The 19 Best Makeup Brushes of All Time, Picked By Professional Makeup Artists

“My favorite makeup brushes are Sigma makeup brushes because they are vegan and [the brand has] always been ahead of the curve in developing amazing brushes for artists,” says Ashunta Sheriff, the go-to makeup artist for actress Taraji P. Henson. This set comes with seven slim brushes for blending shadows, applying eyeliner, and touching up brows.

Molly R. Stern, who works with Reese Witherspoon, Cara Delevingne, Maya Rudolph, and Julia Roberts says this flat detailing brush is “amazing” when it comes to precision for eyeliner or brows. According to the brand, it can be used with both powder and cream formulas.

Per Stern, this is the best buffer brush. “I use it to smooth under the eye and apply a small amount of powder to control the T-zone.” It has soft, wavy fibers to allow for adjustable coverage but is firm enough to blend if needed.

“This brush is great for blending in the crease or socket of the eye,” makeup artist Christopher Ardoff says. It “helps to distribute product densely and evenly” and is “great for softening and blending in areas where you [generally] would require a smaller brush.”

Beyond the face, Jenny Patinkin says, “The Real Techniques Foundation Blender Kabuki is great for applying body makeup because it’s small and dense and gives good coverage. This is the one I use when I’m on-set at a photoshoot, particularly on the legs.”

“This is the best brush for the face. It can be used for both liquid and powder products. I can literally do my entire face with just this one brush,” says Cara Lovello. It's a dome-shaped style with loosely packed hairs, which are designed to create light yet buildable coverage.

According to Sean Harris—makeup artist to stars like Laura Harrier, Lori Harvey, and Kristen Noel Crawley—“this brush does it all.” The flat brush "lines your eyes, fills in your brows, and adds definition to your eyeshadow.”

Ask Brittany Whitfield to explain why KVD's powder brush is a good investment and she'll put it plainly: “If you need one brush for everything, she’s your girl.” Whitfield adds that the brush is amazing for cream products, and “applies incredibly well in all of the beautiful crevices of the face better than any sponge or flat foundation brush ever could.”

Keita Moore, who does makeup for a number of stars including Iman, Janet Mock, and Halima Aden reaches for this circular, flat-topped brush a lot. “From applying foundations to cream blushes to powder highlight, this brush is versatile and can be used for many things. I carry maybe three or four in my kit,” he says.

“I use this for all-around blending after I’ve applied my foundation and contour. You can also use it to apply bronzer,” Jessica Elbaum, a makeup artist and hairstylist who did hair on Modern Family, says.

“It’s more effective to use a synthetic bristle for cream blushes,” says Elbaum about this slanted kabuki brush. “They blend soft and flawlessly.” The supple fibers on this one are made to pick up just enough product for smooth, even application.

Nadia Stacey, who did the hair and makeup on The Favourite and won the BAFTA for it, calls this a “kit staple” and says she uses it for everything, even to create special effects bruising. “Which means I’ve ruined lots of them, but I always replace,” she says. When you are creating a glam look Stacey states, “it makes a smokey eye so much easier.”

It's also a favorite of Jamie Greenberg, Busy Philipps and Rashida Jones’ makeup artist. According to Greenberg, the brush can turn a novice into a pro in no time.

“I’ve used this Blush Brush since it first came out and I actually use it to swirl and buff in cream bronzers, powders, and skin care — not blush at all!” Emma Willis, the makeup artist for JoJo Fletcher, Ashley Greene, Jana Kramer, Audrina Patridge, and Giuliana Rancic adds, “That’s the fab thing about brushes: finding which ones work best for your own individual style and technique. What it says on the box doesn’t have to apply at all. I use it to seamlessly buff product from the face into the neck and décolletage areas, too!”

Willis counts this Sephora Collection brush among her go-tos and says it’s a perfect size. “I’ve been using this brush for concealer around the eye area and T-zone specifically for a long time now and love it!” she says. “It has a tapered brush head and dual usage; one side to place and smooth, and another I use to sheer and blend. It helps me to blend so well!”

Nina Park recommends this brush for tight-lining with cream, gel, or cake liner. “It’s perfect for stippling on products as close to the lash line as possible,” she says. Thanks to its firm bristles and flat top construction, it also does double-duty to create “sharp edges around the mouth for a clean, perfect lipstick pout.”

Park uses “this brush to dust off any excess powder” and to “strategically place [a] pop of color at the apples of the cheek.” The natural “goat bristles are perfect to create a diffused, natural-looking highlight along the top of the cheekbones, bridge of [the] nose, and collarbone.”

Jenna Kristina also always uses a metal eyelash comb after she applies mascara. “I like a wispy feathery lash and it always helps to take out [mascara] chunks,” says Kristina. Her go-to choice is this pink eyelash comb by Hakuhoda, featuring easy-to-clean, rust-resistant stainless steel bristles.

Kristina is also obsessed with Anastasia’s Angled Cut Brush’s bristles. “The synthetic hairs keep this brush sturdy and stiff for the most precise lines,” explains Kristina. “I use it to create hair-like strokes with powder on brows and also for the sharpest pointed cat eyeliner.”

Kira Nasrat, who has painted the faces of Jessica Alba and Sophie Turner says she has a bunch of these Utowa Hood eyeshadow brushes in her makeup bag. “The brush is fluffy, flat, and with a gradual point,” she adds. “It’s perfect for adding eyeshadow onto the lids, contouring into the crease, and great for blending.” She also uses it to finish with translucent setting powder in concentrated areas of the face, especially the T-zone.