Makeup brushes aren’t just for the pros—or people who wear a lot of makeup. They make applying makeup—at any skill level—much easier. Using a makeup brush helps effortlessly blend and build cream, powder, or liquid formulas with incredible precision so they work just as well for a natural, no-makeup look as they do for a full-on glam smokey eye. The best ones have high-performance bristles and intuitive handles like Westman Atelier’s or Otis Batterbee’s—which are both made with soft nylon bristles and birchwood handles.
Taking care of your brushes can really boost their performance and it’s simple. Clean them at least once a week to protect your skin from oil, dirt, and debris. Cleansing them regularly also preserves the brushes themselves, too so you can keep them in the best shape for longer.