The best makeup brushes are the ones that do the job right without making a big mess. They're also the ones you'll actually use, so it's important that they're comfortable and easy to hold. And finally, they should be affordable enough that you don't have to choose between a good brush and buying new makeup products. Here are some of the best dense brushes on the market.
$38.00
Love this brush!...New favorite foundation brush :)...I was looking for the right brush to evenly apply my skin tints and creamy foundations.
What it is: A brush that hugs the contours of your face to seamlessly buff Stretch Foundation and Concealer (each sold separately) into skin.
Brush Formulation: Liquid / Cream
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. It is also vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
$65.00
One side is a fluffy end for light dusting application while the other end is a dense brush for cream blushes or cream contouring. ...This one is great because it works well with the brush due that he released. You can use the more dense side for the more creamy brush and the other side for the powder brush.
What it is: A dual-ended blush brush that applies both cream and powder with ease for a diffused and glowy look.
Brush Formulation: Cream and Powder
What Else You Need to Know: This is a dual-ended blush brush that applies both cream and powder with ease for a diffused and glowy look. The fluffy end is great for lightly diffusing color, while the dense end is good for cream blushes.
$47.00
Brush for cream products...I wasn’t sure what to expect when receiving this brush as I tend to go towards more dense brushes for cream products, but blends cream products nicely! ...Perfect Compact Dense Brush...This brush is a perfect dense brush for applying foundations and/or heavy creams.
What it is: An angled, dome-shaped brush that blends, buffs, and builds bronzing balms and creams.
Brush Formulation: Cream
Brush Coverage: Buildable
Bristle Type: Synthetic
What Else You Need to Know: Blend and build your bronze with this limited-edition, angled, dome-shaped brush. Its ultra-soft yet dense synthetic bristles help create a seamless application of balms and creams for a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow—no beach required. Pair with Benefit Cosmetics’ Hoola Wave bronzing balm to make waves (sold separately).
$35.00
Fluffy side for blush, dense for bronzer!!!...Okay so at first I hated this brush. I was using the dense side for blush and the fluffier one for contour/bronzer. ...I like the small sided brush more, the big one is not dense enough but does the job.
What it is: A brush made from synthetic vegan fibers, perfect for blending and picking up the small amount of product needed for building the desired color.
Brush Formulation: Cream
Brush Coverage: Buildable
Brush Handle Length: 4.72 in
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Ingredient Callouts: This product is cruelty-free.
What Else You Need to Know: The bronzer brush is a mix of two bristles. The white stippling bristles ensure an easy, streak-free application and natural finish. The smaller buffing brush contains soft, dense fibers that always pick up the right amount of product. It is slightly curved for easy control on application.
$48.00
One of the best brushes ever! I honestly love this brush so much! ...Luxe & Dense...Very dense & lush, luxe brush that applies product (bronzer, foundation, liquid blush) so seamlessly!
What it is: A dense yet incredibly soft buffing and blending brush that is designed to achieve a smooth and seamless finish.
Brush Formulation: Cream
Brush Coverage: Medium
Brush Handle Length: Three-and-a-half inches
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. It is also vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
$48.00
What it is: A dense, angled brush that is ideal for blending and buffing cream color on cheeks.
Brush Formulation: Cream
Brush Coverage: Buildable
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Ingredient Callouts: It is vegan and cruelty-free.
What Else You Need to Know: Buff, blend, build, and customize your color with an artist essential for effortless application of cream cheek formulas. A dense concentration of soft, synthetic-hair bristles holds and applies product for a seamless finish. The angled shape of the bristles blends and buffs for a natural effect.
$16.00
What it is: A cream-and-liquid highlighter brush to add shine to the high points of your face.
Brush Formulation: Cream
Brush Coverage: Buildable
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Silver Ion-Infused Bristles: Are known to have antibacterial benefits.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is cruelty-free.
What Else You Need to Know: Perfect your luminous finish with this cream- and liquid-highlighter brush. Its dense bristles tap on and buff out product for a diffused, naturally glowing effect. Use it to illuminate your collarbones and shoulders, too.
$46.00
I have all the Fenty brushes and love them all! They are high-quality and super soft and Lux! ...Perfect for the bronzer! Very soft and dense. Blends everything easily....Great sculpting brush!
What it is: A tapered bronzer brush with a custom, spade shape designed to contour the face with effortless precision.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is cruelty-free.
What Else You Need to Know: This is the perfect brush to get the ultimate sculpted definition with Sun Stalk’r Bronzer (sold separately). The silky-soft, synthetic bristles are tapered to a point for controlled placement, fitting into the hollows of cheeks, and along the jawline and temples.
$102.00
These Hourglass brushes are definitely soft, but I couldn't really tell the difference between my other high end brushes. ...To fluffy and soft for the Hourglass foundation and not dense enough for blush. I do use the smaller Hourglass brush with the cap on it for foundation and it is a must have for the foundation.
What it is:
A large, round face-powder brush.
What it does:
This multitasking brush is excellent for applying and blending both loose and pressed powder as well as foundation. The sculpted head allows for precise product-placement.
What else you need to know:
Hourglass designed their makeup brush collection to be supremely soft, decidedly luxurious, and PETA-friendly. Takelon bristles are made from high-grade synthetic fibers to maximize product application, avoid potential allergic reactions to animal fur, and promote the use of non-animal products. Hourglass Powder Brush No. 1 is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner.
Hourglass products are 100 percent cruelty-free.
