The 8 Best Foundation Brushes, Tested by Byrdie Editors and MUAs

Don’t underestimate the power of a great makeup tool.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
Best foundation brushes displayed on a marble counter

Byrdie / Alexander Huang

Finding a foundation that truly suits your complexion and preferences is half the battle when it comes to achieving a seamless makeup look, but don’t underestimate the tool you use to apply it—it can make a significant difference in the outcome. And, just like foundations, there’s a wide variety of foundation brushes out there, and they won’t all perform the same way. “There are quite a few foundation brushes to play with—flat brushes, kabuki brushes, angled softer brushes, and even more firm buffing brushes,” says celebrity makeup artist Taylour Chanel

In order to find the best options available and help you decide which one is right for you, we conducted extensive research before selecting 25 to put to the test. Then, we headed to The Lab and evaluated each brush based on its design, durability, performance, and ease of cleaning

Keep reading to see which foundation brushes impressed us the most.

Best Overall

BK Beauty 101 Contoured Foundation Brush

BK Beauty 101 Contoured Foundation Brush

BK Beauty

What We Like
  • Brush head is fairly large and can get application done quickly

  • Handle feels comfortable in the hands 

  • Bristles are extremely soft 

  • Bristle density is ideal for smooth blending 

  • Buffs and blends perfectly 

  • Bristles do not fray or shed

What We Don't Like
  • Not ideal for precise blending in small areas of the face 

If you frequent BeautyTok, chances are you’re familiar with this beloved foundation brush. Not only is it a fan-favorite and an editor-favorite, but it also received extremely high praise during our test. The ergonomic design features a rounded and slightly angled brush head that works to buff and blend foundation across the skin quickly. It’s relatively large compared to others we tested, so while it’s not ideal for targeting small crevices on the face, it does a fantastic job of creating a smooth veil of coverage in just a minute or two. 

The synthetic bristles are incredibly soft to the touch and they’re packed with the perfect density. They’re not so loosely packed that they create streaks on the skin, but they’re also not so dense that the brush feels hard or just moves the product around—it’s truly the ideal density for seamless foundation blending. Lastly, we were incredibly impressed that absolutely no brush hairs frayed or shed during application or while we were washing it—the quality of this one is second to none. 

Who It’s For

This excellent foundation brush is a fantastic choice for most people as it works with liquid, cream, and powder formulas, and creates an even, seamless finish. If you prefer a smaller brush that allows you to blend foundation around your eye sockets or precisely in the creases of your nose, this one might be too large, but otherwise, we think it’s a fantastic addition to any makeup routine.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Saie The Base Brush

Saie The Base Brush

Sephora

What We Like
  • Extremely soft bristles 

  • Fairly wide, short handle is comfortable to hold and stands up

  • Compact design 

  • Great for blending foundation as well as other cream products 

  • Brush head size is nice for foundation application and sculpting 

  • Buffs and blends effectively 

What We Don't Like
  • Can leave minor streaks if not thoroughly blended

Another, slightly more affordable, option that we were impressed by is this one from Saie. With a fairly short and chubby design, it’s compact, easy to control, and can even be stood up on your vanity. The bristles are soft and delicate on the skin, and the minimally rounded top makes for smooth buffing and blending. 

We noticed that it created very minor streakiness when swiping it across the skin or not taking a moment to thoroughly blend foundation, but this is easily avoidable by using circular motions to blend and taking your time. Aside from the nice design and super soft bristles, we love that it isn’t just great for applying foundation, it’s also excellent for subtly sculpting your cheekbones with cream bronzer or contour thanks to the medium size. 

Who It’s For

If you’re looking for a compact foundation brush to take with you on the go, or you’re in the market for a semi-affordable option that will smoothly and gently blend foundation, bronzer, and contour, we highly recommend checking this one out.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

Real Techniques Expert Face Makeup Brush

Real Techniques Expert Face Makeup Brush

Ulta

What We Like
  • High-quality for the price 

  • Shape is great for foundation application and sculpting 

  • Bristles are very soft 

  • Bristles have an ideal density for buffing and blending 

  • Creates a smooth finish

  • No fraying or shedding

What We Don't Like
  • Brush head is relatively small and takes some time to blend the entire face

Real Techniques has been making affordable and high-quality brushes we love for many years, and this one is among the best in their line. The handle is sturdy and easy to grip, and the bristles are soft and gentle on the skin. Because the bristles are tightly (but not too tightly) packed, they’re able to effectively buff in the foundation, creating a smooth, even finish. We also appreciated that the brush didn’t soak up a ton of foundation and the hairs didn’t fray or shed one bit

The brush head is relatively small, meaning that it takes a bit of time to blend across your entire face, but this also means that it’s excellent for applying liquid highlighter or contour in more targeted areas

Who It’s For

This affordable foundation brush is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a tool that will help them blend liquid and cream foundations seamlessly, as well as contour and highlight.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Powder Foundation

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush #6

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6

Amazon

What We Like
  • Bristles are very soft 

  • Large flat-top design blends foundation quickly 

  • Works nicely with liquid and powder formulas

  • No fraying or shedding 

  • Creates streak-free finish 

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey compared to other options on our list 

A lot of brushes are best for applying liquids, others are best for applying powders, but some, like this one from IT Cosmetics, are great for both. With a large, dense, flat-top design, it works to pick up and buff powder formulas into the skin beautifully. By swirling this brush into your powder foundation in circular motions, you’re able to evenly coat the bristles in the formula. 

We also loved how nicely it blended out liquids—just a few swipes allowed us to blend liquid foundation across the face with a smooth and streak-free finish. And because the brush head is pretty large, it gets the job done quickly.

Who It’s For

Although it’s pricey compared to other options on our list, the nice quality (think no shedding or fraying), and how well it works for multiple formulas make it a worthwhile investment—especially if you wear powder foundation consistently.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Flat Brush

Sephora Collection PRO Foundation Brush #47

Sephora Collection PRO Foundation Brush #47

Sephora

What We Like
  • Very soft bristles 

  • Effective for precise application 

  • Handle is sturdy and easy to grip 

  • Creates a smooth, even finish 

  • No shedding or fraying

What We Don't Like
  • Soaks up a lot of product

Flat foundation brushes are used like a classic paintbrush to get a good amount of product applied directly to the face, but really aren't designed to work the product into the skin,” says makeup artist Kasey Spickards. Because of this, flat foundations brushes have been used by makeup artists on models for television, photoshoots, and runways since they often yield sufficient coverage. 

Interestingly, we did find that this particular option soaked up quite a bit of the product, which isn’t typical for flat brushes. While this did make the brush a bit harder to clean, we still found that it delivered great coverage with a smooth and even finish. The bristles are very soft and a bit fluffier than a lot of flat foundation brushes, which helped to create a lighter more airbrushed finish. Though it’s not ideal for buffing product into the skin, the slightly fluffy bristles make it easier to blend than others with a similar design. We also appreciated that the shape of the brush allowed us to apply foundation in hard-to-reach areas, like the crease of the nose and around the eyes. 

Who It’s For

If you’re looking for a foundation brush that you can use to target specific areas of your face and yield a natural-looking finish, we highly recommend checking out this option.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Design

Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush

Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush

Laura Mercier

What We Like
  • Teardrop shape contours to the face 

  • Handle is sturdy and easy to grip

  • Bristles are very soft 

  • No shedding or fraying 

  • Creates smooth finish

What We Don't Like
  • Soaks up a lot of product

This brush thoroughly impressed us during our test for a variety of reasons, the main one being how great the design is. The handle is extremely sturdy and comfortable to hold, but it’s the teardrop-shaped brush head that sets it apart. The top is pointed, which makes it easy to blend foundation into crevices on the face, and the bottom portion is larger and rounded, allowing you to blend larger areas of the face efficiently. And because the entire brush-head has a rounded, dome-like shape, it helps you achieve a smooth, streak-free finish.

The bristles feel super soft and gentle on the skin, and we didn’t experience any fraying or shedding during the test. While this brush did soak up quite a bit of the foundation which made cleaning it a bit of a pain, this also means that it prevents you from over-applying and ending up with a cakey finish. 

Who It’s For

If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality brush that will help you achieve a smooth and precise application of liquid or cream foundations, we recommend giving this one a go.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Precise Application

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush

Ulta

What We Like
  • Extremely soft and gentle bristles 

  • Sturdy, chic-looking handle 

  • Smooth, streak-free application

  • Small oval shape makes it easy to blend small areas of the face 

  • No shedding or fraying

What We Don't Like
  • Brush head is small and takes some time to blend the entire face

Hourglass makes some incredibly luxe makeup, and their makeup brushes are equally as high-quality. This one is fantastic for foundation application and is effective for blending liquid formulas across the skin and in hard-to-reach areas, thanks to a compact brush-head. The shape of the brush is an oval with pretty densely packed bristles—it was designed to mimic fingertip application which allows for precision and control

We absolutely adored how well it worked to create a seamless blend, and the bristles are arguably the softest out the brushes we tested, making it nice for those with sensitive skin. It did what it promised to do—it allowed for targeted and smooth application. While the small design does mean that it take a bit more time to blend foundation across the entire face compared to others on this list, it’s certainly large enough to get the job done with a bit of patience. 

Who It’s For

We highly recommend this luxurious brush to anyone that likes a tool that allows for targeted application of liquid foundations. And because the bristles are so so soft, it’s great for people with sensitive skin.

Bristle Type: Synthetic | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Where We Stand

Out of all the foundation brushes that we tested, the BK Beauty 101 Contoured Foundation is our best overall pick thanks to its super-soft bristles, excellent blending and buffing capability, and overall impressive design and quality. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, both the Real Techniques Expert Face Makeup Brush and the e.l.f. Concealer & Foundation Complexion Duo Brush are affordable and effective for smooth foundation application. 

How We Tested

To determine which foundation brushes are the best on the market, we conducted extensive research before selecting 25 to put to the test. We headed to The Lab and evaluated each brush based on its design, durability, performance, and ease of cleaning. We put each one through an application test, a cleaning test, and a quality test where we assessed for shedding and fraying. Those that impressed us the most in each test and across each category appear on this list. 

a person holding the It Cosmetics Foundation Brush

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

What to Look for in a Foundation Brush

  • Shape: When looking for a foundation brush, you’ll want to consider the shape, or brush type. “There are quite a few foundation brushes to play with—flat brushes, kabuki brushes, angled softer brushes, and even more firm buffing brushes” says Chanel. The one you should choose depends on the foundation formula you’re using and the look you’re hoping to achieve. For power foundation, recommend a dense, flat-top brush, like the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush #6. If you’re looking to really buff out and blend liquid or cream foundations, go for a semi-firm buffing brush, like the BK Beauty 101 Contoured Foundation. And if you need something that will place product on your face precisely, try a flat brush, like the Sephora Collection PRO Foundation Brush #47
  • Bristle Type: Makeup brushes either have natural bristles (made from animal hair) or synthetic bristles. While natural hair brushes are great for applying powder products and creating a soft, airbrushed finish on the skin, synthetic bristles have come a long way and are now usually just as soft and effective, not to mention, less expensive. In addition to understanding the type of bristles, it’s also wise to understand the density, or how tightly they’re packed together in the head of the brush. Usually, the more dense the bristles, the better a brush will be able to move product around and buff it out. More loosely packed bristles will create a lighter, more soft finish. 
FAQ
  • What type of brush is best for liquid foundation?

    When it comes to applying liquid foundation and yielding a lot of coverage, we recommend opting for a brush with synthetic bristles that are somewhat densely packed, like the BK Beauty 101 Contoured Foundation. These types of brushes are great for buffing and blending and do not soak up a ton of the foundation. 

  • What is the best way to apply foundation with a brush?

    There are multiple ways to apply foundation with a brush, and the best way to figure out what works for you is to experiment a bit. If you need some guidance, try Chanel’s method. “I personally like to apply the foundation to the skin with a flat brush, then buff it in with an angled or contoured brush,” she says. “The flat brush is  [usually] dense and doesn’t use up too much of your product, and the angled brush can distribute the foundation product evenly across all areas of the skin while also creating a diffused, soft-focus effect for a natural skin-finish.” In terms of what motions to use when blending, Spickards recommends using a combination of swirling and tapping motions all over the face to work the foundation into the skin. 

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing foundation brushes for years, and she’s tried several on this list for herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. 

Alyssa also spoke to experts to discuss important things to consider when purchasing a foundation brush. Those experts included:  

  • Taylour Chanel, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with clients like Hila Klein, Tiffany Haddish, and more. 
  • Kacey Spickards, a celebrity makeup artist who’s worked with clients like Kamie Crawford, Remi Bader, and more.

Related Stories