The 15 Best Eyeshadow Brushes That Should Be in Every Makeup Kit

Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

There are two equally common and valid ways to apply eyeshadow: with your fingers and with brushes. Don't get us wrong, we love the resourcefulness of blending on pigments with your fingertips, but there's just something so nice about having a makeup kit stacked with all of the best eyeshadow brushes to help you pull off Instagram-level eye-makeup looks. From fluffy blending brushes to flat, dense brushes designed to pack on cream formulas, there are a handful of eye-makeup brushes that everyone should own to take their makeup game to a whole new level.

When it comes to brushes — and makeup products in general — it never hurts to be stacked with the essentials. Think of an artist: they keep bins upon bins of tools on hand to create their masterpieces, and we think makeup should be treated in a similar fashion. The staples that every collection should contain include a variety of blending brushes, a fine-tip eyeliner brush, a couple of flat shader brushes, an angled crease brush or two, and a stiff dome eyeshadow brush. And the more you have, the less you need to wash your eyeshadow brushes between each use.

Whether you're a bona-fide vlogger with a fully stocked toolkit looking to add some new options into the mix or a makeup beginner starting from scratch, we rounded up the best eyeshadow brushes to buy for sweeping and blending pigment across your eyelids ahead.

Best Eyeshadow-Brush Assortment: Sephora Collection Essential Eye Brush Set
sephora.com

Best Eyeshadow-Brush Assortment: Sephora Collection Essential Eye Brush Set

The Sephora Collection Essential Eye Brush Set ($29) contains five brushes in total — two standard shadow brushes, a crease brush, a smudge brush, and a brow brush — at an affordable price. They are vegan and contain extra-soft bristles.

Best Eyeshadow Brush For Detail Work: Morphe Mini Firm Blending Eyeshadow Brush
morphe.com

Best Eyeshadow Brush For Detail Work: Morphe Mini Firm Blending Eyeshadow Brush

The Morphe Mini Firm Blending Eyeshadow Brush ($8) is great for detail work and precise eye-makeup looks. The smaller tip allows you to apply eyeshadow pigments on top of each other with ease.

Best Eyeshadow Brush For Eyeliner: E.l.f. Cosmetics Angled Eyeliner Brush
elfcosmetics.com

Best Eyeshadow Brush For Eyeliner: E.l.f. Cosmetics Angled Eyeliner Brush

Every makeup kit needs an eyeliner brush, and we love the E.l.f. Cosmetics Angled Eyeliner Brush ($4) because the bend in the handle makes it easy to create smooth lines. Use it with liquid eyeliner or eyeshadow to create graphic or cat-eye makeup looks.

Best Environmentally Friendly Eyeshadow Brushes: EcoTools Daily Defined Eye Kit
ulta.com

Best Environmentally Friendly Eyeshadow Brushes: EcoTools Daily Defined Eye Kit

Not only do you get five brushes in the EcoTools Daily Defined Eye Kit ($9), but it also comes in a convenient traveling case. The soft brushes, which range from superfine tip to fluffy blending options, are made from renewable bamboo and recycled aluminum.

Best Affordable Eyeshadow Brushes: Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Makeup Brush Set
ulta.com

Best Affordable Eyeshadow Brushes: Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Makeup Brush Set

You can't beat the deal you get with the Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Makeup Brush Set ($20). The eight-piece set has everything you need to step up your eye-makeup game without breaking the bank.

Best Powder Eyeshadow Brush: Fenty Beauty Plush Eyeshadow Brush 240
sephora.com

Best Powder Eyeshadow Brush: Fenty Beauty Plush Eyeshadow Brush 240

Create dazzling eyeshadow looks with the Fenty Beauty Plush Eyeshadow Brush 240 ($24). Use it on powder or cream eyeshadow for a soft, diffused look.

Best Shader Eyeshadow Brush: Sigma Beauty E20 Short Shader Brush
nordstrom.com

Best Shader Eyeshadow Brush: Sigma Beauty E20 Short Shader Brush

The dense, short bristles of the Sigma Beauty E20 Short Shader Brush ($15) allow you to pack on pigment for a super-saturated look, kind of like your fingers. You can also hold it sideways and use it as an eyeliner brush.

Best Cream Eyeshadow Brush: MAC 242 Synthetic Shader Brush
ulta.com

Best Cream Eyeshadow Brush: MAC 242 Synthetic Shader Brush

The firm paddle shape of the MAC 242 Synthetic Shader Brush ($28) makes it best suited for applying cream or emollient eyeshadow formulas.

Best Angled Eyeshadow Brush: Luxie 207 Medium Angled Shading Brush
luxiebeauty.com

Best Angled Eyeshadow Brush: Luxie 207 Medium Angled Shading Brush

Not only does the Luxie 207 Medium Angled Shading Brush ($8) look pretty sitting on your vanity, but it's super functional, too. Use it to blend eyeshadow into your crease, or if you're on the go and down a few tools, sweep on some highlighter with it, too.

Best Crease Eyeshadow Brush: Giorgio Armani Large Maestro Contouring Eye Brush
neimanmarcus.com

Best Crease Eyeshadow Brush: Giorgio Armani Large Maestro Contouring Eye Brush

The Giorgio Armani Large Maestro Contouring Eye Brush ($38) is a uniquely shaped, round, tightly packed brush with short, angled bristles, which makes it great for smudging cream or powder eyeshadow into your crease.

Best Packaging on an Eyeshadow Brush: Moda Angle Eye Blender Makeup Brush
walmart.com

Best Packaging on an Eyeshadow Brush: Moda Angle Eye Blender Makeup Brush

For just $4, the Moda Angle Eye Blender Makeup Brush ($4) stacks up against brushes triple its price. It also comes in a variety of fun colors.

Best Basic Eyeshadow Brush: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Eye Shadow Brush
macys.com

Best Basic Eyeshadow Brush: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Eye Shadow Brush

The Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Eye Shadow Brush ($37) is the ultimate multitasker. Use it to shade, buff, pack, and blend cream and powder pigments onto your eyelids.

Best Multitasking Eyeshadow Brushes: Sonia Kashuk Essential Collection Complete Eye Makeup Brush Set
target.com

Best Multitasking Eyeshadow Brushes: Sonia Kashuk Essential Collection Complete Eye Makeup Brush Set

The five-piece Sonia Kashuk Essential Collection Complete Eye Makeup Brush Set ($20) makes a great gift. The brushes are top-notch quality and a welcome addition to any makeup stash.

Best Packing Eyeshadow Brush: Urban Decay The Finger Brush
sephora.com

Best Packing Eyeshadow Brush: Urban Decay The Finger Brush

Aptly named The Finger Brush ($26), this short, stubby eyeshadow brush from Urban Decay mimics your fingertip, allowing you to apply thick layers of product.

Best Travel Eyeshadow Brush: Makeup by Mario EF 1 Makeup Brush
sephora.com

Best Travel Eyeshadow Brush: Makeup by Mario EF 1 Makeup Brush

The dual-sided Makeup by Mario EF 1 Makeup Brush ($22) is great for travel or keeping in your work bag, because you can create a multidimensional eye-makeup look with it.