Anyone who wears makeup knows that the tools you use can have as big of an impact on the final result as the makeup itself. For example, creating a smooth base of foundation or concealer is made much easier with the right brush.
With hundreds of options available, choosing the right makeup brush can feel overwhelming, especially when some come with ridiculous price tags. If you want great quality without the price premium, we’ve rounded up our top picks for affordable brushes of all types – all of which are under $20.
Best budget all-rounder brush
This brush from Real Techniques is very versatile as it can be used for applying foundation and powder as well as for blending contour. Its compact size also makes it easy to carry in your purse or take travelling. Priced at less than $15 and boasting an impressive 4.8 stars from over 120 reviews on Adore Beauty, it’s an affordable pick that doesn’t compromise on quality – making it our overall top choice.
Makeup brush sets
If you’re just starting your makeup brush collection or you’re dissatisfied with your current ones, a brush set is often the easiest and most affordable option. With plenty of choices on the market, we’ve rounded up our top picks, with each brush costing less than $20.
The e.l.f brand is well known for delivering quality beauty products at budget-friendly prices and this 10-piece kit is a great example. It features nine brushes plus a makeup sponge, covering everything from foundation and concealer to blush, contour, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyeliner and even eyebrows. For under $60, it’s got everything you need to achieve a full face of makeup.
Real Techniques is another trusted name in affordable makeup tools and this everyday set has all the basics covered. It includes four versatile brushes – a large powder/blending brush, a foundation/concealer brush, a highlighter brush and a small eyeshadow brush, along with the brand’s popular makeup sponge for liquid products. At $44.99, it's a great set for beginners on a budget.
If you’re more into detailed eye looks rather than base products, this 12-piece vegan brush set from e.l.f is worth considering. As well as three larger brushes for foundation, powder and bronzer, this set includes multiple sized eyeshadow brushes, a lip defining brush and a lash and brow wand – all for under $35.
Exclusive to Adore Beauty, this set of seven brushes comes in a textured vegan leather bag that can be used as a makeup bag when travelling. The set includes a foundation buffing brush, domed bronzed brush, angled blush brush, precision complexion brush, eye shader, eye blender and an angled detail brush. For just $50, it offers good value.
Best specialised makeup brushes
Foundation brush
For just $14, this brush from e.l.f Cosmetics is a solid pick. Its densely packed bristles make it easy to achieve smooth, even blending and buildable coverage with both liquid and cream formulas.
Concealer brush
Concealer is great for masking blemishes and brightening under eye circles, but blending it seamlessly without creasing can be difficult. A small concealer brush makes the process much easier, especially around delicate areas like the eyes. The Expert Concealer Brush from Real Techniques is perfectly sized for pressing the product in the skin and covering imperfections, and it costs under $20.
Powder brush
Usually costing $40, this powder brush from the Sephora Collection is currently on sale for just $20. This fluffy powder brush allows you to load it with powder and apply over makeup to set it in place.
If the above pick isn’t on sale or you want an even cheaper option, the e.l.f Cosmetics Kabuki Face Brush is our recommendation. Kabuki brushes are dome shaped with densely packed bristles, designed to evenly distribute products like setting powder, bronzer and highlighter across large areas of the face. While it’s an excellent pick for quick, all-over application, it’s less suited for targeting smaller or more precise areas. For that, we recommend the Spectrum A01 Domed Powder Brush ($16.95).
Blending brush for contour, blush and highlighter
Applying contour, blush and highlighter can be tricky, but the right brush makes it much easier. While it’s marketed as an angled blush brush, this tool from Adore Beauty works just as well for cream, powder or liquid contour and highlighter thanks to its versatile shape. For a more affordable alternative, the Putty Blush Brush from e.l.f Cosmetics offers a similar design for just $10.
Eyeshadow brush
When it comes to eyeshadow, one brush rarely does it all, especially if you want to use more than one colour or create some dimension on your eyes. This set from Real Techniques includes two different sized brushes for blending and shaping, plus a dual-ended brow brush, giving you everything you need for both eyeshadow application and brow definition, all for less than $22.
Eyebrow brush
If you only need a dedicated brow tool, the dual-ended brow brush from the above set is also available on its own. Featuring a spoolie for shaping and brushing brows on one end and a precise angled brush on the other, it makes tidying and filling brows much easier. At under $15 for the two implements, this product offers good value, although it’s better value when purchased as part of the above Shade and Blend Duo Set.
Beauty blender
If you’re like me and prefer using a beauty blender to apply foundation, this is my top pick for a good quality, affordable option. While you can grab cheaper versions at your local pharmacy or in bulk packets from Amazon, they often lose their shape quickly and don’t last very long. I’ve gone through several of these sponges and they hold up really well with regular use. They’re soft, easy to use and simple to clean – I just use soap and water after each use and let them dry and they last me for months. At under $9, it’s a staple in my makeup bag.
FAQs
Is a cheap makeup brush worse quality than a more expensive one?
Not necessarily. High end brands often charge more because they use premium materials like natural horse hair and spend extra on design and branding. That said, a well-made affordable brush from a reputable brand like Real Techniques or e.l.f can give very similar results. The key is to do your research and avoid brushes that are ridiculously cheap, because these are more likely to shed, lose shape and need replacing after a few uses. With the right choice, you can get great results without paying a premium.
Do brush sets offer better value than buying individual brushes?
If you are looking to buy multiple types of brushes at the same time, you can often save some money by opting for a brush set. A brush set is particularly useful if you’re starting your collection from scratch, however if you only need one specific brush, buying individually can save you money and prevent unnecessary extras.
Can I use the same brush for multiple products?
It depends on the products. Many brushes can be quite versatile – for example a foundation brush can usually also be used for concealer, and a fluffy powder brush works well with bronzer and setting powder. However, using the same brush for very different products – such as foundation and eyeshadow – without cleaning it in between can affect application. You might end up with eyeshadow on your cheeks, or the brush may not perform well if it’s not designed for certain formulas, like liquids.
How often should I clean my makeup brushes?
This will depend on how often you use them. According to beauty retailer Mecca, ideally, you should spot clean your brushes and sponges after every use to avoid buildup and bacteria from forming but if this isn’t realistic, cleaning your brushes every one to two weeks is also fine. Regularly cleaning makeup brushes will help keep your skin healthy and also help your brushes last longer and perform better.
If you want more budget beauty recommendations, we also have guides on some of the best budget foundation, makeup removers and cleansers.
