If you’re asking yourself, ‘are make-up brush sets good?’ Then you’ve come to the right place as we explore everything you need to know about the best make-up brush sets to achieve that airbrushed look without a filter on Instagram.
Talking of Insta, everywhere you look you’ll see influencers telling us which are their favourite beauty products and brushes. So, we’ve been scrolling for days to find everyone showing off their favourite make-up brush sets in lock down. And, with the trend #PassTheBrush we’re getting to see into more make-up gurus homes as well as the brushes they use and their incredible make-up looks.
Before you start applying the best foundation for dry skin, its probably worth looking into your skincare regime. If you find that you’re breaking out a lot now you’re social distancing, then it’s probably a good time to start looking at how to clean your make-up brushes at home.
Pssst! You must clean your make-up brushes at least every week and if you’re going to invest in the best make-up brush set, you need to be dedicated to the upkeep.
Now that you’re fully committed to investing in a new make-up brush set, it’s time to start shopping. Here are some of our favourites.
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
The best make-up brush sets
1 of 6Real Techniques Flawless Base Makeup Brush Set
Buff, blend and highlight your way around your face with this unbelievable make-up set from Real Techniques. This bestselling and well-loved set contains a square foundation brush, buffing brush, contour brush, detailer brush and a pot to put them all in. Pros: You can put your make-up on with precision while concealing any blemishes and accentuating your features. New to applying foundation with a brush? These are easy to use for everyone, so you don't need to be a pro to pick it up. Cons: These brushes can be hard to clean. Investing in a good brush cleaner can reduce the time spent scrubbing away.
2 of 6Docolor Makeup Brushes
Need to add a bit more sparkle into your life? Well, these fantasy make-up brushes are sure to do that. You'll get 16 different bushes which include a powder brush, angled blush brush, flat kabuki brush, smokey brush, spoolie brush and more.Pros: Yes, these colourful brushes look incredible, but they are also vegan. The bristles are made from synthetic fibre, but still, feel amazing on your skin. They also get a big tick for being an incredible shape to help give you a flawless look every time.Cons: Some of the brushes could be denser to help apply products easier, although overall for the price they are pretty good.
3 of 6Uspicy Makeup Brushes Set
Are you looking for a selection of brushes to apply your make-up without breaking the bank? If this sounds like what you're looking for, then this best-seller on Amazon will tick all your boxes. We also think that this will make a fantastic gift for anyone looking to up their beauty game. Pros: Land yourself great quality brushes at a fantastic price. This 32-piece brush set covers everything from nose shading to angled contour. Plus, keep all your brushes in one place with the PU leather pouch which has a stylish snakeskin pattern detail. Cons: After continual washing, you may find that some brushes become stiff, making it hard to apply eye shadow and creme foundation.
4 of 6So Eco Face Makeup Brush Set
Are you looking for an all-round sustainable make-up set? These incredible brushes are vegan and PETA certified cruelty free. They also have plastic-free packing and are made from biodegradable materials.Pros: If you have sensitive skin and find that some brushes irritate your skin, then you'll be thankful for them because the cruelty-free Taklon bristles are safe to use on your face.Cons: You must take care of these brushes. If you don't, you may find that the bristles fall out or that they break completely.
5 of 6EmaxDesign Make up Brushes
Whether you're using cream, powder, pigment or liquid products, these incredible EmaxDesign brushes will allow you to put on your make-up with ease. Plus, if you clean the brushes regularly, the bristles shouldn't fall out. Pros: As well as having ten brushes to choose from, this set includes an instruction guide which breaks down the function of each one and has information on how to clean them.Cons: When you first get these brushes in the post, you'll find that they have a distinct smell. Before you use them, make sure that you wash thoroughly. This should get rid of the unwanted smell and leave the bristles feeling super soft.
6 of 6NEVSETPO Make-up Brush Set
Unwrap a pink wonderland with this set of 24 make-up brushes. It includes everything from a big fan brush to a shading brush and even a lip brush. We think this is a fabulous present for anyone learning about make-up.Pros: Well, obviously the aesthetic of these brushes are unreal, but they're also easy to clean, come with a lovely travel bag and feel incredibly soft to touch.Cons: Unfortunately, these brushes aren't very strong. You may find that the heads come off after prolonged us, which isn't ideal.
What to read next
If you aren’t using the best foundation brush then you’re doing make-up wrong
Getting back to the best make-up brush sets, there are a few things to remember when it comes to bagging the best ones:
Top tips on buying and using make-up brush sets
- Densely packed brush sets are less likely to shed.
- Opt for weighted brushes in your set as it’ll give you more control.
- If you like the aesthetic of a set, don’t let this compromise the quality.
- Keep in mind that brushes are designed to be used on someone else so it might take some practice getting used to your new tools.
- You should wash your brushes after every use (or at least once a week).
- Make sure your brushes compliment the product – it’s all about experimenting.
- Not all brushes are vegan-friendly, check before purchasing.