The Best Makeup Brushes for Every Task in 2024, According to Experts | Vogue

Oct 14, 2024

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When it comes to finding the best makeup brushes, consumers are spoiled for choice. Thanks to the internet and the plethora of beauty companies in existence, there are thousands of options on the market. All that variety can be overwhelming, but thankfully experts can demystify the process. Here, a guide to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about makeup brushes, from the tools every beginner should test out to how to clean and maintain your investments.

Hourglass Vegan Brush Collection

NET-A-PORTER

Sigma Beauty Essential Kit

NORDSTROM

Saie

The Base Brush

SAIE

SEPHORA

Rose Inc Number 3 Foundation Brush

ROSE INC

Surratt Beauty Artistique Face Brush

NORDSTROM

Hourglass Veil Powder Brush

HOURGLASS

Shiseido

Tsutsu Fude Concealer Brush

NORDSTROM

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Real Techniques Expert Concealer Brush

AMAZON

Merit Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush

MERIT

Chantecaille

Buff And Blur Brush

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

NEIMAN MARCUS

BLOOMINGDALE'S

Beautyblender Pro

BEAUTYBLENDER

Laura Mercier Velour Puff

SEPHORA

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush Brush

SEPHORA

Chanel

Les Pinceaux de Chanel Blush Brush N°110

CHANEL

Ilia

Perfecting Buff Brush

ILIA

NORDSTROM

Chantecaille

Sculpt Brush

NORDSTROM

Surratt Beauty

Highlighter Brush

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

REVOLVE

NEIMAN MARCUS

Surratt Beauty

Highlighter Brush

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

REVOLVE

NEIMAN MARCUS

Chanel

Les Pinceaux de Chanel Dual-Ended Brow Brush N°207

CHANEL

Hourglass

No. 3 All-Over Eyeshadow Brush

NORDSTROM

AMAZON

NET-A-PORTER

Fenty Beauty

Tapered Blending Brush 210

FENTY BEAUTY

SEPHORA

ULTA

Bobbi Brown

Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush

NORDSTROM

SEPHORA

ULTA

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Brush 12 Precision Brow Brush

SEPHORA

ULTA

As a general rule, celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty suggests investing in three to seven core brushes for your personal collection. “You want to choose a high-quality brush that will survive washings and disperse product in a non-wasteful way! I also love brushes that have multiple purposes, as well as dual-ended brushes.”

In general, she recommends looking for:

The type of product you use with your brushes is also important. According to celebrity makeup artist Amrita Mehta, brushes with synthetic bristles work well with cream and liquid products, while natural hair brushes are better for powders. For fuller coverage, look for brushes with densely packed bristles. For lighter, more dispersed coverage, choose fluffy brushes with more space between the bristles for a natural finish.

The shape of the brush is another factor to consider. Flat brushes are typically used for the precise application of products such as foundations and concealers, while fluffy brushes are great for blending and creating a softer, more diffused look (think eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, etc.).

Size matters too: “Smaller brushes will give you more precise application and greater control, while large brushes are great for lighter, more even, all-over application,” says Mehta. The size can drastically change the purpose of the brush. For example, large angled brushes are useful for shaping and contouring the face, while small, sharp-angled ones are great for shaping brows and creating a perfect winged liner.

While you can always use a makeup brush for its intended purpose, most brushes are versatile and can be used in different ways. This flexibility allows you to build your personal brush kit based on your needs. Here are some tips Mehta suggests to maximize optimal results:

One of the most important things to consider when selecting a makeup brush is the quality and type of hair it is made of. Many natural options include Saikoho goat, gray squirrel, silver fox, and even Kolinsky sable. Each type of material serves a different purpose, and it varies in terms of softness.

Increasingly, brands are using synthetic materials like Taklon and Micro Crystal fiber that mimics the functionality of natural hair. “The technology behind synthetic hair brushes is so incredible [and] I can achieve a beautiful, refined application on myself and my clients working with them,” explains celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, whose Westman Atelier range is handmade by Japanese artisans using cruelty-free nylon bristles and sustainably sourced birchwood from an FSC-certified forest. “Synthetic brush fibers can be shaped more like virgin hair [which] results in a soft feel and smooth application. The quality can so closely mimic natural ones that it can be hard to tell any difference upon the skin.”

The very best makeup brushes come directly from Japan, where there is a rich history of brush making—there, artisanal brushes are called fude. Originally stemming from calligraphy, the handmade brushes produced in places like Kumano in Hiroshima prefecture are exquisitely crafted art pieces. “There are more than 100 brush workshops of various sizes in the area,” explains Fude Beauty CEO Takuya Fujiyama, who witnessed the region’s shift from manufacturing writing tools to creating beauty essentials. “The craft evolved from the traditional craft of calligraphy brush making, [so when] holding a Fude makeup brush, you hold centuries of craftsmanship.”

Japanese brands like Shaquda, Chikuhodo, Koyudo, and Bisyodo are prized among makeup artists and collectors, who value the softness and unique touches like lacquered handles and hand-painted floral embellishments. The attention to detail is what separates the brushes from the competition; purchasing a fude tool is an investment intended to last a lifetime. Some rarer creations have price tags that can run into the hundreds and are (usually) reserved for a display case rather than daily use. “They are entirely handmade, including the sorting of bristles to ensure only the finest quality are selected to hand-bundling the bristles into various shapes,” says Fujiyama. “Bristles are left uncut to take advantage of the fine natural tips—this is what gives them the difference in softness, product pick-up, and smooth application.” Why splurge on the fancy option? It’s all about elevating your makeup moments from routine to ritual. “It’s about more than the functionality,” says Osahiro Maruyama of artisan brush company Shaquda, whose all-wood Ubu line has won awards for innovation in design. “The designs can connect to your interiors or style. They’re brushes that are beautiful even when they’re just resting on your table [because] it enhances the experience you have while getting ready each day. ”

Westman says that makeup brushes make all the difference in how refined your makeup application can be. She explains that choosing a brush depends on the products you’re working with and your blending preference. Mehta adds that when shopping, it’s important to consider the brush's quality, function, size, and even the product formula.

Quality: According to Mehta, avoid overly rough brushes and those prone to shedding. "There’s nothing worse than brush hairs all over your face, mixed into your makeup,” she says. Ensure the handles are sturdy and the bristles are soft, densely packed, and securely held by the brush ferrule.

Formula: Consider the type of formula you’ll be using the brush with. Mehta explains that natural hair brushes work best for powder formulas, while synthetic hairs are ideal for creams or liquids, as synthetic bristles are nonabsorbent.

Function: Mehta encourages you to ask: what will the brush be used for, and how much coverage are you hoping to achieve? Flat, dense brushes are great for heavier coverage since they deposit more product or pigment. Meanwhile, fluffy brushes distribute product more evenly, blend harsh edges, and create softer coverage. “This general rule applies whether you’re working with foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, bronzer, blush, etc. Angled brushes are perfect for chiseling cheeks or creating sharp lines, like eyeliner or brows,” she says.

Size: Mehta explains that smaller brushes provide more precision, while larger brushes are best for covering bigger areas where control isn’t as as important. For example, use bigger brushes for lightly powdering the face or creating a diffused blush look.

For daily use, Mehta recommends easily spot-cleaning your brushes between applications. “I love Cinema Secrets brush cleaner for this. Just spray a couple of spritzes on the brush, then swirl it on a tissue, towel, or napkin until clean. It does a great job of breaking down product and is quick and easy to use.”

Westman, on the other hand, prefers using a clear, mild soap to avoid dyeing the bristles. “It only takes a few minutes, and I like to use Parian Spirit when cleaning each brush. Simply spritz, wipe on a cloth or paper towel, and lay flat to dry before storing.”

For a deeper clean, Mehta recommends wetting the bristles in warm (not hot) water. “Avoid getting the ferrule or handles wet.” Work brush soap or a fragrance-free gentle shampoo into the bristles, massaging and swirling them on your hand or a textured brush cleaning mat to break down product buildup. Rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water, and lightly reshape the bristles. Lay the brushes flat to dry (not standing!) on a clean towel. This prevents water from entering the ferrule and loosening the glue, which can cause shedding or damage to the brush. “I like to have the bristles over the edge of a counter to prevent flattening as they dry.”

Mehta says that, ideally, you should clean your brushes after every use to minimize bacteria, but she acknowledges that most people don’t. At the very least, she suggests cleaning your personal liquid or cream brushes after 1-3 uses and powder brushes at least weekly. “Liquids and creams harbor bacteria at a higher rate than powders. A deep clean should be done at minimum once a month,” she advises. Regular cleaning not only extends the life of your brushes but also helps prevent breakouts and ensures smoother makeup application overall.