8 of the best foundation brushes for beautiful skin forever (2023)

Achieve beautiful results with the best foundation brush. As the old adage goes, a man is only as good as his tools, and when it comes to makeup, a truer word has never been said.

you could have thembest foundation, popular with makeup artists, beauty editors, and impossibly flawless A-listers, but if your application game is flawed, your complexion may end up looking blotchy, streaky, and, well, a little jaded. A great foundation brush will make your makeup application faster, smoother and more even – the secret to a flawless finish is knowing which one to use and when.

This depends on many factors, including the type of foundation you're working with. are you applyingThe best full coverage foundationor mineral powder? Do you need to hide imperfections or do you prefer a transparent finish? "In general, the larger the brush head, the smoother the coverage," he explains.rosa gallagher(opens in a new tab), make-up artist and ambassador for IT Cosmetics UK & Ireland. "For areas where you want to increase coverage, a smaller, denser brush head draws makeup into the skin rather than removing it." Time to freshen up with our proven guide.

How we tested the best foundation brushes

To narrow down my pick for the best foundation brush, I've nominated all-time favorites that will always have a place on my vanity and cosmetic bag, and tried out new brush shapes and brands. In the interest of absolute fairness, I tested each of these brushes with the same base to gauge how opacity and finish adjusted with each tool.

Price was also a consideration – as I found out, an expensive brush doesn't necessarily guarantee a better result. I also wanted to include vegan options as sustainability is a big factor for me. I've used each brush on this list (and others that didn't work) multiple times to test the feel and density of the bristles, how well they applied my foundation, and of course, the final look.

The best foundation brushes, according to a beauty editor

The Morphe range first launched with brushes in 2008, so it's no surprise they've perfected the recipe for professional yet affordable tools, turning hobbyists into artists. When I use a foundation brush, I want my opacity to correct my complexion flaws like I'm holding a real Instagram filter. That is exactly what this brush does. However, the densely packed bristles mean it's more difficult to create a light, sheer color tone. If that's your goal, you'll do better with a makeup sponge or your fingers.

The brush head is different from anything on this list. The bristles are short, with a subtle notch at the tip, allowing you to pick up a large amount of product and move it across your face with little effort. It's nice and wide too – you can create a well-blended foundation in no time, just like when ghd introduced Wide-Plated.ghd Max Haarglätter. Time saver, right? This brush is a true all-rounder. It's durable enough that you can apply additional makeup where you need it. Thin enough to brush into hard-to-reach places around the nose and can be used for contouring and shaping. This is hands down the best foundation brush I've ever used.

Ever since I stopped by a Bobbi Brown counter for a makeup tutorial before my wedding in 2013, I've been on top of her brushes. She would give me a new brush every few months. That was a decade ago and my BB concealer, brow brushes, and eye shadows are still in my daily rotation. However, I hadn't tried any of her basic tools until now. and i'm sold

This is a unique type of brush that would work just as well whether you apply it or not.Foundation vs. BB-Cream- but it definitely works particularly well at the fuller end of the coverage spectrum. Somehow it manages to be unbelievably soft (I've found myself mindlessly rubbing my face without applying foundation) and resilient, a rare combination that delivers polished, velvety, high-definition perfection. Somehow my pores looked blurry and less shiny. The densely packed bristles penetrate directly into the curves of the face, from below the eye to the sides of the nose. It is definitely worth the hype.

It sounds counterintuitive, but I like a bit of weight for my makeup brushes. This one certainly feels substantial and somehow makes me feel like I have more control over it.how to apply foundationwith that. The tapered head allows you to apply foundation into every nook and cranny, providing precise coverage in areas that need a little extra TLC. I have found it particularly useful for treating the small veins around the base of my nose.

The only downside was that the densely packed, dense brush head made it a bit trickier to apply foundation to larger areas like cheeks and forehead. However, if you have blemishes, dark circles, and dark circles that need extra coverage, this would be a worthwhile addition to your makeup bag.

You will probably recognize this as a classic foundation brush. The flat, brush-like shape offers control, precision and a streak-free finish. It also means you can put more product on the bristles, which will help you layer on your foundation and add more coverage where you need it.

Andlasting beautyIf testimonials are high on your list, you'll be pleased to know that this is vegan and cruelty-free. Each material has been ethically sourced: the brush is made from synthetic bristles and comes in fully recyclable packaging. As if the green halo wasn't bright enough, So Eco plants one tree for every 100 products sold.

The wooden handle wasn't as tactile or comfortable to hold as some of the others on the list. I didn't really use the finger indentations on the ergonomic handle design, preferring to grip the brush higher up. That minor complaint aside, this is a great classic foundation brush with soft yet sturdy bristles that evenly smooth foundation over larger areas of the face and in stubborn areas under the eyes and around the nose. If, like me, you have areas that need a little more concealment, this brush allows you to apply additional makeup where you need it for medium to full coverage.

Want to save money and valuable real estate in your makeup bag? Absolutely yes IT Cosmetics has built its reputation on achieving fresh, even and healthy looking skin with its professional quality color correcting foundations and brushes. This one gets rave reviews, with a buffing brush for applying foundation and a precision concealer brush on the back. "It's big and curved, which means you get a really flawless airbrush finish," enthuses Gallagher, who always keeps this brush in her bag.

The bristles are lovely, like a hug on a brush, and effortlessly remove streaks with a few twists. Another selling point: I found that the brush didn't soak up as much product as other brushes on the list, allowing me to achieve medium coverage with minimal foundation. The fluffy concealer brush worked well on my tired eye area and went right to the sides of my nose to cover up redness. A brilliant buy and hands down one of the best foundation brushes on the market.

With over 140,000 feather-fine bristles nestled in the tip, this brush feels full and firm; it's certainly less forgiving than the Morphe brush. That's not to say it's not smooth. But that rigidity, along with the paw-shaped head, is key to creating full, seamless coverage.breaking up?Push and build the cover until those red dots are hidden.

The downside for me was that the stiffness of the brush made it a bit more difficult to blend the foundation on my face. So if she's looking for light coverage, this wouldn't be the best foundation brush for you. Rihanna's preferred application method is to squeeze, roll, and repeat. If I'm going to take makeup advice from anyone, it's RiRi flawless. And yes, this technique gave my skin that extra airbrushed effect with great pore coverage and a velvety finish.

A good, trusty paddle brush sweeps product quickly across the face, with a subtly tapered shape that targets specific problem areas. This is a decent option at an incredible price. The handle is much shorter than others on our list, but for me that was a plus as it didn't take up as much space in my makeup bag and gave me more control over application.

I can honestly say that I have not experienced a single peel with it, and it did an excellent job of getting into tight spots and tracing my lips cleanly for a fairly even finish. It may not be new territory, but it's reliable and inexpensive. And proof that you don't have to break the bank to get the best foundation brush.

"Underpainting" is a makeup application method in which contour, highlighter, and concealer are applied before foundation to create makeup.Natural makeup. The technique isn't new, but the reason we're all obsessed with it is because of the famous MUA Mary Phillips. "It makes more sense to me. It's like putting the bones under the skin: the outline and highlight are the bones, and the skin is the base," Phillips explained in a video that blew up on TikTok, and after trying it out, now It's the only way I want to do it. make up.

When applying foundation using this method, you don't want a brush that is too thick, as it will increase opacity and mask rather than disguise previously applied contours and highlights. One step ahead, the HD polishing brush. The large, chunky head helps you work the foundation into your skin for a lightweight, even and natural finish. For such a brilliant price I didn't expect this to be as good as it was to be honest. The bristles are wonderfully soft and buff my foundation with little effort. As expected, it didn't erase my outline, but instead made everything look smooth, natural, and perfectly formed. If you're thinking of trying primer, this is the best primer brush for the job.

What type of brush is best for liquid foundation?

like the choice ofbest mascaraor getting your signature scent, finding the best foundation brush for a liquid formula often comes down to personal preference. For Rose Gallagher, a bigger brush comes first. "I love to use a large, rounded brush with a curved or flat edge," she says. "The smooth shape means you get an even finish without streaks," says Ella Rose, who can achieve anything from smooth to full coverage with this type of brush. "However, if full coverage is your main goal, switching to a flat-edged buffing brush is great because not only can you blend your foundation, but you can also press this brush into your skin and apply flat coverage to any areas of discoloration." ".

Not only the shape of the brush makes a difference, but also the type of bristles. "Personally, I think synthetic brushes are much better when using liquid foundation," says Gallagher. "Natural hair bristles can get a little loose when mixed with liquid; remember how your hair will soften as you wash it. You can handle a synthetic brush with much more force."

How do I choose the right foundation brush?

• Liquid or cream foundations:A slightly tapered, flat head, like a brush, provides a full-coverage finish so you can build opacity when needed. For a more natural airbrushed effect, choose a larger, curved shape.
• Mineral or powder foundations:Mineral makeup needs to be heated and applied to the skin, so a flat-top or kabuki-style buffing brush works well here. "A flat tip means you can layer the product on your brush and have full control over each application," Gallagher explains.

How do I apply foundation with a brush?

Now that you've figured out which brush works best for you and your foundation, it's time to talk about the best way to apply it. Instead of applying foundation directly to the skin or even to the brush head, Gallagher recommends using the back of your hand as a palette. "Instead of having a hard and fast rule of working from the outside of your face or working out from the inside of your face, I would just tell you to start with the area where you want to look the most flawless and work from there outward. "

She continues: "I start my journey on the areas that need the most coverage—for me, that's my cheeks. I pick up a generous amount of coverage on those areas, then when my product wears off, I pick up what's left on the areas that don't need so much coverage. Then I continue to remove the foundation from the back of my hand, building it up, blending it and repeating.”

How often should you wash your foundation brush?

"Get in the habit of leaving your foundation brush next to the dishes every night—it's honestly the best thing you can do for your brushes and will give you the most beautiful skin and makeup," says Gallagher. "If daily washing isn't feasible, once a week is also great. You don't have to do this with every brush, but you definitely do with foundation and concealer brushes." Here are her three easy steps to washing your brushes. brushes like a pro.

• Use warm water, never hot, as this can melt the glue on your brush and loosen the bristles. Then massage a gentle amount of soap into the brush.
• Then rinse with a towel and shape the bristles into place.
• Let dry on one edge, exposing 360 degrees of the brush head.