The Ultimate Guide to Makeup Brushes and Sponges

You could own the prettiest eye shadows in the world and a foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone, but if you don’t have the right brushes and tools to apply your makeup, you’re not going to get very far. No matter how amazing your products are, it all comes down to application. And it turns out there are quite a few types of brushes for makeup, not to mention makeup blenders, out there that can help you bring your favorite makeup looks to life and make application a whole lot easier. Here, our comprehensive makeup brush and makeup blender guide will help you sort out what’s what. Click through to get acquainted with all the best tools.

MAKEUP TOOL #1: MAKEUP SPONGE

Why apply your foundation with your fingers when a makeup blender can help you be so much more precise—not to mention hygienic? Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, which has a pointed tip and a rounded bottom for easy application. Apply a small amount of foundation or BB cream using the sponge's pointed tip, then bounce the rounded bottom all over your face to blend and build coverage.

MAKEUP TOOL #2: FOUNDATION BRUSH

Speaking of applying foundation, this flat, elongated brush is specifically meant for foundation application. The dense bristles make it easy to build coverage—and who doesn’t want that? Alternatively, this brush can be used to smooth on a makeup primer at the start of your routine.

MAKEUP TOOL #3: POWDER BRUSH

Finishing off a full face with a makeup setting spray or powder can help set your look. When using powder specifically, apply it with a fluffy powder brush—and use a light hand! If you’re branching out into more complicated beauty trends, you can also use a powder brush to dust off your face after giving makeup baking a try.

MAKEUP TOOL #4: BLUSH BRUSH

This brush looks like a more compact, elongated powder brush. The bristles tend to be densely-packed in order to help you apply cheek color with precision. All you have to do is smile and apply the blush of your choice to the apples of your cheeks in short, outward strokes.

MAKEUP TOOL #5: CONTOUR BRUSH

Available in an array of different sizes, large angled brushes are best for contouring. The densely-packed bristles make it easy to achieve prominent, precise application. You’ll be able to create perfectly chiseled-looking cheekbones in no time!

MAKEUP TOOL #6: BRONZER BRUSH

Perhaps you don’t want to full-out contour but simply want to warm up your complexion. That’s where this bronzer brush comes in. Similar to the blush brush but slightly denser, it’s ideal for outlining your natural face shape and getting a sun-kissed look.

MAKEUP TOOL #7: OVAL BRUSH

If you haven’t heard about the oval makeup brush trend by now, allow us to introduce you. This brush is also known as a toothbrush makeup brush since its shape resembles a toothbrush with a handle and bristles on only one side of the brush. Extremely dense, it’s ideal for applying foundation, concealer, and other cream and liquid products if you want an airbrushed finish.

MAKEUP TOOL #8: STIPPLING BRUSH

You may already be familiar with stippling from using makeup blenders, but there are also brushes devoted to it. This method of application involves bouncing your tool up and down on your skin to get a super flawless finish. A stippling brush, complete with densely packed bristles, is perfect for applying foundation, but they can also be used to apply blush and other face makeup products. If you love the concept of a makeup blender but prefer the control of a handle, consider this!

MAKEUP TOOL #9: DOMED STIPPLING BRUSH

As you can probably guess, this brush is nearly identical to a traditional stippling brush—aside from its domed edges. The curve of this brush makes it amazing for curves on your face, which means it can be used to contour. Use it with a liquid bronzer, and you’ll never turn back.

MAKEUP TOOL #10: FLAT CONCEALER BRUSH

Have dark circles in need of disguising? This small, flat brush with rounded bristles can be used to apply concealer under your eyes. It can also be used for precise concealer application, including to cover blemishes or clean up your lip look.

MAKEUP TOOL #11: FAN BRUSH

Never understood how to use highlighter without resembling a disco ball? Get your hands on a fan brush, which has soft, flat, fanned-out bristles that allow you to sweep on just enough shimmer.

MAKEUP TOOL #12: TAPERED HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH

Prefer a more precise and defined highlight? Look no further than a tapered highlighter brush. This face brush can be used to expertly pinpoint where you want shimmer, whether that is your cupid’s bow or the tip of your nose.

MAKEUP TOOL #13: SHADER BRUSH

Used for almost every eye shadow application, this brush is most well-known for allowing you to dust on an all-over color. You can find shader brushes in multiple sizes, but the smaller you go, the more precise you can get with your application.

MAKEUP TOOL #14: LARGE SHADER BRUSH

Speaking of varying sizes of shader brushes, a large shader brush, in particular, is probably the one you’re most used to seeing. This brush is typically used to pack all-over color onto your lids and serves as a tool for creating the base of nearly every eye makeup look.

MAKEUP TOOL #15: FLUFFY BLENDING BRUSH

If you want to use multiple eye shadow shades, with each one fading flawlessly into the next, a fluffy blending brush should be in your arsenal. The loosely-packed bristles can help you seamlessly blend your eye shadow, putting an end to any harsh lines.

MAKEUP TOOL #16: ANGLED CREASE BRUSH

To create a defined eye crease, pick up an angled crease brush. The angled bristles can help you sweep eye shadow effortlessly into your crease to add depth to your look. These little multi-taskers are also ideal for swiping shadow on beneath the arch of your brow.

MAKEUP TOOL #17: SMALL BLENDING BRUSH

Small blending brushes are perfect for applying cream eye shadows thanks to their densely-packed bristles. They can also be used for—you guessed it—small areas that need blending, such as smudging shadow along your lower lash line.

MAKEUP TOOL #18: FIRM BLENDER BRUSH

So, you want to blend your eye shadow but also want to keep each individual shade intact. A firm blender brush will be your BFF, as it’s more compact bristles are perfect for precise blending that won’t take away from each hue used.

MAKEUP TOOL #19: PENCIL EYE BRUSH

Want to line your lash line with a shadow or highlight your inner corner? A pencil brush will come in handy for that. This small, rounded brush makes it easy to expertly place shadow in a specific, tiny area.

MAKEUP TOOL #20: SMALL ANGLED BRUSH

You may be familiar with seeing this brush on the other end of a spoolie (more on that later). This eye makeup brush can be used to paint on eyeliner or fill in your brows. The thin, flat edge is perfect for drawing sharp lines.

MAKEUP TOOL #21: DOUBLE-ENDED SPOOLIE

Like we mentioned, you might recognize small angled brushes often come on the other end of this tool: the spoolie. This eyebrow tool is a must for anyone who wants perfectly groomed brows, as the spoolie can be used to brush and tame brow hairs while the small angled brush expertly draws on brow hairs to fill in sparse areas. A spoolie can also be used to brush through lash extensions. 

MAKEUP TOOL #22: BASIC LIP BRUSH

For better lipstick application, don’t apply color straight from the tube—use a basic lip brush. The small shape is extremely helpful when it comes to coloring inside the lines.

MAKEUP TOOL #23: PRECISION LIP BRUSH

Want a bit more control? If you’re looking to outline your lip shape—or line slightly outside your lips to fake the appearance of a fuller pout—a precision lip brush will come in handy.

Next, learn all about a makeup tool that isn’t a brush or a blender. Here’s How to Use an Eyelash Curler.