With a lot of options available, including the trendy mermaid makeup brushes, it can be quite difficult to choose the right one. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, we have laid out the best makeup brush sets you can buy from Shopee, Lazada, Sephora, and more sites. Don't know which suits your needs? Read our comprehensive buying guide, checked by visual and makeup artist Ida Siasoco, to learn more.
Makeup artist and hairstylist since 2017 and has worked on various commercial and editorial projects. Likes to put glitter on everything and believes that "you can never put too much blush".
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more information, read through our buying below.
First, determine the material of the brushes. They can either be composed of synthetic nylon fibers or natural hair sourced from animals. The material that your makeup brushes are made of is important, especially if you have sensitive skin because they may cause more harm than good in the long run.
Synthetic makeup brushes are typically made of nylon and other synthetic fibers. This type of makeup brush is common and affordable. They shed less and don't trap makeup because they don't have a cuticle., unlike natural makeup brushes.
However, they're not as soft as natural brushes, so that's something those with sensitive skin should keep in mind. They work well with both powder and liquid products like foundation. They're a good option, especially for those on a vegan lifestyle, since they don't contain animal byproducts.
Natural makeup brushes are made with animal hair from horse, mink, or goat, to name a few. Generally, they are soft and gentle on the skin. This makes them perfect for those with sensitive skin or for those who find synthetic brushes too harsh. However, if you are allergic to animal fur, double-check the animal source since it may trigger your allergies.
These brushes work well with powder-based products such as blush and contour. If you do use cream-based or liquid products with natural brushes, make sure to clean the bristles thoroughly since product tends to build up in the natural ridges of the hair shaft. You should also note that individual bristles last longer due to the innate durability of natural hair fibers.
To maximize the makeup brush set that you buy, check the different types of makeup brushes it includes or the number of pieces that it comes with. Each makeup brush has different purposes, so make sure that your set comes with at least these basic brushes that we're going to discuss.
Stippling brushes are perfect for applying different types of liquid-based makeup products such as foundation, concealer, bronzer, and cream contour, among others. It's great for blending, too, that's able to give you a flawless, airbrushed base. To use this, apply the product to the top of the bristles and work the brush in circular motions.
On the other hand, foundation brushes can give the same effect, as they can blend liquid or cream-based products well. If your makeup brush set doesn't come with a stippling brush, a foundation brush should work just as well. There are different foundation brushes–flat and round. Flat usually is used for the application, and round usually to blend the product out.
After applying your cream-based makeup, the next step is to set them with powder. To do this, you need a powder, kabuki, or fan brush that will apply your loose or translucent powder to ensure that your makeup doesn't move or crease all day. To know if your set includes a powder brush, look for a large and fluffy brush.
Aside from its large size, a powder brush is dome-shaped to be able to evenly spread the powder all over your face. Its shape allows it to apply the product lightly and evenly. You can also use it to brush away fallout from your eye makeup or apply a highlighter.
For those who are fond of wearing contour or blush, having an angled, buffing, or detailer brush in your set is essential. This type of brush is very dense, with angled bristles that allow you to have a precise contour application. It's perfect for applying product to the hollows of your cheeks, temple, and jawline to sculpt and blend out seamlessly.
To be able to create many different types of eye looks, you'll need an eyeshadow brush. Being made for the eyes, these brushes are smaller and denser than face brushes, giving you more control so that you can precisely apply your eyeshadow. The more packed the brush is, the more pigment it will put on your skin.
This is the most basic type of eyeshadow brush out there, and it almost looks like a tiny version of a foundation brush. For best results, use this brush to pat on eyeshadow on your eyelids, adding on multiple layers if needed. You can also look for a flat eyeshadow brush to pack pigment on your lids or apply glitter makeup.
Aside from a basic eyeshadow brush, an eyeshadow blending brush is an important tool to have, especially if you're fond of wearing different eyeshadow looks. Along with the smudge or crease brush, it's the main tool in ensuring that you don't have any harsh lines once you're done with your eye look.
Even though it's generally utilized for blending your eye makeup, it can also be used to apply different products like powder highlighter. Also, you can use this to apply contour and highlight in hard-to-reach areas of the face, such as the nose, brow bone, socket line, and creases, for a more precise application.
Spoolies, also known as mascara brushes, are important to have as they act like a hairbrush for your eyebrows and eyelashes. This means that you can use them to blend out eyebrow products for a more natural finish and brush out clumps from your mascara.
You can also use this brush to apply eyebrow gel or eyebrow soap neatly and precisely. Something to keep in mind with these brushes, though, is that they tend to be less durable, especially if they're quite thin, so it might be best to have a backup.
A lip brush is a small brush used to apply lipstick. It will allow you to get a crisp, defined lip line and can help you achieve trendier lip looks such as the ombre lip. It's made of a layer of bristles that act like a paintbrush to paint your lipstick on smoothly.
This brush makes applying lipsticks more hygienic as you don't have to directly apply the product to your bare lips. They also make mixing lipstick colors easier, which means that you can customize your lip colors faster with this tool. Similar to this type are the tapered, angled brushes that are also for blending brows and achieving the winged eyeliner.
Some makeup brush sets come in pairs, threes, and some can even go beyond 20 pieces! If you are just starting out, you can opt for a beginner set with around 5 to 7 brushes, which contain the basics. However, if you want to have more value for your money or eliminate the need to buy additional brushes, a brush set with more or less 15 brushes would be a good choice.
If your makeup brushes don't come with their own case, it would be better to buy one for them instead of storing them together with your makeup. In the unfortunate instance that your makeup ends up spilling or breaking inside your makeup bag, a separate case for the brushes will make sure that your precious brushes don't get damaged.
This makeup brush set is from Sigma Beauty, a well-established brand trusted by many makeup artists and enthusiasts alike, so you know it is worth its price. It comes with all the basic brushes that you need for liquid and cream-based products, blush-on, bronzer, highlighter, and eye makeup.
The bristles are made from double-threaded synthetic antimicrobial fibers that are designed for carrying, applying, and blending makeup with greater precision. On the other hand, the shiny metal-plated ferrules are designed with SigmaAlloy™ material that is heavy-duty and corrosion-resistant, while the polymer handles are waterproof.
Because of these features, this set has amassed a lot of great reviews from all over the world for its high quality and lightweight but sturdy form that will last for years to come. Not only that, this set includes a gold beauty bag that matches the aesthetic of the brushes, providing a stylish yet functional storage option.
This set of 10 brushes is a crowd-favorite, having over 500 ratings that praise it for its soft and high-quality build that looks premium but won't break the bank! Aside from the basics that we mention in the buying guide, it also comes with a blush brush, a highlighter brush, and a fan brush that many sets do not include. It comes in a classy leather pouch as well!
Being made of high-grade synthetic fibers, these brushes can hold and transfer cream or powder products well and are very soft on the face. The brushes have durable aluminum handles as well, making them easy to grasp and use, especially for beginners. This makes it highly recommended to all kinds of makeup enthusiasts.
For beginners just starting out on their makeup journey, this makeup brush set is for you. It contains the essential brushes that you need: a foundation brush, a fluffy powder brush, a smaller contour brush, and a detailing brush. All this comes in a minimalist square brush cup to keep your brushes organized in your vanity.
These brushes are the go-to's of a lot of people, being soft and leaving a great finish that makes your skin look airbrushed. This set makes applying makeup a breeze, which is why many users rave about this. They last longer, too, making them a great investment, especially for those looking for something cost-efficient.
The brushes' bristles are a combination of natural and synthetic materials for versatility and softness. Each one is made from gently combed and shaved goat hair, wooden handles with 6 layers of lacquer - all of which are assembled by hand. Although this set may be at a higher price point, the said qualities justify its high quality and durability.
This makeup brush set from Lily Lolo contains ultra-soft blush, concealer, powder, spoolie, angled eye, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and socket line brushes. These mini-sized brushes are perfect for people who travel a lot since they don't take up much space inside your bag. This way, you can bring a complete brush set wherever you go without the added weight of average-sized brushes.
The foldable case has a designated pocket for each brush, so they remain in place. Plus, a small pouch provides extra storage for other makeup needs. This set is great for both beginners and pros as it can help you experiment with new looks even while on the go.
If you're looking for a makeup brush set that only has the essentials, this product is right up your alley. It includes all the basic brushes: foundation brush, powder brush, shadow brush, and an angled eyeliner brush. This is great for beginners and pros alike to achieve either a natural or full-on glam look.
The sleek monotone design from the bristles to the handle is an eyecatcher for those who prefer a minimalist and simple style. This can also be an advantage because it is easier to see the amount of product held by the brush. Moreover, you can spot any areas you might have missed when cleaning them.
Even though this brush set only includes four pieces, it has all the essentials for you to apply all of your makeup products, especially as you go about your day. The brushes are made from soft synthetic hair, and the bristles are soft and gentle on the skin. These brushes are vegan and cruelty-free, making them a great option for those who follow that lifestyle.
This set includes a case and three beauty look cards with how-tos included, which are all helpful for beginners who are just starting to build their makeup collections. It's great for jet-setters who travel a lot, too, as the dual-pocket cosmetic case holds the brushes without taking up much space.
This makeup brush set is made of premium synthetic hair that's both durable and comfortable to use. It's not prone to shedding, and it's able to easily pick up powder, cream, or liquid products. Including all types of eyeshadow brushes you'll ever need, this set is perfect for those who are fond of or would like to try doing different eye looks.
These brushes are lightweight and easy to use since the plastic handles make them comfortable to grip. Despite being made from a plastic material, this set still looks premium with its aluminum detail. Aside from this pretty pink set, these brushes are also available in a black and a gold colorway.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
For beginners and professionals alike, your makeup set should always include the following: foundation brush, powder brush, concealer brush, brow brush, eyeshadow brush, and spoolie brush. These are definitely must-haves so that you can have a designated brush for the basic makeup products needed to complete your makeup application.
Brushes can last from one to five years, depending on the quality of the material, along with regular maintenance and cleaning. Don’t know if you already need to replace your brushes? Inspect the fullness and softness of the bristles and overall cleanliness and wear. If the bristles have hardened or the makeup residues are stubborn, then it is best to replace them right away.
Using your fingers to apply skincare products is the norm. However, this may cause the skin on your hands to absorb the products instead of the skin on your face. Your nails are also prone to keeping bacteria, leading to infection or breakouts when they come in contact with your face.
With that, you can use makeup brushes for skincare products. The bristles can hold yet do not absorb products, so you will get the most out of them. Plus, stroking the bristles across your face brings relaxation as it massages the skin. Whichever method you prefer, always make sure that your hands or brushes are clean.
Other than finding the right makeup products to be able to look good and feel good every day, you also need to find the right beauty tools to apply them. Check out our other articles below for the best products to perfect your makeup application.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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