We've tried hundreds of make-up tools in a bid to find the best foundation brush - these 11 came out on top

No streaky finishes here, thank you

valeza after using the refy best foundation brush
(Image credit: Valeza Bakolli)

If you've landed here looking for the best foundation brush after getting your hands on the best foundation and are wondering if you should invest, I might dash your expectations a little when I tell you that you don't *need* a make-up brush. Truly, plenty of make-up artists (me included) are happy to apply with fingers, and you'll often get great results doing just that.

But (and it's a big but) the right make-up brush does make things easier, more precise and more even—whether you're applying tinted moisturiser or a full-blown foundation for oily skin.

Over the course of my career as a beauty journalist and make-up artist, I've used hundreds of foundation brushes—filtering the brilliant from the so-so. Over the years, I've compiled a collection of brushes I'd be happy to use on my face or on a client's, and the below edit contains the only ones I'd invest in.

Before you choose, I asked fellow make-up artist Daniel Sandler for his make-up brush rules and he shared some of his wisdom:

Daniel Sandler's make-up brush rules

  • "Use just the tip of the brush to apply your base - you don't need to get it into most of the brush head; doing so is uneconomical as you waste so much product, plus it's so much easier to clean just the tip."
  • "My application method is a kind of gentle flicking motion back and forth over the entire face and neck. I start using a small amount of base and then add more if necessary to certain areas."
  • "Synthetic brush fibres are perfect with liquid or cream bases, as natural hair would clump together."

The Best Foundation Brush Criteria

In my search for the best foundation brush, I also enlisted the help of MC UK's Senior health Editor Katie Thomas and Shopping editor Valeza Bakolli, below is our edit of all the brushes we use regularly, and really rate. They have all been thoroughly tested and have been found to be of exceptional quality and deliver brilliant application—but each have slightly different strengths, which is where this guide comes in... 

1. Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki

sigma kabuki brush

(Image credit: Sephora)

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki

Best foundation brush for a novice

Reasons to buy

+
Makes buffing foundation on easy
+
You can build layers with it

Reasons to avoid

-
The brush head won't allow you to get into small areas unless you angle it

If you struggle with make-up application, it doesn't get easier than a flat kabuki. All you have to do is dip it in foundation (you can apply the foundation from the back or palm of your hand for most ease), then buff in little circles all over your face. 

2. Westman Atelier Foundation Brush

westman atelier foundation brush

(Image credit: Cult Beauty)

Westman Atelier Foundation Brush

Best luxury foundation brush

Reasons to buy

+
It is very soft on skin 
+
It applies foundation smoothly without streaks

Reasons to avoid

-
It's pretty expensive
-
You can't buff with it

The quality of make-up artist Gucci Westman's brand Westman Atelier is unparalleled, and her brushes are things of beauty.

I especially like that the brush bristles are white, making it easy to know your brushes are truly clean during the washing process after use (if you're using liquid foundation, it's good practise to wash your brushes after each use if possible to reduce bacteria and for the best application). 

Using it is a pleasure thanks to the soft fibres which apply liquid foundation smoothly, every time.

3. Lisa Eldridge No 1 Seamless Blend Brush

lisa eldridge foundation brush

(Image credit: Lisa Eldridge)

Lisa Eldridge No 1 Seamless Blend Brush

Best foundation brush for a customisable finish

Reasons to buy

+
Is the perfect size for controlled application
+
The bristles are supremely soft

Reasons to avoid

-
You can't buff foundation on with it, but rather have to lay it down

Size can be vital to how well a brush works, and this one is testament to that. Not too big, and not too small, it allows you to brush a little bit of foundation on section by section, giving you the ultimate control over what - and how much - goes where. 

4. Trish McEvoy Wet/Dry Even Skin Brush

trish mcevoy foundation brush

(Image credit: Liberty)

Trish McEvoy Wet/Dry Even Skin Brush

Best all-in-one foundation brush

Reasons to buy

+
Can apply foundation and concealer
+
They're both perfect for buffing in make-up
+
The smaller head can also be used to apply details like liquid highlighter

Reasons to avoid

-
If you keep your brushes in a pot, you'll need to lie this one down instead.

On one side, a foundation buffing brush, on the other, a mini concealer buffing brush. Both are comprised of densely-packed fibres which allow for seamless, smooth edges and lots of control, and it does make things much easier to have one brush for all your base make-up needs.

5. Delilah Fuller Coverage Foundation Brush

delilah foundation brush

(Image credit: Sephora)

Delilah Fuller Coverage Foundation Brush

Best full-coverage foundation brush

Reasons to buy

+
Achieves high coverage, quickly
+
Is soft enough to press into skin to achieve maximum foundation in an area

Reasons to avoid

-
It's not the best at applying just a dash of coverage, if you want a brush that does both

If you're all about a solid application of foundation and don't want to spend ages building and building layers, this brush is going to be the one for you; thanks to the curved edge and seriously tightly-packed bristles, you can use a slight slide and press motion and achieve quite impressive coverage.

6. Monika Blunder Beauty Hybrid Cream Brush

monika blunder beauty foundation brush

(Image credit: Monika Blunder Beauty)

Monika Blunder Beauty Hybrid Cream Brush

Best foundation brush for lightweight coverage

Reasons to buy

+
It makes applying a dash of foundation a doddle
+
It doubles up as a blush or highlighter brush

Reasons to avoid

-
It wouldn't be the one for applying a thick layer of anything

The thing I most love about this brush is that it refuses to overdo foundation, so if you're keen to apply just a whisper, seamlessly, this will do it, every time. It's handy that it also doubles up as a blush or highlighter brush, so if you find you only use a foundation brush on special occasions, you'll still get plenty of use out of this.

7. Louise Young LY01 Mini Foundation Talon

Louise Young Cosmetics foundation brush

(Image credit: Louise Young Cosmetics)

Louise Young LY01 Mini Foundation Talon

Best foundation brush for detail

Reasons to buy

+
It is very precise thanks to the size
+
It can be used to apply cream/liquid bronzer or highlighter

Reasons to avoid

-
It would take longer to do a full face with it
-
You need to blend the edges if you are applying a lot to a small area

I've long been devoted to Louise Young's brilliant brushes, but this small foundation brush is one of my favourites of the lot for its ability to really hug the contours of the face, making it perfect if you only like foundation here and there. The size of it also makes it a really good at applying liquid or cream contour or highlighter.

8. MYKITCO. 0.7 My Flawless Foundation Angled Brush

mykitco foundation brush

(Image credit: Mykitco)

MYKITCO. 0.7 My Flawless Foundation Angled Brush

Best foundation brush for speed

Reasons to buy

+
Makes buffing foundation in easy
+
The angle means it can slide into smaller areas

Reasons to avoid

-
The bristles are very densely packed so it sometimes takes a little longer to clean

Want to slap your foundation on at top speed and still have a perfect application? Get this one. Like a kabuki, it buffs foundation in for a seamless finish, but the angle means you can easily slide it into the nooks and crannies of your face and make sure you've got an even layer everywhere.

I also enlisted the help of the MCUK team for their top picks - because after trialling countless beauty products on a daily basis, they're pretty well-placed to put the best foundation brushes to the test.

9. e.l.f Buffing Foundation Brush

elf foundation brush

(Image credit: e.l.f)

e.l.f Buffing Foundation Brush

Best affordable foundation brush

Reasons to buy

+
Blends foundation seamlessly
+
Can be used with powder, cream and liquid formulas
+
Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not great for precise application

"Like Madeleine, I prefer to blend foundation in with my fingers 98% of the time, but sometimes a full-coverage foundation calls for a little extra help. That’s where this e.l.f. buffing brush comes in. It blends the thickest of foundation formulas effortlessly and the curved edges make it easy to reach the trickier areas around my nose and under my eyes. It’s my go-to foundation brush and - as a bonus - it’s under £10. I’m in love." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

10. Sculpted By Aimee Complexion Brush

Sculpted by Aimee complexion brush

(Image credit: Sculpted by Aimee)

Sculpted By Aimee Complexion Brush

Best affordable dual-ended brush

Reasons to buy

+
Buffs product out beautifully
+
Natural-looking finish
+
Versatile 

Reasons to avoid

-
It's quite a big brush

"I absolutely love using this brush - it buffs out my base product beautifully as I don't like it to look like I'm wearing much on my skin at all. This diffuses the colour so that my skin looks enhanced not masked. The fact that there's a smaller brush on the other end that I use for my concealer makes this brush even better." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor

11. Refy Complexion Brush

Refy Complexion Brush

(Image credit: Refy)

Refy Complexion Brush

Best versatile foundation brush

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile
+
Perfect for powder foundation
+
Precise application

Reasons to avoid

-
It's not great for thin liquid foundations

"I have another dual-ended brush to throw into the mix - and this one is pretty affordable too. The Refy Complexion brush is so incredibly versatile - I use the smaller end for under-eye concealer and precise powder and foundation application, and the larger end is ideal for powder foundation thanks to its fluffy bristles. It gives me the most natural-looking foundation application I've ever experienced." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

Madeleine Spencer

Madeleine Spencer is a journalist and broadcaster who has contributed to titles including Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, The Independent, The Evening Standard, and Stylist, as well as offering commentary for the BBC, Sky News, and ITV.

She is keen on exploring the significance beauty rituals, products, and memories have on people from different walks of life, and enters into conversation on the topic with guests on her podcast, Beauty Full Lives.

With contributions from