Thanks to These Bronzer Brushes, Your Glow Game Is About to Get a Whole Lot Better
Makeup brushes are an essential part of the application process. Even though you may believe you have enough to rival a pro makeup artist's collection, chances are, there’s another brush out there that may surprise you. That’s especially the case when it comes to bronzer brushes—the multifunctional tool that can work wonders for warming up and sculpting your skin. You may be wondering, what exactly is a bronzer brush and how does it differ from a contour brush or any other makeup brush in your kit, for that matter? Allow Los Angeles-based makeup artist Danielle Roqué to explain: "Unlike a contour brush, a bronzer brush is used to add warmth to the perimeter of the face instead of just the hollows of the cheeks. You can use it to shade the areas you want to add warmth, such as the forehead, temples, cheeks, and jawline."
A bronzer brush can make all the difference for your final makeup look, especially when it comes to achieving that flawless, sun-kissed glow—even when you haven't seen the sun for days. When it comes to finding the right bronzer brush for you, Roqué points out that almost any brush can be a bronzer brush. "Some of my favorite brushes I use for bronzer are actually blush or highlighter brushes," she notes. She does point out that it's important to "keep the size of your face in mind" when deciding on which bronzer brush to buy. But don't worry, you don't have to play that guessing game. We rounded up the best bronzer brushes money can buy. Scroll below to find that one that best suits your needs! And P.S.: After you’ve scoped out the perfect bronzer for your skin tone and type, be sure to brush up (see what we did there?) on your application skills with our handy guide on how to apply bronzer.
Meet the Expert
Danielle Roqué is a celebrity and editorial makeup artist based in Los Angeles, California.
1. COMPLEX CULTURE Press & Set • Bronzer Brush
Best Multitasking Bronzer Brush:
Our favorite beauty products are the multitasking kind that pack in two-in-one settings, like this ultra-luxe and shiny bronzer brush. Ipsters rave that this bronzer brush is “super soft and leaves no streaks,” and one person described it as “one of the nicest brushes I’ve seen yet, very good quality and materials.” The secret is the Syn-tech™ bristles, which let you both sweep on bronzers and press on setting powders. That means your makeup look will stay put for good. Take it from this expert Ipster: “This is my favorite brush right now; amazing at buffing out bronzer!” The patented bristles also hold onto pigment incredibly well, allowing you to better distribute your bronzer and blend it out seamlessly wherever you apply it.
2. F.A.R.A.H 160F Face Brush
Best Bronzer Brush for Every Type of Bronzer Formula:
Liquid, powder, cream, whichever form of bronzer you apply to your complexion, this brush is the best one to use to apply them all. The vegan and cruelty-free soft, synthetic bristles, along with the rounded and angled brush head, are the reason this bronzer brush is as versatile as it is. Plenty of our Ipsters adore this brush for bronzer application, with one noting "love how when I put any powder it doesn't get anywhere and applies my makeup nice and even," and another mentioning "I use this brush every time I put on bronzer, which is every time I put on makeup. Big fan." All that and it's gorgeous to look at? Yep, you need to add this to your makeup bag immediately.
3. GIGI GORGEOUS The Gorgeous Contour Brush
Best Contour Brush:
Gigi Gorgeous is one of our go-to beauty YouTubers, thanks to her incredibly thorough beauty product knowledge and wildly creative makeup looks. So it’s no surprise that her contour brush is one of our go-tos when we’re looking for an extra sculpted pop on our cheekbones. Ipsters rave, “Love this brush. It’s perfect for blush application” and “blends flawlessly and gives makeup a more natural look.” That's all thanks to the tapered contour brush, which sculpts your cheekbones for the gods. Additionally, it can be used to set powder in the undereye area, which many of our Ipsters love as well. "I use it as a highlight or for under-eye powders. Works well, washes well, and is nice and soft," shares one.
4. LUXIE 640 Pro Precision Tapered Brush
Best Bronzer Brush for Sensitive Skin:
The slim and tapered LUXIE BEAUTY powder brush is proof that great things can come in small packages. Reach for this one when you’re looking for an expert blend on your no-makeup makeup looks or when you want to soften up your glam look. Meant for highlighter, blush, and bronzer application, the vegan bristles are fluffy enough to give an ultra soft application. Ipster reviewers say, “It gives my highlighter a more natural, more diffused look.” We highly recommend using it on sensitive skin as it's handcrafted with hypoallergenic, high-quality, vegan, and cruelty-free materials that won't irritate your complexion.
5. ROYAL & LANGNICKEL CHIQUE™ RoseGold Blush Brush
Most Durable Bronzer Brush:
Speaking from personal experience, we put our brushes through a lot. And many of them aren't able to withstand all of it. That's not the case with this blush brush right here. Made with a waterproof handle, this brush won't get damaged if it happens to fall in the sink (and we know that's bound to happen at least once). Additionally, the brush's bristles are built to last through even the most intense bronzing or contouring sessions. The soft bristles won't shed, split, or fall out, no matter how hard you press them against your face. Ipsters swear, “I absolutely love this blush brush” and “this is the softest brush I’ve ever used!”
6. MOTD COSMETICS A Perfect 10 Tapered Face Brush
Best Powder Brush:
As far as powder makeup brushes go, none of them hold a candle to this one. Whether it's blush, bronzer, contour, highlighter, or foundation, the bristles on this fluffy brush will help you apply pressed or loose powder with the greatest of ease. Your makeup will look so flawless, people will be convinced you're a makeup artist. Seriously, it's that easy to achieve a red carpet level look thanks to this high-quality brush. "Super soft brush that blends products very nicely! I use it mostly for bronzer and concealer and it works like a dream," one Ipster raves.
7. FIRMA BEAUTY Elite B 103 Angled Contour Brush
Best Brush for Beginners:
Applying makeup isn't easy, and no one understands that better than FIRMA BEAUTY. They've crafted their line of makeup brushes, including this one, with that in mind. So if you're just starting your bronzing and contouring journey, this brush will be your saving grace. Its angled brush head and bristles help you apply highlighter, bronzer, setting powder, and more all over your face for a seamless makeup application. No more breakdowns over not being able to smooth the right amount of product over your face, because this brush basically does the work for you. Sculpting your face has never been easier. Ipsters share, "Good quality brush for a newbie to makeup."
8. CROWN BRUSH Ombre Angle Brush
When it comes down to it, we really need a brush that we can take on the go for touch-ups. If you're in that same boat, we can't recommend this bronzer brush enough. This ombré angle brush is always in our purse for quick makeup fixes throughout the day. Sized to fit the apples, ridges, and hollows of cheeks, the natural goat hair fibers of this brush allow you to brush, highlight, and contour no matter where you go. "In love with this brush! Really well made, really soft, perfectly dense enough for contouring or highlighting," shares on Ipster. "Super soft but still provided good coverage," mentions another.
9. REALHER Love What You Do Powder Brush
Best Blending Brush:
Blending powder bronzers, blushes, and more has never been easier. The soft, slightly tapered bristles of this blending brush will give you a near airbrush finish to your final makeup look. And these bristles stay put. Not a single fiber will fall out and stick to your foundation, so you don't need to worry about pressing your powder too hard. As one Ipster points out, "This felt super smooth and made my skin feel better. It brushes foundation on smoothly with no patchiness."
10. SHAINA B MIAMI Powder Brush
Best Bronzer Brush to Achieve Full Coverage:
With its chic rose gold accents and tapered matte black handle, this powder brush is a sight for sore eyes. It'll surely be a standout in your makeup brush set. Looks aren't all this brush has to offer, however. The dome-shaped tip and ultra-soft synthetic bristles make powder foundation, bronzer, and blush application a breeze. Our Ipsters love the coverage this brush offers, noting "Definitely gives me the coverage rather than the brush eating up all the loose powder."
11. LUXIE 1010 Small Contour
Best Small Brush:
Adding definition to smaller areas of your face can be a bit tricky with larger makeup brushes. This small contour brush from LUXIE BEAUTY is our secret weapon when it comes to blending out our eyeshadow and highlighting our Cupid's bow, because no area is too small for this baby to contour and bronze. And the ergonomic handle makes using it that much easier. "This is quite possibly one of my favorite brushes ever. Every time it pops up on an add on I grab one, just in case or to have backups when one gets old. The shape is lovely and it’s the perfect size for contouring with control," raves one Ipster. We couldn’t agree more.
12. IT COSMETICS Heavenly Skin™ Skin-Smoothing Complexion Brush #704
IT COSMETICS created a truly revolutionary makeup brush. The patent-pending technology of their complexion brush is unlike any other. Its bristles are infused with anti-aging collagen, silk, peptides, niacin, and antioxidants. What does this mean for your complexion? Softer, smoother, more supple skin with each application. That's right, it improves the look of your skin with each use, no matter what makeup or skincare product you apply. While it works best for liquid foundation, it also blends powders and creams incredibly well. And you can use it to apply your favorite face mask at the end of a stressful day. What more could you ask for from a makeup brush? Ipsters can't get enough of it either, sharing "I love this brush. It applies my foundation so smoothly and evenly" and "I don’t think I’ll ever use another brush to put on foundation ever in my life again."
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