The best makeup brush sets
Good brushes make everyday makeup go on quicker and blend better. These sets cover the whole face, from a first set for a teenager to a full kit with its own case.
Most people use four or five brushes day to day: something for foundation, a fluffy powder or blusher brush, and one or two for the eyes. A small set of good ones beats a big set of scratchy ones, so we've looked hard at softness, shedding and what's actually in the box.
Every set here has synthetic bristles, which work with liquids and creams as well as powders, wash clean easily and use no animal hair.
What matters
- The right mix: face and eye brushes you'll actually use.
- Soft, dense bristles that don't shed or scratch.
- Synthetic hair: easy to clean and good with liquid foundation.
- Storage: a case or holder keeps them clean and in shape.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Set
£10–£20 Price range
Four brushes and a sponge that cover a whole everyday face: foundation, blusher, setting powder and eyeshadow, plus the Miracle Complexion Sponge for blending. Real Techniques began as a line developed with makeup artist Sam Chapman of YouTube's Pixiwoo, to make pro-style brushes affordable.
What owners say: Owners find the bristles soft on the skin and good at blending, and love the sponge for foundation.
A closer look: Use the sponge damp for a dewy finish or dry for fuller coverage, as the maker suggests, and wash the brushes once a week to keep them soft. It's a sensible first proper set for a teenager learning to do their own makeup.
- 4 brushes and a blending sponge
- Soft synthetic bristles
- Colour-coded aluminium handles
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Liquid, cream or powder
Best for: Everyday makeup
- In the set
- 4 brushes + sponge
- Covers
- Foundation, blusher, powder, eyes
- Handles
- Aluminium, colour-coded
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Yes
#2 of 5
Best for foundation
Lamora Kabuki Makeup Brush Set (10 pieces)
£10–£20 Price range
Five dense kabuki brushes buff foundation, concealer and contour into the skin for an airbrushed finish, and five small matching detail brushes do the same round the nose and eyes.
What owners say: Owners say they blend cream contour and liquid foundation beautifully, and that they're a bargain next to pricier pro brushes.
A closer look: Buff in small circles for a smooth, streak-free finish. Dense brushes hold on to foundation, so wash them often and lay them flat to dry so water doesn't soak into the handles.
- 5 kabuki + 5 detail brushes
- Dense synthetic bristles
- For liquid, cream and powder
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- How-to ebook included
Best for: Flawless foundation
- In the set
- 10 brushes (5 kabuki, 5 detail)
- Covers
- Foundation, concealer, contour
- Handles
- Wood
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Yes
#3 of 5
Best gift set
OMANIAC Professional Makeup Brush Set with Holder (12 pieces)
£20–£30 Price range
Twelve brushes for face, eyes and brows in a pearly finish, with a vegan-leather holder that stands them upright on the dressing table and closes into a travel case. It looks far more expensive than it is, which makes it an easy present.
What owners say: Owners like how soft they are and how smart they look, and say they make a lovely gift.
A closer look: Open the holder into its two cups and the brushes stand up while you work, then snap it shut to keep them clean in a bag. With a brush for every step, it suits someone moving on to a full face of makeup.
- 12 brushes
- Stand-up holder that closes into a case
- Soft synthetic fibre
- Face, eye and brow brushes
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Best for: Gifts and travel
- In the set
- 12 brushes + holder case
- Covers
- Face, eyes, brows
- Handles
- Pearl-finish
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Yes
#4 of 5
Best budget
BEAKEY Makeup Brush Set (10 brushes, 2 sponges)
Under £10 Price range
Ten brushes and two teardrop sponges, with soft synthetic bristles and light birch handles: a lot of set for very little, and a good one to learn with or keep as a spare in the gym bag.
What owners say: Owners find the bristles soft and say they work well, especially for contouring, and that the set is easy for beginners.
Heads up: Don't soak the handles when you wash them, as water loosens the glue that holds the bristles: wash the bristle end and lie them flat to dry.
A closer look: Use the flat bottom of the sponge for foreheads and cheeks and the pointed end under the eyes and round the nose, as BEAKEY suggests. It makes a good stocking filler for a teenager getting into makeup.
- 10 brushes and 2 sponges
- Soft synthetic bristles
- Birch wood handles
- Latex-free teardrop sponges
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Best for: Beginners on a budget
- In the set
- 10 brushes + 2 sponges
- Covers
- Face and eyes
- Handles
- Birch wood
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Yes
#5 of 5
Most complete
e.l.f. Professional Set of 12 Makeup Brushes
£15.00 RRP
The widest spread here: foundation, concealer, bronzer and total face brushes, three eye brushes, an eyeliner brush, a lash and brow wand, a brow comb and a lip brush, plus a smudge sponge. e.l.f. is certified cruelty-free by both Leaping Bunny and PETA.
What owners say: Owners like the soft bristles and the good selection, and find it handy that each brush is marked with what it's for.
A closer look: The lash and brow wand combs out mascara clumps as well as brows, and the lip brush gives a neater edge with darker lipsticks. It suits someone who wears a full face and wants the right brush for each step.
- 11 brushes and a smudge sponge
- Face, eye, brow and lip brushes
- No-slip grip handles
- 100% synthetic bristles
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Best for: A brush for every step
- In the set
- 11 brushes + sponge
- Covers
- Face, eyes, brows, lips
- Handles
- No-slip grip
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Real Techniques | #2Lamora Kabuki | #3OMANIAC 12-piece | #4BEAKEY 12-piece | #5e.l.f. 12-piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for foundation | Best gift set | Best budget | Most complete | |
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.9 | 8.8 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | Under £10 Price range | £15.00 RRP |
| In the set | 4 brushes + sponge | 10 brushes (5 kabuki, 5 detail) | 12 brushes + holder case | 10 brushes + 2 sponges | 11 brushes + sponge |
| Covers | Foundation, blusher, powder, eyes | Foundation, concealer, contour | Face, eyes, brows | Face and eyes | Face, eyes, brows, lips |
| Handles | Aluminium, colour-coded | Wood | Pearl-finish | Birch wood | No-slip grip |
| Vegan and cruelty-free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Everyday makeup | Flawless foundation | Gifts and travel | Beginners on a budget | A brush for every step |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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