The Best Makeup Brushes Every Girl Needs in Her Collection

Today we’re going to focus on the best makeup brushes I own. I went through my entire collection and picked out all of my absolute top favorites. If you’re starting from scratch, these are the best makeup brushes I would highly recommend you add to your collection. We’re going over everything – my face makeup brushes, eye makeup brushes, and even how to use makeup brushes.

If I suggest an expensive item, I will also give an affordable option. I know that’s so important to be able to save money wherever you can. I also made sure to include a lot of makeup brushes on Amazon, since I know y’all love that free 2-day shipping!

I have owned a lot of makeup brushes in my lifetime. There have been some good, bad, and ugly ones. I always think of this meme when I think about how far I’ve come with my best makeup brushes collection. Who can relate? Haha!

I put together a video along with this post, so you can really get my in depth opinion on each of the best makeup brushes. Hope you enjoy!

So… Which are the Best Makeup Brushes?

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the best makeup sets, and which ones to buy. I have purchased a few sets and while it’s a great way to get a variety of brushes, I find myself not using all of them. My personal preference is to buy single makeup brushes that I know I will use over and over.

Beauty Sponges

Beauty Blender // You just can’t beat the original! There’s nothing like it.

Aesthetica Cosmetics Beauty Sponge Blender // This is the best beauty blender dupe I’ve found, and it’s on sale for even less than what it was when I purchased it.

Foundation Brushes

 // This is a super dense flat top kabuki type makeup brush, and it’s perfect for buffing in foundation.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Ultimate Blending Brush // If yoyour u’re on a budget, this one definitely needs to be on your list. In fact, I sometimes prefer it over the It Cosmetics brush!

Powder Brushes

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Wand Ball Brush // This is the best high end powder brush, as it is tapered at the end. It’s great for dusting powder or also being precise if you need to.

Real Techniques Powder Brush // This is an amazing affordable powder brush that you need in your life.

e.l.f. Blush Brush // I love to use this brush for setting powder under my eyes and in precise spots.

Bronzer Brushes

 // One of the best bronzer brushes I’ve found to date, and it’s new to my collection. I love how fluffy and dense it feels, and it’s perfect to blend out bronzer.

e.l.f. Complexion Brush // I have repurchased this brush multiple times, and it is super affordable!

Blush Brushes

// I have to say, this is my holy grail blush brush. I’ve had it for over five years and it is still as good as new (with lots of care, of course)!

// This is a denser brush, but is another one of my favorites.

Contour Brush

Knockoff Nars Ita Brush // This is really the only contour brush I use, and it is a cheap knockoff version of the cult favorite Nars Ita Brush. I found it on eBay or some Chinese site, and hadn’t been able to find it since. But I found it on Amazon! It really is the perfect brush to chisel in the cheekbones and jawline.

Highlight Brushes

// This is a very popular highlighter brush among the big YouTubers, and I do very much enjoy it! It gives a precise, yet diffused application.

Real Techniques Setting Brush // This is another great affordable option for highlighter (and you can also use it to set powder under the eyes).

Best Eyeshadow Brushes

Sigma E40 // I use this brush every single time I do my eyeshadow. I have multiples on backup. It is the first brush I use to start my makeup look. I throw a warm/light brown into the upper crease of my eye to create that “transition.”

Sigma E25 // If you were to get one eyeshadow brush, this one is the one I would suggest. I use it for blending/buffing eyeshadow into the crease, but you really can use it in so many different ways.

 // If the E25 isn’t in the budget, this brush is a great affordable option.

Sigma E55 // Gotta have a flat shader brush to apply shadow to the lid.

Sigma E30 // I love this pencil brush. I like to use it to buff out eyeshadow on the lower lash line, but you can use it for so many different things. Great for detail work.

// This tiny pencil brush is such a great addition to my collection!

Eyeliner Brushes

Real Techniques Bold Metals Angled Liner Brush // Love this angled liner brush for my gel eyeliner.

// Anytime I’m trying to do winged liner or be more precise with my gel liner, this is my go-to brush.