11 cheap makeup brushes that we can’t gatekeep for a moment longer

Best cheap makeup brush bundles

Covering all the bases (quite literally) this set of seven was created for beginners and experts alike. A real stand out is the compact foundation buffing brush, assisting you on your K-beauty journey to crystal-clear glass skin.

Key features:

• Foundation buffing brush – liquid or cream foundation
• Domed bronzer brush – bronzer or powder
• Angled blush brush – blush, bronzer or contour
• Precision complexion brush – highlighter
• Eye shader brush – eyeshadow
• Eye blending brush – eyeshadow
• Angled detail brush – brow pomade, powder or waxes

Among the many British beauty brands, Real Techniques continues to surprise us with every release. This time it is the everyday essential set that takes the royal crown. If eyeshadow is your thing, then you will love the RT 300 deluxe and RT 402 setting brushes.

Key features:

• RT 400 blush – powder-based products
• Miracle complexion sponge – liquid and cream foundation or concealer
• RT 300 deluxe – cream or powder eyeshadow
• RT 402 setting – highlighter or setting powder
• RT 200 expert face – liquid or cream foundation

Also available at:

• $28.20 (usually $29.99) from Amazon
• $54.99 from Priceline
• $54.99 from THE ICONIC

Sephora is a household name when it comes to all things glam. So, it’s no wonder that when they came out with the Sephora collection that a mini set was immediately needed in the makeup bags of beauty enthused travellers.

Key features:

• Multi-purpose complexion brush – cream, powder or liquid
• Eye brush – eyeshadow
• Eyeliner brush – cream eyeliner, and eyebrow gel or powder
• Eyebrow brush – eyebrow pomade, powder or gel

If James Charles gives Morphe makeup brushes the tick of approval then there must be some merit behind it…right? Kidding, controversy aside, Morphe makeup brushes deserve the accolade. Big on quality and low on price, this range is definitely worth your pennies.

Key features:

• Complexion brush – liquid foundation
• Rounded blush brush – powder blush or bronzer
• Universal highlighting brush – highlighter or powder foundation
• Ultimate packing brush – eyeshadow
• Storage bag

Flawless airbrushed skin is a guarantee with this densely packed buffer brush from Morphe. No matter your preference for a powder or cream foundation, you can look forward to perfectly dispersed product with every use.

Key features:

• Bristle type: synthetic
• Densely packed brush
• Suitable for liquid or cream foundation and powders

If your Euro summer or on-the-go makeup bag is lacking one thing, it’s this travel-friendly multitasking brush from Benefit. Working over time to protect from bacteria growth, this bite-sized brush fits in the smallest of bags.

Key features:

• Travel-friendly case
• Tapered dome-shaped brush
• Suitable for blush, bronzer and highlighter

Also available at:

• $45 from Sephora

In our opinion, when it comes to drug store graded makeup, Revlon takes the cake. Designed to sweep over a cream base, the tapered dome shape design brings added elegance to both full glam and day-to-day makeup looks.

Key features:

• Handcrafted nylon bristles
• Tapered dome-shaped brush
• Suitable for powder or cream blush and bronzer

Best cheap makeup brushes for eyeshadow

A bold eye is never a bad idea, besides when eyeshadow shades refuse to appear on the lid. Pack the pigment on with the smoky shader brush from Zoeva and never fear of a muted moment again.

Key features:

• Timber handle with synthetic bristles
• Rounded shape brush
• Suitable for pressed powder eyeshadow or pigments

A densely packed blending brush is what dreams are made of. For under $20, why not stock up on these eye shader brushes from Adore Beauty?

Key features:

• Made with high quality synthetic fibres
• Vegan and cruelty free
• Suitable for pressed powder eyeshadow or pigments

The difference between nailing an Avril Lavigne smokey eye and ending up like Kim Kardashian after upending some bloke’s life is Sephora’s classic smudge brush. Your boldest look is just one smudge brush away.

Key features:

• Made from synthetic bristles
• Compact rounded shape brush
• Suitable for pressed powder eyeshadow or pigments

Sometimes, we just have to accept that our brows are more like distant cousins than sisters. If this is, however, something you can’t accept, then the 7B brush from Anastasia Beverly Hills may be the solution.

Key features:

• Made from synthetic bristles
• Dual-ended brush with spoolie and brush applicator
• Suitable for cream and powder brow makeup