The 12 Best Face Makeup Brushes in 2023

While using your fingers to apply everyday basic makeup is convenient, getting ready for special days requires more than that. Makeup brushes help in the flawless makeup application and make your face look perfect.

So, if you are a beginner looking for makeup brushes or a pro who wants to update the face makeup brush collection, we got you.

With so many brands and so many types of brushes, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to buy. Moreover, you might wonder how many brushes are necessary for full face makeup.

So, we are going to help you get your hands on the best face makeup brushes, both individual brushes or a full set.

Type of Brushes in a Complete Makeup Brush Set

Before getting into the details of the best makeup brushes of 2023, you should know which type of brushes are present in a set as a beginner. But if you are a pro, skip it.

Foundation Brush

The most important brush for face makeup is a foundation brush. It is a big brush with a flat surface and thick densely packed bristles.

Concealer Brush

As foundation brush is for the full face, concealer brush is to conceal the small to big imperfections like acne marks precisely.

Brow Brush

A brow brush is a small brush with firm and straight bristles cut in a slant. It is used to fill in the eyebrows.

Crease/Blending Brush

A blending brush is round while a crease brush is an angled brush. Both are used to blend in the eye makeup and apply eyeshadow in the crease line.

Eyeshadow Brush

Eyeshadow brushes are small, compact, and flat brushes that are used to apply shades over the lids professionally.

Mascara Brush

A mascara brush is a spoolie brush with strong bristles located at distance from each other. So, it is used to separate or comb the eyelashes or eyebrows for a decent look.

Eyeliner Brush

An eyeliner brush is a sleek brush with a little head that is either straight or angled. It helps in adding details to your eye makeup.

Lip Brush

If you struggle with applying lipstick directly without getting it out of the lipline, lip brushes can help you apply it precisely.

Contour Brush

A contour brush is an angled brush with densely-packed bristles to help in shaping your facial cuts.

Powder Brush

A powder brush is a setting brush used to apply setting powder to the face lightly. It is soft and fluffy. Moreover, it has a curved shape for even application of powder.

Blush/Highlighter Brush

Blush brushes are either the smaller version of powder brushes or they have an angled surface for better application of blush on the cheeks.

12 Best Face Makeup Brushes in 2023

1. E.L.F. Flawless Face Brush Kit

Pros

• Pocket-friendly
• Ergonomic design and size

Cons

• Does not compare to premium brush sets

E.L.F flawless face makeup brush kit contains all brushes you need to achieve an impeccable look from basic makeup to party makeup. The 6 brushes of this kit contain a large blending foundation brush, a small concealer brush, a duo eye shadow and brow brush, a small stipple brush, and a small angled eyeliner brush.

Although its quality does not match an expensive premium brush set, it still has good quality, soft bristles, and grip-able handles.

2. IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Foundation Brush

Pros

• Ultra-soft plush
• Award-winning brush

Cons

• Too soft to be used for pressed makeup

IT Cosmetics’ heavenly luxe foundation brush #6 is an easy-to-clean and easy-to-use brush that helps you get the most seamless foundation application ever. Its round flatly cut precision head is densely packed with soft bristles. Additionally, it has a soft touch high-quality handle.

Thus, this award-winning brush can be your go-to foundation brush as it offers smooth foundation application, easy coverage building, and obvious buffing and blurring effects.

3. Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Face Brush Kit

Pros

• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Provides long-lasting makeup application

Cons

• Has no brush for eye makeup

Real Techniques essential face brush kit comes with 4 brushes including a face brush, a crease brush, a setting brush, a blush brush, and two soft sponges. All brushes are well-designed according to their use ranging from having fluffy bristles to firm and dense hair and dome to round shapes.

All brushes have durable aluminum ferrule and are made of cruelty-free vegan material. Additionally, it can serve as a perfect birthday gift.

4. Eigshow Premium Makeup Brush Set

Pros

• Made of nanofibers
• Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

· Too lightweight to apply the makeup without losing grip

As the name implies Eigshow Premium makeup brush set is a high-quality 8-piece brush kit with bristles that won’t shed or irritate your skin. It is a travel-friendly brush set that comes in beautiful packaging.

Moreover, it has corrosion-resistant handles and fluffy yet firm bristles. So, it can become your everyday go-to essential makeup brush set.

5. EcoTools Makeup Brush Kit

Pros

• Travel-friendly packing
• Cruelty-free and echo-friendly material

Cons

• The tin box is not durable

EcoTools Start the Day makeup brush kit features soft Taklon bristles, strong aluminum ferrules, and sleek bamboo handles. The kit comes with 5 brushes including a powdered brush, an angled foundation brush, an eyeliner brush, a crease brush, a concealing brush, and a storage case.

This eco-friendly brush set can be used with cream, powder, or liquid products.

6. Real Perfection Makeup Brushes Set

Pros

• Can be used as a professional brush set
• Suitable for beginners as well

Cons

• Small hair began to shed off

If you want a brush set with basically everything that can ever be used in makeup, the Real Perfection makeup set is for you. This cruelty-free brush set contains 16 pieces ranging from foundation brushes, other face brushes, and eye makeup brushes to eyebrow razors.

All these brushes are made of soft densely packed synthetic hair and wooden handles offering uncomplicated makeup application.

7. Niré Beauty Professional Makeup Brush Set

Pros

• Elegant design
• Can be given as a gift

Cons

• Expensive

Nire Beauty’s professional makeup brush set comes in a beautiful rose gold and black color combination. It includes 15 pieces varying from a large powder brush to a small tip eyeliner brush along with 2 beauty blenders of different sizes.

The award-winning Nire brush set deserved it for its chic design, soft yet firm non-shedding bristles, sustainable wood handle, and recyclable aluminum ferrule.

8. BS-MALL Premium Makeup Brush Set

Pros

• Affordable
• Serves as an attractive gift

Cons

• Might smell a little before the first wash

BS-MALL is a top-rated face brush set with premium-quality and dirt-proof brushes. The brush handles are tapered and the bristles are made of soft nylon synthetic fibers. Its beautiful champagne gold color brushes and black round case adds to the grace of your dressing table.

The fine hairs of bristles are densely packed and are suitable for sensitive skin as well. Additionally, it contains 18 pieces ensuring that you have a brush for every product in your makeup collection.

9. Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki Brush

Pros

• Flat kabuki brush design
• 2 years warranty

Cons

· Expensive considering it is a single brush set

Sigma Beauty F80 flat kabuki brush is the perfect fit for applying foundation on your face without product absorption or caking. It offers a flat head area with thickly packed soft hair that can be used for both liquid and cream foundation.

It applies the product even to the skin, blurs imperfections, prevents makeup streaks, and offers medium to full buildable coverage.

10. DUcare Makeup Duo End Brushes

Pros

• Deluxe gold design
• Multi-purpose brushes

Cons

• Might not last for a long time

DUcare makeup duo end brushes set comes with 2 brushes, both two-sided. The first brush has an angled contour brush on one side while a large powder brush is on the other side. The second brush has a thick point brush on one side and a flat buffer brush on another side.

It is a handmade brush set manufactured with eco-friendly materials. Additionally, it has an ergonomic shape and an easy-to-hold design.

11. bareMinerals Flawless Application Face Brush

Pros

• Many tasks with 1 brush
• Flawless makeup application

Cons

• The handle is not durable

BareMinerals flawless face application brush is a multi-tasking brush that can be used to apply foundation, blush, and mineral veil. Its tapered c-shaped bristles make it suitable for applying multiple products.

So, it can also be used as a blending brush as it allows for building your foundation coverage. Additionally, its soft material is gentle on sensitive skin.

12. Tarte Cosmetics The Buffer Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush

Pros

• Reduces the amount of product used
• Durable wooden handle

Cons

• Bristles become loose after a while

If you want a brush that applies and blends foundation within minutes, Tarte Cosmetics buffer airbrush finish foundation brush for you. It is a large brush with a curved head for applying the product easily.

Additionally, its wooden handle offers a strong grip and its soft bristles have a velvety texture. So, you can use it to spread any cream, liquid, or matte foundation.

Conclusion

Makeup brushes are an essential item of a universal makeup kit. Whether it is basic makeup or a dinner date getup, a high-quality set of brushes is all you need for a flawless look. However, it is not a piece of cake to find a feasible and affordable brush set. So, we made a list of our top picks in the category of makeup brushes for 2023.

We included makeup brushes that are easy to handle, grip able, and washable. Additionally, they come with soft bristles that do not shed off randomly. So, get that brush that looks the best to you.