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ELLE Edit: 16 Make-Up Brushes Taking Your Beauty Routine To The Next Level

Because we're not about that finger painting.

By ELLE Beauty Team
best makeup brushes
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A buffer or a spoolie? Tapered or angled? Do I really need that fan-shaped make-up brush to highlight with?!

Even when you've got all the products you need, from contour cream to concealer, kitting out your beauty arsenal with the correct make-up brushes is always the most difficult part. Sure, you could get messy and go for it with your fingertips, but that simply won't do if you want a seamless finish. 'Don't rely on your fingers, especially for a long-wear finish', says Bobbi Brown's Senior Pro Artist Amy Conway. 'When applying foundation especially, use a brush for the most flawless finish. Then sweep pressed powder on top for natural yet flawless coverage.'

So, whether you're big on sculpting, bronzing or even dedicate yourself to baking, these are the best make-up brushes no beauty bag should be without...

1

EDY LONDON Turquoise Master Set

Turquoise Master Set
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EDY LONDON Turquoise Master Set

£30 at Liberty London

This turquoise set of dreams will look perfect on any dresser. This master set, designed by the technician and lash expert Edy Kurowska, is there to cover all your make-up brush needs. We particularly love the huge fluffy powder brush - perfect for sweeping away any shine from the face. 

2

ICONIC London Pro Puff Bronzer Brush

Pro Puff Bronzer Brush

This bronzer brush wouldn't look amiss in a vintage Hollywood film. Short enough to slip into even the smallest of evening bags, this nifty puff brush is a dream to use. 

3

Dior Backstage Brush Set

Backstage Brush Set
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Dior Backstage Brush Set

This Dior brush kit of dreams will help you apply your make-up with professional polish. Perfect for weekends away, or your office or gym bag, the mirror is great for checking and topping up your face on the go. 

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4

IT cosmetics Love is the Foundation Brush

Love is the Foundation Brush
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IT cosmetics Love is the Foundation Brush

What's not to love about this ingeniously shaped foundation brush. The angled heart shape is perfect for blending out your base, and the edges help you get into even the tricky corners around the nose. 

5

Spectrum Collections KJH 2 Piece Face Set

KJH 2 Piece Face Set
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Spectrum Collections KJH 2 Piece Face Set

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Everyone's favourite make-up artist Katie Jane Hughes launched these brilliant brushes earlier this year with make-up brush experts Spectrum. We love the face kit - the perfect duo for a flawless base.

6

Mima Cosmetics The Essential 12 Piece Brush Collection

The Essential 12 Piece Brush Collection
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Mima Cosmetics The Essential 12 Piece Brush Collection

These newly-launched synthetic brushes are the perfect everyday kit (and great to gift to a friend or loved one this Christmas). They come in a sleek pouch too - perfect for on the go.

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7

Dior Backstage N°18 Face Brush - £38

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If the look you're after is seamless coverage (who doesn't want that?) then this one trick pony is your NBF. Use it to apply foundation, or simply between steps to smooth out any tide marks or streaking. The bristles are the perfect balance of soft but sturdy. A must-have.

8

Morphe Pro Firm Blending Fluff Brush - £8

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You can't pull off the perfect smokey eye by using your fingers and when it comes to seamless eye make-up, the fluffier the better. All you need to do is focus along the crease of your eye socket and the outer corners for definition and use sweeping, back and forth motions to really blend, blend, blend.

9

Hourglass Veil Powder Brush - £63

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A powder brush is essential for adding loose or packed powder to your face. The typically soft but densely packed bristles make it great for dusting translucent setting powder over your forehead, nose and chin and the smaller end also perfect for adding powder highlighter to the tops of cheekbones and the tip of the nose.

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10

Illamasqua Flat Concealer Brush - £21

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This brush has dense bristles for precise application, but with soft edges to allow for seamless blending. Especially good for the eye area, as you can really buff out any potentially caking into those pesky fine lines.

11

IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush - £36

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Whether you're after full coverage or a sheer, more natural finish, the stippling brush will take you there. Typically, the bristles are slightly less packed together than a flat foundation brush which allows you to really work your chosen liquid or cream product into your skin. Alternate swirling and tapping motions to achieve an airbrushed finish.

12

Chanel Dual-Ended Brow Brush - £32

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Want to fatten up your brows? Simply load the angled brush with powder or pomade and whip it through sparse patches, but remember to choose one with a spoolie to groom and soften any sharp lines. Thanks to the short, flat bristles on the other end, this savvy tool can double up as an eyeliner brush - simply wedge into your lash line to fashion a sharper-than-sharp feline flick.

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13

Bobbi Brown Precise Buffing Brush - £37

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If you're fed up of streaks and tide marks, invest in a buffing brush. The edges of this one work wonders to smooth out liquid foundation and to buff away the edges of powder blush or bronzer for a seamless finish so you can swerve the dreaded Mars bar effect. There's no need for an additional Instagram filter if you have one of these in your tool kit.

14

bareMinerals Blooming Blush Brush - £22

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The angled brush is essential for chiseling selfie-worthy features or faking that sun-drenched look without going overboard. Use it to daub powder bronzer into the hollows of your cheeks, over your temples and along the bridge of your nose, then blend to create convincing shadows. Instead of applying bronzer all over the face with a kabuki-style brush, stick to those areas - they are where the sun hits naturally.

15

MAC Retractable Lip Brush - £21

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Once you uncover the benefits of a lip brush, you'll never turn back. It applies lipstick with the kind of expert precision your lipstick bullet can't, especially when it comes to defining the tricky cupid's bow, and it really presses pigment into lips for a lasting finish. This retractable option means if you don't have time to clean it between uses, the sticky bristles won't collect debris.

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16

Zoeva Luxe Fan Brush - £13.50

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These might just look like a glam prop for the 'Gram, but the design actually means powder highlighter is placed subtly as you sweep, rather than densely packed into one place. It's also useful for gently sweeping away debris of eyeshadow from under the eye area.

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