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A flawless foundation and powder application include the use of the correct brushes. Without them, your makeup application can look streaky and cakey, giving you an unflattering and even aging look.
One great brush for face product application is the round buffer. This brush is designed for buffing powder into the skin and getting rid of any harsh lines, leaving your skin looking naturally flawless. The best part about these brushes is that in addition to setting powder products, they also work great with mineral makeup, blush, bronzer, and even liquid foundations, as they will leave your skin with the ultimate airbrushed finish.
We have put together a list of some of the quality round buffer brushes of 2024 below. These brushes vary in size depending on your preference and are all over great brushes to have on rotation for your daily makeup routine. We have also included them in a variety of price points to ensure you get the ideal buffing brush of your dreams.
The Quality Round Buffer Models of 2024 in Detail
Round Kabuki Brush Beauty Junkees — Best Overall
The Round Kabuki by Beauty Junkees is a versatile brush that is ideal for mineral-based powders and foundations but can also be used for the stippling, buffing, blending, contouring, and finishing of any of your favorite powder-based products. Mineral powders are notorious for including a brush with their product and this round brush mimics and exceeds those brushes’ abilities with its large round, synthetic bristle head that grabs just enough product without making a mess and distributes exactly where you want it.
Pros
- This brush has a heavy-duty wooden handle with a sturdy metal ferrule
Cons
- This brush may experience some shedding upon initial wash
Matto Kabuki Brush — Runner Up
Matto’s compact kabuki brush is a multi-functional makeup brush perfect for buffing on a wide range of face powders including powder foundations, mineral blending, and blushes for an airbrushed-looking finish. This sleek-looking, compact brush is great for travel or on the go and has a unique aluminum handle which is more durable than wood handles. Made with soft, smooth, and dense synthetic bristles, you can count on a precise application and flawless finish every time.
Pros
- With its standing flat bottom, this brush can stand up on its own to keep it in the best condition
Cons
- If you prefer longer handle brushes, another option might be better
vela yue Pro Large Foundation Brush — Honorable Mention
The large foundation brush by Vela Yue is designed with a large, short, and dense rounded brush head that works with powders, mineral powders, and liquid foundations. Its unique, paw shape gives it just the right density along with ultra-fine, synthetic bristles for a softer touch that allows you to tap on products for a flawless finish. It also has a durable plastic handle, strong ferrule, and bristles that are specially made to absorb little to no product.
Pros
- This brush is vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- It is advised to dab the foundation onto your face with your finger and buff it out with this brush
Refand Makeup Brush — Contender
The Kabuki Brush by Refand is the perfect multipurpose makeup tool that is perfect for stippling, blending, contouring, buffing, and finishing. Made from soft, synthetic bristles, this brush is easy to clean, works for sensitive skin, and will absorb less product to achieve the desired look. This brush is large and in charge and will feel good in your hand when applying makeup and works exceptionally with your favorite powders, foundations, BB creams, mineral, and setting powders.
Pros
- These bristles are guaranteed not to shed
Cons
- This brush is not intended for more detailed work
Idemin Flat Top Brush and Round Brush — Editor's Pick
This set of two brushes by Idemin is a great way to mix and max your brushes to get a flawless finish. Included is flat top kabuki with soft, synthetic bristles that is also dense in shape to help apply and buff your foundation and a round brush which can be used for setting powder or even used as a blush brush. Each of these brushes has high-quality bristles that won’t trap or absorb the product and have undergone a special manufacturing process to prevent shedding.
Pros
- The longer handles on these brushes make for a comfortable makeup application
Cons
- If you don’t need a two brush set another option might be better
Buying Guide: Round Buffers
Not a fan of beauty blenders? The hype would have you believe that they work for everyone, but that’s not true. Putting makeup on and blending it into the skin is equally important, and it’s no secret that the tools you use can either make or break the entire look. When it comes to professional makeup artists who work on runway models and Hollywood actresses, you’d be surprised to learn that most of them prefer brushes to beauty blenders, because the application is simply better! Among the array of makeup brushes, one can find in the market, the most versatile is a round buffer. These are wide at the front, with plenty of bristles spread out from a narrowed bottom. In essence, it is used for buffing, otherwise known as ‘keeping things real. Gone are the days when women preferred flatulent makeup looks, the modern era is all about natural beauty.
Can Round Buffers and Beauty Blenders Be Bought as a Pair?
Every now and then, something innovative hits the block, and people become obsessed. Then, there are things that don’t get much attention but whose functionality is superior, the popularity factor doesn’t matter anyway. An all-in-one buffer-blender is that sort of product. Perfect for newbie makeup enthusiasts, this gives you the best of both worlds, literally. You get a beauty blender at the back and a traditional round buffer at the front. If there’s any drawback, it’s that the sponge doesn’t have a conventional ‘blender shape’.
Why You Should Buy a Round Buffer
Better coverage
We all want coverage. That’s the first thing we look for in face creams, tints, foundations, and contours. However, it isn’t just about the formula! Rather, the tool you use can also enhance or reduce the coverage you see. Think about it, a beauty blender can only go over so much surface area. Even the wider end doesn’t expand beyond its rounded dimensions. A buffer brush strokes the product into your skin, contributing to an overall, seamless look.
Easy spreading
Hate dabbing? Don’t worry, a lot of people do. Spreading makeup with a sponge isn’t as easy as it seems, you need to dab constantly until all the clumpy spots have meshed well. Needless to say, spreading foundation or contour with a beauty blender takes a lot of time. A round buffer, on the other hand, offers a much easier alternative. It pushes the product outward while also setting it in the right spots. In that, you’re likely to save time using a brush rather than any other tool.
Minimizes pores
One of the reasons why professional makeup artists prefer round buffers is because they mesh in makeup so well that pores don’t look as big. Needless to say, this also depends on the technique, but if you know your way around a regular brush, a round buffer will definitely top off the efforts of your primer.
No smudges
Dabbing with a blender is good until you get a little bit more product in one spot and the next thing you know, everything starts looking patchy. You’re forced to dilute smudges with other liquid agents, ultimately, wasting time and stressing yourself out. However, a round buffer spreads the foundation evenly which is why the chances of smudging are pretty low!
Factors You Should Be Wary of When Choosing a Round Buffer
Soft bristles
A brush is only just as good as its bristles. Your skin, no matter how resilient, can still be damaged when treated harshly. Low-quality round buffers come with tough bristles that not only make them difficult to use but also cause irritation to the skin. Verily, you need something soft and gentle. A great way to check is by physically rubbing your fingers against the tips. That said, this isn’t always possible, especially not in the COVID era or when you’re shopping online. For the latter, make sure you sift through buyer reviews to gauge the buffer’s softness.
Top width
Unfortunately, there are a plethora of brushes in the market claiming to be round buffers, when in fact, they’re just regular old brushes. What truly differentiates this makeup tool from others is its extravagantly wide top. Don’t forget that the purpose is to blend products into the skin through even spreading movements. So, steer clear of narrow knock-offs and find something that does justice to the name.
Rounded edges
If a round buffer doesn’t have ‘rounded’ edges, ditch it! You’re not looking for a rebel edge brush, you need something that will create a flawless makeup look. Therefore, the more rounded it is, the better. Some of the best makeup brands out there have buffers with edges slightly curved and the middle with dense bristles more rounded.
Are Round Buffers Made With Artificial Bristles Bad for Skin?
The short answer is no. These artificial fibers are synthesized polymers, in other words, plastic. While they certainly aren’t good for the environment, you don’t have to worry about any harm to your skin. To be on the safe side, clean the head of the buffer with soap and detergent. This will get rid of any latent germs hidden between the bristles or bacteria that caught on during the packaging phase.
