Take it from someone who had to learn the hard way: The right set of brushes can totally change how your makeup looks for the better. I’m not sure what I was doing before I invested in a good set of foundation and concealer brushes, but I will say that since I’ve been using them, my makeup looks smoother, more natural, and takes far less time to apply. I know that sounds like a train you want to hop on, so you’re going to want to pay attention.
Concealer, in particular, can be tricky to apply without going overboard, right? Using a good brush can change all that—especially if you’re applying it in the under-eye area. Makeup artists have a few tips for us in this regard. Editorial makeup artist Sara Talias says, “The trick to applying concealer with a brush is to use a very small amount of concealer and start on the inner corner of the eye where there is typically the most darkness, applying the product in a stamping motion,” she says. “Working the concealer into the skin in this way ensures you get maximum coverage with the least amount of product. Too much concealer under the eye will crease and actually accentuate dry skin.”
Celebrity makeup artist Allison Kaye also has another key tip to ensure flawless application. “When applying concealer with a brush, don’t swipe the product back and forth, as it will cause it to disappear. Pat the product on with the brush!” Whether you’re looking to conceal dark spots, blemishes, or under-eye circles, find the best concealer brushes for each below.
“One of my favorite concealer brushes is the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush. The super-soft bristles effortlessly blend concealer and help to diffuse product on any skin type, especially dry skin.” — Talias
“The Real Techniques Brightening Concealer Brush is such a great brush and very affordable. The flat top of the brush is perfect for blending concealer under the eye and detailing the outer corner of the eyes.” — Talias
“My favorite concealer brush is from It Cosmetics! They have a dual-ended concealer brush, so one side is flat (best for applying) and the other side is fluffy and rounded (best for blending).” — Kaye
As far as drugstore options go, I’d say E.l.f.’s concealer brush is one of the best. The synthetic bristles are light and fluffy, so the brush is able to easily blend both liquid and powder formulas.
The perfect five-star rating speaks for itself on this one. This Nars brush works so well with any cream concealer to cover blemishes, dark spots, and under-eye circles.
I recently snagged Ariel Tejada’s brush signature set, and I now use each for any and every makeup look. The concealer brush in particular is a standout in the bunch. I use it to cover up acne marks and under-eye circles and am always impressed by how well it blends concealer so seamlessly into my skin.
Yes, you read that right. This drugstore concealer brush from Wet n Wild is only a $1 and happens to have an almost-perfect five-star rating on Amazon. It’s made specifically for the under-eye area and for use under the brow.
Both Rare Beauty’s foundation and concealer are some of my favorites on the market. The brand’s concealer brush always gets the job done too. I particularly love the pointed tip because it provides extra precision if you’re trying to spot-conceal a few dark spots or active acne bumps.
Never underestimate a good Amazon find. This $7 brush from the retailer offers an angled flat-top design. It’s also smaller in size, making it able to easily get into those harder-to-reach areas like the inner corners of the eyes.
Brushes that offer a completely flat top work so well for covering blemishes if you use it to gently pat concealer into the skin.
Beauty Pie’s brush is designed to mimic the precise application of your fingertips with a seamless finish. It’s ideal for blending concealer (and foundation!) around the natural contours of the eyes, nose, lips, and brows.
Up Next: Makeup Artists Say These 14 Concealers Fully Banish Creases, Cracks, and Flakes
