"Top 12 Face Makeup Brushes to Buy in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide" (2025)

While applying basic everyday makeup with your fingers can be simple and convenient, preparing for special occasions often necessitates a different approach. The use of makeup brushes is crucial for achieving a flawless application, ensuring that your face appears pristine and polished.

Whether you’re a novice searching for the perfect makeup brushes or a seasoned pro looking to enhance your existing collection, we’ve got you covered.

With a myriad of brands and various brush types available, choosing the right ones can be daunting. Additionally, you may find yourself wondering how many brushes are essential for comprehensive facial makeup.

This guide is designed to help you discover the best face makeup brushes, whether you prefer individual tools or a complete set.

Types of Brushes in a Comprehensive Makeup Brush Set

Before delving into our selection of the finest makeup brushes for 2023, it’s important to understand the types of brushes typically included in a set, particularly for beginners. If you’re an experienced user, feel free to skip this section.

Foundation Brush

The foundation brush is arguably the most vital tool in your makeup arsenal. This larger brush features a flat surface and densely packed, thick bristles that provide optimal coverage.

Concealer Brush

While the foundation brush is used for your entire face, the concealer brush is specifically designed for masking imperfections, from minor blemishes to significant acne scars, with precision.

Brow Brush

A brow brush is a small tool with firm, straight bristles cut at a slant, making it ideal for filling in and defining your eyebrows.

Crease/Blending Brush

The blending brush is round, whereas the crease brush has an angled design. Both are essential for seamlessly blending eye makeup and applying eyeshadow along the crease line.

Eyeshadow Brush

Eyeshadow brushesprofessional application

Mascara Brush

Often referred to as a spoolie, the mascara brush features spaced-out bristles that effectively separate, comb, and define your eyelashes or eyebrows, creating a polished appearance.

Eyeliner Brush

Characterized by its slender head, the eyeliner brush can be either straight or angled, and is essential for adding detail to your eye makeup.

Lip Brush

If you frequently struggle with applying lipstick directly from the tube without straying outside your lip line, a lip brush can assist in achieving a precise application.

Contour Brush

A contour brushdensely packed bristles

Powder Brush

The powder brush, typically soft and fluffy, is designed for applying setting powder lightly across the face, and its curved shape ensures an even distribution of product.

Blush/Highlighter Brush

Blush brushespowder brushes

Top 12 Face Makeup Brushes for 2023

1. E.L.F. Flawless Face Brush Kit

Pros

Cons

The E.L.F. Flawless Face Brush Kit includes all the brushes necessary for achieving a stunning look, whether for everyday makeup or a special event. This kit features six brushes, including a large blending foundation brush, a small concealer brush, a dual-purpose eyeshadow and brow brush, a stippling brush, and a small angled eyeliner brush.

Although the quality may not rival that of high-end brush sets, it still boasts good quality with soft bristles and comfortable handles.

2. IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Foundation Brush

Pros

Cons

The IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Foundation Brush #6 is both easy to clean and user-friendly, ensuring you achieve seamless foundation application. Its round, flat precision head is densely packed with soft bristles, and it features a soft-touch, high-quality handle.

This award-winning brush is an excellent choice for your foundation application, offering smooth coverage and a refined buffing and blurring effect.

3. Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Face Brush Kit

Pros

Cons

The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Face Brush Kitbristle types

Constructed with durable aluminum ferrules and cruelty-free vegan materials, this set would make an ideal birthday gift as well.

4. Eigshow Premium Makeup Brush Set

Pros

Cons

While the Eigshow Premium Makeup Brush Set is lightweight, it may feel a bit slippery during application. This high-quality eight-piece kit features non-shedding bristles that are gentle on the skin, making it perfect for travel.

With corrosion-resistant handles and fluffy yet firm bristles, this brush set can easily become your go-to makeup essential.

5. EcoTools Makeup Brush Kit

Pros

Cons

The EcoTools Start the Day Makeup Brush Kit showcases soft Taklon bristles, robust aluminum ferrules, and elegant bamboo handles. This five-piece kit includes a powder brush, angled foundation brush, eyeliner brush, crease brush, and concealing brush, all packaged with a convenient storage case.

This eco-friendly set is compatible with cream, powder, or liquid products, making it versatile.