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The best make-up brushes in Australia for 2025...Touch up: 14 of the best make-up brushes to buy now

Updated: Sep 14

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EditionAustralia

Touch up: 14 of the best make-up brushes to buy now

Philippa Tonkin9 Sept 2025

Philippa Tonkin9 Sept 2025

Vogue editors researched and compared the 14 best make-up brushes, from fluffy kabukis to sleek and tapered eyeshadow brushes.

Philippa Tonkin9 Sept 2025

 Philippa Tonkin

9 Sept 2025

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Vogue Australia may receive advertising or affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Read more here.

Buying a new make-up brush is almost as difficult as buying a new make-up product itself. There are so many make-up products on the market right now that all offer flawless skin and full coverage, but how do you know who is telling the truth and which brand is simply best left on the shelf? We’ve done the hard work for you and trawled the internet to find the best-rated, high quality options that deliver on their promises.

From kabuki to tapered, eyeshadow to lip, these make-up brushes are sure to pack a punch when it comes to delivering the goods. Say goodbye to streak marks and creased under eyes for good when you add one of the following 14 make-up brushes to your shopping cart—because we all know a great tool will take time off your make-up routine, and we could all use a couple of extra minutes in the day.

Take a look below for Vogue’s top picks of the best make-up brushes in Australia.

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Vogue’s top picks

What to look for in make-up brushes and sets

According to make-up artist Rae Morris, it’s important to consider the shape and hair fibre type of a brush before purchasing it. “With the latest advances in technology, we don’t need to use animal hair. The [synthetic] fibre we use is actually superior in terms of performance as well—it’s stronger, softer and more consistent. In terms of shape, I prefer pointed calligraphy shapes, nothing that creates hard edges which require more blending.” 

Density and cut also matter. Opt for buffing brushes for seamless foundation, stippling for airy finishes, and tapered tips for precision. Match tools to formulas, such as creams, liquids, or powders, and demand high-quality ferrules and balanced handles. A well-curated set balances face and eye essentials, with storage cases and drying guards for care and travel. Look for vegan sets with warranties and pro-level tools if you’re skilled, or streamlined kits for beginners.

The best make-up brushes in Australia for 2025

Best concealer brushes

How many brushes does a “complete” set really need—and which shapes are non-negotiable?

Editor’s tip: A truly complete brush set strikes the balance between form and function. While pro kits boast 20 or more tools, most beauty devotees thrive with 8 to 12 essentials. Think of it as your brush wardrobe: a dense foundation buffer, a tapered concealer brush, a fluffy powder brush, an angled contour, a soft blush brush, and a precise highlighter are non-negotiable for the face. For eyes, prioritise a flat shader, a blending brush, and an angled liner. 

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Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7

A two-in-one concealer and foundation brush, what more could you want? Blend and even out your foundation before simply flipping the brush to buff out your concealer. One thing that makes this brush even more of a must-have is that it was designed in collaboration with plastic surgeons to help you achieve that highly sought-after airbrushed effect.

Brush style: Double side | Function: Foundation, concealer | Product type: Cruelty-free | Shipping: Free standard shipping over $50

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Small Concealer Brush #18

We all know just how annoying creased concealer is. This brush from Anastasia Beverly Hills promises to fix that issue. The round, flat shape delivers concealer flawlessly so that it looks like second skin. Made from soft, synthetic bristles, the brush doesn’t absorb product so that the maximum amount of concealer is applied precisely where you need it most.

Brush shape: Round, flat | Function: Concealer | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: Free over £40

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Classic Concealer Brush 02

This brush is designed to mimic fingertip application so if you prefer the look of your concealer applied with your fingertips but don't want to finger paint, then this is the one for you. The brush also has a dual purpose: one side of the tapered brush is designed to place and have a smooth application, while the other side is used to sheer and blend.

Brush shape: Tapered | Function: Concealer | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: Free standard shipping over $25

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Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush

The cult brand has done it again with this high-performance concealer brush. Made in a unique half-moon shape that contours to the face, your concealer will never be the same again.

Brush shape: Half-moon | Function: Concealer | Product type: Vegan Taklon | Shipping: £25

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Elite Mirror Oval 7

This brush may be a bit luxe but the results are worth it. Packed with velvet-soft CosmeFibre® filaments and a curved handle for added strength and flexibility, this high-quality brush makes blending your foundation has never been so easy.

Brush shape: Oval | Function: Foundation | Product type: CosmeFibre filaments | Shipping: $10 express shipping

Best eyeshadow brushes

Which brush shapes pair best with liquids vs creams vs powders?

Editor’s tip: Liquids love dense, flat-top or angled kabuki brushes that buff foundation seamlessly into skin without streaking. Creams call for duo-fibre or stippling brushes that build coverage with control while preventing cakiness, while powders perform best with fluffy, loosely packed brushes that disperse product lightly and evenly—think dome-shaped for setting, tapered for bronzing, and rounded for blush. Finally, precision tools like small, flat concealer brushes or angled liners also vary by texture, so choose accordingly.

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E40 Tapered Blending Brush

One of the easiest synthetic brushes to apply and blend eyeshadow with, this tool will soon become your new favourite. Perfect for blending, it’s great for that subtle, seamless eyeshadow look.

Brush shape: Tapered | Function: Eyeshadow | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: $6 standard delivery

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Eyeshadow Smudge Brush

Crafted with a double-sided end, this brush is ideal for sculpting the eyes. The angled shape makes it easier to blend and apply colour to whatever area of the eye you like. The bristles are also super soft which is always a plus.

Brush shape: Angled | Function: Eyeshadow | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: Free standard shipping

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212 Synthetic Flat Definer Brush

If you need a new brush for that sleek liner look, then look no further. The firmly bristled, flat shape of this option allows for greater control over your application so you can add instant definition.

Brush shape: Flat | Function: Eyeshadow, eyeliner | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: $10 standard shipping

Best blush brushes and bronzer brushes

Are modern synthetics as good as natural hair for pickup and blend?

Editor’s tip: These days, modern synthetic brushes have evolved to rival natural hair in both pickup and blend. Engineered with ultra-fine, tapered fibres, today’s synthetics mimic the cuticle structure of natural bristles, gripping pigment effortlessly while delivering a smooth, streak-free finish. They excel with liquid and cream formulas, but new textures now master powders too, offering a soft, airbrushed effect without absorbing excess product. As an added bonus: they’re vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and far easier to clean. 

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F1 Makeup Brush

This Makeup by Mario dual-end brush is ideal for blending cream products and providing a flawless finish. The smaller end is great for more precise areas like the nose or the hollows of the cheeks, while the larger end can be used for broader areas like the cheekbones and jawline. It's a foundation, bronzer and blush brush in one!

Brush style: Dual-end | Function: Blush, bronzer, contour, foundation, concealer, highlighter | Product type: Synthetic and natural blend | Shipping: Free standard shipping

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129 Fan Brush

After that perfect glow? This highlighter brush is ideal for applying highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones and other high points of the face. The fanned out bristles allow you to pick up just the right amount of powder and build whatever level of glow you want.

Brush shape: Fan | Function: Highlighter | Product type: Vegan, cruelty-free | Shipping: Free shipping over $25

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Expert Face Brush

This cult classic brush will see your cheeks perfectly rosey and cheekbones sharply contoured. The ultra-firm, dense yet soft brush head is ideal for professionals and beginners alike and will provide precise application.

Brush shape: Round | Function: Cream blush, powder bronzer | Product type: Taklon, synthetic | Shipping: Free standard shipping

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Highlighter Brush

This slim tapered powder brush may be designed for highlighter but it works just as well for blush and contour too. The soft texture of the brush works to provide an even application and a flawless finish.

Brush shape: Domed | Function: Highlighter, powder, blush and bronzer | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: Free standard shipping

Best lip brushes

Is it better to use a make-up brush or fingers for application?

Editor’s tip: This depends on the finish you want. Fingers are great for cream products, as your natural body heat will help when it comes to melting liquid formulas into the skin for a natural, lived-in glow. Brushes, however, are preferable when precision is the goal, such as foundation on a flat brush, for example, or a lip colour on a smaller brush. 

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Lip Brush

A lip brush may seem indulgent when you can easily apply lipstick or lipgloss straight onto your lips, but if you’re wanting a touch more accuracy then perhaps a precision brush is in order. Featuring a specially-designed squared end, this brush allows you to get right into the inner corners of your mouth so you can achieve even coverage.

Brush shape: Squared | Function: Lips | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: $10 standard shipping

Best travel brushes

What compact designs keep shape integrity while travelling?

Editor’s tip: For travel, look for retractable brushes with locking mechanisms or capped kabukis that shield bristles without crushing them. Short-handled minis with dense, domed heads preserve shape and performance in tight spaces, and magnetic sets that snap into sleek cases or brushes with ventilated protective sleeves are ideal for maintaining form and hygiene on the go. 

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Both vegan and cruelty-free, this set of travel brushes features seven personally-selected options that Rae Morris herself recommends for a flawless make-up application. In addition to the miniature tools, it also comes with a magnetic frame for ease of use, meaning your brushes are protected while you’re on the move. 

Brush shapes: Multiple | Function: Travel | Product type: Synthetic | Shipping: Free over $25

FAQs

Which make-up brushes are essential?

“I’d start with a foundation brush,” says make-up artist and brand founder Rae Morris, who recommends the #26 Radiance or #28 Deluxe Radiance options from her eponymous range. “Sponges are great but unhygienic, and fingers are messy,” she adds. “Nothing makes foundation more flawless than a brush.  A foundation brush can [also] double as a skincare applicator.”

“Next would be my #16 Brow Definer,” says Morris, who uses the tool to fill in brows, sharpen eyeliner, and define a bold lip. “Another would be my #12 Lash Line Smudger. You need a brush that you can use very close to the lash line. A square shape keeps all liners and pencils close to the eye and it doesn’t flick product everywhere.”

“Last but not least, the #1 Deluxe Kabuki,” she concludes. ‘This is the most [versatile] brush in my range, it’s perfect for applying blush, all over powder, contouring, shading and bronzing. There is also a smaller option, if you have more defined features.”

Which brushes should you have in your make-up bag?

“If we’re talking about your ‘on-the-go’ make-up bag when travelling, and your make-up is already done, then [pack] brushes that you know are going to be used for touch ups,” says Morris. “I always carry a blush brush, a powder brush and a buffer brush. It’s best to keep your blush brush and powder brush separate as one will have colour, and the other you want to keep free of colour so you can mattify with a setting powder. A buffer brush is important because it gets rid of creases under your eye,” she adds.

For your everyday make-up bag, Morris suggests ensuring you're equipped with a foundation brush, a cheek brush, two powder brushes, and a liner brush. In terms of eye brushes, the expert explains you’ll only ever need three: “One for crease and socket application, one for an all-over wash, and a small one to work close to the lash line.”

What are the most important steps in a make-up routine that require a brush?

“Definitely foundation,” says Morris. “Nothing applies cream, liquid or powder foundation like a good foundation brush. I’m all about beautiful-looking skin and this starts with flawless foundation application. Next, anything that requires precision,” she adds, referring in particular to brows, eyeliners, eyeshadow, lip lines, and contouring brushes. “There are very few things you can do as effectively with your hands, so if you want precision, definition and perfect blending, nothing beats brushes.”

Which make-up brushes are not worth your money?

Assessing how you apply your make-up and which products you choose to use will help you narrow down the types of brushes worth your investment. “For example, if you don’t [wear] eyeliner, you don’t need liner brushes. If you prefer doing a blurred lip, just use your fingers as it doesn’t need to be precise,” Morris explains. “You don’t need to have seven different foundation brushes,” she adds. “Having good quality, precise brushes is my go-to.”

How often should you clean your make-up brushes?

“As an artist, we must clean and sterilise our brushes every single time they touch a face,” says Morris. “Now, I know this might not be realistic for most people, so every one to two weeks is best. Any longer and you’ll need to make sure you’re doing a deeper clean to remove the product buildup and bacteria.”

How should you clean your make-up brushes?

Morris confirms an alcohol-based brush sterilising liquid is the best product to use when cleaning your make-up brushes. “[It] cleans out the oils, grease and lipsticks with ease, plus they dry quickly. Bacterial wipes are also great if you’re travelling as they’re perfect for cleaning powder brushes,” she explains.

“For a deep clean, I use [dishwashing liquid] and [bar soap] as these are great for removing stains. Fill up a cup of water and dip the tip of each brush into the water,” Morris advises. “Swirl it around a few times on the soap and then rinse with warm water, making sure to keep the brush angled down to avoid water getting into the ferrule (the metal part of the brush).”

“Once the brush is clean, squeeze out any excess water and mould the bristles back into their original shape. Place the brush on a bench, with the head of the brush over the edge, and let it dry overnight,” the make-up artist concludes.

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