Choosing the right makeup brushes can be daunting—for makeup enthusiasts,  professional makeup artists, and beginners alike—who are learning to wear makeup.

If you are new in the makeup game, you may be confused about where to begin—when purchasing beauty products—especially makeup brushes. On the surface, it may not look like a challenging task, but it involves a great deal of know-how. From a wide range of eyeshadow brushes at every luxury beauty counter to a plethora of makeup brush sets in the market—you might struggle to decide what will benefit your beauty regimen without burning a hole in your wallet.

Fret not lovelies! The guide below will help you choose the best brushes—whether you are looking for a splurge-worthy foundation brush or a budget-friendly beginner’s kit, we will tell you everything you need to know. 

Test the bristles and how it feels on your skin.

There are some ways to check the quality of a makeup brush. First, brush it across your skin to determine how it feels. Ideally, the bristles should feel soft against your skin and not scratchy or rough.

The quality of the bristles helps determine the longevity of a brush. To test the bristles’ strength, you have to rub the brush across your skin and check if any fibre is falling out. Makeup brushes can last the test of time if all the bristles are intact and are taken good care of. While testing, if any bristle gets loose and falls out, drop it!

Do not invest in makeup brush sets.

Avoid investing in brush sets. Yes, the prices may seem tempting, and you might as well be visually attracted—after all, they come in cute handy storing cases and look pretty organised. But here lies the harsh truth—typically, these sets contain a handful of makeup brushes that would not normally sell out individually—and we bet—even you wouldn’t purchase half of them if they were not sold in a set.

Test the material based on the purpose.

If you are looking for a brush that helps you with dry makeup, opt for one that is made of real hair—best for powder, blush and eyeshadow. Conversely, for wet products such as concealer and foundation, go for a brush with synthetic bristles.

Real hair is excellent at absorbing wet formulas—as a result—a lot of product will be wasted. You may also opt for a dual-fibre brush— it can be used to apply creamy, wet, and even dry products. It is also essential to note that natural-haired makeup brushes are costlier than synthetic brushes.

Explore the purpose of every makeup brush.

When picking the best makeup brush, you cannot completely rely on what a YouTube creator is suggesting in their video and purchase everything they advised. It is also not limited to reading this article and purchasing everything we mention. When you are on a quest to find the best makeup brushes, you first need to learn the purpose each one serves.

For instance, you will need a stippling brush for buffing cream, mousse, or liquid foundation. A powder brush should be fluffy and large so that it can be used over a liquid foundation. Your eyeshadow brush needs to be flat while for “advanced” eyeshadow application, you need a crease brush that can easily be used on your eyelids.

Use a mild cleanser or micellar water to clean your brushes

When cleaning your makeup brushes, make sure you are using a mild cleanser or micellar water to retain its quality. You may also use baby shampoo because they are gentle and can very well achieve the job.

In conclusion, picking the correct makeup brushes can promote a remarkable difference in determining the final look of your makeup. When buying a brush—consider its size, shape, bristle density and type. With this comprehensive guide, we hope you will succeed at finding the best brushes that suit your makeup routine and help you achieve professional-looking and flawless makeup.