If you’re into makeup, chances are you have a huge collection of makeup brushes. It seems like if there is a brush that I think will help me get the look that I’m after, I buy it without hesitation. As many brushes as I add, though, there are some that I go back to time and time again.
My Top 10 11 Favorite Makeup Brushes include (in no particular order):
1. Louise Young Cosmetics LY20 Super Fan Brush (review) ($42) – this is a fantastic finishing brush to sweep over face to make sure everything has been blended in. Can also use as a powder brush.
2. M·A·C 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush (review) ($42) – I use this brush daily, also as a blending brush for face or cheek makeup.
3. It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe™ Plush Paddle Foundation Brush (review) – I received this brush in a set to use with a CC cream foundation and it’s just beyond. This is my go-to brush to apply cream foundation, BB/CC creams and even liquid foundation. It’s amazing! If you can find it, get it!
4. CHANEL Large Eyeshadow Brush #25 ($38) – perfect general eyeshadow brush, as you can use it for baked or pan shadows, even pigments. It’s a workhorse!
5. Louise Young Cosmetics LY38 Tapered Shadow Brush (review) ($28) – I love this for eyeshadow application in the crease area. Just the right size!
6. M·A·C 217 Blender Brush (review) ($24) – if I could only take one makeup brush with me on a deserted island, it would be this one. A good blender brush is lifechanging, trust me.
7. Sephora Pro Smudge Brush #11 (review) – another brush I couldn’t live without, this brush is essential if you do smokey eye looks. Best $18 I’ve ever spent on a brush.
8. MAKE UP FOR EVER Large Precision Blender Brush #236 ($31) – this brush can be used to pick up and blend out eyeshadow. The bristles are more firm than M·A·C 217 and not tapered, so it has a little different effect. Don’t tell anyone, but I also use it for adding little touches of highlighter to cheekbones.
9. NARS Yachiyo Brush #27 (review) ($55) – I use this brush mainly for blush application as it picks up just the right amount and deposits it perfectly on the cheekbones. I also use it to contour.
10. Laura Mercier Bronzer Brush (review) ($45) – I love bronzer and having the right brush to get it to look right is essential. This high-quality Bronzer Brush has never let me down. If you like multi-colored bronzers that are so popular now, this brush is the perfect shape to swirl and apply.
11. It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe™ Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush ($48) – I use this to apply powder foundation…it buffs makeup into skin so that it leaves you with a flawless, blended look. The quality is fantastic!
Make sure to check out the favorite makeup brushes from the other Top 10 beauty bloggers! And tell me…what makeup brushes are the ones you can’t live without?
Disclosure: Some press samples were previously provided by brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing and review. Some of these products were purchased by me. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in the post, which means a small commission is earned.
I feel like everyone should own at least one Chanel brush. Just because. This is me convincing myself that I need one… because I don’t own one. Yet.
Nancy, you of all people would have a Chanel brush! I love you! Have done an essential Chanel product post? I need you to do one, I really want to start trying out the brand and I don’t know where to start!
I love that It cosmetics paddle brush!
You list is fab, of course. I still don’t know why I haven’t splurged on that NARS brush. I have a knock off, which doesn’t compare. And OMG – Where is my IT Heavenly Luxe Brush? I used to use it all the time! I need to check my daughters makeup bag because I am sure that is where it has disappeared to.
That fan brush looks amazing!
I don’t an It Cosmetics brush yet but I heard they are amazing!
I want some Louise Young brushes and you gave me a good starting place to look.
I love that MUFE brush too, especially for the crease!
Love these! I need to invest in a good stippling brush! They blend out foundation very well.
I need to check out the NARS and MUFE brushes!
I’ve always wanted to try LY brushes. That one looks amazing!
I agree, the 217 is my desert island brush. Can’t imagine blending without it.
I cannot afford any of those brushes … I have a Real Techniques buffing brush which I love and an E.L.F eyeshadow brush which is densel packed with bristles that are so silky soft on the eye and insanely cheap and works!
I sooo loooove your list girl! I also have a Sephora Pro Smudge Brush #11 and I always bring it anywhere with me, everywhere I go. I have spent lots of time looking for a perfect smudge brush and the #11 hits the spot. It smudges my eyeshadow and gives me the smokey look that I haven’t been able to achieve with my old brush. Really a good buy!