The Best Makeup Brushes for Taking Your Beauty Routine Up a Notch

October 12, 2023

The 30 best makeup brushes and brush sets, according to beauty experts.

There’s technically no rule against using your fingers to do your makeup. And sure, you can totally still use those little triangular sponges you get at the drugstore, but if you want high-quality results, it’s time to invest in a great makeup brush set. In fact, the best makeup brushes aren’t always the most expensive, and you don’t need dozens of different types to get almost any look.

“The most important question to ask when looking for a brush is if it distributes product properly,” says Debie Kim, an NYC-based makeup artist. “As a pro, I also need something with a comfortable handle and hairs that won’t shed. More expensive definitely does not mean better quality!”

While there are hundreds of different makeup brush types on the market, the only ones that are truly necessary are a foundation brush, a fluffy powder brush, a flat concealer brush and a small blending brush. The possibilities are endless with those in your set.

While you can (and should) get the most personalised set by choosing your own, sets are often a great way to try out a variety of brushes at a better price. A good set of makeup brushes should include a face brush, an eye brush, and an eyebrow brush. The brushes in a set are also versatile, with each brush being used for multiple makeup applications.

We asked the experts for their favorite makeup brush sets, and here are their favorites.

Best Makeup Brushes for Beginners

If you're not sure where to start, a makeup brush set is a great way to try out different types of makeup brushes and decide what you need without spending a lot of money.

BEILI recommends this 12-piece makeup brush set for your full-face makeup needs.