20 Best Makeup Brush Sets for a Flawless Application

Whether you're new to the makeup game or a seasoned pro, these best-selling kits will help you achieve gorgeous results.

BY SOPHIE DWECK

JAN 9, 2023

COURTESY OF THE BRANDS

Behind every great makeup look is a great makeup brush. But narrowing down the right tools can be pretty confusing since there are endless options, all in different shapes and sizes, that claim to be for specific areas on your face. How does one decipher between a powder blush and bronzer brush, or say, an eye shadow brush and concealer brush? If you're getting overwhelmed just thinking about it, we beauty lovers at T&C don't blame you.

Fortunately, we did our own research and testing and made the work easy for you, with the 20 best makeup brush sets for blending out your favorite cream bronzers, liquid blushes, and other must-have products. From angled brushes for applying blush to the versatile kabuki, these picks will help you create a flawless look each and every time.

1

Best Overall

Sigma Beauty

Essential Kit

$160 AT NORDSTROM

• Densely-packed and soft bristles

• Includes brushes for face and eyes

This 12-piece set from Sigma has everything you need to create a stunning makeup look at home.

"These brushes are so buttery soft even after washing," raves a reviewer. "They apply and blend eyeshadow and powder like a dream, I’m highly impressed with how easy and seamlessly they work to blend. A great set with everyday brushes."

2

Best Luxe

Hourglass

Vegan Brush Collection

$650 AT HOURGLASSCOSMETICS.COM

• Ultra-soft bristles

• Weighted metal handles for easy control

If you're willing to invest in high-quality makeup brushes, make sure it's this set. This Hourglass kit includes 17 brushes made of PETA-approved Taklon bristles that come enclosed in a chic vegan-leather case. Key tools include the brand's best-selling dual-ended brushes for effortless application and the versatile Ambient Lightening Edit that can be used with powder, cream, and liquid formulas.

"These were packaged so beautifully and work so beautifully," reports a reviewer. "They are not just some crappy brushes with a brand name stuck to them. They are amazing and you absolutely get what you pay for here."

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3

Best for Eyes

Morphe

Eye Obsessed Brush Collection

$32 AT MORPHE

• Foolproof application

• Affordable

Whether you love rocking a killer smokey eye or prefer a more natural-looking glam, these brushes won't disappoint. The bundle comes with a range of high-quality fluffy brushes for blending on the lids and creases, as well as angled options for defining brows.

"I love these eye brushes," writes a reviewer. "They make putting on my eye makeup a breeze! They are of very good quality... I'm so glad that I purchased this specific kit. It had all the brushes I need."

4

Best Essentials

Kosas

Complete Brush Collection

$126 AT KOSAS.COM

• Seamless application

• Super soft bristles

You won't ever have to worry about harsh contour lines and blotchiness with this ultra-luxe kit of full-face essentials. Just one sweep of each brush delivers a flawlessly defined complexion and perfectly blended eyes.

Users tout the brushes as "easy to handle" and love how the powder brush especially provides the "perfect density for setting or blushing."

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5

Best Giftable

Laura Mercier

Women's An Artists Gift Brush Collection, 5-Piece Set

$78 AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

• Travel-friendly

• Great product pick up

This limited-edition kit from Laura Mercier will no doubt delight the beauty lover in your life. Housed in a luxurious gold clutch, it includes five pro-quality, travel-size tools for sculpting, highlighting, defining, and contouring.

"These brushes are very soft and easy to use," writes a buyer. "They make applying makeup a breeze."

6

Best Value

e.l.f. Cosmetics

19 Piece Brush Collection

$50 AT ULTA BEAUTY

• Travel-friendly

• Vegan

Those new to the makeup game will love this bundle since it comes stocked with professional-quality tools at an affordable price.

"I am beyond satisfied with my choice in buying these," says a shopper. "The sheet that explains each brush and its use was perfect, and it encouraged me to experiment more. Another good thing, I regularly wash these brushes and the texture of them has not changed after a few washes."

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7

Most Ethical

Westman Atelier

The Brush Collection

$575 AT BERGDORF GOODMAN

• Delivers pro-style results

• Durable

Leave it to celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman to come up with a luxurious selection of sustainably made brushes that can be used with all formulas. A blender brush, a powder brush, and a lip brush are among the standouts in the set.

"I am very happy with the way the brushes perform and how aesthetically pleasing they are," raves a reviewer. "Also brushes are easy to clean/ maintain."

8

Best Set With Sponge

Real Techniques

Real Techniques Everyday Essentials

$20 AT ULTA BEAUTY

• Ideal with all formulas

• Ultra-plush synthetic bristles

With this everyday bundle, you get the best of both worlds: four spectacular brushes and a sponge for a flawless, airbrushed finish.

"These are durable, lightweight and are good for most types of makeup," writes one fan. "Each item is a multi-tasker, which for me, is essential."

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9

Best Travel Set

IT Brushes For ULTA

Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Makeup Brush Set

$50 AT ULTA BEAUTY

• Vegan

• Weighted handles for extra precision

Planning a fun getaway? Consider this compact bundle of oh-so-soft foundation, concealer, crease, eyeliner, and eyeshadow staples your new travel companion.

"I love this set," writes a reviewer, noting that it "replaced all my high end makeup brushes. Excellent quality and they clean well."

11 Best Eco-Conscious Set

EcoTools

EcoTools Makeup Brush Set

Now 23% off

$10 AT AMAZON

• Bang for your buck

• Soft bristles

Want to simplify your makeup routine? These eco-friendly makeup brushes perform beautifully and are also densely packed with high-quality synthetic hairs that never shed.

One Amazon shopper also "loved that they are inexpensive but durable."

12

Best on Amazon

BS-MALL

14 Piece Brush Set

Now 62% off

$10 AT AMAZON

• High-quality at an affordable price

• Comes with an instruction manual

Coming in at just under $10 with over 108,000 Amazon reviews and nearly a five-star rating, this set is a no-brainer for novices and enthusiasts.

"If you are looking for a complete, everyday makeup brush set, I HIGHLY recommend this one, especially if you're a beginner wanting to learn all the little brush functions without spending a fortune to play around with techniques," says a reviewer. "I was pleased to receive the brushes in their own travel case and individually wrapped. The bristles are soft enough for a smooth application and firm enough not to leave streaks, which is always desirable."

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13

Chicest Set

Tarte Cosmetics

All Jazzed Up Brush Set

Now 26% off

$29 AT TARTE COSMETICS

• Foolproof application

• Travel-friendly size

Not only does this bundle of brushes work wonders at creating a gorgeous glam, but they have geometrically designed handles that are eye-catching, too.

Better still: "The brushes are very high quality," reports a buyer. "I love them and very highly recommend them!! These would make an excellent gift idea."

14

Best for Face

Rose Inc

The Complexion Brush Gift Set

$84 AT ROSEINC.COM

• Ideal for all skin types

• Provides effortless blending

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is known for her stunning glam, and lucky for us, she has her own makeup line for emulating her looks. This set includes four uniquely-shaped, vegan brushes that deliver impeccable coverage to your face, cheekbones, and under eyes with each and every application.

"These are absolutely the most gorgeous brushes," writes a fan. "Light and glorious for any skin type!"

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15

Best All-in-One

Colour Pop

Ultimate Brush Roll

Now 72% off

$39 AT COLOURPOP COSMETICS

• Housed in travel-friendly case

• Bang for your buck

ColourPop's collection of face, cheeks, and eye-defining staples will cover all your makeup bases. And the fact that it's priced at less than $40? That makes it all the more worth it.

"Perfect brush set all around!" raves a fan. "Ideal size, perfect weight/feel while working with them. Picks up the right amount of shadow/pigment. I'm also obsessed with the color of these brushes! So gorgeous!"

16

Best Mini Brush Set

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte's Magic Mini Brush Set

$55 AT FARFETCH

• Comes in travel-friendly case

• Delivers pro-quality results

When you're on the go, reach for this mini-sized Charlotte Tilbury kit, which features a foundation brush for flawless coverage, a powder brush for livening up the cheeks with her cult favorite glow formulas, an eye blender brush for brightening up the lids and creases, plus an eye smudger brush for creating the perfect smokey look.

"The brushes are super soft and blend very well," says a reviewer, noting that it's "perfect if you travel all the time."

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17

Best Pro-Quality Set

Spectrum Collections

KJH 25 Piece Brush Set

$174 AT SPECTRUMCOLLECTIONS.COM

• Densely-packed and soft bristles

• Comes with chic leather tube case

Want to take your glams up a notch? This full-face kit in collaboration with celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes includes 25 premium-quality brushes that sweep beautifully across your visage to create the most stunning makeup look. Plus, it comes with a sophisticated case that makes for a chic accent on your vanity.

"They do not disappoint," writes a fan. "A comprehensive set with a brush for any application. I love the small brushes for eye detail. Also love that there are brushes for powder and cream products. Highly recommended."

18

Limited-Edition Set

NARS

Lunar New Year Brush Set

$95 AT NARS COSMETICS

• Comes with a chic brush roll

• Hypoallergenic bristles suitable for sensitive skin

The key to nailing a gorgeous glam lies in this specially-designed Lunar New Year bundle that includes a pro-quality blush brush, powder brush, blending brush, and eyeshadow brush.

"The bristles are smooth, and soft but not flimsy," writes a shopper. "The brush picks up product easily and the bristles are tapered perfectly with performance in mind."

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19

Best for Beginners

SEPHORA COLLECTION

Complete Brush Set

$49 AT SEPHORA

• Travel-friendly

• Perfect for full-face glam

For newbies, figuring out the right makeup brush to use can feel daunting at first. Sephora's set, however, takes the guesswork of selecting what to use. The seven-piece collection comes with everything you need for creating any look, including a foundation brush, blush brush, concealer brush, and eyeshadow brush.

"I am OBSESSED with these brushes!!!" raves a Sephora reviewer. "The bristles are sooo soft and apply my makeup so beautifully. Plus these brushes are vegan which I LOVE. This is a greater starter kit for beginners. Also very budget friendly!!"

20

Best for Experienced Pros

Artis

5-Piece Artis Elite Brush Set

$170 AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

• Delivers pro-quality results

• Multi-use brushes

This oval brush set will instantly become a makeup bag staple for seasoned makeup pros. The collection includes a range of five different types of brushes that each deliver a flawless finish with all sorts of formulas.

SOPHIE DWECKSophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more. 

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