The Only 9 Makeup Brushes You Need. Period.
by The Candidly Team
Can’t there just be one perfect set of brushes where we can just buy them and them don’t have to think about brushes ever again?
No. Apparently there can’t.
With brush sets, you end up only using 3 out of the 10 brushes and feel like a chump.
So, at first this list will annoy you. Because every brush is from a different site and you will initially hate us for it. But then, as if by magic, once you pull the trigger and starting using them, you’ll have the only brushes you’ll ever want or need, and your makeup life will finally come together in a way that feels fun, and not like a confusing nightmare.
You truly don’t need a million brushes. You just need these.
1. Best brush if you’re sort of scared of makeup
Keshima Duo Fiber Stippling Brush
Why we love it: This stipple brush is a dream for cream blush, powder blush, cream bronzer, powder bronzer. You physically can’t put too much product on your face with this brush. And everything will always look perfectly blended. Also this price.
Price: $9
2. Best All-in-one foundation and concealer brush
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Complexion Brush
Why we love it: It’s dual purpose. But even if both ends were separate brushes, they would BOTH still be the best. Plus it’s short which means it actually fits in tiny makeup bags.
Pro tip: the more you blend out your foundation with firm circular motions, the more you’ll get that “no-makeup makeup” look we all want.
Double pro tip: whatever you do, never ever ever use a flat foundation brush. Ever.
Price: $40
3. Best smudger brush
Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush
Why we love it: Slap on any eyeliner, smudge it out with this, and it will look good and effortless and all those words we love. Or dip this brush into your bronzer (any bronzer) and sweep it on your lower lash line for a hazy, undone no-makeup look. You barely have to use a mirror.
Price: $34
4. Best eyeliner brush
Trish McEvoy Brush 50 - Angled Eye Lining
Why we love it: This is the single greatest liner brush for hooded eyes. Use it with a gel liner and wriggle the color UNDER your upper lash line for the tightest line possible that makes your eyes look huge and will never smudge on your lids.
Price: $30
5. Best powder brush That isn’t a brush at all
Why we love it: Guess what? Using brushes for powder stinks. This puff allows you to press the powder exactly where you want it, and in so doing, “fill” your pores so that your skin looks flawless. Honestly try it.
Price: $16
6. Best eye shadow brush if you don’t know what you’re doing
Charlotte Tilbury Eye Blender Brush
Why we love it: There is something about the length of this brush so that no matter what you do, your eyeshadow (cream or powder) always looks perfect. Use swirling, circular motions for a perfect blend.
Price: $34
7. Best brush for cream blush and bronzer
Why we love it: Another one out of left field! It’s not even a brush! It’s a shockingly cheap sponge! Wet the sponge thoroughly, squeeze out the excess, swirl it into your cream products, then bounce it onto your skin. You will never know a more flawless or natural application.
Price: $4
8. Best short brush to take with you anywhere
Merit Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush
Why we love it: This brush basically does it all, but we especially love it as our “going out” brush to fling into any tiny bag. It can blend things out, is great for touching up foundation, ditto bronzer, works equally well with powder and cream, and its stubby handle is a dream. More brushes have to be this size. It’s just easier.
Price: $30
9. Best blush brush
Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush
Why we love it: We don’t know why, but the shape of this brush is magic. It’s great for contouring (tho we’re over contouring) but it’s ideal for blush. No matter what you do you’ll always have a perfectly flushed cheek in the perfect spot.
Price: $49
BONUS SECTION ONLY FOR TYPE A WOMEN WHO MADE IT THIS FAR:
1. If you just want ONE do-it-all brush, THIS brush is it. It’s a splurge, but it works for foundation, cream blush, cream bronzer, blending literally anything to utter perfection. The price is tough, but it’s four brushes in one. And you’ll have it forever.
2. If this entire list scares you, start with THIS little set. It’s cheap and it’s good.
3. If you just sort of can’t with only using a puff and not a brush for powder, THIS ONE is our favorite. And it’s smartly short for tossing in a tiny makeup bag to throw in your purse. Why are so many brushes so preposterously long?
4. Honestly you don’t need anything for your brows except for a big batch of THESE on Amazon and THIS, the most amazing spackle to make any brows look huge and bushy.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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