14 best makeup brushes for makeup that lasts all day
With so many options, finding the best makeup brushes can seem mind-boggling. Luckily, you don’t need to be a professional to know which to choose. You only need to pick the ones that provide easy application and full coverage.
1. Lune+Aster Foundation Brush
The Lune+Aster foundation brush has a thick, rounded handle for quick application. The domed and slightly sloped head makes reaching every curve of your face easy. It’s pretty dense, so you can get full coverage with liquid, cream or powder. You only need warm water to clean a majority of the bristles, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious makeup artists. They’re also synthetic, which is more hygienic and long-lasting than the natural version.
2. Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Contour Brush
Allure awarded its Best of Beauty honour to the Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Contour Brush in 2021 and 2022. The tan fibres are large and curved to make applying cream contour simple. It may not be as versatile as others, but it does such a great job that you likely won’t need to upgrade any time soon. Brushes generally allow for more precise application than beauty blenders, but this option lets you quickly get a smooth finish with no streakiness.
3. Artis Elite Oval Brush Set
The Artis Elite Oval Brush set has circle, linear and oval options for your brows, face and eyes. Out of the five pieces, the oval brush number six is one of the most useful. This shape usually packs the most bristles, so you’re sure to get full coverage with cream or liquid foundation. They’re also synthetic, which makes them vegan-friendly. The handle is ergonomic for self-application, so you can comfortably hold it for long stretches.
4. E.l.f Ultimate Blending Brush
E.l.f. is an infamously budget-friendly brand, so its Ultimate Blending Brush is very affordable. Even though you’re not splurging, it’s still a high-quality choice. The bristles are soft and don’t shed, which is essential when applying cream or liquid foundation. Also, it makes cleaning easier. Although it’s a foundation brush, its rounded shape makes it fairly multipurpose.
5. Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Foundation Brush #2.5
The Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Foundation Brush number 2.5 is for the complexion. Its synthetic fibres wash off much easier than natural ones. Even though they’re light tan, pigmented colours run off easily with a bit of cleaner and warm water. They’re also incredibly dense, making the brush an excellent choice for liquid or cream products. Plus, the handle is long and smooth for better application control.
6. Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Fluff Brush
Morphe’s M433 Pro Firm Blending Fluff Brush packs a ton of bristles into a long dome. You can usually pack shades better with more density, so it’s a great choice if you’re an eyeshadow fanatic. It’s one of the best eye makeup brushes on the market. It can also transfer glitter and chrome easily, so you can use every bit of product it picks up. Also, the thin handle makes the application feel super smooth and precise.
7. Real Techniques Blend + Blur All Over Brush
The Real Techniques Blend + Blur All Over Brush is great for blending. The domed oval shape enhances its smoothing properties. You can easily achieve an airbrushed look with a cream or liquid foundation. The curved handle design is ergonomic, making extended application much more comfortable. It also allows for more precision. Plus, you’ll have an easier time cleaning it fully because you can spot any leftover product on the white synthetic bristles.
8. Fenty Beauty Full-Bodied Foundation Brush #110
Rihanna delivered with the Fenty Beauty Full-Bodied Foundation Brush number 110. It has more than 140,000 synthetic fibres, each soft and super fine for maximum range. The domed shape provides easy full coverage application. It works best with liquid or cream products, as it’s incredibly dense. Plus, the pastel pink handle and holographic lettering can make it an adorable addition to any collection. It’s one of the best makeup brushes out there.
9. Surratt Beauty Highlighter Brush
The Surratt Beauty Highlighter Brush has a tapered dome shape perfect for contouring and highlighting. It’s slightly flat on the top, which lets you build product more precisely. The bristles are natural hair, which can last an incredibly long time with proper care. The handle narrows at the end, making it easier to grip and manoeuvre.
10. Docolor Fan Brush
Fan brushes’ speciality is subtle application because the spaced-out bristles put just the right amount of product on your face. The Docolor Fan Brush works best with highlighter and bronzer. Its incredibly wide shape makes it stand out from other similar options. Also, indulging yourself and getting it might make more sense once you realise how affordable it is. Having something purely for your highlighting needs keeps you from accidentally bending your other brushes out of shape.
11. Trinny London Conceal/Eye Contour Brush
Trinny Woodall, a British skincare entrepreneur, released a makeup line in 2022. It contains the Trinny London Conceal/Eye Contour Brush, one of the best eye makeup brushes for those interested in clean beauty. The fibres are short and angled. The handle has a similar look, as it’s thin and small. The design emphasises precision, which is crucial for applying eyeshadow and undereye concealer.
12. EcoTools Start the Day Beautifully Makeup Brushes Set
EcoTools released its Start the Day Beautifully Set, which contains five options for foundation, eyeshadow and brows. It’s a sustainable brand, so everything is biodegradable and vegan-friendly. The bamboo handles taper slightly, making them easy to hold for long periods. These are some of the best makeup brushes if you’re conscious about your health or the environment.
13. CHANEL Retractable Dual-Ended Concealer Brush
The Retractable Dual-Ended Concealer Brush from CHANEL is a great multipurpose tool. It also has caps to cover both ends, which is much more hygienic for you because it keeps bacteria out. One end has a fluffy rounded shape perfect for blending, while the other is flat for precise initial application. It’s one of the best eye makeup brushes for putting on primer or under-eye concealer.
14. Hourglass Vegan Makeup Brushes Travel Set
The Hourglass Vegan Brush Travel Set contains the best makeup brushes for health-conscious travellers. The kit has seven different options, including a dual-ended domed one. The bristles are PETA-approved because they’re Taklon. It’s one of the best synthetics you can get. The fluffy shape of each makes them dense but airy enough that you can still get full coverage with powder.
Best makeup brushes for lasting looks
These are the best makeup brushes on the market, whether you’re looking for eyeshadow, contour, foundation or highlight applicators. Also, there are plenty of vegan and ergonomic choices that make makeup more accessible. You can feel comfortable choosing any of these options because they’re durable and high-quality.
Love the post? Please give it a share on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
This is a really helpful guide! It can often be tough to know which brushes are best
Definitely will assist in my MUA ambitions.
Fantastic piece love all the information on so many different brands and types of brushes
what a great post, I never know which brushes to use and end up using my fingers half the time