TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.8 *
Why it's great: Users rank this as one of the best makeup brushes because "it's the perfect size and helps apply eye shadow perfectly." Readers also say the brush's soft dome shape is particularly "great for spot coverage, for foundation and eyes" and claim that you can "feel the quality" of its superior bristles. According to readers, this makeup brush will also stand the test of time, because they "do not have any shedding problems with it" and "still looks perfect even after a few washes."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.8 *
Why it's great: Readers love that this makeup brush delivers high-end quality at a drugstore price. "I've had it for about five years now and it's held up excellently. Additionally, readers say it provides just the right amount of stiffness and softness for comfort and control. "It's soft and easy-to-wield, making it good for makeup beginners and pros who want to give an eyelid a quick but pigmented wash of color," says one reader.
Users also love that it's multi-functional. "It is the only brush I use to do my eye shadow in the morning. I really don't need multiple brushes -- this one seems to do all the tricks." Another reader agrees, saying she uses hers for highlighting, contouring and shadowing.
Best Makeup Brush No. 3: Prescriptives Foundation Brush, $35
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.9 *
Why it's great: "This is an amazing brush," says one impressed reader. "It feels great and applies makeup perfectly." Another reader agrees, saying it's a must-have makeup brush for any beauty bag because you can use it to apply "ANY type of foundation (liquid, cream, stick, powder)," as well as serums and primers. And while it may be a bit pricier than other makeup brushes, readers assert that it's versatility and the fact that it "helps foundation go on much easier" and "smoothly" make this brush "worth the money."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 10*
Why it's great: Readers are fans of the fact that the bristles on this makeup brush are "soft on the face" but stiff enough to pick up the perfect amount of color. "I find that the finish I get when using this brush...is really perfect and flawless," says one reader. Another reviewer agrees, saying this powder brush "distributes color evenly and smoothly" without any "blotchy deposits of color." Another plus? It's travel-friendly. One devotee explains it's "compact in size but does the same job as a regular size brush," making it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 10 *
Why it's great:"This is the best crease brush I have ever used," says one reader of this vegan makeup brush that has never received a less-than-perfect rating from our readers. Other users call this one of the best makeup brushes they have ever used because it allows for "easily controlled application" while delivering "product perfectly and evenly onto your skin." One reader who says she is "not very good at applying eye shadow" even claims "this brush makes [her] eye makeup look professional."
Having the best makeup brushes in your beauty bag can make all the difference in your makeup routine. Just like a great artist uses a brush to create a museum-worthy painting, we wield our makeup brushes to create perfectly contoured and blended makeup masterpieces.
Indeed, the best makeup brushes can help us create everything from a dramatic smoky eye to an airbrush-like finish with our foundation -- while the wrong one can leave us looking like a blotchy mess. But what should one look for when choosing a makeup brush?
Our readers have tried and tested just about every foundation, eye shadow and contouring brush on the market and ranked them with just about every beauty need in mind. Whether you're looking for a budget makeup brush, a cruelty-free option or one that will withstand constant usage without shedding a single bristle, we have you covered with this comprehensive roundup of the best makeup brushes for every makeup fanatic (or newbie).
