The best makeup brush sets, according to Consumer Reports

A scratchy or unevenly packed brush can undo an otherwise flawless makeup routine, leaving foundation streaky or blush blotchy no matter how good the product underneath is. Bristle density, handle comfort and how well a set handles different formulas all separate a good brush from a mediocre one.

Consumer Reports tested makeup brush sets on real faces using concealer, foundation, blush and eyeshadow, so shoppers can find a set worth the investment.

Credit: Sigma Beauty

The Sigma Essential Brush Set costs $221 for 12 brushes and earned Consumer Reports' top overall pick in this lineup, after an initial pick from the same brand went out of stock and was replaced with this set following similar testing. Testers found the synthetic bristles remarkably soft, evenly packed and sturdy, and rated its two foundation brushes better than any other set tested, with one blending liquid, cream and powder foundation until barely visible on skin and the other creating a dewy finish. CR noted the powder and blush brush uses looser bristle packing than competing sets, which actually improved blending for cream and powder blush, while the eye makeup brushes ran a bit large for precise work on hooded eyes specifically. Testers also praised the smooth metal handles as comfortable to hold, though the added heft is worth considering for anyone with wrist or hand discomfort.

Credit: E.L.F. Cosmetics

The E.L.F. Professional Set of 12 Makeup Brushes costs $12 and earned Consumer Reports' runner-up spot in this lineup, priced at roughly half what comparable sets cost. Testers found the bristles soft and shed-free with lightweight, tapered handles, and rated the smaller foundation brush surprisingly effective once testers adjusted to it, working makeup precisely around the nose and jawline where bigger brushes struggle. CR noted the compact concealer brush works better on small spots than under-eye circles, so testers turned to the included blending brush to smooth concealer in that area, and praised the densely packed eyeshadow brush for delivering rich, pigmented color. Clear labeling on each brush handle rounded out a set that testers found delivered outsized value for the price.

Credit: Ulta

The Morphe Best of Blends 8-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set costs $39 and earned Consumer Reports' pick for standout midpriced brushes in this lineup, despite including fewer brushes than some competing sets at a similar price. Testers found the bristles silky, even and dense, with tapered handles that felt more comfortable to hold than bulkier sets tested alongside it, and rated the powder brush especially good at depositing and blending product in tight spots such as the inner corner of the eye when setting concealer. CR called the blush brush better than nearly every other one tested at handling both powder and cream formulas, and found the concealer and foundation brushes comparable to pricier sets in bristle shape and density, with slightly softer bristles and more comfortable handles. Clear labeling on each brush again stood out as a helpful touch for less experienced users.

Credit: BK Beauty

The BK Beauty Core Line Extension costs $195 and earned Consumer Reports' pick for eye makeup in this lineup, particularly for smaller or hooded eyes. Testers with hooded eyes found the set's smaller, densely packed eye brushes allowed for precise application of powder, liquid and cream eyeshadow, while its blender brushes created a natural, professional-looking finish. CR compared its facial brushes with the pricier Sigma set and found Sigma's bristles felt softer overall, though testers preferred BK's foundation brush shape for working on small facial zones, even as the concealer brush ran too large for the same kind of precision Sigma's offered. CR noted the handles feel lighter and more tapered than Sigma's, though they're labeled only with a number instead of each brush's name, making it less obvious which brush suits which task at a glance.