The Best Foundation Brushes And How To Use Them

The best foundation brush for you does depend slightly on the finish and amount of coverage you are after. For example, the best foundation brush for full coverage will differ from one that give a natural finish. There are also different sizes: flat, oval, feathered, fluffy. It is a good idea to keep in mind how you usually apply your foundation and what kind of formula you use before shopping around, because different styles work best with liquid and others with powder. Shop our edit below of best brushes in the biz. 

If sheeny, no-makeup makeup is your thing, you will want to get your hands on ZOEVA’s 125 Stippling Brush. Unlike other flat shaped iterations, a stippling brush uses spread out, fluffy, feathered fibres. This allows you to apply liquid and powder foundations in natural-looking thin layers without packing on the coverage. Dispense foundation onto the back of your hand, dipping the tips of the brush in before sweeping over your face. The result? A glossy, barely-there base that lets your skin shine through. 

As aesthetically pleasing as it is practical, By BEAUTY BAY’s foundation brush is a total base changer. Holding incredibly soft synthetic bristles that mimic the feel of natural hair, this works liquids, powders and gels into the skin, creating an airbrushed finish. The beauty of a buffing brush is that you can use less product but still get an incredibly even, flawless finish. 

The beauty of flat-topped shorter brushes is that they work brilliantly with liquids and powders, too. The super-soft, densely packed bristles in this Nashy F02 Flawless Foundation Flat Top Brush distribute your base of choice evenly, leaving a velvety smooth, seamless finish. Unsurprisingly it has racked up a hefty amount of five star reviews, so you know it is a tried and tested winner. 

We live for a multi-use product and So Eco’s dual-ended brush is bringing its A-game to the world of makeup application. You get two brushes for the price of one – a very affordable one at that – to help you apply your foundation and concealer. Use them interchangeably, e.g. the smaller brush is amazing at quick foundation touch-ups on the go and for hard to reach areas like the corners of your nose. The best part? All of So Eco’s brushes are crafted out of plastic-free, responsibly sourced materials. 

NYX Professional Makeup are masters in the makeup world and their brushes are no exception. The Can’s Stop Won’t Stop Foundation Brush provides the same sought after application as premium makeup brushes but without the painful price tag. An angled head ensures even distribution along the contours of the face like the jawline and cheekbones, but it’s the bristles that really get us going. Not too long or short, they’re the perfect length to apply any formula in a streak-free fashion.

There is a reason these brushes are hailed heroes by MUAs and beauty bloggers alike. Their sleek, eye-catching design includes a long handle and oversized teardrop-shaped head filled with some of the softest bristles around. Not only does the innovative shape make for easy application anywhere you fancy, the oversized brush covers large areas in just a few seconds. The result is a seamless, healthy-looking complexion.