Eyes

Angled Liner Brush

Other names: angled eyeliner brush, small angle brush, slanted eyeliner brush

Use it for: lining the eyes

These brushes are typically synthetic, which is best for gel liners, but they can also be used for powder liner. This brush can also be used whenever you need a straight edge, such as when you’re tracing lips with concealer or filling out the brows.

Smudge Brush

Other names: smudger brush

Use it for: applying shadow to the lash line or smudging out eyeliner

With its dense bristle arrangement, use the smudge brush to apply and blend bold bursts of color. Create a smoky eye by using it to smudge pencil or gel eyeliner. Rather than bristles, some iterations have tiny sponge ends, which are best for softening lines.

Eye Shadow Brush

Other names: shadow brush, eye shader brush

Use it for: bold application of eye shadow

Whether you want an office-friendly pop of eye shadow or a head-turning evening look, this brush is what you'll use for shadow application. It doubles as a blending brush, as long as you remove any previously used color from its bristles.

Brows

Spoolie

Other names: eyebrow brush, lash brush, spoolie wand

Use it for: grooming and shaping eyebrows

This brush is designed specifically for the eyebrows, making quick work of brushing brow hairs into place and applying brow gel. If you use it after filling your brows in, a spoolie can soften the color so it looks more like your natural eyebrows.

Angled Eyebrow Brush

Other names: slanted eyebrow brush

Use it for: defining and filling in brows

This brush looks nearly identical to the angled eyeliner brush (which you technically could use for the same purpose) with one difference—these bristles are stiff and densely packed. The stiffness makes it easier to apply heavier color underneath the brows. Use the slant to your advantage: holding the brush at a 45-degree angle works for shading, while a 90-degree angle is great for creating precise lines.

SHOP EYEBROW BRUSHES

Face

Concealer Brush

Other names: concealer blending brush

Use it for: applying and blending concealer

This densely packed brush is made to evenly distribute opaque liquid and cream formulas. Use it to apply concealer to any blemishes, under-eye circles, or discoloration, and then blend.

Highlighter Brush

Other names: highlight brush, tapered brush

Use it for: light application of highlighter, blush, or shimmer powder

With loosely packed, soft bristles, this brush is designed to apply products that need to go on sparingly, such as brightly colored blush and intense shimmer. You can also use it to apply shimmery highlighter on the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, nose, and center of the forehead.

Stippling Brush

Other names: stipple brush, foundation stippling brush

Use it for: applying a light application of cream blush or highlighter

Usually a hybrid brush with finer fibers near the tip of each bristle, the stippling brush has a knack for creating an airbrush-style finish with liquid or cream foundation. Start by pouring a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand and gently tapping the brush into the liquid. Use that same tapping motion to distribute the foundation evenly all over your face, then gently swirl the bristles around over the applied foundation for an even finish.

Blush Brush

Other names: tapered blush brush

Use it for: a natural application of blush or bronzer

This soft, fluffy brush, which was designed for applying blush to the apples of the cheeks, creates a more subdued finish than the contouring brush. This brush comes in a variety of shapes, each designed for a particular application style. Try a few out to find the one that works for you.

Fan Brush

Use it for: applying a light dusting of powder, highlighter, or shimmer

This gentle brush with sparse, soft bristles works well for sheer applications. Use it to apply a light touch of blush, shimmer, or bronzer on the cheeks, or even brush a clean one under the eyes to remove any leftover flecks of shadow.