So I talk quite a bit about makeup on this blog, especially eyeshadow palettes. It would only make sense then for me to recommend what brushes I use to bring those colorful looks to life. I mainly use brushes with synthetic bristles because they're inexpensive, they're more sanitary than animal hair, and they're widely available. They're also vegan since synthetic hair has no animal by-products.
But before you go out and purchase the first brush set (or brush, really) that you see, do keep in mind that quality is still an important thing to consider. While you might be saving on a brush, you might end up spending more if it keeps breaking, doesn't feel soft, or just isn't doing what you need for it to do. So if you're thinking of hauling a new brush set or are looking for something specific for your collection, I'm sure these brands will have what you need.
Wet N Wild
Admittedly, I don't have any makeup products from Wet N Wild because the products I like rarely make it to the Philippines. But, I am glad that their brushes are popular here because they're really great for the price, especially when you're just looking for a certain brush or brushes. I totally recommend their pro brush line over their pink and white vegan brushes that came out a couple of years ago.
Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, they are don't feel scratchy or prickly, and the bristles are densely packed. Since they're not flimsy, they blend and distribute products evenly. The handles don't feel cheap and have an ergonomic design (that dip is for your index finger and thumb to wrap around) so they can be more comfortable to hold than a standard brush.
However, some cons that I will mention is that the white bristles of the first pro line easily get stained, especially if you work with a lot of colorful and pigmented eyeshadow or liquid foundation. I've washed them vigorously and some of them still have orange or blue stains from the eyeshadows.
I will say that powder face products won't stain the bristles and that in terms of variety, Wet N Wild does have more face brushes than eye brushes. Definitely check them out if you're looking for really affordable brushes for a specific product.
e.l.f.
If you are looking for nice and dense face brushes that are really affordable and last long, you can't go wrong with an e.l.f. brush. I have had all these brushes for over 2 years, and I use most of them to apply liquid foundation, concealer, and powder. After all that time, these brushes haven't shed and the bristles don't get stained that badly either.
I especially like those two black brushes because they blend cream products so seamlessly without leaving streaks on your face because the bristles are so tightly packed. The other two brushes are from the Beautifully Precise Collection and are great too. However, they're a lot harder to find than the two black brushes from e.l.f.'s main brush line.
Since e.l.f. also really doesn't do full brush sets, eye brushes are a lot harder to find in their line. I think face brushes are more of their forte, especially for cream products.
Real Techniques
I'm sure we're all familiar with the orange sponge created by Sam and Nikki Chapman that many people love just as much as the Beauty Blender. Makeup sponges aren't the only things that Real Techniques does well, though. Their brushes are great too.
If you're looking for an eye or face brush in pretty, collectible designs, Real Techniques is the way to go. Every so often, the brand releases these small sets that have brushes for both the face and eyes. So if you're looking for a few new brushes to add to your collection, you may opt for these collections.
I only have the ones in the picture because my other brushes from this brand were dirty. The two designs you were above are from the Brush Crush and Fan-Voted Berlin collections. Not pictured are my brushes from the Eye Starter Set and the Bold Metals collection.
I will say that brush styles can be limited and repetitive, and you often think you're getting something new when you buy a new collection and end up with the same brush in a different design. Also, availability can be a problem too as Real Techniques brushes tend to sell out quickly but take a long time to get restocked. Be warned, this brand is not for the aesthetically obsessed and impatient.
BH Cosmetics
This is hands down, my favorite brush brand. I am proud to say that most of my brushes are from this brand's brush sets because that is how much I swear by the quality of their products. They give you the best value for your money and the brushes look awesome and last a long time. Another cool thing is that a lot of their brush sets come with pouches that you can use to store the brushes for travel or to use for your other belongings too.
Every set also features a nice selection of multi-use face and eye brushes so you can do a full face with just one set. I recommend BH Cosmetics for makeup lovers of all levels. Also, brush sets are also an affordable way to replace your brush collection if you're slowly transitioning to using synthetic brushes only.
So far, the Crystal Quartz, Lavish Elegance, and Metal Rose brush sets are in constant rotation in my makeup routine and if I'm being honest, I still want to pick up more of their brush sets. Whether you're a beginner, love makeup brushes, or like variety in your brush sets, BH Cosmetics has a brush set for your needs.
I will say that a big downside to this is if you only like a few brushes in a collection, there's no way to get them without ending up with a bunch of brushes you don't like or won't use. So, you will need to be thorough with these sets because they really are created to be do a full face of makeup.
Final Thoughts
I know brushes can sometimes be the first thing you might choose to get rid of when you're going cruelty-free and finding affordable alternatives that are just as good, if not better, can be really hard. So hopefully, you find this post and my thoughts helpful.
Where to get them:
Wet N Wild Brushes
e.l.f. Brushes
Real Techniques Brushes
BH Cosmetics Brush Sets
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