Years of experience and professional training aside, one major factor setting us apart from our favourite makeup artists is their extensive collection of makeup brushes.
No matter how many hours we spend online searching for the best foundation or eyeshadow palette, what’s the point if we can’t apply, blend, or distribute it evenly?
Regardless of whether your kit consists of Priceline makeup brushes or premium picks, with the right brush, it’s easier to build a natural, flawless base, control how much product is used and create versatile looks.
So here are our top picks for every makeup brush you’ll need in your kit to achieve professional-quality makeup.
1/ The Essentials: Ela Cosmetics The Pink Bundle
from $180 at Ela Cosmetics
It doesn’t get more thorough than this adorably pastel pink and vegan makeup brush bundle from Aussie brand Ela Cosmetics. It’s flush with 16 everyday essentials, including face, eye and brow brushes, a latex-free makeup sponge, and a travel friendly brush storage cup.
Includes:
- C01 – Round Foundation Brush
- C02 – Luxe Stippler Brush
- C03 – Luxe Powder Brush
- C04 – Tapered Bronzer Brush
- C05 – Tapered Blush Brush
- C06 – Angled Contour Brush
- C07 – Tapered Highlight Brush
- C08 – Tapered Setting Powder Brush
- E01 – Angled Brow Brush
- E02 – Eyeshadow Blending Brush
- E03 – Pencil Brush
- E04 – Detail Brush
- E05 – Crease Brush
- E06 – All Over Shadow Brush
- E07 – Small Shader Brush
- Brush Cup Holder
- Beauty Sponge
2/ Best for setting powder: Estée Lauder Powder Brush
from $86 at David Jones
For a sheer dusting of setting powder, the dome-shaped Estée Lauder Powder Brush will pick up and deposit only the amount of product required, all while feeling whisper-soft against the skin. No scratchy or coarse bristles here.
Key features:
- Soft bristles
- Smooth and even product distribution
- Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups
- Provides a sheer and flawless finish
3/ Best for eyeshadow: The Body Shop Double Ended Eyeshadow Brush
from $25 at The Body Shop
The Body Shop’s Double Ended Eyeshadow Brush has a flat and wide brush on one end for even application of powder and cream shadows, while the thin angled side ensures precise lining of the lash line.
Key features:
- Long-lasting brush
- Minimal shedding
- Double-ended
- Can be used to apply cream or powders
4/ Best for bronzer: Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush
from $112 at Bobbi Brown
What the Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush lacks in affordability, it makes up for in quality. By using this soft brush on powder or cream bronzers, you’ll avoid caking, creasing and looking muddy.
Key features:
- Dense bristles
- Blends easily
- Creates a flawless finish
- Can be used to apply cream or powders
5/ Best for foundation: EcoTools Classic Foundation
from $11.20 at Big W
From matte to dewy formulations, the EcoTools Classic Foundation Brush uses cruelty-free bristles for a smooth and flawless base application.
Key features:
- Cruelty-free
- Creates a smooth, flawless finish
- Can be used to apply liquid and cream foundations
6/ Best for contouring: Nude by Nature Ultimate Perfecting Brush
from $19.17 at Adore Beauty
Suitable for both powder and cream formulas, Nude by Nature’s Ultimate Perfecting Brush features densely packed fibres in a thin horizontal design, allowing for seamless coverage and natural sculpting of harder-to-reach areas.
Key features:
- Natural finish
- No harsh lines
- Densely-packed brush hairs
- Can be used to apply powder and creams
7/ Best for blush: The Real Techniques Blush Brush
from $24.99 at Priceline
The Real Techniques Blush Brush softens and blurs even the most pigmented and bold blush shades for a natural, rosy flush. The tapered design ensures precise application of product, exactly where you want it.
Key features:
- Blends well
- No harsh lines
- Softens and blurs
- Can be used to apply powder blush
8/ Best for an airbrushed finish: Manicare Sponge Duo
from $13.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Are we being a little cheeky here? Yes, but while this duo isn’t technically a ‘brush’ we’re going with the ‘applies makeup like a dream’ category. The Manicare Sponge Duo gives you the option of applying liquid and powder foundations, quite literally, flawlessly.
Key features:
- Creates an airbrushed, flawless finish
- Softens and blurs
- Can be used to apply liquid or powder foundation
Main image credit: @josephineskriver
I have heaps of Nude by Nature brushes which I love because the quality is fantastic and they wash so well. I also have Real Techniques eyeshadow blending brushes and I also love my Dior foundation brush because it’s so soft.
I love NBN brushes too Izzy09
Wouldn’t mind trying them!
Nude by Nature brushes, few other too.
I really like Morphe brushes
I’ve heard good things about Morphe!
Not sure about their brushes generally I bought the Morphe x Ariel set recently – they are out of this world!
I went nuts recently and bought so many of the new silver Real Techniques brushes. Beautiful. And some new NBN sets.
An overlooked area of beauty products and tools.
I don’t have any of these brushes but have lots of MAC, Napoleon Perdis and and a Arbonne set of brushes.
I really want to try some MAC brushes!
Of all the brushes I own, the Nude by Nature brushes are my favourite. Soft, great quality, and easy to clean.
Easy to clean and sturdy are musts!
I have the Nude by Nature. The whole set. I love them.
Me too. So handy to have one for every occasion.
I own a few brush sets, but I have different favourites from each set: I use my old NbN concealer brush for eyeshadow & Revlon kabuki brush for mineral powder most often. If I wear blush or use a lip brush, I like my Manicare retractable brushes.
I have lots of ‘odd’ brushes but like lots of BH members I have a Nude by Nature brush. The one I use most is my Minenssey mask brush (although it’s not a make up brush of course).
Yes odd brushes seem to become abundant in my make up drawer
I’ve never owned a makeup brush in my life because I don’t wear makeup, SHOCK, HORROR! I didn’t know they were so pricey and I know there are many different types for different parts of your face. My daughter has a heap of them and I got her one of those brush cleaners that swirl the water around. It’s like a whole different subject you need to study up on.
Not shock horror! I only own two brushes that don’t get used much. A Kabuki brush and a general purpose one that was a gift from MECCA. I seldom use either!
I have some of those brushes but nowadays I rarely wear makeup. I’m more interested in looking after my skin
Oooh, got a set from BH of NBN brushes and they are so good! I only use though: powder and highlighter brushes. Highlighter one was gifted at Bazaar event (also great one, interestingly!).
Some of my brushes seem to have gone walkies..
Daughters at it again lol
I was really surprised how expensive brushes could be. My daughter requested one for her birthday and I got rather a surprise.
I’ve got so many makeup brushes so I think I’m set
I have an NBN brush kit.
I bought a set of Sigma brushes some time ago, and having proper brushes really made a difference to my makeup.
With me it’s like anything new (like mascara), it takes me a few goes to wear it in and then I can pretty much work with anything that is quality.
I’ve got brushes from various brands: Nude by Nature, Sigma, Ela Cosmetics, Real Techniques…I think that’s all the brands I own. Out of them all, I prefer Ela Cosmetics & Nude by Nature – my Sigma & Real Techniques (eye) brushes are hit & miss.
I use Nude by Nature mainly, but I just recently brought one online for a face mask application
Articles like this are so handy. I have a Nude by Nature set of brushes. It took me quite a while to work out which one to use.
I never thought about NBN brushes until I won an NBN advent calendar and brushes from BH many years ago and I really loved the brushes from that.
I need some brushes, but they are can get pretty expensive so looking for some affordable brush sets.
Some great ones mentioned here…
I mainly use NBN and Revlon although I have others as well. Some get used more often because I tend to stick to my favourites.
I love brushes, i was going to give them a wash today too,
I have quite a few make-up brushes. I should try to use them more often
Kylie professional by Kylie Jenner?
It sounds like nude by nature is a hit!
I really like the RT makeup brushes
I don’t have a need for any of these brushes as I only wear eye makeup (no eyeshadow) and lipstick.
to be honest, investing in good quality brushes save so much time effort and money long time
My favourite brand is nude by nature.
Might need to update my cosmetic brushes
I have a set of Nude by Nature brushes and I love them. I got them as part of a trial team a few years ago 🙂
I have a set of makeup brushes that I received as part of a trial team from BH and I love them. Such good quality and great value! I have since bought a couple more brushes from NBN because they are so good 🙂
Great way to start.
I have some great makeup brushes from Nude by Nature and IT cosmetics
I am not organized enough to have so many brushes.
Some great recommendations.
Drooling over the first featured! It looks perfect, so pretty, practical and lovely. Not something I’ll be splurging on in a hurry though.