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The Best Makeup Brushes

Last updated on April 11, 2023

We looked at the top 14 Makeup Brushes and dug through the reviews from 27 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Makeup Brushes.

Best Makeup Brushes

Our Review Process

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With the right set of makeup brushes, you can think like a professional makeup artist and look like a model, all from the comfort of your own home. If all you ever use are the mini brushes included with compacts and palettes, your beauty routine may be ready for a major boost.

Using the right brush will make it much easier for you to apply every step of your makeup. That means less time staring in the mirror and a later wake-up time for you. How can a few little tools make such a huge difference? Overall, the right brush helps you apply makeup in a more precise manner.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a set of makeup brushes. They range in price but you should be able to find one that fits your budget. The handles and bristles are made of a variety of materials, which come with their own pros and cons.

Then, you need to look at the intended use of each brush. Some are multipurpose while others are precise and aimed at applying one product to one area only, according to our beauty expert Natalie Setareh, a makeup artist, beauty coach and the author of the book “Be Your Own Makeup Artist: Unleash Your Inner Beauty.”

“The traditional rule of thumb that synthetic bristle brushes are best suited for cream products and natural hair bristles are best suited for powders and dry makeup still applies,” she says. “There are also makeup brushes that blend both synthetic and natural hair bristles, which also provide unique functions, depending on the type of makeup application you seek to achieve on a regular basis.”

Arguably, the most important factor is the material used for the bristles. Bristles are made of either synthetic or natural materials. Most professional makeup artists prefer natural bristles.

What really makes natural bristles stand out is that they behave like human hair and have a cuticle. This allows them to grab pigment from your makeup products and hold onto it until you place it exactly where you want it on your face.

One top-quality natural bristle is from the blue squirrel. It’s also the most expensive. Other natural bristles that perform well are pony hair, goat and Kolinsky sable. However, synthetic bristles have come a long way in recent years.

There are also a growing number of eco-friendly brushes made with sustainable materials. These makeup brushes are super soft and excellent for sensitive skin types.

You’ll also want to consider the materials used to make the other parts of the brushes.

“When I shop for brushes, I like to know where and how they are made (for example, hand-made or machine-made), if they are cruelty-free (yes, natural hair brushes can be cruelty-free too), whether or not their handles are anti-bacterial and what the material of the ferrule (the piece that attaches the bristles to the brush) is made of,” says Setareh.

All of these sets include many more brush options than what you’d use on a regular basis. Professional makeup artists suggest a basic foundation of four main brushes. You want a large powder brush, a slightly smaller fluffy multi-use brush, an eye-shadow brush and a smaller shadow brush. The standard eyeshadow brush should be the size of a fingertip, and the second should be about half that size. From there, you can add on a few more sizes for more precision and fine-tuned application.

Brush shapes also vary as well. You want to look for a slightly domed tip with a bit of fluff in all brushes. This shape helps the bristles roll across the skin smoothly. The fluffy texture isn’t just for show. A fluffy brush deposits less pigment so you can be more precise and slowly build for more drama or keep a subtle look.

A high-quality set of brushes truly is a worthwhile investment. When you take care of them properly and clean them regularly, they can last decades. That’s a lot of beautiful years to look forward to.

Our Picks For The Top Makeup Brushes

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

BS-MALL Premium Synthetic Makeup Brushes

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

BS-MALL

14-Piece Premium Synthetic Brushes

With this affordable and stylish set, you'll get five large brushes and nine smaller brushes for face, lip, and eye application — including a precise eye brush, a halo dye brush, and eyeshadow blending brush. The non-shedding nylon bristles are soft yet sturdy.

Overall Take

Versatile SetThis premium makeup brush set in rose gold with nylon bristles offers the right balance of soft and firm.

Pros
" Soft and silky to touch. Synthetic brush hair. Soft but firm for makeup application. Dense and well-shaped brushes."
Cons
"Doesn’t include an eyelash comb or come with a case."
 Complete Kit

BEAKEY Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brushes

BEAKEY

Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brushes

Get a complete set of stylish, compact professional makeup brushes with this 12-piece kit. Brush handles are thick and sturdy, bristles won't shed and an aluminum ferrule allows for better control. A teardrop makeup sponge and brush cleaner are included.

Overall Take

Economical OptionAs an added bonus, get a makeup sponge and makeup brush cleaner with this professional-level set!

 We Also Like

Real Techniques Sponge Blender Makeup Brush, 5-Piece

Real Techniques

Sponge Blender Makeup Brushes, 5-Piece

No makeup bag is complete without a few essential brushes. This set has four brushes and a sponge that multitask to help you achieve the exact makeup look you're going for. In fact, they work great at bronzing, highlighting and concealing.

Overall Take

Professional QualityBe your own makeup artist with this multitasking 5-piece aluminum-handled makeup brush set.

Pros
" Simply put: Whether you’re a makeup rookie looking for a trusty yet affordable set of brushes to get started with or a veteran looking to add new ones to your collection, this brush set is basically everything you could ever..."
 Stylish Pick

VANDER LIFE Synthetic Fiber Makeup Brushes, 24-Piece

VANDER LIFE

Synthetic Fiber Makeup Brushes, 24-Piece

You'll love the soft synthetic fibers used to construct these wood and chrome makeup brushes, which work well even if you have sensitive skin. Included with the set are 24 different brushes for blush, eyeshadow and concealer application, plus a travel bag.

Overall Take

Travel Bag IncludedThe shiny champagne finish on the handles of this makeup brushes really makes the set stand out.

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.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the makeup brushes available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

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

View All Product Rankings

27

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, 10 Best Review, BuzzFeed, GiftWits, New York Mag.

139,095

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 14 Makeup Brushes and also dug through the reviews from 27 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Makeup Brushes.

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.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

Our Expert Consultant

Natalie Setareh   
Makeup artist, beauty coach and author

Natalie Setareh is an award-winning international makeup artist, makeup educator and, most recently, author of the book “Be Your Own Makeup Artist: Unleash Your Inner Beauty.” Her makeup career has taken her around the world, from Monterey, California, to Augusta, Georgia, and, most recently, to Wiesbaden, Germany.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

VANDER LIFE Synthetic Fiber Makeup Brushes, 24-Piece

User Summarized Score

9.0
10,768 user reviews

Our Take

You'll love the soft synthetic fibers used to construct these wood and chrome makeup brushes, which work well even if you have sensitive skin. Included with the set are 24 different brushes for blush, eyeshadow and concealer application, plus a travel bag.

What to Look For

  • It’s more important to have the right brush for each task than a perfectly matching set to display on your vanity.
  • The handles and bristles consist of a variety of materials, each of which come with their own pros and cons. Make sure to check the intended use of each brush before buying. Some are multipurpose, while others are precise and aimed at applying one product to one area only.
  • Price can play a major factor when shopping for makeup brushes. Sets can range in cost from budget-friendly options to more expensive versions. The BS-Mall Makeup Brushes, for example, are affordable and have extremely soft bristles that make the experience of applying your makeup a comfortable one.
  • A few makeup brush sets include bristles that are so soft, some users compare them to a teddy bear’s fur. You’ll also get a great experience with other sets that features dense, but velvety fibers that ensure even application.
  • No matter how much you spend on a set of makeup brushes, you’ll want to maintain them by cleaning them regularly. Experts recommend cleaning them with a gentle soap at least once per month. Brushes used around the eye and for applying foundation need a wash every week to prevent bacteria buildup.
  • Cleaning makeup brushes is so important, there are dedicated gadgets to help with the cleaning process. Gloves, solutions and mats can all help clear away product buildup from the bristles.

This review has been updated by DWYM staff.

Makeup Brush Rankings

1. BS-MALL Premium Synthetic Makeup Brushes

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 6

2. BEAKEY Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brushes

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 3

3. Real Techniques Sponge Blender Makeup Brush, 5-Piece

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 3

4. VANDER LIFE Synthetic Fiber Makeup Brushes, 24-Piece

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

5. Ecotools Start The Day Beautifully Makeup Brush, 5-Count

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 6

6. LADES Foundation Eyeshadow Makeup Brush, 12-Piece

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 2

8. EmaxDesign 12-Piece Makeup Brush Set

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 7

9. SHANY Pro 24-Piece Signature Brush Set

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 7

10. BS-MALL Makeup Brushes

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 8

11. eBoTrade 32-Piece Makeup Brush Set

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 4

12. BESTOPE Tapered Handle Makeup Brushes, 8-Piece

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 7

13. Lazy Perfection 12-Piece Brush Collection

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 3

14. Duorime New 7-Piece Makeup Brush Set

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 1

More to Explore

Makeup brushes likely date back to the Ancient Egyptians. We can all thank Cleopatra and her strong eyeliner game for the earliest forms of brushes. Meanwhile, other modern cultures around the world entered the brush industry and made their mark. Germany and Japan are known for their excellent brush-making.

In Japan, the first makeup brushes were inspired by calligraphy brushes. In fact, brush-making was so prolific in Kumano, Japan, it earned the nickname the City of Brushes. The brush-making techniques have been passed down through the generations. These luxury brushes are truly an art in and of themselves.

The high-end brushes are still handmade, one at a time, today. The unwieldy brush hairs require the close attention of human hands. As such, they are arranged, hand-tied and trimmed by hand. After all that painstaking work, it’s no surprise they garner high prices.

More to explore