The Best Affordable Makeup Brushes of 2024

The Best Affordable Makeup Brushes of 2024

The Best Affordable Makeup Brushes of 2024

With the right makeup brush, you can put together your favorite looks. Whether that means glamming it up for a night out on the town or touching up the all-natural look for everyday activities, the right brushes give us the control to create the makeup styles and aesthetics that really feel like us.

And the right brush for all your makeup needs doesn’t have to break the bank. Here at Avenue B, we’re dedicated to providing makeup enthusiasts, from first-timers to experts, with the tools, information, and resources they need to care for their skin and create the perfect routine. 

That’s why we’re sharing a look at the most affordable new makeup brushes for the new year, so you can try out new and exciting looks today. 

What Are the Best Affordable Makeup Brushes?

There are many different types of makeup brushes for many different needs. You can find brushes for eyes, brows, cheeks, and lips, and different sizes, materials, and shapes will help you achieve certain looks and styles that highlight or stand out. 

These are just a few of our top picks for makeup brushes you can depend on all year long. 

1. e.l.f. Angled Blush Brush

Looking for the perfect brush to enhance your cheekbones? Meet the e.l.f. Angled Blush Brush, your new best friend for adding stand-out definition. 

Simply sweep the brush in swirling motions, starting from the apples of your cheeks and moving out towards your ears. Use a light touch of blush for a subtle appeal, or go a bit more heavy-handed for a bolder statement.

One of the reasons the e.l.f. Angled Blush Brush is so useful is that it’s created with synthetic bristles specifically designed to contour to the natural shape of the face, so you can achieve a subtle and elegant look that’s totally personal. 

And don’t worry if you prefer cream, liquid, or powder blush. This brush works for every type of blush product, as well as bronzers and highlighters if you’re searching for that little extra shine.

2. e.l.f. Eyebrow Duo Brush

If you want to achieve the perfect eyebrow arch or color, the e.l.f. Eyebrow Duo Brush is the tool for you. Like all e.l.f. products, it’s cruelty-free, and this brush more than gets the job done while being synthetic, vegan, and animal-hair free.

This is thanks to the duo brush design. On one side, you’ll find a dense brush cut to an angle, which is ideal for both filling in the brows, if you want that extra color or thick appearance, and contouring them to best fit the shape of your face and the intensity of your makeup look. 

On the other side of the brush is the wand, which is used to comb and set the brows into place for that finished elegant appearance. You can use this brush with your favorite powder, cream, or gel eyebrow product, and all you have to do is gently flick the product into place and adjust the shape of the brow to your preference. 

3. Japonesque Multi-Tasker Powder Brush

The Japonesque Multi-Tasker Powder Brush is another powder brush option that will serve you right. It has the fluffiest brush head, made with domed bristles, which makes it easy for this brush to capture the product and help you to achieve that natural and subtle look. 

It’s ideal for powder and mineral products, both loose and pressed, but it can also be used for applying blush and bronzer, all without irritating the skin or causing too much weight or heaviness on the surface. There’s no better way to get that soft and effortless look that will feel like your own.

4. e.l.f. Smoky Eye Brush Kit

What’s more elegant or stylish than a smoky eye? It may seem a little daunting to give a smoky eye a chance, but the truth is that they’re much easier to achieve than they might seem — and it all starts with the e.l.f. Smoky Eye Brush Kit.

The e.l.f. Smoky Eye Brush Kit includes five different brushes, all of which will help you achieve the perfect look every time and vary the intensity or style depending on the event you’ll be attending. After all, this kit was named a Glamour Beauty Award Winner in 2019 for a good reason.

It has five different brushes for maximum control and convenience with every application, including an Eyeshadow C Brush, Blending Brush, Small Angled Brush, Small Precision Brush, and Fluffy Eye Blender Brush. All of the brushes are synthetic and easy to clean, which means this kit should be a staple for your makeup collection.

Use the Eyeshadow C Brush to begin the application process by applying your favorite base eyeshadow to the eyelid's surface. Next, you’ll want to apply the product to the crease of the eye using the Fluffy Eye Blender Brush. 

For this, you’ll want to use a mid-tone color, and it’s the step that will really help you achieve the smoky eye since you’ll apply the product up to the crease. Darker colors add more contrast, which allows you to adjust the look as you see fit.

You can also adjust the look by using the blending brush, which allows for a more subtle appearance, or returning to the Eyeshadow C Brush for a more concentrated final design. The small angled brush makes it easy to apply your favorite eyeliner right to the water line, where precision is essential. 

The closer you can get to the water line, the more refined the final product is going to be. Finally, you’ll want to use the small precision brush to add that smoky look to the edges of your eyes. In just a few simple steps, the e.l.f. Smoky Eye Brush Kit allows you to create and recreate the looks you really adore. 

5. Wet n Wild Flat Top Brush

A really great versatile brush for all your coverage needs is the Flat Top Brush from Wet n Wild. It has a large head with a flat top, which makes it ideal for picking up the product you need for coverage, like liquid and powder foundations. 

It has an ergonomic handle for that extra control when applying your favorite products and is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, for peace of mind with every use. The Wet n Wild Flat Top Brush is made with synthetic fibers designed to mimic the feel and appearance of real hair, and it has a cool duo-tone design for adding a pop of brightness to your makeup kit. 

6. e.l.f. Blending Eye Brush

The e.l.f. Blending Eye Brush is another brush that’s sure to serve you right with everyday and special occasion makeup looks. It’s easy to get subtle and softer looks with this brush because it allows you to blend different shades and colors of shadow so there are no harsh lines or delineations on the creases or corners.

It’s a wonderful option for achieving soft and ephemeral styles with your favorite eyeshadow colors, but it can do a whole lot more. In addition to helping makeup artists blend out the different colors and shades on their lids, the e.l.f. Blending Eye Brush can also be useful for applying concealer and can be used with both liquid and powder products. It’s a versatile and reliable tool to add to your makeup kit and will serve you well all year long. 

7. Japonesque Ultimate Blending Brush & Sponge Set

You can’t go wrong with a blending brush and sponge, like those found in the Ultimate Blending Brush & Sponge Set by Japonesque. This set comes with four tools for achieving a wide range of looks and styles, including one sponge and three brushes in varying sizes and shapes. The sponge can apply concealer, foundation, or powder and is easy to clean between the different applications.

Thanks to a large and fluffy brush head, check out the powder brush for applying your favorite products. The concealer brush can cover blemishes and dark spots with control for a smooth appearance that gives you the confidence to hold your head up high. 

The shadow brush is the smallest of the three brushes available in the kit and can be used to apply a wide range of different eye shadows and achieve the blended look you love. 

8. e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush

For makeup artists looking to achieve that truly natural and soft appearance, there’s no brush better than the e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush. Thanks to the soft and pliable bristles, it contours specifically to the natural curves of the face and can be used to apply many different makeup products. 

The flat side is best for applying powder and mineral products and achieving that even coverage. The skinnier side is best for applying the brushes and bronzers that will help to highlight your natural beauty and give you the extra glow where it matters the most.

The e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush is made with synthetic bristles and is cruelty-free and vegan. It’s easy to clean with simple products, and all you have to do is move the brush in sweeping motions for an even application of powders or follow the contours of the face to apply bronzers and blushes where they best bring out your natural beauty.

9. EcoTools Wonder Cover Complexion Foundation Makeup Brush

The EcoTools Wonder Cover Complexion Foundation Makeup Brush is sure to steer you right when it comes to comprehensive coverage and smoothness. And it’s all thanks to the 100,000 bristles that make up this wide, flat-headed brush with a curve end and taped bottom. 

The 100,000 bristles allow for maximum coverage with either liquid or cream foundations, so you can color correct and conceal blemishes, redness, and the effects of chronic skin conditions like rosacea.

The EcoTools Wonder Cover Complexion Foundation Makeup Brush is relatively easy to use, even if you’re just starting on your makeup journey. All you have to do is move the brush outward from the center of the face in short strokes to prevent lines and delineations. You can use it either wet or dry, and they have different effects, all of which are worth trying out.

Like all of the products available from EcoTools, the EcoTools Wonder Cover Complexion Foundation Makeup Brush is environmentally friendly and made with sustainable and recycled materials, like lightweight bamboo. It’s also vegan and is never tested on animals.

10. e.l.f. Buffing Foundation Brush

Finding and applying the perfect foundation for your skin doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you can rely on the buffing foundation brush from e.l.f. It’s designed to spread your favorite foundation seamlessly without leaving that heavy feeling on the surface of the skin, and you can use any type of foundation you like, including liquid, cream, or powder. 

That makes this a versatile and easy-to-use brush you’ll want to add to the collection for many different looks and styles. The e.l.f. Buffing Foundation Brush is a good addition to the kit because it has a taped, dome-shaped head at the tip of the brush. 

This shape is designed to reflect the shape of your fingers, allowing for a much more controlled and specific application and spreading of the product. That means you don’t have to worry about over-application or under-application, and you’ll be able to follow the natural contours of your face for a truly elegant appearance every time. 

11. e.l.f. Flawless Face 6 Piece Brush Collection

If you’re unsure where to start with your makeup products, you can’t go wrong with the e.l.f. Flawless Face 6 Piece Brush Collection

As the name indicates, it comes with six makeup brushes that you can rely on for a wide range of applications and styles, including the following:

  • Concealer Brush: The Concealer Brush is ideal for applying concealer to help cover blemishes and discoloration under the eyes. It adds smoothness and color balance to the skin, making it easy to focus on creating looks for different events and occasions.
  • Eyeshadow C Brush: The Eyeshadow C Brush can be found in the smoky eye kit and is the right brush for putting together eyeshadow looks and combinations. Thanks to the dense bristles, it allows you to apply color across the lid's surface and expertly blend it for a smooth and elegant final product.
  • Small Angled Wet Brush: The Small Angled Wet Brush can be used with wet and dry products and is perfect for achieving smooth and straight lights. That means it can be used to apply eyeliner and create unique and stand-out makeup designs around the eye or over the curves of the cheeks.
  • Small Stipple Brush: Another brush available in the collection is a small stipple brush, which allows you to create layers and add that extra natural texture to the skin's surface. It can be used for applying many different types of products, including liquids, creams, and powders, but will always help you achieve truly smooth skin.

12. e.l.f. Eyeshadow Brush

If you’re not looking for the whole kit or want a brush that offers the versatility to try out many different makeup looks, the e.l.f. Eyeshadow Brush might be the one for you. It’s perfect for achieving the right color saturation, all thanks to the sheared brush tip that absorbs the product shadow before application. 

It also has a curved tip, designed for contouring to the shape of the eyelid, so you can have complete control over where the product is placed each and every time. It's easy to blend your eyeshadow and get a look as bright or dark as you want with the e.l.f. Eyeshadow Brush. It’s vegan and easy to clean, so all you need to think about is what color eyeshadow you’ll try next. 

13. Real Techniques Ultra Plush Powder Face & Cheek Makeup Brush

What makes the Real Techniques Ultra Plush Powder Face & Cheek Makeup Brush the perfect brush for applying all of your favorite powder products? It’s designed specifically by makeup artists — which means it meets your every makeup need every time. 

That’s all thanks to the soft, synthetic fibers, which are hand cut and designed specifically to contour the shapes and curves of the face. You’ll achieve soft but complete coverage with your favorite powder or mineral product when you use the Real Techniques Ultra Plush Powder Face & Cheek Makeup Brush. 

This is all thanks to the dome brush design and tapered bristles. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and easy to clean, so you can achieve flawless makeup results without worry each and every time. 

14. e.l.f. Contouring Brush

Contouring is a makeup practice that is growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. It adds extra control to the style and shape of the makeup look and can help to highlight the elegance of your existing features.

We're no strangers to the fact that contouring can feel pretty complicated — especially if you're just starting out on your makeup journey. From splotchiness to "muddy" product application, it can feel like there's a lot to go wrong. 

The e.l.f. Contouring Brush simplifies the process so you can easily achieve the looks you love. Whether you're going for perfectly polished and professional, subtle and sultry, or bold and brave, this brush helps you get there.

The e.l.f. Contouring Brush has a wide, flat head that tapers at the handle, which makes it easy to achieve the perfect contouring appearance on the cheeks, along the jawline, or even across the forehead. It’s expertly cut and hand-assembled, and you never need to worry about animal hairs since it’s made with ultra-fine synthetic bristles that allow for greater control with every brush stroke.

Another reason to consider the e.l.f. Contouring Brush when the time comes to upgrade your contouring brush is because it’s versatile. It can be used to apply your favorite powders, liquids, or creams, and it works well for contouring and adds extra coverage or glimmer with bronzer. 

You can also make it fit your personal makeup style, depending on how much product you apply. Use a lighter touch for a more natural appearance, or apply a second layer if you want that fuller, more defined coverage. 

Pick Out Affordable Brushes for Your Next Makeup Adventure

No matter your makeup needs, there’s a brush designed to do the job — and they don’t have to cost a fortune. You can find a wide range of brushes with large and small heads, flat or dome tips, or even angled edges, all of which can help you to apply your favorite foundations, cover and conceal blemishes, contour the natural valleys of the face, or help you achieve the perfect smoky eye.

Avenue B is here to help you find what you need when it comes to the perfect makeup brush. We carry eco-friendly and affordable tools and materials that will help you craft truly extraordinary makeup looks, whether you love the summer natural styles or you’re dressing up for a New Year’s Eve celebration. 

From light coverage to full cover, bronzers to blushes, there’s a tool you can pick up today that will help you to finish standout looks for tomorrow. Take the skincare quiz here at Avenue to B to get started, and pick out the perfect blush for your next makeup adventure with support from our team.

Sources:

We’re Living in the Golden Age of Contouring - The New York Times

How to do a smoky eye to perfection | CNN Underscored

Acne Rosacea Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | NIAMS

How to clean your makeup brushes | American Academy of Dermatology Association

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