There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup application—it's all about what works best for you. That said, the right tools can make a world of difference, helping to ensure a smooth and flawless finish every single time.
When it comes to choosing the right tool, makeup sponges are a viable option. (We editors always keep a Beautyblender, $20, on hand.) Now, foundation brushes deserve credit, too. Though it may seem intimidating to shop for one, given the multitude of them, these tools can seriously elevate your makeup game from amateur to red carpet–level.
To remove the intimidation factor, we polled four professional makeup artists and asked them to share their all-time favorite foundation brushes for every type and texture. From bristle type to coverage levels, we’ve considered every aspect of the perfect brush for your beauty arsenal. Without further ado, keep scrolling to see the seven best foundation brushes, as recommended by the pros and foundation-obsessed editors who know best.
The Best Foundation Brushes, At a Glance
- Best Overall: Makeup by Mario F4 Dual-Ended Foundation Brush
- Best for Cream: Stila Double-Ended Complexion Brush
- Best for Powder: Makeup by Mario F3 Makeup Brush
- Best for Full Coverage: Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Makeup Brush
- Best for Building Coverage: Anisa Beauty Pinnacle Foundation Brush
Best Overall: Makeup by Mario F4 Dual-Ended Foundation Brush
Pros: Works well with all formulas, beloved by pros, dual-ended design
Cons: None we can think of
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
“The Makeup by Mario F4 brush!” Every beauty editor and makeup artist says in unison when asked their favorite foundation brush. Now, we may be embellishing a little, but most experts recommend this brush for its versatility (it blends all foundation textures beautifully) and handy dual-ended design. “I love this brush for all formulas!” says celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. The slanted edges allow for easier application and blending, allowing you to achieve a more seamless blend on the contours of the face. “I use the larger end to apply and the smaller end to buff,” Bhatty explains.
“The Makeup by Mario F4 brush is the best,” agrees celebrity makeup artist Dani Parkes. However, Parkes exemplifies exactly how versatile this brush is by using each side in a completely different way, thus cutting down on extra brushes and saving space in her kit. “It’s dual-ended, so I like to use one side for foundation and the other for contour, cream blush, or all of the above,” she explains. Though it works across all formulas, associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia personally prefers this one for liquid foundations.
Customer review: “The greatest makeup brush of all time. If I could only have one, this would be it. I picked up a second, I like it so much. The larger side is great for foundation and/or tinted moisturizer, as well as cream bronzers. The smaller side is great for cream blush or highlight. Blends perfectly without sucking up too much product. While it is dense enough for cream products, it isn't so dense that it takes ages to dry.”
Brascia holding the Makeup by Mario F4 Dual-Ended Foundation Brush.
Best for Cream: Stila Double-Ended Complexion Brush
Pros: Works across many formulas, blends beautifully, dual-ended
Cons: Nothing to add here
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Charlie Riddle, makeup artist and Stila global beauty director, swears by this double-ended foundation brush thanks to its soft bristles that effortlessly buff makeup into the skin. "This works great for lightweight and serum foundations to really buff into the skin," he says. Though it works wonderfully for liquid too, its fluffy end is optimal for picking up potted cream foundation—offering a flawless blend every time. He recommends using the larger end to apply foundation and the smaller end to apply concealer around the eyes, on top of blemishes, and around the nose and mouth.
Customer review: “First, I really love the Stila brand as they are cruelty-free (I believe their suppliers and third parties do not test either). All their stuff has nice quality… All in all, great brush and brand to support, in my opinion.”
Best for Powder: Makeup by Mario F3 Makeup Brush
Pros: Great for application and blending, builds coverage well, versatile functionality
Cons: Not technically a foundation brush (but still a standout in the category)
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
If you favor powder foundation, never fear—we have just the recommendation for you. Riddle suggests this fluffy tool, yet another Makeup by Mario dual-ended brush, because it deposits just the right amount of product. "I love using the bigger end to apply all over and go through with the smaller side for T-zone or places you tend to get shiny throughout the day," he says. Whether you’re applying foundation all over or doing a quick touch-up, this fluffy brush is a tried-and-true go-to for powder formulas.
Customer review: “I love all of the Makeup By Mario brushes, but this one is one of my favorites. The larger end is perfect for powdering under your eyes and the small end I use for highlight. I recently misplaced my first one and immediately bought a new one.”
Best for Full Coverage: Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Makeup Brush
Pros: Blends pigmented foundation beautifully, streak-free finish, beginner-friendly
Cons: Not cruelty-free
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: N/A | Cruelty-free: No
Brittany Lo, professional makeup artist and founder of Beia, recommends this brush for a butter-smooth application, while Brascia recommends it for full glam. Lo says this brush is great for a smooth application thanks to its large brush head and soft bristles, which distribute powder evenly across the skin. Brascia would have to agree—its synthetic bristles never irritating her sensitive skin while simultaneously imparting a gloriously glam, full-coverage finish whenever she so desires it.
Customer review: “This is the best brush for foundation! I've tried other foundation brushes that BB offers but this is truly the best! It's so easy to blend with this brush and everything smooths out evenly. I love it!”
Brascia holding the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Makeup Brush.
Best for Building Coverage: Anisa Beauty Pinnacle Foundation Brush
Pros: Blends beautifully, great for working in layers, angular shape
Cons: On the pricey side
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
If you go back and forth between a sheer, natural look and a full beat, you’ll want to keep a foundation brush like this one from Anisa in your collection. “This one is great for buildable coverage, and the shape of it really lets you get into the angles of your face,” says Bhatty, pointing out its triangle-shaped brushhead. The angular design contours the cheekbones, smooths under the jaw, and blends pigment in hard-to-reach areas like the under-eyes beautifully. Celebrity makeup artist and founder of Guide Beauty, Terri Bryant, also recommends this brush for its dense vegan bristles that allow the movement necessary for blending while remaining soft and flexible for more coverage sans streaking.
Customer review: “This is a fantastic brush for foundation. The shape is great for getting around the nose and the bristles are soft. The makeup goes on smooth. Highly recommend.”
Best for Buffing: Kevyn Aucoin The Duet Foundation Brush
Pros: Blends like your fingers, ultra-soft bristles, works with a variety of formulas
Cons: Quite expensive
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Bhatty singles out this professional-grade foundation brush for its uniquely plush brush head that provides a buttery-smooth blend. “The smaller end is marketed to have a ‘fingertip’-like application, which I can attest to,” she explains. Many professionals prefer tapping complexion products in with their fingers over brushes or sponges, but this tool replicates handmade results in a more refined way—making this a fabulous option for surreal skin smoothness. “The larger side helps sweep product all over. It’s a really great tool, and comes in handy for concealer as well,” Bhatty adds.
Best Flat Brush: Chanel Les Pinceaux de Chanel Foundation Brush N°100
Pros: Smooths foundation, disperses product evenly
Cons: Most expensive on our list
Bristles: Synthetic | Vegan: Yes | Cruelty-free: N/A
Flat brushes are great for applying and smoothing liquid and cream foundations, and Bhatty calls out this Chanel pick as her favorite in this silhouette. “This brush is a kit staple,” she tells us. Made with a dense assortment of soft synthetic bristles, the celebrity MUA calls this a “very straightforward foundation brush” that “applies the perfect amount every time and is very nice to blend with.”
Customer review: “I had been looking for a perfect brush for my foundation for years, and nothing came close to this one. It makes foundation look a thousand times better. Really love how soft it is, and it is so easy to care for. If you're looking for a smooth feel I'd definitely recommend.”
What to Look for in a Foundation Brush
- Brush design: Whether you want to glide your foundation on like a paintbrush or stipple it on with a densely packed brush head, the design of your tool matters when choosing the right one. We love the Anisa Beauty Pinnacle Foundation Brush for its innovative geometrical head that can reach inner-eye corners, cup cheekbones, and more.
- Bristle type: The type of bristles you choose will alter the way your foundation looks and feels on your skin. Most brushes are synthetic nowadays, meaning that they’re vegan and cruelty-free, but the way the bristles are assorted determines the way your formula will lay. Dense brushes tend to be great for swirling and blending, whereas flatter brushes are great for smoothing and painterly strokes.
- Function: You’ll want to consider the type of foundation you plan on applying when selecting your perfect blush. Some are fluffy and better suited to powder formulas, like the Makeup by Mario F3 Makeup Brush, whereas others are more compact and great for buffing creams and liquids onto the skin, like the Kevyn Aucoin The Duet Foundation Brush. It all comes down to personal needs and preferences.
What kind of brush is best for liquid foundation?
While some foundation brushes are best for powder, many dense brushes work the same across liquid, creams, and stick foundations. We love the Makeup by Mario F4 Dual-Ended Foundation Brush for a tool that can do it all, but really, it’s the desired end look that will dictate which brush you choose. “For a lighter, tint-like finish, I will reach for a stippling brush and apply that onto the skin in a swirling motion,” Bhatty explains. “For a more traditional foundation, I like to use a foundation brush that feels like a paint brush. They are more straightforward and really help distribute [the product] onto the face without waste,” she adds.
Is it better to apply foundation with a brush or sponge?
“For a lighter look, I’ll use my hands and apply my foundation as if I’m applying a moisturizer, and then I’ll press the product in with a Beautyblender” says Parkes. “Brushes are great if you’re trying to layer a foundation, and the Mario [F4] brush is perfect for that because you won’t have brush strokes on the face—you’re really able to press the product into the skin.”
What is the best way to apply liquid foundation on mature skin?
Bhatty explains that brush choice is paramount when doing makeup on mature skin. “The brushes you choose determine how much product is deposited onto the skin,” she elaborates. “For mature skin, I find that less is more, so choosing a brush that will apply your products precisely without using too much is key.” Think: the Chanel Foundation Brush N°100.
How We Chose
We chose the best foundation brushes for every formula by testing our own brushes and consulting professional makeup artists and brand founders for their personal recommendations. After testing said products for everything from natural makeup to full glam, we were able to choose the best of the best for this buying guide.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
-
Kylie Jenner Just Released a Nostalgic King Kylie Makeup Collection, and It's Taking Us Right Back to 2015 -
The Internet Is Obsessed With Tarte's CC Undereye Corrector—I Was Skeptical, so I Tried ItDark circles, be gone!
-
I Saw This $19 Blush BTS During NYFW—Now It's My Favorite for Dreamy, Dewy MakeupThe glow is real.
-
From Chocolate to Royal Blue to Burgundy—8 Unexpected Eye Shadows That Make Brown Eyes PopAbsolutely breathtaking.
-
Grab Your Coffee Mugs and Cable Knits—These Cozy Fragrances Are Practically Gilmore Girls–ApprovedA scent for every preference.
-
My Friends Always Ask Me How I Get My Hair So Glossy—This Shine Treatment Is the KeyPlus, more glass-hair givers from $10.
-
Now You Know—These 12 On-Sale Beauty Products Are My Best Kept Secrets on AmazonNo gatekeeping here.
-
Pinterest, IG, and TikTok Agree: "Toasted Blush" Will Be a Huge Makeup Trend This FallSorry, "sunburn" blush.
