Best Brush for BB Cream
Buffing, blending, and bouncing. Having perfectly applied BB cream is absolutely essential if you want the rest of your makeup to look good.
While many opt to use their fingers and simply slather the product on, using a good brush can help make your bb cream look flawless without the mess.
Not only does a foundation brush help to correct any mistakes, soak up excess product and give you a streak-free finish, but the phenomenal results achieved using a brush will have you wondering why you didn’t use one sooner.
Given the sheer volume of foundation brushes available on the market, it’s not an easy feat to select one. No two brushes are alike and different brushes provide various results and finishes.
Thankfully, you’re in the right place. We have taken all the guesswork out of helping you to figure out which brush is which. In no particular order, here are 10 of the best foundation brushes to help you apply your BB cream like a professional.
1. SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Foundation Brush #56
Best Multi-tasking Foundation Brush
If you’re looking for a tool that will help you build up your BB cream coverage then the Sephora Collection Pro #56 brush is a great choice.
Its domed shape brush head and, its soft and medium-length densely packed bristles provide you with the control needed to execute the perfect finish.
These brushes are hand-shaped and made from 100% vegan synthetic bristles with the handle meticulously crafted from sustainably sourced wood.
2. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Foundation Brush
Best Foundation Brush for an Airbrushed Finish
A brush that’s got the backing of Selena Gomez behind it is reason enough to buy it. After all, Selena’s gorgeous complexion is the envy of many and we’ll all try what she’s using right?!
The Rare Beauty liquid touch foundation brush is a top choice, for all when applying BB Cream.
It’s jam-packed with the softest, most silky (synthetic) bristles that will help you build up your coverage, blend out your BB cream, and buff it out for an airbrushed finish.
How? The brushes’ elongated elliptical shape mimics the feel of fingertips and allows your BB cream to glide on with pro-like precision.
3. Hourglass Vanish™ Foundation Brush
Best Foundation Brush for a Natural Finish
If you’re looking for a brush to apply your BB cream and want the experience to be as comfortable as humanly possible, the HourGlass Vanish Foundation brush is the one for you.
Designed with the ideal shape, density, and texture, this high-performance brush will leave your BB cream with the most seamless finish.
Primed with ultra-soft crimped bristles that mimic a microfibre feel on your face, the bristles are fashioned in such a way that they will fit into all the contours of your face, including those hard to cover places like under your nose and eyes.
This brush gives you everything you need in terms of ergonomics and high performance to ensure you get a flawless finish every time you use it.
4. FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Full-Bodied Foundation Brush 110
Best Brush for Fast Application
Fenty Beauty is well-deserving of all the hype it’s receiving not only because its founder is singing sensation Riana, but because their products are exceptionally high-quality.
With more than 140 000 ultra-fine synthetic fibers helping you to blend and buff, using this brush will make it look as if you’ve been airbrushed. Not only do the bristles feel ultra-soft and silky, but they also ensure that just the right amount of product is distributed to avoid wastage.
The Fenty Beauty Full-Bodied Foundation Brush 110 is worth its weight in gold and then some.
5. Westman Atelier Foundation Brush
Best Quality Brush
$80.00 for a brush to blend BB cream?! Yes, you read that correctly. The Westman Atelier Foundation brush is going to cost you quite a bit but you’ll rejoice after seeing the results this little brush provides.
All brushes are handmade in Japan by a master brushmaker and will last you a lifetime given the craftsmanship that goes into producing them. Luxurious, super-soft nylon fibers ensure that your BB cream blends like a dream without streaking, caking, or buildup.
Given its paddle shape with tapered flat bristles, you’ll enjoy ultra-precise application and a finish that’s out of this world.
Best for Blurring Imperfections
If you’re looking for a brush that doesn't soak up too much product, Too Faced Mr. Perfect is a good option.
Its angular brush head made with 100% cruelty-free, synthetic bristles allow you to apply your BB cream without fuss. Thick, densely packed fibers ensure even product distribution and that the brush doesn’t skip, creating streaks and patches.
Too Faced Mr. Perfect will help you blur imperfections, build up the desired amount of coverage all while leaving you with a natural, flawlessly smooth complexion.
7. CLINIQUE FOUNDATION BUFF BRUSH
Best for Beginners
If you’re new to the world of applying products via a foundation brush, Cliniques foundation buff brush is a great starter brush.
Designed specifically for those with little skill or knowledge on applying foundation using a brush, it's practically goof-proof and can buff away and blend the hardiest of BB cream.
It's loaded with tonnes of fluffy antibacterial bristles that not only feel amazing during the application process and leave a flawless finish, the bristles actually help to stop breakouts from occurring. A great perk for those with acne-prone skin.
8. BOBBI BROWN FULL COVERAGE FACE BRUSH
Best Shed-Free Brush
This iconic face brush will help you achieve a polished, HD finished makeup look and will take your BB cream to a whole different level.
This brush is developed in such a way that it delivers precisely the right amount of product (reducing waste) and gives unrivaled coverage. What's more, the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush doesn't shed like most other brushes do thanks to its tightly packed, high-quality bristles.
If you’re looking for a brush that will apply your BB cream leaving hairs, streaks, and patches behind, this one is an excellent choice.
9. Dior BACKSTAGE Face Brush
Best Hi-End Brush
From world-renown luxury goods, powerhouse comes the Dior Backstage Face Brush. Yes, and it’s every bit as suave as would be expected from a fashion mega house like Dior.
This amazing face brush provides you with maximum application control giving you the smoothing power of a brush coupled with the blending power of a sponge, in one tool.
Lush, densely packed bristles ensure that your BB cream glides on seamlessly, while its ergonomic shape provides comfort and precision with every swipe.
10. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Best Drugstore Brush
Designed under the watchful eye of professional makeup artist Samantha Chapman, The Real Techniques Expert Face brush combines innovation with high-tech materials to help you create an ultra flawless finish.
Made from 100% cruelty-free Taklon bristles, the expert face brush contains the softest and smoothest synthetic fibers that helps you to apply your BB cream seamlessly without any streaking or patching.
You can achieve a pixel-perfect finish regardless of your skin type or skin texture. The best part? This brush costs only $8 making it a super affordable find and a must-have in any brush collection.
11. e.l.f. Buffing Foundation Brush
Best Brush to Apply Liquid BB Cream
If you’re wanting to create a “my skin but better look” then the e.l.f buffing brush is exactly what you’ll need to apply your BB cream with. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also incredibly effective when used to apply BB creams that are super runny and liquidy.
Ultra-soft bristles that taper into a dome shame help to blend the product onto your face for an airbrushed finish. Also, this brush is designed to evenly distribute the product by blurring and buffing it into the skin imparting a natural and dewy finish.
What are the benefits of using a foundation brush?
Still applying BB cream or foundation with your fingers - you need to STOP! Make-up brushes not only ensure that you’ll get a natural, more flawless finish but also helps to keep bacteria and oils from your hands from clogging up your pores.
Also, it stops the transmission of bacteria from hopping from your fingers into your makeup which can cause you to break out and can cause your products to spoil.
Be sure to wash your makeup brushes regularly to keep them clean and in pristine condition.
What should I consider when choosing a brush?
In terms of choosing the best brush, it depends on what you’re looking for.
Factors like the amount of coverage you’d like, the amount of control you want during the application process and, not forgetting the type of bristles you prefer (natural vs. synthetic)will determine which brush will suit you best.
The shape and density of your brush will have a huge impact on the application process as well as the finished result. Dense, synthetic brushes whether dome-shaped or flat is best for applying BB creams as they don’t soak up too much product, won’t streak, or leave patches behind.
How do I apply BB cream using a brush?
Whether you apply the BB cream directly to the brush or, whether you first dispense the product and then dip in that's up to you.
The trick to achieving a flawless finish is to start applying the product on your checks and t-zone, blending it out in circular motions.
Keeping your strokes even prevents streaking and visible lines from forming around your hairline and jawline.
Remember the end goal, you want you’re finished look to be as natural as possible, and using a good brush can help you do this.
Synthetic Vs Natural Brushes
The only major difference between real and synthetic brushes is the material they’re crafted from.
Real or natural brush fibers are made from various animal furs and hair, not a good option for those who have allergies or, for those totally against animal cruelty. They also tend to be more porous than their synthetic counterparts and can absorb excessive amounts of product.
Synthetic brush fibers are man-made using nylons and other plastic-like derivatives. Not only are they more affordable, but they also use less product making your money essentially go further.
Wrapping Up
With so many great tools on the market, it's difficult to narrow it down to two clear winners. All of the brushes listed are excellent choices for applying bb cream.
Unfortunately, there can be only one clear winner so when looking at factors such as price point, performance, and reviews, the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush ticks all the boxes.
Not only is it a versatile brush that you can use to apply other makeup besides your bb cream, but many have also hailed this brush as the best for buffing and blending thanks to its ultra-soft bristles and dome shape, making application a cinch.
If I was forced to choose a second place, it would definitely be Fenty Beautys full-bodied foundation brush 110. With more than 140 000 ultra-fine synthetic fibers to help you blend and buff, your BB cream will look as if it was airbrushed and you can lay off the beauty filter next time you take a selfie.
The only drawback is that the price is a little bit steep, however, for those who don’t mind, this brush is a notable addition to any makeup collection.
