Makeup

13 Best Makeup Tools

Readers have only good things to say about these brushes, tweezers and other makeup tools

December 15, 2009 | by Jane Chung | 63 COMMENTS

No. 11: Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, $20 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.3*
Why: This brush applies concealer "evenly" to cover everything from under-eye circles, "blemishes" and "fine lines," to "dark freckles" and "not so pretty spots." Readers say the brush is "very comfortable around your eyes," "excellent for blending" and "very easy to use." Its "firm" bristles and "tapered tip and flat sides" give you maximum coverage for a "flawless finish." One reader says it is best when you want "skin tone perfection," as it allows the "layering of foundation" to avoid a "cakey" finish.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 10: Smashbox Arced Eyeliner Brush #21, $20

4 of 14

products mentioned

Shiseido Eyelash Curler

9.2

Too Faced Kabuki Brush

9.3

bareMinerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush

9.2

Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21

9.0

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

9.3

Raw Natural Beauty Raw Minerals Maximum Coverage...

9.4

Mary Kay Cosmetic Sponges

9.3

Clinique Powder Brush

9.1

E.L.F. Essential Eye Shadow Brush

9.0

MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

9.7

Tweezerman Mini Slant

9.8

Sonia Kashuk Kashuk Tools Brow Groomer with Metal Comb

9.8

MAC 217 Blending Brush

9.5

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nice

by brianna121791 Monday, May 13, 2013 at 11:22AM Report as inappropriate

love these tools

by Laurahdz Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 03:36PM Report as inappropriate

I'm still building up my brush collection as budget and usage dictates, but it's good to have this list the next time I shop for one.

by LindaDD Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 03:21PM Report as inappropriate

I wonder which is the better eyelash curler of the ones they showed.

by Chris213 Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 07:03AM Report as inappropriate

Good tools, but I would like to see Eco here, as well as Beautyblender sponges. Also think a lip brush is essential for a perfect pout.

by GigiSD Monday, April 22, 2013 at 05:18AM Report as inappropriate

Eco tools are also good.

by Mollysunshine Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 01:48AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you yet again for helping me choose the right product for what I'm shopping for.

by tyann_ott Monday, March 4, 2013 at 08:29PM Report as inappropriate

I love eyes lips face and their brushes but the dollar brushes seem to fall apart on me... not the bristles but the handle part. It is still useable but drives me a bit crazy.

by krista_dailey Monday, March 4, 2013 at 10:36AM Report as inappropriate

The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is amazing! I am very sad that they don't have a store anymore.

by Sari Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 09:41PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know what brushes to look into

by thequietnoise Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 09:08PM Report as inappropriate

great

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 01:25PM Report as inappropriate

Nice

by EricaF123 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 07:38AM Report as inappropriate

i apply foundation with my hand

by aishak55 Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 01:39PM Report as inappropriate

Great review, thank you! I have mostly elf, Clinique, and ecotools brushes (which I love), and now I'll be adding more to my wish list.

by Veronica14324 Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 05:43PM Report as inappropriate

Mac brushes are the best!

by robyne00 Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 03:16PM Report as inappropriate

Love mac brushes.

by nicky22 Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 07:29PM Report as inappropriate

I have to agree with the elf brush. It's like the best for shadow on the lid, such a perfect amount of color and coverage (although not great for the crease, use a blending brush there instead!!)

by sara_crisis Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 04:47PM Report as inappropriate

Shu Uemura eyelash curler is definitely at the top of my beauty wish list!

by Chris213 Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 11:58AM Report as inappropriate

I love ecotool brush! Friendly with earth , it goes smoothly on my face and give good natural looking!

by kimmie_hoa_la Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 04:14AM Report as inappropriate

I'm terrified of eyelash curlers - they look like they're just going to cut right through my lashes!

by schien Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 11:04AM Report as inappropriate

I just looked at the smashbox angled eyeliner brush today. But then as I was researching it I found alot of ladies have been experiencing fraying at the tip.....hmmmm....not sure this will be the one for me.

by ShanthiDevi Monday, September 10, 2012 at 03:30AM Report as inappropriate

Sonia Kashuk is the best for inexpensive brushes.

by michellefuentes Monday, August 20, 2012 at 02:08PM Report as inappropriate

This brush is amazing! I love the ELF brush as it was my very first makeup brush before I got my Lancome Brush set. If you want to get better at applying eyeshadow, starting off with the ELF brush is a great start and buy!

by luereatha_miller Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 10:49AM Report as inappropriate

I need to buy some of these! I was surprised at how there were only 2 MAC brushes on this list. That ELF brush definitely deserved it though.

by GingerDrink Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 01:11PM Report as inappropriate

Need to add some of these to my shopping list!

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 08:42PM Report as inappropriate

I have the Shisedo lash curler, too faced brush, tweezers, both MAC brushes & love them all. Does this make me a hoarder?

by DTalksAll Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 03:35PM Report as inappropriate

Still searching for the perfect eyelash curler

by LittleBunny Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 03:23PM Report as inappropriate

In Canada Shoppers Drug Mart carrys a line called Quo (their own store). Brushes are available individually or in sets. They are very good quality and comparable to high end brushes but are in a moderate price range and there are a huge number to chooses from. At certain times they have sets and I have ben able to aquire a large collection, have had many for years and use them regularly. I once had a problem and they exchanged the brush, no questions even though it was several yrs old, in part because if it is from their store line they will do this.

by mum21 Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 01:46PM Report as inappropriate

My favorite eyelash curler is Shu Umera.

by beautybody Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 10:38AM Report as inappropriate

i'm glad that the elf eyeshadow brush made it here because i also owned the brush myself and love it...

by ruby_chang Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10:47PM Report as inappropriate

I'm hearing more good things about Sonia Kashuk, looking forward to trying some of her products

by mrselliott08 Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 07:28AM Report as inappropriate

Absolutely great article! I must try out some of these products.

by CeciliaDemant Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 08:49AM Report as inappropriate

I really don't like the Smashbox eyeliner brush. It was not easy to use.

by powerwoman033 Monday, March 12, 2012 at 09:15PM Report as inappropriate

Gives me the urge to rush and buy them all now.

by heartMashimaro Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 03:25AM Report as inappropriate

thanks

by cielona_boco Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 07:55AM Report as inappropriate

helpful

by Nicole2814 Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:55PM Report as inappropriate

This is very helpful, although I sometimes have trouble using certain brushes.

by bjg251 Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 07:22AM Report as inappropriate

I have the ELF eye shadow brush and I think it's great! Want to try one of those eye curlers.

by MissXu Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 09:02PM Report as inappropriate

Why is a good brush so expensive? Really want to try the Sonia Kashuk brush it looks awesome, and the ELF one too.

by andie Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 08:10PM Report as inappropriate

it's hard to find good brushes sometimes.

by shar_r Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 01:25PM Report as inappropriate

I hope next year the Magic Hair Pad will make the top 13 list. It's a fringe holder that doesn't flatten or kink your hair that is ideal to use when you put on your make up or wash your face. Learn more at magichairpad . com Would TotalBeauty be interested in reviewing the product? Thanks Kristina

by MagicHairPad Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 06:41PM Report as inappropriate

tokidoki makes awesome brushes

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:27AM Report as inappropriate

can;t live without my concealer brush.

by LittleBunny Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 02:19PM Report as inappropriate

A good alternative to the smashbox eyeliner brush it the ELF brush made the same way and it's just $3!

by jcam359 Monday, July 11, 2011 at 10:42PM Report as inappropriate

I like the brushes from CVS Essence Of Beauty At Home Kit Face They are soft and work well and are not too expensive.

by Only1KimmieD Monday, June 27, 2011 at 12:40PM Report as inappropriate

I want that Smashbox eyeliner brush so badly! I have heard nothing but great reviews from all sites. Currently using MAC angled brush and the thickness makes it very difficult to create a straight and even line. Looking forward to this brushes results.

by BlackFleur145 Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 11:35AM Report as inappropriate

This site is so great right before I go shopping. It saves me so from making so many bad decisions about buying brushes and products. A+

by bukiyounahito Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 09:29AM Report as inappropriate

I looove the Too Faced Retractable Kabuki brush! It's so soft. And ELF makes some surprisingly good brushes,

by LipglossandSpandex Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 10:55PM Report as inappropriate

Ahhhh, over like $20 for most of these, and they aren't even product! I will be trying the ELF brushes and Sonia Kashuk line :P

by mkgx7 Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 03:53PM Report as inappropriate

i use my fingers to apply most of my makeup...but among the brushes I have the most expensive one is the one i use most and is for Blush from TBS, its very soft and adorable i dnt think i need anything else and long as the bristles are not poking my skin i am fine with cheaper brands

by debjosh Friday, April 1, 2011 at 04:54AM Report as inappropriate

love my elf eyeshadow brushes... the expensive ones.. are well expensive

by lelalu100 Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 12:50PM Report as inappropriate

great article!

by allyislovexo Friday, February 25, 2011 at 04:16PM Report as inappropriate

I just got some new ones from Tokidoki and their amazing for eyes!

by Bon_Bon Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 06:25PM Report as inappropriate

I have to add the MAC 187 stippling brush to this list. I do not know how I ever put on foundation without a stippling brush!

by pynkNymphette Monday, February 14, 2011 at 12:22AM Report as inappropriate

i can't live without my eyelash curler

by LittleBunny Friday, February 11, 2011 at 04:06PM Report as inappropriate

i like using my own clean hands for a lot of things

by judyangel101 Friday, February 11, 2011 at 02:14PM Report as inappropriate

Wow thanks! I've been trying to research makeup tools

by kupham Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 09:41AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with ERiKAMARiE...but I have to try Sonia's lash & brow groomer lol

by royalpoison Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:13AM Report as inappropriate

I don't understand why someone would pay more than like.. $3 for an eyelash curler. You could get one for a dollar and it would do the job.

by ERiKAMARiE Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 09:48AM Report as inappropriate

too faced kabuki is great but after one wash the bristles lost all their fluff :(

by kenya Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 11:55AM Report as inappropriate

I agree that ecotools are awesome but how can you not like elf's eye shadow brush?! I own like five of them and I always reach for them when I am doing my make up. My tweezer is a life saver as well!! Good article.

by pynkNymphette Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 06:33PM Report as inappropriate

yes eco tools rock!

by makeuplover123 Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 08:44PM Report as inappropriate

eco tools are the best

by mishy_the_fishy Friday, April 9, 2010 at 09:31PM Report as inappropriate

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