Can you use the same brush for blush and bronzer?

Whether or not you can use the same brush for blush and bronzer depends on what type of brush you’ll be using. Some can be multipurpose, whereas others won’t work as well for bronzer. Particularly, for bronzer, you want a larger brush so you can crossover if your blush brush is big enough. You'll want to avoid using a tiny brush for blush if you want it to be multipurpose for bronzer too. Byrdie writer Rachel Dube notes that “you want to stick to soft, fluffy brushes or angled, precise brushes to make your bronzer application a home run.”

How do you use a blush brush?

First, use a blush brush to apply your blush onto the apple of your cheeks. This holds true whether you’re using a powder blush or a cream blush . If this is confusing, Byrdie’s Former Editorial Director, Faith Xue , suggests, “to learn where the apples of your cheeks are, give a slight smile, and apply the cream blush right where your cheek looks the most round in the center.” Next, sweet upwards with the brush along your cheekbone, ending with it diminishing in clarity under and behind your eye, below your temples.

What is the difference between a blush brush and a foundation brush?

Though they look fairly similar, there are differences between blush brushes and foundation brushes. Unlike blush brushes, which are generally fluffy, foundation brushes have bristles that are more tightly packed. Additionally, blush brushes usually have a more rounded or angled head, whereas foundation brushes are often more flat in shape. Foundation brushes are sometimes smaller so that you can best get into the tight areas of your face, but they vary in size.

The 11 Best Blush Brushes of 2023

Never underestimate the importance of a blush brush. One wrong move with an unfortunate brush can leave you with way-too-rosy cheeks—like someone embarrassed you all day. That’s why high-quality makeup brushes, including blush brushes, are always worth investing in. The right brush with the best blush can be the difference between a splotchy look and a radiant one.

There’s no shortage of blush brushes on the market, though. Which ones are worth including on your vanity? That depends on what kind of blush you use, how much you want to spend, and the size and shape of your face. No need to stress, though. To spare you from endlessly scrolling, we sifted through the best of the best options and found 11 blush brushes that’ll give you a soft glow.

Read on for our picks for the best blush brushes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush at Nordstrom

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Best Drugstore:

EcoTools Precision Blush Brush at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Powder Blush:

Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best Dual-Ended Brush:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Brush at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Real Techniques Blush Brush at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Cream Blush:

Merit Tapered Blending Brush at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best for Beginners:

Fenty Beauty Face Shaping Brush 125 at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Tapered Tip:

Sigma Beauty Powder/Blush Brush at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best for All-Over:

Wet n Wild Blush Brush at Amazon

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Best Luxury:

Chanel Blush Brush at Nordstrom

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
How We Researched
Why Trust Byrdie?

4.5

Blue Mercury

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Bloomingdales

What We Like

Perfectly angled to sculpt cheekbones
Soft yet dense bristles
Makes blending easy

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Leave it to Bobbi Brown to create the ultimate blush brush. It’s no wonder this brush has won awards; it makes applying and blending blush ultra easy. The soft but dense bristles are designed to pick up the ideal amount of blush, leaving behind the Goldilocks amount on your cheeks—not too much, not too little, but just right. The incredibly soft bristles are cut at an angle with a rounded head, so they hit the entire apple of your cheek, taking out all of the guesswork and leaving you with natural-looking sculpted cheekbones. The price of this brush is no joke, but it’s worth the cost for flawless and foolproof application every single time.

Price at time of publish: $65

Size: Large | Material: Synthetic

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Beallsflorida.com

What We Like

Made from recycled materials
Cut for precise application
Inexpensive

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for powder blush

A blush brush that is good for your face, your budget, and the planet? We’re sold. This sustainably-made brush is crafted from super soft bamboo and recycled materials and is wrapped in minimal packaging too. The unique square cut of the bristles—all 70,000 of them—serves to deliver precise pigment application, so you can sculpt your cheeks like a pro. You can use it with cream or powder blushes and highlighters, too, though we’d save this soft-bristled brush for looser powders. Plus, check out that price. It doesn’t get any better.

Price at time of publish: $9

Size: Large | Material: Synthetic

4.7

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Asos

What We Like

Works with all kinds of powders
Tapered for precise application
Also works for highlighting

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This brush does it all, from contouring to applying powder and swiping on blush, of course. That’s thanks to its multitasking tapered end that can highlight your cheekbones, nose, and cupid’s bow. It can also shade your temples or the hollows of your cheekbones to sculpt your features. We love that this brush works with both loose and pressed powder, and the delicate fibers make for precise application no matter what product you’re brushing on. It’s pricey, that’s for sure, but considering how versatile it is, we think it’s worth every penny.

Price at time of publish: $49

Size: Small | Material: Synthetic

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

What We Like

Good value
Makes blending easy
Gives a soft, airbrushed finish

What We Don't Like

A little heavy to hold

The only thing better than a luxurious blush brush is a luxurious dual-ended blush brush like this one from Hourglass. It features a duo of soft, PETA-approved Takla brush heads—one that’s rounded and one tapered. Both make blending ultra easy, giving you a soft, airbrushed look. Try using the rounded side to carve out cheekbones or apply all-over color and the smaller tapered side to precisely apply blush and highlighters. Considering it’s a two-in-one design, this price is a solid value. The only downside? It’s a bit heavy to hold.

Price at time of publish: $49

Size: Medium | Material: Taklon

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Easy to use
Inexpensive
Large, fluffy bristles

What We Don't Like

A little heavy to hold

Since this brush was created by makeup artists Sam and Nicole Chapman, you can trust it’ll deliver a natural-looking, professional result. The soft synthetic bristles are large, fluffy, and flexible, so you’ll get a smooth-looking finish without the need for too much blending. While the price is lightweight, the handle is not. It’s a little heavy in your hand but is still comfortable to use, and it’s easy to clean as well. (You do clean your makeup brushes regularly, right? Right.)

Price at time of publish: $10

Size: Large | Material: Synthetic

MERIT Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Kohls.com View On Meritbeauty.com

What We Like

Easy to use
Chic design
Natural-looking application

What We Don't Like

Can be difficult to blend

Okay, okay. So technically, this MERIT design is an all-over complexion brush. Still, trust us on this one— the dense, flat tip of this brush works incredibly well with creamy blush products. Just pat the product onto your cheek area with your fingers, then blend it in using this super chic brush that deserves a front-and-center spot on your vanity. It’s easy to use—start blending across the apples, then up towards the hairline. Still, it takes some practice to get the blending just right. Once you get the hang of it, you’re guaranteed a natural-looking flush every time.

Price at time of publish: $30

Size: Small | Material: Synthetic

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Harveynichols.com

What We Like

Angled to sculpt cheekbones
Tapered for precise application
Easy and comfortable to hold

What We Don't Like

Bristles are a little stiff

If you find blush placement a bit fiddly, try this foolproof option from Fenty Beauty. Its design includes a slightly tapered brush head and a long, easy-to-hold handle. That allows for precise application, meaning you can get a targeted but natural makeup look—even if putting on makeup isn’t your strong suit. The synthetic bristles, which are on the stiffer side, work well with both creams and powders. Plus, it’s relatively small, so this brush is an especially good match for sculpting the cheekbones of angular face shapes.

Price at time of publish: $34

Size: Small | Material: Synthetic

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Beautybay.com View On Dickblick.com

What We Like

Diffuses product for a soft finish
Can also pack on pigment
Good value

What We Don't Like

Doesn't work as well with cream blush

The key to this Sigma Blush and Powder Brush’s brilliance is in its shape. The slightly beveled head ensures you get even coverage and a soft finish no matter what color you brush on. It’s quite precise and packs on pigment exactly where you want it, so break this brush out for a bright, poppy cheek or work with a light hand to get a gentle, diffused color. Considering this brush works well with powder highlighters, too, it’s a good value. Just skip using this one with cream blush; its shape lends itself to powders but not creams.

Price at time of publish: $22

Size: Medium | Material: Synthetic

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Wetnwildbeauty.com

What We Like

Versatile
Inexpensive
Cute design

What We Don't Like

Bristles are a little stiff

Not all of us (or any of us?) have the time, energy, or interest to fiddle around with multiple makeup brushes—especially in the mornings before coffee has kicked in. That’s where the versatile Wet n Wild Blush Brush comes in handy. It’s large and soft enough to apply bronzers and translucent powders but still small enough to use across the cheek area for cream or powder blushes too. Also small? It’s price, as it costs less than $4. With pink-tipped bristles (that are on the stiffer side, FYI), it makes for a cute addition to your makeup bag too.

Price at time of publish: $4

Size: Large | Material: Synthetic

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Chanel.com View On Macy's

What We Like

Works with both powder and cream
Tapered for precise application
Applies smoothly

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Superfans of designer makeup will love Chanel’s high-stakes take on the humble blush brush. It features soft synthetic bristles with a tapered design, which allows for precise application of either powders or creams. The generous size is a plus, too; the oversized brush applies smoothly, making soft, even, and luminous color a breeze to achieve. Bonus points for the oh-so-chic Chanel logo down the side too. You’ll pay a luxury-level price, but in exchange, you’ll receive a luxury-level product.

Price at time of publish: $50

Size: Large | Material: Synthetic

LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Angled Blush Brush

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Laurageller.com

What We Like

Sculpts cheeks effortlessly
Affordable price point
Densely-packed bristles

What We Don't Like

Provides light coverage

Go ahead, chisel those cheekbones. This angled brush from Laura Geller creates the illusion of a sculpted look with a simple swipe or two. The high number of jammed-packed bristles adds color just where you want it, or it can be used to blend powders and foundations into a soft finish. (Or both!) The bristles are soft, which we love, but can leave lighter coverage than you may want. Still, for this price, it’s worth adding to your brush collection.

Price at time of publish: $13

Size: Medium | Material: Synthetic

Final Verdict

If we had to pick just one blush brush to use for, well, ever, it would be the Bobbi Brown Blush Brush. (We trust Bobbi with all things makeup, including brushes.) It’s pricey, though, so for a budget-friendly option, we’d add the EcoTools Precision Blush Brush or the Real Techniques Blush Brush to our makeup collection. They both offer top-notch quality with affordable price points.

What to Look For When Buying a Blush Brush

Size and Shape

According to makeup artist Jasmin Lo, the most important feature to consider when buying a blush brush is the size and shape: “Ideally, you want a tapered blush brush that is right for the size of your face,” Lo explains, before adding, “the size is more important than the shape in my opinion, though.”

“You want your brush to be about the size of your cheek apples, and this of course varies from person to person… A bigger brush is fine for bronzer, but when it comes to blush, the placement and result will be affected by the size of the brush in comparison to your face.

Synthetic or Natural Fibers

What the brush itself is made of is also important, especially when it comes to cream versus powder product formulations. As a general rule of thumb, synthetic brushes are best for cream and liquid formulas, because they’re a) more hygienic and b) smoother.

Natural bristles are less “perfect” so can work well with pressed and loose powders, but animal welfare and moral codes come into play here. Keep in mind that these days, most synthetic bristles are designed in a way that makes them really effective across both cream and powder products, so you don’t really need to use a natural bristle if you don’t want to.

Cleaning

Lo also adds that it’s important to keep your brushes clean, not only to retain the nice feel but to prevent breakouts and skin irritation. “A gentle milky bar soap or a small squirt of shampoo works well. Wet the brush hairs under a tap, lather the soap or shampoo in your palm, and gently work the suds through the brush hairs. Then rinse thoroughly, softly press out excess water, reshape and allow to dry overnight, lying sideways on a table with the brush hairs hanging over the edge to the air.”

FAQ

Can you use the same brush for blush and bronzer?

Whether or not you can use the same brush for blush and bronzer depends on what type of brush you’ll be using. Some can be multipurpose, whereas others won’t work as well for bronzer. Particularly, for bronzer, you want a larger brush so you can crossover if your blush brush is big enough. You'll want to avoid using a tiny brush for blush if you want it to be multipurpose for bronzer too. Byrdie writer Rachel Dube notes that “you want to stick to soft, fluffy brushes or angled, precise brushes to make your bronzer application a home run.”
How do you use a blush brush?

First, use a blush brush to apply your blush onto the apple of your cheeks. This holds true whether you’re using a powder blush or a cream blush. If this is confusing, Byrdie’s Former Editorial Director, Faith Xue, suggests, “to learn where the apples of your cheeks are, give a slight smile, and apply the cream blush right where your cheek looks the most round in the center.” Next, sweet upwards with the brush along your cheekbone, ending with it diminishing in clarity under and behind your eye, below your temples.
What is the difference between a blush brush and a foundation brush?

Though they look fairly similar, there are differences between blush brushes and foundation brushes. Unlike blush brushes, which are generally fluffy, foundation brushes have bristles that are more tightly packed. Additionally, blush brushes usually have a more rounded or angled head, whereas foundation brushes are often more flat in shape. Foundation brushes are sometimes smaller so that you can best get into the tight areas of your face, but they vary in size.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Full-time freelance writer Megan McCarty has been writing about the best of the best of fashion and beauty for over 15 years, and her work can be seen in InStyle, Domino, Architectural Digest, Bustle, and more. She has a lot of thoughts and opinions on beauty products—blush brushes being just one of them.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough blush brushes from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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