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Powder brushes come in all shapes and sizes and are specially made to distribute any pressed or loose powder across your face seamlessly without dispensing too much product. These brushes are made with fluffy, soft bristles that can be long or short depending on your need and will help blend out the product to keep you looking flawless, not cakey.
Some of our favorite powder brushes of 2024 are listed below and have made the list not only because are they easily accessible and affordably priced, but they also do double-duty when it comes to applying your powders and, depending on the size, can apply and blend out your contour and bronzer as well.
We have included 9, 12, and 14-piece full brush sets that come with everything you need to complete a full face of makeup and also have a few different sized and shaped powder brushes as well. We have also thrown in a great, retractable face brush for on-the-go touchups and a drugstore-favorite brush that costs less than 5 bucks. A steal indeed.
Our Favorite Powder Brushes Worth Considering in 2024
Lamora Flat Top Kabuki Face Brush — Best Overall
The Flat Top Kabuki Face Brush by Lamora is made with high-quality, synthetic bristles that, at first glance, will apply foundation fast and easily. However, this brush also makes for fast and easy application of your blushes, bronzers, and your favorite setting powders as it can stipple these products in lightly for a more natural finish. The bristles are very soft and dense which gives your makeup a flawless, airbrushed quality and because they are synthetic you do not have to worry about it soaking up, trapping, or absorbing excessive amounts of product.
Pros
- This brush has a long-lasting wooden and copper handle
Cons
- You may notice some slight bristle shedding on initial washes
BS-Mall Premium Brush Set — Runner Up
Similar to our 10-piece set above, this 14-piece makeup brush set by BS-Mall includes everything you need to complete a full face makeup application including five large faces and nine precise eye makeup brushes. These brushes are made from synthetic hair that is soft yet firm and dense enough to make application fast and easy. The thick wooden handles make these brushes feel good in your hand when applying makeup, are easy to grab, and are durable enough to last a long time.
Pros
- This set comes with a photo reference of what each brush is designed to do
Cons
- There may be an initial odor when opening that will go away with time
Keshima Powder Brush — Honorable Mention
The Keshima Powder Brush is an essential tool for any makeup enthusiast. Its super densely-packed synthetic bristles make it perfect for buffing and blending, creating an even, streak-free, and patch-free foundation coverage. Plus, this brush is made from soft, high-quality materials that won't absorb your makeup and can be easily cleaned. Moreover, the flat head is perfect for evenly distributing liquid, cream, and powder foundations to create a flawless look every single time, and the new neon purple hue adds a fun and stylish flair to a timeless design.
Pros
- Soft but sturdy bristles and visually-appealing design
Cons
- Can be difficult to apply very liquid foundations
EmaxDesign Makeup Brush Set — Most Notable
Another great set of brushes is this one by EmaxDesign that comes with twelve hand-crafted, synthetic bristles brushes including eye shadow, foundation, powder, and an eyelash brush. This set comes with all the brushes you may ever need and is perfect for liquids, powder, or creams to help create a myriad of makeup looks. All of these brushes are made from high-quality and sustainable bamboo and make applying your makeup fast and easy.
Pros
- This set comes with a portable storage bag and a manual on how to clean the brushes
Cons
- These brushes are not labeled
Real Techniques Setting Brush — Contender
Real Techniques is known for its affordably priced, yet high-quality brushes and their Setting Brush is another worthy, highly-rated option. Use this perfectly sized tapered brush to help lock in foundation and concealer with your favorite setting powder, to highlight and contour your cheeks and it works great with both cream and powder formulations. This brush also has soft bristles that are sized for a precise dusting of powders in the contours of the face.
Pros
- For its price point, it’s an easy-to-use, quality brush
Cons
- If you prefer thinner brushes, another option might be better
Wet n Wild Powder Brush — Also Consider
The Powder Brush by Wet n Wild is large, plush, and has curved bristles that make it perfect for picking up just the right amount of powder for an even application. Perfect for use with setting powder, blush, bronzer, or highlighter, this versatile brush is soft enough to feel good on the skin but firm enough to control your application to give you a flawless makeup look.
Pros
- These brushes are vegan and 100% cruelty-free
Cons
- The bristles might spread out a bit with regular use
EcoTools Retractable Face Brush — Editor's Pick
This face and kabuki brush from Ecotools is unique as it is retractable with a matching cap, making it perfect for on-the-go touchups and travel. This brush is ideal for powder and bronzer and comes with synthetic, cruelty-free bristles that are soft to the touch. This densely packed brush will also fit into the contours of your face, making applying and blending out your powders easy for a more natural, airbrushed-looking complexion.
Pros
- Ecotools brushes are made with recycled material and tree-free packaging
Cons
- This is a great travel, touch-up brush and might not be ideal for daily, full-coverage use
BS-Mall Premium Brush Set — Another Option
BS-Small’s 10-piece set comes with high-quality, synthetic makeup brushes that are great for beginners and pros alike. This set covers most of your full-face needs and includes a variety of brushes that will easily apply your liquids, powders, and cream cosmetics. Made with soft, silky bristles, these brushes have a thick, bold handle that has a luxe feel and makes applying your makeup fast and easy. These brushes also work great as an extra set to have on hand should something happen to any of your regulars, you won’t be scrambling to find others.
Pros
- These brushes use high-density bristles that do not shed
Cons
- The smaller brushes do not have names on them
Buying Guide: Powder Brushes
It doesn’t matter what kind of powder products you’re a fan of, whether it is translucent or colored powder, a powder brush is the number one must-have for all makeup fanatics. The fluffier, softer, and more flexible this brush is, the better it will perform. But, what else is a necessary feature when looking for a powder brush? Let’s explore.
Things to Consider When Buying Powder Brushes
Quality
If you want a quality makeup look, then it is imperative that you invest in a quality brush set, especially for something as crucial as a powder product in your makeup routine, you need something that will not only last you a long time but give you a flawless, picture-perfect look.
It is always worth it to have one good quality brush rather than three not-so-good quality ones. These brushes speak volumes of durability and take you one step further to a professional makeup look. Of course, no one likes brushes that start losing hair or leave streaks on your face. It is not just super inconvenient but is also costly to keep replacing brushes.
Cost
When we say you need something of good quality, it doesn’t automatically translate to “you need something expensive”. Although price is more often than not an indicator of quality, it is not exclusive to it. Hence, don’t be fooled into buying a powder brush from a premium makeup brand just because it is expensive. There’s a very likely chance that you won’t get even half of what you paid for in quality. This could only work for people who like to own a brand’s collection.
Bristles & build
The first thing you should do when looking to buy a powder brush is gently run your thumb over the bristles to see how soft and gentle they are. The bristles of a good powder brush shouldn’t feel frayed or ragged. Moreover, another thing to watch out for is that the bristles shouldn’t be prone to breaking when you touch them. Bristles being firmly held in place by a ferrule base is the best way for bristles to work their magic without wobbling or detaching. They should also be in good shape so you are able to reach all the nooks and crevices of your face.
Keep in mind that if your brush starts shedding hair and falling apart after only a few washes then it’s likely that it won’t be able to perform too well in the short or long term.
Moreover, if you usually use latex or glue in your makeup then you might not want to get your good quality (read: expensive) brushes dirty. For this purpose, the best brushes are old ones or inexpensive multi-packs you can easily get from the store. Basically, we don’t use nice brushes to do all our dirty work. For anyone who has even a tiny bit of experience with glue and latex, you’ll know that brushes don’t really stay the same after an encounter with these products.
Purpose & use
Before deciding what powder brush to go for, ask yourself what exactly you are looking to achieve with the brush. For instance, a powder brush is not only great at evenly distributing the powder across your face but can also be used to blend the harsh lines of blush and contour. If that is the case then you want something extremely fluffy whereas, for just powder, even a medium fluff density will do.
Continuing on with the idea of multi-purpose brushes, some companies design theirs to be just that. So, it is highly likely that you’ll come across something that is not only great for powder but also works well for blush, bronzer, and the works. This is similar to how a lip brush can also do an amazing job as a concealer brush.
Size & weight
Most brushes are designed to serve their specific purpose. However, you’ll find that they still have different properties when it comes to the size and materials used. This will affect how they feel in your hand so a good quality one will always have a tell. If it feels well balanced then you know you’re holding the right thing.
Another thing to note is that experimenting can be a great thing when selecting a makeup brush, whether it is a powder brush or foundation brush. Trying out different brands will give you the exposure you need to see what works best with your personalized makeup application method and hand size. So visit your nearest department stores and handle as many as possible so you know what each of them feels like. This way, you are more likely to find one that connects with you.
