Consumer Reports Tests Makeup Brush Sets, Sigma Takes Top Spot

Key facts

• Consumer Reports tested makeup brush sets on real faces for softness and blending.
• Sigma Essential Brush Set costs $221 for 12 brushes and was the top overall pick.
• Sigma's synthetic bristles were remarkably soft, evenly packed, and sturdy.
• Sigma's two foundation brushes were rated better than any other set tested.
• Sigma's powder and blush brush used looser bristle packing that improved blending for cream and powder blush.
• Sigma's eye makeup brushes ran a bit large for precise work on hooded eyes.
• E.L.F. Professional Set of 12 Makeup Brushes costs $12 and was runner-up.
• E.L.F. bristles were soft and shed-free with lightweight, tapered handles.
• E.L.F.'s smaller foundation brush was surprisingly effective around the nose and jawline.
• E.L.F.'s compact concealer brush worked better on small spots than under-eye circles.
• Morphe Best of Blends 8-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set costs $39 and was the standout midpriced pick.
• Morphe's bristles were silky, even, and dense with tapered handles.
• Morphe's powder brush was especially good at depositing and blending product in tight spots.
• Morphe's blush brush was better than nearly every other tested at handling both powder and cream formulas.
• BK Beauty Core Line Extension costs $195 and was recommended for eye makeup, especially for smaller or hooded eyes.
• BK's smaller, densely packed eye brushes allowed precise application of powder, liquid, and cream eyeshadow.
• Sigma's bristles felt softer overall than BK's, but BK's foundation brush shape was preferred for small facial zones.
• BK's handles were lighter and more tapered than Sigma's, but labeled only with numbers.
• Clear labeling on E.L.F. and Morphe sets was noted as helpful for less experienced users.