We’ve Tried Hundreds of Make-Up Tools in a Bid to Find the Best Foundation Brush—These 9 Came Out on Top
No streaky finishes here, thank you
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.
The best foundation brushes at a glance
- Best foundation brush for a novice: Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki, £30 | Face the Future
- Best affordable foundation brush: e.l.f Buffing Foundation Brush, £7 | e.l.f
- Best affordable dual-ended brush: Sculpted By Aimee Complexion Brush, £17 | Sculpted by Aimee
- Best versatile foundation brush: Refy Complexion Brush, £16 | Refy
- Best all-in-one foundation brush: Trish McEvoy Wet/Dry Even Skin Brush, £55 | Liberty London
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 testedand 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...
Best foundation brush for a novice
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.
Best luxury foundation brush
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 — meaning that your base looks flawless.
Best foundation brush for a customisable finish
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. The result is completely customisable coverage, which is as heavy or as light as you fancy.
Best all-in-one foundation brush
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.
Best foundation brush for detail
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 evenly.
Best foundation brush for speed
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 and radiant 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.
Best affordable foundation brush
"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
Best affordable dual-ended 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
Best versatile foundation brush
"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
Daniel Sandler's make-up brush rules
Before you pick your fighter, I asked fellow make-up artist Daniel Sandler for his make-up brush rules and he shared some of his wisdom:
- "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."
FAQs
Does foundation look better with a brush or a sponge?
Everyone has their own preferences, and ultimately, it's up to you to decide if you prefer the finish you get when you use a brush as opposed to a sponge. Those firmly in camp brush claim that the tool gives a more even and precise result — it's great for spot correcting and really allows you to get into the crevices, so those pesky, harder to reach areas like around the nose and jaw.
If you prefer a more dewy and radiant finish, however, it's best to go for a damp sponge. This method allows you to really press the product into the skin, creating a seamless-looking result, and because the sponge is damp, you'll add real glow to the skin.
Is a flat or round foundation brush better?
Again, this comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a lighter coverage base, and love an airbrushed look, then your best bet is to go with a round brush as they typically hold less product than their flat counterparts. Round brushes allow you to gently buff your foundation into the skin to create a smooth, even, and yes “airbrush-like” effect. On the other hand, if you like your coverage, you’re likely going to want to go for a flat blush. Due to their shape, flat brushes are great on really layering and packing on product.
How to clean foundation brushes to make them last longer?
Makeup brushes are expensive, hence they need a little more TLC than your other tools. If you want them to stand the test of time, ensure you're washing them regularly (weekly is ideal, but we're not in the business of judging here...)
You can use a dedicated cleanser, or alternatively, opt for baby shampoo or a gentle dish soap. Ensure you’re only wetting the bristles as getting water near the base can lift the glue on the handle, separating the brush from the bristles. Also, make sure you rinse them properly to get rid of any soap residue. Lastly, it’s best to let your tools dry upright to avoid any damage and unnecessary shedding.
How to choose the best foundation brush for you
The most important thing to consider is the type of foundation you use. Is it very watery, is it particularly thick, is it a powder, stick, or other type of base product? This will impact the brush you choose. Whilst smaller, fluffier brushes are suited to liquid foundations, a stick formula will require something with more dense bristles that can work hard at blending.
You should also think about the finish you want, because different tools will give very different results. A fluffy brush will typically give lighter coverage, whilst a kabuki or flat foundation brush will pack on more product for an opaque finish.
If you're still not sure, start off with a double-ended brush so you can try out different types and find out which finish you prefer. But in general, there is no bad choice—all brushes in this guide will more than deliver; it's just about finding your favourite look and feel.
