Natural or Synthetic? Experts On the Best Makeup Brushes for Every Task

While it is tempting to spread the product around on your face and hope for the best, makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes recommends priming the brush to achieve a seamless finish. “Instead of just squirting out the product and using your foundation brush to place it directly onto your face, you can work the product into the brush itself,” says Hughes. “When everything is merged with the brush’s bristles, your application is much smoother, and blending it all out is much quicker because you aren’t just depositing a blob of color directly onto the skin.”

Hughes knows a thing or two about skin; with the work she does for celebrities like Ashley Graham and Rosie Huntington-Whitely and in her stylized Instagram selfies, she’s able to make each person’s complexion seem naturally flawless, the product of great genes rather than layers of product. Her tools of choice include a range of shapes, from the classic paddle style to bristle-packed domed brushes perfect for buffing.

For Powder 

Though powder is the final touch of most makeup looks, it’s the first brush worth considering. A good powder brush can enhance the entire application process and, if selected wisely, can be used to also apply products like bronzer, highlighter, and even blush. Given their importance, powder brushes tend to be one of the more expensive items within a collection. If you’re going to invest in one type of tool, they’re usually the safest bet.

The realities of your daily beauty routine are something to keep in mind while choosing. Fans of full glam will want something different than makeup minimalists. “The lighter and fluffier the hairs are, the softer and more natural the application will be,” says Surratt. “The denser hairs offer more opaque coverage. I always test by running my thumb over the brush head to see how densely packed the hairs are, and if it is packed tightly, it’s going to deposit a lot of product onto the skin.”

Oversized powder brushes are usually the first option that comes to mind, but bigger isn’t always better. Targeted product application can be as effective, especially for those who prefer to keep their complexions dewy.“More often than not, I find myself using a large eyeshadow brush to set makeup with,” says Hughes. “Under the eyes, around the nose, around the mouth, it works beautifully and gives me the utmost precision. The bigger brushes serve a purpose, but I’ve found that you can do more with the smaller ones.”

For Concealer 

Everyone has something they’re eager to put a little concealer on, but the makeup bag MVP is best when it’s paired with the right brush. If you’re looking to cover circles under the eye, a small, somewhat dense brush with soft fibers or hairs is ideal for working with the delicate area. Pimples can be hidden using a small detail brush to cover the offending blemish without spreading product around. Given the amount of different issues concealer can be used to address, don’t be afraid to utilize a brush that isn’t labeled specifically for that task. “If you’ve got an eyeshadow brush that works great under your eyes or a lip brush that is the right shape for detail concealer work, then just use it,” says Hughes. “There are absolutely no rules!”

For Blending

The allure of a sculpted, contoured look is impossible to resist, but achieving the effect takes practice. It isn’t enough to play with light and shadow to create contrast; you have to blend the products. Hindsight is 20/20, and it’s easy to spot unblended contour in photographs or on Instagram, but such mistakes are easily avoidable. If your contour product is powder-based, use a light hand and a fluffy fan brush that leaves an error-proof finish. Cream contour is all about precision and a detail brush that doesn’t let you make thick, harsh lines. No matter what you choose, be sure to buff everything in so that it merges with any foundation, blush, or highlighter.

For Complexion Perfecting

Turns out, makeup brushes aren’t the only means of perfecting your complexion. If you want your base to look like a second skin, consider the acclaimed Beautyblender or MAC’s sponges to gently buff away product streaks. When it comes to setting, Laura Mercier’s Velour Puff expertly places the brand’s loose setting powder, while Beautyblender’s Pocket Puff is great for setting and baking to ensure long wear.

For Blush 

The wealth of blush formulations on the market means that more than one brush can be devoted to the category. On social media and YouTube tutorials, the focus is always on pigment, but those high-impact powder blushers need to be applied with care. A good rule of thumb is the brighter the hue; the wispier and softer the brush should be. Are you swiping on neon orange or magenta? Opt for a flexible and feathery tool, like the Surrat Cheek brush. Applying a nude beige or light tint? Go for the dense Tom Ford Cheek Brush to make the most of the neutral. Liquid and cream blushes can be applied with your fingers, but if you require a brush designed specially for those formulations, opt for a multi-purpose synthetic like Koyudo’s Maikko, which is excellent for applying and blending out liquids.