If you ask people what they feel is essential to achieving the perfect makeup look, chances are the first thing they’ll mention is high-quality formulas. Others may mention how important it is to have a good base with the help of a hydrating moisturizer or under-eye cream. But one thing that is often overlooked are makeup brushes.
As a beauty editor, I have to test these all the time, and I can tell you firsthand that a makeup brush can make or break your look. It can literally be the difference between applying your favorite products effortlessly and having to reapply them because you can’t get them on your skin with the brush you have. Trust me, I’ve been there, which is why it’s perfect to do a roundup of the best makeup brushes to make sure you’re set for success.
Of course, despite trying a lot of brushes myself, I couldn’t make this list alone. To get the best list, I decided to chat with two leading makeup artists for their top picks. Keep scrolling for their must-haves.
The best makeup brushes, at a glance
Best Makeup Brushes in 2026
Best Contour Brush: Patrick Ta Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush
Sephora
Dual-Ended Contour Brush
Our top pick for contouring is our top pick to start things off and it comes as a recommendation from makeup artist and lead teacher at Sephora Shanje Al-Amin. “The dual-ended design makes it smart because you get placement and spread without switching tools,” she says. “I use the denser end to place and the softer end to blend, and the finish is always created without overdoing it.” It allows for buildable coverage, and the bristles are safe for sensitive skin.
professional: Buildable, Soft, Multipurpose
Shortcoming: expensive
Bristle Material: artificial
size: angular, fan shaped
Use: all formulas
Customer Reviews: “I’ve been using it with both cream and powder contour, and it blends like a dream. It’s like having two professional brushes in one — super travel-friendly, super efficient. Honestly, it makes contouring even easier on days when I’m rushing out the door.”
Best Powder Brush: Morphe Paddle Powder Brush
Morphe
M163 Paddle Powder Brush
A good brush doesn’t have to break the bank, which is why it was necessary to include this Morph Brush. “Size does most of the work here,” explains Al-Amin. “I press powder instead of sweeping it on, and this brush makes that technique easier with controlled application without losing any shine or dimension.”
professional: Affordable, gentle on skin, flexible tip
Shortcoming: Hair may fall out over time
Bristle Material: Synthetic, silver ion-infused bristles
size: paddle shaped
Use: powder
Customer Reviews: “This is the perfect brush for sweeping powder all over the face and applying under the eyes. The brush itself feels very light and soft, not too soft where it wouldn’t perform well.”
Best Cream Brush: Makeup by Mario F4 Dual-Ended Brush
makeup by mario
F4 Dual-Ended Foundation and Face Brush
If you’re familiar with Makeup by Mario, you know it’s no surprise that this is our best cream brush. “This is the brush I go to when I need a cream formula that really melts under the skin without moving everything,” says Al-Amin. “One tapping and buffing motion and you’re building and blending at the same time, giving that finished editorial look without much effort.”
professional: Buildable, Multi-Purpose, Gentle on Skin
Shortcoming: may fade over time
Bristle Material: artificial
size: Round
Use: Liquid, Cream and Powder
Customer Reviews: “This is the best makeup tool I’ve ever bought. It fills the void of so many other brushes, I use it for almost everything and it works seamlessly. The only brush in your bag you need!”
Best Concealer Brush: Sephora Collection Pro Concealer Brush #71
Sephora
Pro Concealer Brush #71
A concealer brush needs to be just right to pack the product into tight areas without looking blotchy or cakey, but this one from Sephora gets the job done. “This brush has enough density to give true coverage but still blends without looking heavy, which is a really hard balance to find in a concealer brush,” says Al-Amin. “Whenever I want coverage that still shows up as skin, I use it to work under the eyes and on spots.”
professional: Affordable, smooth finish, durably built
Shortcoming: Some users prefer softer bristles
Bristle Material: artificial
size: Thin
Use: shelter giver
Customer Reviews: “It blends concealer seamlessly, no streaks or weird patchy spots. The bristles are soft but dense enough to really do something. I feel like it gives an airbrushed look under my eyes.”
Best Blush Brush: M.F. by Mary Phillips cream blush brush
By Mary Phillips M.F
cream blush brush
This tapered brush from Mary Phillips is perfect for blush (especially cream formulas). Celebrity makeup artist Ash K. “This soft, tapered brush is ideal for applying cream blush, bronzer, or highlighter,” says Holm. “You want thick hair for cream products to ensure best application and easy blending.”
professional: Gives buildable coverage to tresses, smooth, blends well
Shortcoming: may fade over time
Bristle Material: artificial
size: Bristle brush
Use: Cream
Customer Reviews: “I love the bristles of this brush. They are densely packed and soft, while also holding their shape. The brush head is actually bigger than I thought and is great for blending out foundation. It’s great for cream products.”
Best for Eyes: Sigma Beauty Basic Eye Brush Set
sigma beauty
Basic Eye Brush Set
There’s no point in listing just one brush as the ultimate eye makeup brush considering all the different sizes and types needed to complete a look. That’s why getting a set like this from Sigma is the way to go. You’ll get seven great brushes for Liner, shadow and eyebrows are suitable for powder, cream or gel formulas.
professional: Multi-purpose, safe for sensitive eyes
Shortcoming: expensive
Bristle Material: artificial
size: angled, thin, round, pencil
Use: powder, cream, or gel
Customer Reviews: “I bought these brushes about 10 or 11 years ago, they’re still going strong! Amazing quality but also incredible value. I use them almost every day and have yet to find a better eye brush.”
Best Budget: Morphe M202 Slanted Blush Brush
Morphe
M202 Slant Blush Brush
If you’re working with a smaller budget, consider this cream and powder brush from Morphe. “It has a wonderful, contoured edge, which makes it great for powder,” says Holm. “It really hugs your skin and spreads the powder flawlessly for seamless application.” You can expect even distribution and noticeable control.
professional: Budget-friendly, allows buildable coverage, soft on the skin
Shortcoming: Some people say it doesn’t provide as much control as concealer
Bristle Material: synthetic, silver ion-containing
size: oblique
Use: cream or powder
Customer Reviews: “Love this brush! It distributes the blush evenly and beautifully, even though it’s highly pigmented. Very easy to blend – 10/10 would recommend!”
Best Set: Sephora The Total Brush Set
Sephora
total brush set
A set that’s worth it should cover all the essential bases, right? This set from Sephora is famous for doing it all. “Every brush in this set has a reason, which isn’t always the case with sets at this price point,” says Al-Amin. “This is really what I would hand down to someone who is building a kit from scratch.” Whether you’re a veterinarian or a novice, you can’t go wrong with this travel-friendly set.
professional: Provides brush for face and eyes, soft for skin, travel friendly
Shortcoming: Some people say that brushes wear off over time
Bristle Material: artificial
size: angled, thin, fanned, round
Use: cream or powder
Customer Reviews: “I love these brushes!! They are so soft on my sensitive skin and despite being cheap, they are surprisingly good quality!! I love using the makeup bag it comes with when I travel.”
Best for Blending: Merit Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush
Ability
Brush No. 1 Thin Blending Brush
Needless to say, this brush from Merit matches beautifully with the brand’s products Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick is my personal favourite). Still, you can combine this brush with other brands, and get benefits. Unlike some of the other options on our list, it can be used with all types of formula, making it totally worth the price.
professional: soft, compact, travel-friendly
Shortcoming: Some people say it loses its shape over time
Bristle Material: artificial
size: Thin
Use: all formulas
Customer Reviews: “I was skeptical at first, but this brush has completely won me over. The bristles are incredibly soft and it blends the color perfectly, giving a natural finish. It feels high quality, works beautifully, and is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!”
how we chose
Like all of our buying guides on Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best makeup brushes, we relied heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors including type, bristle material, size, and use. We know how important these factors are to different needs and preferences, so we’ve made sure to list all the useful details. Of course, customer reviews were also taken into consideration when creating this list.
Why trust who wears what?
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends and essential products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who Wears What as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
explore more:
