On this site, we’ve discussed makeup as a form of artistry and expression. With that being said, every artist needs a great set of tools – also known as makeup brushes and sponges. The only way to sculpt, carve, and blend your way to a flawless look is to have the right tools. Doing your makeup is no different than an artist painting on a canvas, your canvas just happens to be your face.
You’ll notice the artist switching between various brushes as they work their magic and to achieve the best makeup looks, you’ll need to do the same. Makeup brushes are like an artist’s trusted tools, enabling us to paint, sculpt, and blend our way to a flawless and professional-looking makeup application.
Today we’re going to discover the best brush or sponge of importance for each step of your makeup routine. From foundation to eyeshadow, blush to contour, we’ll explore the different types of makeup brushes and sponges available in the market today and shed light on their specific functions and benefits. By equipping yourself with the right tools, you’ll elevate your makeup skills to new heights, enabling you to create flawless looks that rival those of professional makeup artists.
All products featured on BiedazzleBeauty were personally tried and independently selected by Ashley. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Best Makeup Sponge for Foundation – Beautyblender Original Beautyblender Makeup Sponge
Growing up I thought tissues were called Kleenex because that’s what my Grandma always said. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized Kleenex was actually a brand of tissue, the most popular brand. It’s the same for the Beautyblender! You’ll often hear people refer to every makeup sponge as a Beautyblender but Beautyblender is in fact a brand that’s famous for its makeup sponges. The reason the Beautyblender is so popular is what sets it apart from other sponges. It doesn’t soak up your foundation or whatever product you choose to use like other sponges. The Beautyblender specifically is designed to be used wet to give you an airbrushed look.
Best Foundation Brush – Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush
Sigma continues to have the best brush out there for applying foundation. This flat brush allows you to create an airbrushed look by pressing it into the skin. It’s perfect for liquid or cream foundation and will help to ensure no streaks while buffing the foundation into the skin.
Its synthetic bristles are unlike any other and I’ve personally been using this brush since 2016 and have not needed to replace it with a new one, it holds up great even with daily use.
Best Makeup Sponge for Concealer – E.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Concealer Sponge
When it comes to applying concealer, the best sponge out there is actually not the Beautyblender. The Beautyblender is a little too large to do the best job of blending your concealer in your under-eye area. If you prefer to use a sponge, the E.l.f. concealer sponge is a better choice because it’s small enough to really fit into hard-to-reach areas due to its pointed tip.
Best Concealer Brush – Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer Brush
The angle on this Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer Brush is so amazing at applying concealer evenly under the eye. This synthetic brush was designed to be similar to your fingertips to allow you to blend your concealer flawlessly while keeping a natural look. The brush is small making it easy to get into hard-to-reach areas just like the E.l.f. sponge we mentioned previously.
Best Setting Powder Brush – Bareminerals Supreme Finisher Brush
Bareminerals specializes in powder makeup in general so it’s no surprise that they have the best brush for applying powder all over the face. The dome-shaped brush evenly distributes product throughout your face making sure not to leave you looking cakey. Its synthetic fibers help with blending the product onto the face and leaving a sheer application.
Best Powder Contouring Brush – Sigma Beauty Professional F23 Soft Angled Contour
I’ll always say, you can’t go wrong with a Sigma brush because makeup brushes are their specialty. Sigma has a brush for every step of your makeup process. For contouring, I prefer their F23 to create that famous Kim Kardashian chiseled look. A lot of people will tell you to get the famous $60 Chanel contouring brush but this Sigma brush is an exact dupe!
Best Cream Contouring Brush – Laura Gellar New York Retractable Kabuki Brush
I love a good kabuki brush and the highlight of this brush is that it’s retractable making it everyone’s best friend when it comes to traveling. You can carry this around in your purse or makeup bag without having to worry about cleaning up a mess later. The brush has an angled shape which allows for precision when contouring your face. You can use it with powder as well but for me, it does its best work when buffing out your cream contour.
Best Blush Brush – EcoTools Precision Blush Makeup Brush
The design of this brush is what makes it so great for applying blush. Its square shape allows for precision and control which is super important when applying blush to your face. The brush is designed to work well with both cream and powder products. EcoTools products are fairly inexpensive and also really great for our environment. If the weight of your makeup tools is important to you, this brush is super lightweight thanks to its handle being made from bamboo.
Best Highlighting Brush – Sigma Beauty Professional F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush
This small tapered brush is my favorite for highlighting just above my cheekbones and the tip of my nose. It’s small and tapered giving you the control to make your highlighter look like a natural glow instead of looking like you added chunks of glitter to your cheek. If I had to choose one brush for my face that I couldn’t live without, it would be this one.
Best Eye Makeup Brush Set – Sigma Beauty Basic Eye Brush Set
Eye makeup is my favorite part of my daily routine, it’s when I feel I can be the most creative with my makeup. Most eye looks cannot be completed with just one brush, it takes a village which is why I highly recommend the Sigma Beauty Deluxe Blending Brush Set. I’ve been using a Sigma Brush set for my eyes since 2016 and all of the makeup brushes are still going strong. I’ve tried some others from Morphe and Fenty but I always find myself going back to my OGs. I feel I’ll basically be set for life with this classic set of 7.
Best Face Brush Set – Sigma Beauty Classic Face Brush Set
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, it makes sense to purchase a set of brushes instead of purchasing each brush individually. This Sigma set has a couple of the best makeup brushes mentioned above and will probably last forever if you take good care of them. The set includes my favorite foundation and highlighter brush, along with a great choice for a kabuki brush, contour brush, and powder brush.
Your makeup application is only as good as the brush you use to blend and sculpt. It’s important to use the right tools and keep your brushes clean to achieve a flawless professional look. With these brushes by your side, the possibilities are truly endless.
To compliment your new makeup brushes, visit “The Best 17 Makeup Products in 2023” to see my top picks to build on your perfect collection! Thank you for reading, let us know in the comments below what’s your go-to brush!