7 Affordable Makeup Brush Sets That Belong on Your Vanity

Remember the time when the more expensive thing was better? These days, especially in the world of beauty products, that’s no longer the case. In fact, every luxury item has a comparable dupe—and they almost always end up being a fraction of the price. The same can be said for makeup brushes. To put it simply, the affordable makeup brushes of today have evolved—we’re talking high-quality bristles, sleek styles, and designs that make them easy to clean.

“Makeup brushes are a must,” says celebrity MUA Nydia Figueroa. “Applying makeup with a brush is better than fingers alone because you’re able to achieve seamless results.” Figueroa suggests having at least five brushes in your arsenal: a foundation brush, a concealer brush, a tapered eyeshadow brush, a blush brush, and an angled contour brush.

To make life easier for you, we researched the best cheap makeup brush sets on the market now.

Best Overall: e.l.f. Cosmetics Precision Brush Collection

You’ll have what you need and more with this nine-piece brush set. Our favorites are the stipple brush and the airbrush blender, which are both effective at giving you that airbrushed, soft-focus finish. And if you’re a big contour fan, you’ll love the sculpting brush, which gets into the hollows of your cheeks. Did we mention these brushes are all 100% vegan and cruelty-free, too?

Best Budget: Akstore 14-Piece Makeup Brush Set

With 14 pieces in this brush collection, there’s a tool for every situation—trust. From a flat angled brush for highlighting to a classic detail brush for filling in your lips, you’ll be able to create looks for all occasions. Highly rated, reviewers love the variety, how soft the bristles are, and the perks of a cleaning mitt and makeup sponges.

Best Face Set: EcoTools Start the Day Beautifully Kit

If you’re a minimalist, you only need a few key brushes to execute your everyday makeup routine. Included in this essential kit is an angled foundation brush, blurring brush, crease brush, angled liner, and blush brush. What I love about this set is that you can interchange brushes, too—I find that the angled foundation brush works great as a contouring brush and the crease brush moonlights as an eyeliner brush.

Best Eye Set: Sephora Collection Eyes Uncomplicated Brush Set

This brush set lives up to its name: uncomplicated. Super easy to use, this eye kit houses everything you need for the ultimate eye makeup look. Reviewers love the quality of the bristles—a mix of natural and synthetic—and the chic carrying case, which is perfect for travel.

Best for Skincare: Real Techniques Prep + Prime Set

We all know the golden rule: Skincare first, makeup second. This brush set takes that to another level. There’s a dry facial brush to exfoliate and get your blood flowing, a prep brush to use with your moisturizer or serums of choice, an under-eye massager to use with your eye gels and creams, and a lip exfoliating brush that’ll pair nicely with your lip balm. Taking care of your skin, after all, is the best first step to any killer makeup look.

Nanacorner,