The 10 Best Eyeshadow Brushes That Blend Out Pigments Like Butter, Starting at $5 (2025)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

This beauty from Selena Gomez’s line is our favorite. It’s versatile, so it works with all types of shadow formulas, from cream to powder and everything in between. Plus, the bristles are dense for packing on the color, but they're still smooth, soft, and gentle against the delicate skin on the eyelids. Just keep in mind that because the brush is dense, it’s probably not the best option for blending product in the crease. You certainly still can use this for crease blending, though, you’ll end up applying more pigment to your crease area than you would a traditional fluffy crease brush. Our advice: Use this one on the lids for seamless blending every single time.

Function: Packing | Bristle Type: Synthetic

This medium-sized, multipurpose brush is large enough to cover a nice surface area, yet small enough to allow you to work with a bit of precision (great if you have hooded eyes). We love that it also has a narrow edge, making it great for smudging shadows along the upper or lower lash line (hello smoky eye looks). We tend to prefer a more rounded, fluffy brush for blending, but you can get the job done with this one. This affordable pick is especially great for eyeshadow beginners who don't want to spend a ton of money or buy multiple brushes at once.

Size: Small, medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic Fibres

There’s no doubt about it—this set from Morphe is everything you need to build out a makeup brush collection. It comes with seven brushes, featuring long and sturdy handles and synthetic bristles that are antibacterial, meaning they'll prevent less grime buildup. These brushes are so well-made that I now exclusively reach for them on my vanity. They’ve also been pull-tested, so you won’t have to worry about any shedding.

Size: Small | Bristle Type: Synthetic and Vegan

Mario Dedivanovic mastered the art of creating high-quality makeup brushes. This dual-ended brush features a soft, flat brush head that's great for applying cream eyeshadow formulas and shadows. The opposite end features fluffy hairs that are great for diffusing, blending, and setting. The handles are also sturdy and smooth, thanks to being crafted from 100% FSC-certified birch wood.

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic antimicrobial fibers

If you love to go between sheer and more pigmented eyeshadow looks, this is the brush for you. The E54 brush was designed specifically to pack lots of eyeshadow onto the lid. We love this for glitter shadows because it's dense and wide, which allows for controlled lid application and helps pick up the pigment really well. Another bonus with this brush is that you can use it wet to add another dimension to your eyeshadow look.

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic antimicrobial fibers

“When it comes to fiber size and shape, I'm all about efficiency. I always hunt for brushes designed to do exactly what I need in just a few strokes,” says Duyos. “It's about working smarter, not harder.” And that’s exactly what you’ll get with this artisan brush. It’s also a favorite of Duyos for allover eyeshadow application. We love that the dense bristles allow for moderate to intense color payoff, and it's tapered, which makes it easier to target certain areas of the eye.

Size: Large | Bristle Type: Synthetic

Loosely packed, fluffy, and soft to the touch, this blending brush from Ilia is perfect to blend in your eyeshadows for a smooth and subtle transition. This is great to use in the crease with a darker eyeshadow shade, or you can use it all over your lid for a nice wash of color. Like most fluffy eyeshadow brushes, this pick is not ideal for any shadow looks that require more precision.

Size: Medium | Bristle Type: Synthetic

A fluffy crease brush helps to diffuse colors for a well-blended finish, and the size of this pick from Sephora Collection is ideal for just that. It's perfect for diffusing shadows in the crease while maintaining control. Read: It's not too big or too small. In addition to the size and shape, we appreciate that the synthetic bristles are soft and work beautifully to apply powders and cream eyeshadows. That said, some reviewers said the bristles were too soft for their purposes.

Size: Small | Bristle Type: Synthetic

When it comes to smoky eye makeup, the right brush is essential—and the Eye Smudger is up for the task. This eyeshadow brush has short and dense bristles, allowing you to smudge powder or cream eyeshadows in targeted areas to create a sultry, smoldering effect. It's also great at smudging out eyeliner pencils for a softer, more diffused look. Plus, the small tip is perfect for highlighting the inner corners of the eyes. It's definitely a bit pricey for a single brush, but you'd be surprised by just how functional it is.

Size: Medium and small | Bristle Type: Synthetic

Honestly, dual-ended anything just makes makeup application that much easier. Professional makeup artist Genevieve Contreras recommends this pick from Merit. “This brush is great for beginners and pros alike because of its convenience and functionality,” she explains. “You can create an entire eye look with just this one brush. It blends shadow effortlessly with the fluffier side, and the smaller, more dense side is great for lining and smudging shadow at the lash line.” One thing to note is that if you use this with a cream eyeshadow, you will probably need to clean it with a brush cleaner or soap and water, as it tends to become sticky if not cleaned before the next use.

FAQ

• How do you clean eyeshadow brushes?

  “Gel eyeliner and cream eyeshadows don’t come off easily, so I usually use Cinema Secrets to get most of the product off,” says Milan. “Brush cleaner can be pretty rough on the bristles and the glue that holds it together, so I try to only dip the very tip of the brush. For a deep clean, I usually use brush soap or even dish soap and water. This is definitely the most thorough way to clean, but it takes the brushes a while to dry,” Milan explains.

  Duyos also adds, "Once a week, treat your brushes to a good deep clean using your favorite dish soap or a clarifying shampoo. This will get rid of any lingering makeup and buildup. Washing your brushes regularly is important to prevent bacteria from growing inside the brushes, which can lead to breakouts or eye irritations.”

• What type of brush is best for eyeshadow?

  The best type of brush for eyeshadow really depends on the look you’re going for. "If I want a soft, diffused eye, I usually go for domed, fluffy blending brushes that allow me to sweep the shadow across seamlessly. But, if I’m going for more precision, like a cut-crease or eyeliner, I will use a brush that has short, stiff bristles to allow for exact placement," explains Milan.