1. The bestselling Real Techniques pro makeup brush with soft, hand-cut bristles that provide a streak-free application and a density that allows for an even blend every 👏 single 👏 time 👏 . The shorter bristles also allow easy peasy medium to full coverage of your favorite cream and liquid foundations.
BTW, All Real Technique brushes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free!
Promising review: "This brush makes applying my liquid foundation a breeze! I barely have to use any product and it covers beautifully and completely. I just swipe it on as I would with a regular flat foundation brush, and it gives a flawless finish. Buffing it in is also an option with this brush... Along with using less foundation, I find that it takes much less time to apply, which is AWESOME! It does not require as much blending as other foundation brushes I've tried. I also use it to apply my moisturizer before I put my makeup on. It's easy to clean. I've washed it with baby shampoo and brush cleaner with no shedding, so far. I like the size and weight of the brush. Like all R. T. brushes, it just feels good in my hand... I love this brush!" —Peekablue
Get it from Amazon for $8.79.
2. The Buffer Airbrush foundation brush by Tarte that applies makeup so smoothly, you'll be in awe every time you get ready for the day. This brush features incredibly fluffy bristles and a luxe bamboo handle so that your skin and your hands remain comfortable every step of the way.
Promising reviews: "Worth it. I always bought cheap brushes and never understood the hype around expensive products until this brush. It doesn’t leave me streaky; it’s soft but also stiff enough to help apply evenly. I highly recommend" —nickytish
"I’ve had mine for over six years. No fallout, favorite brush of all time." —Chrisallys
3. A flat-top foundation brush featuring a comfortable, easy-to-hold hexagon-shaped handle that makes blending *and* control the easiest part of your makeup routine. It not only works for foundation but for both powder and liquid concealers, blushes, and bronzers, too!
Trust me when I say this: Flat-top foundation brushes make ALL the difference! When I finally got one, I noticed *immediately* how much better it applied not only to my foundation but my blush, too. I was using a Beauty Blender before and can officially say that it is now a concealer-only tool for me. Flat-top brushes save more product and apply so much more smoothly!
Check out TikTok of the makeup brush in action here.
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok. I’m a middle-aged woman, so it’s difficult for me to admit that. I. LOVE. IT! It gives a flawless finish with little product. I have a compact foundation that comes with its own applicator sponge. I almost threw it out because I didn’t like the coverage. I tried this brush with it, and it’s perfect! It also comes in a plastic case, which is great because I travel a lot with my work, and my other brushes get damaged sometimes." —Thayel M. Caison
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in eight colors).
Promising review: "This brush is awesome!!... I bought this angled kabuki brush from my pharmacy. I can’t tell you how much better this was than the expensive brand at a fraction of the cost. This brush is amazing at blending full-coverage liquid foundation, and since switching, I have received so many compliments on how nice it looks and makes my skin look natural. I let my mom borrow it, and she was hooked, too. I tried a few others since I travel and tend to lose things easily, but they just don’t work as well as this one. It is my favorite, and I love this little brush! Bottom line…this one is the best quality brush at an amazing price. If you use liquid foundation, this is a must!" —xxxxxx
Get it from Amazon for $11.41.
5. A no-shed flat top foundation brush to make blending a ~seamless~ task thanks to its soft (yet firm!) bristles and thick, easy-hold handle. Reviewers say it works great for both powder *and* liquid foundations and that it doesn't absorb tons of product like beauty sponges do.
Promising review: "I am 55-years-old and have applied foundation with my fingertips, or more recently makeup sponges, for my entire lifespan of wearing makeup. I’ve been unhappy with sponges lately as I feel I wipe more off with a sponge than stays on my face. The foundation also did not seem evenly distributed. I decided to try a foundation brush. I am beyond happy with this purchase. The bristles are extremely soft, and the brush head is very dense. I also feel I use less foundation product. As soon as I begin applying, my face looks transformed. I love how my complexion looks flawless with foundation, evenly distributed. I truly feel like a different person. I just cleaned the brush for the first time, and the brush cleaned up very well and returned to its original look and shape. I just purchased a second one so that I always have one cleaned and ready for use." —Linda
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four).
6. Rare Beauty angled foundation brush designed to mimic the shape and bounce of your fingertips for a gorgeous streak-free and controlled application. The ultra-soft, vegan-fiber bristles will beautifully blend your liquid, cream, *and* powder foundations like camo blends with the woods.
Promising review: "Soooo good! A staple in my routine! I have so many foundation brushes: Saie, Tarte, Sephora collections, etc. This one is hands down my favorite! The shape is awesome and distributes the product so well. It doesn’t soak up the product like most foundation brushes do and doesn’t leave any streaks. Plus, the price point for such a good brush can’t be beat. You NEED this brush in your collection." —hdyrj
Get it from Sephora for $29.
7. The famous Alleyoop 4-in-1 makeup brush that features an angled complexion brush perfect for powder foundation, along with an eyeshadow brush, a brow/eyeliner brush, *and* a blending sponge! It's the perfect size to keep in your purse for touch-ups throughout the day, and for saving space in your makeup bag.
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz that takes "beauty efficiency" to a new level. Most of their products are compact and have many functions!
Promising review: "It's a staple for my work makeup routine...The angled brow brush is great for using with a brow pomade. The eyeshadow brush is surprisingly versatile! I can do an outer corner shade, middle shade, inner corner shade and the lower lash shade as well. I used a clean makeup-removing cloth that is perfect for switching colors and also keeps my brushes soft and pliable... The sponge is great for blending out eye primer, but it’s advertised as being best used for blending concealer and it nails it." —Ayndie
Get it from Amazon for $25 (available in two styles) or straight from Alleyoop for $17.50 (originally $25).
8. Glossier's Stretch Face Brush with a curved design that hugs your face's natural contours, making sure blotchy application is a thing of the past. Thanks to the built-in, unlosable lid, it's perfect for those folks on the go who apply their makeup in the car right before it's time to head inside. Truly a procrastinator's dream!
Promising reviews: "Finally!!!!!!! A brush that makes me not look like I spackled my face....works so well I was shocked." —londonprettykit
"I’m obsessed...this is the best travel brush. It feels so good on your face, and I love that it closes with a lid that is self-contained and can’t get lost. I use it to apply fluid foundation and then to blend after dabbing on cloud paint colors. Beautiful and feels fantastic." —Meghan F.
9. Nyx's Total Control brush featuring an angled brush like you've never seen. It curves to fit your face perfectly, ensuring an even application — but wait, there's more! It also has an embedded groove to hold your foundation as you apply, making it perfect for foundations with drop applicators.
Promising review: "I bought this brush to use with the NYX total control drop foundation. It is easy to get an even, matte finish. It only takes about eight drops of foundation to apply to my whole face. I add a couple of drops at a time, then brush it on with a circular motion. It doesn’t leave streaks and blends easily. It also saves a lot of foundation over a sponge. It’s about half the price of similar brushes at beauty stores, so I bought two. I highly recommend this for the drop foundation." —LollyLee
10. A $10 Sonia Kashuk flat-top foundation brush that's not only stunning but effective, too. This brush requires way less foundation to get the coverage you're looking for — which will save you money in the long run and ensure you get a longer use out of your foundation. Talk about a win/win!
11. A large Diffuny foundation and concealer brush with a dual end to keep things simple and concise. The foundation brush features an effective flat top, while the concealer brush on the other side is round and angled so you can reach the inner eye corners, below the brow, and other areas where it's harder to be precise.
Promising review: "I had to replace my everyday foundation brush because the bristles started falling out only after a short time of using it. This brush is not only a great size, but I love the way it applies/blends my foundation. The smaller brush is great for those corners of your face. It's sturdy, and I would highly recommend it." —M.A.H.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles).
12. BK Beauty's famous contoured foundation brush (aka one of the smoothest things you'll ever feel on your face!) featuring durable, high-density bristles with the perfect angled point to ensure full coverage with minimal effort and without looking cakey.
BK Beauty is a small business!
Promising review: "I can’t believe I waited this long to get a BK beauty brush! The hype is REAL! It blends foundation seamlessly and blurs out my pores. The bristles are some kind of magic, too, because they don’t absorb any product! I rub it on the Rose and Ben terry cloth Sheila towel after every use and it looks good as new!" —HeatherAnn215
Get it from Amazon for $34.
13. The stunning Artis Elite Oval 7 Brush, a luxurious multi-tasking tool designed to fit comfortably in your hand. It features a solid metal handle with an oval-shaped brush that mimics areas of your face for a seamless application.
Promising review: "This is the perfect size for applying foundation (I use liquid). It glides on so smoothly and creates an airbrush effect. Applying makeup becomes easy, even for relatively new users. I love these brushes so much that I have given several to family and friends. Everyone is amazed by how soft they are and how wonderful their makeup looks after use!" —MM
Get it from Amazon or straight from Artis for $57+ (originally $80; available in seven colors).
15. A flat top kabuki foundation brush — a number one best seller on Amazon for very well-earned reasons. The term "flawless finish" is used by many reviewers, and they probably have the 1.2" brush top to thank for such a precise airbrush finish.
Promising review: "Love it! This is a really nice brush. It applies makeup so smoothly. Very well made. This flat-top brush works perfectly. Terrific quality for a great price! One of the better things I have bought on Amazon. I definitely will be buying another." —Pat Murray
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors and three styles).
16. E.l.f.'s ultimate blending brush for applying and blending foundation, bronzer, and blush. If you're looking to declutter your makeup bag, this easy-to-clean, vegan, soft-bristled brush is the way to go. Reviewers say it blends like nobody's business, and OH, it's less than $7!
Promising review: "My favorite item that I will gladly buy again and again! I love this makeup brush. I feel like the quality far outweighs the price. It’s such a great value. It helps me blend out my foundation flawlessly and is so consistent. The bristles are so nice and never fall out. It’s easy to clean and just perfect." —David Steele
Get it from Amazon for $6.82.
17. The Lip Bar's powder brush perfect for anyone who prefers powder foundation and blush over liquid versions. (Oily skin-havers unite!) With this brush, you'll get two brushes in one, each having different densities and shapes for your preferred application.
The Lip Bar is a Black-owned small business!
Promising review: "Great brush, soft on my skin. Makeup glides on." —Chanette D.
Get it from The Lip Bar for $12.
18. A medium-density Fenty Beauty full-bodied foundation brush for quick, full coverage of your liquid makeup. It features a flat paddle brush, so your application is as fast as Rihanna saying 'no' to a new album — no stippling or constant dabbing necessary!
Promising review: "This brush is so light and soft on my face. It does not leave streak lines so I don’t have to worry about it when I am rushing out the door. This is the best foundation brush I’ve used thus far." —cutiewitabooty
Get it from Sephora or straight from Fenty Beauty for $34.
19. Or a classic EcoTools flat paddle foundation brush to get gorgeous coverage for everyday makeup at an affordable price — whether you wear liquid or cream foundation. This brush is also eco-friendly as it's made with synthetic bristles, recycled aluminum ferrules, and renewable bamboo.
Promising review: "I love this brush for applying my liquid foundation. It's soft and just the right thickness and size. It doesn't absorb the liquid too much, so there's not much waste. In fact, I haven't yet needed to wash it. The bristles remain nice and snug in the casing. A great brush at a great price!" —fastscryber
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
20. A Patrick Ta dual-ended precision brush that'll help sculpt your cream contour and blend your powdered foundation to perfection. The bristles are amazingly soft but still dense enough to do the work with controlled confidence. Truly the definition of splurge-worthy!
Promising reviews: "Absolutely perfect. This brush is so precise and soft, perfect for anyone with super sensitive skin like me." —alereateguiii
"The Patrick Ta Beauty Dual-Ended Precision Brush is my absolute favorite brush! What I love most about this brush is that I can apply both crème and powders. Also, this brush is cruelty-free and vegan. Which is really important to me. This brush is very luxury and high quality. It provides a flawless, Hollywood, camera-ready look. I highly recommend this brush for every occasion. Also, I noticed that once I applied my makeup, it did not crease, and I looked camera-ready and did not need to use any photo filters. I also use the brush for sculpting and contouring...to apply highlight on my face, and underneath my eyebrows." —Calijessicabrit
Get it from Sephora for $45.