Press Sample/Affiliate Links
Brushes are a staple for anyone who uses makeup (pro or novice) unless you’re my friend Lauren who back in high school did every bit of her makeup using her fingers (eyes and all). This week for Top 10 Tuesday we’ve gotten ourselves together to list our Top 10 Makeup Brushes. Seeing as how that was too hard for me I made it a broader topic and chose my Top 10 Makeup Brush Brands and Where to Buy Them! Be warned, I say excellent quality a lot because, let’s face it, they wouldn’t be included in this post if I didn’t think they were excellent.
Tweezerman.* New to brush block, Tweezerman now offers Brush iQ which are a collection of brushes that are amazing. Well, three of them for sure. I’ve tested out the Powder Brush, the Finishing Contour Brush and the Line Glider Brush (shown) and I must say, I absolutely need the rest! Purchase them at Ulta.
IT Cosmetics.* It’s no secret I’m in love with this brand (I’m also their August Blogger of the Month!) but it’s all for good reason! The line of brushes are basically impeccable and give flawless application. Every. Time. You can purchase them at Ulta, QVC and itcosmetics.com.
Sonia Kashuk. I’ve tried her brushes before but the 15th Anniversary Collection of brushes is on a whole other level! The bristles actually feel like silk, no exaggeration. I’m actually considering buying a second set. I don’t need them, but they’re just that good. Grab this limited edition set while you can at Target.
UBU.* Urban Beauty United (or UBU) offer affordable brushes in vivid colors. All of the brushes that I’ve tried (below) worked beautifully and I hope to order some more in the future! Purchase these brushes separately or in sets on Amazon.
MAC. I mean, of course I’m going to include MAC brushes! I have love for them all but my top 3 are definitely the 239, 226 and 168. I have these in multiples upon multiples. Purchase them at department stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom as well as online at maccosmetics.com.
Ofra. I fell in love with Ofra everything this year at The Makeup Show. The brushes are amazing and I feel that much more precise and professional when I use them (weird, but true). My absolute fave is the 7pc Brush Set (shown). Purchase these at ofracosmetics.com.
Crown Brushes. This is another haul from The Makeup Show! Crown Brushes are super soft and are comparable to MAC in quality for a fraction of the price. You can purchase them online at crownbrush.us.
Make Up For Ever.* Last Fall marked the release of the Make Up For Ever brush line. All are exquisite (yes, all 76) and luxurious. They feel silky and apply makeup seamlessly. It’s fun to be flawless. Reviewed here and here. Purchase these at Sephora.
Pixi.* I gave a more comprehensive review here, but know that these brushes are wonderful and worth the price ($8-$22). Purchase them at pixibeauty.com.
Real Techniques. Affordable and good quality! Some brushes are priced as low as $5.99 (Ulta)!
I feel like I also need to mention what an awesome brush the Urban Decay Perversion Angled Brush (shown above with Pixi and Real Techniques) is and also point out that if you really want to watch your budget and don’t want or need to invest in brushes right now then you should look into the ELF makeup brushes. Some are as inexpensive as $1 and they’ll last you a good bit (though not as long as the ones that you would be investing in, fyi) – pick them up at Target or eyeslipsface.com.
What are some of your favorite brushes?
***Disclosure: Items marked with a * were received as press samples. All opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Abiagail Clibborn says
Awesome! Thank you for sharing this incredible makeup brush set. I’m one of the fun of collecting Professional makeup brushes. Please checkout my blog and let me know what you think!
Candice Lopez says
love the cosmetic brushes great enjoyed reading
All Lacquered Up says
I should have known there was no way you’d narrow it down to just 10 brushes, ha!
All Lacquered Up recently posted..I’m Finally Flake-Free, Thanks To Head & Shoulders with Fresh Scent Technology
Brooke says
😉
Christa aka Perilously Pale says
So many pretty colours with your choices!
Christa aka Perilously Pale recently posted..Makeup Storage Alternative to the Ikea Alex!
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries says
I really want some of the IT brushes. Like, all of them.
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries recently posted..Imperial Leather – Blue Lagoon Limited Edition Bodywash Review
Betzy Carmona says
I really like real techniques and mac brushes the most
Betzy Carmona recently posted..Makeup By One Direction – Up All Night Kit
NORAH says
I am going to suggest Bdellium Tools as probably one of my top brush brands 🙂
If you go to the NY Makeup Show next year, try them, it is a fabulous brand that sells for reasonable price.
NORAH recently posted..Bridal Beauty Breakdown
jbrobeck says
We really are brush sisters! I will have to check out UBU!
jbrobeck recently posted..Makeup Wars – Anastasia Beverly Hills Maya Mia Palette
Laura My Newest Addiction says
I hate you for this post. i want it alllllll
Laura My Newest Addiction recently posted..Anastasia Beverly Hills Maya Mia
Sheila says
I really want those Sonia brushes.
Christine- 15 Minute Beauty says
You really are an enabler! LOL
Brooke says
It’s on my business card! #reallynotreally
Kath TheFabZilla says
I super agree w/ Sonia Kashuk anniv set, it was a pleasant surprise. I still have to review it but I’m planning to buy 1 more set, just because.
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted..Tarte Limited Edition (Fall 2014) Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette V1 :: Review, Swatch, FOTD
Anastasia says
Love all It Cosmetics brushes!
Anastasia recently posted..Ipsy GlamBag August 2014 Review, Pictures: Beauty Schooled
Honeygirlk says
there are so many great choices you have here. I really want to get my hands on just that one contour brush from Sonia Kashuk. I wish it was sold separately.
Honeygirlk recently posted..Bioque Rejuvenating Day Cream
Justina says
IT and MUFE make some of the best brushes!
Justina recently posted..tarte Limited Edition Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette V1
Ange says
I want allllll of the Sonia Kashuk!
Ange recently posted..Sally Hansen Color Foil Swatches
Nidia - Lit From Within says
It Cosmetics brushes are my fave. I also hoard Sonia Kashuk brushes – not only do they work well, but they are so pretty. I love Crown Brush! They are so affordable, and work well.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted..I TRI-ed to Do Another Needle Marble…
Julie says
I adore It Cosmetics brushes! They are so soft! I also really love Smashbox brushes, they are expensive but the three I have are over 5 years old and never ever shed!
Julie recently posted..Beauty Talk Tuesday: Amrezy Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills
Nancy says
How do I not own that MAC 168?? I need to fix that, stat! I bought a bunch of Crown Brushes at TMS last year–isn’t that booth like being in heaven?!
Nancy recently posted..Top 10 Favorite Makeup Brushes
Brooke says
A sweaty heaven haha I creepered around the side of the booth where no one was thinking to go and got in and out
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
I need to try the SK brushes–can you believe I don’t have any?
Brooke says
You HAVE to get that 15th Anniv set!
Eugenia says
SOOO many awesome brushes! I want some more now!
Eugenia recently posted..Save on Beauty with Walgreens Paperless Coupons
Erin says
I’m dying to get my hands on the set from Sonia Kashuk!
Erin recently posted..L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Nail Polish In Tangerine Crush Review
Miranda says
i LOVE the IT Cosmetics brushes. They’re sooooo soft
Miranda recently posted..Behind the Scenes: Sephora Classes
Leelo R says
I have to try UBU and IT Cosmetics brushes. My favorite brushes are from Real Techniques, Sigma and Royal & Langnickel
Leelo R recently posted..Black zipper detail blazer from Sheinside
Brooke says
I really want to get my hands on some Royal & Langnickel!
Destany says
The COLORS on the UBU brushes! O.o
Destany recently posted..China Glaze Limited Edition The Giver Collection – Capacity to See Beyond
MarciaF says
You cheated!! I don’t blame you though since I was having trouble doing just 10.
It’s probably too late for me to get the new SK since I can’t shop but I still use her very first ones.
Brooke says
LMAO girl I can’t even pick 10 eye liners how am I going to pick 10 brushes?!
Melody Robinson Wright says
Those Sonia Kashuk Brushes look so luxurious!
Melody Robinson Wright recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Essential MakeUp Brushes
Pammy says
What a comprehensive list of brushes! You included some really great ones! Those purple sonia k totally intrigue me!
Pammy recently posted..Top 10 Tuesdays: Top 10 Brushes!
Teri Cosenzi says
So many great brushes here! I can’t believe how much I love IT – it is so unexpected. Glad to see many of them on your list.
Teri Cosenzi recently posted..Top 10 Makeup Brushes.
Phyrra says
The UD Perversion brush is great, by the way.
Phyrra recently posted..Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant Fresh Vanilla Lemon Review
The Dalai Lama's Nails says
Great list! I really want the Sonia brushes!
The Dalai Lama’s Nails recently posted..Girly Bits: Limited Edition and Blogger Collaborations
Erika says
I don’t own any IT or MAC brushes. I have a few Real Techniques that I love, I just recently acquired the purple Sonia Kashuk brushes. They are so pretty and so soft! I’ve been kind of binge buying brushes, lately. LOL
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Phyrra says
I have’t heard of Ubu!
Phyrra recently posted..Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant Fresh Vanilla Lemon Review
Jamie @ Makeuplifelove says
Love all those brushes. I think I need to try some Pixi ones. I also love the purple Sonia Kasuk ones, talk about gorgeous!!
Jamie @ Makeuplifelove recently posted..Amala Skin Care: Radiant Skin. Responsible Skin Care…
BeautyJudy says
IT and MAC are two of my favorite brush brands!
BeautyJudy recently posted..Zoya Ignite Collection
Jess Scull says
I adore all of these brands! Especially Sonia, IT & UBU!