13 Best Foundation Brushes For An Even, Precise Makeup Finish
Get your cheeky makeup on point with the most ergonomically designed foundation brush.
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
While many people believe that our good-old hands do the trick, the best foundation brushes are the secret to even and effortless application. It helps the product blend easily onto the skin and gives you a flawless and non-cakey finish. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the best foundation in the world with you; it is of no use if you don’t have the best foundation brush. To get your hands on the best one, check out our list of the best 13 foundation brushes to choose yours.
In This Article
13 Best Foundation Brushes
1. Best For Beginners And Experts:Bestope Makeup Brushes
Image: BestopeThe Bestope Makeup Brushes (a set of 16 brushes) cover the eyes, nose, lips, cheeks, forehead, and even hard-to-reach spots on your face to give a perfect makeup finish. These brushes are made of soft and dense synthetic fibers to spread any liquid, powder, or cream foundation evenly on your face without shedding or smudging. The multi-sized brushes can be used to apply foundation, primer, powder, lip color, and gel eyeliners.
The bristles are soft to provide a high-definition airbrushed look and sculpted face. The top-quality ferrule and wood material offers a comfortable grip while applying makeup. This brush set is ideal for contouring, blending, shading, and highlighting. Alysha Tucker, a permanent makeup artist, says, “Wash these brushes with a mild soap or brush cleanser and let them air dry upside down overnight before use. Clean brushes last longer and work better”
Pros
- Suitable for beginners and experts
- Made of premium synthetic fibers
- No absorption of the product
- No shedding
- Durable
- Comfortable grip
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Not odorless
2. Best Ergonomic Design:Keshima Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush
Image: KeshimaThe Keshima Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush comes with a flat head, perfect for buffing and blending foundation. You can use it to apply a lightweight liquid, cream, or mineral foundation to the flat areas of the face evenly without shedding. The bristles are made of soft synthetic fibers that don’t absorb the foundation. This high-quality, foundation brush is easy to clean. It is a perfect tool for a streak-free, patch-free finish with medium to full coverage.
Pros
- Super-dense bristles
- Streak-free
- No shedding
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable grip
- No absorbption of product
- Ergonomic design
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
None
StyleCraze Trivia3. Best Long-Lasting Results:Beauty Junkees Angled Kabuki Foundation Brush
Image: Beauty JunkeesThe Beauty Junkees Angled Kabuki Foundation Brush with soft angled bristles helps you apply, blend, and buff cream, liquid, or powder foundation seamlessly. The synthetic bristles made of Takloncontour your cheekbones and face to create a natural look.
This foundation brush does not absorb any pigment and is easy to clean, much like makeup buffs. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and has an ideal density for even application of blush or foundation. The wide bristles cover the apples of your cheeks, and the soft angle fits their natural contour. You can use this long-lasting brush for contouring, highlighting, and setting various makeup products.
Pros
- Seamless application
- Wide bristles
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to clean
- No shedding
- Do not absorb pigment
- Long-lasting
- Comfortable grip
- Affordable
Cons
None
4. Best Steak-Free Use:Real Techniques Foundation Brush
Image: Real TechniquesThis foundation brush by Real Techniques helps buff and blend liquid foundation evenly on your skin. The firm, synthetic bristles offer seamless application. This foundation brush is easy to clean and providesa streak-free, natural finish. It offers medium to full, even coverage without being patchy. This multi-purpose foundation brush helps contour, conceal, and highlight your skin smoothly.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Steak-free
- Patch-free
- Seamless application
Cons
None
5. Best Waterproof Optiion:Sigma Beauty Flat Kabuki F80 Foundation Brush
Image: Sigma BeautyThe Sigma Beauty Flat Kabuki F80 Foundation Brush is made of synthetic Sigma Tech and Sigmamax fibers for better hold of cream, powder, or liquid foundation. The uniquely designed soft bristles do not absorb any pigment and offer easy, seamless blending and buffing of makeup essentials.
The ferrules are made of corrosion-resistant sigma alloy with metal plating to give the perfect shine and strength. The patent interlocking-technology and double threaded engineering enhance the functionality of ferrules and make the brush long-lasting. The sleek, durable handle is made of solid polymer that is unbreakable and waterproof. This award-winning brush is antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Vegan
- Antimicrobial
- Hypoallergenic
- Ergonomic design
- Corrosion-resistant
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Easy to clean
Cons
None
6. Best For Flawless Finish:NYX Professional Makeup Foundation Brush
Image: Nyx Professional MakeupTake your complexion from flat to fierce with this NYX Professional Makeup Foundation Brush which is an ideal beauty tool for professionals and beginners alike. It blends liquid foundation evenly with the skin tone without shedding. The ultra-soft and flexible synthetic bristles reach every part of your face to give a gorgeous look.
The angled-shaped top with inward curve glides seamlessly to fit the natural face curves and hard-to-reach spots for a precise application and flawless finish. This brush can also be used to blend liquid illuminators, primers, and bronzers. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and features ergonomic handles for a firm hold.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Ergonomic design
- Ultra-soft bristles
- Easy to carry
- Affordable
Cons
- May cause itchiness
7. Best For Professional Use:Artis Elite Oval 7 Brush
Image: ArtisThe Artis Elite Oval 7 Brush is an all-rounder make-up tool. Its cosmefibre bristles work beautifully with all formulas (liquid, cream and powder) and can be used to blend foundation, concealer, blush and bronzer for a flawless airbrush effect. Further, the dense fiber bundles and their tapered-end design make the brush super soft and suitable for all skin types.
This professional makeup brush is made of premium quality metal alloy and has an ergonomically designed grip pad that effectively distributes weight, making maneuvering the brush super easy. Moreover, the airbrushed foundation brush’s head is positioned to imitate the way you use your fingers to blend in makeup.
Pros
- Soft touch
- Compatible with all formulas
- Easy application
Cons
- Expensive
8. Best Budget-Friendly Product:EcoTools Wonder Cover Complexion
Image: EcotoolsThe Eco Tools Wonder Cover Complexion brush features 100,000 bristles for full coverage of liquid and cream foundation coverage quickly. It is environment-friendly and made of recycled aluminum and plastic. The ergonomic handle is crafted with renewable bamboo for a comfortable grip. This lightweight foundation brush is durable, budget-friendly, and providesan airbrushed finish and gorgeous glow.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Suitable for wet and dry makeup
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Tree-free packaging
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to carry
- Comfortable grip
- Ergonomic design
Cons
None
9. Best Versatile Use:e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush
Image: E.l.f.This Flawless Face Brush from e.l.f is perfectly suitable for blending and contouring purposes. Its soft synthetic bristles are gentle on the skin and let you apply makeup with just a light touch for a flawless effect. The product’s two-sided application makes it suitable for applying different make-up products at once. You can use the broad, flat side of the brush for applying powder over a large area and the narrow end for precise bronze or blush applications. The brush also tapers at the head to target sculpting of the face.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Budget-friendly
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
10. Best Anti-Bacterial Brush:Lamora Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush
Image: LamoraLamora’s Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush comes with a flat brush head that is made of extremely dense, soft, durable, premium-quality synthetic bristles to ensure smooth makeup application. Its large head and wooden handle makes blending makeup a hassle-free task. It lets you build full coverage and effectively conceals minor spots, fine lines and acne. The brush is easy to clean and prevents bacteria, making it a low-maintenance, hygienic tool to add to your makeup kit.
Pros
- Vegan
- Long-lasting
- Easy to use
- Non-patchy application
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May shed
11. Best For Full Coverage:bareMinerals Foundation Brush
Image: Bare MineralsThe bareMinerals Foundation Brush holds loose foundation powder for sheer-to-full coverage. It features a skirted silhouette with a rounded center that distributes and blends powder evenly with the skin. This makeup brush is made with luxurious synthetic fibers that stay intact with a clear plastic sleeve. The patent-pending design with elongated fibers on the outside and the convex dome center ensures quick, flawless application.
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Pros
- Provides sheer-to-full coverage
- Easy to use
Cons
None
12. Best Travel-Friendly: IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6
Image: It CosmeticsThe IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6 is quite handy when it comes to blurring the appearance of your wrinkles and pores. Its densely packed, soft, synthetic bristles coupled with a soft touch handle ensure natural airbrushed results every time.
This award-winning brush’s precision-cut head evenly distributes the foundation and allows you to build or buff effortlessly. Further, its ergonomic design is easy to hold and perfectly fits into your make-up kit, making it quite travel-friendly.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Does not absorb the foundation
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May shed
13. Best No-Shedding Brush:DUcare Foundation Flat Brush
Image: DucareDUcare’s Foundation Flat Brush is a premium kabuki brush made of 100% vegan, cruelty-free synthetic fiber bristles that guarantee smooth makeup application. Its dense fiber bristles go through an 80-step process that completely removes any chance of shedding. The bristles also do not absorb makeup, preventing patches and streaking, making the brush perfect for blending cream, powder, and liquid formulas. This also makes cleaning the brush very easy.
Pros
- Dense, soft bristles
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Too stiff for buffing
These are the 13 best foundation brushes that you can buy online. Let’s now look at the different types of foundation brushes and their uses.
Types Of Foundation Brushes
- Dense Flat-Topped Foundation Brush: These foundation brushes spread the powder foundation evenly. Dense, flat-topped brushes are also referred to as kabuki brushes or buffing brushes. The dense bristles form a uniformly flat top, and the angled design enables you to reach the facial curves. It provides seamless and streak-free coverage.
- Flat Foundation Brush: These types of brushes are used for dual-action – blending foundation and applying a face mask. The brushes look like regular synthetic fibers, and the flat side glides smoothly on the skin.
- Medium Flat-Topped Foundation Brush: Its dense, flat-topped brush head enables effortless makeup application.
- Stippling Foundation Brush: They are referred to as dual-fiber brushes with long bristles that buff and blend the foundation for an airbrush finish.
Consider the following factors while selecting foundation brushes for your makeup kit.
Things To Consider While Buying Foundation Brushes
- Bristles: Loose bristles might shed the foundation. Thus, check the design of foundation brushes. The bristles should be made of synthetic or natural material that is durable and soft on the skin. Ensure that the bristles are easy to clean and do not absorb any pigments or dirt.
- Handle: The handle should be ergonomically designed with a comfortable grip. It should be made of materials like metal, plastic, ceramic, or wood. Avoid fancy handles as they are fragile and break easily.
- Ferrule: The ferrule of the brush should be strong enough to hold the bristles securely in place. It should not be loose or wobbly. The ferrule should be made of metals like chrome, aluminum, or brass as they are rust-resistant and do not bend or dent easily.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right foundation to ace your makeup base is not enough. You need to get your hands on the best foundation brushes that will enable you to apply and blend your foundation effortlessly. These brushes will give you a flawless and non-cakey finish. For an affordable option, Bestope Makeup Brushes get the job done perfectly, while the Artis Elite Oval 7 Brush is a luxury option that boasts of a unique and innovative design. However, if you are looking for flawless finish and prefer ergonomic design, the Real Techniques Foundation Brush is ideal. Consider the bristles, handle, and ferrule while choosing the best foundation brushes to add to your makeup kit. The ones reviewed in the curated list have dense bristles, offer a comfortable grip, do not shed, and are easy to clean. Most of these brushes are vegan and cruelty-free, making them a safe option, especially for sensitive skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya, the author of this article, is certified in makeup artistry. Her interest in trying out different foundation brushes and reviewing them for her readers have resulted in the list of best foundation brushes available on the market. She read hundreds of online reviews on trusted platforms to pick the products. These brushes offer full coverage, a flawless look, and a non-cakey finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between foundation brush and sponge?
Foundation brushes, short or long, do not absorb any pigments. They also prevent shedding, and provide medium to full coverage. However, sponges absorb pigments, and blending might get sticky.
What type of brush is best for liquid foundation?
A flat-topped kabuki foundation brush is perfect for blending liquid foundation.
Is it better to apply a liquid foundation with a brush?
Yes, it is easy and better to apply a liquid foundation with a brush.
Why does my foundation brush leave streaks?
A foundation brush tends to leave streaks on your face. To prevent this, take a small amount of foundation on your palm, swirl the tip of the brush around it and apply in a circular motion for a flawless finish.
How often should I clean my foundation brush?
You should clean the foundation brush once a week.
Should the foundation brush be wet or dry?
Generally, foundation brushes are used dry. However, if the skin is too dry, makeup artists dampen the brush before applying the product.
Why does my foundation brush leave streaks?
Use soft, circular motions and avoid large sweeping motions while applying the product with your foundation brush to avoid streaks.
Should I clean my foundation brush after every use?
No, clean your brushes once a week to maintain them in a good state.
Can you use micellar water to clean foundation brushes?
Yes, micellar water cleans the makeup off your face and brushes.