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10 best makeup brushes and sets for seamless application – tried and tested
Your makeup will look smoother and last longer
Believe it or not, a high-performing makeup brush will make all the difference to your overall look. You could have the world’s most expensive foundation, but a subpar brush can alter the finish and how seamless it looks on your skin. The lesson? Invest in good makeup brushes.
The thing is, there are countless types designed to do different jobs – from foundation and blush brushes to cream blush and eyeshadow brushes. As you’ve guessed, the list goes on. Luckily for you, as a beauty writer and self-confessed makeup obsessive, I have used hundreds of brushes in my time so I am here to share my top-rated tools.
Best makeup brushes and sets...
Best makeup brushes for: All the options
Spectrum Collections Katie Jane Hughes 25 Piece Set
Read review
The easiest (and most cost effective way) to shop for makeup brushes is by buying a set. Not only do you get a wide variety of brushes that work on both the face and eyes, but a set will cost far less than if you were to buy each brush individually.
Ofc you have some spenny players out there (hello, Hourglass and Charlotte Tilbury) with high-quality brushes that’ll last you a lifetime. If you want a more affordable option, brands like Morphe or Real Technique offer a wide selection of brushes that not only perform, but won’t break the bank.
What are the benefits of using a makeup brush?
So why opt for makeup brushes when you can just use your fingers or a sponge? As Morphe’s Head of Education and MUA Xiao Chen-Coker explains, “brushes deliver precision and control you cannot achieve with fingers. Our brushes allow buildable application without lifting the layers beneath and absorb far less product than sponges.”
Think of them like a paintbrush – when you’re applying eyeshadow or contour, the right tool gives you more control, allowing you to place product exactly where you want it.
And while technique certainly helps, modern synthetic bristles are designed to buff and blend without streaking, meaning you don’t need much effort to achieve a seamless finish. They also build coverage gradually without absorbing excess product, resulting in less waste and an even finish.
If you never know where to start when it comes to finding the best makeup brushes, look no further. Whether you're looking for an affordable kit that won't break the bank, or you want a professional-worthy set, these are the top-rated tools in the UK. And if you fancy buying your brushes individually, I’ve also included my faves bc they deserve the spotlight too.
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials
Pros
- Features a minimalist edit of brushes to create a full makeup look
- Affordable
- The bristles don’t shed over the face
Cons
- Those after a wider range of brushes will find this set too minimal
Real Techniques Flawless Everyday Essentials contains four of the handiest makeup brushes around.
There's a rounded fluffy brush, which works a treat for powders, bronzers or blushers. A tiny precision brush, that'll make quick work of pin-point concealing, a small fluffy brush for highlighting or baking, and finally, a dome-shaped buffing brush, which works perfectly for blending out foundation.
Oh, and if that wasn't enough, there's also a Real Techniques blending sponge in the kit as well.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic |
|---|---|
| Intended use: | Foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow |
Pros
- They come in a handy travel pouch
- Enough brushes needed to create a full makeup look
- Super soft bristles that don’t fall out
Cons
- No notes from me
This brush set combines two of my favourite things: Morphe and butter. Okay well not literal butter, but I know I’m not the only one who is obsessed with butter-yellow everything RN, including my makeup brushes.
I’m already a huge stan of Morphe brushes. Made with soft, silver ion-infused bristles (designed to protect against bacteria), they seamlessly glide on your makeup – be it foundation, powder or eyeshadow – leaving a streak-free, pigmented finish. Bc, ICYDK, the brushes you use make all the difference to the overall look of your makeup.
And while they don’t look petite in this photo, this is a travel-friendly set, featuring all the brushes you need to create a full look but at a reduced size so they fit into your travel bag.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic fibres that are silver ion-infused |
|---|---|
| Intended use: | Foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow, eyebrow |
Pros
- The brushes are beautifully soft – obsessed
- They’re handy to travel with
- The blend liquid/cream/powder formulas seamlessly
Cons
- For £88, they’re a little spenny – and you don’t get eye brushes in the kit
If you want your makeup brushes to do all the hard work for you, get your hands on the Saie Brush Set. Viral TikTok sensations (the brushes, not me) these super-soft brushes effortlessly glide on cream and liquid formulas – be it foundation, concealer, blush or bronzer – to leave a completely seamless, skin-like finish.
My fave is The Big Brush (second from the right) as it is slightly dense so I use it to unify everything, ensuring I am left with a streak-free complexion. These lil brushes are also quite diddy (giving OG kabuki brush style), which makes them ideal to travel with.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic |
|---|---|
| Intended use: | Powder, foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer |
Spectrum Collections Katie Jane Hughes 25 Piece Set
Pros
- It comes with a wide variety of brushes for every kind of makeup look
- Stored in a handy travel case
- Made from soft taklon for seamless application
Cons
- This is a fairly expensive set
If you're obsessed with makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes (if not, please check her out on TikTok for easy-to-follow makeup tips), you should know that these brushes are SO HER.
The delicate and intricate shapes make these feel more like paint brushes than traditional makeup brushes. You have bigger, fluffy brushes which can be used all-over. Or, in true KJH style, there are small, precise brushes so you can get up close and personal with your makeup application.
And if you can't afford the main set, this edit contains the 25 must-haves to create every makeup look, from day-to-day to full glam.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic (taklon) |
|---|---|
| Intended purpose: | Everything! Face, eyes, brows and lips – you name it! |
Pros
- Made of super-soft synthetic fibres that seamlessly glide on eyeshadow
- Packs on your eyeshadow without fall out
- Affordable
Cons
- You don’t get any face brushes – to keep in mind if you want a full kit
If you're all about the eyes, Morphe's Eye Brush collection deserves a spot on your dressing table. The seven-piece is a brilliantly curated selection of eyeshadow brushes, each one super useful for crafting your way to flawless eye makeup.
The kit contains a large packer brush, tapered blender brush, large blender brush, angled eyeliner brush, smudger brush, pointed detail brush and dual-ended brow bush and comb – essentially everything you'll need to nail your next lewk.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic, silver ion-infused bristles |
|---|---|
| Intended purpose: | Eyes, eyes, eyes (oh, and brows) |
Charlotte Tilbury The Complete Brush Set
Pros
- Contains x4 face and x4 eye brushes
- Comes with a complimentary makeup bag
- Made from a very soft synthetic fibre
Cons
- An expensive kit – although you save buying this kit than buying each brush individually
Charlotte Tilbury is the queen of creating a flawless complexion (seriously, it's magical), so you know she'd obviously create some good tools for the job.
This luxe maroon set will not only make your makeup bag look ultra chic, but it also provides all the brushes you'd need to create whatever makeup look you fancy. Buff and blend to your heart's content, these brushes are in it for the long haul, as these feature some serious craftsmanship.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic |
|---|---|
| Intended purpose: | Foundation, blush, bronzer, powder, eyeshadow, lip |
VIEVE The Full Expression Brush Set
Pros
- Contains a full edit of brushes for every purpose
- Each brush is labelled to say what it is used for
- Super-soft bristles for seamless application
Cons
- The kit is expensive, although this is the only kit you will need to buy
Vieve is makeup artist and YouTuber Jamie Genevieve's baby and so far we have been beyond impressed with everything we've tried.
These chic synthetic brushes mimic the cuticle of natural hair so you'll find yourself absent mindlessly stroking your face with them.
My favourite thing however is that if you're a makeup newbie, each brush is clearly labelled with its exact purpose. So you never have to wonder which one is the foundation brush again.
Pros
- Easy to blend and leaves a flawless, seamless finish
- The angled brush gives you full control in applying foundation
Cons
- It’s expensive
IK IK, she is spenny for one brush. But if you are serious about levelling up your foundation game, this bb will earn you first place. Made to mimic the same control and precision you get with your finger tips (hence the angled design) the Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush is made with the softest, dense bristles to seamlessly blend foundation into your skin.
With just a few strokes, the brush evenly distributes the formula – be it powder or liquid – over your complexion, instantly fading redness and discolouration. I know it’s not designed for it, but I have two of these and I use the other for cream bronzer application – and it works a dream.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic fibres |
|---|---|
| Intended purpose: | Foundation |
Pros
- Evenly applies blush and loads on pigment
- Very soft bristles that don’t shed
Cons
- It’s more on the pricy side for one brush
Selena Gomez can do it all – including creating exceptionally high-performing makeup brushes. There are a few brushes in the Rare Beauty range, although the Soft Pinch Blush Brush is the one I reach for most.
Designed to be used with the Soft Pinch Liquid and Powder Blushes (although I use this with any blush) this fluffy stipple brush packs on pigment-rich blush, leaving a seamless and natural flush. I also love how it is slightly angled giving me more control as to where I apply blush on my cheeks.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic |
|---|---|
| Intended purpose: | Liquid and powder blush |
Pros
- Can be used for both blush and bronzer
- Designed to give you a natural, skin-like finish
Cons
- The duo-ended design makes it tough to travel with
- Sometimes the bristles can shed out
When there are SO many gorgeous cosmetic products in REFY’s line-up, it’s easy to look over the brand’s brush offering – but don’t! The Duo Brush has had pride of place in my makeup bag for years, reaching for it whenever I want to warm up my complexion with a cream bronzer or pack on a pigmented blush.
I’ve seen ppl use this brush in so many ways (and you can, tbf) but the intended way is to use the fluffy stippling brush for your bronzer and the dense packing brush for your blush. The result? Super glossy, seamless and radiant skin.
Key Specifications:
| Bristle material: | Synthetic vegan fibres |
|---|---|
| Intended purpose: | Cream blush and bronzer |
What to look for in a makeup brush?
Different brands offer different pros and cons, but a good place to start is carrying out a few quality checks. According to Zoeva founder Zoe Boiku, if the tip of a brush feels rough and the individual bristles are thick and blunt, they have been cut into shape (a bad sign). “It should be laid into shape in a specific mould, and bound together with string.”
Look out for brushes with several layers of lacquer on the handle, which protects the brush handle from swelling in humid air.
Spectrum founders Sophie and Hannah Pycroft also advise choosing “densely packed” brushes or a weighted brush, which helps with leverage and control, and a copper or nickel ferrule (the metal part where the bristles meet the handle), as aluminium ferrules dent more easily.
How often should you clean makeup brushes?
When your brush is packed with makeup, particularly cream or liquid products, cleaning them once a week will not only improve their performance (i.e, they’ll glide on makeup more seamlessly) but this will also prevent bacteria from building up and causing breakouts.
Cleaning is simple too. You don’t even need to buy a special solution, just wet the brush and swirl it around in a bar of antibacterial soap. Make sure you have fully rinsed them and then leave them to dry lying flat on a surface.
What are the best makeup brushes for beginners?
You can build up a kit one by one, but if you buy your brushes in a set, the price per brush will likely be a little less. It might be best to invest in a smaller set of brilliantly crafted essential brushes (we love Real Techniques Everyday Essentials).The sustainability-focused among you could also try the super cute, minimalist EcoTools set.
We couldn't not mention MAC's legendary line of tools, which is a bit more of an investment, but is an expertly crafted collection of brushes that'll make your morning beauty prep a total dream.
How do you prevent under-eye creasing?
It’s all about less-is-more when preventing under-eye creasing. Especially when you’re trying to conceal darkness under the eyes, it’s tempting to slather on a thick layer of concealer – but here is where you’re going wrong.
“Start with a brush for precision and apply a thin, even layer. Finish by pressing the product in with a slightly damp sponge – this removes excess product and helps prevent creasing before setting with powder,” explains Xiao. It’s also a wise idea to prep with a creamy eye cream as this helps to hydrate the skin and prevent creasing. Just allow it to properly absorb before applying foundation or concealer.
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