The 5 Best Makeup Brush Sets

Purchasing a makeup brush set can be far more convenient than searching high and low for individual brushes — after all, sets are like pre-packaged kits of knowledge that give you a little bit of everything and contain the right tools you need to achieve a full look. Just getting into makeup and don’t know where to start? Find a beginner’s set. Looking to perfect an advanced smoky eye and your current selection just isn't cutting it? Try an eye brush set.

It can be difficult to know which set is right for you, though. Unlike singular brushes that target a very specific need, with a set you’re committing to the whole package. To ensure you spend your hard earned money on a quality brush set that will last for years, we sought out two professional makeup artists — Kelly La Banco and Daniela Rodriguez — to help steer us in the right direction. With their help, we found the 10 best makeup brush sets. Though there are different kits to satisfy distinct needs, ultimately, the Kosas Complete Brush Collection is our best overall pick because it provides easy-to-use comfort, high-quality vegan fibers, and lively packaging.

No matter what makeup skill level you’re at, you can level up your routine with our list of the best makeup brush sets. Find them all below.

Best Value

e.l.f. Cosmetics 19 Piece Brush Collection

e.l.f. makes solid makeup brushes: The quality is good, and they’re known to hold up well compared to more expensive options. For the beauty aficionado who’s always trying the latest contour trend or owns dozens of eyeshadow palettes, it’s nice to have an expansive brush set to target each of your application needs. It doesn’t matter if you’re using cream, powder, or liquid formula products, this selection of brushes can do it all and create any look. We especially love that this kit includes an angled eyeliner brush and a mascara fan brush — two products you don’t always see within kits. Note that there are sometimes inconsistencies within the set, with some reviewers stating that it arrived with different brushes than the ones advertised, but those instances seem to be few and far between.

Brushes Included: 19 | Best For: Whole face | Vegan: Yes

Best for Beginners

EcoTools Fresh Face Everyday Makeup Brush Set

• These brushes are fairly basic, so if you’re a more advanced makeup connoisseur, you might want to look elsewhere.

This brush set is ideal for beginners because it includes your five standard brushes needed to create a full makeup look (one for foundation, one for blush, and three for eyeshadow application), but won’t cost a fortune. EcoTools uses vegan, cruelty-free, and recycled materials to create a product that is soft, safe, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. I’ve had a set of these for years and with proper cleaning and storage, they’ve stayed in great condition and continue to be a mainstay in my beauty routine — even blending better than most designer brands. Plus, they’re also great for travel when stored in a tin holder. Keep in mind that while they’re ideal for beginners, they might be too basic for serious makeup aficionados. 

Brushes Included: 5 | Best For: Whole face | Vegan: Yes

Best for Eyes

Morphe X Ariel Signature Eyes 8-Piece Eye Brush Set

Morphe is known as a go-to brand for brush sets, frequently recommended by makeup artists and beauty influencers alike. Their quality tends to vary from product to product, but we (and countless other online reviewers) are amazed with these — they feel soft, make clean lines, and distribute makeup flawlessly. In this set, you have eight brushes that will create a wow-worthy eye look. The A19 Dual-Ended brush is particularly great for prepping the eye and the A16 Defining Brush is perfect for lining. It’s important to note that some of these brushes are synthetic, while others are made with natural hair. But, La Banco notes that she usually likes to have a mixture of both natural and synthetic brushes in her own kit for better application. The only thing that would improve set was if it came with a matching case to store the brushes. 

Brushes Included: 8 | Best For: Eyes | Vegan: No

Best for Face

Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Brush & Sponge Set

It’s hard to find a brush set that includes a sponge — so we had to mention this one! Even though there is an eyeshadow brush within this kit (so it’s technically not exclusively for the face), it contains a variety of face brushes that work flawlessly with powder, cream, and liquid products and blends easily for a flawless finish. Plus, the RT300 brush, which is technically a crease brush for eyes, can also be used to build concealer. The latex-free foam sponge features a flat edge for contouring, a precision tip for covering blemishes, and rounded sides for blending larger areas. The quality for the price is tough to beat, but be aware that these brushes won’t last forever, and they can start to shed over time. 

Brushes Included: 4 plus a sponge | Best For: Whole face | Vegan: Yes

Best Vegan

Hourglass Travel Brush Set

Everyone loves Hourglass brushes (they consistently earn top placement on ‘best of’ lists) and we share the same sentiment. We’re impressed by the soft, fluffy feel of the synthetic bristles — they seamlessly glide for an even, blended, and glowy makeup look. Though the soft feel of the bristles takes center stage, the metal handles are also noteworthy because their sturdiness allows for greater precision control. All of the brushes in the kit are genuinely impeccable, but the dual-sided Ambient Lighting Edit Brush is particularly unique and can be used for powders, bronzers, blushes, and highlighters alike. The length and weight of these brushes make them perfect for building out your everyday collection, but, despite the products’ name, the same feature makes them less than ideal for travel.

Brushes Included: 7 | Best For: Whole face | Vegan: Yes

What to Keep in Mind

Material

Makeup brushes come in both synthetic and natural materials. If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to animal products, you’ll definitely want to go the vegan route. Though, natural brushes can have their place and time as well. Ultimately, when it comes to materials, quality is key. “Cheap brushes will often shed, leaving hairs behind during your application process,” explains Rodriguez. “As a rule of thumb, I look for big names behind the brush,” she says, like the Westman Atelier The Brush Collection. “If a renowned makeup artist created the line, chances are you will be investing in a quality tool that will serve its purpose and last for years.” That said, there are affordable brushes (like EcoTools Fresh Face Everyday Makeup Brush Set) that can last a long time with proper care. 

Your Makeup Needs

Whether you’re new to experimenting with makeup or you’re a seasoned pro, your skill level, makeup goals, daily needs, and budget should factor into what brush set to purchase. If you’re looking to start your collection, the EcoTools Fresh Face Everyday Makeup Brush Set, Kosas Complete Brush Collection, or Tarte All Jazzed Up Brush Set are great places to begin. If you want to hone in on more specific category expansions, the Morphe X Ariel Signature Eyes 8-Piece Eye Brush Set will heighten your ability to create dramatic eye looks, while the Hourglass Cosmetics Vegan Brush Travel Set will serve as a luxe treat for your tool collection.  

Your Questions, Answered 

How do I use a makeup brush set?

Makeup brush sets are amazing if you’re just starting your brush collection or are looking to replace significant brushes. Most sets include the basics (the five or so tools you’ll need to create a full face), while some sets offer more specialty niches like eye application or powder brushes. But, if you’re just looking to add a brush or two to target a specific need, individual brushes may be the way to go. 

According to La Banco, there are nine brushes to have in your personal kit for everyday use. When it comes to the face, she says it’s imperative to have an angled blush brush (for face shaping), a setting powder brush (to use all over your face), a small setting brush (for targeted oily areas), and a concealer brush (for masking redness). When it comes to eyes, crease and blending brushes help to create a cohesive eyeshadow look, while angled and flat liner brushes make applying eyeliner a seamless experience. A smudge brush is also important to blur out harsh lines. 

What’s the difference between vegan and non-vegan makeup brushes?

Most natural brushes, especially in the pre-vegan-fiber era, were made from animal hair —o ften blue squirrel, fox, goat, horse, or sable, explains La Banco. These days, vegan brushes are increasingly popular and better constructed. “There are some synthetic brushes that feel so luxurious, it’s hard to tell that they’re not real hair,” she says. Vegan brushes are commonly recommended for those with sensitive skin or allergies (they’re typically made from nylon or other plastic materials), and of course, for sustainability reasons. “Because they don’t soak up the product, vegan brushes are perfect for cream products (foundations, cream blush, contouring, and illuminators). They allow you to blend the product down without streaking,” she adds. 

Rodriguez tacks onto the synthetic fiber argument, as she says they’re easier to clean and the hair doesn’t break as often as natural brushes. However, La Banco notes that natural brushes can be better for powder products as synthetics are often too slippery for powders to adhere to. 

How do you clean makeup brushes? 

If you’re using your brushes regularly, once-a-week cleanings should be a general rule of thumb for both sanitation and long-term care. For deep cleaning, La Banco recommends soaking brushes for a few minutes in Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner and following it up with Zote Laundry Bar Soap to fully clarify and clean. (If you don't have either of those, you can clean brushes with any shampoo.) Simply swirl your bristles around in the soap to get them sudsy and sanitized, then rinse with water and let them air dry. 

Why Trust InStyle

Linne Halpern is a freelance beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer. She is a member of InStyle’s evergreen commerce team where she extensively tests and reviews countless products. For this story, she interviewed acclaimed makeup artists Kelly La Banco and Daniela Rodriguez, who provide their professional tips and tricks for selecting the best makeup brush set for your personal needs.