32 Makeup Brushes and Their Uses – Ultimate Guide
The 32 Makeup brushes and their uses are important topics you need to know about if you are a makeup newbie and want to level up your makeup game.
It is overwhelming when you go to a beauty store like Sephora to shop for makeup brushes and find yourself standing in front of dozens of makeup brushes with different shapes, brands, and purposes, and you have no idea which one is for what makeup!
Not only that, but guess what? Some of these brushes are two in one or more products you can use to apply makeup on other parts of your face, neck, or body.
With that said, learning and playing with makeup brushes is fun, and once you grasp what they are all about, shopping for makeup brushes will be a piece of cake!
So relax and keep reading about all makeup brushes, their uses, types, how to choose the perfect brush and how to clean them to make them last for a long time.
32 Makeup Brushes and Their Uses
1. Large Fan Makeup Brush
As its name suggests, it has a shape of a fan, made with thin or thick soft layers of bristles.
Main use:
Highlighter
Where to Apply:
You can apply your highlighter where the light hits on, like your cheekbones, forehead, nose bridge, and brow bones.
How to Use:
Dip the fan brush gently on the highlighter, tap it on the table to get rid of excess powder, and coat your cheekbones upwards towards your temple.
Repeat the process until you are satisfied with the highlighter destiny.
Other uses:
You can use other areas to put your highlighter on, such as the tip of your nose and lip and collar bone.
Brush Features:
This fan brush is a favorite type among makeup shoppers because of its high quality and ease of use.
I remember how desperate I was when I went to buy a fan brush from Sephora, and I found it sold out many times until I finally got it because it’s that good!
It is a flat fan highlighter brush that is light, soft, and easy to apply to any makeup product flawlessly.
2. Foundation Brush
If you want to apply makeup products such as foundation, which covers large areas such as your whole face, you need a brush made with thick bristles.
Foundation brushes are available in different shapes, mainly the dome and flathead.
They are both excellent, but the thing is that you have to pick a densely packed brush with a good type of premium bristles to let you distribute your foundation and other products evenly and smoothly.
Main Use:
To apply foundation
Where to Apply:
Foundation’s primary purpose is to unify the skin tone. Therefore, you can apply it to your neck to match your face.
How to Use:
After placing a few drops of the foundation on your face, simply blend it with your brush and make sure that you cover all parts.
Other Uses:
You can use a foundation brush to apply your bb cream, moisturizer, or any other skincare product that requires you to cover a large area.
Brush Features:
Because the foundation is the base of any perfect makeup, you must invest in a high-quality foundation brush.
The flat-headed Kabuki Foundation Brush has soft synthetic fibers that don’t shed and absorb any makeup product making it easy to clean!
Most importantly, it lets you apply your foundation, whether liquid or powder, blend and buff smoothly and evenly.
3. Angled Blush Brush
A perfect blusher application on your cheeks can only be done with the right Angeled powder brush.
This brush is designed to make you follow your cheek line easier to have a flawless and perfect angeled blush finish.
Main Use:
To apply blusher powder or cream.
Where to Apply:
On the cheekbones
How to Use:
Dip your brush into the blusher, then sweep the brush from your temple down to the cheekbones.
For more details, follow this fantastic guide on applying the blush according to your face shape.
Other Uses:
Depending on its thickness and other features, you can use an angled brush to apply a highlighter, concealer, or foundation.
Brush Features:
Kabuki Makeup Brush is what you need if you want to apply makeup products other than just a blush such as foundation, powder, and concealer.
This premium soft brush is perfect for blending and puffing because of its dense, fluffy, and silky bristles.
Also, it is vegan and suits sensitive skin types.
4. Blending Eye Brush
Applying makeup is like painting. It requires many brushes, experiments, and practice.
With that said, three are many eye makeup brushes to apply eyeshadow, blend it and smudge it.
Some people use one or two, others use more brushes, and all techniques are valid as long as you get the perfect blended eyeshadow finish.
Main Use:
To apply eye makeup
Where to Apply:
Eyelid, crease, and lower lash line
How to Use:
This is a blending eyeshadow brush which means that you can blend eyeshadow colors and apply other makeup products evenly to your skin.
Other Uses:
apply under eye concealer and setting powder.
Brush Features:
e.l.f blending brush has the perfect shape to give you soft eyeshadow edges and a flawless natural finish.
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin.
5. Large Eye Shadow Brush
Another type of eye makeup brush is a large fluffy eyeshadow brush which makes you apply the makeup and blend it easily.
Main Use:
To apply eyeshadow and concealer.
Where to Apply:
Eyelid, crease, and lower lash line and under eyes
How to Use:
It depends on what look you are seeking. You only have to gently sweep the brush over your lids or under the eye.
Other Uses:
You can set your concealer with powder using this brush.
Brush Features:
This brush is also from the e.l.f brand and labeled as Amazon’s choice.
It has the soft effect focus, making you blend and blue your makeup edges smoothly, and has the same quality as the previous blending brush.
6. Flat Contour Brush
While there are many contour brushes that you can use, a popular type is the flat head contouring brush because it is easy and fast to draw lines with.
P.S. If you are a total beginner and prefer to use a contour stick, check out these best drugstore contour sticks that you can buy.
Main Use:
Face contour
Where to Apply:
On any part that you want to add dimension and define your face’s features.
How to Use:
Draw lines on your face to define specific areas below the jawline, hairline, and sides of the nose.
Other Uses:
This flat contour brush is not only for applying contour, but you can put your blush with it and blend any makeup product.
Brush Features:
This luxurious brush helps you to draw sharp lines to contour your face.
Also, it is perfect for blending both liquid and powder contour.
7. Concealer Brush
A concealer brush is a must-have brush to have a perfect undereye flawless coverage.
Main Use:
Conceal dark circles, spots, or blemishes.
Where to Apply:
You can apply it to any area you want to conceal and add more highlights to it.
How to Use:
Applying concealer is tricky, especially on your under eyes, but here are two tips to help you get a perfectly flawless finish.
Moisturize your skin first, apply your foundation and add a little bit of concealer to blend it smoothly and slowly.
Other Uses:
It’s only perfect for applying concealer because it is too small.
Brush Features:
The Real Technique brush is perfect for applying your concealer quickly because it has a large dome shape that gives you full coverage from your first application attempt.
8. Flat Angled Contour Brush
Another type of contour brush is the small angel brush that helps you define your nose.
Main Use:
Nose, cheekbones, and small areas
Where to Apply:
You can apply it on areas that are hard to reach and draw precise contouring lines with larger brushes such as brow bones, lip, and nose tips.
How to Use:
Draw lines and sculpt desired areas with the brush first, so you add a highlighter and blend all of them.
Other Uses:
This mini Contour brush is ideal for applying your highlighter on small areas such as your brow and cupid’s bow.
Brush Features:
Kabuki Nose contour brush is made with quality Vegan Synthetic dense fibers that give you an even makeup product distribution and a smooth finish.
9. Lipliner Brush
Why do you need a lipliner brush? If you like to be creative and apply an ombre lip color or create a new shade from combining many colors, you have to use one of these lip brushes.
Also, it gives you a clean non-smudging lip finish.
Main Use:
Lip coloring, drawing lip lines and blending colors.
Where to Apply:
Apply it on your lips and lip lines
How to Use:
Apply a small amount of your lipstick on the brush and apply it to your lips to make your desired look.
Pro tip: start from the middle of your lips towards the corners for flawless application.
Other Uses:
Only lips
Brush Features:
This Retractable lip brush is the best type that you can get because it is a travel size item.
Also, it is made with high-quality synthetic bristle that doesn’t irritate your lips.
10. Stippling Brush
The Stippling Brush is not known by makeup newbies because it requires some high level of makeup experience.
It is different than regular brushes because its bottom differs from its top.
It has a thick, dense bottom bristle, whereas it thins out towards the top.
That’s because the long top layer catches the product while the dense bottom layer contains most of the product and taps it into your skin.
Main Use:
Seamless and airbrushed finish
Where to Apply:
On your face on top of your foundation
How to Use:
Dab the brush on the powder, gently apply it on top of your foundation in a circular motion, and lightly buff it in to create an airbrushed look.
Other Uses:
Applying foundation, powders, bronzer, and blending any makeup product.
Brush Features:
e.l.f stippling brush has synthetic bristles that make it effortless to have a flawless makeup finish.
You can have full or light coverage using this brush because of how it is designed.
11. Angled Liner Brush
A perfect sharp eyeliner requires an angled liner brush.
Because of its angled design, it will make your job easier when applying your eyeliner on your lash line precisely and easily.
Main Use:
For eyeliner gel or liquid
Where to Apply:
above or lower lash line
How to Use:
Place the longer brush edge on your eye corner, and start drawing your desired look from there.
If you place the short edge of your brush on your eye corner, you will get a crooked line.
Other Uses:
You can use it to fill out your eyebrows or apply any makeup product hard to reach with big brushes.
Brush Features:
This affordable Wet n Wild brush is Amazon voice because it is perfect for drawing precise fine lines.
Also,
12. Bent Liner Brush
We are still on the list of 32 makeup brushes and their uses but don’t worry, all of them you must have to learn more about.
For example, this bent liner brush is for professional makeup artists because it is specifically designed to draw a winged eyeliner that can be done using a simple liner brush.
Main Use:
Eyeliner and lash lines
Where to Apply:
Above or below your lash line for a cat-eye look
How to Use:
Dip it on the eyeliner product.
Hold your eyeliner on one finger, draw the line from your eye corner toward the end and turn it to create a winger line.
Other Uses:
You can do three things with this awesome bent liner brush:
1. You can remove any makeup mistakes with it because it’s so tiny.
2. Apply powder to your lashline.
3. Also, you can draw your lipliner with it.
Brush Features:
This affordable Wet n Wild brush is Amazon voice because it is perfect for drawing precise fine lines.
13. Angled Eyebrow Brush
Angled Eyebrow brush makes it easier to define your brows and create the look you want.
Main Use:
Eyebrows shaping
Where to Apply:
On the Eyebrows
How to Use:
Apply your brow gel liner on the empty spots of your brows and blend it gently for a natural brow finish
Other Uses:
you can use the brow brush to define the lower brow with concealer
Brush Features:
The dual KINGMAS Professional Angled Eye Brow Brush is perfect not only to define your eyebrows but also to groom them as well.
14. Multi-PurposeContour Brush
As I mentioned earlier, contouring brushes vary depending on the brand and purpose.
This curved brush is perfect for contouring your face since it adjusts to your face’s shape.
Main Use:
Foundation and contour blending
Where to Apply:
Face
How to Use:
Same as other contouring brushes
Other Uses:
You can use it to blend your foundation or contour, liquid or powder, and other creams.
Brush Features:
Vela.Yue Face Sculpting Brush is made with high-quality synthetic hair that doesn’t shed or smells.
15. Bronzer Brush
When applying a bronzer, you want a soft, fluffy, and broad brush that will soften your look and give you a seamless shimmery finish.
this type of brush has an oval/dome head shape and is less dense than other brushes
Main Use:
Add bronzer to your face.
Where to Apply:
Cheeckbones, nose, temples, and chin
How to Use:
You can sweep a little bit of bronzer lightly on areas where the sun hits, such as your forehead, cheekbones, and nose.
Other Uses:
This brush is helpful when you want to apply powder and blush.
Brush Features:
e.l.f Flawless Face Brush helps you achieve a glowy natural finish.
You can apply your bronzer or other makeup in areas that are hard to reach because of its small brush tip on the top.
Also, you apply it on larger areas lightly and smoothly.
16. Mineral Brush
Setting or loose powder is what makes or breaks your whole makeup look. And to have a perfect glam, you have set your powder just perfect.
Therefore, you have to have a mineral or loose powder brush that helps you achieve a flawless makeup finish.
The loose powder brush should have a big fluffy and thick head to distribute the powder evenly on your face.
Main Use:
Mineral/Loose powder
Where to Apply:
Face
How to Use:
Setting powder should be applied after your foundation and concealer.
Put a little bit of setting powder under your eyes and other areas where you put your highlighter on, let it set for a few seconds, then buff it gently.
Other Uses:
Applying foundation and blending makeup
Brush Features:
Matto setting powder brush gives you full coverage and a flawless makeup finish.
Also, it is for all skin types, easy to clean, and doesn’t absorb makeup.
17. Pencil Brush
A pencil brush has a narrow tapered head that lets you smudge, blend and define any makeup product you want to use.
Main Use:
Eyeshadow, draw above/ below the lash line, smudging, and blending.
How to Use:
You can use the pencil brush as an eyeliner brush to draw lines and define shapes.
Other Uses:
Highlight inner corners.
Brush Features:
This brush is so soft and dense makes you create many looks, including smoky eyes.
18. Foundation Angled Brush
Do you know the main difference between the flat and angled foundation brush?
It is verticality.
The angled foundation brush is versatile. It makes you apply cream or liquid foundation to your face, bronzer and blusher because its angle helps you reach and define areas that need small to medium coverage.
On the other hand, the flat brush will provide you a full coverage meaning that it is hard to apply other products.
Main Use:
Apply foundation
How to Use:
If you want to apply foundation, you can use it the same as using the foundation brush but make sure you cover all your face with the product.
Other Uses:
bronzer, blush, setting powder, and concealer
Brush Features:
This Kabuki premium brush has a high rating and number of purchases because of its high quality and multi-purpose brush.
It is packed with synthetic silky bristles, vegan and cruelty-free.
Also, it gives you a flawless finish no matter what product you are using.
19. Powder Brush
Powder brush has a fluffy curved shape that picks the right amount of product to avoid having a caky makeup finish.
Main Use:
Apply Powder
How to Use:
Dip the brush gently in the powder and distribute it evenly and lightly on your face for a flawless finish
Other Uses:
You can use this brush to apply other powder products such as bronzer, blush, and highlighter.
Brush Features:
Wet n Wild powder brush has curved bristles that give you the right amount of powder.
20. Tapered Brush
32 makeup brushes and their uses include another type of foundation brush called the tapered brush.
It has a flat, less dense head and soft taper.
It is ideal for applying any liquids such as foundation, concealers, etc.
Main Use:
Apply liquid foundation and concealer
How to Use:
Like foundation brush, but since it is smaller, you have to make sure that you cover all areas to have a seamless makeup finish.
Other Uses:
You can blend and color correct your makeup using a tapered brush.
Brush Features:
Wet n Wild powder brush has curved bristles that give you the right amount of powder.
21. Flat Definer Brush
The flat brush helps you apply your liner and define it efficiently and precisely.
Main Use:
Upper and lower lash line
How to Use:
The way to use is it is like using the eyeliner brush.
Other Uses:
It is only for eye makeup.
Brush Features:
Sigma brush is made with soft animal hair and gives you seamless lines because of its sharp thin edge design.
22. Eyelash Brush
If you are applying for serum or eyelash extensions, you are familiar with mascara brushes because it helps you comb and detangle your eyelashes.
Main Use:
Eyelash comb
How to Use:
Comb your eyelashes from the bottom to the top gently.
Other Uses:
curl your eyelashes and apply any eyelash treatment with it
Brush Features:
These mascara applicators are helpful because they are made with soft bristles on your eyes.
Also, you can replace your mascara’s old bristles with a new one.
23. Flat Precise Eyeshadow Brush
This is another type of eyeshadow brush that is used for blending and smudging.
Main Use:
eyeshadow and eyeliner application
How to Use:
You can use it like other eyeliner and shadow brushes, depending on the look that you want to create.
Other Uses:
For eye makeup only
Brush Features:
This precise brush is perfect for applying loose pigments such as glitters on your eye crease.
Also, it is suitable for both powder, liquid, and gel formulas.
24. Eyeshadow Brush Sponge Applicator
Although this is not a brush, this type of sponge applicator must be in the 32 makeup brushes and their uses list because of its popularity and usefulness.
It is a versatile sponge applicator, meaning that you can apply eyeshadow and other makeup products easily.
What makes the brush different is that it is disposable and suitable for makeup artists who work at events and parties.
Main Use:
Apply eyeshadow
How to Use:
Dip it in the sponge applicator and drag it on your eyelids for your desired look
Other Uses:
For eye makeup, Lipstick, Eyebrow drawing, and face glitter
Brush Features:
This sponge is soft and flexible and has two sides that you can use separately.
25. Flat Square Brush
The square brush is perfect for applying and blending liquid and cream makeup products.
Main Use:
Apply foundation
How to Use:
Like using a tapered foundation brush
Other Uses:
It is perfect for applying face mud and clay masks.
Brush Features:
ENERGY brush has synthetic bristles and suits all skin types.
It has a sharp edge that distributes the product evenly on your face and body to give you a smooth finish.
26. Brow Shaper Brush
The brow shaper brush is used to define your brows shapes.
Main Use:
Eyebrows grooming
How to Use:
Comb your eyebrow in the direction that you want to make your hair in place
Pro tip: comb your eyebrows after applying your brow filler so that it blends well and gives you a natural look.
Other Uses:
You can use the combe to separate your lashes too.
Brush Features:
The Japonesque brush is a three-in-one product that you can use to shape your eyebrow and get rid of mascara clumps.
27. Under Eye Flat Concealer
This is the second type of concealer brush on the 32 makeup brushes and their uses list.
It is a flat brush that is perfect for blending undereye concealer.
Main Use:
Applying undereye concealer
How to Use:
Blend the concealer gently on any areas with this brush
Other Uses:
You can use it to blend concealer on blemishes and other dark spots.
Brush Features:
This brush will give you an even product distribution because it has a dense, flat head that is soft and made with synthetic Bristles.
Also, you can use it to set your powder and blend other liquid makeup products.
28. Under Eye Concealer Tapered Brush
This large domed brush is also a concealer brush that gives you full coverage.
Main Use:
Concealer
How to Use:
Like other concealer brushes
Other Uses:
Blending, puffing, stippling
Brush Features:
Because it is a large tapered brush, you can use it to apply your foundation, blush, contour, and blend any makeup product with
29. Lip Brush
The lip brush is different from lip liner because it has a wider head which makes you blend your lipsticks fast.
Main Use:
Apply lipstick
How to Use:
Dip your lip brush on your lipstick or lipgloss and drag the brush from the center of your lips to the edges.
Other Uses:
Blending, filling.
Brush Features:
This brush has square edges to give you an easier and more precise lipstick application.
Also, it has a cap to protect it from dust and dirt.
30. Crease Brush
The crease brush has a wide, bent head because it covers your crease evenly.
Main Use:
Apply eyeshadow
How to Use:
Brush your crease gently until you are satisfied with the color shade that you want.
Other Uses:
Blending eyeshadow
Brush Features:
Wet n Wild brush is vegan and is perfect for eyeshadow application and setting powder.
31. Angled Shading Brush
Eyeshadow brushes have different shapes and sizes, and this brush has an angled head to let you apply your eyeshadow on your lid and crease.
Main Use:
Apply eyeshadow
How to Use:
It depends on the look you want.
Other Uses:
Blending
Brush Features:
The Energy angled brush makes you apply not only eyeshadow but highlighter under your eyebrows.
With its vegan quality, it has soft fibers which give you sheer to medium coverage for a softer look.
32. Small Fan Brush
Last but not least, this small fan brush is the last one on the 32 brushes and their uses list.
But what makes it different from the large fan brush is that it is perfect for blending too.
Main Use:
Applying highlighter and blending
How to Use:
It depends on what product you want to apply.
Other Uses:
Apply concealer and set powder, contour, and blush.
Brush Features:
DUcare gives you a perfect makeup application experience with its small soft fan head.
Also, it is labeled as Amazon’s choice because it is an excellent multi-purpose brush.
How Many Brushes Do You Need For Makeup?
If you are wondering how many brushes do you need, let me tell you that depends on what your makeup style is
If you are a total beginner, you can refer to my makeup steps guide, and from there, you can choose what brushes you need.
Whereas if you are a makeup expert or apply full makeup, it is better to invest in a large brush set.
You can check out my best affordable Amazon’s best brush sets here
How to Clean Makeup Brushes
It is essential to clean your makeup brush now and then to make them last longer.
With that said, there are two main ways to clean your makeup brushes.
The first method is to use a makeup electric brush cleaner that is easy to use.
Another method is to clean your brushes at home using soap and water.
Bring a pot filled with soap that is fragrance-free and water, dip your brush and swirl it gently to get rid of all makeup colors.
Next, dip it in clean water to ensure that it is soap-free.
Finally, place your brushes on a towel to let them dry naturally.
What Are The Different Parts of a Makeup Brush?
Conclusion
As you can see from the 32 makeup brushes and their uses list, makeup brushes are versatile, and you can use one brush to apply more than two makeup products.
With that said, you have to be familiar with makeup brushes so you can shop wisely and put your makeup brushes confused to an end.
What is your favorite makeup brush brand and why?
