11 Best Makeup Brushes for Every Task in 2025, According to Experts & Vogue Editors

As a general rule, celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty suggests investing in three to seven core brushes for your personal collection. “You want to choose a high-quality brush that will survive washings and disperse product in a non-wasteful way! I also love brushes that have multiple purposes, as well as dual-ended brushes.”

In general, she recommends looking for:

• A powder/blush brush that is fluffy and loose: This can be used to apply products lightly and can also serve for contouring.
• A crease and bullet brush for eyes: These two can create most eye looks, from blending to smoking to smudging.
• A slanted brow/liner brush with a spoolie on the end: This versatile brush can create perfect brows and detailed liner.
• One or two fluffy concealer/powder brushes: These are perfect for blending in concealer and targeting shine.
• A foundation brush and a concealer brush: Key if under-eye areas and blemishes are your main focus. If you prefer using your fingertips, you can skip a concealer brush.

The type of product you use with your brushes is also important. According to celebrity makeup artist Amrita Mehta, brushes with synthetic bristles work well with cream and liquid products, while natural hair brushes are better for powders. For fuller coverage, look for brushes with densely packed bristles. For lighter, more dispersed coverage, choose fluffy brushes with more space between the bristles for a natural finish.

The shape of the brush is another factor to consider. Flat brushes are typically used for the precise application of products such as foundations and concealers, while fluffy brushes are great for blending and creating a softer, more diffused look (think eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, etc.).

Size matters too: “Smaller brushes will give you more precise application and greater control, while large brushes are great for lighter, more even, all-over application,” says Mehta. The size can drastically change the purpose of the brush. For example, large angled brushes are useful for shaping and contouring the face, while small, sharp-angled ones are great for shaping brows and creating a perfect winged liner.

While you can always use a makeup brush for its intended purpose, most brushes are versatile and can be used in different ways. This flexibility allows you to build your personal brush kit based on your needs. Here are some tips Mehta suggests to maximize optimal results:

• Work the Product into the Bristles: “Always work the product into the bristles of your brush before applying it to your face. This will help create a more evenly dispersed and smooth canvas,” says Mehta.
• Foundation Application: When applying foundation with a brush, start from the center of the face and work outward. If using a flat brush, apply the product in downward strokes to avoid catching on peach fuzz and ensure a smooth, even application. For stippling brushes, use small circular motions.
• Spot Application: For applying concealer, blend the product in dabbing motions rather than windshield wiper or circular motions. This technique helps keep the product in place for better coverage.
• Using Fluffy or Large Powder Brushes: Dip the bristles into your product, then blend or tap to remove excess before applying directly to your face. “I like to lightly press and dust the powder into my skin to avoid disturbing any of the products beneath,” Mehta adds.
• Eyeshadow Application and Blending: When using smaller fluffy brushes for eyeshadow, Mehta likes to use both windshield wiper and circular motions to soften harsh lines and create a blended, diffused look. Small flat brushes are great for packing eyeshadow color onto the lid or applying glittery products.
• Cleaning Your Brushes: Clean your personal brushes regularly (at least once a week) to avoid product buildup and contamination. Use warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap or brush cleaner. Gently squeeze out excess water, lightly shape the bristles, and lay them flat to dry. Avoid drying wet brushes upright, as water can seep into the ferrule and shorten the lifespan.
• Experiment and Personalize: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of brushes until you achieve the desired finish. Brushes are multipurpose tools, so figure out what works best for you.

One of the most important things to consider when selecting a makeup brush is the quality and type of hair it is made of. Many natural options include Saikoho goat, gray squirrel, silver fox, and even Kolinsky sable. Each type of material serves a different purpose, and it varies in terms of softness.

Increasingly, brands are using synthetic materials like Taklon and Micro Crystal fiber that mimics the functionality of natural hair. “The technology behind synthetic hair brushes is so incredible [and] I can achieve a beautiful, refined application on myself and my clients working with them,” explains celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, whose Westman Atelier range is handmade by Japanese artisans using cruelty-free nylon bristles and sustainably sourced birchwood from an FSC-certified forest. “Synthetic brush fibers can be shaped more like virgin hair [which] results in a soft feel and smooth application. The quality can so closely mimic natural ones that it can be hard to tell any difference upon the skin.”

The very best makeup brushes come directly from Japan, where there is a rich history of brush making—there, artisanal brushes are called fude. Originally stemming from calligraphy, the handmade brushes produced in places like Kumano in Hiroshima prefecture are exquisitely crafted art pieces. “There are more than 100 brush workshops of various sizes in the area,” explains Fude Beauty CEO Takuya Fujiyama, who witnessed the region’s shift from manufacturing writing tools to creating beauty essentials. “The craft evolved from the traditional craft of calligraphy brush making, [so when] holding a Fude makeup brush, you hold centuries of craftsmanship.”

Japanese brands like Shaquda, Chikuhodo, Koyudo, and Bisyodo are prized among makeup artists and collectors, who value the softness and unique touches like lacquered handles and hand-painted floral embellishments. The attention to detail is what separates the brushes from the competition; purchasing a fude tool is an investment intended to last a lifetime. Some rarer creations have price tags that can run into the hundreds and are (usually) reserved for a display case rather than daily use. “They are entirely handmade, including the sorting of bristles to ensure only the finest quality are selected to hand-bundling the bristles into various shapes,” says Fujiyama. “Bristles are left uncut to take advantage of the fine natural tips—this is what gives them the difference in softness, product pick-up, and smooth application.” Why splurge on the fancy option? It’s all about elevating your makeup moments from routine to ritual. “It’s about more than the functionality,” says Osahiro Maruyama of artisan brush company Shaquda, whose all-wood Ubu line has won awards for innovation in design. “The designs can connect to your interiors or style. They’re brushes that are beautiful even when they’re just resting on your table [because] it enhances the experience you have while getting ready each day. ”

Westman says that makeup brushes make all the difference in how refined your makeup application can be. She explains that choosing a brush depends on the products you’re working with and your blending preference. Mehta adds that when shopping, it’s important to consider the brush’s quality, function, size, and even the product formula.

Quality: According to Mehta, avoid overly rough brushes and those prone to shedding. “There’s nothing worse than brush hairs all over your face, mixed into your makeup,” she says. Ensure the handles are sturdy and the bristles are soft, densely packed, and securely held by the brush ferrule.

Formula: Consider the type of formula you’ll be using the brush with. Mehta explains that natural hair brushes work best for powder formulas, while synthetic hairs are ideal for creams or liquids, as synthetic bristles are nonabsorbent.

Function: Mehta encourages you to ask: what will the brush be used for, and how much coverage are you hoping to achieve? Flat, dense brushes are great for heavier coverage since they deposit more product or pigment. Meanwhile, fluffy brushes distribute product more evenly, blend harsh edges, and create softer coverage. “This general rule applies whether you’re working with foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, bronzer, blush, etc. Angled brushes are perfect for chiseling cheeks or creating sharp lines, like eyeliner or brows,” she says.

Size: Mehta explains that smaller brushes provide more precision, while larger brushes are best for covering bigger areas where control isn’t as as important. For example, use bigger brushes for lightly powdering the face or creating a diffused blush look.

For daily use, Mehta recommends easily spot-cleaning your brushes between applications. “I love Cinema Secrets brush cleaner for this. Just spray a couple of spritzes on the brush, then swirl it on a tissue, towel, or napkin until clean. It does a great job of breaking down product and is quick and easy to use.”

Westman, on the other hand, prefers using a clear, mild soap to avoid dyeing the bristles. “It only takes a few minutes, and I like to use Parian Spirit when cleaning each brush. Simply spritz, wipe on a cloth or paper towel, and lay flat to dry before storing.”

For a deeper clean, Mehta recommends wetting the bristles in warm (not hot) water. “Avoid getting the ferrule or handles wet.” Work brush soap or a fragrance-free gentle shampoo into the bristles, massaging and swirling them on your hand or a textured brush cleaning mat to break down product buildup. Rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water, and lightly reshape the bristles. Lay the brushes flat to dry (not standing!) on a clean towel. This prevents water from entering the ferrule and loosening the glue, which can cause shedding or damage to the brush. “I like to have the bristles over the edge of a counter to prevent flattening as they dry.”

Mehta says that, ideally, you should clean your brushes after every use to minimize bacteria, but she acknowledges that most people don’t. At the very least, she suggests cleaning your personal liquid or cream brushes after 1-3 uses and powder brushes at least weekly. “Liquids and creams harbor bacteria at a higher rate than powders. A deep clean should be done at minimum once a month,” she advises. Regular cleaning not only extends the life of your brushes but also helps prevent breakouts and ensures smoother makeup application overall.

• Troy Surratt is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of makeup brand Surratt.
• Gucci Westman is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of beauty brand Westman Atelier.
• Katie Jane Hughes is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Dua Lipa.
• Amrita Mehta is a celebrity makeup artist working between New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
• Sonia G is a Swiss entrepreneur and creator of Sonia G. Brushes.
• Takuya Fujiyama is the CEO of Fude Beauty.
• Osahiro Maruyama is the managing director at artisan brush company Shaquda
• Kasey Spickard is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Jenna Lyons.