The 27 best highlighter brush brands
Hakuhodo, ELF and Hourglass lead our ranking of 27 highlighter brush brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Highlighter Brush brands, ranked
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1
Hakuhodo
Goat hair blending brushes made in Japan, with densely packed, fine-tipped heads that lay down a precise, controlled glow.
Top products: J4003 Highlight Brush
Website: hakuhodousa.com |Brands like Hakuhodo
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
ELF
Budget-friendly drugstore brushes with synthetic bristles, a sensible pick for trying highlighting without spending much.
Website: elfcosmetics.com |Brands like ELF
Popularity 9.0/10
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3
Hourglass
Synthetic-bristle highlighter brushes from Hourglass, including the No. 16, built to spread a soft, diffused glow.
Top products: No. 16 Highlighter Brush· Veil Powder Brush
Website: hourglasscosmetics.com |Brands like Hourglass
Popularity 8.2/10
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4
Sephora
The retailer's own Sephora Collection PRO line offers affordable natural and synthetic brushes, including dedicated highlighting shapes.
Top products: Sephora Collection PRO #99· Sephora Collection PRO #98
Website: sephora.com |Brands like Sephora
Popularity 7.8/10
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5
Smashbox
Makeup-artist-developed brushes, with the Precise Highlighting Brush built for pinpoint placement on cheekbones and brow bones.
Top products: Precise Highlighting Brush
Website: smashbox.com |Brands like Smashbox
Popularity 7.6/10
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6
Real Techniques
Sponge and brush systems with tapered bristles, widely used for quick blending and soft, natural-looking sculpting.
Website: realtechniques.com |Brands like Real Techniques
Popularity 7.2/10
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7
Morphe
Mid-priced brushes with bold styling, including dual-ended powder shapes and angled contour brushes for sculpting.
Top products: M160 Dual-Ended Powder Blush· M224 Oval Camouflage Concealer
Website: morphe.com |Brands like Morphe
Popularity 6.9/10
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8
100% Pure
100% Pure is your to-go natural skincare brand. Have you browsed through their fruit-pigmented make? There are available in many flavors, from cocoa to pomegranate. Tough to find the right cosmetics? Answer a few questions on their website and find the right shade of foundation for yourself. The Ultra-lining mascara is in demand in stores. They also have state-of-the-art skin-healing products that show effective results. Gift your loved ones 100% Pure to show that you care!
Website: 100percentpure.com |Brands like 100% Pure
Popularity 6.5/10
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9
Fenty Beauty
Compact travel-sized highlighter brushes with magnetic closures, a lighter choice for carrying in a bag.
Top products: Portable Highlighter Brush 140
Website: fentybeauty.com |Brands like Fenty Beauty
Popularity 6.4/10
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10
Kat Von D
Kat Von D is a pop singer and creator with a goth-inspired lifestyle. The talented tattoo artist has displayed her unique skills through several Hollywood celebrities. Her music is the extended medium for self-expression and developed for niche listeners who...
Website: katvond.com |Brands like Kat Von D
Popularity 5.8/10
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11
EcoTools
Affordable vegan brushes with a tapered highlight shape, plus duos that pair a blush brush with a highlight tip.
Top products: Luxe Soft Highlight Powder Brush
Website: ecotools.com |Brands like EcoTools
Popularity 5.7/10
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12
tarte
Vegan brushes with a double-ended cheek brush and super soft natural hair options, popular for airy, glowing highlight.
Top products: Double-Ended Cheek Brush
Website: tartecosmetics.com |Brands like tarte
Popularity 5.4/10
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13
Farah
This Texas-based brand Farah has made workwear fashionable. Farah has been in the limelight because of its excellent fittings, sharp cuts, and fabric. They sell casual attires which are always in trend among the generation which has jumpsuits for a...
Website: farah.co.uk |Brands like Farah
Popularity 5.4/10
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14
bareMinerals
Mineral makeup brand whose dual-finish blush and contour brush blends powder bronzer and highlight in one stroke.
Top products: Dual Finish Blush & Contour Brush
Website: bareminerals.com |Brands like bareMinerals
Popularity 5.3/10
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15
Luxie
Luxie's makeup brushes use synthetic fibers and come in shapes such as flat brushes and rose-shaped brushes for blush and powder application. The brand was established in 2014 and sells makeup tools aimed at beauty professionals and home users alike.
Website: luxiebeauty.com |Brands like Luxie
Popularity 5.1/10
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16
Mary Kay
Mary Kay has been empowering women in the business world for a long time. It is an iconic brand that is not made in a day. Mary Kay has been operating successfully for over 50 years. 1963 was the year...
Website: marykay.com |Brands like Mary Kay
Popularity 4.7/10
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17
Laura Geller
American brand Laura Geller makes color cosmetics, including skincare-oriented foundations and face makeup. Its eyeliner, eye shadow and lip colors have formulas meant to look natural on the skin. The products apply easily and give a polished, healthy-looking finish. Across...
Website: laurageller.com |Brands like Laura Geller
Popularity 4.1/10
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18
IT Cosmetics
Who does not love their skin? But is doing makeup enough? IT Cosmetics aims to provide solutions for most skin-related issues and is known for encouraging women across the globe. It supplies clinically tested, top-notch, suitable skincare and makeup products....
Website: itcosmetics.com |Brands like IT Cosmetics
Popularity 3.9/10
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19
Chikuhodo
Chikuhodo is a brand that produces fine-quality makeup brushes used extensively by makeup artists and cosmetic brands. This particular applicator/blending tool and the brand have created its criterion and demand among the customers in the field of makeup. Chikuhodo equips...
Website: chikuhodo.com |Brands like Chikuhodo
Popularity 3.8/10
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20
Jessup
Jessup sells makeup brushes for professionals and home users, with sets for eyes, face and lips. Its PRO series is made for makeup artists and includes a full range of shapes.
Website: jessupbeauty.com |Brands like Jessup
Popularity 3.8/10
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21
M·A·C
MAC champions self-expression while encouraging creativity and is one of India's most echoed beauty and cosmetics brands. The brand strives to create ethical products on the skin, meaning they are consciously made. MAC x Stranger Things series of make-up explores...
Website: maccosmetics.com |Brands like M·A·C
Popularity 3.6/10
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22
MAKE UP FOR EVER
Makeup Forever is exactly what it sounds like. The company was founded in 1984, and they have been making cosmetics for all kinds of people. The company is dedicated to the industry, and they always come up with new beauty...
Website: makeupforever.com |Brands like MAKE UP FOR EVER
Popularity 3.6/10
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23
wet n wild
Wet n Wild is all about providing cosmetics at a low cost. What began as a tiny firm in the late 1960s has grown into one of America's largest makers and dealers of mass cosmetics. They are a firm dedicated...
Website: wetnwildbeauty.com |Brands like wet n wild
Popularity 3.5/10
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24
Piccasso
피카소브러쉬, 피카소꼴레지오니, 프로에잇청담, 아이미 속눈썹 등 메이크업브러쉬 및 색조 화장품 소개
Website: piccasso.co.kr |Brands like Piccasso
Popularity 3.4/10
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25
JAPONESQUE
JAPONESQUE is always delighted to offer all cosmetic brushes and beauty tools to help makeup artists in their line of work. Japonesque cosmetics have produced beauty for nearly 25 years, drawing inspiration from the expert makeup techniques used in Japanese...
Website: japonesque.com |Brands like JAPONESQUE
Popularity 3.3/10
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26
Slmissglam
Slmissglam's brush sets and single face brushes are built around the idea that beauty tools should look as distinctive as the makeup they hold. The line includes blusher brushes and highlighter brushes for applying color and shimmer. The brand grew...
Website: slmissglambeauty.com |Brands like Slmissglam
Popularity 3.3/10
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27
NARS
NARS Cosmetics, makeup, and skincare products are designed for the best-fashion, image-conscious woman who desires a professional look. Offering skincare and beauty items in various hues, textures, and finishes to serve your taste. The products are developed based on the...
Website: narscosmetics.com |Brands like NARS
Popularity 3.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakuhodo | hakuhodousa.com | /HakuhodoUSAShowroom | hakuhodousa.official | – | – |
| ELF | elfcosmetics.com | – | – | @elfcosmetics | – |
| Hourglass | hourglasscosmetics.com | /hourglassplanners | hourglassplanners | – | – |
| Sephora | sephora.com | – | – | – | – |
| Smashbox | smashbox.com | /smashbox-cosmetics | smashboxcosmetics | @smashbox | SmashboxCosmetics |
| Real Techniques | realtechniques.com | /realtechniques | realtechniques | @realtechniques | realtechniques |
| Morphe | morphe.com | /MorpheBrushesCosmetics | morphebrushes | @morphebrushes | Morphe |
| 100% Pure | 100percentpure.com | /100percentpure | 100percentpure | @100percentpure | 100% PURE |
| Fenty Beauty | fentybeauty.com | /fentybeauty | fentybeauty | @fentybeauty | – |
| Kat Von D | katvond.com | – | – | – | – |
Highlighter Brush Buying Guide
Highlighter brushes are an essential tool for achieving the perfect glow. They help apply highlighter products for a natural highlight and a flawless finish. But with so many options available, it can be tough to know which highlighter brush is best for your needs. That's why we have put together a comprehensive buying guide to help you choose the perfect highlighter brush.
Types of Highlighter Brushes
Before diving into different factors to consider when buying a highlighter brush, it’s essential to know the different types of highlighter brushes available. They include:
- Fan brush: Fan brushes are great for beginners and can be used for both powder and cream products. They’re perfect for applying highlighter on the high points of the face, including the cheekbones, brow bone, and Cupid’s bow. They have long, thin bristles that form a fan shape.
- Dome brush: Dome brushes have a curved shape with fluffy bristles. They’re perfect for applying highlighter to the cheekbones and blending it seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. They’re ideal for powder products and work well for smaller areas, like under the eyes and bridge of the nose.
- Tapered brush: Tapered brushes are similar to dome brushes but have a more pointed tip. They’re perfect for applying highlighter to the highest points of the face, creating a more defined and precise look. They work exceptionally well with powder products.
- Angled brush: Angled brushes have a slanted shape that allows for perfect precision in your application. They work perfectly for cream products, and they’re great for creating a more dramatic look. They’re ideal for contouring and sculpting the face.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Highlighter Brush
Once you know the various types of highlighter brushes available, you can start considering the following factors to ensure that you choose the right brush for your needs.
Bristles
The type of bristles used in your highlighter brush is essential. Most brushes come with either natural or synthetic bristles, and it's important to choose based on personal preference and skin type.
Natural bristles, typically made of animal hair, are more porous and are great for powder products. They're ideal for blending and creating a more natural look. However, those with sensitive skin should avoid natural bristles, as they may cause irritation.
Synthetic bristles are ideal for cream and liquid products. They’re usually made of nylon or polyester, and they’re soft, gentle, and don't absorb product easily, which means that you’ll get more use out of each highlighter application.
Shape and Size
The shape and size of the brush will determine where and how you can apply your highlighter. Choose a brush that matches the size of the area on which you wish to apply the highlighter. If you intend to apply the highlighter on a larger area, go for a brush with a larger surface area, like a fan brush or a dome brush. If you intend to apply it in a more precise area, choose a brush with a slimmer, more detailed tip.
Type of Product
The type of brush you need will depend on the type of product you intend to use. Different formulas require different brushes, and if you use the wrong brush, it may not work as well as it could.
If you use powder highlighter, a fan or tapered brush might be best. For liquid highlighters, use a sponge or foundation brush to get the most out of it. Finally, for cream highlighters, use a small, dense, and flat brush to apply in small areas, like the inner corner of the eye.
Price
The price of the brush is an essential consideration. Highlighter brushes range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. It’s essential to strike a balance between quality and affordability. While pricier brushes may provide better quality and last longer, there are many high-quality brushes at affordable prices.
Maintaining your Highlighter Brush
Once you've found the perfect highlighter brush, it's essential to keep it clean and well-maintained. This can prolong its lifespan and ensure that it remains effective. The following tips will help you maintain your highlighter brush:
- Clean regularly: Clean your brush after every use. This will prevent the product from building up and reduce the risk of bacteria growth. Use a gentle cleaner, like baby shampoo or makeup brush cleanser, and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Dry your brush: Once you've cleaned your brush, reshape the bristles and lay it flat on a clean towel to dry overnight. Avoid drying your brush upright as water can collect at the base and damage the brush.
- Store properly: Store your brush in a clean and dry container. Avoid storing it with other brushes as it can damage the bristles. Make sure that the bristles sit facing up to prevent any deformities.
Conclusion
Purchasing the right highlighter brush can make a significant difference in the overall look of your makeup. It can help you achieve the perfect glow and ensure that your makeup stays flawless throughout the day. We hope that our highlighter brush buying guide has been insightful and will help you choose the perfect tool for your highlighter application needs.
