If you reach for a brush every time you apply your favorite bronzer, blush or highlighter, you may want to use one for your base, too. While your fingertips are fine for getting the job done, the best foundation brushes are ideal for a pro-level, seamless application. The right one creates an even, natural finish and streak-free coverage, whether you’re using a liquid, powder or cream product (including lighter formulas like CC creams or tinted moisturizers).
The best foundation brushes are the unsung heroes of your makeup bag.
You’re likely familiar with the most popular version—the classic flat paddle shape—but there are plenty of other options too. Each shape, size and density level offers something different depending on the formula you’re using and your desired level of coverage and application style. Here, we’re uncovering the top options for what’s arguably the most important part of your makeup routine. Ahead are the best foundation brushes for every budget, makeup look and preference. (For the rest of your face, check out these great makeup brushes recommended by pros.)
- Best Foundation Brush Overall: Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush
- Best Luxury Foundation Brush: Artis Elite Mirror Oval 7
- Best Liquid Foundation Brush: Fenty Beauty Full-Bodied Foundation Brush
- Best Powder Foundation Brush: Koh Gen Do Perfect Foundation Brush
- Best Cream Foundation Brush: MAC 190 Synthetic Foundation Brush
- Best Budget Foundation Brush: Real Techniques Custom Complexion Foundation 3-in-1 Makeup Brush
- Best Multipurpose Foundation Brush: Sigma F47 Multitasker Brush
- Best Vegan Foundation Brush: Tarte The Buffer
What To Consider In A Foundation Brush
The type of foundation you use (like liquids, creams or powders) and your preferred coverage level are both deciding factors when shopping for the right brush. In general, however, follow this rule of thumb: “Stick to natural bristles for powder and synthetic bristles for liquid products,” says makeup artist Alexa Persico.
Application
Applying foundation with a brush can feel intimidating in a world where sponges and fingertips seem like easier options. But with the correct technique and practice, foundation brushes can give you the coverage you want while still allowing your skin to look, well, like skin. Unlike the bouncing or stippling motion you use with makeup sponges, it’s important to make sweeping or circular buffing motions instead. More on that below.
Material
The two main fiber types used for makeup brushes are natural and synthetic. “Natural brushes are made using animal hair, and the hairs are naturally some variation of a soft brown or tan color, though they may be dyed black or bleached white,” says Persico. Synthetic brushes have bristles of manmade nylon, polyester or other synthetic materials. They may be dyed, but they’re naturally white or colorless.
Shape
Veteran makeup artist and Artis co-founder Matthew Waitesmith says, “Some companies offer foundation brushes in wild geometric shapes or colors to attract attention from the consumer.” While they may make your vanity look infinitely cuter, he says, “they don’t always perform in the way you might want them to during application and distribution.” Instead, he recommends designs that mimic the shapes of the face (think circles, ovals and triangles) and are the right sizes for the areas you’re working on. Select the size depending on the area you’re working on. For instance, use a smaller brush on the eye area, a larger one for foundation and a much bigger one for applying body products.
How Do You Apply Foundation With A Brush?
Think: smooth. “You can get a nice finish with liquids, soft creams and even powders when applied with a good brush in gliding, curving or circular-type strokes,” says Waitesmith. He explains that foundation is malleable enough to be buffed into the skin without creating a cakey finish.
Keep in mind that Waitesmith recommends against a stippling motion (similar to a bouncing motion you make with a sponge), saying it creates a thick and uneven application. However, he says, “A slight stipple over a particular spot may deposit a few more layers of product, which could be helpful for covering a blemish.” Keep this technique in mind when you want to create additional coverage without reaching for additional products.
What Is The Difference Between A Natural And Synthetic Foundation Brush?
Persico recommends natural makeup brushes for applying powder-based makeup products because natural hair has a coating (called a cuticle) that absorbs skin oils and lifts powdery pigments. On the other hand, she recommends synthetic hair brushes for liquid products because they’re “not as porous as natural hairs, so they don’t soak up too much makeup or get cakey.” Unlike natural hair, synthetic bristles have no cuticle and don’t readily absorb oils or powdery pigments. “This makes them a great choice for use with cream or liquid products like foundation or concealer,” she says.
How Do You Wash Your Makeup Brushes?
Dirty brushes can lead to uneven makeup application and even cause breakouts. Make it a habit to deep clean your makeup brushes weekly to prevent bacteria from forming in between the bristles. Persico says her favorite way to wash her brushes is with a DIY mixture of Dawn dish soap and olive oil in a one-to-one ratio on a wet brush. She tells us the soap cuts through greasy makeup products while the olive oil keeps the bristles soft and shiny.