Sweeping on a bit of blush at the end of the makeup routine always puts us in a happy mood. Having a soft blush brush that imparts the color flawlessly definitely helps! Some days, you want to look ethereal with the help of a cream blush that gives a “lit from within” effect. Other days, you might prefer a joyful wash of color right across the center of your face.
Whether you like variety or stick to the same look every day, we’ve got you covered, with an amazing selection of blush brushes for every style and blush type!
Contents [ show ]
- What to Know Before Buying a Blush Brush
- What Kind of Brush Do You Use for Blush?
- Features to Look For
- Top 10 Best Blush Brushes 2024
- 1. Best Overall Blush Brush: Real Techniques Blush Brush
- 2. Best Budget Blush Brush: Wet N Wild Blush Brush
- 3. Best Blush Brush Set: Real Techniques Makeup Brush Set
- 4. Best Fan Brush: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pro Fan Brush
- 5. Best Premium Blush Brush: Bobbi Brown Blush Brush
- 6. Most Affordable Pro-Looking Blush Brush: e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush
- 7. Best for Cream: Real Techniques Sculpting Brush
- 8. Most Affordable Stipple Brush: Wet n Wild Small Stipple Brush
- 9. Best Eco-Friendly Blush Brush: EcoTools Precision Blush Brush
- 10. Pro-Favorite Blush Brush: Sigma Beauty F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush
- The Right Size
- Considering the Brush Shapes
- The Right Firmness Level
- Burning Blush Brush Questions
- How Do You Use a Blush Brush Correctly?
- Can You Use a Blush Brush for Powder?
- Can You Use the Same Brush for Blush and Bronzer?
- How Do You Care for a Blush Brush?
- At Last Blush
What to Know Before Buying a Blush Brush
We’ve reviewed a lot of incredible blush brushes, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help you figure out how to choose the right one.
What Kind of Brush Do You Use for Blush?
The rules for selecting makeup brushes are not particularly strict – they are more like guidelines. In general, a blush brush is a medium-sized complexion brush with a domed or angled shape. Sometimes brands will even make things easy by calling it a “blush brush” explicitly! There are a few more things to look for based on the kind of blush you use.
Brush for Powder Blush
If you primarily use a powder blush, you want to choose a soft and pliant blush brush that’ll set a natural-looking layer of blush on your cheeks without requiring much blending. The denser the brush, the more pigmented and intense the blush will look, so you may want to choose a medium-firm brush if you like a more intense look or if your blush has low pigmentation.
Brush for Cream Blush
If you use a cream blush, then you’ll want a brush suited to cream products. This usually means denser, firmer bristles, and a slightly flat top. A denser brush won’t absorb your cream blush and it’ll also do a better job depositing and blending it into the skin. We discuss brush firmness in more detail later on.
Features to Look For
there are a few features that you should look for in a blush brush, no matter what kind of blush you use!
Soft Bristles
Anything that comes in contact with your face needs to be gentle and non-irritating, and that absolutely includes your blush brush. We made sure to only include soft brushes on our list since the skin over the cheeks tends to be extra sensitive. We also paid attention to how well the brushes maintain their softness over time, including whether the bristles shed, which is a flaw that’ll quickly turn a soft brush into something horrible and scratchy.
Long-Lasting Build
Brushes are delicate tools that require care and maintenance. Sadly, some brushes are so poorly made that no matter how careful you are, they still fall apart or start shedding after just a few months of use. In our reviews, we discuss durability and give some specific tips when brushes require a little more care than normal.
Style
A brush is a brush, and if it gets you looking gorgeous, why does it matter why it looks like? Well, we think it does matter! Makeup should be a fun way of pampering yourself, and having aesthetically pleasing tools can help with that. If you have professional aspirations, you may want makeup brushes that convey serious artistry, while if your makeup vanity is a display piece then you want your brushes to work with the rest of your aesthetic. We made sure to present a wide range of brush aesthetics for every preference.
Vegan Bristles
We have a strong preference for synthetic brushes, which are usually made of carefully-shaped nylon or polyester fibers. Back in the day, animal hair brushes were considered the superior option, but a lot has changed in the last decade as beauty consumers started demanding more cruelty-free brush options. As a result, experts say that synthetic brush design has vastly improved, so they are not only more common but they’re just as effective, more hygienic, and more versatile than natural hair brushes.
So now that you have a clearer idea of what to look for, check out our selection of the best blush brushes available online! We selected a wide range, so you’ll find something that’ll fit your needs. If you’re still not totally sure about what you’re looking for, we’ve included a more thorough guide that covers additional factors like size, firmness level, and shape after the reviews.
@marjmaroket the perfect blush brush doesnt exi—
Top 10 Best Blush Brushes 2024
1. Best Overall Blush Brush: Real Techniques Blush Brush
Why we like it: This ultra-soft and fluffy blush brush gives the softest and most diffused blush application. It’s large so you can do your makeup with it in seconds, and since it’s a Real Techniques design it’s well-made yet reasonably priced.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Powder Blush
- Firmness Level: Low
- Size: Large
- Style: Pink Handle with White-Tipped Black Bristles
Application
You can’t go wrong with this classic blush brush. It’s extremely soft and fluffy, with extra-long bristles that have a lot of give. As a result, it gives a very soft and diffused blush application. Overapplying is practically impossible, and even blushes that normally make you look like a clown become wearable.
It’s relatively large for a blush brush, so if you like a draped blush look it’s perfect, but it can be hard (though not impossible) to work with if you have very small features or if you like your blush placement to be very precise. If that’s the case, but you still want the intense softness, consider picking up the Wet n Wild Blush Brush, instead.
With this brush, blushes with very low pigmentation might not show up on the skin. If you like your blush to look a little more intense or heavy or you tend to buy sheer blushes, you might prefer the equally-large but slightly more firm NYX Pro Fan Brush.
Design
Real Techniques brushes are made to last. They’re designed with an elongated ferrule that is very securely attached, so breakage is never an issue. The bristles themselves are immaculate and retain their softness for years and years. This is not bad at all for a brush at a drugstore price point! The bright color of the handle is fun and playful, so it’s nice for at-home use, although even professionals don’t mind using Real Techniques!
Pros
- Fluffy and gentle
- Gives a natural & diffused blush application
- Large for a quick application
- Affordable
- Durable and unbreakable design
Cons
- Too large for precise applications
2. Best Budget Blush Brush: Wet N Wild Blush Brush
Why we like it: This brush is the perfect size, has the softest touch, and is available at price-point so low that it’ll fit into any budget. It imparts a soft wash of blush so while anyone can use it, it’s especially beginner-friendly.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Powder Blush
- Firmness Level: Low
- Size: Medium
- Style: White Handle with Pink-Tipped White Bristles
Application
Don’t be fooled by the youthful design or absurdly low price point of this brush – it’s a heavy hitter in the brush world. Despite being synthetic, this is one of the softest brushes we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing!
It’s very gentle on the skin, and like the Real Techniques Blush Brush, it imparts a very sheer and natural wash of color over the cheeks. The difference is that this brush is smaller with a fan-like shape (though it’s too thick to be a real fan brush). As a result, it allows for a more precise application of blush, especially going from the apple of the cheeks to the temples.
If you struggle with blush placement or with overapplication, it’ll solve your problems, and we think it’s a particularly good choice for teens who are just starting to experiment with makeup.
Design
We generally like a brush with a little bit of heft to it, and unfortunately, that’s the one area where Wet n Wild lacks. It’s a very light brush so it can feel a little flimsy, and it probably won’t hold up against rough handling. However, if you keep it safely stored in a brush holder rather than haphazardly thrown in your makeup bag, it could stay intact and retain its integrity and softness for years. The white handle is also at risk of getting stained very easily, especially if you’re not careful when using pigmented blush.
If you love the idea of an ultra-soft blush brush that allows for a precise application but want something that will look and feel more luxurious, consider the Bobbi Brown Blush Brush instead.
Pros
- Super soft
- Ridiculously affordable
- Beginner-friendly
- Gives a natural-looking blush application
Cons
- Requires gentle care
3. Best Blush Brush Set: Real Techniques Makeup Brush Set
Why we like it: This set features three brushes that can work for every blush type and technique, in case you can’t pick just one favorite. Each brush is just as well-made as the brushes sold individually by Real Techniques.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Cream and Powder
- Firmness Level: Low-High
- Size: Small-Large
- Style: Colorful Handles and White-Tipped Black Bristles
Application
This amazing set gives you a ton of options for blush application and includes a few more goodies to help with the rest of your makeup. It’s from Real Techniques, so you know it’ll be good!
The set includes the Real Techniques Blush Brush, which we’ve already talked about at length, but it features a few other brushes that you can use for different blush styles!
For example, the expert face brush is small yet firm with an elongated design, so it’s fantastic for cream blush and will also work for contouring. It’s comparable to the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush, but without the angle.
Finally, the small setting brush does an exquisite job of applying a sheer yet targeted layer of blush, similar to what you’ll get from the Sigma Tapered Brush. It’s also great for applying highlighter or setting the under eyes!
If you find yourself debating between a few of the brushes on this list, save yourself those worries and just pick up this entire set! For the price, getting these three brushes is already a bargain, but it also features a wonderful makeup sponge and a deluxe crease brush that works for both eyeshadow and concealer.
Design
With many brands, brushes sold in sets are of slightly lower quality than the brushes sold individually. That’s not the case with Real Techniques! The set includes the same brushes that the brand sells individually, with the same impeccable construction.
If we really have to get nitpicky, the only flaw is the color story, which is a little random and not particularly attractive. Individually, each brush looks great, and the colors hint at which line each brush belongs to, but all together they don’t make much sense.
Pros
- Three brushes for three totally different brush application styles
- Extra brushes and a sponge that will work for other purposes
- High-quality and durable
Cons
- The color story of the set isn’t attractive
4. Best Fan Brush: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pro Fan Brush
Why we like it: This large fan brush is a little more intense. With powder blush, the payoff is a little more pigmented, but with creams, it gives a softer application. The thick fan shape covers the cheeks in seconds without overdoing it.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Powder & Cream
- Firmness Level: Medium
- Size: Large
- Style: Black Handle and Ombre Bristles
Application
We’re upping the intensity with this NYX fan brush. Because of its size and firmness level, it’s an incredible choice for more dramatic blush applications!
It’s a little more firm than other large brushes like the Real Techniques Blush Brush, so it can enhance a blush’s color payoff, so you end up with a more visible layer of color over the cheeks. This is awesome if you like a lot of blush or if you’re using products with very little pigmentation.
Even though this brush is very large, the fan shape means that it’s slim at the center, so you can still use it for a more precise application. Applying blush with the edge of the brush will even give you a fairly thin line!
In general, we find that this brush is better for applying powder blushes, but it’s excellent for blending out cream blush that’s been applied with fingers or a sponge.
Design
This brush fairs well over time, with a very solid handle and bristles that retain their softness. That said, you’ll need to be careful when washing it. If you clean the brush too aggressively or don’t reshape the bristles so they remain flat, the brush can fan out a bit from the sides and lose its sleek shape.
Pros
- Ideal for intense or draped blush looks
- Large but elongated shape gives a lot of control
- Can blend out cream blushes
Cons
- Can lose its shape if not treated well
5. Best Premium Blush Brush: Bobbi Brown Blush Brush
Why we like it: This premium blush brush has been a staple in makeup artist kits for over a decade now! It’s the perfect size and softness to impart a flawless wash of powder blush every time, and since it’s a luxury item it holds up for years and years.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Powder Blush
- Firmness Level: Low
- Size: Medium
- Style: Wooden Handle with Black Ferrule and Bristles
Application
This is probably the most famous blush brush out there! It has the quintessential blush brush design, without any unnecessary gimmicks. It’s a classic powder brush that gives the perfect blush application, so it’s totally fitting for a brand named after a powerhouse makeup artist like Bobbi Brown.
This brush is medium-sized, with a rounded, slightly tapered shape. It’s fantastic for all kinds of application techniques, from a one-and-done swipe of blush with the flat side to a more targeted application using the tapered tip. The e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush is a similar choice if you’re on a budget, but this premium brush is a touch smaller so it’ll give you even more control.
Design
This brush was first released over a decade ago, and the hundreds of women still using the original one they bought back then is a testament to its longevity. The quality is exceptional on every level, from the well-built wooden handle to the ultra-soft vegan bristles.
Whether the build quality actually merits the high price-point is hard to say. It’s more than double the cost of the next most expensive brush on our list, the Sigma Tapered Brush. Affordable brushes definitely hold up against their premium counterparts, but if you generally prefer buying luxury beauty products then we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Pros
- Tapered brush shape offers versatility
- Quintessential blush brush design
- Exceptional durability proven by decades of performance
Cons
- There are more affordable alternatives
6. Most Affordable Pro-Looking Blush Brush: e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush
Why we like it: This large blush brush is tapered, which gives you a few surface sizes for applying blush. It’s super-soft, so it’ll give you a diffused finish. Despite its low cost, it looks professional and has a durable build.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Powder
- Firmness Level: Low
- Size: Large
- Style: Black Handle with White-Tipped Black Bristles
Application
This soft, large brush is another nice choice for anyone on a budget. It gives a really lovely and natural-looking blush application. It applies products in a very diffused manner, and will definitely sheer out the color.
At first glance, it might seem quite similar to the Real Techniques Blush Brush. The major difference is that this brush is tapered at the top, so it’s more dome-shaped. This means that there’s more variation in the kinds of surfaces you can work with. You can use the tip to cover a smaller area or work with the flat side to cover more space.
Design
Though this brush is a touch more expensive than the Wet n Wild Blush Brush, it’s still one of our most affordable options. It’s also larger and sturdier, so you won’t have any fears about treating it a little roughly. The bristles themselves do require a bit of care, however, since they can lose their softness. If you stick to gentle shampoo, though, that won’t be an issue.
Compared to Wet n Wild, the design of this brush is also more mature. The black handle and ferrule combo is timeless, and it’ll help it blend in with professional brushes.
Unfortunately, quality is not always consistent. In general, it’s a sturdy brush, but sometimes the brand sends out “duds” that can break easily.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Big but tapered for versatile application
- Keeps blush looking soft and diffused
- Professional-looking design
Cons
- Inconsistent build quality
- Bristles can lose their softness
7. Best for Cream: Real Techniques Sculpting Brush
Why we like it: This firm brush gives a precise application with cream blushes, but it’s also convenient for blending. Because it’s angled, it’s perfect for giving the cheeks a bit of a lift.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Cream and Powder
- Firmness Level: High
- Size: Medium
- Style: Pink Handle with White-Tipped Black Bristles
Application
It’s a little known fact, but sculpting brushes are perfect for a cream blush application! This brush, in particular, is an incredible choice because it deposits just the right amount of color in seconds, but it also gives a seamless blend if you use it when it’s clean after dotting on blush.
You can use it with powder if you have to, but unless you love a super-strong blush, it’s best reserved for creams. With powders, the bristles are just too tightly packed and it picks up a ton of product.
The angled shape of the brush is especially nice as a guide for applying blush on a slight angle, from cheekbone to temple. This technique lifts the face, and is almost always flattering!
The size of this brush should work for almost all face shapes, but if you prefer to have more control or you like even your cream blush to go on very softly, you might prefer the Wet n Wild Small Stipple Brush.
Design
Like every other Real Techniques brush we’ve tried, this is a high-quality, durable choice that won’t break, lose its shape, or ever start to shed! Before buying it, you should know that this brush has a minor drawback – it can be very difficult to clean it thoroughly because it’s so tightly packed with bristles. Cream blushes generally don’t penetrate too deeply into it, but if they do, you’ll find yourself having a hard time cleaning.
Pros
- Excellent for applying and blending cream blush
- The angled shape gives a lifted look
- High-quality construction
Cons
- Tough to clean
- Overapplies powder blush
8. Most Affordable Stipple Brush: Wet n Wild Small Stipple Brush
Why we like it: This small brush is another excellent choice for cream blushes, especially if you’re aiming for a precise yet soft application. As a bonus, it’s extremely affordable.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Cream
- Firmness Level: Medium
- Size: Small
- Style: White Handle and White-Tipped Pink Bristles
Application
This is another one of our favorite brushes for a cream blush application! It’s like it was made for the job, although Wet n Wild wasn’t prescriptive when naming it.
The name “stipple brush” is usually used to refer to dual-fiber brushes. This means that the brush has two bristle lengths: shorter ones that pick up and deposit the cream blush, and longer ones that blend things out. The top of the brush seems to be flat, but when you buff the product into the skin you’ll be able to see the effect of the dual-length fibers. Even though this brush isn’t very firm, it still works best with creams.
Compared to the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush, this brush is more subdued. It’s smaller so you can apply blush to a smaller area, and because it’s less firm, it doesn’t pick up as much blush so the final look is soft. It simultaneously deposits color and blends it out, so it’s easy to achieve a very sheer look.
Design
This brush is part of the same line as Wet n Wild’s Blush Brush, so it has the same girlish aesthetic. If you’re really into it, you can get both brushes! This also means that it has the same flaws: it’s a little too light in the hand so we worry about its durability, and the handle is practically guaranteed to stain if you use it with a dark cream blush. However, with careful care, you could definitely make this brush last.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Works well with cream blushes
- Gives a sheer, natural look
Cons
- Feels light and delicate
- Won’t work with powders at all
9. Best Eco-Friendly Blush Brush: EcoTools Precision Blush Brush
Why we like it: With a traditional shape but a medium-firm touch, this brush is a decent choice for both creams and powders. It applies blush in a more concentrated way, for heavier looks. It’s a little lightweight, but it’s made of eco-friendly materials.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Cream and Powder
- Firmness Level: Medium
- Size: Medium
- Style: Bamboo Handle with Brown Bristles
Application
This is another solid blush brush for when you want a more intense color payoff. It comes from EcoTools, which is one of the brands that pioneered high-quality, affordable vegan brushes.
This blush would be a good fit if you alternate between cream and powder blush products, especially if you like your powder blush to have a lot of “oomph.” The most frequent complaint about this brush is that it makes the blush look too concentrated on the skin, but we know that for some users that would be a feature rather than a bug.
Like the NYX Pro Fan Brush, it’s a nice choice if you want to amp up sheer blushes, and it’s a great alternative to that brush if you prefer a more traditional rounded brush shape.
Design
One of the things we love about EcoTools is that their brushes are always made with a few renewable components. The ferrule is made of recycled metal while the handle is made of highly renewable bamboo. The bamboo is a little lightweight, so you may find that it feels a little flimsy, although the construction itself is nice and solid so we have no fear of breakage.
Pros
- Made with renewable components
- Works with both cream and powder
- Affordable
Cons
- Can make blush look too intense
- Handle feels a little flimsy
10. Pro-Favorite Blush Brush: Sigma Beauty F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush
Why we like it: This small, tapered blush gives the most delicate application of blush that is both sheer and targeted. It’s a favorite with makeup artists, even though sometimes quality control is lacking.
Editor’s Rating:
Features:
- Works With: Powder
- Firmness Level: Low
- Size: Small
- Style: Black Handle, Silver Ferrule, and Black Bristles
Application
When it comes to makeup brushes, rules are meant to be broken! That’s why we decided that this tapered brush deserves a place on our list, even though it’s marketed as a highlighter brush.
As far as typical blush brushes go, this one is very small and very soft. It’s phenomenal for getting a sheer layer of powder blush over very precise areas. If you have tiny features it’s the perfect blush brush, but even if you don’t, you might still enjoy the immense level of control that it gives.
That said, this brush doesn’t rank higher because it’s too small for a traditional blush application, so you’ll find yourself having to add more and more layers when using it. In that case, the Wet n Wild Blush Brush is the obvious alternative.
Design
Sigma is a brand that’s favored by professionals, thanks to the professional design and wide range of brush shapes. As a bonus, the bristles are anti-microbial so they are not going to hold bacteria, at least for the first few months of use.
Usually, the bristles and handle both hold up extremely well over time, but occasionally there are quality control issues. On rare occasions, buyers receive brushes that shed after a few washes. All-in-all, this brush is a decent choice, especially if you want the small size and professional design, although we think the other brushes on the list offer better value-for-money.
Pros
- Gives a very directed application
- Keeps blush sheer and natural-looking
- Anti-microbial bristles
Cons
- A little more expensive than it should be
- Quality control isn’t always consistent
- Too small for a traditional blush application
Your Guide to Blush Brushes in Every Shape & Size
Are there still a few thoughts or uncertainties niggling at the back of your mind? We’ve added a few more things you can consider when selecting the best blush brush for you.
The Right Size
As a rule, the bigger the brush, the more space it will cover, so here’s how you can figure out the right blush brush size for you.
Small Blush Brush
A small blush brush will apply the blush to a smaller area, so there are a few instances where you might prefer one. First, it’s an obvious choice if you have very small features or if you like to apply your blush in a very thin and localized way.
It’s also a good choice if you like to take your time building up your makeup slowly, bit by bit, and it’s also useful if you like to stack a few different blushes to create a complex, blush-based cheek contour.
Often, the best small blush brushes are not advertised as such, like the Sigma Tapered Brush which works nicely with powder blushes and the Wet n Wild Small Stipple Brush which is great for creams.
However, for a typical, day-to-day blush application, using a small blush will be too time-consuming, so you might still want to have a medium or large-sized brush, as well.
Medium
A medium blush brush is going to be the best choice for most people. Medium-sized brushes are usually sized to fit the average woman’s cheekbones so that you can cover the entire area perfectly in just one go! A medium brush can also be helpful for blending. If you use a small brush to apply the blush and then a medium one to blend it out, you can end up with a very natural and impactful blush look.
Our favorite medium-sized blush brush is the Wet n Wild Blush Brush, but if you prefer luxury products you’ll love the Bobbi Brown Blush Brush.
Large
There are those who adore a large blush brush that can really envelop the cheek with its soft touch. Large brushes apply blush very quickly, and if they’re very soft, the blush will require no blending afterward. If your cheekbones are naturally full and large (hello Chrissy Teigen!) then this kind of brush, like the Real Techniques Blush Brush makes perfect sense!
With a lot of other large blush brushes, like the e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush, the shape can be a little more tapered or angled, so while it’s overall size is very large, there are still small surfaces should you desire a more targeted application.
Considering the Brush Shapes
While the size of the blush brush matters, the way it’s shaped will also have an impact on the size of the surface you’re working with.
Round
Round blush brushes are the classics. They have a rounded or domed shape that fits perfectly over the apple of the cheek, for that rosy-cheeked look. You can use them for any blush technique by simply altering the direction in which you blend out you blush. The Bobbi Brown Blush Brush is a classic example, while the Real Techniques Blush Brush represents a larger and more domed version.
Angle
Angle brushes have a slightly elongated shape, with the bristles go from shorter to longer which puts the entire brush on an angle. Angle brushes like the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush are very popular for contouring, but they’re great for blush. They help guide the blush over your cheekbone, for a lifted and angled modern look.
Tapered
With tapered brushes, you get a few more options and a lot of control. Tapered brushes can be round or angled, but what makes them unique is that the bristles are shorter on the outside and longer in the center, which gives you a larger surface along the side and a small surface on the tip. This is basically the best of all worlds, since you can use it for both targeted and diffused blush applications.
Tapered brushes can come in all sizes, from the large e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush to the tiny Sigma Tapered Brush.
Fan
Fan brushes normally give a very thin and diffused stripe of blush since they are shaped like a fan. This isn’t normally ideal, which is why this shape is more popular for highlighters. There are exceptions, however, where the brush is a little thicker through the middle, so it works beautifully for blush. They’re elongated, like angle brushes, but tend to be a little softer.
The Wet n Wild Blush Brush has a hybrid round/fan shape, while the NYX Pro Fan Brush is a nice example of a large fan brush.
Flat-Top
Flat-top brushes are sometimes also known as kabuki or stipple brushes. They tend to be a little more firm, and because the top is flat, product doesn’t penetrate deeply into them. This is why they work best with cream blushes, helping to dispense and blend them in, even if they’re not particularly firm. The Wet n Wild Small Stipple Brush is a great example.
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The Right Firmness Level
The firmness level of your brush has a big impact on how much blush it’ll end up depositing on your skin, so make sure to choose the one that will suit the kind of look you prefer.
Low
These days, heavy blush isn’t particularly fashionable outside of TikTok, so very soft brushes are the typical favorites for blush. They deposit a very sheer layer of blush that looks natural and is more universally flattering. The fear of the “clown look” is real, so a soft brush guarantees you won’t overdo it. Once you lay the blush down you won’t need to blend much if at all, so it’s also a great time saver. Our favorite low-firmness blush brushes are the Real Techniques Blush Brush and the Wet n Wild Blush Brush.
Medium
Medium-firm blush brushes also might have a place in your makeup arsenal. The denser bristles of a medium-firm brush pick up more blush than their pliant counterparts, so they end up giving a more intense look. As we mentioned when discussed the medium-firm NYX Pro Fan Brush, they are great for making sure that overly-sheer powder blushes will still show up on your skin.
The other benefit of a medium-firm brush is that it works with both powders and creams. While it may deposit a lot of product, it’ll also pick up a lot of product from the skin, which makes it awesome for blending out already applied blush.
Firm
Last, but not least, are the firm blush brushes. They really only work with cream blushes, but the result is stunning. They offer a bit more control than medium-firm brushes, and since the best way to use them is with a hybrid stippling and buffing motion, the deposit blush and blend it out at the same time, so the application doesn’t look too heavy – in fact, the cream blush will probably look as though it is emanating from within your skin.
The Real Techniques Sculpting Brush is a stunning example of a firm blush brush.
Burning Blush Brush Questions
If you have a few more questions about blush brushes, don’t feel embarrassed – the natural flush that might crop up will save you the need for a blush brush!
How Do You Use a Blush Brush Correctly?
The best way to use a blush brush depends on the type of blush, type of brush, and type of look that you like! In general, it’s best to apply the blush along the highest part of your cheekbones, going from the apple of the cheeks in an angle towards the temples.
First, tap the brush over the skin to deposit the blush, starting at the area where you want the color to be the most concentrated. Then, blend it out with circular motions to distribute the blush over the rest of the skin and to get a seamless finish. This way, it’ll seem as though the blush is actually part of your skin. We give a few more suggestions in our comprehensive blush application guide!
Can You Use a Blush Brush for Powder?
If you don’t have any other option, a blush brush can definitely double as a powder brush. In general, it’s not ideal since blush brushes tend to be smaller than powder brushes, so it takes longer to apply powder with them.
If you must, however, it’s better to use a soft and pliant blush brush, since a firm one will apply too much powder and lead to a cakey appearance. The Real Technique Blush Brush is a good choice since it’s unusually large and incredibly soft.
Can You Use the Same Brush for Blush and Bronzer?
Once again, though not ideal, you can definitely use the same brush for blush and bronzer. The reason why it’s not a great way to go about things is simple convenience: once you finish applying your bronzer, you’ll need to wipe off the brush thoroughly before applying blush or else it’ll end up looking muddy.
A dry brush cleaner might come in handy, though using a different brush will be even easier. If you have a brush that you love to use for both purposes (like Wet n Wild, which also makes an appearance in our list of Best Bronzer Brushes), it might be easier to just buy a second one!
How Do You Care for a Blush Brush?
Without proper maintenance, you’ll find yourself having to replace your blush brush every few months! However, when properly stored and cared for, a blush brush can continue to perform for years.
Clean Daily
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends cleaning brushes around once a week, but we like to take it a step further. We recommend doing a quick clean when you’re done doing your makeup, by simply spraying your brush down with a brush cleaning liquid and then wiping it off on a paper towel.
Shampoo Monthly
Then, once a month, give your brushes a more thorough cleansing with a gentle brush shampoo and water. Be careful not to let any water run down the bristles into the ferrule, as that can ruin the glue in the brush.
Shampoo them much like you would your own hair, rinse them clean, and pat them dry with a towel. Finally, use your fingers to press the bristles together, which will help the brush keep its shape, and lay it down flat on a towel to dry completely.
Store It Safely
When not in use, keep your brushes in a safe, dry space, like a dedicated brush bag, a brush cup, or even in a makeup organizer. Make sure the space is clean and that children or pets can’t reach it and destroy your precious brushes!
At Last Blush
Your makeup tools are just as important as the actual makeup products you use! By knowing what to expect out of each brush, you can buy the one that’ll suit your style flawlessly. From large, soft brushes that give you a naturally flushed look to tightly packed ones that load the color on the skin, you have a ton of different blush brush options. With this guide, we know you’ll find the brush that’ll give you the rosy glow you dream of!