The best make-up brushes, recommended by beauty experts: Fenty Beauty, Real Techniques, Bobbi Brown and more

We all know that a good craftsman never blames his tools, but that saying pretty much goes out of the window when it comes to make-up brushes. It’s true that great make-up artists create incredible looks with skill and talent, but they’d be the first to tell you that it’s pretty much impossible to paint a make-up masterpiece with a low-quality brush and sub-par cosmetics.

Even if you’ve found the perfect foundation for a flawless base and the ideal mascara for your classic smokey eye, that’s only half the battle. With more make-up brushes on the market than there are shades of MAC lipstick, how do you know where to start? Well, that’s where we come in.

The Recommended spoke to leading beauty experts to get their take on what to look out for (and avoid) when shopping for your perfect make-up-brush-match. We took their recommendations and found the best make-up brushes for all eventualities (you’re welcome).

Jump to the best make-up brushes

• Best affordable brush set: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials 
• Best vegan make-up brushes: EcoTools Start The Day Beautifully make-up Brush Set
• Best eyeshadow brush set: Real Techniques Enhanced Eye Set
• Best angled brow brush: Docolor Duo Eyebrow Brush
• Best contour brush: e.l.f Contouring Brush
• Best blush brush: EcoTools Precision Blush Brush
• Best powder brush: Sigma Large Powder Brush
• Best foundation brush: Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush
• Best highlighter brush: Fenty Beauty Cheek-Hugging Highlighter Brush
• Best premium brush set: Spectrum x Katie Janes Hughes 25 piece brush set

Our make-up experts

Having worked on global advertising campaigns, been featured in some of the world’s most iconic titles and served as a BAFTA jury member, Joy Adenuga is certainly a seasoned professional. With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, Joy is an expert make-up artist whose skill is recognised on an international scale.

From the famous faces of Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie to the glossy pages of Forbes, GQ and Billboard (to name a few), Amber Amos’ work has seen its fair share of the spotlight. With over nine years of experience in the beauty industry, the LA-based make-up artist has a thing or two to teach us about what to look for when filling our make-up bags.

Affiliated with the prestigious Bobbi Brown studio, Jaz Crush has quickly become one of London’s most sought after make-up artists. Known for her signature glowy bases, smokey eyes, and statement looks, Jaz is a real rising star in the industry, named one of London’s top make-up artists by Glamour magazine.

What should you look for when buying make-up brushes?

When it comes to buying make-up brushes, Amber tells us to “should pay attention to the brush hair quality”. Joy agrees and adds that “your make-up brushes should be made of either synthetic or natural bristles that are great for providing a flawless finish and provide durability too”. Joy also highlighted the importance of a ‘sturdy handle’ and the versatility of the brush, telling us, “to buy brushes that are multi-functional, so for instance, they can double up as both a brush for contouring as well as adding foundation”.

As far as Jaz is concerned, with make-up brushes, you get what you pay for. She tells us, “a good quality brush can last up for 10+ years if looked after correctly! Therefore, when looking for make-up brushes, I always advise spending a little more, and in the end, you’ll have to buy them less often!”.

What should you avoid when looking for make-up brushes?

Jaz and Joy both touched on the importance of soft, flexible bristles and told us to avoid anything that feels ‘coarse’ or ‘rough’. Amber told us to “avoid any brushes that shed” and to consider size (it turns out it really does matter); “You don’t want brushes too big or small for your hands”.

Which is the best make-up brush?

Amber recommends both Sigma and EcoTools, telling us, “currently I’m loving my Sigma Brushes” and “of course, you can’t go wrong with EcoTools”. Jaz gives her vote to the “Spectrum x Katie Jane Hughes collection”, commenting on their “really beautiful quality”. Jaz also says, if you’re looking for “a fabulous foundation brush, then you really can’t beat the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush”.

The best make-up brushes

Best affordable brush set: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials

For an everyday masterpiece

This everyday essential set covers all bases with four brushes and a sponge blender, helping you to create your favourite looks with minimal faff.

A one-stop shop for base, blush and eyes, this affordable make-up brush set delivers on our expert’s recommendations without breaking the bank. Equipped with the soft, flexible bristles our experts swear by, these brushes promise to help you look and feel your best.

Best vegan make-up brushes: EcoTools Start The Day Beautifully Make-up Brush Set

Reliable, vegan and cruelty-free

Recommended by our make-up expert Amber, this set contains a core collection of five essential brushes designed to help you simplify your beauty routine without compromising on results.

EcoTools is PETA certified and 100% vegan and cruelty-free: these make-up brushes help keep your complexion and conscience clear. The hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested bristles are non-irritating and safe for even sensitive skin and are designed to help you put your best face forward.

Best eyeshadow brush set: Real Techniques Enhanced Eye Set

For eye-catching looks

The Real Techniques Enhanced Eye Set comes with eight super-soft brushes designed to help you achieve everything from a subtle blended wash colour to a killer cut crease.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, we’d better make the most of them. This eyeshadow brush set aims to help you do just that with eight brushes each designed to help you create the perfect eye look, from understated elegance to a bold smokey eye. Each brush is made with soft, synthetic bristles and their lightweight handles ensure ease of use.

Best angled brow brush: Docolor Duo Eyebrow Brush

Angled precision

Docolor Duo Eyebrow Brush helps you keep your brow game strong for the price of a cappuccino. With an angled brush for the product application and a spoolie for grooming, this brush does it all.

Durable and easy to clean, this angled brow brush does what it says on the tin. Affordable and lightweight this dual-sided brush can be used with a variety of product formulations, from powder to pomade, and the spoolie brush helps to keep your brows groomed for a polished look.

Best contour brush: e.l.f Contouring Brush

For a chiselled look

The e.l.f Contouring Brush aims to pave the way to professional standard contouring without the premium price tag. Densely packed bristles and a structured shape aim to deliver flawless dimension for a sculpted look.

This versatile contour brush can be used with powder, cream, and liquid formulas and is designed to add definition to any make-up look. Cruelty-free and vegan this brush is made with 100% synthetic bristles and the crafted handle is lightweight for easy use and precise application.

Best blush brush: EcoTools Precision Blush Brush

For controlled colour

Designed with a unique square cut to control colour application, the EcoTools Precision Blush Brush, helps you brighten up your base for a fresh-faced look.

Suitable for use with both powder and cream blush, this blush brush promises to stand the test of time if cared for properly. With soft, flexible bristles and a lightweight yet durable handle, this blush brush promises to help brighten up any look.

Best powder brush: Sigma Large Powder Brush

For an even finish

Made with high-quality antimicrobial fibres and a durable, lightweight handle, this powder brush has been designed to give a natural, even finish every time.

Coming highly recommended by our expert Amber, Sigma brushes have asserted themselves as industry favourites and are made to stand the test of time. The super-soft, flexible bristles of the Sigma Large Powder Brush work to ensure uniform blending and a flawless finish.

Best foundation brush: Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush

Versatile, reliable quality

This high quality, professional-grade brush can be used with powder, liquid, and cream formulas and promises to help you achieve a flawless base every time.

Equipped with short, ultra-soft, tightly packed bristles, the Bobbo Brown Full Coverage Face Brush comes high regarded by our expert Jaz who tells us it’s “amazing not just for foundation but also makes applying cream bronzers and blush super quick and easy”, which really speaks to Joy’s love of a multifunctional brush, win-win!

Best highlighter brush: Fenty Beauty Cheek-Hugging Highlighter Brush

Get your glow on

This highlighter brush is certainly true to its name with angled bristles that work to quite literally your cheekbones for ultimate precision.

Suitable for use with both cream and powder products, this brush’s innovative design is extremely versatile. The larger sides of the brush are designed for use on cheeks and cheekbones, while the small tip helps you to illuminate the details such as the brow bone and cupid’s bow.

Best premium brush set: Spectrum x Katie Janes Hughes 25 piece brush set

A worthy investment

Our expert Jaz recommended these pro-approved brushes, and we can see why. With soft synthetic bristles and sustainably sourced wooden handles, these brushes are kind to your skin and your conscience.

Designed with precision, artistry and education in mind, this 25 piece make-up brush set comes recommended by Jaz for including ‘every brush you’ll ever need’. Housed in a sustainable, vegan leather case that doubles as a storage and display case, these premium make-up brushes were made for ease of use

Want to read more expert-recommended beauty product round-ups? Check out our Cosmetics page for a full list of recommendations, including our list of the best mascaras, best concealers, best foundations and best eyeshadow palettes – all recommended by professional make-up artists – and check out our guide to the best value beauty advent calendars of 2022.