The 17 Best Makeup Brush Sets to Upgrade Any Collection
If you're reading this, it's probably time to buy some new makeup brushes
It’s not always easy for a beauty enthusiast to craft the perfect smoky eye or set of contoured cheekbones no matter how many TikTok videos they’ve watched. One thing that makes the process a little easier? Using one of the best makeup brush sets for an expert-level finish.
Don’t get me wrong: using your fingers to paint my face is something I do quite often, but there’s something about the precision of an eyeshadow brush, powder brush, and other application essentials that takes any look up a few notches. As a person who likes to keep mess to a minimum, I keep several makeup tools in frequent rotation. More often than not, using one of these sets can mean the difference between a practically flawless face and an uneven look.
Shop the Best Makeup Brush Sets
Most makeup brushes are available with either natural or synthetic bristles depending on your preference, but both options are used by top artists. "I like to say there is nothing 'natural' about animal hair," Anisa Telwar Kaicker, founder of Anisa Beauty, tells Bazaar. "It can dry faster and break more quickly. Man-made synthetics can be long-lasting, hygienic, innovative in shape, and soft to the touch."
To compile the following list of must-have makeup brushes, we sifted through top customer reviews and considered coveted editor favorites to round out the top beauty tool selects from brands like Sigma Beauty and e.l.f. Cosmetics. And as a shopping bonus, many of these brushes are available for under $100, which means you're getting plenty of bang for your buck. Read on for some of the best makeup brush sets according to experts that can make anyone feel like a pro.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.