The Ultimate Guide to Makeup Brushes
Great makeup starts with the right tools. A high-quality brush can elevate even the simplest routine—giving you smoother blending, better precision, and a more polished finish. In this complete guide, you'll learn how to choose the best makeup brushes for every step of your beauty routine, plus expert tips on how to clean and care for them. Whether you're building your brush collection from scratch or upgrading your current set, this guide will help you make smart, results-driven choices for flawless application.
How to Choose the Right Makeup Brush
When it comes to makeup brushes, choosing the right tool can be the difference between a flawless finish and a patchy one. Here are three things to consider:
1. Shape
Choose a brush shape based on the area of the face you're working on. A tapered brush is ideal for precise application, while a fluffier dome shape offers a more blended finish. Think of your face as a canvas—the shape should fit the features. Too big, and you lose control. Too small, and you’ll be blending forever.
2. Density
Brush density refers to how tightly packed the bristles are. Densely packed brushes provide more coverage—ideal for foundation or concealer. Looser bristles, on the other hand, are perfect for softly diffusing powders, blushes, and eyeshadows.
3. Balance
Often overlooked, balance makes a huge difference in ease of use. A well-balanced handle gives you better control, making application smoother and more intuitive. You'll find all our brushes have hit the right right balance, no top-heavy brushes here!
Best Makeup Brush Set for a Tidy Vanity: The Total Face Brush Set
Elevate your makeup game with the Total Face Brush Set—an expertly curated, professional-grade brush collection designed for even a novice to create flawless looks. Perfect for an organised vanity, this set is a go-to for makeup artists and beauty lovers alike.
What's Inside:
-
101 Powder Brush: For a seamless, mattifying finish with pressed or loose powders.
-
106 Foundation Brush: Delivers streak-free, buildable coverage with liquid or cream foundation.
-
107 Dense Buffer Brush: The concealer's best friend—designed to buff product effortlessly into the skin.
-
109 Eye Smudge Brush: A precision tool for sculpting and smudging around the lash line.
-
110 Eye Blender Brush: Softens harsh lines and blends eye shadow like a dream.
Crafted from luxuriously soft, cruelty-free, vegan nylon bristles, each brush is PETA-approved, wash-tested for zero shedding, and designed to work across all skin types and product textures. Think of this as your complete, capsule wardrobe for beauty—flawless results, every time.
Best Makeup Brush for Powder: 101 Powder Brush
The 101 Powder Brush is a must-have for anyone who uses setting powders, bronzers, or blush. Its extra-soft, vegan nylon bristles—featuring a combination of crimped and straight fibres—pick up and disperse product evenly across the skin.
Its plush, domed shape glides over the contours of the face, giving a diffused, soft-focus finish without disturbing underlying makeup. Whether you're mattifying your T-zone or adding warmth to your complexion, this brush delivers an airbrushed finish that looks natural and polished.
Best Makeup Brush for Foundation: 106 Foundation Brush
Designed with an oval tip that hugs facial contours, the 106 Foundation Brush provides streak-free application with minimal effort. Its densely packed, ultra-soft bristles allow you to build coverage seamlessly, working beautifully with both liquid and cream formulas.
The ergonomic handle ensures precision and comfort, while the cruelty-free bristles offer a silky glide that mimics fingertips—only better. After over a year of development, this brush was perfected to help you achieve a radiant, even base with ease.
Best Makeup Brushes for Concealer: Concealer Brush Duo
Achieve expert-level concealer application with this precision-designed Concealer Brush Duo, featuring cruelty-free, vegan nylon bristles and an innovative angled shape that mimics the softness of fingertips. Designed to work seamlessly with both liquid and cream concealers, these brushes ensure smooth, even coverage across delicate areas like under the eyes, around the nose, brows, and lips.
The 113 brush is ideal for targeting smaller imperfections, while the slightly larger 112 brush expertly blends product across broader contours, such as under the eyes and along the cheekbones. Suitable for all skin types and tested on skin of every age, this professional-grade set is crafted to blur and blend with zero streaking.
Best Eye Makeup Brushes: 109 Eye Smudge & 110 Eye Blender Brushes
These two essential eye brushes, can be purchased as a duo or as part of the Total Face Brush Set, all you need to master any eye look, from subtle to dramatic.
-
109 Eye Smudge Brush: Firm and densely bristled, this brush is perfect for applying and smudging shadow along the lash line and in the crease. It adds definition exactly where you need it without fallout or fuss.
-
110 Eye Blender Brush: This softer, fluffier brush is your blending BFF. It diffuses harsh lines and helps layer shades seamlessly, making transitions between colours look pro-level.
Both brushes are made with cashmere-soft vegan nylon, PETA-approved, and expertly balanced for comfort and control.
Best Makeup Brush for Blusher: 102 Blusher Brush
The 102 Blusher Brush is the unsung hero of the cheek category. Designed with slightly shorter, densely packed bristles, it allows for ultimate control when applying blush or bronzer. The vegan nylon fibres are so soft they feel like velvet gliding across your skin.
Whether you're going for a natural flush or a sculpted cheekbone, this brush ensures product goes exactly where you want it—and nowhere you don’t. It works with both liquid and powder products and is wash-tested for long-lasting performance.
Best Makeup Brush for Bronzer: Extra Large Bronzer Brush
For a sun-kissed glow in seconds, reach for the Extra Large Bronzer Brush. Its oversized, dome-shaped head covers large surface areas effortlessly, making it perfect for bronzing the face, neck, and décolletage.
The densely packed, cashmere-soft bristles distribute product evenly, eliminating streaks and creating a soft, airbrushed finish. Whether you're contouring or warming up your complexion, this is your go-to brush for golden-hour skin.
Best Makeup Brush for Highlighter: 110 Brush
Highlighting requires finesse—and the 110 Brush, part of the Eye Brush Duo, gets it just right. Its tapered, fine-tip design allows you to apply product with precision to high points like cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid’s bow.
Crafted from vegan nylon, it delivers a luminous glow without overdoing it. A true multitasker that saves space and adds value to your beauty arsenal.
Best Makeup Brush for Fake Tan & Body Shimmer: 111 Foundation Buffer Brush
Looking for a flawless faux glow? The 111 Buffer Brush is the secret weapon. Its uniquely oval shape and densely packed bristles mimic the smooth glide of your fingertips, blending self-tanner or shimmer evenly across the body.
Use it with liquids or powders to bronze the arms, chest, or legs. The brush works beautifully across all skin types and textures—and won’t streak or shed. Like all Otis Batterbee brushes, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-approved.
Best Makeup Brush for On-the-Go: Retractable Kabuki Powder Brush
Touch-ups just got easier. The Retractable Kabuki Brush is a handbag-friendly essential, perfect for powdering on the move. With its sleek silver metal casing and protective lid, it keeps your bristles clean while taking up minimal space.
Its domed shape and dense bristles offer even application of bronzer or setting powder—ideal for freshening up throughout the day. Chic, hygienic, and travel-ready, this is your beauty routine’s portable powerhouse.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes (and Why You Should)
Brushes do the heavy lifting in your beauty routine—so treat them right. Invest in a dedicated brush cleanser (never hand soap!) to extend the life of your tools and prevent product build-up or bacteria.
Cleaning Powder Brushes:
-
Dip brush tips into warm water.
-
Apply brush cleanser and gently swirl in your palm.
-
Rinse until water runs clear.
-
Gently squeeze out excess water and dry flat on a towel.
Cleaning Liquid/Cream Brushes:
-
Apply cleanser directly to dry bristles.
-
Massage through until residue lifts.
-
Rinse thoroughly and repeat if needed.
-
Let dry on its side to maintain shape.
For stubborn stains (especially from long-wearing formulas), a touch of washing-up liquid before your cleanser can help dissolve oils or silicones.
How Long Should Makeup Brushes Last?
With proper care, Otis Batterbee makeup brushes are built to last. They’re tested for durability, wash-resilience, and zero shedding. Clean them regularly, store them correctly, and you’ll be using them for years.
What Makes a Good Makeup Brush?
A good brush doesn’t have to be expensive—but it does have to be well-designed. Shape, density, and balance all play a role in performance. What works for one face may not work for another, so try a few and see what suits your technique and routine.
Think of brushes as a long-term investment. Once you know which ones you use the most, consider upgrading to high-quality versions from us. Designed with precision and performance in mind, these brushes give you the tools to create flawless makeup—whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
