The 12 Best Drugstore Makeup Brushes of 2021

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If you’re looking to spend big bucks on a makeup brush, we get it. After all, it’s something you’re likely going to use daily and will last way longer than the pan of bronzer you’re using it with, making it a worthy investment. So if you’re ready to splurge, go for it—there’s certainly no shortage of pricey picks to choose from.

But we’re going to let you in on a little secret: There’s truly no need to buy expensive makeup brushes. The drugstore is home to a litany of ah-mazing brushes that can go head-to-head with their pricier counterparts when it comes to efficacy.

Save your cash and add any (or all) of these best drugstore makeup brushes to your stash.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Walmart

This brand repeatedly earns our praise for offering a whole host of ultra-affordable products, and tools are no exception. Byrdie’s Senior Social Manager Kelly Gallagher is a big fan of all of the brushes they make, but if you want to try just one, make it this guy. With a dome-shaped head and tightly-packed bristles, it can be used to apply—and then seamlessly blend—basically any kind of powder or liquid product.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta

Byrdie Associate Editor Holly Rhue raves about this line of affordable brushes; try out some of their best ones with this convenient kit. It comes with five different brushes to meet all of your makeup needs, all made with eco-conscious bamboo handles. If you’re looking to revamp your entire brush collection in one fell swoop, this is the way to do it.

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Yes, this brush costs less than an iced coffee. The large, fluffy bristles are choice for evenly dusting on any and every kind of powder product, picking up just the right amount. (And they’re completely cruelty-free and vegan, too.)

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You don’t need 18943 different brushes for eyeshadow application. This set of two gets the job done, no matter what kind of look you’re going for. One features tapered bristles to apply shadow all over your lid, the other, softer bristles ideal for blending colors into the crease. Also nice: The synthetic bristles work well with either cream or powder shadows.

Buy on Cvs.com

Applying foundation with a brush is one of the pro makeup artist secrets and techniques that can make a huge difference. Try it with this brush; its domed and slightly tapered head is ideal for applying and blending in your favorite base.

Buy on Morphe.com

Use the firm angled side to precisely place any kind of powder or pomade throughout your arches. Then, flip it over and brush through with the built-in spoolie. Brow perfection made easy.

Flower Beauty Ultimate Blush & Contour Brush

Buy on Flowerbeauty.com

Forget mascara or concealer, it’s blush that would truly be one our desert island must-have. Dust it on with this beauty of a brush. Nice and fluffy bristles pick up and deposit product perfectly. And as an added bonus, the angled shape pulls double duty for dabbing contour color along your cheekbones or jawline.

Sonia Kashuk Essential Flat Top Concealer Brush

Buy on Target

No matter whether you’re working with a cream or liquid concealer, this brush is ideal. A flat top buffs and blends the product into skin, helping you to camouflage imperfections without calling any attention to the makeup itself. We also appreciate that it comes with a convenient cap that’s perfect for travel and keeping the brush clean.

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Fan brushes are choice for dusting on highlighter and creating that coveted, lit-from-within glow every one craves. The flat bristles and fanned shape of this one make it easy to place product exactly on cheekbones, browbones, and the bridge of your nose, exactly where you want that glow. Bonus points for the synthetic, cruelty-free bristles.

Buy on Blackopalbeauty.com

A lip brush is an ideal way to get an ultra-precise application of any bold lip color; use it to either dab on the color directly, or dab it in a touch of makeup remover and use it to wipe off any smudges of color and create a crisp border. The stiff (yet soft) bristles and rounded tip on this brush are ideal for either purpose.

Buy on Essencemakeup.com

The short shape and densely packed bristles of kabuki brushes make them choice for using with any kind of pressed or loose powders, giving you a beautifully diffused application. This cruelty-free pick is one of our favorites, and also has the added benefit of fun packaging that will be easy to spot in any makeup bag or bathroom drawer. Speaking of, the smaller size also makes it great for stashing in your purse.

Buy on Ulta Buy on Nyxcosmetics.com

Believe it, brushes aren’t just for applying makeup. They’re also a great way to effectively and evenly apply any pre-makeup skincare such as serums, and/or primer. We’re fans of this totally unique-looking brush, which features bristles of various lengths to create a nubby type texture; the grooves in between make it easy to seamlessly cover your entire face with product.

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 drugstore makeup brushes from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses 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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