Good makeup brushes are essential in how your makeup applies, but you definitely don’t need to spend a fortune on them. While there are plenty of luxury brushes I love, some of the ones I reach for most are surprisingly affordable—and perform just as well when it comes to blending foundation, diffusing bronzer, or creating a seamless eyeshadow look. As a beauty editor, I get to test a lot of products, brushes included, so I’ve learned that a higher price tag doesn’t always mean better performance. Ahead, I’m sharing the best affordable makeup brushes that are actually worth buying, whether you’re building your collection from scratch or just looking to add a few reliable tools to your makeup bag.
Complexion Brushes
e.l.f. Cream Blush & Bronzer Duo Brus
If you’ve had your eye on the $50 Makeup by Mario F4 Dual-Ended Foundation and Face Brush, the e.l.f. Cream Blush & Bronzer Duo Brush is a pretty convincing $12 alternative. It has a similar dual-ended design, and I love using it to blend out cream blush and bronzer. You can even use it to buff out foundation, making it one of those handy brushes that does a little bit of everything without taking up too much room in your makeup bag.
e.l.f. Stain & Tint Blending Brush
This is one of those brushes that will blend any cream product. I believe it originally launched alongside the e.l.f. Sheer For It Blush Tint—which is also fantastic. It’s great for blending out cream or liquid blush and bronzer, and makes it easy to get that seamless, diffused finish.
e.l.f. Complexion Duo Brush, Makeup Brush
This one is often compared to the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7, but at a much more affordable price. The bristles do feel a little more prickly than the IT Cosmetics version, but personally, I don’t mind it. The larger end is great for blending and buffing out foundation, while the smaller side works perfectly for concealer, especially around the under-eyes and other smaller areas of the face. It’s a handy two-in-one brush to have in your collection.
Eye Brushes
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP, Pro Dual Brow Brush
The fine, sturdy bristles of the brush work well with both brow pomade and powder, giving you plenty of control so you can create softer, more natural-looking strokes rather than harsh lines. The spoolie on the other end is also handy for brushing the brows into place or lifting the hairs after applying brow gel.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP, Pro Crease Brush
A good crease brush is a must for applying and blending eyeshadow, and this one makes the job very easy. The longer, soft bristles help diffuse shadow and soften any harsh lines, whether you’re doing an everyday eye or going for a smokier look. It’s a great option for hooded eyes because you can easily blend shadow above the natural crease to make it more visible.
e.l.f. Ultra-Fine Eyeliner Brush
Smaller, more precise brushes are a must when it comes to applying eyeliner. The ultra-fine tip gives you plenty of control, making it easier to create a thin, crisp line without things looking messy or uneven. I especially like it for gel liner because the synthetic bristles don’t pick up too much product at once, so you can slowly build up your liner and get a more precise finish. It’s also a great option if you have a shaky hand or are still getting the hang of applying eyeliner.
Brush Sets
Real Techniques Makeup Brush Set
If you’re just starting to build your makeup brush collection, this Real Techniques set is a great place to start. I love that the brushes are multitasking, you have everything you need to apply your base. The bristles are soft and blend product beautifully without leaving things looking streaky. The Miracle Complexion Sponges are a nice bonus, too, especially for blending out foundation and concealer.
Morphe Ready, Set, Pro 16-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set
This Morphe set gives you a mix of both face and eye brushes, and it’s a fantastic option if you want to cover most of your makeup routine with one set. These brushes do a beautiful job at blending, and the eye brushes are great for hooded eyes . If you already have your face brushes covered, Morphe also makes the Eye Want It All 7-Piece Eye Brush Set, which gives you just the eye essentials.
Real Techniques Eyeshadow Brush Set
This set is amazing if you have hooded eyes. With less visible lid space to work with, smaller blending and detail brushes give you more control over exactly where you place and blend your eyeshadow, rather than having the colour diffuse farther than you want it to. The set comes with eight different eye tools: the RT 307 Shading Brush, RT 310 Essential Crease Brush, RT 304 Defining Crease Brush, RT 313 Definer Brush, RT 332 Smudge Brush, RT 308 Medium Brush, RT 312 Lash Separator, and RT 311 Fine Liner Brush.
Disclosure: This product was gifted, but I am under no obligation to share a positive review. All opinions are entirely my own and based on my honest experience. This post also contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content I create. Thank you for your support!
Photo courtesy of Sephora. Graphic made by Mursal.