Best Makeup Brushes of 2024, Tried and Tested
Whether you’re a brush beginner or on MUA levels, we know that cosmetic brushes and their specific uses and finishes can make or break a beat. So, we’ve tried and tested some of the best makeup brushes for foundations, eyeshadows, and more. It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it…
With #makeupbrushes reaching a huge 2.7 billion views on TikTok, read on to discover the best makeup brushes your makeup bag is missing. From the foundation brush for a natural-looking finish to the concealer brush that blends and blurs effortlessly, these tools will help you create unlimited looks. The power is in your hands.
Best makeup brushes at a glance - our top picks:
Best for effortless application: Sephora Collection The Total Brush Set, £59.99, value £95.92 Best for on-the-go glam: Bobbi Brown Essential Luxury Brush, £85 Best blending brush: CLOMANA BEAUTY Mini Marshmallow Sponge Set, £16 Best for contouring: Hourglass Complexion Essentials Brush, £155 Best for speed: ONE/SIZE TURN UP THE BASE Infinity Beauty Sponge, £19
Q: What are makeup brushes?
A: Makeup brushes are your best friends when it comes to applying your makeup like a pro. Used to apply foundation, concealer, bronzer, and blusher to your face, eyeshadows and liners to your eyes, and lipstick or gloss to your lips, they offer better precision, coverage and finish than applying with your fingers.
Q: How to clean makeup brushes
A: If your makeup brushes are being used everyday, you should aim to give them a clean about once a week. Caring for your brushes is important business, as not only will it prevent a buildup of bacteria and possible breakouts, it will also prolong their life.
So, how to wash makeup brushes without ruining them? It’s actually pretty easy. Simply run them under warm water and use a specific makeup brush cleanser or a mild soap to work out any excess product, dirt, and oil. Then leave them to air dry naturally and they’ll be back to their soft, fluffy selves in no time.
Q: What type of brush is best for makeup?
A: There are so many different brushes out there that can achieve really different makeup looks. Your choice of look will determine what type of makeup brush you use. For instance, if you use liquid, cream or powder foundations, or if you’re looking for a natural or more full coverage finish, there’ll be a brush for it. Of course, if you want to get your MUA on, then a great cosmetic brush set will cover every step of your makeup routine, from face to eyes. Just wait for the Glow Up audition call.
By Sephora UK Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 21 November 2024
Shop all Makeup Brushes at Sephora UK.
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Sephora Collection The Total Brush Set
Best for effortless application
Like its name suggests, the Sephora Collection Total Brush Set has every makeup brush you could possibly need to create a full beat. This set of eight must-have makeup brushes includes a foundation brush for buffing, a concealer brush, plus an eyeshadow brush for building and blending. You could say it’s the total package.
Tried and tested:
“My sister bought this brush set for my birthday gift, I'm loving this set, it’s soft and good for beginner's makeup users.” - Mahja, Customer Review -
CLOMANA BEAUTY Mini Marshmallow Sponge Set
Best blending brush
A TikTok sensation that’s so soft, so precise and so cute, the Clomana Beauty Mini Marshmallow Set includes four mini ‘shape 2’ makeup sponges. A scaled-down version of the OG sponge, these minis are designed to blend those hard-to-reach smaller areas. The minis still expand once wet and work in your concealer, cream contour, and more. They may be mini, but good things come in small packages.
Tried and tested:
“I love these sponges so much and I really do enjoy applying my makeup with them. These are so soft and so lovely to use on my face.” - Phoebe, Customer Review -
SEPHORA COLLECTION Moving Lights Face & Eye Brush Set
Best for everyday essentials
The tools you need to take your makeup to the next level. This set features professional-level cosmetic brushes to create looks from everyday to disco glam. Pick up the powder and foundation brushes for a smooth base, while the fluffy, crease and angled eyeshadow brushes are the trio every makeup lover needs.
Tried and tested:
“The perfect brush set for taking on holiday, it helps you travel light and nail every look.” - Tassia, Content Executive at Sephora UK -
REFY DUO BRUSH
Best for adding a cheeky glow
Featuring a mix of two vegan brushes to maximise your glow. The larger brush has angled stippling bristles to blend cream formulas like butter. The smaller buffing brush has softer, more dense fibres to add a cheeky pop of colour with powder formulas. Use both, step back, and admire your makeup masterpiece.
Tried and tested:
“The cream blusher side is such a genius idea! You really don’t need a lot of product and the blusher goes on so pigmented!” - Lauren, Customer Review -
ONE/SIZE TURN UP THE BASE Infinity Beauty Sponge
Best for speed
The reviews are in, and you guys just love the ONE/SIZE Turn Up The Base Infinity Beauty Sponge (and so do we). The unique oloid shape offers infinite uses, so you don’t need to switch sponges. It’s got a super-soft texture and pleasing bounciness which works wonders without absorbing too much product. Consider your foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, and highlighter all done, in double-quick time.
Tried and tested:
“OMG! I love love, love it. It does not absorb a lot of foundation like other sponges and leaves the skin looking flawless even when I suffer from dry areas in my face. Don’t hesitate to buy!!” - Brenda, Customer Review
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