The best drugstore makeup brushes can be your ultimate savior in the makeup game. Just a bag full of the best makeup products such as eyeshadow, foundation, concealers, or blush isn’t enough. You also need a set of good makeup brushes that help you apply them and blend them well. Makeup brushes can be those made with natural or synthetic bristles. Each has a different utility, so a different look will need a different brush. With various brushes available online, choosing the best ones can be confusing. Thus, we have listed some great makeup brushes that you should consider adding to your makeup stash.
15 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes
1. Real Techniques Professional Setting Makeup Brush
Contour your face smoothly with this setting brush by Real Techniques and ensure your foundation and concealer are applied accurately. The brush is designed to pick up just the right amount of liquid or powder when using makeup. With its soft bristles, the brush lets you accentuate the best features of your face. The brush can also be easily cleaned with sponges and is long-lasting. Pros
Tapered for precise application Fluffy bristles for natural blending Suitable for all skin types Ideal for cream or powder highlighters and setting powders Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
May be smaller than you expect May absorb a lot of product
2. Wet n wild Powder Makeup Brush
Blend your makeup products with ease with this powder brush. It has a large surface and is plushy, thus allowing you to lift the perfect amount of powder. With the brush, you can avoid using too much powder when applying makeup on your face and get the best results when contouring and highlighting. The brush is made of materials that are vegan-friendly and is also 100% cruelty-free. This video demonstrates how the product works, making it easier to pick the right one for your needs. Pros
Suitable for all types of makeup products Comfortable brush handle Works for every skin tone Crimped bristles for even application Easy to clean
Cons
Bristles may shed after a few washes Edges of the bristles may be coarse for sensitive skin
3. EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Set
This set of two brushes has four brush ends that are ideal for applying eyeliner and eyeshadow. The brushes are also handy when shading and blending makeup around the eyebrow area. The recycled aluminum and plastic brushes are also of small size and are ideal for travel. The brushes are specifically designed to ensure that the eyeliner and eyeshadow can be applied with accuracy. Not sure if this is the right fit for you? Check out this video to understand how the product works. Pros
Handcrafted tools Soft and shed-free brush Offers good grip Tapered bristles Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons
No dedicated storage case Handles may be slightly fragile
4. EcoTools Define & Highlight Duo Makeup Brush Set
Designed for applying bronzers, foundations, and highlighters, this set of two brushes allows you to apply makeup with ease. The brushes are specially designed to help in contouring and make the process of defining and highlighting facial features easy. The handcrafted brushes feature long-lasting bamboo handles. The fibers are a combination of cotton and bamboo, making the brushes a good option for those who want environment-friendly options. Pros
Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly Ideal for powder foundation, concealer, and powder blush Ensure perfect blending Easy to clean
Cons
Fan brush may be a bit large Brush heads may not fit tightly to the handles
5. e.l.f. Ultimate Blending Brush
e.l.f brings you this drugstore foundation brush designed for use by professionals who use expert technique. The bristles are shaped to pick up the perfect amount of foundation, blush, or bronzer to ensure that the makeup, when applied, is blended perfectly on the face without any lines or visible streaks. It can be used with liquid, powder, and mousse makeup. It is also vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Pros
Dome-shaped head Densely packed bristles Offers even coverage Handcrafted bristles
Cons
May not be suitable for sensitive skin Bristles may shed upon rough handling
6. Clothobeauty Premium Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brush Kit
A brush with a great handle ensures a comfortable grip.This brush comes in an extra-large size and is a nice option when you are looking to apply powder or bronzer on to your face with ease. The brush is composed of ultra-soft and tapered synthetic bristles that ensure even hard-to-reach places around the eyes and lips are easily covered. With this brush that has densely packed bristles, you can powder your face with ease and provide even coverage flawlessly. Pros
Has a copper ferrule Handle made of wood Offers smooth coverage Ideal for quick blending
Cons
Glue may not be strong enough Bristles may be a bit coarse
7. Vela.Yue Angled Multifunctional Face Makeup Brush
This brush features bristles that have an angled cut to allow for easy application of makeup, whether it is a foundation or concealer. The synthetic bristles used in the brush are vegan-friendly and are ideal for use with a variety of makeup, whether it is in liquid, cream, powder, or mineral form. The precise cut of the bristles also ensures that the makeup is applied without streaks, is natural-looking, and blended perfectly, especially when contouring the face. Pros
Cruelty-free Ideal for blending and buffing Handcrafted Shed-free bristles
Cons
Handle is smooth and may slip
8. Vela.Yue Retractable Face Kabuki Makeup Brushes
Created with a retractable design, this is one of the best drugstore powder brushes. It comes in a striking violet-colored case designed to be easily stored within a purse and is ideal for traveling. The extra soft bristles are made of synthetic fibers and are shaped to allow for loose powder, whether it is a foundation, face powder, or blush, to be applied with accuracy. The bristles can also be easily cleaned and have an antibacterial coating. Pros
Cruelty-free Made by artisans Fixed firmly Soft and fluffy Portable Multipurpose
Cons
May be small for powder touch-ups Brush ends may be slightly flimsy
9. IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush
With this flat top buffing brush, applying a foundation is easy, and you can get an airbrushed finish to hide the flaws. The ultra-plush tool is composed of precisely cut bristles that are packed together densely and designed to pick up just the right amount of foundation or makeup to cover pores and other skin imperfections, including fine lines. The brush has a soft-touch handle that allows for easy gripping. Pros
Precision-cut brush head Recommended for foundation Provides natural looking coverage Ideal for setting powder Synthetic bristles
Cons
Some might find the bristles a tad soft No bristle protection cover or mesh
10. Revlon Kabuki Brush
Try this Revlon brush that is designed with vegan-friendly synthetic fibers. The kabuki design brush has a tall and wide shape, and the bristles are packed to create a dense head. The head is designed to make the process of applying pressed or loose powders, bronzers, and foundations easy and mess-free. The TRX3 bristles are patent-pending and similar to natural hair, while their anti-bacterial coating helps reduce the chances of infections. The brush is long-lasting and can be washed up to 100 times. Pros
Great coverage in a single swipe Dome-shaped bristles Irritation-free Compact and convenient to use
Cons
Bristles may shed after a few uses
11. Revlon Starter Brush Kit, Premium
If you are a beginner and want to learn how to do your makeup properly, this brush kit might be the one for you. The kit contains three all-purpose brushes to help you achieve a seamless base, highlight, and contour hassle-free. These brushes have wooden handles to offer a stable and easy grip and long-lasting performance. Their compact size and pouch bag allow you to carry them in your handbag easily, making them travel-friendly. Pros
Quality brush head Soft and gentle on the skin Suitable for daily use Lightweight
Cons
May be smaller than expected Fibers may shed without proper maintenance
12. Bella And Bear Blush Brush
Angled brushes are convenient for covering hard-to-reach places. This brush, with angled bristles, is one among the best drugstore makeup brushes as it is versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, including the application of bronzer and contouring. Its bristles are also tapered to help pick up the right amount of makeup, whether you are using powder, liquid, or cream. The brush is handcrafted to precise specifications and is ideal when contouring and blending. Pros
Mesh cover to protect the bristles Ideal for highlighter, blush, bronzers, and contour powders Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly Soft bristles Perfect even for sensitive skin Easy to clean
Cons
Bristles may shed May be larger than you expect
13. Undone Beauty Handcrafted Angled Brush
Lay your hands on this handmade makeup brush designed for use over large areas of the face and body. The brush has angled bristles and ensures that blending appears natural without any streaks. It is also designed to be used with cream and powder-based makeup. It has bristles that are created from synthetic fiber and are soft and long-lasting. The angled bristles make the brush especially suitable for picking up the right amount of foundation and bronzer and for blending makeup in the under-eye region. Pros
No animal hair Versatile Ideal to blend the creams Bristles come in a unique shade Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
Has no storage pouch Bristles may be a tad long
14. Maybelline New York Expert Tools Lip Brush
To apply the right amount of lipstick and coat your lips perfectly, you require a top-quality lip brush. This lip brush is designed with 100% natural fibers and helps users apply lipstick or gloss expertly. It has a retractable opening with a pop-up design, and the bristles are designed to coat the lips from the center and outwards. The brush is especially handy when you want to apply lipstick and then lip gloss to let your lips look fuller. Pros
Comes with a secure cap Ensures precise application Soft bristles Easy to apply even on chapped lips
Cons
May be less suitable for matte lipsticks May not hold shape for long
15. bareMinerals Light Stroke Brush
Lay our hands on this stroke brush by bare Minerals that ensures easy eye makeup application. This brush with dome-shaped bristles is designed to pick up the right amount of makeup. It is ideal for softening and blending makeup to lighten shadows when highlighting and contouring the face. Its bristles are designed to provide a natural finish to makeup. Pros
Ensures even application Helps soften deep shadows Ideal for applying makeup around the eyes and nose Perfect for applying foundation or quick touch-up
Cons
May be a bit scratchy Bristles may shed
How To Choose The Right Drugstore Makeup Brushes?
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right brush.
Get a Kabuki brush with dense bristles and a short handle if you usually use powders that have a superfine texture or a mineral-based foundation. Concealer brushes that have a small tip are ideal for applying the right amount of product on a pimple. These brushes also ensure the application of concealer is realistic, and they can be cleaned easily. A half-inch wide brush is ideal for applying concealer under the eyes and is useful when you have to cover up dark circles. Using a brush with large bristles allows for just the right amount of bronzer/blush to be picked up and used. Bristles made from natural materials are better when powder-based makeup is used. Synthetic bristles on brushes are ideal when using liquid or cream makeup, as they are easily cleaned and maintained.
How Often Should You Clean The Drugstore Makeup Brushes?
Brushes that are used for powder-based makeup need to be cleaned less often, about once in two weeks. Those used for cream or liquid makeup should be cleaned after use every time to reduce bacteria formation.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a product writer with a flair for reviewing beauty and personal care products. She has meticulously sifted through several e-commerce websites and considered reader reviews and ratings to compile this list of the best makeup brushes for our readers. Going through various makeup brushes available online may be confusing and cumbersome. Thus, this list eases your task by providing a useful description of each product. Moreover, the writer has also included a buying guide to help you select the product that meets your needs.
It lets you use less makeup. It lets you spread the products evenly. It facilitates the buffing process, especially when using powder-based makeup
Recommended Articles:
Best Powders For Oily Skin Best Makeup Setting Powders Best Under-Eye Brightening Powders Best Makeup Products For Oily Skin
