Are you using the right foundation brush? Here's how to tell... (2025)

You've spent forever finding the best foundation, trawling the internet for reviews, swatching and swiping in the aisles of your local drugstore, all in the hopes of finding 'the one'. When you finally meet your match and get hold of a formula that does it all (gives a glow, great coverage, looks natural... the ushze), you need a foundation brush that's just as wonderful.

But whether you're blending liquids, creams or powders, finding the best foundation brush isn't always easy. Do you opt for a full coverage kabuki-esque brush, like the ZOEVA 104 Foundation Buffer, to buff in foundation and give a flawless finish? Or perhaps you prefer something a little more lightweight? Then it's worth picking up a duo-fibre brush, like the Refy Complexion Brush, to give a sheer (but totally buildable) finish. When it comes to powder foundations, we love a flat-top brush, packed with bristles, just like the Real Technique's Face + Body Blender. It picks up plenty of product and distributes it evenly across the complexion.

Moral of the story? Different brushes = different finishes. So, we're making things a whole lot simpler by rounding up the best applicators for every look, whether you prefer creams, liquids, powders or sticks, now you can find your foundation's perfect partner...

The short, tightly-packed bristles in this kabuki brush work perfectly for buffing both cream and powder foundations into the skin. The soft bristles pick up powder evenly and can either be pressed into the skin or swept over in small, circular motions. It's not just a winner for foundation, the brush can also be used for body makeup and bronzer. Win, win.

This vegan foundation brush has a big, flat top that makes it quicker and easier than ever to apply foundation. The dense bristles ensure that it remains 100% streak-free and leaves creams and liquids perfectly blended into the skin.

The firmly packed, duo-fibre bristles make it easy to buff cream and liquid foundations into the skin. The domed head allows you to get into all the nooks and crannies of your face, and diffuse the foundation perfectly. We recommend dotting foundation wherever you need, then using the brush in small, circular motions to blend out.

A stippling foundation brush is the key to rapid (read: last minute) application in the morning and bareMinerals' does just that. The long dual-fibre synthetic bristles allow for control and its dome shaped tip allows for any easy blend and airbrushed results.

The rounded tip of this foundation brush allows you to deliver precise coverage to specific areas that may need a little extra attention - think, around the nose and eyes. The synthetic bristles work well with both thicker creams and liquids to help deliver a smooth finish.

There's a reason half of Youtube is using these little pink sponges, and that's because the egg-shaped applicator blends foundation like nothing else. Created by makeup artist, Rea Ann Silva, the BeautyBlender was designed in order to deliver a high-coverage finish, that still looks natural on the skin. It works best when dampened down, then patted over the face to diffuse foundation. If you struggle with dryness or a patchy finish, this will be your new go-to.

This brush is a staple for pro MUA Joy Adenuga and she’s now made it available to the public! It’s small enough that you can perfectly buff and blend your whole face for a flawless base. The flat top makes it ace smoothing out any application mistakes too.

This foundation brush mimics skin-to-skin application. So, it basically gives the same finish as when you apply your foundation with your fingers but feels less messy. The tapered shape is great for application around the eye and nose so you don't miss any bits.