e.l.f. Discovery

How Many Eyeshadow Makeup Brushes Should You Have?

By Victoria Benitez

Nothing streamlines a beauty routine quite like a reliable set of high quality eye makeup brushes. Brushes are one of those essentials that can be tricky to figure out. Between having to decode what brush does what and figuring out which set is suitable for your curated makeup looks, it can take a lot of trial and error before you find a kit that best works for you.

These essential tools come in various shapes and sizes, tailored for specific eyeshadow techniques, from blending to shading and even defining. With the proper range of tools, you’ll quickly take any subtle daytime makeup look to an amplified evening style. When creating our makeup brushes, we first considered the brush's quality.

We wanted to ensure a smooth and seamless application process for beginners and pros alike as our goal, which we can guarantee will always be an advantage to picking up one of our unique sets. Sometimes, you need to elevate your makeup routine with the right tools so that you can see the best results, and we’re here to help!

What Eyeshadow Brushes Do You Really Need?

Blending Brush—This cruelty-free high quality brush features a loose dome shape that seamlessly blends eyeshadow onto the lid and crease. We particularly love this brush because it can work with both wet and dry products, like concealer too!
Flat Eyeliner Brush—Have no fear here with smooth lines and precise application! With its iconic straight blunt cut, this flat eyeliner brush is designed to deliver flawless lined eyes.
Small Angled Eyeliner Brush—Even, straight lines are made effortless with this small angled brush. Define and create precise strokes for eyes, lips, or eyebrows.
Crease Brush—Professionally blend eyeshadow with this crease brush’s tapered tip made for contouring and adding depth. Precisely blend all types of eyeshadows from loose to pressed, wet or dry, with its soft Taklon bristles.

Small Eyeshadow Brush—Every beauty kit requires this essential eyeshadow brush. Its small sheered tip picks up the perfect amount of eyeshadow, while its curved design contours the eye for precise and easy application.
Concealer Brush—Easily correct minor imperfections with a precise concealer brush that targets coverage for a flawless finish.
Eyeshadow C Brush—For smokey eye lovers, you don’t want to miss out on this brush. Its soft bristles, suitable for wet or dry eyeshadows, maintain precise control for all your blending needs.
Eyebrow Duo Brush—Take your brow game to the next level with this duo-sided brush made to fill in, contour, comb, and shape for a polished look.
Fluffy Eye Blender Brush—Create that soft-focus effect around the eyes with this extra-soft, fluffy brush perfect for a smoky eye look. It easily blends eyeshadow and can also be used to set concealer with powder.
Eye Contour Brush—Add depth and definition to the eyes with a contour brush soft enough to reach the lash line and eye’s corner.

How Many Eyeshadow Brushes Do You Need?

We’ve all heard “less is more,” but there’s really no better advice when it comes to beauty tools. It’s all about having the right ones in your makeup bag that can have the biggest payoff. One may think having a large selection of eyeshadow brushes is essential to creating a variety of eye looks. However, we’ve made the process of ensuring you have the right tools for any look easy with our eyeshadow brush sets.

When deciding on the correct set of eyeshadow brushes, consider what eye looks you typically wear. Whether your style is a natural daytime look or a more dramatic evening eye look, you may consider various eye brushes. However, it should be noted that most eye brush sets typically include good brushes for eyeshadow for blending, defining, and detailing, making most sets versatile for any eye look.

Lastly, the quality of eye makeup brushes can make all the difference. Our vegan and synthetic bristle brushes are cruelty-free and made with FSC-certified wood handles, ensuring sustainability and durability.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Eyeshadow Brushes

Things we'll never regret: washing our makeup brushes regularly, even if it’s the last thing we want to do. If you’re a beauty lover like us, setting aside time to regularly clean your brushes prevents bacteria and makeup buildup and maintains the brushes’ longevity. We recommend washing your brushes weekly with a gentle brush cleaner and lukewarm water to remove impurities.

When you don’t regularly clean your brushes, the residue of your makeup can build up and directly affect the way your makeup applies to the skin. Avoid using airtight containers where moisture can live and promote bacterial growth. Instead, properly store your brushes upright in a brush holder or lying flat in a clean, dry area. With a regular cleaning schedule, you’ll notice the difference it’ll make when you apply eyeshadow.

Enhancing Your Eye Makeup Game with the Right Tools

While there’s an art to makeup, getting started is simpler than you might think with the right tools! The first step is building an eyeshadow brush collection that best suits the eye looks you like most. Alternatively, you can always opt for a brush kit that fits all your needs. Our makeup brush sets make it easy to find what you need to make your eye look go from day to night. Our makeup standards are simple: cruelty-free, affordable, and flawless results. We set out to create one-of-a-kind makeup brushes that deliver on our promise of really good results – test it out for yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions About Eyeshadow Brushes

Q: Which Brush Should I Use for Eyeshadow?

A: The key is to use a variety of brush shapes and sizes to achieve your desired eyeshadow look. Start with larger, fluffier brushes for the base and transition shades, then use smaller, more precise brushes for the crease, lid, and lash line. Proper eyeshadow brush selection and technique can make a big difference in the final blended, professional-looking result. Some of the best makeup brushes to use for eyeshadow include a blending brush, crease brush, flat eyeshadow brush, and an angled eyeliner brush.

Q: Can You Use an Eyeshadow Brush as an Concealer Brush?

A: Makeup brushes are incredibly versatile tools that can be used for a variety of makeup application techniques. While each brush is designed for a specific purpose, like applying eyeshadow or concealer, you can often use the same brush for multiple steps in your makeup routine. For example, an eyeshadow brush can double as a concealer brush - the fluffy, tapered shape allows you to precisely apply and blend concealer under the eyes or on blemishes. The key is to experiment and find what works best for your individual needs and preferences. The beauty of makeup is that there are no hard and fast rules, so feel free to play around and discover new ways to use your favorite brushes.

Q: Is It Better to Apply Eyeshadow With a Brush or Finger?

A: Applying eyeshadow with a brush is the way to go for a flawless, professional-looking eye makeup look. Using a brush allows for more precise and controlled application compared to using your fingers. Brushes can pick up and deposit the eyeshadow pigment evenly across the lid, creating a smooth, seamless blend. They also help you achieve a more defined crease and outer-v for a dimensional, sculpted eye look. With a brush, you can build up color intensity and layer eyeshadows for a more impactful, long-lasting eye makeup look. The bristles of the brush also help diffuse and soften the edges of the eyeshadow for a polished, airbrushed finish. Overall, using an eyeshadow brush is the key to effortless, flawless eyeshadow application.