The Best Makeup Brushes For Every Step Of Your Routine

Navigating the world of makeup can seem daunting at times. With tons of different products, formulas, and brands out there, even the most avid beauty lovers need some guidance every now and then. That's especially true when it comes to makeup application. Trends and styles are always changing, but there's one thing that stays constant — great makeup brushes.

Unlike color trends that change with the season, once you've found a great brush it's there with you until the end. Finding the right makeup brush doesn't have to be as challenging as it seems though.

We've put together a list of the top brushes in every category, based on reviews and makeup artists' own favorites — you know, so you can worry less about the application and just have fun testing new products. Some of these products are pricey and some are budget-friendly, but one thing is the same: they're top of the line in their categories.

Starting out with a bang is this top-of-the-line foundation brush. There are plenty of good brushes out there, but the Artis Elite Mirror Palm Brush one is the ultimate. It's elite! According to Byrdie, this is the best brush out there for liquid, powder, and cream foundations. The brush fits in your hand so you can fully control the application and is a clear standout in the beauty community. This isn't just a quirky fad of a brush though. It truly works.

Of course, a brush this incredible does have a hefty price tag. This palm-shaped brush will set you back a cool $65, but, according to reviews, the brush is well worth the price. Once you buy it, it will sit in your makeup bag forever, so it really is worth the investment when you think of it that way. Especially with the rave reviews that this brush has. 

What's better than knowing you have the very best concealer brush out there? Plus, you have options in terms of what's top-notch when it comes to price points. According to Business Insider, the best concealer brush on the market is Rae Morris' Jishaku Angle Eye Blender. The only downside is that it is $90. Yes, you read that right. "The Rae Morris Angle Eye Blender is so incredibly soft that it seamlessly blends my concealer while keeping the opacity I need to cover darkness," celebrity makeup artist Erin Parsons tells BI.

Thankfully the publication also found a just-as-great option in Morphe's 173 Chubby Concealer Brush. Ready for the best part? It's $7. As in, $83 less than the other top brush. We're not saying that you shouldn't invest, but we're also not not saying that. Plus Morphe has a great reputation when it comes to brushes, so it's not like you're still not getting a great brush.

Contouring is without a doubt the most confusing makeup application process. While it's not a must-have step in your makeup routine, this brush will make it easier to try it out. No matter your skill level when it comes to contour, Huda Beauty's Sculpt and Shape Brush is worth having in your makeup bag. Whether contour is part of your daily routine or you're just looking to try it out, this brush has been said to make it super easy.

According to Influencer, the double-sided brush makes it easy to not only apply contour but also to fix it if you mess up. Because, let's be honest, we can't all nail out contour all the time. Even the well-known brand like Huda Beauty knows that people mess up their makeup application sometimes. Consider it the pencil and eraser that you never knew you needed in your makeup bag. That's a winner, if we've ever heard of one.

If you're looking for soft bristles, flawless bronze, and a good price point, this is the brush for you. According to Byrdie, Sigma F29 Bronze Brush is the ultimate way to warm your complexion. The $20 brush makes it super easy to apply your powder bronzer and, according to reviews, lasts for an extremely long time. So if you want to invest in a great brush that lasts, this is the choice for you. 

While that Sigma brush is made mainly for powders, there's still another stand-out brush for those that love different formulas, as there's an option for liquid and cream bronzer lovers as well. While the Sigma brush will give you great powder application, F.A.R.R.A.H.'s 160F Face Brush will give you great cream and liquid application. Oh, and it's even cheaper than the Sigma brush, so you can stock up on both if you'd really like.

When it comes to brown products, Anastasia Beverly Hills is the expert. So it totally makes sense that Marie Claire and Byrdie would name ABH's Dual-Ended Flat Detail Brush as the No. 1 pick when it comes to brows. The double-sided brush has a spoolie on one end and a flat buffing brush on the other, making it easy to apply, smooth out, and define your brows. Oh, and it's only $18. Who says you can't have it all?

Unlink other eyebrow brushes, this brush's bristles aren't angled at the end. Instead, they're flat. That means that you can not only define your eyebrows, but you can also blend highlighter or concealer around the eye as well. It's not just your basic eyebrow brush, friends. That's what you get when you go with a top-of-the-line brush from the brand that was founded on eyebrow products. 

Blush is one of the most overlooked steps in a makeup routine. While it's not as make-or-break as a foundation brush, it's still worth stocking up on a great brush for it. According to Byrdie, the best-of-the-best when it comes to blush is Bobbi Brown's Blush Brush. While is gives great application, it will cost you $62. That's, well, a whole lot of money. 

While that price is without a doubt worth it if you're a beauty lover, there is one other brush that gets high marks but has a lower price tag. Byrdie recommends trying EcoTools Precision Blush Brush as well. This top-rated blush brush is available for only a fraction of the price of Bobbi Brown's. As in, it's way less. It's only $8 and you can get it right at Ulta. Spend as much as you'd like on your beauty tools. Who are we to judge you? Just know that you have options.

While this isn't a must-have in everyone's makeup bag, it will be after you hear the details. According to Allure, the Real Techniques Setting Brush is the top brush not just for setting, but for everything. Makeup artist Kate Jane Hughes tells the publication, "It's amazing for concealer, it's amazing for foundation, for blush, for powder — for anything detail-oriented, and for some reason it just lasts forever and ever and ever." 

Oh, and it's $8. So if you didn't already think you need a setting brush in your collection, you might now. There's nothing like a top-rated brush also coming in first when it comes to affordability. Especially when you consider that it's basically the "Macgyver" of makeup brushes. 

Whether you're looking for the best of the best or just to try something new, you can't go wrong with these makeup brushes. It's time to amp up your makeup arsenal because getting new brushes is just as important as getting the right makeup items.