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The Best Makeup Brush Set

Last updated on January 27, 2022

We looked at the top 5 Makeup Brush Sets and dug through the reviews from 15 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Makeup Brush Sets.

Our Review Process

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Makeup brushes are designed to make the application and blending of products like eye shadow and foundation easier, giving your face a smoother, more attractive look. You shouldn’t need to spend a large amount of money to buy quality tools, but if you’re in the market for brushes you will want to think about what you are trying to achieve with them.

If you are just getting started, here’s what you need to know. You’ll find small sets with five or so multi-purpose brushes, but you can also get medium and larger-sized kits that offer brushes that are made for specific effects. Get a smaller set if you don’t want to become overwhelmed by too many options. Remember, something like an eyeshadow brush could also be used as a concealer brush, and unless you’re a professional makeup artist you may never use some of the more specialized tools.

As far as the basics go, you should have a foundation brush for liquid or cream foundation, a blush brush for the cheeks, a powder brush to disperse powder across your face, a flat eyeshadow brush and an eyeshadow crease brush. From there, you can consider adding a contour brush, bronzer brush, a fan brush for highlighting, an eyeliner brush and so on.

If you have money to spend, consider getting natural brushes made from animal hair such as goat or sable. These hairs spread out well when pressure is applied, so they are able to create smooth and even finishes. They look and feel fluffy and soft against the skin and are well-suited for powder-based makeup products. Natural brushes are harder to clean, though, since they tend to absorb pigments and products; they sometimes shed as well.

Synthetic makeup brushes are more affordable and made from materials like polyester and nylon. Professionals like using these for liquid and cream products because they don’t absorb the products as readily. You’ll also notice that they are stiffer and flatter than their natural counterparts and can be cut into sharp angles for more precise applications. These brushes also shed less and are easier to clean and store.

Our Picks For The Top Makeup Brush Sets

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

BEAKEY Non-Shedding Synthetic Hair Makeup Brush Set, 12-Piece

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BEAKEY

Non-Shedding Synthetic Hair Makeup Brush Set, 12-Piece

This remarkable set of 10 quality makeup brushes has you covered with round, angled, tapered, flat and round brushes made with solid aluminum handles and premium fiber bristles. This affordable pack even comes with a makeup sponge and brush cleaner!

Overall Take

The Whole PackageYou’ll feel like a professional makeup artist when you have this versatile set of tools in hand.

Pros
" With 12 pieces — including a beauty sponge — this set has everything you'll need for daily makeup. These brushes are heavy-duty and easy to use, with a durable handle that gives you great control."
Cons
"Unpleasant smell after washing."
 Runner Up

BS-MALL Nylon Bristles Makeup Brush Set, 18-Piece

BS-MALL

Nylon Bristles Makeup Brush Set, 18-Piece

This stylish 18-piece champagne gold-colored makeup brush set features an extraordinary variety of different-sized brushes for everything from blushes to bronzers. It also includes fine detail brushes to accent your eyelids, lips and brows precisely. A stand-up black case is included.

Overall Take

The Gold StandardOnce you have this beautiful set, you’ll never worry about not having the right tool for the job!

Pros
" If you’re looking for a brush set to end all brush sets, here it is. With a whopping 18 pieces, this set literally has everything you could need. From a lip brush to a blender brush to a flat angled..."
 We Also Like

CINIDY Assorted Flat & Angled Brushes Makeup Brush Set, 20-Piece

CINIDY

Assorted Flat & Angled Brushes Makeup Brush Set, 20-Piece

Cinidy’s budget-friendly 20-piece makeup brush set is made with top-quality premium synthetic fiber materials that are soft, dense, and non-shedding. They even have bright and colorful handles to boot. You'll be surprised by their durability, great value and ease of use.

Overall Take

Just the Right TouchThese brushes are good enough for makeup professionals — and fit right into your beauty routine.

Pros
" High quality. Affordable. Offer even application. Suitable for sensitive skin. Does not shed."
 Strong Contender

BESTOPE PRO Cruelty-Free Synthetic Fibers Makeup Brush Set, 16-Piece

BESTOPE PRO

Cruelty-Free Synthetic Fibers Makeup Brush Set, 16-Piece

Sold in several different color combinations, Bestope Pro’s set of 16 makeup brushes have comfortable wooden handles and soft, dense bristles. You get a combination of kabuki and precise brush types for adding dimension and creating perfect contouring with any makeup texture.

Overall Take

Everything You NeedWith these premium synthetic beauty brushes, any beginner can feel like a professional artist.

Pros
" Cruelty-free. Affordable. Premium quality. Good grip."
Cons
"Takes time to soak up liquids and creams."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the makeup brush sets available to purchase.
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Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: LifeSavvy, Best Products, BestReviews, Read Best Reviews, iMore.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 5 Makeup Brush Sets and also dug through the reviews from 15 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Makeup Brush Sets.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

CINIDY Assorted Flat & Angled Brushes Makeup Brush Set, 20-Piece

Our Expert Score

0.0
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.6
17,596 user reviews

Our Take

Cinidy’s budget-friendly 20-piece makeup brush set is made with top-quality premium synthetic fiber materials that are soft, dense, and non-shedding. They even have bright and colorful handles to boot. You'll be surprised by their durability, great value and ease of use.

What other experts liked

High quality. Affordable. Offer even application. Suitable for sensitive skin. Does not shed.
- Style Craze

What other experts didn't like

No fluffy brushes.
- Style Craze

What to Look For

  • Use natural makeup brushes for powder products and heavy blending.
  • Synthetic brushes are better for liquid and cream products, plus precise lipstick and eyeliner applications.
  • The brush’s bristles should not be ragged or frayed and must be attached firmly to the handles.
  • A good makeup brush will feel balanced in your hand, not too light or heavy.
  • Clean your makeup brushes regularly for the best results and to prevent bacteria growth.
  • Even if you clean them regularly, you’ll have to replace your makeup brushes ideally every 1-5 years. Check for discoloration, smells, shedding and a loss of shape or shedding.

More to Explore

Actress Jessica Chastain portrayed former televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in the 2021 movie “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” Faye was known for her very heavy makeup, which featured dark black eyeliner, dark bronzer, thick foundation, deep lipstick and shiny eyeshadow.

Chastain claimed that it took an average of four hours to get painted up for the part each day, with one makeup session lasting more than seven hours. She also claimed that all that heavy makeup damaged her face. According to her account, the weight of all that makeup was heavy and hot and actually stretched out her skin.

More to explore