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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Overall:<\/strong> MAC 217 Brush<\/h2>\n\n
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MAC<\/p>\n
MAC 217 Synthetic Blending Brush<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> beauty closet associate Edward Horgan using the Mac 217 Brush<\/p>\n<\/span>Edward Horgan<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> The MAC 217 is the gold standard of blending brushes. Soft, densely packed fibers are shaped into a gentle oval, giving you enough precision to hit the crease directly while still diffusing powder or cream shadows into the smoothest gradient. It feels soft against the skin without being so floppy that you lose control or kick up excess fallout. While it shines in the crease, the tapered oval tip also makes it a dream for finessing the lower lash line or softening outer corners.<\/p>\n\n
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Tester feedback from beauty closet associate Edward Horgan<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cIf you see me with a makeup brush in my hand, 9 times out of 10, it will be a MAC brush. The 217 is my go-to for blending darker shades into my crease to add the dimension that every eye look needs. The oval shape works wonders even on my hooded eyes to give me the perfect blend every time.\u201d \u2014Edward Horgan, beauty closet associate<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nBest for:<\/strong> blending out bigger areas like the crease and smaller areas like the outer or inner corners<\/li>\nBristles:<\/strong> synthetic fibers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Tapered:<\/strong> Half Magic Pyramid Eye Shadow Brush<\/h2>\n\n
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Half Magic<\/p>\n
Pyramid Eye Shadow Brush<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> Whether you want to blend out outer corners, brighten the inner corner, or trace color along the upper or lower lash line, a tapered brush like Half Magic\u2019s Best of Beauty-winning Pyramid Eye Shadow Brush makes all of it feel intentional and controlled. Created by Euphoria<\/em>\u2019s lead makeup artist, Donni Davy, its sculpted tip lets you place pigment exactly where you want it, while the softly flexible bristles still fan and diffuse color for a seamless finish. Dense enough for precision yet fluffy enough for that airy blend, it\u2019s the rare brush that truly does both.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> senior news editor Nicola Dall\u2019Asen using the Half Magic Pyramid Eye Shadow Brush<\/p>\n<\/span>Nicola Dall’Asen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nDall\u2019Asen after using the Half Magic Pyramid Eye Shadow Brush<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhen you think of an eye shadow brush, you probably don’t think of geometric shapes with straight edges and pointed tips, but that’s exactly how Half Magic has designed its iteration. This pyramid-shaped brush is a miracle for eye shadow control freaks (guilty); the pointed tip only applies shadow exactly where you want it to go. It lets you carve out creases, define your eye shape, and get in that pesky undereye area without spreading shadow farther than desired. But despite its pointiness, the bristles are still soft as can be, so there are no streaks and no smudges\u2014you can still blend things out to your heart’s desire. Once I started using it, I started to question why all eye shadow brushes aren’t shaped this way.\u201d \u2014Nicola Dall\u2019Asen, senior news editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nBest for:<\/strong> blending out smaller areas like the outer or inner corner<\/li>\nBristles:<\/strong> PBT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Drugstore:<\/strong> EcoTools Sea Gems Eye Makeup Brush Set<\/h2>\n\n
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EcoTools<\/p>\n
Sea Gems Eye Makeup Brush Set<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin using the EcoTools Sea Gems Eye Makeup Brush Set<\/p>\n<\/span>Sarah Felbin<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> You\u2019re basically getting five eye brushes for the price of one with EcoTools\u2019 Sea Gems Eye Makeup Brush Set\u2014and honestly, they\u2019re as pretty as sea-glass souvenirs in your makeup bag. Each brush pulls its weight, whether you\u2019re laying down a blown-out base, carving a softly buffed wing, or doing your best \u201cI tried but not too hard\u201d blend. Bonus: They come tucked inside a chic, reusable travel tin so your tools stay cute and<\/em> organized on the go.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cThis brush set actually makes eye shadow feel foolproof. My most used is the All-Over Eye Brush\u2014the larger size and rounded shape are perfect for applying a smooth, seamless wash of color in seconds. I’m also a big fan of the teeny tiny Smudge Brush for sweeping color along my lower lash line or smoking out my eyeliner. The entire set is easy to use, easy to clean, and well-made (no shedding bristles here). Plus, each brush is labeled on the handle, which comes in handy on days when I’m speeding through my makeup routine.\u201d \u2014Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nBest for:<\/strong> a full eye look<\/li>\nBristles:<\/strong> synthetic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Dual-Ended:<\/strong> Makeup by Mario EF1 Dual-Ended Cream & Powder Brush<\/h2>\n\n
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Makeup by Mario<\/p>\n
EF1 Dual-Ended Cream & Powder Brush<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Get yourself a brush that truly does both\u2014enter Makeup by Mario\u2019s EF1 Dual-Ended Cream & Powder Brush. One side is a soft, flat shader that lays down targeted color like a dream (we reach for it constantly with creams and anything sparkly), while the other end is a fluffy blender that diffuses, sets, and softens without a single harsh line. Instead of juggling a whole arsenal, this one tool takes your eye look from start to finish. It\u2019s also a travel MVP since you only need to pack one brush to cover it all.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> commerce editor Sarah Han using the Makeup by Mario EF1 Dual-Ended Cream & Powder Brush<\/p>\n<\/span>Sarah Han<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nHan after using the Makeup by Mario EF1 Dual-Ended Cream & Powder Brush<\/p>\n
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Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cNormally, I\u2019d go for a brush with a smaller head (like EF6, which is also great), but let\u2019s be real, my everyday eye shadow look consists of two colors, at most, so EF1 helps cut down on time by covering more area at once. I usually sweep one light gold\/pink\/peach across my entire lid with the larger brush and pat on a glittery eye shadow on the inner third of my lids with the tapered, flat end. Emphasis on easy-peasy.\u201d \u2014Sarah Han, commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nBest for:<\/strong> a full eye shadow look<\/li>\nBristles:<\/strong> synthetic and vegan fibers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Blending:<\/strong> Ilia Blending Brush<\/h2>\n\n
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Why we love it:<\/strong> Ever wonder why a makeup artist\u2019s smoky eye looks impossibly seamless while yours looks patchy? The secret is always in the blend, and Ilia Beauty\u2019s Blending Brush takes on that heavy lifting for you. Its long, tapered bristles glide across lids and nestle perfectly into creases, diffusing shadow with that pro-level, soft-focus finish. Sweep, swirl, or windshield-wipe\u2014no matter your move, the edges melt out so smoothly you\u2019ll swear you had a glam squad. No wonder it won a 2025 Best of Beauty Award for Best Eye Shadow Makeup Brush.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cAs a former makeup artist, I\u2019m extremely<\/em> particular about my blending brushes\u2014and this one is always the first I reach for when I want that effortless, seamless finish on the lid. Whether I\u2019m building a full-on smoky eye or soft-washing a bronze shade through the crease, it buffs out powder in a few quick sweeps without ever skipping, catching, or leaving things patchy. If you\u2019re looking to level up your eye shadow tools, consider this your entry point.\u201d \u2014Lily Wohlner, commerce writer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nBest for:<\/strong> blending out the crease, outer lid, inner corners, and upper and lower lash lines<\/li>\nBristles:<\/strong> PBT (a synthetic, man-made fiber)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Eye Shadow Kit:<\/strong> Omnia Pro Blending 5pc Makeup Brush Set<\/h2>\n