It has 4.6 stars out of 5 on Amazon, and one reviewer said, "This kabuki brush is perfect for daily use it's soft but doesn't shed, holds powder well, is easy to clean, & lasts for a long time." Expert Reviews is a registered trade mark. Choosing the right foundation for your skin is the first step to achieving a flawless complexion, but theres no disguising a badly applied base. It's not so much a question of whether you can, but whether you should. The MAC 159S works best with dewy formulas particularly tinted moisturiser, BB and CC creams to create a sheer-to-medium coverage that looks natural and polished. Your makeup arsenal may consist of the best concealers, foundations, and blush money can buy. A quality foundation brush will smooth out your foundation to create a well-blended base thats ready for your contour and blush. Smith Cosmetics creates tools for professionals, and its brushes are mainstays in the bags of makeup artists as well as beauty editors. What We Love: This makeup brush can be used with a variety of foundation formulas. Johnsons Baby Shampoo works well for cleaning. This brush is fantastic when applying my CC cream! Bristle: Synthetic | Shape: Angled | Foundation Type: Liquid, Stick, Powder | Cruelty-Free: Yes. Buffing brushes or makeup sponges are best for high-coverage foundations. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. "They are definitely not harsh or stiff on the skin," she says. You can gently massage the soap into the bristles, or you can use a silicone mat, like the Sigma Beauty Spa Express Cleaning Mat Brush Cleaner, to better rid the bristles of built-up makeup. Get the KVD Beauty Lock It Edge Foundation Brush for $22 at Amazon. Generally speaking, she says that foundation brushes tend to be much larger in size, and denser in construction, given the amount of coverage they're designed to provide. First, remember that different brushes create different finishes. Logistically, the brush is made with synthetic bristles, so it's an entirely vegan makeup brush option. Super soft on my skin yet very efficient at blending foundation," while another claimed, "I would buy this 10 times over! So, once the warmer weather rolls around, youll want a versatile tool that will enhance and not mask your sun-kissed skin. Made with an angular design, this densely packed brush allows you to apply liquid and cream formulas with precision and ease as it moves with the contours of your face while buffing product. Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? It can be used for a variety of functions; it's great for both powder and liquid foundations, and allows for easy buffing and sweeping of the product. The Face Curve Brush has dense bristles that pair perfectly with liquid and cream formulas (just leave powder foundations to fluffy brushes), and a thick handle to help keep a firm grip whilst sweeping on the product. "This gets into the contours of your face and makes it a little easier to get into the small parts of your face like around the nose. What We Don't Love: The dense brush is better suited for fuller coverage application. After all, it isnt cheap and you want to ensure it lasts you some time. "The foundation went on extremely smoothly and quickly and it made the product just melt into my face. Rebecca R. Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area. All in all, it earns a resounding A+ from us. Get the 131 Multi Task Buffing brush for $36.50 at Smith Cosmetics. Bristle: Synthetic | Shape: Flat Domed | Foundation Type: Powder | Cruelty-Free: Yes. As such, thinking about your goal look will help you determine the best foundation makeup brush for your beauty arsenal. our process. I am a makeup artist and This is one of my favorite brushes that I have in my kit. Put simply: InStyle picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to be sure you will too. Where liquid foundations tend to fare best with buffing brushes, stippling brushes, and oval brushes, powder foundations apply best with fluffier, powder-centric brushes, as they help keep the coverage looking light and natural, as opposed to caked into pores. A word of advice: we like to pay close attention to the jawline because no one wants a horrid tidemark. The brushs synthetic bristles feel silky soft on the skin and its compact size means its great for stowing in your handbag for midday top-ups. One reviewer on Sephora wrote, "Obsessed with this brush. Fresh, glowing skin is what we all strive for in summer. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. It's designed to mimic the cult-favorite oval Artis makeup brushes for a fraction of the price. Updated hourly. "I am all about keeping tools and products in my kit that are multipurpose to help lighten the load.". A flat foundation brush is a smart choice if you struggle to blend foundation around trickier areas. And, unlike many stippling brushes, this brushs bristles are molded into a sturdy paddle shape instead of a circular shape to help speed up blending and ensure a streak-free finish. Makeup artists Katie Jane Hughesand Danielle Christinehave both listed brushes from the brand as some of their mainstay tools. The brand is also securing the best-seller and best-rated spot on Amazon for its foundation brush. "I used this brush to apply liquid foundation and it did a great job," one reviewer says. To avoid a flat, powdery finish, bareMinerals advises swirling the brush in the lid of the foundation, tapping off the excess and then applying the product to the face. The natural fibers also allow for a more natural-looking finish, which you can always build on if you're looking for a more Instagram-filter look. I loved the way this brush made my foundation look.". Novices and beauty buffs alike swear by the Silk Finish Brush for blending their base, and its easy to see why. Get the Merit Brush no. Best hair dryer: The finest hair dryers we've tested, The best blood pressure monitors you can buy, Best nail strengthener to repair and protect damaged nails, 23andMe review: The most flexible DNA test, GHD Air review: Stylish, powerful, and quiet but not cheap, Best contour palette: Create definition in seconds, Perfect your look with these eyeshadow palettes, The best Maybelline mascaras to buy in 2022, Best red lipstick: Find the perfect shade for you, Create plump, full lips easily with these lip liners. Beauty YouTuber Genevieve Fields tested out the brush in detail, using various products and techniques. Real Techniques is known to be a favorite among makeup artists and amateurs alike, as it delivers quality performance at an affordable price point. However, if the bristles are too soft, it may be difficult to achieve fuller coverage. Despite its bargain price, we found the brush to be soft on the skin and there was no sign of any bristles shedding during use. What We Don't Love: The price is heftyit's $49. The brush has densely packed bristles to help seamlessly buff powder or liquid product onto your skin. I recommend this." If you're not ready to commit to an expensive brush and you're still trying to figure out what technique and finish you want, this Daubigny brush may just be the perfect purchase. Cosmetics Buffing Foundation Brush, Best Multipurpose: MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush, Best Oval: Real Techniques Blend+ Blur Oval Foundation Brush, Best Splurge: It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6. The Daubigny Foundation brush is also one of Amazon's bestsellers, with over 19,000 reviews giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. If chosen well, a good foundation brush can give the rest of the steps in your routine a smooth base to work with; your blush, contour stick, and setting powder all gravely depend on it. The brand's 202 Microliner brush already won two Allure Best of Beauty awards, but its foundation brush is what celebrity makeup artist Natalia Thomas recommends. If a $60 blush brush still gives you sticker shock, consider that it can easily last 20 years with proper maintenance." I'm a makeup minimalist and prefer to keep things simple this brush is amazing for concealer, blush, etc. It continued to win accolades that year, becoming one of Allure'sBest of Beauty products in 2017. Fortunately for you, we've listed out a few favorites to pick from. No streaks and perfect blending!!". Get the NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop foundation brush on Amazon for $14.25. After all, different foundation formulas work better with specific foundation makeup brushes. Our most popular products based on sales. I feel and look airbrushed! "It applied my foundation very smoothly and it didn't leave any streaks. Promised to have been "rigorously tested backstage [and] on the runways," this brush gives you precise coverage that can be buffed into a naturally glowy finish. "Each formula is entirely different [from] one another," she says. What We Don't Love: It could be a smidge bigger to cover the face quicker. We've also included favorites from makeup artists and beauty editors, and they all come at various price points. The sleek brush is packed with dense bristles in a domed shape that lets you buff, stipple, and get product around places that are hard to reach with a bigger brush. What We Love: This brush seamlessly applies liquid foundationand it's the most affordable of the bunch. Identical to its full-size sibling, but with a smaller handle, this rose-gold buffing brush beautifully builds a custom coverage without caking or creasing your foundation. Unlike the others, which have flexible brushes in a bundle at the top of the brush, this brush more so resembles a wide, ovular toothbrush. Choosing the right brush can make or break the experience of applying makeup as it can affect the texture of the product, the ease of blending, and your skin's overall health. Even when bristles are made of the same material, some brands have processed to make them softer than others. Meanwhile, concealer brushes tend to be smaller and flatter, while powder brushes tend to be large and fluffy. You need a foundation brush that doesnt take up too much space in your handbag, and which will quickly tidy up your makeup without disturbing your careful contouring work. Kabuki brushes were originally used to set a powdered foundation on actors in Japanese kabuki theaters,and the design of the tightly packed brush has become a popular tool for applying powder foundation today. Not only will it rid your tools of the nasties that cause acne, blackheads and skin irritations to appear, but it'll help keep your foundation brush in tip-top condition, too. You need The Real Techniques Mini Expert Face Brush. productslearn more about Nylon is a popular choice for a synthetic bristled brush. Ultimate Blending Brush, Vegan Makeup Tool, Dome-Shaped, Flawlessly Applies & Blends Foundation, Bronzer & Blush, Foundation Brush Flat Top Makeup Brush, Premium Kabuki Hexagon Makeup Brush for Blending Liquid, Cream or Flawless Powder Blush Cosmetics with Storage Case (Black), e.l.f. As for what we don't love: the price. That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. Foundation Makeup Brush Flat Top Kabuki Hexagon Face Blush Liquid Powder Foundation Brush for Blending Liquid, Cream or Flawless Powder Cosmetics with Bonus Protective Case (Black), DUcare Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush for Liquid Makeup,Professional Stick Buffing Blending Mineral Powder Large Makeup Face Brush, Black, Daubigny Makeup Brushes Dual-ended Foundation Brush Concealer Brush Perfect for Any Look Premium Luxe Hair Rounded Taperd Flawless Brush Ideal for Liquid, Cream, Powder,Blending, Buffing,Concealer, Real Techniques Everything Face Makeup Brush, Flawless Finish, Streak Free Makeup Application, For Foundation, Concealer, and Powder Makeup Application, Orange,1 Count, Yoseng Oval Foundation Brush Large Toothbrush makeup brushes Fast Flawless Application Liquid Cream Powder Foundation, KINGMAS Foundation Makeup Brush, Double Ended Makeup Brushes for Blending Liquid Powder, Concealer Cream Cosmetics, Blush brush, Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush - Premium Makeup Face Brush For Liquid, Cream, Powder - Blending, Buffing, Stippling Brush - Pro Quality Synthetic Dense Bristles, ENERGY Kabuki Brushes Set - Mini Flat Top Kabuki Brush and Slant Concealer Brush Under Eye for Eyebrows Eyeshadow Brushes for Liquid Cream Powder Blending,Stippling,Highlighter and Nose Contour, e.l.f.