10 Best Drugstore Foundation Brushes Your Skin Will Love!

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Helping us take on what makes us self-conscious, the foundation is an essential piece of an MUA kit and a staple in many amateur artistsโ€™ routines.

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But if you’re unsure where to start, you’ll find this article about the best drugstore foundation brushes helpful in your decision process.

Tired of your current foundation brush? These are the best drugstore foundation brushes your skin will love.

Applied with brushes, sponges, silicone, or – messily – your hands, it hides blemishes and dark circles to present a fresher face when youโ€™re feeling worn down.

Having seen a boom in business over the last decade, makeup manufacturers are in their thousands, each seeming to offer a new and better set of brushes.

makeup brushes

You might already have a favorite, but using the right brush for your formula and desired finish is important, especially if things seem a bit patchy.

Whilst popular YouTubers would have you believe the hot new $50 release from a designer label is best for your face, a high price tag does not equal a quality brush.

Best Drugstore Foundation Brushes

Itโ€™s just as possible to achieve a flawless finish using a more budget-friendly drugstore product, so long as you know what to look for.

Weโ€™ve performed thorough research to bring you our top five affordable foundation brushes, saving you time, money, and frustration when you get ready.

A clear, concise buyerโ€™s guide lays out exactly what budding brush experts should look for, and answers to burning customer questions can be found in the FAQS.

Need Full Coverage Now? Hereโ€™s Our Top Pick:

Our Top Picks for The Best Drugstore Foundation Brushes

1. RealTechniques Professional Foundation Brush

From a trustworthy brand that makes high-end beauty affordable to shoppers in a hurry, we suggest this RealTechniques brush, promising even application every time.

Successfully conceal, highlight, contour, and shade with a versatile face brush suited for cream and liquid foundation or blushers. Ultra-firm synthetic bristles nestle together to make a broad head for excellent buffing results and a seamless, airbrushed finish.

Made from taklon, theyโ€™re non-porous, less prone to breakage, and wonโ€™t trap or absorb your makeup as you apply, saving you even more money in the long run. 

Medium to full coverage is easily obtainable, and like every other brush from RealTechniques, itโ€™s cruelty-free and ethically produced.

Well-made, sturdy, and attractive to display on your dresser, they clean up easily using brush shampoo and warm water and will surely be your sidekick for years to come.

Pros:

  • Suitable for use with cream and liquid foundation
  • Professional coverage at drugstore prices
  • Well-made and simple to maintain
  • Synthetic, non-absorbent bristles – cruelty-free production, too

Cons:

  • Not suitable for powders
Real Techniques Foundation Makeup Blender, Kabuki Brush For Face or Body Makeup, Works With Liquid or Cream Foundation, No Handle, Blend & Buff Makeup, Dense Synthetic Bristles, 1 Count
  • The Real Techniques Foundation Makeup Blender features small, dense bristles for blending & buffing for flawless coverage that's...
  • RT 213 features a dense, domed bristles that blend and buff for even coverage, can be used with bronzers
  • Provides smooth, high-definition results with small, dense bristles to blend and buff for flawless coverage
  • Best used with liquid, cream, or powder foundation
  • Blend, dab, and bluff for controlled blending

Last update on 2024-03-22 at 14:56 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


2. Wet n Wild Foundation Brush

Vegan makeup lovers rejoice! This Wet nโ€™ Wild collection is beautiful, friendly to our furry friends, and 100% cruelty-free, never to be tested on animals.

Such an incredibly low price tag might feel off-putting, but the thousands of five-star customer reviews donโ€™t lie. Sometimes, simple is just better!

Expertly created with densely-packed bristles, it picks up any formula – no matter cream, liquid, or powder – to suit any user, whatever product they use.

Balancing firm and soft for that application sweet spot, youโ€™ll attain a streakless finish thanks to polymax fibers that mimic the consistency of natural hair.

As a result, it holds all kinds of makeup effortlessly, picking up product at the gentlest of touches with no opportunity for absorption.

Designed with amateurs in mind, the ergonomic handle offers total control for newbies and makeup masters alike.

Pros:

  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • It is the most economical purchase on the list
  • Suitable for all foundation formulas
  • Wonโ€™t absorb and waste your product

Cons:

  • It is more fan-shaped than the advertised images might suggest
wet n wild Foundation Brush, Makeup Brush for Mineral & Liquid Makeup, Plush Fibers, Ergonomic Handle
  • VEGAN MAKEUP BRUSHES: Your search for the perfect brush is over! This foundation brush is expertly designed with densely-packed...
  • FOR THE FACE: wet n wild face makeup brushes feature synthetic bristles that are soft on skin, and fit perfectly in your hand in...
  • CRUELTY FREE: wet n wild cosmetics are 100% cruelty-free & not tested on animals. We also carry vegan makeup & tools such as...
  • EYES LIPS FACE: Reorganize makeup bags, train cases, and your vanity with cosmetic brushes and products that are perfect for full...
  • WILD ONES: As America's #1 value brand, our beauty products are the best-priced & all inclusive. Our lipstick, foundation, primer...

Last update on 2024-03-20 at 16:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


3. NYX Canโ€™t Stop Wonโ€™t Stop Foundation Brush

For matte makeup all day, the Canโ€™t Stop Wonโ€™t Stop foundation brush is designed for effortless application of long-wear foundation with a soft, angled design.

Bristles are synthetic and designed to hug the curves of your face – one swipe, they say, and youโ€™ll ditch your old brush forever, so itโ€™s worth the extra few bucks.

Made specifically for buffing, itโ€™s easy to glide across those facial contours for a smooth, patch-free finish you can be proud of.

Working in harmony with their professional makeup range, pick up their Canโ€™t Stop Wonโ€™t Stop foundation to try if you want to see how well this brush performs.

On the firmer side, but not entirely stiff, the bristles wonโ€™t separate upon contact with your face, nor will they absorb any makeup, so your foundation will last longer, too!

Those well-versed in Beauty Gurus might recognize this brush as a staple in Jackie Ainaโ€™s collection, which is enough endorsement!

foundation brushes in drugstore

All NYX products are certified cruelty-free and not animals tested by PETA.  Only humans test these babies: use guilt-free in the knowledge theyโ€™re made for you.

Pros:

  • Works well with liquid foundation 
  • Full coverage is more than achievable
  • Angled to fit the contours of your face
  • In the sweet spot between firm and soft

Cons:

  • Pricier than other brushes weโ€™ve chosen
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation Brush
  • For All Day Matte Makeup: Our Canโ€™t Stop Wonโ€™t Stop Foundation Brush is the first step in your quest for a matte makeup...
  • Love Your Longwear Foundation: Soft, synthetic bristles designed to hold liquids, placed at an angle to hug the curves of the...
  • Pro Artistry Brushes: Brush up on your pro artistry skills and outfit your kit with the best tools for the job; For eyeshadow,...
  • Cruelty Free Cosmetics: We believe animals belong in our arms, not in a lab; All of our makeup is certified and acknowledged by...
  • Discover NYX Professional Makeup: Try all of our professional makeup products today from eyeshadow, eyeliner, and false lashes to...

Last update on 2024-03-20 at 16:11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


4. EcoTools Flat Foundation Brush

As the name suggests, everything EcoTools manufactures is as good for the planet as it is for your face, produced from recycled aluminum and plastic.

High-quality, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free brushes are hard to find, but this flat brush applicator evenly coats your face with cream or liquid.

Effortless blending can be achieved with its flat, paintbrush-like design, and its smaller size means under-eye and around-the-nose applying is a breeze.

Super-soft bristles allow you to look as good as youโ€™ll feel using this sustainable brush, with long and short strokes equally possible for full-face coverage.

Produced from 80% bamboo fibers and 20% cotton, its packaging is completely tree-free, too, so itโ€™s probably the most Earth-friendly makeup brush you could get!

Pros:

  • Eco-friendly, cruelty-free brushes
  • Stick to a budget but still achieve salon-perfect makeup
  • Easy to use – suits professionals and amateurs alike
  • 100% recyclable packaging

Cons:

  • It can lose shape after washing if not dried correctly
EcoTools Classic Foundation Makeup Brush, For Liquid & Cream Foundation, Streak-Free Makeup, Buildable Coverage, Eco-Friendly, Dense, Synthetic Bristles, Bamboo Handle, Vegan & Cruelty-Free 1 Count
  • The EcoTools Classic Foundation Brush is designed with flat, dense bristles to create a smooth and flawless base
  • Perfect to use with both liquid and cream foundations
  • The classic foundation brush provides flawless full coverage makeup application
  • The brush applies foundation evenly and creates a streak-free coverage
  • Use the brush to smoothly cover under-eye circles and imperfections

Last update on 2024-03-20 at 16:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


5. e.l.f cosmetics Ultimate Blending Brush

A household name for most makeup lovers, the Ultimate Blending Brush from e.l.f takes a dome shape and makes it universally usable, no matter the formula of your foundation.

Picking up just the right amount of product, designed to achieve a professional look, ultra-fine, hand-cut, and shaped fibers are expertly assembled for a luxury experience.

It didnโ€™t win the Teen Vogue 2018 Acne Awards for Best Foundation Brush for no reason – itโ€™s ergonomically designed to rest perfectly in your hand and deliver impeccable results.

Youโ€™ll be surprised at the quality you get from e.l.f at these drugstore prices, as over a thousand five-star reviews will attest, though itโ€™s entirely legitimate.

Brilliant for use personally or professionally, youโ€™ll easily attain seamless, even coverage whether youโ€™re sculpting, blending, or buffing out.

Simple and swift to clean, like every brush in this collection, itโ€™s cruelty-free, vegan, and 100% free of nasties like phthalates, parabens, and other skin-destroying chemicals.

Pros:

  • Affordable prices from a reputable brand
  • Cruelty, chemical, and animal-testing free
  • Works with liquid, cream, or powder formulas
  • Hand-cut, hand-shaped fibers created by actual artists
e.l.f. Ultimate Blending Brush, Dome-Shaped Makeup Tool For Applying & Blending Foundation, Bronzer & Blush, Made With Vegan, Cruelty-Free Bristles
  • ACHIEVES FLAWLESS COVERAGE: The large dome-shaped head and densely packed bristles maneuver in and around the crevices and...
  • MULTI-USE & VERSATILE: The brush picks up the perfect amount of product to build coverage with powder, liquid, or mousse formulas...
  • FOR EXPERT RESULTS: The e.l.f. Ultimate Blending Brush is specially designed to allow you to achieve advanced makeup techniques...
  • LUXE TREATMENT: The ultra-fine fibers are hand cut, shaped, and assembled by artisans for expert craftsmanship offering a luxury...
  • 100% VEGAN & SYNTHETIC BRISTLES: All e.l.f. bruhses are made of synthetic, vegan fibers. All e.l.f. products are 100% cruelty-free...

Last update on 2024-03-20 at 16:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


6. FLOWER Beauty Foundation Buffing Brush

This Foundation Buffing Brush from FLOWER Beauty is one of the best drugstore makeup brushes that buff liquid, cream, and powder products.

This angled brush allows you to blend and buff your makeup easily, giving you that seamless finish. With its ultra-soft synthetic bristles, it not only provides a streak-free finish, but it’s built to stand the test of time.

And guess what? This brand was founded by Drew Barrymore, no less!

Pros:

  • Tightly-packed bristles, slightly angled tip
  • Versatile beauty tool that can be used on liquid, cream, and powder products
  • Ultra-soft synthetic bristles built to last

Cons:

  • It can be quite pricey

Last update on 2024-03-22 at 14:56 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Honest Beauty Foundation Brush

Next is the Honest Beauty Foundation Brush, a bamboo brush that is great for all skin types. You’ll never go wrong with the bamboo brush and synthetic bristles combo.

Sure, there are other affordable brushes, but no brush for foundation with renewable bamboo is as great as this one.

And with soft, fluffy bristles that blend foundation into the skin effortlessly, you’ll achieve that natural finish as easy as 1,2,3!

best drugstore brushes

Honest Beauty also offers other brushes, such as loose powder, eyeshadow, and crease brushes. They have the basics of what would work best with your beauty products.

Pros:

  • It sets your skin up for success
  • Effortlessly and evenly blend foundation into the skin
  • Works for all skin types
  • Cruelty-free
  • Renewable bamboo + synthetic bristles

Cons:

  • It can be quite pricey
Honest Beauty Foundation Brush | Even Blending for Natural Coverage | Renewable Bamboo, Synthetic Bristles | Cruelty Free
  • The foundation brush that sets your skin up for success
  • Effortlessly and evenly blend foundation into the skin
  • Works for all skin types
  • Cruelty free
  • MADE WITH: renewable bamboo + synthetic bristles

Last update on 2024-03-22 at 14:56 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. Lune+Aster Foundation Brush

What else could it be for a luxury drugstore brush without the Lune+Aster Foundation Brush? For $38, expect this quality makeup brush to leave your skin with a flawless, natural-looking finish.

With its ergonomic handle and angled vegan bristles, it is designed to precisely apply any stick, powder, or cream product for a radiant, smooth finish.

It is a great addition to your makeup routine that seamlessly blends any type of foundation!

Pros:

  • It is designed for flawless makeup application of liquid, stick, or liquid formulas
  • Vegan angled brush head
  • Short, ergonomic design for handle
  • Cruelty-free

Cons:

  • It is quite pricey

Last update on 2024-03-22 at 14:56 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

9. MAC 170 Synthetic Rounded Slant Brush

We all love high-quality makeup brushes that can justify their price, and this rounded brush from MAC is one of them. This has been a favorite makeup brush by the ladies.

Its slightly domed, dense bristles are made for the smooth application of thick cream or liquid products. It also includes professional-quality wooden handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

And did you know MAC brushes are hand-sculpted? Yep, and of the finest quality materials at that. So you know this rounded slant brush is more than an expensive brush; it is a worthwhile investment.

Pros:

  • Hand-sculpted dome-shaped brush for smooth application, assembled using the finest-quality materials
  • Made with high-grade synthetic fibres
  • Non-porous fibres that are easy to clean
  • Vegan

Cons:

  • It is quite pricey

Last update on 2024-03-22 at 14:56 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10. Yoseng Oval Foundation Brush

This toothbrush-shaped type of makeup brush makes its way to one of the foundation brushes loved by the ladies, the Yoseng Oval Foundation Brush.

It is an application, blending, and contour brush in one. It’s one of the inexpensive makeup brushes offering flawless powder, liquid, or cream formula application.

It also has superfine soft and high-density synthetic hair. Certainly a must-have tool!

oval foundation brushes

Pros:

  • Use on the face to apply, blend, or contour multiple mediums.
  • High-quality synthetic hair is perfect for holding liquids, powders, creams, etc.
  • The oval shape helps to create a fast, effortless application and seamless blending
  • Superfine soft and high-density synthetic fiber hair
Yoseng Oval Foundation Brush Large Toothbrush makeup brushes Fast Flawless Application Liquid Cream Powder Foundation
  • The most popular โ€œtoothbrush shapedโ€ makeup brush tool with the latest fashionable design.
  • Use on the face to apply,blend or contour multiple mediums.
  • High quality synthetic hair provides perfect ablity for holding liquids, powders or creams etc.,also oval shape helps to create...
  • Superfine soft and high density synthetic fiber hair enable you a smooth silky-soft make up journey with a sense of luxury
  • Suitable for Professional use or Home use

Last update on 2024-03-22 at 14:56 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Best Drugstore Foundation Brushes Buyerโ€™s Guide

When picking out a new foundation brush, there are two main considerations to bear in mind: formula and finish.

Yes, these are two different things. 

Formula

Although they all do the same thing, depending on the foundationโ€™s texture or consistency, youโ€™ll want to apply it with a certain brush.

This will prevent any caking or over-application, ensuring you donโ€™t lose half your product and quickly run out thanks to absorption into the brush.

make up brushes

Liquid foundations work best with a flat brush to achieve full coverage, especially when bristles are densely packed and soft unless youโ€™re more of a sponge.

Synthetic brushes are best, as they donโ€™t retain as much of your liquid, so more makes it onto your face!

makeup brushes from drugstore

Cream makeup foundations benefit from using a flatter, more painterly brush, blending under your eyes or around the nose easily with a streak-free finish.

They come in various sizes, so a smaller one for detailed cover-ups and a larger option for full-face foundation days might work best.

drugstore makeup brushes

Powder foundation users should seek out a ball-shaped brush, remembering to tap off any excess product before applying it to the face.

As youโ€™re only looking for that softening, mattifying effect in the areas you feel shiny, like your t-zone, you can achieve precise strokes that target those places, blending as you go.

Finish

Natural, everyday looks that utilize minimal makeup for a fresh but flawless face only require light coverage, which can also be beneficial for those trying to avoid clogged pores.

set of drugstore brushes

This can be achieved most easily with an oval brush, mimicking the surface of a sponge for a careful coating that might not hide all imperfections but certainly gives a cleaner look.

Those who arenโ€™t bothered about achieving perfection but want something more resilient than a lighter finish can obtain medium coverage with a kabuki brush.

drugstore foundation brushes

Shaped to contour, theyโ€™re great for blending creamy formulas on top of liquid or powder without leaving those unmistakable makeup lines behind.

A full coverage look, particularly one achieved with liquid foundation, benefits from using flat, dense brushes; the softer, the better, when avoiding a blotchy face. 

foundation brushes from drugstores

Youโ€™ll never achieve the perfection that airbrushing and Photoshop can, but it might help you feel better about those parts you arenโ€™t so proud of.

A final and major consideration to bear in mind is the ethics of the brush manufacturer – all of the choices we have listed here are, at the very least, cruelty-free and not animal-tested, so be sure to read the fine print before committing to buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a brush or a sponge better for foundation?

The answer to this question will differ depending on who you ask, and it comes down to your preference – each can do the job just as well.

makeup sponge

Applying techniques vary, so you might feel more comfortable using one over the other; likewise, a sponge might be better suited to liquid application whilst brushes are best for powder all around.

Beauty blenders must be wet every time you use one, which is a pain if youโ€™re trying to reapply your foundation on the goโ€ฆ or, like me, youโ€™re too lazy to walk to the sink.

Should you wet your foundation brush before applying?

Short answer: no! This will harm your overall application and coverage, as foundation brushes are best when dry, unlike sponges. Why?

sets of drugstore brushes

If you use powder foundation, this will fail to provide you with that matte finish youโ€™re looking for, and youโ€™ll end up with not just a messy brush but a gritty face, too!

You may change the shape of your brush head by wetting, affecting your ability to buff and blend, leading to streaks and unsightly patches.

sponge and brush for foundation

It could also dilute your liquid or cream foundation, reducing coverage and impairing its chances of blending into your skin properly.

How can I get better foundation coverage?

Besides picking out the correct foundation brush for the consistency of the formula you use and the finish you want, there are a few other tips and tricks for a flawless finish.

Pre-makeup preparation is important: by keeping your skin moisturized and not skipping the primer, youโ€™ll reduce the surface oil on your face and give pigments something to stick to.

makeup foundation brushes

Applying a stippling or tapping motion instead of a buff or swipe can help create the appearance of no makeup by minimizing the visible signs of foundation wear.

By picking out a buildable formula, you can layer up your foundation to force the illusion of perfect skin without any patches or visible pores to ruin it.

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