Eye Makeup Brushes That Will Change Your Makeup Game

In this post, I’m sharing my most loved and used eye makeup brushes. From being a total makeup newbie to mastering the smoky eye (this tells you how old I am), these are THE makeup brushes I come back to every single time. Learning how to use eye brushes changed my makeup game and I hope it will inspire you to try too. The brand of brush doesn’t really matter. I’ll share a few affordable ones and you’ll find more tips below on what to look for in a good quality makeup brush. This guide is split into two sections — beginner and intermediate — just so there is something for everyone 🙂

Table of Contents

Beginner eye makeup brushes for easy looks

If you’re totally new to makeup, then these are the brushes you need in your kit to create simple eye looks.

Eye crease brush

An eye crease brush is quite fluffy and used to add a light wash of color into the crease area. It is also used for blending out eyeshadow from the lid into crease, creating a natural transition. You can also use an eye crease brush to sweep color onto the eyelid for a simple “one and done” eye look look.

Flat eye shader brush

A flat eye shader brush has firm bristles and looks flat when you look at its profile. This kind of brush is for adding shimmer or matte eyeshadow onto the eyelid in small tapping motions. It’s always good to keep two — a small and medium — in your kit, so you can apply multiple eyeshadows at once. These brushes are also great to add inner corner highlight.

Angled brush

An angled eye brush has firm bristles and is shaped with a straight angle. This brush is used to draw a line on the upper lash line with dark matte eyeshadow to create eyeliner and wing out the edges.

Eye pencil brushes

A pencil brush looks like a pencil; the bristles are firm for precise makeup application. This brush is used for adding eyeshadow (usually a neutral matte shade) on the lower lash line to match the crease shade and create a complete look.

Intermediate level eye makeup brushes

If you’re looking to level up your makeup game and try a smoky, soft glam, or colorful eye look, then add these brushes to your kit too.

Tapered blending brushes in a few different sizes

Tapered blending brushes are similar to eye crease brushes, but they are smaller and more precise. These are the brushes used to create the smoky effect by blending out a deep matte eyeshadow in the outer corner of the eye. It’s good to have a few different sizes because you can layer different colors to vary the intensity of the smoky effect. A tapered blending brush results in a more blended, diffused effect.

Dome brushes

Dome brushes are quite stiff and come in a variety of sizes. They are used for more precise placement and blending of eyeshadow on the eyes, so they are often used for more dramatic looks with defined lines. Keep a small and medium size in your kit because they double up as smudge/smoky liner brushes too.

The Perfect Green Smoky Eye Look For Fall

The Neutral Makeup Look That Works With Any Outfit Day And Night

What makes a good makeup brush?

Unless you’re a pro artist, you don’t really need to stress too much about how good (or bad) your makeup brushes are. Most makeup brushes are made equal, but here are a few tips, if it’s your first time shopping for brushes.

You don’t need expensive brushes. Typically, you can find very good quality, affordable brushes for USD 3-5 a piece. Sets start from USD 10-15.
Make sure the brush hairs don’t feel too stiff or waxy; they should feel soft, gentle and flexible when in contact with skin
For blending brushes, the brush should be stable at the base and fluffy at the tip — it shouldn’t shed at all when in use
Make sure the brush is synthetic, cruelty-free, vegan

Popular affordable brands with eyeshadow brush sets:

Real Techniques: USD 15
Jessup Beauty: USD 20
Docolor Beauty: USD 9

A few more tips…

Use fingers to pat on shimmer and glitter eyeshadows

The warmth of the fingers help shimmer and glitter shades adhere better to the eyelid.

Clean eye makeup brushes every two weeks

Don’t forget to clean your brushes every two weeks for health and hygiene.

Eye Makeup Brushes That Will Change Your Makeup Game