If you want a flawless base, you need the best foundation brush. As the old adage goes, a man is only as good as his tools—and when it comes to makeup, never a truer word was spoken.
You could have the best foundation, beloved by makeup artists, beauty editors, and A-listers, but if your application game is flawed, your complexion may look patchy, streaky, and a little bit off. The main makeup tip everyone should know? It's all about the application. A great foundation brush will make your makeup application faster, smoother, and more even but the secret to achieving beautiful results is knowing which of the best foundation brushes to use and when.
This depends on many factors, including the type of foundation you're working with. Are you applying your cream foundation or a powder foundation? Do you need to mask blemishes or prefer a sheer finish? "Generally speaking, the larger the brush head, the softer the coverage will be," explains Makeup artist Rose Gallagher. "For areas where you want to build up coverage, a smaller, denser brush head will pack makeup onto the skin rather than buffing it out." Time to brush up with our tried and trusted guide of forever favourites and new finds.
The best foundation brushes, rated by a Beauty Editor
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
RRP: £51 Bristles: Synthetic Best for: Liquid or cream products
Hourglass is a brand loved by celebrities and can be found in most expert makeup kits, but that's not the only reason this brush is so special. The custom bristles are made from a special fibre tech designed to mimic how foundation looks when it is applied with fingertips. We found this to be true while testing and the brush didn't soak up too much product. The super soft brush offers a delicate and precise application with a natural-looking, even finish. So, if you usually apply your foundation with your fingertips and like your makeup to look more like skin rather than caked on, you'll love this foundation brush.
Buy if: You're looking to invest in a brush that is super soft and gives the skin a natural, airbrushed finish.
Avoid if: You're not in the market for splashing out on a foundation brush.
RRP: £17 Bristles: Synthetic Best for: Liquid, cream and powder
If I could only choose one makeup brand to use for the rest of my life, it would be Sculpted by Aimee, so it's no surprise to me that the brand's brushes are just as incredible as their makeup products. This is the brush I use every day, and always keep it in my bag for touch-ups, too. Why is it so great? The double-ended brush makes my morning makeup application so much easier. With a fluffy brush at one end for applying foundation and a tapered brush at the other end for easy contour application. I use it for everything, no matter the formula - applying foundation, blending and contouring. And for under £20, it's the best foundation brush, in my opinion.
Buy if: You want a brush that can be used for both foundation, contour and with any formula.
Avoid if: You prefer keeping your foundation and contour brush separate.
RRP: £39 Bristles: Synthetic Best for: Liquid, cream, and powder foundation
Dense foundation brushes are great for buffing out products and achieving a full-coverage finish, and this is one of the best foundation brushes out there. Yensa's brush has 70,000 bristles and is specifically designed to fit the natural contours of the face with its angled edge. The super soft brush is best used in circular motions all over the face to create an even layer. If you're a fan of powder foundation, this kabuki style brush is the one you need for an even finish and high coverage.
Buy if: If you want a brush that will help achieve a full-coverage foundation look, no matter the foundation.
Avoid if: You prefer something with a lighter coverage and a fluffier brush.
RRP: £42 Bristles: Synthetic Best for: Powder
Makeup artist Bobbi Brown's brand Jones Road is one of W&H's go-to beauty brands, and this powder brush is one of out favourites in the range (along with the Miracle Balm). The round fluffy brush is the best foundation brush for powder foundation, bronzers, or blush; it's versatile enough to do it all. It provides even and light coverage that you can build up as you please. Just bristles themselves are just as great as the application. Made in Italy, it's vegan, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic. Bobbi Brown never disappoints.
Buy if: Your makeup bag is calling for a super soft brush
Avoid if: You always use liquid products.
RRP: £25 Bristles: Synthetic Best for: Liquid products
This foundation brush is super special for its unique design. If you start your base with a tinted moisturiser or illuminator, you'll love this. It works by pumping the product into the small reservoir nestled in the densely packed brush, then sweeping it across the face for even coverage and a flawless finish. Applying liquid products in this way allows you to slowly build up coverage and apply tinted creams without the mess. Angled for extra control, which allows you to cover and glide over the contours of the face, doing most of the work for you when it comes to applying liquid evenly. Plus, the sleek handle makes this one of the most gorgeous brushes in our collection.
Buy if: You want a fuss-free liquid application
Avoid if: You use a fuller coverage liquid foundation
RRP: £16 Bristles: Synthetic Best for: Liquid and cream products
You can't go wrong with Morphe brushes, they're a cult favourite for a reason. The Morphe range first launched with brushes back in 2008, so it’s no surprise that they’ve perfected the recipe for professional yet affordable tools, elevating amateurs to artists. This dual-ended brush is pretty much all you need for perfecting your complexion. The larger end is great for applying and blending out foundation, whether that be liquid or a light powder, and the small end is to be used as a concealer brush and makes covering any blemishes, dark spots or hard to reach areas much easier.
Buy if: You're looking for a foundation and concealer brush in one
Avoid if: You prefer a flat brush for applying concealer
How we tested the best foundation brushes
Writer Dionne Brighton testing some of the best foundation brushes
In the interest of absolute fairness, I tested each of these brushes with the same foundation to assess how the coverage and finish adapted with each tool. Price was also a consideration – as I have discovered, an expensive brush doesn't necessarily guarantee a more beautiful result. I have used each brush on this list (and others that didn't quite make the cut) multiple times to test the feel and density of the bristles, how well it applied my base and, of course, the finished look.
What type of brush is best for liquid foundation?
Like choosing the best mascara or nailing your signature scent, finding the best foundation brush to use with a liquid formulation often comes down to personal preference. For Rose Gallagher, a larger brush reigns supreme. “I love to use a large, rounded brush with either a domed or flat edge,” she says. “The soft shape means that you achieve a seamless finish without streaks,” Rose says she can achieve anything from soft to full coverage using this type of brush. “If, however, full coverage is your main goal, switching to a flat edge buffing brush is great because you can not only whisk your foundation in, but you can also press this brush onto the skin and lay coverage flat onto any areas of discolouration.”
It’s not just the brush shape that makes a difference, but the bristle type, too. “I personally think synthetic brushes are much better when using liquid foundation,” says Gallagher. “Natural hair bristles can go a little floppy when teamed with liquid – think of how your hair softens when you wash it. You can wield a synthetic brush with much more power.”
How do I choose the right foundation brush?
Beauty Editor Stephanie with a selection of the brushes she tested
- Liquid or cream foundations: A flat, slightly tapered head, like a paintbrush, provides a more full-coverage finish, allowing you to build up coverage where needed. For a more natural, airbrushed effect, go for a larger, domed shape.
- Mineral or powder foundations: Mineral makeup needs to be warmed and worked into the skin so a flat top buffing brush or kabuki style works well here. “A flat top means that you can pack product onto your brush, and you have complete control of each application,” explains Gallagher.
How do I use a brush to apply foundation?
Now that you’ve sussed which brush is best for you and your base, it’s time we discuss how best to apply it. Rather than applying foundation directly on the skin or even the brush head, Gallagher recommends using the back of your hand as a palette. “Instead of having a set rule of working from the outside of your face in or the inside of the face out, I would just tell you to begin with the area you want to look the most flawless and work outwards from there."
She continues: "I begin my journey in the areas that need the most cover – for me, that’s my cheeks. I sweep a generous amount of coverage in these areas, then as my product starts to dwindle I take what’s left on areas that don’t need as much cover. Then, I will keep picking the foundation up from the back of my hand, building, blending, and repeating."
How often should you wash your foundation brush?
“Get into the habit of leaving your foundation brush by the dishes each evening – it’s honestly the best thing you could do for your brushes, and will give you the most magnificent skin and makeup,” says Gallagher. “If daily washing isn’t doable, once a week is also great. You don’t need to do this for every single brush but definitely foundation and concealer brushes.” Here are her three simple steps for washing brushes like a pro.
- Use warm water, never hot as this can melt the glue in your brush, causing the bristles to shed. Then massage a gentle amount of soap into the brush.
- Rinse then towel dry, moulding the bristles into place.
- Leave it to dry on a ledge so that 360 degrees of the brush head are exposed.
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