The 12 Best Foundation Brushes for a Flawless Finish
Finding the right foundation brushes might seem complicated: after all, the brush you might use to apply your fave liquid formula isn't necessarily going to work with your powder foundation. And which foundation brush you use will depend on the look you want, too: after all, the brush you use for a sheer, natural look might be totally different from the one you'll want to use for an airbrush-worthy matte look.
If all the foundation brush options have your head spinning, don't worry. We've broken them down for you to find the best in every category, from flat-top or domed kabuki brushes to brushes with synthetic bristles for cruelty-free application. Whether you prefer a natural glow or full-coverage glam, these brushes ensure effortless blending and impeccable coverage.
Continue reading below for our picks for the best foundation brushes for streak-free application and a flawless finish for hours.
1. The Best Foundation Brush for Precise Coverage & Blending:
HOURGLASS Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush
There's a reason HOURGLASS is a makeup-artist and cult fave, and this brush might be the reason why. The angled dense bristles make this brush the best foundation brush for buffing and blending foundation in the most precise way imaginable. The curved design mimics the precision of your fingertips and fits every part of your face, even those hard-to-smooth places like under your jaw and around your nostrils. You can use the brush with liquid products, cream formulations, powder foundations, and even concealer, too. No matter what you use it with, this brush makes it easy to get an airbrushed look in no time.
2. The Best Foundation Brush for Liquid Foundation:
SAIE The Base Brush Ultra-Soft Tapered Foundation Brush
This makeup brush seamlessly blends your foundation for a streak-free perfect finish. The ultra-soft synthetic bristles on this makeup brush allow you to build up your foundation to maximum coverage and make applying liquid foundation a breeze. No matter which liquid formula you use it with, you'll be able to airbrush your face in moments. What's more, you can even use this brush for both face makeup and blending out other makeup products, like highlighter or bronzer.
3. Best Dual-Sided Foundation Brush:
F.A.R.A.H Dual Ended Sponge + Brush in 242
This dual-ended wonder is crafted with premium synthetic bristles and is the perfect go-to for streamlining your routine. You can seamlessly apply setting powders, blushes, and contour powders with one end, while you can use the sponge tip to flawlessly blend cream foundation, liquid blush, and liquid highlight.
4. The Best Foundation Brush for Powder Foundation:
MOTD COSMETICS A Perfect 10 Tapered Face Brush
Finding the right brush for powder foundation can be tough, and precise application isn’t always easy. Powder brushes can tend to distribute product too loosely, making it challenging to get the perfect finish. But this vegan and cruelty-free brush is made with ultra-soft bristles and a slightly tapered brush head to give you more control for maximum blending. Just use a patting or soft tapping motion to blend in your powder foundation with ease.
5. The Best Foundation Brush for an Airbrushed Finish:
KOH GEN DO Perfect Foundation Brush
Here’s a luxurious essential to achieve the smooth, skin-like finish of your dreams. Designed with dense yet incredibly soft synthetic bristles, this brush’s flat top ensures precise application of liquid, cream, and powder foundations. It’s one of our faves for seamlessly covering fine lines and pores for an airbrushed finish. The fine-tipped bristles are able to reach into every crevice, effectively diffusing shadows and imperfections, while the flat shape guarantees a uniform application for a flawless finish. This gem of a makeup brush effortlessly blends out the foundation of your choice and can even be used as a finishing brush to set and perfect your makeup with just a gentle press and tap.
6. The Best Foundation Brush for Touch-Ups:
BELLÁPIERRE COSMETICS Mini Kabuki Brush
This top-selling dome-shaped brush excels in all-over mineral foundation application, as it effortlessly distributes product with its super-soft and densely packed bristles (aka it’s perfect for beginners!). Its compact size and efficient design make it an ideal companion for quick touch-ups throughout the day, so it’s never been easier to ensure your makeup remains flawless from morning to night.
7. The Best Foundation Brush for Redness and Uneven Skin Tone:
INIKA ORGANIC Foundation Brush
This vegan stippling brush is the best when it comes to evening out your complexion and airbrushing away blemishes and uneven skin texture. The white fibers work to deposit your foundation, while the black fibers buff and polish it into your skin. It’s great for both liquids and powders, and can also be used to apply bronzer, blush, and highlighter.
8. Our Pick for Most Luxurious Foundation Brush:
COMPLEX CULTURE Angled Foundation Brush
This foundation brush features an angled brush head that’s shaped like a pyramid, so it reaches into every corner of your face–even those hard-to-reach spots like under your eyes and around your nostrils–without streakiness or struggle. And the velvet matte handle is ergonomically designed, so it fits in your hand easily and naturally. But besides cutting down on how long you spend buffing and blending, what really makes this brush special is how eco-friendly it is. That brush handle we mentioned is the first biodegradable brush handle, ever, and the almost impossibly-soft bristles are vegan and cruelty-free Syn-Tech™ synthetic bristles. Oh, and the handle also features a clear, no-nonsense label, too, so you never have to guess what you should use it for. That’s what we call a win-win-win.
9. The Best Foundation Brush for Full Coverage:
SMASHBOX COSMETICS Full Coverage Foundation Brush
Want flawless full coverage? Look no further. The angular brush head traces the contours of your face and seamlessly blends liquid foundation into your skin, eliminating streaks and blotches. It’s your go-to face brush for those days when you want the maximum amount of coverage with the least amount of effort. The handle of the brush even has indents to show you where to hold it for lighter or full coverage, and the synthetic bristles are cruelty-free and super durable. Use it with a full coverage foundation for a streak-free finish, or use it to dab on BB cream for a naturally flawless makeup look.
10. The Best Foundation Brush for Liquid or Cream Foundation:
LUXIE BEAUTY LUXIE 510 Foundation Brush in Dreamcatcher
This high-quality synthetic brush is almost too pretty to use. Super soft bristles are enclosed in a rose gold ferrule, with a frosty periwinkle handle. Use it with a cream or liquid foundation for a streak-free, flawless finish and an endlessly buildable look. The brush is also hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free, so you can get buffing and blending without worrying about your furry friends.
11. The Best Easy-to-Use Foundation Brush:
PÜR COSMETICS Skin Perfecting Foundation Brush
Applying makeup just got a whole lot easier. The unique oval shape of this makeup brush makes your foundation application seamless, while the dense synthetic bristles and the large grip handle give you maximum control and no wasted product. The result is a full-coverage look that’s just like a second skin.
12. The Best Foundation Brush for On-the-Go Application:
BLENDSMART Rose Gold Foundation Brush
Tired of using regular brushes, sponges, or even your fingers? We’ve got you covered. This luxurious makeup brush features an antimicrobial brush head and a motorized handle that gently and evenly sweeps over your skin and gives you full coverage with the minimum amount of product. It’s perfect for liquid, powder, and cream foundations alike, and it won’t leave behind any cakey makeup deposits.
Ready to level up the rest of your product stash? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!