Top Makeup Brush Splurges and Deals

It may be a splurge, but it worth every penny.  With its Canadian squirrel hair, and hand-crimped head Mukha’s Contour brush will give you a perfect application every time for years to come.  The precise contouring of the hairs makes it virtually effortless to get that perfect, makeup artist-like, contoured look to your cheeks.  The bonus is you won’t need a separate blush brush because the Contour Brush works double-duty as a blush brush as well.

If you love mineral makeup, and currently use a Kabuki brush, then you’ll fall head-over-heels for the Flat Top Brush from Everyday Minerals.  The really cool part is that you can use it with mineral foundation and regular powder as well.  The reason it’s better than the Kabuki is because it adds more coverage while also blending out the look of harsh lines.  Plus the brush is 100% cruelty free, with synthetic hair and a bamboo handle.  Basically it makes “going green” look like child’s play.

This is one great “starter set”, if you don’t have your set already.  Advanced Beauty Tools (ABT)is 100% animal-free, and uses only man-made monofilaments for their brush hair.  The difference between ABT and other makeup brush lines is the really cool design, as well as the known ability to help perfect your makeup application technique.  The handles are very elegant and mimic a liquid chrome design, which is comfortable in your hand while looking chic at the same time.  The 4 Brush Set comes with a Buffer Brush, Blush Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Flat Angled Brush and a Brush Roll to store them.  Even though it’s a splurge, you actually save money by buying the set, so it’s a no-brainer.

This brush is one of our favorite brushes to use for regular mineral makeup or to set our foundation with a regular face powder.  BareMinerals recommends the use of this brush for their mineral foundation, Mineral Veil, and for their All-Over Face Color.  We recommend that you use this brush for just about anything you need, except for maybe eyeshadow.  The soft hair and natural taper of the brush makes it ideal for powder, mineral makeup and even blush or bronzer. The design of the brush gives a light-to-medium coverage with any product that you apply.  It’s a borderline splurge/deal, but we’re going to add it to the “deal” side since it’s a multi-tasker.

Everyone should have a flat stiff brush for your eyes, and MAC makes one of the best.  A flat stiff eyeshadow brush allows you to build more intense color on your lids, in less time.  The stiffness allows you to pick up more color at once, so you spend less time applying coat after coat. MAC’s Eye Shader Brush is a must-have because their entire line of brushes are phenomenal.  The brush is hand sculpted and assembled, and they use quality materials such as nickel-plated brass ferrules. Since the brush is around $25 it lands on the splurge side, but it’s built to last for years so go ahead and spluge.

If you need a new starter set, or don’t have a set at all then the EcoTools 6-pc Bamboo Brush set is a must-have, especially if you need to stick to a budget.  But a lower priced brush set doesn’t mean that you get less quality brushes.  EcoTools brushes contain bamboo handles, cruelty-free hair, and recycled aluminum metal ferrules.  The brushes are super-soft, and the hair doesn’t shed when you use or wash them. This set is perfect for starting over or just beginning because you get a blush brush, eyeshadow brush, angled eyeliner brush, concealer brush, lash/brow brush and a hemp and cotton case.  You really can’t ask for more from a set under $15.

There are certain brushes that you should have in your makeup arsenal for your eyes, and the NARS Small Domed Eye Brush is one of them.  This brush is perfect for adding color to your crease, blending, adding a highlighter under your brows and rimming your eyes for a smokey eye look. I love using it for adding color to the crease of my eye, and blending upward onto my orbital bone for a really hot eye look.  As for the brush itself the hair is super-soft goat hair, which is great for blending, and the loss of hair is non-existent which also means a longer-lasting brush.

This is the cheapest brush in the list, yet one of the must-needed for your perfect eye look.  The e.l.f Essential Eyeliner Brush finishes off the list of must-have brushes for your eyes.  This little gem is perfect for delivering flawless eyeliner, and will also help you achieve that trendy cat eye or smoky eye look with ease.  I love this brush and use it for my eyeliner each and every time. So instead of collecting dozens of eyeliner pencils all you need is this eyeliner brush and a little eyeshadow or gel eyeliner.  The bonus is being able to wet the brush and then dab it into your eyeshadow for an instant liquid eyeliner.  At only a buck it’s a no-brainer, so grab yours and be the envy of your friends.