powder bronzer spectrum: Zoeva’s Powder Brush 106.
It’s an incredible brush! It feels light and soft on the skin, helps you apply the product evenly, and has what it takes to easily get the product out of the pan—no matter how stiff and dry it is.
The problem? Well, there are two. First, it’s not cheap, and second, it’s frequently sold out.
But let me tell you, it’s worth every cent. I’ve ended up getting as a recommendation from a close friend, and I am so glad that I’ve took the plunge and purchased it.
So, if you’re interested and it happens to be sold out at your local retailer… just set up the notifications and get it as soon as it becomes available.
Blush Brush
It took a while to discover a blush brush that worked for me. I wanted something that helped me, was easy to use, and gave me some precision.
That’s the case with Sephora’s Blush Brush 04. It’s small, and the bristles are angled, simplifying the application process.
This is definitely my favorite brush to apply powder and cream blushes, like the ones from Nudestix.
However, when it comes to liquid blushes, a dense brush, like Sephora’s Multi-Textures Brush 06 or Saie’s Base Brush, is more suitable.
Setting Powder Brush
As someone with combination skin, setting my makeup is one of those essential steps.
Unfortunately, I’ve struggled quite a bit with finding a brush that allows me to apply the right amount of product without making my skin look cakey.
When setting the whole face, Sephora’s Powder Brush 03 has proven to be the perfect companion over the past couple of years. The bristles are long but slightly loose, which allows me to pick the product, discard the excess, and apply it lightly all over the face.
Now, when it comes to setting the concealer… I prefer something smaller, like Real Technique’s Setting Brush.
Eyeshadow Primer Brush
While many of you might disagree with the need for a specific brush to apply the eyeshadow primer, my eye makeup has dramatically improved since I started using one.
And there’s one in particular that I absolutely love. It’s Lylak Beauty’s Nº2 Brush.
It has been a complete game changer for me, and I can tell the difference when I don’t use it.
Matte Powder Eyeshadows Brush
Even though applying matte powder eyeshadows is simpler and doesn’t require anything special, there’s one particular brush that I always reach for when applying the product all over the eyelid.
It’s Beter’s Nº14 Brush. It retails for less than 3 euros and gets the job done perfectly.
I have a whole eyeshadow brush set from Zoeva in my collection. And even though these are great, I still use this one.
I love it so much that I already have a few in my collection, and I believe I’ll purchase a couple more.
Shimmer Eyeshadows Brush
As a sparkly eyeshadow lover, I’ve always struggled with its application.
I have some texture in my eyelids, so applying these with my fingertip always looked patchy.
The turning point? Lylak Beauty’s Nº1 Brush.
The bristles are short yet dense, contributing to the perfect application all over the eyelid.
Lylak Beauty’s eyeshadow brushes are so convenient and easy to use that they facilitate the application process even for makeup newbies.
What about you? What are your essentials when it comes to makeup brushes?
