8 Best Highlighter Brushes For The Perfect Makeup
Add glow in the right places with the right tools to go along with your makeup products.
Nyssa GreenMakeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup
Experience: 20 years
Nyssa Green is an Emmy award winning makeup artist and a trusted beauty and lifestyle expert with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes celebrities from all walks of life, like Alicia Keys, Bono, Jane Fonda,... more
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
Srijani Roy ChowdhuryCertified In Makeup Artistry, Certified Style & Image Consultant
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 3 years
Srijani 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
Krati DarakCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years o... more
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Applying makeup is a skill, and the tools used to apply it are equally important. For instance, brushes meant for highlighters need to be made of a specific kind to avoid blotchy patches. And this is when choosing the best highlighter brush can make all the difference. The type of brush you choose can transform your makeup. A fine brush would seal the deal, whether you are highlighting or trying to contour. Here is a list of the 8 bestselling highlighter brushes that are hot favorites for flawless makeup!
In This Article
8 Best Highlighter Brushes For The Perfect Makeup
1. Best With Soft Bristles:DUcare Highlighter Brush
Image: Ducare The DUcare Highlighter Brush is made with high-quality goat hair instead of treated, synthetic bristles. It is super soft and gentle on all skin types. The loose hair picks enough product and uniformly deposits on target spots. You will find it effortless to blend the product in and achieve the right depth. Since it is made with natural goat hair, this brush is easy to clean and maintain. This setting brush dries quickly and goes back to its original shape and texture.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Sturdy
- Does not accumulate product
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Soft bristles
- Travel-friendly highlighter brush
Cons
- May give patchy results.
Quick Tip2. Best Durable:Beauty Junkees Pro Highlighter
Image: Beauty Junkees The Pro Highlighter by Beauty Junkees is one of the best brushes for highlighting and contouring. The contouring brush has soft, maintenance-free, synthetic bristles that are fixed precisely with a double-crimped copper ferrule on a weightless solid wood handle. This professional makeup brush is designed to specifically highlight your face and chin. Its tapered shape is perfect for easily accessing the curves and corners on the cheekbones, nose, and cupid’s bow. Just a few quick sweeps are enough to get the highlighting job done.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Does not shed bristles
- Easy to work with
- Lightweight
- Duo-fiber brush
- Durable
- Suitable as cream brush and for powder highlighting
- Angled brush available in the pack
- Multitasking brush set
Cons
None
3. Best Easy To Clean:BESTOPE PRO Makeup Brushes Set
Image: Bestope The BESTOPE PRO Makeup Brushes Set offers a professional-level quality with all the key brushes: a powder brush, a concealer brush, a foundation brush, 11 precision brushes, 5 large kabuki brushes, and eye shadow, concealer, and foundation brushes. The synthetic fibers used in the brushes are skin-friendly and free of animal by-products; they feel velvety soft on the skin and have finer tips than typical eyeshadow brushes for optimal application. Applying makeup is simple and quick thanks to the ease of use and comfort of the brushes. The brushes are lightweight, portable, and practical for everyday usage.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic design
- Convenient to use
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to clean
- Can be used with cream, powder, or liquid products
- Soft bristles
Cons
- Loose bristles
Quick Tip4. Best Bristle Quality:LAURA GELLER Makeup Brush
Image: Laura Geller New York It is essential to have a high-quality powder brush like the Laura Geller Makeup Brush. This brush has a high bristle count and is entirely shed-proof. It’s no surprise that it’s a must-have for both makeup artists and beginners! Its dome-shaped design is intended to properly hug your face for an even, seamless application. The multipurpose brush blends all powder formulations flawlessly for a soft-focus finish. This blending brush’s premium bristles and excellent design make it one of the best buildable powder brushes on the market. Nyssa Green, a makeup artist, recommends this saying, “This is the perfect brush to apply highlighter to the body”.
Pros
- Airbrush effect
- Soft bristles
- Easy to clean
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Not durable
5. Best Vegan:wet n wild Makeup Brush
Image: Wet N Wild The wet n wild Makeup Brush is made with two-toned synthetic fibers that replicate the consistency of natural hairs to pick up and deposit the product with ease. These fibers are composed of an innovative thermoplastic polymer complex, replacing natural hair, making it the best cruelty-free brush. It doesn’t hold any cream, powder, or liquid formulation, which helps you save on the product. The bristles are gentle and comforting, even on the most sensitive skin types. The highlighter brush is long-lasting and easy to clean. A specially created ergonomic handle fits your hand perfectly for controlled application. The brush creates applications that are precise and clump-free.
Pros
- Clump-free application
- Soft bristles
- Seamless blend
- Easy control handle
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Not durable
6. Best Lightweight:Real Techniques Light Layer Highlight Brush
Image: Real Techniques The Real Techniques Light Layer Highlight Brush comes with custom-cut synthetic bristles that are easy to clean and 100% cruelty-free. These bristles are secured using aluminum brush ferrules that are lightweight, ergonomic, chunky, and color-coded. This metallic pink brush features the tri-layer bristle technology designed to apply a light layer of highlighter for a soft, radiant glow. This stippling brush blends blurs and builds powder highlighters and bronzers to give the perfect contour.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to clean
- Ideal for powder highlighters
- Lightweight
Cons
- The bristles shed easily.
Pro Tip7. Best For Sensitive Skin:Docolor Fan Brush
Image: Docolor The Docolor Fan Brush is excellent for daily usage and performs above and beyond your expectations! It has exceptional softness, density, and silkiness The fluffy brush gives you a velvety touch on the face, assists you in producing a beautiful finish, and offers a perfect makeup experience. The high-quality synthetic bristles lends the brush a luxurious finish, and the sturdy oak handle guarantees durability. This is a retractable brush with a flat top for applying a myriad of formulas to the face.
Pros
- Soft bristles
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Smooth finish
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
8. Best Extra-Dense Bristles:Simply Essentials Highlighter Brush
Image: Simply Essentials The tapered highlighter makeup brush by Simply Essentials comes densely packed with Taklon synthetic fibers. Its design offers moderate to full coverage of cream, liquid, mineral, and/or powder highlighters or concealers. The tapered end allows for easy application of the product, especially around the angles of the face and eyes. The long and ergonomic wooden handle makes your makeup application easy. This brush gives you even, natural-looking coverage. Watch this video of the product for more information on this densely-packed brush.
Pros
- Long, ergonomic handle
- Cruelty-free
- Sleek design
- Extra-dense bristles
- Suitable for liquid, cream, powder products
Cons
None
Not just the right products, but the right makeup brushes too, play a huge role in achieveing the perfect makeup looks. Similarly, highlighter brushes ensure that you apply different products with finesse. But, there are just too many of them available on the market. To help you choose the best ones, we have discussed a few factors to keep in mind. Read on to find out about each of them.
Things To Consider While Buying The Best Highlighter Brushes
- Quality
The best way to assess the quality of a highlighter brush is to rub it at the back of your hand. Check if the bristles are soft and do not feel scratchy or rough. Also check if the bristles are falling out or scattering out of shape. This gives you an idea of how long the brush will last.
- Bristles
Check for soft bristles which will not be rough on the skin. Natural bristles are good for powder makeup. These bristles are designed with cuticles like natural hair and therefore can hold pigments better. Synthetic bristles are better for liquid or cream products as they do not soak in the formula.
- Type
- Flat Brush: For blending purposes, flat top brushes are the best as they provide a smooth finish. Tightly packed bristles give you full coverage with an opaque finish. These brushes are also perfect to reach difficult creases like corners of the nose and under-eyes and to draw flawless outlines. Some flat brushes also have loosely packed bristles which deposit the product uniformly on target spots.
- Round Brush:Round thick brushes pick up the powder products better and lightly deposit them on the skin for an airbrush finish. These powder brushes are a must-have if you have an oily T-zone and shiny forehead.
- Design
Look for brushes with a sturdy design with durable and non-shedding bristles. Wooden handles with double-crimped copper ferrules make a well-constructed synthetic brush. Choose lightweight brushes with an ergonomic, non-slip handle for a firm brush grip.
- Maintenance
Brush cleaning needs to be done regularly as accumulated products can make the brsitles hard and lumpy. Pick bristles that can be washed using baby shampoo or a mild detergent and be air-dried easily without losing shape or form.
You must consider investing in good highlighter brushes to avoid blotchy patches and uneven makeup application. The best options on the market feel gentle and soft on every skin type and tend to distribute your makeup uniformly to make you look effortlessly chic. Sturdy brushes that are easy to use and do not accumulate makeup should make some of the top choices. The DUcare Highlighter Brush is an affordable and versatile option for highlighting and contouring, the Beauty Junkees Pro Highlighter allows for a seamless and precise highlighter application, and the Real Techniques Light Layer Highlight Brush is the perfect option for beginners and professionals alike. On the other hand, the ones that are difficult to clean and come with loosened bristles must be avoided at all costs. While choosing a highlighter brush, you should also note whether the bristles suit liquid, cream, or powder products.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
This article talks about the best highlighter brushes to give you perfect strokes and a professional look every time. Baishali Bhattacharya is a certified image consultant, which naturally means she has a passion for helping her readers have a holistic shopping experience that results in them looking and feeling their best. She has performed thorough research into the features and benefits of every product so that her readers can make an informed choice. Users on various e-commerce websites have also endorsed these products.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the highlighter brush last?
Highlighter brushes have no expiration date. But, when you notice brush shedding and it is going flat, consider replacements.
Is a highlighter brush or sponge better?
Fluffy, tapered brushes apply highlighter precisely on the skin. They transfer only the required amount of the product to the face. On the other hand, sponges often transfer more product to the face. Therefore, highlighter brushes are better.
Can I use a highlighter brush for the foundation?
No. A highlighter brush cannot apply foundation seamlessly on the skin. Instead, it leaves patches and gives an uneven finish.
Can I use a highlight brush for blush?
No. The tapered structure of a highlighter brush makes it difficult to blend the blush properly. Instead, use a dome-shaped brush with soft bristles to apply the blush to your cheeks to gain the desired flushed look.
How to use a highlighter brush?
• Swirl the highlighter brush in the highlighter palette.
• Tap off the brush against the palette to remove the excess product.
• Gently move the brush on the high points of your face in sweeping motions.
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