The 10 Best Blush Brushes, According to Makeup Artists and Byrdie Editors (2024)

Never underestimate the importance of a blush brush, especially when blending products. High-quality makeup brushes—including blush brushes—are always worth investing in. The right brush with the best blush can be the difference between a splotchy look and a flawlessly flushed one.

There’s no shortage of blush brushes available. Which ones are worth including on your vanity or in your makeup bag depends on what kind of blush you use, how much you want to spend, and the size and shape of your face. No need to stress or scroll through endless options, though. We researched the best of the best options, tried several ourselves, and got recommendations from professional makeup artist Jasmin Lo before landing on these brushes that’ll give you the perfect glow.

Our Top Picks

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What We Like

  • Perfectly angled to sculpt cheekbones

  • Soft yet dense bristles

  • Makes blending easy

What to Consider

  • Bristles can shed with continued use

Size: Large | Bristle Material: Synthetic

Leave it to Bobbi Brown to create the ultimate blush brush. It’s no wonder this brush has won awards; it makes applying and blending blush ridiculously easy. The soft but dense bristles are designed to pick up the ideal amount of blush, leaving behind the Goldilocks amount on your cheeks—not too much, not too little, but just right. The bristles are cut at an angle with a rounded head so they hit the entire apple of your cheek, taking out the guesswork and leaving you with natural-looking, sculpted cheekbones. The price of this brush is no joke, but it’s worth the cost for flawless and foolproof application every single time.

What We Like

  • Affordable and easy to use

  • Designed by professional makeup artists

  • Large, fluffy bristles

What to Consider

  • A little heavy to hold

Size: Large | Bristle Material: Synthetic

This brush was designed by makeup artists Sam and Nicole Chapman, so you can trust it’ll deliver a natural-looking, professional result. The soft, synthetic bristles are large, fluffy, and flexible, so you’ll get a smooth-looking finish without needing to blend excessively. We love that you can use it with powder blush and powder bronzer (so more bang for your buck). It’s a little heavy in your hand (that's the longer aluminum handle) but is still comfortable to use. It's also a breeze to clean. (You do clean your makeup brushes regularly, right? Right.)

What We Like

  • Made from recycled materials

  • Cut for precise application

  • Can be used with cream or powder blushes

What to Consider

  • May be too soft for hard-to-blend formulas

Size: Large | Bristle Material: Synthetic

A blush brush that is good for your face, your budget, and the planet? We’re sold. This sustainably-made brush is crafted from super soft bamboo and recycled materials and is wrapped in minimal packaging too. The unique square cut of the bristles—all 70,000 of them—deliver precise pigment application so you can sculpt your cheeks like a pro. You can use it with cream or powder blushes and highlighters, too, though we’d save this soft-bristled brush for looser powders. Plus, check out that price. If you're looking foraffordable makeup brushes, it doesn't get any better.

What We Like

  • Works with all kinds of powders

  • Tapered for precise application

  • Also works for highlighting

What to Consider

  • Bristles can shed

Size: Small | Bristle Material: Synthetic

This brush does it all, from contouring to applying powder and swiping on blush, of course. Thanks to its multitasking tapered end, it can highlight your cheekbones, nose, and cupid’s bow. It can also shade your temples or the hollows of your cheekbones to sculpt your features. We love that this brush works with both loose and pressed powder, and the delicate fibers make for precise application no matter what product you’re brushing on. It’s pricey, that’s for sure, but considering how versatile it is, we think it’s worth every penny.

What We Like

  • Makes blending easy with versatile brush heads

  • PETA-approved

  • Gives a soft, airbrushed finish

What to Consider

  • A little heavy to hold

Size: Medium | Bristle Material: Taklon

The only thing better than a luxurious blush brush is a luxurious dual-ended blush brush like this one from Hourglass. It features a duo of soft, PETA-approved Taklon brush heads—one that’s rounded and one tapered. Both make blending ultra easy and help give you a soft, airbrushed look. Try using the rounded side to carve out cheekbones or apply an allover color. The smaller tapered side precisely applies blush and highlighters. Considering it’s a two-in-one design, this one is a solid value. The only downside is it's heavier to hold than others we've tried.

What We Like

  • Can be used to blend with all cream products; multiuse

  • Chic design

  • Natural-looking end result

What to Consider

  • Can take some getting used to

Size: Small | Bristle Material: Synthetic

Okay, okay so technically, this MERIT brush is an allover complexion brush. Still—trust us on this one— the dense, flat tip of it works incredibly well with creamy blush products. Since cream blushes tend to get sucked up into brushes more easily, you want one that's designed to spread the product around rather than absorb it, like a foundation or tinted moisturizer brush. Just pat the product onto your cheek area with your fingers, then blend it in using this guy that deserves a front-and-center spot on your vanity. It takes some practice to get the blending just right, but once you get the hang of it, you’re guaranteed a natural-looking flush every time.

What We Like

  • Easy and comfortable to hold

  • Tapered for precise application

  • Agnled to sculpt cheekbones

What to Consider

  • Bristles are a little stiff

Size: Small | Bristle Material: Synthetic

If you find blush placement a bit fiddly, try this foolproof option from Fenty Beauty. It has a slightly tapered brush head and a long, easy-to-hold handle which allows for precise application, meaning you can get a targeted but natural makeup look—even if putting on makeup isn’t your strong suit. The synthetic bristles, which are on the stiffer side, work well with both creams and powders. Plus, it’s relatively small, making it especially good for sculpting the cheekbones of angular face shapes.

What We Like

  • Diffuses product for a soft finish

  • Can also pack on pigment

  • Good value

What to Consider

  • Doesn't work as well with cream blush

Size: Medium | Bristle Material: Synthetic

The key to this Sigma Blush and Powder Brush’s brilliance is in its shape. The slightly beveled head ensures you get even coverage and a soft finish no matter what color you brush on. It’s quite precise and packs on pigment exactly where you want it. We break this brush out for a bright, poppy cheek, or work with a light hand to get a gentle, diffused color. We love how well this brush works with powder highlighters, too. Just skip using it with cream formulas; its shape lends itself to powders much better.

What We Like

  • Works with both powder and cream

  • Tapered for precise application

  • Applies smoothly

What to Consider

  • Can shed after washing

Size: Large | Bristle Material: Synthetic

Superfans of designer makeup will love Chanel’s high-stakes take on the humble blush brush. It features soft synthetic bristles with a tapered design, which allows for precise application of either powders or creams. The oversized brush head is a plus, too; it applies smoothly, making soft, even, and luminous color a breeze to achieve. You’ll pay a luxury-level price, but in exchange, you’ll receive a luxury-level product with the iconic, signature label down the side of the handle.

What We Like

  • Sculpts cheeks effortlessly

  • Affordable price point

  • Densely-packed bristles

What to Consider

  • Picks up less powder

Size: Medium | Bristle Material: Synthetic

Go ahead, chisel those cheekbones. This angled brush from Laura Geller creates the illusion of a sculpted look with a simple swipe or two. The high number of jam-packed bristles adds color just where you want it. It can also be used to blend powders and foundations into a soft finish. (Gotta love that versatility!) The bristles are soft, which we adore, but tend to pick up less powder than other similar brushes. Still, for this price, it’s worth adding to your brush collection.

What to Look for When Buying a Blush Brush

  • Size and Shape: According to Lo, the most important feature to consider when buying a blush brush is the size and shape: “Ideally, you want a tapered blush brush that is right for the size of your face,” Lo explains. “The size is more important than the shape in my opinion, though," she adds. “You want your brush to be about the size of the apples of your cheek, and this varies from person to person… A bigger brush is fine for bronzer, but when it comes to blush, the placement and result will be affected by the size of the brush in comparison to your face."
  • Synthetic or Natural Fibers: What the bristles of the brush are made of is also important, especially when it comes to using cream versus powder product formulations. As a general rule of thumb, synthetic brushes are best for cream and liquid formulas, because they’re a) more hygienic and b) smoother.Natural bristles are less “perfect” so they can work well with pressed and loose powders. However, animal welfare and moral codes come into play here—if you're not comfortable using animal byproducts, you'll want to steer clear of these natural bristles. These days, however, most synthetic bristles are designed to be effective across both cream and powder products, so you don’t really need to use a natural bristle.
  • Cleaning: Lo says it’s vital to keep your brushes clean not only to retain a nice feel but to prevent breakouts and skin irritation. “A gentle milky bar soap or a small squirt of shampoo works well," explains Lo. "Wet the brush hairs under a tap, lather the soap or shampoo in your palm, and gently work the suds through the brush hairs. Then rinse thoroughly, softly press out excess water, reshape, and allow to dry overnight, lying sideways on a table with the brush hairs hanging over the edge to the air.”

FAQ

  • Can you use the same brush for blush and bronzer?

    This depends on the type of brush you use. Some can be multipurpose, whereas others won’t work as well for bronzer. Particularly, for bronzer, you'll want a larger brush, so you can crossover if your blush brush is big enough. You'll want to avoid using a tiny brush for blush if you want it to be multipurpose for bronzer too. The brush should be soft but angled to really get the most out of your bronzer.

  • How do you use a blush brush?

    First, use a blush brush to apply your blush to the apple of your cheeks. This is the same whether you’re using a powder blush or a cream blush. Byrdie’s former Editorial Director, Faith Xue, suggests, “to learn where the apples of your cheeks are, give a slight smile, and apply the cream blush right where your cheek looks the most round in the center.” Next, sweet upwards with the brush along your cheekbone, ending with it diminishing in clarity under and behind your eye, below your temples.

  • What is the difference between a blush brush and a foundation brush?

    Though they look fairly similar, there are differences between blush brushes and foundation brushes. Unlike blush brushes, which are generally fluffy, foundation brushes have bristles that are more tightly packed. Blush brushes also usually have a more rounded or angled head, whereas foundation brushes are more flat on top. Foundation brushes are sometimes smaller, too, so you can get into the tight areas of your face more easily.

Why Trust Byrdie

Full-time freelance writer Megan McCarty has been writing about the best of the best of fashion and beauty for over 15 years, and her work can be seen in multiple national publications. She has a lot of thoughts and opinions on beauty products—blush brushes being just one of them. Emily Algar has over five years of experience covering the beauty industry and writing product reviews.

We spoke with professional makeup artist Jasmin Lo to learn more about the dos and don'ts of blush brushes for this article.

According to ourDiversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough blush brushes from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us atcontact@byrdie.comand we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 10 Best Blush Brushes, According to Makeup Artists and Byrdie Editors (2024)
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