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

Our Top Picks

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.