Admittedly, I have too many makeup brushes. While I feel like I do use all of them, there are definitely two groups. The first being my first string brushes, the brushes I am always grabbing for on a daily or regular basis. The second being the brushes I really only use for specialty looks or if the starters are dirty beyond redemption. Today we’re talking about the first group, my MVPs, and specifically, a handful of my most versatile makeup brushes.
These 5 makeup brushes are some of my most favorite from my collection. Sure, there are another handful I’d immediately repurchase if I lost them (my MAC 217*, really. It’s just perfect for my eye shape/size.) But these are really the 5 brushes in my collection I use almost on a daily basis and that are the most versatile to me and how I wear my makeup.
no. 1 | SEPHORA Pro Foundation Brush #55*
SEPHORA Collection* makeup is hit or miss for me, but their Pro brush line hasn’t let me down yet. They’re priced a little higher in comparison to other items in the SEPHORA Collection line, but it part of their Pro line. And it’s nothing outrageous, in my opinion.
I have been using this #55 Foundation Brush* for years, and I absolutely love it. The bristles are kind of on the long side and very soft, so it feels fluffy and has a ton of movement. But it isn’t flimsy like some brushes can be. I use this for foundation, as it gives me an airbrushed kind of look. But I also grab this for all over face powder, bronzer, and even blush. I’ve even been known to use this to blend a single shade of eye shadow onto the entirety of the eye, especially when I’m using bronzer on my eye.
no. 2 | SEPHORA Pro Foundation Brush #56* (56.5)
I got this brush a few years back as my complimentary gift for hitting Rouge status, but for a while, they did sell the #56.5, mini foundation brush as part of their line. Since they rebranded, they no longer have that mini option, but the #56* is the same brush, just with a longer handle. And it’s one I am always reaching for.
Similar to the #55 Foundation Brush*, the bristles are incredibly soft and great for applying foundation. But they are shorter and more densely packed. Because of this, I reach for this for fuller coverage application. Whereas the previous brush is really good for light-medium coverage foundation products, I like this smaller version for medium-full coverage. It’s easier to push product into my skin instead of just blending it on top of my skin.
But I use this for more than foundation. I love this for applying concealer under the eye, especially if it’s a formula that gives me a lot of coverage. I also, sometimes, use this for blending out contour or bronzer as well.
no. 3 | SEPHORA Pro Drawing Shadow Brush #41
My last brush from the SEPHORA Pro collection, unfortunately, isn’t on the website anymore. But I still am reaching for it regularly as one of my most favorite and versatile makeup brushes. I did want to mention that MAKE UP FOR EVER has a very similar one, the 214 Precision Crease Brush*, that I also like for the same tasks. It’s a thin, loosely packed brush that has long bristles that come to a gradual point.
What I like about a brush like this is how easy it to draw with, which is why the OG SEPHORA brush was aptly named. I like to use it on the eye to draw a shape or place very precise shadow. It’s fluffy and loose enough to work as a blending agent as well as a placement tool. I also use this through my crease for precise crease work. I have slightly hooded eyes, and sometimes I find bigger brushes can be difficult to use for certain things. And I like to use it on my lower lashline to place and diffuse shadow.
While I love this for a multitude of eye reasons, I’ve been reaching for it a ton for concealer application. It’s small enough to use as for a spot conceal situation, but it’s fluffy enough I can blend movable concealers under the eye as well.
no. 4 | e.l.f. Detail Crease Brush*
I ordered this, kind of, on a whim in a recent e.l.f. order. And when I opened the package and saw it, I didn’t think I’d like it at all. But boy have I been getting some use from this. I do like to use this on the eye in a few different ways. Through the crease, it allows me to blend out shadow in a very targeted way. I like using it through my crease, all over the lid, to blend liner, or add definition to the outermost part of my eye. I can diffuse shadow beneath the bottom lash line, apply inner corner or brow bone highlight. It does it all. But I also love this for contouring on my nose! It’s the perfect size. And the best part about this brush is it’s only a couple of dollars.
no. 5 | Real Techniques Setting Brush*
Real Techniques has really good tools for the price, in my opinion. I have quite a few of their brushes part of my regular rotation, and I find they wash and wear nicely and have lasted me years. One of my favorites is the Setting Brush*. It’s similar in shape to the #55* from SEPHORA, but it’s smaller, condensed, and loosely packed. So, it’s very fluffy, which makes it great as a setting brush for powder. I find it diffuses the powder beautifully over the skin and doesn’t pack too much onto any one place. It’s the perfect size to set the under eye area and other areas where I pin point powder — like around the nose and mouth, jawline, or forehead.
But I like this for a lot more than setting powder application. It’s a great size for highlighting all over the face, even the brow bone when I want something light and diffused. And if you haven’t noticed, I can be pretty messy and lazy with my makeup, often using one or two brushes to do a whole face, especially if that face is really only made up of blush and bronzer. On those days, this brush is great for dusting my bronzer shade onto the eye, too.
a sneaky no. 6 | Beauty Sponges*
And I wasn’t going to include this on the list, because beauty sponges aren’t brushes, obviously. But they are a super versatile tool in my collection. My favorite beauty sponge is the one from Real Techniques*, but most sponges are capable of the same things. I’ll use this for blending out luminous base products like the Auric Glow Lust or L’Oreal Lumi Glotion* prior to makeup or alone. I also use it for foundation, concealer, powder, baking, blush, bronzer, liquid/cream highlight, getting rid of any droplet marks from setting sprays. It really is a little wonder tool.
These 5 brushes are definitely the most versatile makeup brushes in my collection. They do it all and make it easy to do a full face of makeup with minimal brushwork. What are your favorite brushes?
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