Eyeshadow Made Simple—The Best Brushes for Precise Application and Effortless Blending (2024)

Our Top Picks

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

This beauty from Selena Gomez’s line is our favorite. It’s versatile, so it works with all types of shadow formulas, from cream to powder and everything in between. Plus, the bristles are dense for packing on the color, but they're still smooth, soft, and gentle against the delicate skin on the eyelids. Just keep in mind that because the brush is dense, it’s probably not the best option for blending product in the crease. You certainly still can use this for crease blending, you’ll end up applying more pigment to your crease area than you would a traditional fluffy crease brush. Our advice: Use this one on the lids for seamless blending every single time.

Function: Packing | Bristle Type: Synthetic

This medium-sized, multipurpose brush is large enough to cover a nice surface area, yet small enough to allow you to work with a bit of precision (great if you have more hooded eyes). We love that it also has a narrow edge, making it great for smudging shadows along the upper or lower lash line (hello smoky eye looks). We tend to prefer a more rounded, fluffy brush for blending, but you can get the job done with this one. This highly affordable pick is especially great for eyeshadow beginners who don't want to spend a ton of money or buy multiple brushes at once.

Size: Small, medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

There’s no doubt about it—this set from Sigma is the GOAT, and has been an editor favorite for quite some time. If you’re lost about how to curate a well-rounded eyeshadow brush collection, this pick is for you. It comes with seven brushes that are everything you'll need to create basic eyeshadow looks as well as more intricate ones, too. The brush handles are long and sturdy, and the bristles are all synthetic, meaning they're not made with animal hair. These brushes are so well-made, in fact, that I’ve had my set for over 10 years. And while yes, the blending brush does tend to shed a bit, particularly in the beginning and when you wash it, it still works beautifully and the bristle loss isn't major.

Size: Small, medium, large | Bristle Type: Synthetic

Real Techniques has mastered the art of creating high-quality brushes at an affordable price. This set with eight brushes will cost you less than the price of one high-end makeup brush; it comes with a variety of different-shaped brushes to create a wide range of looks. The purple aluminum handles are sturdy, and the synthetic bristles are soft and work beautifully with both cream and powder formulas. Celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell loves this kit from Real Techniques because “the price point is amazing and the quality is insane,” she says. “I love that it comes in a set also because you get everything you need.”

Size: Small | Bristle Type: Synthetic

When it comes to smoky-eye makeup, the right brush is essential—and the Eye Smudger is up for the task. This eyeshadow brush has short and dense bristles, allowing you to smudge powder or cream eyeshadows in targeted areas to create a sultry, smoldering effect. It's also great at smudging out eyeliner pencils for a softer, more diffused look. Plus, the small tip is perfect for highlighting the inner corners of the eyes. It's definitely a bit pricey for a single brush, but you'd be surprised by just how functional it is.

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

We love a good two-in-one moment. This pick from Subtl Staks was specifically designed for easy, on-the-go makeup application while traveling. It features two eyeshadow brushes—one side is densely packed to pick up color and apply to your lids, while the other, angled side is less dense and can be used to blend out your shadows. We love that these come with two caps, so that you can avoid getting eyeshadow all over your makeup bag.

Size: Medium and small | Bristle Type: Synthetic

Honestly, dual-ended anything just makes makeup application that much easier. Professional makeup artist Genevieve Contreras recommends this pick from Merit. “This brush is great for beginners and pros alike because of its convenience and functionality,” she explains. “You can create an entire eye look with just this one brush. It blends shadow effortlessly with the fluffier side, and the smaller, more dense side is great for lining and smudging shadow at the lash line.” One thing to note is that if you use this with a cream eyeshadow, you’ll probably need to clean it with a brush cleaner or soap and water, as it tends to get a bit sticky if not cleaned before the next use.

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

If you love to apply glittery eyeshadows often, this pick is for you. The E4 brush from Makeup by Mario was designed specifically to pack lots of eyeshadow onto the lid. We love this for glitter shadows because it picks up the pigment really well and makes the color really pop. Another bonus with this brush is that you can use it wet to add another dimension to your eyeshadow look. Celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero recommends this pick because “it’s great for packing on color, pigments, and glitter,” he says. “Plus, it’s easy to use and is a great size for all eye shapes.” Bonus: It doubles as a concealer brush.

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

A fluffy crease brush helps to diffuse colors for a well-blended finish, and the size of this pick from Sephora Collection is ideal for just that. It's perfect for diffusing shadows in the crease while maintaining control. Read: It's not too big or too small. Contreras likes to use this brush in multiple ways, including blending, applying a “transition” color in the crease, or just applying a single shadow all over the lid. “I personally love to use this to apply the same bronzer I am using on the face, all over the eye for a simple and cohesive look,” she explains. In addition to the size and shape, we appreciate that the synthetic bristles are soft and work beautifully to apply powders and cream eyeshadows. That said, some reviewers said the bristles were too soft for their purposes.

Size: Large | Bristle Type: Synthetic

Level up your primer game by using this brush from Anisa Beauty. Designed specifically with eyeshadow primer in mind, this brush features a scoop-shaped brush head that fits the eyelids well while swiping eyeshadow primer across your lids. To use, squeeze a small dab of eyeshadow primer directly onto the brush and blend the primer all over your eyelids using the brush. Rivero also likes to use this pick for cream products, neutralizing your eyelids for eyeshadow application or blending concealer or foundation. “It offers an airbrush, weightless finish,” he explains. This pick can also be used as a concealer or foundation brush, but because of the density of the bristles, it’s probably not ideal for blending eyeshadow.

Size: Large | Bristle Type: Synthetic

Loosely packed, fluffy, and soft to the touch, this blending brush from Ilia is perfect to blend in your eyeshadows for a smooth and subtle transition. This is great to use in the crease with a darker eyeshadow shade, or you can use it all over your lid for a nice wash of color. Like most fluffy eyeshadow brushes, this pick is not ideal for any shadow looks that require more precision.

Size: Small | Bristle Type: Synthetic

A small flat-tipped brush with a straight edge like the Morphe M432 is ideal for applying eyeshadow to your lash lines and buffing out the color. It's especially useful for defining your lower lash line and connecting it to your winged eyeliner. We like this one in particular because it's not so wide that you lose precision but also not so narrow that it takes too long to sweep color along your lash line. The bristles are short and dense, and the edges are very square so it can feel slightly rough—just be sure to use a gentle touch.

Size: Small | Bristle Type: Animal hair

Having a good smudger brush in your makeup brush kit is crucial when trying to nail the smoked-out, ultra-blended look. This pricey brush is not only made with super high-quality materials, but it will also last you a long time. You can use this to blend out harsh liner or apply liner using this pick.Rivero likes to use this for soft, diffused eyeliner looks and lines. “This is my go-to brush—it’s soft but effective in moving the product,” he explains.

FAQ

• How do you clean eyeshadow brushes?

  Add a few drops of brush cleaner to a large bowl or sink with lukewarm water, then dip the brush heads into the solution, gently massaging the bristles with your fingers. Another option that Sewell recommends is to use a silicone mat and gently swirl and buff your eyeshadow brush onto the mat to clean it. Then, rinse your brushes with cold water and squeeze out any moisture using a clean towel. Form the brush heads back into their original shape before allowing them to air-dry.

• What type of brush is best for eyeshadow?

  The best type of brush for eyeshadow really depends on the look you’re going for. “My most used brush is a small fluffy eyeshadow brush,” explains Sewell. “This type of brush allows for a sheer wash of color that can build with a few layers.” If you want more payoff, more precision, or just more pigment in a concentrated area, Sewell recommends going for a smaller, denser brush. The density will pick up and place more product with one sweep.