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14 best foundation brushes of 2025 | Tried, tested and approved
Because they all do different things
You've spent forever finding the best foundation, trawling the internet for reviews, swatching and swiping in the aisles of your local drugstore, all in the hopes of finding 'the one'. When you finally meet your match and get hold of a formula that does it all (gives a glow, great coverage, looks natural... the ushze), you need a foundation brush that's just as wonderful.
But whether you're blending liquids, creams or powders, finding the best foundation brush isn't always easy. Do you opt for a full coverage kabuki-esque brush, like the ZOEVA 104 Foundation Buffer, to buff in foundation and give a flawless finish? Or perhaps you prefer something a little more lightweight? Then it's worth picking up a duo-fibre brush, like the Refy Complexion Brush, to give a sheer (but totally buildable) finish. When it comes to powder foundations, we love a flat-top brush, packed with bristles, just like the Real Technique's Face + Body Blender. It picks up plenty of product and distributes it evenly across the complexion.
A sneak peek at some of our faves
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Moral of the story? Different brushes = different finishes. So, we're making things a whole lot simpler by rounding up the best applicators for every look, whether you prefer creams, liquids, powders or sticks, now you can find your foundation's perfect partner...
Refy Complexion Brush
As someone who, more often than not, opts for a sponge or even a dense bristle brush to apply my foundation, Refy's dual-ended fluffy complexion brush had me intrigued; Usually, I would apply powder products with dome-shaped brushes as such.
But to my surprise, this has landed itself into my makeup bag for the foreseeable, thanks to the easy blended and buffed finish it gives. I mean, I do my makeup on the tube during my AM commute (hi, hello two two-hour Central Line antics) and yet with this brush, I'm able to apply my base – yes, that's concealer included – within just two stops... Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus have nothing on this full-coverage beat.
I use the larger brush for the wider surface areas of my face and the smaller to reach the inner corners of my eyes and around my nose where I'll conceal.
The short, tightly-packed bristles in this kabuki brush work perfectly for buffing both cream and powder foundations into the skin. The soft bristles pick up powder evenly and can either be pressed into the skin or swept over in small, circular motions. It's not just a winner for foundation, the brush can also be used for body makeup and bronzer. Win, win.
ZOEVA 104 Foundation Buffer
This vegan foundation brush has a big, flat top that makes it quicker and easier than ever to apply foundation. The dense bristles ensure that it remains 100% streak-free and leaves creams and liquids perfectly blended into the skin.
Perhaps stealing my top spot in this line-up is the Haus Labs foundation brush. There's nothing worse than applying a full face of foundation to blend it out with a moulting, streak-giving brush... *yikes*. But need not fret with this angled fluff (yet still somewhat dense) ball because its synthetic bristles seamlessly buff out any base while still achieving a full coverage finish. In other words, it blends out product easily without the bristles soaking up excess liquid.
Yes, it may be on the pricier end of brushes but it's an investment for us lazy girls who want an easily achieved base with zero fuss.
Expert Face Brush
The firmly packed, duo-fibre bristles make it easy to buff cream and liquid foundations into the skin. The domed head allows you to get into all the nooks and crannies of your face, and diffuse the foundation perfectly. We recommend dotting foundation wherever you need, then using the brush in small, circular motions to blend out.
Charlotte Tilbury HOLLYWOOD COMPLEXION BRUSH
On the more luxe, shelfie-worthy end of the double-ended brush spectrum sits Charlotte Tilbury with the above rose gold chic-ness.
Not only is it cruelty-free but the large flat-top head allows for a flawless base, while the smaller, tapered brush is perfect for precise contouring, as well as concealing under the eyes, around the nose or small curvatures of the face.
Not to make her feel old but Bobbi Brown, the founder of Jones Road has an extensive knowledge of beauty, having been a cult business head in the industry for decades. So, you best believe her 'Everything Brush' does just that.
The super short, dense hairs make for packing and blending foundation formulas onto the face super easy, without any product being lost or absorbed into the brush. A money saving machine, really.
bareMinerals Smoothing Face Brush
A stippling foundation brush is the key to rapid (read: last minute) application in the morning and bareMinerals' does just that. The long dual-fibre synthetic bristles allow for control and its dome shaped tip allows for any easy blend and airbrushed results.
The rounded tip of this foundation brush allows you to deliver precise coverage to specific areas that may need a little extra attention - think, around the nose and eyes. The synthetic bristles work well with both thicker creams and liquids to help deliver a smooth finish.
beautyblender Sponge
There's a reason half of Youtube is using these little pink sponges, and that's because the egg-shaped applicator blends foundation like nothing else. Created by makeup artist, Rea Ann Silva, the BeautyBlender was designed in order to deliver a high-coverage finish, that still looks natural on the skin. It works best when dampened down, then patted over the face to diffuse foundation. If you struggle with dryness or a patchy finish, this will be your new go-to.
BY JOY ADENUGA The Foundation Brush 002 - Hey Guys
This brush is a staple for pro MUA Joy Adenuga and she’s now made it available to the public! It’s small enough that you can perfectly buff and blend your whole face for a flawless base. The flat top makes it ace smoothing out any application mistakes too.
This foundation brush mimics skin-to-skin application. So, it basically gives the same finish as when you apply your foundation with your fingers but feels less messy. The tapered shape is great for application around the eye and nose so you don't miss any bits.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the former Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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