Editor Tip: This paintbrush-like makeup brush is excellent for watery or creamy foundations —maybe even better than using your fingers, thanks to the ultra-dense bristles that cover all the nooks and crannies.
Product Specs: Flat brush, synthetic bristles, suitable for liquid and cream formulas
Best Dual-Ended Brush: IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Perfection Brush
Why It’s Worth It: IT Cosmetics’ dual-ended Heavenly Luxe Perfection Brush plays nice with all your skin-loving foundation formulas, ensuring you don’t leave the house looking blotchy or cakey. We especially love that this one is retractable, so you can drop it in your bag without worrying about getting foundation everywhere.
Editor Tip: We appreciate all dual-ended brushes but this one is special because one side is small enough for smoothing streaks in the folds of your nose and eyes, but also for on-the-go eyeshadow touch-ups and highlighter application.
Product Specs: Dual-ended round brush, synthetic bristles, suitable for all formulas
Best on Amazon: Bdellium Tools Large Rounded Double Dome Blender 972
Why It’s Worth It: When applying foundation, Davy prefers using a flat paddle-type brush on the main parts of the face. She considers this Bdellium Tools Large Rounded Double Dome Blender 972 a staple in her makeup bag because it’s durable, well-made, and available in many cute colors.
Editor Tip: Davy uses a technique from the kitchen as her hack for streak-free application. “I’ll use big strokes and treat this brush like a serving utensil to swipe the product on the face,” she says.
Product Specs: Flat brush, synthetic bristles, suitable for liquid products
Most Versatile: Dior Backstage Face Brush No. 18
Why It’s Worth It: Pick your poison, err, type of foundation: loose powders, fluid, compact foundations, or spray foundation — Dior’s Backstage Face Brush No. 18 can handle it all. The soft, dense, short bristles ensure you won’t leave the house looking cakey or unnatural.
Editor Tip: Tobi Henney, a bi-coastal makeup artist, loves this uniquely shaped brush because the shorter handle allows circular motions to blend foundation in easily.
Product Specs: Round brush, synthetic bristles, suitable for all foundation formulas
Best Buffing Foundation Brush: MAC 130S Short Duo Fibre Brush
Why It’s Worth It: Henney’s brush collection wouldn’t be complete without the MAC 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush, which she relies on for expertly buffing in liquid foundation. Its stubby, flat-topped shape makes it excellent for blending around the nose and mouth.