I have already shared my ginormous makeup brush collection here on the blog. With having hundreds upon hundreds of makeup brushes in my stash, it goes without saying that I cannot use them all for one makeup look, and many have never been used once! There is a selection of brushes that I use almost every time that I do my makeup, and those are the real standouts from my collection. I consider them to be the best inexpensive makeup brushes, because they are all drugstore. I am not much of a high-end brush gal.
If you are looking for some new brushes to accomplish a specific task, or you are building a makeup brush collection of your own, you will get much value out of my selections. Time to begin.
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Face Brushes
I am starting the best inexpensive makeup brushes listing off with face brushes.
- Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: This brush can apply and blend any type of foundation- from powder, to liquid, to cream, and without leaving streaks. Its versatility is unmatched.
- elf Angled Blush Brush: I have tried a lot of blush brushes in my day, but this is the only one that applies blush exactly where I want it. If you are looking for targeted precision, then look no further.
- Milani Powder/Bronzer Brush: My ultimate favorite bronzer brush is limited edition, so in an effort to find a suitable dupe, this brush comes into play. It is a round brush, but it is ever so slightly flat on the sides. This causes it to apply bronzer right where you want it, yet get that diffused look.
- Japonesque Diffusion Powder Brush: My problem with all-over face powder brushes is that they remove coverage, leave marks in my foundation, set some areas but leave other areas tacky, or they do a poor job of picking up powder. This brush does none of those bad things! My face gets entirely set quickly and easily, without harm to my makeup. Not to mention this brush feels high-quality, sturdy, and of professional quality.
- Real Techniques Duo Fiber Contour Brush: I use this brush for dusting away loose setting powder used for baking each and every time that I do my makeup. The duo fibers easily dust away the powder without disturbing the makeup underneath. It is only available in a set.
- elf Small Tapered Brush: This brush is a must have for targeted setting of certain areas. I use it to set the under eyes and for touching up shiny areas throughout the day with powder.
- Moda Highlight and Glow: I love the way that this brush effortlessly packs on highlighter so that I can get the beaming glow that I love. It works better for me than fan brushes, or any other highlighter brush for that matter.
- elf Small Stipple Brush: This is my favorite brush for blending cream products, especially cream blush. Talk about a vanity must-have!
- elf Precision 108 Micro Contour Brush: This brush is discontinued, but I would be remiss to not mention it. I wish I had backups! This is the only brush that perfectly contours my nose without removing coverage. On that same note, it also sculpts the hollows of the cheeks great. If you ever stumble upon this brush, be sure to snatch it up quick!
Eye Brushes
Now I am moving onto the best inexpensive makeup brushes for the eyes.
- Nyx Detail Brush: I use this brush to apply eyeshadow to the outer corner of the eye. I can also blend the outer corner eyeshadow up and into the crease. Ultimately, it works better than any brush I have ever tried for this purpose.
- elf Eyeshadow C Brush: Here is a brush that I have used for years and years. It’s shape and size is perfect for applying eyeshadow onto the eyelid and it will not fail you.
- elf Flat Eyeshadow Brush: This brush is a must for applying liquid and cream eyeshadow. I use it every time without fail.
- wet n wild Large Eyeshadow Brush: I use this brush to apply a nude eyeshadow to my eyelids to set the eye primer before eyeshadow application. The size allows me to cover the entire eyelid fast.
- elf Eyebrow Duo Brush: I always use this brush when applying brow pomades/creams. It is small enough to give you the precision you need without making a mess. The spoolie is a great added bonus.
- elf Precision 202 Smudge Brush: This is a pencil brush that is perfect for applying eyeshadow under the lower lash line.
- Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush: I know that it has ‘crease’ in the name, but this brush is the boss for blending out the edges of your eyeshadow. I use it blank, meaning with no product applied, to seamlessly blend.
- Real Techniques Brow Brush: This is a tough brush to find anymore because the set it was in got discontinued. I only use this one for brow filling powders because it is big enough to fill the brows quickly, yet small enough to not make a mess.
- Real Techniques Slanted Brow Spoolie: This is just as hard to find as the Brow Brush, but it is my go-to almost every time that I do my makeup. I prefer it to my other spoolies because it is smaller and just does the job better.
- Nyx Round Crease Brush: I used a particular crease brush for a long time before finding this one, and I have not gone back! Most crease brushes are round and tapered, starting out bigger at the top and skinnier at the bottom. This one is round, but not tapered, and the best way I can describe it is slightly flat. It is just a different brush all the way around! The way that it picks up eyeshadow pigment cannot be beat, and I get astounding precision in my crease. Of course, it blends like a dream. I credit the pigment pickup to the ingenious round/flat design.
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Conclusion
Now that we are at the end of the best inexpensive makeup brushes, you have seen all of my favorite, ride or die makeup brushes out of my entire collection. No matter what new brushes I obtain, or what look I am going for, I cannot help but come back to these trusty brushes. I promise you that these brushes will not do you wrong, and will prove to be staples in your unique collection. If you give any of these a go, please share your experience in the comments. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
What is your favorite makeup brush of all time?