Often overlooked, yet crucial to achieving a flawless makeup look, the right makeup brush sets is like a backstage pass to a professional makeup artist’s world.
When you’re getting creative with eyeshadow, contouring, highlighting, and adding a touch of blush, having the best makeup brush set is like having a VIP pass to the runway. Trust us: the right brushes can completely transform your makeup game. Every step of makeup application needs a good brush, so picking the right one is super important.
Learn more about choosing the perfect set for your makeup collection and discover some of the best makeup brush sets with us.
The Makeup Brushes That Should Be in Everyone’s Kit
Whether you’re a makeup pro or just dipping your toes into the cosmetic multiverse, there are key brushes that should form the core of your makeup collection. Makeup professional and educator Rose Siard suggests a solid starting lineup: “Grab a foundation brush, concealer brush, powder brush, eyeshadow blending brush, and a flat eyeshadow brush. With these, you’re all set for most of your day-to-day makeup looks.”
Essential Makeup Brushes:
Concealer Brush
Eye Shadow Blending Brush
Flat Eye Shadow Brush
Foundation Brush
Powder Brush
Once you’ve mastered the essentials, there are a few more brushes worth thinking about to complete your toolkit.
Additional Makeup Brushes:
Lip Brush
Eyeliner Brush
Crease Brush
Contour Brush
Even though makeup experts often flaunt huge brush collections online, there’s no need to get carried away. Celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter advises against feeling the pressure to own a massive kit. Her tip? Consider how many brushes you’ll genuinely use. “Makeup artists may have a hundred brushes because they know exactly where each one works best, but don’t overwhelm yourself with a huge collection,” she suggests.
Top Makeup Brush Sets
1. BS-MALL Makeup Brush Set
Bristle Material
Nylon
Color
A-Champagne
Material
Wood
Item Form
Wand
No. of Pieces
18
The BS-Mall Premium makeup brush set stands out as one of Amazon’s top makeup brush sets. With more than 25,000 reviews, mostly 5-star ratings, it’s the highest-rated set. Customers love how “high quality,” “smooth,” and “similar to high-end luxury brushes” they are. Professionals often go for synthetic fibers rather than natural brushes matching these due to their easy cleaning and durability. Our experts at Fashionterest confirm, “The strands tend to stay longer and don’t fall as much.”
This collection of 18 brushes includes kabuki brushes and eye makeup brushes for applying blush, foundation, bronzer, and additional face products. Additionally, these brushes are crafted from premium-grade alloy and long-lasting wood, ensuring they last long in your collection.
Best Review: “Got these to replace some brushes I’d had for years that were all mismatched, they are lovely and great for the price. Very soft & apply makeup evenly.”
For an excellent makeup brush set that won’t cost you much, check out the brushes by EcoTools. True to its name, this eco-friendly set is made from 100 percent recycled, cruelty-free vegan materials. Even the packaging is eco-conscious, crafted from tree-free paper using bamboo and cotton fibers. It’s a collection that covers all of our expert’s must-haves. “Having all the essentials is key,” they say. “That means a powder brush, foundation brush, and a couple of thick eyeshadow brushes.”
The Brush Set includes five core brushes from the brand (like an angular foundation brush, sharp crease brush, blurring brush, and top blush brush), along with three look cards to guide you through your routine.
Best Review: “I LOVE ecotools brushes! Such great quality and amazing for travelling.”
The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials kit stands out as one of the best makeup brush sets for beginners, offering all the fundamental tools curated by professionals. According to our experts, beginners should aim for a compact brush kit covering the essentials. “Start small and build up,” they suggest. This set includes brushes for the face, cheeks, and eyes, like the RT 400 Blush, RT 402 Setting, RT 300 Deluxe Crease, and RT 200 Expert Face brushes, alongside the Miracle Complexion Sponge. Reviews from users highlight the durability and user-friendliness of these brushes.
Best Review:“Very easy to handle, bristles are soft like a cloud.”
Makeup professional Cara Lovello recommends the Eigshow makeup brush set as an excellent choice for beginners. “These brushes are both affordable and of acceptable quality,” Lovello mentions, highlighting their durability by saying, “They don’t fall apart or shed.” The Jade Series brushes by this brand contain all the essential tools to build precise, perfect looks, covering everything from a concealer brush to different eye makeup faculties.
These brushes stand out as vegan-friendly, using strands taken from corn silk threads and featuring handles made of birch wood. They’re neatly packed and diverged in an adorning pouch constructed from linen fibers and recycled clothing.
Best Review:“I love my new make up brushes, the bristles are crazy soft and my make up looks much more polished then before.”
“Brush types and costs can truly vary, but the good news is they’ve become much more affordable,” explains our experts. One reason for this accessibility? There is an abundance of quality options on Amazon. One top-seller on this platform is the Makeup Brush Set from Bestope, packing 16 brushes for the lips, face, and eyes.
Obtainable in 5 different shades and crafted from soft, dense synthetic fibers, this protean set covers all your makeup needs: contouring, highlighting, blending, and shading. Reviewers on Amazon are in agreement, with many “highly recommending” this set for its said “fine quality” and “excellent value.”
Best Review:“These are perfect and they have a brush for EVERYTHING! Perfect for beginners and they’re super soft.”
The Pro Signature Brush Set by Shany comes with a whopping 24 brushes, perfect for tackling the face, lips, eyes, cheeks, and brows. It’s made for both proficient makeup artists and beauty lovers who enjoy a complete set of tools. Beyond just completing your brush assemblage, this set, designed for pros, also includes a handy leather roll-up bag and storage bin for extra convenience.
Best Review:“Super great looking. Look good quality, soo soft. Overall good brushes. You can find good brushes with a lower price that’s for sure, but if you’re looking for these kind brush well there are great.”
For fans of eyeshadow palettes, Morphe is renowned for its vast and vivacious options. They’ve also created an impressive eyeshadow makeup brush set. Perfect for those who love bold eye statements, the Morphe x James Charles Collection offers 13 brushes, ranging from full and fluffy to precise pencil-like ones. This set includes a mix of natural (white-tipped) and synthetic (black-tipped) bristles, all crafted to be gentle on your eyelids, whether you’re creating a sharp cat-eye or blending eyeshadow for a daytime look.
Best Review: “I like them i am a fan of James Charles and i like them a lot and the case is very nice and the brushes are very soft and good quality.”
Designed with your cheeks, face, and brows in mind, the Flawless Face Brush Collection by E.L.F. Cosmetics includes brushes such as the Concealer Brush, Small Angled Brush, Eyeshadow “C” Brush, Eyebrow Duo Brush, Small Stipple Brush, Ultimate Blending Brush. Since it is far less expensive than many other alternatives, reviewers are gushing over how great of a deal this package is.
Best Review:“These brushes are great for application and blending. This company is great. Environmentally minded. Vegan. Cruelty free and fairly priced.”
This Eye Brush Set focuses on the eyes, offering seven brushes tailored for eyeshadow, eyeliner, and brows. Crafted with the label’s special artificial antimicrobial threads, these brushes stand out as one of the top vegan makeup brushes available. Their high-quality design is aimed at better product blending, application, and retention. In this set, you’ll find brushes like the narrow blending brush, large shader brush, eye shading brush, medium-angled shading brush, small angular brush, pencil brush, and eyeliner brush.
Best Review:“Didn’t think I needed these, but I did. They really give me all the tools I need to create an eyeshadow look. Love the fluffier brush in particular.”
10. MAC Limited Edition Brush With Fate Brush Essential Kit
Bristle Material
Synthetic
Color
Green
Material
Aluminum
Item Form
Brush
No. of Pieces
4
If you’re looking for a thoughtful present for a woman in your life, such as a beautiful beauty brush set, consider a present basket. The unique artwork and cashmere-soft synthetic bristles of the Mac Cosmetics Brush With Greatness Travel Set sets it apart. A powder brush, an eyeshadow blending brush, a slanted brush for liquid blushes and foundations, and an angled brow brush are all part of this package. Comes with a color-coordinated carrying pouch, these travel-sized brushes are ideal for storing in a work bag or an overnight bag for easy touch-ups on the go or at the office.
Best Review: “This set is sooooo pretty and easy to use.”
The quality of makeup brushes is key, especially because they touch your skin regularly. It’s crucial to consider their materials and how they feel against your skin. The best brushes are durable, gentle, don’t shed, and hold makeup well. Look for bristles made of synthetic fibers, wool, or natural hair that feel soft and ensure a flawless application. Also, don’t overlook the importance of sturdy brush handles, as they directly affect how you apply your makeup.
2. Maintenance and Care
Regularly cleaning and washing your brushes is crucial for healthy skin and top-notch makeup application. Opt for brushes that are easy to clean and dry swiftly. It’s essential to find ones where the bristles don’t shed after washing. Some kits even include washing tools, which can be a convenient all-in-one solution. Also, a high-quality, portable storage case is important for maintaining the brushes’ quality over time.
3. Variety
When hunting for a kit that suits beginners or intermediate users, ensure it includes all the must-have tools. You’ll need various brushes like kabuki, fluffy, tapered blending, angled, round, big, small, fan brushes, and more. They’re essential for applying, shading, blending, and more during your makeup routine. Having a wide range of brushes, from concealer to crease brushes, will make your process smoother and lead to a polished, detailed, finished look.
Makeup lovers always keep brushes handy for their beauty routine. Beginners need a kit with high-quality tools: soft bristles that are easy to care for. Variety matters, too. It helps improve how other products work. For example, a great foundation needs the right tool for a flawless finish. Investing in a good brush kit makes getting ready smoother and enhances the whole experience. The best makeup brush set for beginners becomes a valuable, long-term addition to your beauty routine.
FAQs
What is the best quality makeup brush set?
The best quality makeup brush sets are the ones that blend easily and do not leave a streak behind. The quality of the bristles is paramount.
How do I know if my makeup brushes are good quality?
Make sure the bristles feel soft, not rough or scratchy. The bristles really affect how long a brush lasts. Test the bristles by rubbing the brush against your hand to see if any fibers fall out.
Are brushes or beauty blenders better?
It really comes down to the coverage you prefer. Makeup sponges give that airbrushed finish, while brushes offer more control and precise application. Plus, using brushes can feel like being an artist painting a masterpiece.
What is the best brush for beginners?
We suggest starting with brushes that have round, short, or flat synthetic bristles that feel soft. Especially as you’re just starting out, you don’t want to risk mishandling or wasting expensive brushes. It’s important to cover your bases during this experimental phase.
Conclusion
Having top-quality makeup isn’t enough for the best results; without the right tools, your look might not reach its full potential. Makeup brush sets play a crucial role. They pick up formulas and flawlessly blend products onto your skin. They’re especially handy for beginners experimenting with new makeup. You can use clean fingers for cream products like concealer and blush; brushes are essential for applying and blending powder products, ensuring an even finish.
