Building Your Brush Collection
By marlena • May 26th, 2008 • Category: Articles & ReviewsI’ve compiled a list of my top 10 brushes that I think every makeup geek should own! You do not have to have these exact brushes, just something similar so you can complete a wide variety of looks. I made sure to include cheaper alternatives to some MAC brushes, as they work just as well but do not cost nearly as much. I hope this is helpful for you!
- MAC 217 Blending Brush
This is a multi-purpose brush that can be used to “feather” out the outer V, blend any harsh lines, highlight under the brow, apply a light coat of paintpots as a base, or even apply concealer under the eyes.This is the most versatile brush I have come across, and I haven’t found a cheaper alternative yet. This would be my first brush to buy if I was just starting out. 
- Sonia Kashuk Blending Brush
This is a cheaper alternative to MAC’s 222 brush. It is great for applying color in the crease, blending out harsh lines, and highlighting under the brow.It is softer than MAC’s 217 brush, so it is great for light application of color. 
- Sonia Kashuk Large Eyeshadow Brush
This is comparable to MAC’s 239 brush.Since it is a somewhat thick shader brush, it works great for packing on color on the lid. 
- MAC’s 219 Pencil Brush
This brush is great for blending out harsh eyeliner, smudging shadow under the lower lashes, or creating a very defined outer V.Since the brushes are stiff, it picks up a good amount of color. I haven’t found a cheaper alternative to this yet, but I still highly recommend. 
- Bare Escentuals Angled Brow Brush
This is perfect for filling in the brows and lining the lashline with eyeshadow.You do not need this specific one, but you are looking for a thin medium sized angled brush. 
- Coastal Scents Pink Kabuki Brush
This is the perfect brush for buffing powder over your foundation. The short handle gives you the control you need to get an even coat of powder. I use this brush everyday as it gives a flawless finish to my face.If you aren’t a fan of pink, you could get the Italian Badger Kabuki, but I have not tried it yet. 
- Coastal Scents Duo Fibre Powder Stippler
This is comparable to MAC’s 187 brush, but is considerably less. It does shed at first, so you need to wash before using. MAC’s brush works just a little better, but it is up to you how much you want to spend on a brush.I use this brush everyday with some Fix+ to even out my skin and get rid of the “powdery look.” This brush also works great for applying a light coat of blush, or even stippling on foundation. 
- Bare Escentuals Angled Blush Brush
This brush is great for contouring or for adding blush to the cheeks then blending out. Almost any brand will have a brush similar to this, but you are looking for a fluffy angled brush. (Do not get the Coastal Scents one as the bristles are too stiff!) 
- Posh Crease Brush Duo
These brushes are great for creating a soft, yet defined outer V. The smaller brush is great for a soft smudged line under the lower lashes.CVS has an exact replica of this set and is only $5 for two brushes! (thank you RobbieBeth for the heads up) 
- Coastal Scents Angle Taklon Liner Brush
This is a great brush for lining the lashes with any cream eyeliner. Since the bristles are much smaller than the angled brow brush, it works well for precise application.I’m sure other companies have something similar, but you are looking for a SMALL angled brush 
.
I hope this helps all of you who are just starting your brush collection, or for those of you who are hoping to fill in those “missing gaps” in your brush set!
Thank you for this very helpful article!! You can have the best products (MAC
), it won’t work without good brushes!
And I can highly recommend MAC’s 219 pencil brush!
Thank you so much this was a very helpful article!
Thank you so much for this website. I love all of the information and the tutorials are wonderful. I now have a more defined crease. thanks!
i know this sounds werid but Enkore on you tube did a tut on PAINT brushes that are comparable to MAC brushes and he also had one for the 219 pencil! im going to def go to my nearest michael’s and check it out to see how well the brushes are made. he said that you need to get leow carnell (sp) not to sure if i spelled it right but just go search on you tube for Enkore and MAC brushes vs. Paint brushes. you can pretty much find the ENTIRE colection of MAC in good Paint brushes!
How do you wash your brushes?
I follow Enkore’s video on it- wash with a clean kitchen sponge and some baby shampoo. I would watch his video- it’s very helpful
HI Marlena,
I know this is totally off topic but have you ever heard of or used Medusa makeup eye shadows or perhaps nixie cosmetics eyeshadows?
Hi! thanks for another great tutorial!
Do you wash your brushes after every application? Or do you find its enough just to wipe them off?
How often do you think it should be done in order to be hygienic but not wear out the brushes too much?
Lol, many questions. Thanks again!!
I wipe them off everyday (just on a towel) and give them a good scrubbing once a week. If I use creamy products on my brushes, I have to clean them more often…
the Posh duo is now $12!!!!! WHAT!??!?! I am disappointed!
I have a friend who is a Mary-Kay consultant and she says that a lot of the time she uses actual paint brushes that you can buy at an art supply store. She says that depending on the type that you get they give the same if not better definition. I know brushes can get a bit out of hand price wise, so I thought that I’d share this money saving tip!!
Hi there, I find you very inspirational and love your looks and do copy many of them.
Your brown/pink bridal look I have used and adapted on many of my clients and they love it.
What is the best brush to use to apply pigments.
and do you have any tips for a more mature eye (creapy) mainly mother of the bride. I try to use some matts but I do find them a little dull sometimes and the pearls can be a bit too shimmery for them.
Would really appreciate your opinion on this.
Look forward to your reply
Dawn x
Hi Dawn,
I’m glad that look is working for you! The best brush for pigments is a flat shader brush like MAC’s 239- that way you don’t get too much fallout.
As for mature clients, matte/satin shadows are best. What I would do is put mattes on the lid (where most of the wrinkles are) then put a little shimmer under the brow so the eyes don’t look too flat.
I hope that helps
OMG your site is awesome. I just stumbled upon one of your tutorials on YouTube, first time ever on YouTube as well. I have been visiting your site regularly for about 2 weeks now. My boyfriend thinks I am silly cause I sit here and watch the tutorials. Men just don’t get it! Any hew… have you used NXY brushes? If so how are they? I am looking to beef up my brush supply and don’t want to waste my money on a brush that won’t do the trick.
Thanks for all of the awesome tutorials. You helped to re-invent my makeup addiction………
P.S. I live in the Bay Area and am awaiting the links from your trip. Great idea!!!! Can always use new shopping spots.
Awesome article. I totally need a kabuki brush and well with this review I know where I will be buying mine!
Thanks so much as always!
Hi Marlena,
I just received a kabuki brush that I bought on ebay. However, i realised that it’s smaller than the one you use, it’s more what they call “baby kabuki”, do you think it would work as well as yours or should I better get a bigger one?
And I have another question. Do you think the brushes sold on ebay work well? Because I have the feeling that many of them are not original, even if they say they are MAC or Bobbi Brown or some other brand. They look very good though, I think like originals, but do you think they would work well and give the same results?
I would love to hear your comments about it. Thanks a lot for everything!!!! xxxx
Maria
OMG…Someone who finally gets it!!! I am such a make-up girl…Sephora….MAC…CVS…Chanel….I LOVE LOVE LOVE MAKE-UP…It’s so cool to see someone who enjoys it as much as I do! Love the brush collection…Do your thing girl!
HI Marlena
i was looking at the Coastal Scents Duo Fiber Powder Stippler on the web and they have it in pink and silver
The pink one has somewhat of a shorter handle but does it work the same as the silver one that you have?!
i love your page! it is extremely helpful
thank you
Hi Maria,
There are several fake duplicates of MAC brushes on Ebay- to be safe, I would buy those at a MAC counter/store instead…
Hi Vickie,
I would get the silver- I’ve heard the pink one isn’t as good…
Perfect and clear information. It is really helpful
Thanks Marlena
Hello Marlena,
I am from Canada-and i had went to go get the CVS 5.99 dou???? is this a website?? all I get is a drugstore…
and I went to the POSH website-which there is a coupon i have heard for 50% off-cc123 is the code.but the shipping to me is 15.00, a little steep for us canadians!!1 hahaha.lol, but free shipping after 35.00-is there anything on that website that you would recommend other than….
Anyways, thanks for your great reviews…
Jackie:)