The Make-Up Brush Brands We Rate
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Zoeva
Best For: Choice
Both Zoeva's Luxe Highlight Brush 105 and Luxe Crease Brush are standouts in its range – make-up pros Mary Greenwell and Hannah Martin swear by the tapered head on the former, while the latter comes with unbeatably soft bristles. There’s plenty more on offer as well – from facial brush sets to shading brushes and even those designed for precise, detailed work. We love how lightweight they all are.
Visit ZoevaCosmetics.co.uk
Spectrum
Best For: A Full Set
Spectrum is one of the best brush brands around. It has everything – and we mean everything – you could need to create a flawless face, including cleaning devices that dissolve germs on the spot. We love the brand’s collaboration with make-up artist Katie Jane Hughes. Choose between an 11-piece edit or a 25-piece full set – we recommend the latter, which comes in a chic, compact case. The quality of the brushes is unrivalled – soft and fluffy, they make application a breeze.
Visit SpectrumCollections.com
Rephr
Best For: A Luxe Feel
Rephr’s cult brushes are handmade in Japan and used by some of the world’s top make-up artists – including Hung Vanngo. Yes, they’re more expensive than others on this list, but you get what you pay for. Clean them regularly and they’ll last you for years. Great for applying product around the eyes and face, you can buy the brushes individually or as a set, but we recommend doing the latter if you want to save yourself up to 50%.
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Real Techniques
Best For: Affordable Options
Whether you’re after concealer, foundation or eye make-up brushes, Real Techniques' vast line-up has something for everyone. You can buy them in sets too, with one available for the face and another dedicated to eyes and brows. Our favourite? The Angled Kabuki Make-Up Brush which works with every texture to achieve smooth, streak-free coverage. It even works with self-tan. Pros love the Angled Foundation Brush to buff in concealer, foundation and tinted moisturisers.
Visit RealTechniques.com
MyKitCo
Best For: Beauty Novices
Make-up master James Molloy is a big advocate of brushes, and with My Kit Co, he set out to launch a brush range that was fuss free, easy to use and affordable. Fans include make-up artists Zoe Taylor, Cat Parnell and Lisa Potter-Dixon, and you can buy the brushes in sets or as individuals. We recommend the MyKitCo To Go! Brush Set for all the essentials in one. Otherwise, don’t miss the My Tiny Angle Brush and the My Smoothing Concealer brush. The former is ideal for perfecting areas like the lips and brows, and the concealer brush is often spotted in pro kits backstage.
Visit MyKitCo.uk
M·A·C
Best For: Reliability & Longevity
M·A·C needs no introduction – especially when it comes to brushes. The pros have been using its tools for decades. Why? Not only are they sturdy, they’re made with 100% synthetic hair, so they’re cruelty free and less irritating on the skin. They also make use of the latest innovations in fibre technology to deposit just the right amount of product for superior application. You’d be hard pushed to find any beauty expert who doesn’t have at least one or two M·A·C brushes in their kit. If you only have the budget for a few, try the face brushes. They work with several different textures, making them a great multipurpose tool.
Visit MacCosmetics.co.uk
EDY London
Best For: Ease of Use
This brush line launched a year ago and has since amassed a popular online following. Founded by celebrity make-up artist Edyta Kurowska, each one is incredibly soft, with densely packed synthetic bristles that promise flawless application every time. The handles are also made from purpose-grown wood, which is easy to grip. There’s something for everyone in the line – from brush sets to contour, highlight and powder brushes – and even better, prices start from just £9.99.
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