A Guide to the Best Makeup Brushes to Buy Now
Whether they’re full and fluffy or firm and flat, a good makeup brush is the key to being a master of the medium.
I’ve always used my fingers to apply makeup, but the latest crop of makeup brushes is hard to resist. Dense and lush, the Marc Jacobs Beauty the Face III Buffing Foundation Brush ($55, sephora.com) was made specifically for his new Re(Marc)Able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate. The 45-degree angle of the Estée Lauder Sculpting Eyeshadow Brush ($32, esteelauder.com) is perfect for getting color into the inner corner of the eye, and its flat head nicely deposits shadow onto lids. I like using the stiff and short-bristled Sonia Kashuk Buffing Brush (set of 10, $37, target.com) to blend in undereye concealer and jawline contour cream. The flat oval face of the Artis Elite Oval 7 ($55, artisbrush.com) is ideal for tapping powder on cheekbones. I then blend in the blush using the Kevyn Aucoin Loose Powder Brush ($75, neimanmarcus.com), which has a slightly domed head to prevent caking. Now all I need is another shelf in my bathroom.
Here, 15 new makeup brushes to buy now:
The 15 Best Makeup Brushes for Every Use
Giorgio Armani Contouring Powder Blush ($90, giorgioarmani-beauty.com): In celebration of 15 years in beauty, Giorgio Armani created a petting zoo for your cheekbones to hit the high and low points.
Trish McEvoy Wet/Dry Even Skin Brush ($60, bloomingdales.com): If you only want to use one brush, this two-in-one will fit the bill.
Sigma Strobing Fan Brush ($18, sigmabeauty.com): It’s as fun to use as it is to look at, plus, you can use it to keep cool (Kidding!).
By Terry Sponge Foundation Brush ($36, bloomingdales.com): Those blending sponges got a major upgrade with this chic brush version.
Smith Cosmetics Highlighter Brush ($24, smithcosmetics.com): If a fan is too much, a classic from this for artists by artists brand will fit the bill.
Bare Minerals BarePro Core Coverage Brush ($30, sephora.com): This travel-friendly foundation brush is made with synthetic hair, which means no irritation.
Revlon Smokey Eye Brush ($12, target.com): Try a dual-ended brush that will help you build and blend the smokiest of eyes.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Brush ($46, nordstrom.com): PETA-approved and powder, cream, and liquid-friendly, this brush will make sure your cheeks are covered.
Cover FX Custom Blending Brush ($40, coverfx.com): DIY-ers will love this brush – it plays well with any custom color blend.
Urban Decay The Finger Brush ($26, nordstrom.com): Small like your finger, but better – this brush will diffuse imperfections.
Marc Jacobs The Bronze Bronzer Brush ($78, marcjacobsbeauty.com): There’s an art to bronzer, hence this brush. It won’t look like contouring-gone-wrong, we promise.
Black Up Angled Blush Brush ($40, blackupcosmetics.com): The angled bristles make for the ultimate brush blush, which is perfect for applying the ’80s overdrive flush that was all over the spring 2017 runways.
Sonia Kashuk Precision Pencil Brush ($10, target.com): When you prefer working with pencils, but the shade of the moment comes in a pot, you need this brush.
Tarte Tarteist Limited-Edition Sculpt & Slim Contour Brush ($34, sephora.com](http://www.sephora.com/tarteist-sculpt-slim-contour-brush-P403750?skuId=1777259&publisher_id=255779&sub_publisher=g&is_mobile=&sub1=&sub_keyword=&sub_campaign=220827519&sub_placement=&gdevice=c&gclid=CPz4w–vxM8CFQVehgodU8YDrA&site=_search&om_mmc=ppc-GG_220827519_17572215759_pla-18283950120_1777259_56697993639_9067609_c&gmodel=&country_switch=&lang=en&sub_ad=56697993639)): Between the small brush for highlighting, and the fan brush for blushing, it’s easy to look like you just went on a run.
It Cosmetics Heavenly Skin Bye Bye Pores Powder Brush ($58, sephora.com): Make pores less obvious with this patent-pending, skincare-infused domed number.
Makeup master Pat McGrath talks beauty backstage at the Prada Spring 2017 show:
