With MUAs like Bass' help, we conducted hours of research to compile this list of our editor's favorites on the market today. We considered shape, density, bristles, and types of looks each brush can achieve to make sure the following list highlights the best eyeshadow brushes for every look you'll want to try out.
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"Eyeshadow brushes are used to both deposit and blend makeup," says New York-based celebrity makeup artist, Gita Bass . "They help create precise lines and graphic shapes, diffuse washes of color, and blend out any lines for a more natural or smoky finish."
Makeup application is an art form, but that doesn't mean only those born with artistic abilities can do it well. Most people who wear makeup have dabbled with eyeshadow &#;it's been around since the dawn of cosmetics, after all. However, if it's not already part of your everyday routine it can seem intimidating. It's all about technique, and while getting it right takes practice, anyone can learn to do it: you just need the right tools&#;and by that, we mean eyeshadow brushes. These instruments are crucial for defining, shading, and blending your way from everyday looks to pro-level glam.
Best Overall
Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Brush
PHOTO:
Bobbibrowncosmetics
$29 at Walmart
$40 at Nordstrom
View on Bobbibrowncosmetics.com
What We Like
Soft yet dense bristles
Sloped shape
Makes blending easy
What to Consider
Not ideal for creams
Size: Medium | Material: Synthetic
If we could bring only one eyeshadow brush with us to a desert island, we'd grab this classic pick by makeup legend Bobbi Brown. With synthetic bristles and a round, perfectly sloped head, it's ideal for defining your lash line, smoothing color into your crease, and all-over blending. The brush is designed for powdered shadows, effortlessly picking up and holding pigment until you tap off the excess or swipe it onto your lids. However, it may not be as idea for applying creams, which work best with a more precise brush tip.
Best Budget
e.l.f. Cosmetics Eyeshadow "C" Brush
PHOTO:
Elfcosmetics
$4 at Amazon
$5 at Ulta
$5 at Target
What We Like
Wallet-friendly
Ideal for packing on pigment
Can use narrow edge for smudging shadow along lash line
What to Consider
Could be better for blending
Function: Packing | Bristle Type: Synthetic
This medium-sized, multipurpose brush packs eyeshadow onto the lids with aplomb. It's large enough to cover a nice surface area, yet small enough to allow you to work with a bit of precision (great if you have more hooded eyes). We love that it also has a bit of a narrow edge that's great for smudging shadows along the upper or lower lash line (hello smoky eye looks). We tend to prefer a more rounded, fluffy brush for blending, but you can get the job done with this one. This highly affordable pick is especially great for eyeshadow beginners who don't want to spend a ton of money or buy multiple brushes at once.
Best for Everyday
BK Beauty 206 Blending Shader
PHOTO:
BK Beauty
View on Bkbeauty.com
What We Like
Incredibly versatile
Can be used for packing and blending
Ultrasoft bristles
What to Consider
Not ideal for glam looks
Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic
Chances are, you'll need a few different eyeshadow brushes to create intricate looks&#;but if you're going for a minimalist, everyday look, this one will get the job done beautifully. The medium size is great for a variety of eye shapes and sizes. It packs shadows onto the lid as well as blends the edges for a soft look. While it's ideal for diffusing powder formulas, the synthetic bristles also pick up and apply creams nicely. Both the bristles and the handle feel durable and well-made, and we appreciate its versatility and how easy it is to use.
Best Dual-Ended
Chanel Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Brush N°200
PHOTO:
Nordstrom
$42 at Nordstrom
$42 at Macy's
What We Like
Can apply both cream and powder
Soft with a rounded shape
Easy to store and travel with
What to Consider
Cost makes it not ideal for beginners
Function: Packing and blending | Bristle Type: Synthetic
The Chanel N°200 is a fantastic, dual-ended tool that's retractable with caps on both ends, so it's easy to store and ideal for on-the-go makeup. One end has a medium packing brush that works to apply color to the eyelids, while the opposite end has a fluffy crease brush to diffuse your look. And the high-quality bristles effortlessly glide over your eyelids with cream or powder formulas. It is a pricier pick, so if you're newer to eyeshadow, you may want to start with a less expensive brush and work your way up to this one.
Best Set
Sigma Beauty Basic Eye Brush Set
PHOTO:
Bloomingdale's
$77 at Amazon
$77 at Dermstore
$56 at Target
What We Like
Has all the basics needed for an eyeshadow look
Perfect for building our your brush collection
Bristles are soft
What to Consider
Blending brush sheds a bit
Size: Small, medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic
Sigma has been making functional, high-quality brushes for many years, and this set has been an editor favorite for quite some time. If you're not sure how to curate a well-rounded eyeshadow brush collection, we recommend a complete set like this one. It comes with seven brushes that are everything you'll need to create basic looks as well as more intricate looks. The brush handles are long and sturdy, and the bristles are all synthetic, meaning they're not made with animal hair. Though the blending brush sheds a bit, particularly in the beginning and when you wash it, it still works beautifully and the shedding isn't major.
Best Value
Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Makeup Brush Kit
PHOTO:
Amazon
$15 at Amazon
What We Like
Affordable and high-quality
Bristles are soft
Brushes work with creams and powders
What to Consider
Missing a few brushes like a pencil brush and flat shader
Size: Small, medium, large | Bristle Type: Synthetic
Real Techniques has mastered the art of creating high-quality brushes at an affordable price. This set with eight brushes will cost you less than the price of one high-end makeup brush; it comes with a variety of different-shaped brushes to create a wide range of looks. The purple aluminum handles are sturdy, and the synthetic bristles are soft and work beautifully with both cream and powder formulas. This set is a perfect place to start if you're new to makeup or simply want to add to your brush collection without making a huge investment.
Best Fluffy Crease Brush
Sephora Collection PRO Crease Brush #19
$22 at Sephora
What We Like
Medium-size fluffy brush is nice for a range of looks
Ultrasoft bristles
Green Brush supply professional and honest service.
Works with creams and powders
What to Consider
Some reviewers say bristles are too soft
Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic
A fluffy crease brush is arguably the most important brush for making your eye look come to life&#;it helps to diffuse the colors for a well-blended finish. This one from Sephora Collection is our top pick for several reasons, the most important being the size. It's perfect for diffusing shadows in the crease while maintaining control. Read: It's not too big or too small. In addition to the size and shape, we appreciate that the synthetic bristles are soft and work beautifully to apply powders and cream eyeshadows. That said, some reviewers said the bristles were too soft for their purposes.
Best for Lash Line
Morphe Flat Liner Definer Brush
PHOTO:
Ulta
$8 at Ulta
View on Morphe.com
What We Like
Gets close to lash line
Ideal for packing on liner
Firm and dense
What to Consider
Feels a little rough
Size: Small | Bristle Type: Synthetic
A small flat-tipped brush with a straight edge like the Morphe M432 is ideal for applying eyeshadow to your lash lines and buffing out the color. It's especially useful for defining your lower lash line and connecting it to your winged eyeliner. We like this one in particular because it's not so wide that you lose precision, but also not so narrow that it takes too long to sweep color along your lash line. The bristles are short and dense, and the edges are very square so it can feel slightly rough&#;just be sure to use a gentle touch.
Best for Cream Eyeshadow
Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable All-Over Eyeshadow Brush
PHOTO:
Sephora
$15 at Sephora
$15 at Kohls.com
View on Rarebeauty.com
What We Like
Picks up and applies cream formulas smoothly
Comfortable to hold and use
Soft yet dense
What to Consider
Not ideal for blending in the crease
Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic
If you're working with a cream formula, you'll be glad to have this brush in your arsenal. It has a dome-like shape that easily picks up creamy eyeshadow formulas and applies them to the lids. The bristles are dense for packing on the color, but they're still smooth, soft, and gentle against the delicate skin on the eyelids. Though it's not ideal for blending colors into the crease of the eyes due to the shape, it's a must-have if you like to wear cream shadows and are looking for a tool to help you apply them to your lids effortlessly.
Best for Smoky Eye Looks
Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush
PHOTO:
Sephora
$36 at Sephora
What We Like
Easy to smudge
Soft yet dense
Can apply cream and powder
What to Consider
Could be a bit softer
Size: Small | Bristle Type: Synthetic
When it comes to smoky-eye makeup, the right brush is essential&#;and the Eye Smudger is up for the task. This eyeshadow brush has short and dense bristles, allowing you to smudge powder or cream eyeshadows in targeted areas to create a sultry, smoldering effect. It's also great at smudging out eyeliner pencils for a softer, more diffused look. Plus, the small tip is perfect for highlighting the inner corners of the eyes. It's definitely a bit pricey for a single brush, but you'd be surprised by just how functional it is.
Best Angled
Sigma Beauty Angled Shading Brush
PHOTO:
Amazon
$17 at Amazon
$16 at Nordstrom
What We Like
Can build up shadow from sheer to medium color payoff
Creates a variety of looks
Ultrasoft bristles
What to Consider
Not great for packing on pigment
Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic
With extra-soft, perfectly angled bristles and slightly beveled edges, the E70 is a go-to for sheer and medium eyeshadow application. You can use it to sweep shadows across your lower lids, define your creases, and even highlight your brow bones. However, if you're really looking to pack on the color, this pick may fall short since it's a leaner, less fluffy brush.
Best for Crease
Fenty Beauty Tapered Blending Brush 210
PHOTO:
Sephora
$24 at Sephora
View on Strawberrynet.com
$24 at Kohls.com
What We Like
Expertly tapered shape
Makes blending easy
Chick design
What to Consider
Some reviewers say the bristles are a little too long
Size: Medium | Material: Synthetic
When you need to contour the crease of your eyelid, reach for this fluffy pink number. Fenty Beauty's 210 Brush is expertly tapered and custom-cut for blending eyeshadows into a flawlessly diffused finish. The point is ideal for detail work, while the fuller brush makes easy work of blending out the contours. We love this one for experimenting with a dark-to-light color fade. The only con we came across is some reviewers find the bristles a little long for super precise control.
Best for Blending
MAC Synthetic Blending Brush
PHOTO:
Nordstrom
$30 at Ulta
$30 at Nordstrom
$30 at Macy's
What We Like
Makes blending so easy
Buffs away harsh lines
Ideal for diffused looks
What to Consider
Not for all eye looks
Size: Medium | Material: Synthetic
While most eyeshadow brushes on this list will make it easy to blend and buff out your shadows, this one is in a league of its own, according to makeup artist Caitlin Cullimore. "My favorite ever blending eyeshadow brush is the #217 by Mac Cosmetics. "It's great for softening the edges of your eyeshadow and for doing eyeshadow in your crease, too." However, since this one's fluffier, it's not ideal for precise application.
I'm not the only one who religiously reads reviews before making a purchase, right? TBH, reviews often push me to smash the order button, but they can also stop me in my tracks completely if they aren't looking so positive. One type of item I always scroll through the reviews on before buying is a makeup brush. Sure, I get a lot of recs from celebrity makeup artists as well, but to make a thoroughly educated purchase, it's a good idea to get a well-rounded perspective. That's why I've done both this time around.
The arsenals of celebrity makeup artists are always filled with the best foundations, primers, eye shadow palettes, and, of course, brushes. Each artist has their own unique taste and preferences when it comes to brushes, and they know best because, well, they're the ones who use them the most. Not only did I take a peek at what brushes they'd personally give to their friends this holiday season, but I also made sure the brush sets they chose were a hit with shoppers, too.
For their best-rated picks (that are also holiday-gift ready), keep scrolling. The sets below are always a hit&#;with both makeup artists and buyers.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website precision eyeshadow brush manufacturer.