Makeup Brushes

Makeup Brushes for Face, Eyes and Brows

Explore powder, kabuki, shadow and specialist brushes for applying and blending makeup. Compare brush shape, intended use and care guidance on each product page.

Clean brushes regularly according to the manufacturer’s care directions and allow them to dry thoroughly.

Frequently asked questions

Which brushes do I actually need to start?

Three cover most routines: a dense kabuki or powder brush for complexion products, a smaller setting brush for concealer and targeted areas, and a shadow brush for eyes. Everything beyond that is refinement rather than necessity. Buying three good brushes beats buying a twelve-piece set where you use four.

Natural or synthetic bristles?

Synthetic bristles are non-porous, so they pick up less product and are the better choice for liquids and creams — foundation, concealer, BB cream. Natural hair holds powder well and blends it softly. Modern synthetics have closed most of the performance gap, and they are the only option if you want vegan brushes.

How often should I wash my brushes?

Brushes used with liquids and creams need washing roughly weekly, because product residue plus warmth is a reasonable growth medium for bacteria. Powder brushes can go two to four weeks. Anything used near the eyes deserves the shorter end of that range, and any brush should be washed if you have had an eye or skin infection.

How do I dry brushes without ruining them?

Reshape the head while damp, then dry flat with the bristles hanging over the edge of a surface, or head-down in a holder. Never dry them standing upright — water runs into the ferrule, dissolves the glue and the head starts shedding. This is the single most common way good brushes are destroyed.

When should I replace a brush?

When it sheds persistently after washing, when the bristles splay and will not reshape, or when the head loosens in the ferrule. A well-made brush that is washed and dried properly lasts years; a cheap one used with cream products and dried upright may last months.