Essential Makeup Brushes

Need help figuring out what beauty tools to use? This guide to essential makeup brushes will do the trick! You don’t need a ton of brushes, just a few. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning that any clicks/purchases may result in a small commission to keeping Beauty With Lily running at no additional cost to you. 

Hey there! Welcome back to another beauty guide. Today I’m sharing a few essential makeup brushes that everyone needs to start up their collection. There are hundreds of brushes out there, but these are perfect for a makeup beginner and the pro, alike! Let’s dive in! 

Essential Makeup Brushes

Face Brushes 

• Foundation >> Even if you are a firm believer in a beauty sponge, you should definitely have at least one good foundation brush in your collection. I have a few, but only 2 stand out. The Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush and the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Skin Skin-Smoothing Complexion Brush. They are both on the pricey side, but you can’t go wrong with either one.
• Concealer >> I am not the biggest fan of concealer brushes, but I do like the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Brush #7 — it’s double ended, one side is a great powder brush, but the other is small concealer brush. Perfect to get into the inner corners and around your nose.
• Powder >> My absolute favorite powder brush is only $6 and it’s SO good! I’ve had mine for over 7 years…not kidding! The ELF Powder Brush is literally the best, but you have to get this one…the other powder brushes aren’t the same. There’s just something about this one, it’s dense and packs on the powder perfectly.
• Blush >> I’ve used a variety of blush brushes and the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe French Boutique Blush Brush is by far my favorite, it just builds blush up so nicely and blends like a dream! A much more affordable brush that I works really well is the ELF Complexion Brush — it looks super big, but it picks up just the right amount of blush.
• Bronzer >> The exact bronzer brush I use actually isn’t sold anymore…but the Morphe M405 is the exact same shape as the one I currently use. I like that it’s angled, helps blend so much easier.
• Contour >> My exact brush isn’t sold anymore either, but is’ SUPER similar to the Morphe M530. It also has the same shape…which helps chisel out the cheekbones really well. It’s also great for bronzing up the nose (doing a mini contour on it, if you will.)
• Highlight >> The brush I use to highlight is from Luxie and for some reason I just can’t find it anywhere, online. Essentially, it’s just like the ELF Small Stipple Brush…this gives a more subtle application. If you want something more bold, the ELF Small Tapered Brush will do the trick — and they are only $4 a piece!!

Eye Brushes

• Eyeshadow >> Everyone needs a basic eyeshadow brush, I have a few favorites, the Luxie 223 Short Shader Brush, it’s the perfect brush to pack color to the lid and you can also add a brow bone or inner corner highlight with it. The Luxie 209 Large Shader Brush, is very similar, but larger…this one is perfect if you are working with metallics or glitters…just wet it a little or use your fingers. 
• Blending >> A good blending brush is key, for a good eyeshadow look. My absolute favorite big blending brush is the Sigma E40 brush. I also really love the Luxie 205 Tapered Blending Brush, it’s smaller and can help give some good definition.
  • A few other favorites: Luxie 327 Blending Brush, Morphe M429 (which can only be found in this set), and the Morphe M433.
• Crease >> A crease brush helps blend the crease color, it gives you a more precise blend. I love the Morphe M330 it is so good!
• Smudge >> I don’t use an actual smudger brush, I like to use the Luxie 221 Flat Definer Brush, I like a more precise application. Then I go back in with a small pencil brush, like the Morphe M431. But if you want a smudge brush, the Morphe M213 will work just as well.
• Liner >> As I stated above, I love the Luxie 221 Flat Definer Brush, it’s stiff but still blends nicely.
• Spoolie >> I LOVE the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush #14, it’s double ended, so you get a spoolie (literally the best) and an angled stiff brush that can be used with brow pomade or brow powders.

You Might Also Like // Makeup 101 | Ultimate Guide to Concealer & Correctors

Need help figuring out what beauty tools to use? This guide to essential makeup brushes will do the trick! You don't need a ton of brushes, just a few. Click To Tweet

Find any brushes that you don’t have in your collection that you might need? There are SO many brushes out there, it can be hard to figure out what you need. I hope this guide helped narrow it down.