The Best Face Tanners For a Natural Glow
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- Best Makeup Brushes
Best Makeup Brushes For A Flawless Finish
By Franchesca Villar
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When you’re armed with the best makeup brushes that are doing what they should, your makeup routine exponentially levels up, and you question why you ever settled for anything less. Blending takes less effort, products sit on the skin as they should, and there’s more harmony between each step.
The right tools make that difference. Face brushes are designed to diffuse and perfect the base, while eye brushes focus on placement and detail. Synthetic fibres have become the standard for a reason: they work well with creams and powders, feel soft on the skin, and are easier to clean and maintain.
Best Makeup Brushes: Quick Picks
With so many options available, it helps to know which brushes are actually worth reaching for and where to invest.
- Best makeup brush overall – IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7.
- Best professional set – Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Set.
- Best vegan option – Morphe Vegan Pro Eye Bush Set.
What Are The Best Makeup Brushes To Use?
Face Brushes
IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7
£35.09 £39.00 (11% off)A dual-ended brush that simplifies your base routine. One side buffs in foundation smoothly, while the other handles concealer with more precision, giving a seamless, skin-like finish.
MAC 171S Smooth-Edge All Over Face Brush
£20.03 £28.00 (29% off)Dense but flexible, this works well with cream and liquid formulas. It spreads product evenly without leaving streaks, making it a solid choice for fuller coverage looks.
Real Techniques Blush Brush
£7.70 £12.76 (40% off)Soft, fluffy, and easy to control. It diffuses blush across the cheeks without harsh edges, which helps everything look more natural.
Sigma Beauty F78 Ultimate Bronze Brush
£30.74 £42.00 (27% off)Slightly more structured, this brush is ideal for bronzer placement. It adds warmth without going patchy or overly heavy.
bareMinerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
£18.62Designed for precision, this works well for covering blemishes or brightening under the eyes. It packs on product where needed without disrupting the rest of your base.
Eye Brushes
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush A23 Large Tapered Blending Brush
£15.00 £26.00 (43% off)A soft blending brush that helps eyeshadow melt into the skin. It’s especially useful for softening edges and building depth without harsh lines.
Jane Iredale Bent Liner Brush
£11.00 £15.50 (30% off)The angled shape makes liner application more controlled, particularly along the lash line. Great for gel or powder liner.
Sigma Beauty E65 Small Angle Brush
£14.44 £19.00 (24% off)Sharp and precise, this works well for defining brows or creating a clean liner look.
Best Professional Makeup Brush Sets
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Set
£15.50 £32.27 (52% off)A reliable core set that covers the basics for face and eyes. Ideal if you want a cohesive kit without overthinking each individual brush.
Real Techniques Artists Essentials
£14.50 £22.99 (37% off)A more expanded selection with tools suited to detailed work as well as everyday application.
EcoTools On The Go Kit
£9.89Compact and practical, this set is easy to travel with while still giving you enough variety to complete a full look.
Best Vegan & Cruelty-Free Makeup Brushes
If you’re looking for the best vegan makeup brushes or the best makeup brushes cruelty free, these makeup brush sets offer performance without compromise:
Morphe Vegan Pro Eye Bush Set
£12.19 £28.00 (57% off)A focused eye set with a good range of shapes for blending, defining, and detail work.
e.l.f. No Budge Eye Brush Set
£9.29 £9.95 (7% off)Affordable and straightforward, with brushes that work well for everyday eye looks.
EcoTools On The Go Kit
£9.89A repeat for good reason — vegan, cruelty-free, and practical for both home and travel use.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Makeup Brushes?
Step-by-step:
- Rinse bristles with lukewarm water
- Apply a gentle cleanser or makeup brush cleaner
- Gently swirl to remove buildup
- Rinse thoroughly
- Reshape and lay flat to dry
Top tips:
Try to clean your brushes at least once a week to keep them working properly and to avoid product buildup. If you’re using liquid or cream formulas regularly, spot cleaning in between full washes helps keep everything fresh. It’s also worth keeping water away from the handle when washing, as soaking this area can loosen the glue over time and affect how long your brushes last.
FAQs About Makeup Brushes
Q: What makeup brushes do I actually need?
A: A small selection goes a long way: a foundation brush, a powder or blush brush, a blending brush, and a smaller detail brush for eyes will set you up nicely.
Q: Are expensive makeup brushes worth it?
A: Not always. Some higher-end brushes offer softer fibres or more precise shapes, but there are plenty of affordable options that perform just as well.
Q: How often should I replace makeup brushes?
A: With proper care, brushes can last for years. Replace them when the bristles start to shed, lose shape, or feel rough.
Q: Can I use one brush for multiple products?
A: You can, especially if you’re blending similar tones. For different product types or shades, it helps to clean in between to avoid mixing textures or colours.
To make your makeup tools last the distance and keep their hygiene tip top, read all about How To Clean Makeup Brushes To Give Your Tools A Refresh.
Written by Franchesca Villar
With a love for all things beauty, Franchesca is a skilled beauty content and copywriter with expert knowledge of all of the latest beauty trends. She loves perfecting her bouncy blow-out routine (no matter how time-consuming), is on the eternal hunt for the best glow-boosting product, and is a lip-gloss addict.
