How do you clean makeup brushes?

To clean makeup brushes , Greer recommends using an antibacterial bar soap . You can also use a cleansing agent designed specifically for makeup brushes (you can find our favorites here ).

How often should you clean your brushes?

For all brushes (and especially any brushes used for cream products), Greer recommends cleaning brushes once a week to prevent possible skin breakouts and buildup on your brushes. "The cleaner they are, the better the application and the longer your brushes last," she adds.

How do you store makeup brushes?

As long as your makeup brushes are kept dry and clean, feel free to find creative ways to store them. Try a marble or ceramic jar for an aesthetically pleasing option, or if you prefer to tuck your tools away or take them with you on the go, opt for a brush roll.

The 7 Best Makeup Brushes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Assortment of the best makeup brushes we recommend on a beige background — Byrdie / Joy Kim

Beauty lovers know that makeup brushes are an integral part of any makeup kit. Sure, there's a lot you can do with your fingers and a blending sponge, but when it comes to achieving a full beat, brushes are where it's at. Different types of makeup call for different brushes, so things can get very confusing if you're not a pro MUA.

Whether it's time to replace your old makeup brushes or you want try a new tool, we've got you covered. To help you find the best options (and there are a lot) for your unique beauty routine, we researched the top-rated makeup brushes and tested 14 of them, evaluating each tool's bristle density, material quality, efficacy, and results after use. Then, we tapped three professional makeup artists to approve our picks and share their tips on how to pick the best brushes for your needs.

Let's get into it—these are the very best makeup brushes you can buy online.

Which Makeup Brushes Do You Need?

If you’ve got a full collection of makeup brushes and know how to use each one correctly, we salute you. Most of us, though, could use a few pointers on which brushes to buy. Makeup brushes are specifically made to target certain areas of the face, so using the wrong brush can throw off your look. From large, fluffy brushes that distribute powder across the face to contour brushes designed to define, there are more than a dozen brush types. Not sure which ones you need? We’ve compiled a complete guide to makeup brushes and tips on how to use them. If you just want a quality set of basic brushes, check out our list of the very best affordable makeup brush sets.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Lune+Aster Foundation Brush at Amazon ($38)

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

e.l.f. Cosmetics Buffing Foundation Brush at Amazon ($12)

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Best Splurge:

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush #6 (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Oval:

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush at Amazon ($20)

Jump to Review

Best for Contouring:

MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush at Amazon ($29)

Jump to Review

Best Cruelty-Free:

Tarte Foundcealer Foundation Brush at Ulta ($32)

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Best Portable:

bareMinerals Smoothing Foundation Brush at Amazon ($34)

Jump to Review

Best for Creams:

Monika Blunder Hybrid Cream Brush at Monikablunderbeauty.com (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Lune+Aster Foundation Brush

PHOTO:

Amazon

$38 at Amazon

What We Like

Dense yet soft
Sturdy handle
Smooth results
Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

Could be larger

Of all the brushes we tested, this one from Lune+Aster was our favorite. Designed for applying liquid, cream, or powder foundation, the brush is round with a sloped head (which allowed Julia to get into all the contours of her face) while the short, thick handle offered her a solid grip. This brush has synthetic bristles, which makeup artist Nick Lujan prefers. "In addition to being vegan-friendly, they're often more durable and hygienic," he explains.

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Julia | Lune+Aster Foundation Brush Tester

"The angled bristles made this brush easy to get around my nose and under my eyes, and the short, thick handle felt great in my hand."

Best Budget

e.l.f. Cosmetics Buffing Foundation Brush

PHOTO:

Target

$11 at Amazon $7 at Ulta $7 at Target

What We Like

Versatile
Smooth results
Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

Could be larger
Some products stain bristles

E.l.f. makes some really excellent budget beauty tools, and this makeup brush is no exception. The round, tapered shape is designed for foundation and concealer, but it also works for contouring and buffing powder products. While Julia prefers a slightly larger head, she said the medium size makes it versatile enough to use around the eyes and nose. She loved the soft-to-the-touch synthetic bristles, too.

Julia | E.l.f. Buffing Foundation Brush Tester

"I could apply my foundation effortlessly and quickly without streaks or blotches."

Best Splurge

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush #6

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6

PHOTO:

Amazon

View on Ulta $43 at Amazon $50 at Nordstrom

What We Like

Smooth results
High-quality handle
Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

Some reviewers note bristle fallout

If you're willing to invest in a high-quality makeup brush, look no further than IT Cosmetics. This luxurious flat-top features dense synthetic bristles that feel soft against the skin. The unique head does an incredible job of picking up and buffing out pressed and loose powders, but you can also use it for applying and blending liquid foundation. Our tester said that when used with foundation, this brush left her with a smooth, streak-free complexion. She also liked how the weight of the handle felt in her hand.

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Stacey | It Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush #6

"The flat top shape of the brush head was perfect. It was able to cover a lot of ground and it only took a few swipes to be fully blended across the entire left side of my face. The hourglass-shaped grip is comfortable and easy to hold, and the bristles feel soft and light on my skin."

Best Oval

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Foundation Brush

PHOTO:

Ulta

$20 at Amazon $10 at Walmart View on Realtechniques.com

What We Like

Excellent coverage
User-friendly
Large handle

What We Don't Like

Slightly stiff

The best oval brush we tried was the Real Techniques Blend + Blur. Designed for applying and buffing liquid foundation, it has a large head with dense bristles. Though the fibers are slightly stiff, Britney said they're still plenty soft. Since the bristles are on the side rather than the end, the shape is more reminiscent of a toothbrush than a paintbrush. As Britney notes, this makes it easy to use when blending out liquids and creams, while the large size offers incredible coverage. Cleaning the dense bristles took a little more elbow grease than other brushes, but nothing too excessive.

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Britney | Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush Tester

"I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to build up even coverage where I wanted it."

Best for Contouring

MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush

PHOTO:

Nordstrom

$25 at Amazon $40 at Nordstrom View on Maccosmetics.com

What We Like

Dense yet soft
Smooth results
Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

Some reviewers note bristle fallout

While it's technically designed for foundation, this brush was a stand-out for contouring. While it's slightly too large for the under-eye area, the round, angled shape allowed Julia to reach around all the curves and corners of her face. Julia said her makeup went on super smooth and melted into her skin as she buffed it out, leaving her with a bright, even-toned complexion.

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Julia | MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush Tester

"I could see myself using this brush every day. The head is thick and a little bit slanted, which helps get the product into the contours of my face for full coverage. It sucks up a lot of foundation, so it'd probably be better to apply the foundation to your face first then blend it in with the brush."

Best Cruelty-Free

Tarte Foundcealer Foundation Brush

PHOTO:

Sephora

$32 at Ulta $32 at tartecosmetics.com $30 at QVC

What We Like

Comfortable grip
Vegan-friendly
Smooth application

What We Don't Like

Too large for under-eye area

This cruelty-free tool features vegan-friendly synthetic bristles and a round, tapered head. Though the finely cut fibers are somewhat short, Elizabeth said they're exceptionally soft and fluffy. This brush features multiple bristle lengths, which makes it easy to blend liquids and creams. Elizabeth loved how smoothly her foundation buffed into her skin and appreciated the comfortable feel of the sturdy handle.

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Joy Kim

Elizabeth | Tarte Foundcealer Foundation Brush Tester

"The dense bristles are great for blending in liquid foundation and giving the skin a nice natural finish."

Best Portable

bareMinerals Smoothing Foundation Brush

PHOTO:

Amazon

$34 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $12 at Walmart

What We Like

Packable size
Versatile
Smooth results

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for beginners

This makeup brush from bareMinerals is smaller than average, making it ideal for travel and on-the-go use. And thanks to the versatile design, it might be the only tool you need to pack. Perfect for applying, blending, contouring, stippling, and diffusing creams or powders, Julia liked that the multi-length synthetic fibers aren't super densely packed. While it seemed to make things streaky at first, Julia found that sweeping and tapping motions offer a stunningly smooth finish. Since it wasn't the most intuitive, this might not be the best option for beginners—but once you get the hang of it, you're golden.

Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Best for Creams

Monika Blunder Hybrid Cream Brush

PHOTO:

Monika Blunder

View on Monikablunderbeauty.com

What We Like

Layers product well
Provides an even finish
Multipurpose

What We Don't Like

Some reviewers note bristle fallout

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/tapered | Intended Use: Cream foundation, blush, bronzer | Vegan: Yes

There's a definite learning curve to using a brush to apply cream products, but this multipurpose brush by Monika Blunder makes it a cinch. Using a lighter touch with this brush will yield an ethereal, diffused finish, while applying pressure helps to blend out cream bronzers and blushes to airbrushed makeup perfection. We love that it's soft on the skin yet dense enough to blend out product. Use it to buff away lines and streaks easily even when you're layering products. And the small size allows for precise application, especially on the cheekbones, under the eyes, and on the sides of the nose.

What to Look for in a Makeup Brush

Quality and material: Some makeup brushes can cost a pretty penny, but that’s because it can be quite the process to make a quality brush. Consider the sturdiness of the handle and how soft the bristles feel against your skin—these are both factors that will affect how long the brush lasts and the standard of your makeup application. It might feel luxurious to have a fluffy makeup brush sourced from the finest animal hair or fur, but it’s not the most sustainable or cruelty-free option. Synthetic brushes have come a long way, and there are plenty of options to consider that are both earth- and wallet-friendly. It’s also important to inquire whether or not a brand conducts animal testing. So, if you want to be kind to animals, cruelty-free is the way to go.
Application: All brushes are not created equal. In fact, they are usually designed with very specific uses in mind, and it’s important to use brushes for their intended use. If you’re new to the makeup world and you’re not quite sure where to start, makeup artist Tamekia Geer recommends beginning with a foundation brush, powder brush, and a blush brush. A flat and a creased eyeshadow brush are also good tools to have on hand.
Bristle density: Another important feature to consider is the brush's density. Typically, the denser, or more closely packed the bristles are, the fuller the coverage the brush will help provide. Dense brushes are considered ideal for building up foundation to full coverage, while less dense brushes are ideal for achieving light to medium coverage, such as when you're applying setting powder, bronzer, or blush.

FAQ

How do you clean makeup brushes?

To clean makeup brushes, Greer recommends using an antibacterial bar soap. You can also use a cleansing agent designed specifically for makeup brushes (you can find our favorites here).
How often should you clean your brushes?

For all brushes (and especially any brushes used for cream products), Greer recommends cleaning brushes once a week to prevent possible skin breakouts and buildup on your brushes. "The cleaner they are, the better the application and the longer your brushes last," she adds.
How do you store makeup brushes?

As long as your makeup brushes are kept dry and clean, feel free to find creative ways to store them. Try a marble or ceramic jar for an aesthetically pleasing option, or if you prefer to tuck your tools away or take them with you on the go, opt for a brush roll.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and editor specializing in beauty. For this story, she interviewed three makeup artists to gather product recommendations and insight into the various types of brushes. Before landing on her final picks, she considered the size, shape, material, bristles, handle, and price of dozens of products. From this list, Theresa is fond of Makeup By Mario, EcoTools, Real Techniques, Wet n Wild, e.l.f., bareMinerals, and IT Cosmetics. For this story, she consulted:

Nick Lujan is a makeup artist and the director of artistry and education at Kevyn Aucoin.
Tamekia Geer is a makeup artist at TamGee Artistry Studio.

Updated by Caitlyn Martyn

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