The 7 Best Makeup Brushes for Seamless Makeup Application Every Time

Best Overall

Lune+Aster Foundation Brush

$38 at Amazon

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/angled | Density: Very dense | Intended Use: Liquid, cream, or powder foundation | Coverage: Full | Vegan: Yes

Of all the brushes we tested, this one from Lune+Aster was our favorite. Designed for applying liquid, cream, or powder foundation, the brush is round with a sloped head (which allowed Julia to get into all the contours of her face) while the short, thick handle offered her a solid grip. This brush has synthetic bristles, which makeup artist Nick Lujan prefers. "In addition to being vegan-friendly, they're often more durable and hygienic," he explains.

Best Budget

e.l.f. Cosmetics Buffing Foundation Brush

$10 at Amazon $7 at Ulta $7 at Target

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/tapered | Density: Dense | Intended Use: Foundation, concealer, buffing | Coverage: Medium | Vegan: Yes

E.l.f. makes some really excellent budget beauty tools, and this makeup brush is no exception. The round, tapered shape is designed for foundation and concealer, but it also works for contouring and buffing powder products. While Julia prefers a slightly larger head, she said the medium size makes it versatile enough to use around the eyes and nose. She loved the soft-to-the-touch synthetic bristles, too.

Best Splurge

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush #6

View on Ulta $43 at Amazon $50 at Nordstrom

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/flat | Density: Very dense | Intended Use: Liquid or powder foundation, buffing | Coverage: Full | Vegan: Yes

If you're willing to invest in a high-quality makeup brush, look no further than IT Cosmetics. This luxurious flat-top features dense synthetic bristles that feel soft against the skin. The unique head does an incredible job of picking up and buffing out pressed and loose powders, but you can also use it for applying and blending liquid foundation. Our tester said that when used with foundation, this brush left her with a smooth, streak-free complexion. She also liked how the weight of the handle felt in her hand.

Best Oval

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush

$20 at Amazon $27 at Walmart View on Realtechniques.com

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Oval | Density: Medium | Intended Use: Liquid foundation, applying, buffing | Coverage: Full | Vegan: Yes

The best oval brush we tried was the Real Techniques Blend + Blur. Designed for applying and buffing liquid foundation, it has a large head with dense bristles. Though the fibers are slightly stiff, Britney said they're still plenty soft. Since the bristles are on the side rather than the end, the shape is more reminiscent of a toothbrush than a paintbrush. As Britney notes, this makes it easy to use when blending out liquids and creams, while the large size offers incredible coverage. Cleaning the dense bristles took a little more elbow grease than other brushes, but nothing too excessive.

Best for Contouring

MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush

$25 at Amazon $40 at Nordstrom View on Maccosmetics.com

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/angled | Density: Medium | Intended Use: Foundation, contour, blending, buffing | Coverage: Medium | Vegan: Yes

While it's technically designed for foundation, this brush was a stand-out for contouring. While it's slightly too large for the under-eye area, the round, angled shape allowed Julia to reach around all the curves and corners of her face. Julia said her makeup went on super smooth and melted into her skin as she buffed it out, leaving her with a bright, even-toned complexion.

Best Cruelty-Free

Tarte Foundcealer Foundation Brush

$32 at Ulta $32 at Tartecosmetics.com $30 at QVC

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/tapered | Density: Very dense | Intended Use: Foundation, concealer | Coverage: Medium to full | Vegan: Yes

This cruelty-free tool features vegan-friendly synthetic bristles and a round, tapered head. Though the finely cut fibers are somewhat short, Elizabeth said they're exceptionally soft and fluffy. This brush features multiple bristle lengths, which makes it easy to blend liquids and creams. Elizabeth loved how smoothly her foundation buffed into her skin and appreciated the comfortable feel of the sturdy handle.

Best Portable

bareMinerals Smoothing Foundation Brush

$34 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $20 at Walmart

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Domed | Density: Less dense | Intended Use: Foundation, tinted moisturizer, diffusing, contouring, stippling | Coverage: Medium | Vegan: Yes

This makeup brush from bareMinerals is smaller than average, making it ideal for travel and on-the-go use. And thanks to the versatile design, it might be the only tool you need to pack. Perfect for applying, blending, contouring, stippling, and diffusing creams or powders, Julia liked that the multi-length synthetic fibers aren't super densely packed. While it seemed to make things streaky at first, Julia found that sweeping and tapping motions offer a stunningly smooth finish. Since it wasn't the most intuitive, this might not be the best option for beginners—but once you get the hang of it, you're golden.

Best for Creams

Monika Blunder Hybrid Cream Brush

View on Monikablunderbeauty.com

Bristle Material: Synthetic | Shape: Round/tapered | Intended Use: Cream foundation, blush, bronzer | Vegan: Yes

There's a definite learning curve to using a brush to apply cream products, but this multipurpose brush by Monika Blunder makes it a cinch. Using a lighter touch with this brush will yield an ethereal, diffused finish, while applying pressure helps to blend out cream bronzers and blushes to airbrushed makeup perfection. We love that it's soft on the skin yet dense enough to blend out product. Use it to buff away lines and streaks easily even when you're layering products. And the small size allows for precise application, especially on the cheekbones, under the eyes, and on the sides of the nose.