Here Are The Affordable Makeup Brushes That Actually Work

Building your collection of makeup brushes doesn’t have to break the bank. While it’s the makeup artist brands such as M.A.C and shu uemura that we’d still turn to for the widest range of brushes and top-quality hairs, we’ve also learnt along the way that the lower-priced brands can do the job pretty well, too. Here are the options that can help save you quite a few dollars – so you can spend more on makeup, of course.
 
LANEIGE

We got real excited when Laneige launched these late last year, especially because the brand said they were designed for Asian women (i.e. smaller eye brushes to apply eyeshadow more precisely, for example). The range of 15 brushes feature mostly face and eye brushes, with a few duo-fibre options for a better finish.
From $12 for a concealer brush to $36 for a duo-fibre face brush, available at LANEIGE boutiques.
 
ZOEVA

This set might be named the Rose Golden Luxury Set Volume 2, but when it goes for under $130 for three face brushes and five eye brushes, all dressed up in a reflective rose gold, it’s closer to being a steal. And you get a nice pouch to store it all to boot. We’re particularly keen on the large buffing brush, a wonderfully soft and fluffy way to get your powder to go on flawlessly.
$121.99, available on sephora.sg.
 
Sephora

Sephora has always had a mind-boggling range of makeup brushes that cater to every inch of your face, but this set of latest additions manages to seriously impress us with how affordable they are, despite being the kind of brushes that are usually used by the pros. There’s the Airbrush Blender Brush to give high-definition coverage, and the Contour Kabuki Brush that works for bronzers, illuminators and foundations and helps sculpt the face.
From $24 for a Brow Definition Set to $50 for a Pro Airbrush Blender Brush, available at Sephora from 31 March 2016.
 
Ecotools

 
Here are brushes for a good cause: Ecotools makes their brushes using recycled aluminium and renewable bamboo, all cruelty-free. And.. they’re actually good (we’ve seen many a glowing review online). What we also like is that they can be easily found in the drugstores, and amassing a whole collection of face and eye staples is gentle on the wallet.
From $6.90 for an Eyeliner Brush to $30.85 for a 6-piece Brush Set, available at Watsons and Guardian.
 
Real Techniques

When it comes to affordable, quality brushes, Real Techniques is probably the brand that comes to mind. You can get an entire starter set for the face or eyes at under $50, and it’s true that the brushes come pretty close to their more expensive, professional-level counterparts: the hairs are delightfully soft, and they blend smoothly enough.
From $15 for a Fine Liner Brush to $45 for a Duo-Fibre Collection, available at Watsons and Guardian.