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Doing your makeup can be difficult without a good brush. Without a good grip, you won’t be able to control your brush movements well, and with low-quality bristles, you won’t get that pinpoint precision you need for perfect results. And with different types of brushes out there, you’ll need more than just one to be able to apply makeup effectively. Not to worry, though, as we’ve prepared a list of the top makeup brushes of 2024 for you to check out.
All these makeup brushes come in a set, with different bristle shapes and sizes for you to really go wild with. They have a few differences, but they’re all fairly high quality and are affordable, making them great choices for just about anyone. Don’t settle for less when choosing the right makeup brush; take a look at what we think are the perfect additions to your makeup drawer or bag.
Comparing the Top Makeup Brushes of 2024 in Detail
BEAKEY Brushes — Best Overall
Key Features
- Comes with a makeup sponge and brush cleaner
- 10 brushes
- Brush cleaner cleans both small and large brushes
- Cruelty-free synthetic hair
This set of makeup brushes is great if you’re a fan of the monochrome aesthetic. The brushes are made in a black and silver color that makes them look very professional. You have a total of ten different brushes at your disposal, as well as two extra pieces, one being a makeup sponge and the other being the brush cleaner. You basically have everything you need to get started (minus the actual makeup products, of course).
What’s interesting to note is that the brush cleaner is designed to get rid of particles from both small and large brushes. You have the granulated area for the small brushes and the striped area for larger bristles. It’s also worth mentioning that you should not dip any of the brush handles in water, as the glue used in the product will weaken.
VANDER LIFE Brushes — Best Quantity
Key Features
- Made with synthetic fibers
- Doesn’t hurt skin
- Comes with a fashionable case bag
- 100% money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty
Don’t think that 10 brushes are enough? Well, how about 24? This set of brushes boasts having the most on the list we have prepared, and you’ll pretty much have a brush for any situation imaginable. A majority of the brushes are small, so you’ll mainly have freedom of choice when it comes to working out the finer details, but there are also quite a few larger brushes, too, if you want to apply foundation a certain way, for example.
The brushes can be used on liquids, creams, and powders, so you can use them with whatever makeup product you have at home. The brushes come in a neat and premium-looking case bag for you to carry around when not in use. Finally, the brushes come with a 1-year warranty as well as a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the product.
MSQ Brushes — Best Quality
Key Features
- 12 brushes
- Made specifically for eye makeup
- Beautiful design
- High-quality wooden handle
Applying eyeshadow is a skill that even some veteran makeup artists have trouble with. A good eyeshadow can really make your eyes pop, so having plenty of brushes to work with can help nail that perfect look. This set of 12 brushes is designed specifically for eye makeup, and with smooth, synthetic hair, you won’t feel a thing as the bristles gently apply your eyeshadow.
The brushes have a high-quality handle made out of wood that’ll last you a good while. It also has this beautiful design with black, rose, and gold colors resulting in a stylish brush theme. You can contact Amazon if you’re unsatisfied with your purchase, too, which is always nice.
BESTOPE PRO Brushes — Softest Bristles
Key Features
- Soft bristles
- Great wooden handle
- Works on liquid and powder-based makeup
- Great as a gift
One issue that some people have with certain brushes is that the bristles can feel a little too rough or even painful when touching their skin. Now this problem can, to an extent, be blamed on the technique, as the artist may be a little too rough when applying makeup. But even if they were gentle, some bristles are just too rough for the skin, and you’ll feel irritated the whole time, which is never a good thing.
These brushes have soft and dense bristles made out of synthetic fiber. It’s easy on the skin and works with both powder makeup and liquid makeup. The wooden handle also gives you a firm grip to really ensure that you won’t feel anything as you glide the brush over your own skin. The set also makes a great gift for someone, which is good to remember if you want to give someone a set of brushes in the future.
BS-MALL Brushes — Best Bang for Your Buck
Key Features
- 14 brushes
- Soft bristles
- Bristles don’t fall off
- For face and eyes
Finally, let’s round out this list with a set of brushes that has a little bit of everything. It’s got a total of 14 brushes, so you’ll have a bit of choosing to do when using them. The brushes can also be used for all sorts of applications due to the variety in both size and shape. They also have silky smooth bristles for the soft application of makeup products on your skin.
The bristles don’t fall off when you apply makeup, so you don’t have to worry about bristles sticking onto your face after you’re done. It’s worth mentioning that you should not clean the bristles with warm water, as the fiber used in the bristles is sensitive and can even be damaged due to the heat. Other than that, though, it’s a solid set of brushes for a solid price.
How to Find High-Quality Makeup Brushes: A Buyer's Guide
Makeup brushes come in sets of different sizes and shapes, but they still differ slightly from one another. Learn more about makeup brushes in this quick guide.
What Is a Makeup Brush?
A makeup brush is a tool used to apply makeup on one’s face or another part of the body. Makeup brushes can either be used to apply makeup over a general area or to precisely apply makeup in small concentrated areas. Makeup brushes can also apply powder-based makeup, liquid makeup, or both, depending on the type of brush.
Why Is It Important to Have a Makeup Brush (Or Multiple)?
You can apply makeup with it
Applying makeup is, obviously, difficult without a makeup brush. The brush is designed to hold powder or liquid and apply it evenly to your skin. Instead of, say, applying the powder or liquid by hand, the brush facilitates the process and makes the whole ordeal much easier and more manageable.
It’s soft on your skin
Many modern makeup brushes are designed to be soft on your skin. You’ll be applying makeup for plenty of minutes, if not hours, and you’ll want as comfortable of an experience as possible while you’re applying makeup. Of course, you’ll still feel something when you brush the bristles across your cheek, but it’ll be far less annoying than, say, a toothbrush.
It gives you versatility
One makeup brush is great for applying makeup, but having multiple is almost always better, especially if they come in different shapes and sizes. For example, having large brushes can help you more easily apply powder all over your face, whereas smaller brushes give you pinpoint accuracy when doing your eyeshadow.
It makes doing makeup more fun
If makeup wasn’t fun for you already, then having a set of brushes adds even more motivation to pursue your hobby. This is especially true if you previously were only working with a handful of brushes for all of your makeup. With more options at your disposal, you can let your creative freedom run wild and experiment with whatever you think looks good.
Things to Consider When Buying a Makeup Brush
Makeup brushes can be a little difficult to choose from, so here are a couple of tips to help you out.
Shape/Size
Many makeup brushes come in sets, and these sets have brushes of varying sizes and shapes. However, some sets may have a limited range when it comes to size or shape. Or, instead of buying a set, maybe you’d rather just buy one or two to add to your collection. In these instances, you’ll need to pay extra attention to the shape and size of the brushes.
Brush shape and size are crucial if you want to take your makeup game to the next level. Large brushes save you time by applying makeup in large amounts, whereas small brushes are better for more accurate strokes. What’s more, you’ll also need to consider the shape of the brush: round brushes are great if you’re trying to go for a smooth look, whereas flat or pointy brushes give you sharper finishes.
When choosing a brush based on shape and/or size, consider what you need the most. If you already have your fair share of larger brushes and need something to improve your details with, then pick smaller brushes. If you think that you can save yourself some time by getting a specific large brush, then go for it.
Accessories
Makeup brush sets, by themselves, are worth buying, but some manufacturers also bundle them with extra accessories to entice you to buy them. The most common of these is a case or bag, which you’ll definitely be needing if you want to store your brushes when not in use. Plus, having a case that not only matches the brushes but also fits them perfectly is always nice to have.
Aside from the usual bag or case, there are also other freebies such as makeup sponges or brush cleaners. Oftentimes these are accessories or tools that work in tandem with your brushes. You don’t necessarily need them, but if you’re not stingy when it comes to the quality of the brushes, then considering a set based on the accessories that come with it isn’t a bad decision, either.
Makeup Brushes Price Range
Makeup brushes vary in price by quite a bit, and this is due to a few reasons. For one, makeup brushes often come in sets of 10 or more, and in general, the more brushes in the set, the more expensive it is. Aside from this, some brushes are also sold by famous, well-known brands, and they’ll be far more expensive than your average brush simply due to their brand name. If you don’t care about names, however, then a budget of $10 or so should be more than enough, as you’ll be able to afford the makeup brush sets we’ve reviewed (as well as many others).
