Best Makeup Brushes

Jan 6, 2012

Emma D.

There probably is already a thread up about this.

I have been buying single brushes from a range of drug store brands but I am looking to get a good quality brush kit.

I'm tossing up between Mac, bobbi brown and Sigma.

What would everyone suggest?
i.e. best quality, best value for money

(It would just be for personal use.)

Jan 7, 2012

Cassandra M.

MAC has probably the best brushes out there, but they are extremely expensive (in my opinion). I've also heard sigma is comparable to MAC, I only have one sigma brush but it's amazing and I've had it for a year and it's still like brand new. I think Sigma brush sets would be the best value for your money, they have TONS of nice ones to choose from, and although they are around $100 it's a great value because you're getting each brush for about $8 !

Jan 7, 2012

Ashley K.

I just bought the Mr. Bunny collection from Sigma and I absolutely love it. Its great quality and comes with a container you can keep them in. There super soft and so far I've had no shedding or bleeding from them. The bunny collection is made of synthetic fibers and is considered vegan as well if that makes a difference for you. I think for the price and what you want to use them for they would be a great way to go.

Jan 7, 2012

Soma S.

Are there particular brush types you are lacking in that you are looking to obtain? That might also help you narrow down which one you are looking into.

As for me, I much prefer brands for these types of brushes:

Sigma: Sigmax line of synthetic kabukis are FANTASTIC! The F80 beats out ALL of my high-end brushes for foundation and cream product application without a doubt!

MAC: I'm a super fan of their eye brushes, not so much their face brushes aside from the MAC 109 [I like it for precise blush application], 138 [blush, contour or all over powder - this brush does it all!] The 187 and similar type skunk brushes are not my favorite because they shed like crazy... Stand out eye brushes that are must-have's in my opinion are: 217, 224, 226, 239, 263, 219. Unfortunately, the only brush kits MAC carries are the holiday sets in regular retail stores, and the quality is a far miss from their full sized and hand-cut counterparts. [holiday sets are machine cut and far scratchier, but some do get the job done]

I've used Bobbi Brown brushes, but I'm not a fan of their brush shapes because they are too traditional and can be easily duped. Not too many unique shapes for precise applications in my opinion and some of their brushes are just too large for my face.

If you are really looking to splurge and go high-end and INVEST in something that will last you forever and treat your face to angel soft application - I highly suggest a few brushes from Hakuhodo or Louise Young. I have the Hakuhodo S100 series, and they are really nice to look at, but invest in the black handled ones if you want something more durable. [I feel like they're too pretty and far too expensive to use on others... personal use-wise, it is a treat!] The Louise Young LY38 is far softer than my MAC 226 [they're about the same size and shape], and the LY38a is smaller for precision crease work or people with smaller eyes. They have varied brush shapes you can't find easily with other brush lines, and the quality and customer service is SUPERB. Good luck!

Jan 7, 2012

Samantha D.

I tend to look for deals and the best brushes for the best value for me is the E.L.F. Studio line brushes. They are super soft, do not shed, and hold their shape really well.

Jan 7, 2012

Emma D.

@Ashley I have been looking at the Sigma Mrs. Bunny (love the colour!) the set of 12 brushes is more then enough for me. The only thing stopping me is i can't test the brushes, so its kinda like

@Soma I watched a documentary on the Hakuhodo brushes, absolutely amazing! and the owner personally checks each brush for quality, now that's dedication. it'd be nice to have, but a little out of my price range. I never realised the Mac kit brushes were made under a different process, that's a huge disappointment!

It might be best to get a mix, of brushes i'll just have to wait till i go overseas to get any Mac ones, they are a total rip off in Aus!

i'll steer clear of Bobbi brown

Thanks everyone!

Jan 7, 2012

Shelly T.

MAC ~ I love my 239 and 217. (I also have a 226 which is okay, but I'm not super-happy with it.) I think they're excellent.

Sigma ~ I have to agree with Soma. I love the F80 for foundation. I also have the somewhat-recently launched P82, which I've used for concealer; not bad. I also have several of their other brushes, but after a year or so of owning them, I've found there are some I just don't reach for too often anymore. (For the record, I own: E25 (x2 -- one's a silver-handled travel size version), E30, E45, E55, F40, F60 (which I don't use anymore), F80, P82.)

I also have some of e.l.f.'s Studio brushes. I think they're fab if you want to build up a brush collection in a hurry, and there are a few that I use quite a bit -- the Complexion Brush, Face Kabuki Brush, Powder Brush (it has a flat-top) being the ones I reach for the most. Bristles are synthetic but feel like natural hair.

Jan 7, 2012

Nancy-Lee C.

I have a few Too Faced brushes which are my favourite. They're made with the softest teddy bear 'hair'.  xoxo

Jan 7, 2012

Noelle M.

I picked up some Royal & Langnickel brushes the last time they're on sale, and I love them, mostly the ones for the face a select few for the eyes, but as far as eyes go, I have a couple mac brushes from brush sets that came out with some older collections but the 2 or 3 that I LOVE I ........believe....... that theyre sonia kashuk(I've had them for SO long I can't really say for sure anymore lol). As far as foundation face brushes go I have 3 go to brushes one sonia kashuk flat top brush which i think is supposed to be a bronzer brush, and an old typical foundation brush, and another foundation brush from josie maran, I absolutely LOVE the way it feels.
I will say though that the one thing most of my brushes have in common is that, they're mostly synthetic.

Jan 7, 2012

Soma S.

Nicole, I love my 165 too, but this shape is slowly becoming dupeable too! Real Techniques has a synthetic version very similar.

Emma, the black handled version is cheaper than the s100 series, but it's the same hairs, different ferrules and handles. Buy one nice tapered powder brush from them, and you won't be disappointed!

Jan 9, 2012

Amy P.

i heard that many people like the sigma brushes, im thinking of buying one of those myself :)

Jan 9, 2012

Ariane C.

I haven't tried sigma, not gunna lie i was never impressed by the Bobbi Brown ones. I have a few MAC brushes and I love them so much. 217 is a life changer for sure. The 219, 224, 209, and 188 are also super amazing.

Jan 10, 2012

Jenna G.

I really like Sigma brushes and Crown Brushes, when i first started out i ran out and bought a bunch of MAC brushes because i thought those were the only nice brushes out there, but honestly there are some Sigma and Crown that do just as well if not better in my opinion to MAC ones that I have. And they are Cheaper 

Jan 10, 2012

Keyry H.

If you are on a budget, I would suggest Real Technique brushes, they are very soft and affordable, you can find them at Ulta and Ulta.com. I haven't tried Crown Brushes or bdellium, yet, but have heard great things about them.