When I first dipped my toes into the makeup world, I thought I needed every brush in the beauty aisle. I bought a random set with twenty brushes… and ended up using maybe four of them. The rest? Collected dust in my drawer.
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So let me save you the trial-and-error (and wasted money). You don’t need a hundred different tools to make your makeup look good. In fact, I use the same small group of brushes for most of my looks — and they work for just about any beginner.
Here’s my pared-down list of 10 essential makeup brushes I wish I’d started with.
1. Foundation Brush (Flat Top or Buffing)
If you’ve only ever applied foundation with your fingers, this will change your life. A buffing brush blends it in so it looks like skin, not paint.
💡 Tip: Work in light circles and build slowly — you’ll get a smoother, more natural finish.
2. Concealer Brush
Tiny but powerful. Gets into the corners of your nose, hides a breakout, and blends under-eye concealer without removing half of it in the process.
3. Powder Brush
A big, soft brush that sweeps powder evenly over your face. No heavy, dusty look — just a light set that keeps makeup in place.
4. Blush Brush
Good blush placement can make you look instantly healthier (bad placement… not so much). A tapered blush brush makes it easy to get that soft flush.
5. Highlighter Brush (Fan or Small Tapered)
You don’t want to smear highlighter everywhere — a smaller brush lets you hit just the right spots: cheekbones, brow bone, tip of the nose.
6. Eyeshadow Blending Brush
If you get one eye brush, make it this one. It’s the secret to making eyeshadow look smooth instead of patchy.
7. Flat Eyeshadow Brush
Perfect for packing shimmer or bold color right onto your lid.
8. Angled Brow Brush
Game-changer for filling brows naturally. The slanted edge lets you mimic tiny hairs or create a crisp eyeliner wing.
9. Spoolie Brush
Cheap, simple, and so useful. Brush through brows to blend pencil or gel, or run it through your lashes to break up clumps.
10. Brush Cleaner Pad or Spray
Brushes hold onto makeup, oil, and bacteria. A quick clean once a week keeps your skin happy and your brushes working like new.
A Few Beginner Brush Truths I Learned the Hard Way
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You do not need the fanciest brushes. Mid-range ones can be amazing.
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Buying a giant set is tempting, but you’ll probably only use a few.
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Clean brushes = better makeup and better skin.
Final thought: Makeup isn’t about collecting tools — it’s about knowing how to use the ones you have. Start small, learn what works for you, and before you know it, your routine will feel effortless.
💡 Some links here are affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It helps me keep sharing tips like these, so thank you.
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