The 11 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes, According To A Makeup Artist – 2024
Get flawless makeup looks with these incredible, high-quality & affordable makeup tools.
Pilar DeMannMakeup Artist
LA-born Pilar DeMann is a seasoned makeup artist with 30 years of experience. She is popularly known as the Eyebrow Queen of Litchfield County and has conceived a simple routine coined as BLLaC (Brows, Lashes, Lips and Cheeks) to make it ea... more
esha saxenaMA (Mass Communication & Media Studies)
Experience: 3 yearsEsha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes t... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Makeup brushes can change the way your makeup looks. The best drugstore makeup brushes ensure that you get flawless makeup looks on a budget. Nailing the best makeup looks requires the correct makeup brushes and good-quality makeup products. Professional makeup artists and celebrities all swear by their tools!
We have listed the most amazing drugstore makeup brushes for you to eliminate confusion. There are different brushes for different products, and it can all be a bit confusing and overwhelming for someone just starting out! So, go ahead and check them out to invest in good-quality products without having to burn a hole through your pockets.
In This Article
11 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes For Hassle-Free Application – 2024
1. Best Setting Makeup:Real Techniques Setting Brush
Review
If you’re on the hunt for a good setting brush, this one from Real Techniques makes for a great one. For its price, it’s a total steal! This drugstore brush is ideal for setting makeup on your T-zone. This fluffy brush also works well for blending. It’s the right amount of fluffy, so you get a perfectly controlled dusting of loose powder or highlighter. To find out more about a tester’s experience with this product, check this video review out.
Pros
- Densely packed fluffy bristles
- Does not shed
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable grip
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"The brush is quite versatile. It works seamlessly with both loose and compact powders. It is great for setting and applying makeup. It is soft yet dense and does not shed."
Trivia
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 2,847 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
2. Best Soft Fibers:e.l.f Ultimate Blending Brush
Review
The Ultimate Blending Brush from e.l.f cosmetics blends your foundation and contour seamlessly for less than the price of a Starbucks drink. These types of makeup brush bristles are super soft and densely packed to give you even coverage. If you’re a beginner, this foundation and contour brush is a must-try for powder, liquid, or mousse foundation as it is incredibly easy to use. If you are an absolute beginner, this video review, detailing a tester’s experience, might be useful.
Pros
- Ultra-fine and soft fibers
- Dense bristles
- Easy to clean
- Does not shed
- Dome-shaped head
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- None
Pro Tip3. Best Travel-Friendly:EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Set
Review
If you’re planning to take a trip, you need to check out this eye makeup brush set from EcoTools that is super useful for travel. Several reviewers recommend these dual-ended brushes for shading, defining, blending, and smudging out your makeup.
Instead of carrying all your brushes with you, you can make do with just these two to do a bang-up job with your eye makeup.
Pros
- Versatile
- Easy to use and clean
- Travel-friendly
- Great design
- 100% cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- None
| Real Techniques Setting Brush Best Setting Makeup | e.l.f Ultimate Blending Brush Best Soft Fibers | EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Set Best Travel-Friendly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Material | Aluminum | - | - |
| Skin Type | All | All | - |
| Material | AluminumColor | Synthetic Bristles | - |
| Bristle Material | Synthetic | - | - |
| Dimensions | 0.75 x 1.75 x 8.2 inches | - | 2 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches |
| Weight | 0.7 Ounces | - | 0.63 Ounces |
| Ferrule Material | - | Aluminum | - |
| Color | - | Black | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 2,847 | 5,724 | 2,199 |
| Price | $7.79 | $8.38 | $5.87 |
4. Best Design:Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush
The Kabuki Foundation Brush is one of the best makeup tools to have! It ensures that your makeup has the maximum definition. This beauty product works seamlessly with liquids, creams, or powders. The flat brush head works with blush, bronzer, and finishing powders precisely and flawlessly on the contours of the face, including the chin, cheeks, and forehead. The large brush strokes offer exceptional results by providing complete coverage and simple blending that ultimately results in a clean finish.
Pros
- Easy application
- Wooden handle
- Flat brush
- Multipurpose tool
- 100% vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Soft and silky bristles
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No cap
CautionWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 9,608 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
5. Best For Seamless Blending:COVERGIRL Makeup Masters
The COVERGIRL Makeup Masters Blush is a must-have for all makeup lovers. The powder brush is perfect for dense, good buildable coverage. It can be used for both blush and powder foundations. The highly versatile product can help you create the perfect look for any occasion, as it comes with synthetic brush bristles for even blending and maximum coverage. Reviews on online forums claim that the dome-shaped product is simple to use and adds seamless details and finishes to your makeup.
Pros
- Fully synthetic brush bristles
- Dome-shaped brush
- Maximum coverage
- Durable
- Easy to hold
Cons
- A bit expensive
"It is a fluffy, dense brush, perfect for multiple uses. It can be used to apply and blend blush and loose powder all over the face. It is sturdy and durable. It is also great for travel."
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 121 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
6. Best Grip:DUcare Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush
Review
The DUcare Flat Top Kabuki Foundation Brush has aluminum ferrules, a glossy wooden handle for better grip, and dense, premium synthetic hair. The duo-fiber brush has soft, thick, and silky bristles that effectively conceal small pimples, spots, and even blemishes. Numerous reviewers attest that it is ideal for applying cream and liquid foundations, providing seamless, even coverage. The brush’s simple, stylish, and versatile design is ideal for beginners and pros as well. The tool can also be used to apply powder, liquid, concealer, cream, blush, and concealer.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Wooden handle
- Absorbs very less product
- Skin-friendly
- No-streak finish
- No shedding
Cons
- May be too soft for foundation
"This kabuki brush is perfect for applying foundation. It is durable and have soft bristles that do not shed. It has a comfortable handle that makes the foundation blending process a little less tiring."
7. Best Affordable:Wet N Wild Powder Brush
Review
Wet n Wild’s new line of brushes is easily one of the best and most affordable on the beauty market. This powder brush has soft, curved bristles that help you pick up just the right amount of powder for an even, flawless application. It is also vegan and not tested on animals, making it an ideal cruelty-free option. At its low price point, this brush is a real bargain!
A renowned makeup artist, Pilar DiMann, exclaims, “Wet N Wild is one of my favorite drug store brands, all the way back when products were 99 cents. It has become pricier now, but still makes great products at a good value.”
Pros
- Synthetic soft fibers
- Affordable brush
- Long-lasting
- Blends well
- Easy to clean
- Inexpensive
Cons
- None
"I love using this brush for applying blush and blending foundation. It has soft bristles that does not cause any irritation. It is gentle on the skin and is quite durable."
8. Best Dual-Ended Brush: NYX Pro Dual Brow Brush
Review
Your brows are important, ladies. Very important. If you don’t already groom them on the reg, it’s time to invest in a brow brush. This dual-ended angled shape brush from NYX features one side for precise application of your brow product and a spoolie on the other for blending and shaping. It’s the best of both worlds!
Pilar DiMann, a makeup artist with over 30 years of experience, says, “I am a big NYX fan. Great prices, great products.”
Pros
- Easy to use
- Travel-friendly
- Made with synthetic fibers
- Affordable
Cons
- None
"This brush's use is not just limited to the brows, but it can also be used on the eyes. It is great for applying eyeliners and sweep a base shadow across the eyelids. It is soft and blends makeup seamlessly."
9. Best Multipurpose:Duo Eyebrow Brush by Keshima
The Duo Eyebrow Brush by Keshima works as an eyelash wand and as an eyeliner. The angled brush is best suited for seamlessly shaping and defining eyebrows with its precise and thin tip and for creating a sharp arch or an exaggerated angle. On the other end, the spoolie can be used for grooming, shaping, and blending brows. The bristles are made with firm, premium-quality synthetic fibers. The brush is perfect for powder, gel, cream, and pomade brow products. The product not only separates eyelashes perfectly, but it also removes mascara clumps for a cleaner look.
Pros
- Angled applicator
- High-quality bristles
- Easy to clean
- Wooden handle
- Lightweight
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- Can eat more product
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 2,186 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
10. Best For Precise Application:Laura Geller New York All-Over Eyeshadow Brush
The Laura Geller New York All-Over Eyeshadow Brush helps blend eyeshadow seamlessly while providing definition to the eye. It is beginner friendly and very simple to use. The brush has a high tapered bristle count that does not shed easily and works well with powder products. The tapered brush provides maximum coverage, and pigmented color with little dusting, and does a seamless, smooth blending job. This eye brush is excellent for providing a professional finish to your eye makeup as it allows you to create sharp, precise details from corner to corner, delivering enhanced features.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Does not shed
- Blends well
- High bristle count
- Minimum dusting or fall-out
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 10 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
11. Best Compact Size:e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush
Review
This incredibly soft kabuki brush from e.l.f is amazing for blending out powder on your face. Its compact size allows for precise and controlled application of highlighter and bronzer. Also, it does not undergo animal testing and is animal hair-free, making it a perfect for ethically-conscious makeup enthusiasts. At a super low price point, this brush makes for a great addition to your collection.
Pros
- Does not shed
- Densely-packed bristles
- Soft, fine bristles
- Vegan
Cons
- None
The right makeup brushes bring your cosmetics to life. When shopping for them, make sure your choices offer soft coverage along with a comfortable grip. You also need to make sure that they are easy to clean.
Infographic: 5 Types Of Makeup Brushes You Should Know About
Whether you are a beauty fanatic or a makeup newbie, achieving the perfect look can be tricky at times. But the job gets easier when you have your basic tools sorted. From the right foundation to the best makeup brush, everything matters. Hence, we have compiled a list of different types of makeup brushes that every beauty enthusiast should be familiar with to achieve a flawless look. Check them out in the infographic below!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Makeup enthusiasts know the importance of good brushes. Several drugstore makeup brushes provide even coverage with super soft and densely packed bristles. They are expertly crafted to help blend your foundation seamlessly while keeping your makeup from smudging or looking messy. For instance, the Real Techniques Setting Brush is great for setting powder, highlighter, or other detailed applications, while the EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Brush Set offers convenience with two brushes for eyeshadow application. The Duo Eyebrow Brush by Keshima is essential for precise eyebrow grooming and filling. Plus, they are designed for multiple purposes catering to eye, face, and lip makeup requirements, ensuring enhanced beauty and a flawless finish. These makeup brushes are affordable, made with good quality materials, and offer precise application. However, you shouldn’t purchase makeup brushes that aren’t easy to clean, don’t come with a comfortable grip for effortless usage, and don’t have a good density of bristles. Also, remember to test the brushes before using them to check for allergic reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cheap makeup brushes?
No. Cheap makeup brushes have pocky bristles that roughly rub against the skin, causing scratches. Also, they are not effective in applying makeup properly. Instead, opt for drugstore makeup brushes if you are on a tight budget. They help you apply makeup seamlessly.
How many makeup brushes do you really need?
Invest in seven makeup brushes. One each for foundation, concealer, powder or blush, brow, and lipstick, and buy one medium and one small eyeshadow brush.
When should I replace my makeup brushes?
Replace your makeup brushes after three months to prevent skin irritations and infections.
What can you do with old makeup brushes?
Use old makeup brushes as art brushes. Smaller makeup brushes are great for cleaning small equipment, and bushy, big brushes are ideal for dusting. Similarly, liner brushes are highly effective in creating nail art.
Should you let your primer dry before applying foundation?
Yes. Wait a minute to let the primer dry before applying the foundation to prevent a cakey base.
How do you know if a makeup brush is good?
If your makeup brush feels soft and gentle against the skin, it is made of high-quality bristles.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Esha Saxena, is a makeup enthusiast and loves to experiment with makeup products. She believes that a perfect makeup brush is necessary to perfect your makeup. So, she browsed various online forums to check the user feedback and conducted in-depth research to find the best drugstore makeup brushes available on the article. These brushes come with soft bristles to blend the makeup well and precisely apply the makeup.
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