Every makeup artist has one of these blending brushes by MAC in their kit. I bought mine over 15 years ago and it is still going strong — despite being used over and over again. Not only are the bristles extra soft and perfect for blending, the handle is durable and built to last.

If you were to own only one eyeshadow brush, it would have to be this one. It can be used for both cream and powder shadows, and the tightly packed hairs evenly blend out shades for a soft and professional looking finish.

NYX is famed for its professional-grade makeup products at drugstore prices, and their collection of brushes provides the same high quality standards at an affordable price point. There is nothing worse than eyeshadow with harsh lines, and this brush is the perfect tool to ensure your smokey eye always appears soft and well-blended.

This brush works to blur colors on the lid, across the crease and under the eye, and can be used with liquid, cream or powder shadows.

Kim Kardashian’s favorite makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic has developed the ultimate eyeshadow tool with his double-ended EF1 brush. Create an entire eye look using just this brush, which enables you to place, set and blend your shadows seamlessly.

The soft bristles are securely housed in a sturdy birchwood handle which makes them extra durable and a good investment for anyone who likes to keep a minimalist makeup bag or needs one multi-functional brush when on-the-go.

Coming in at just $1, you can’t go wrong picking up one of these eyeshadow brushes. E.l.f was founded on the principle of making beauty products accessible to everyone, and their range of brushes has all the tools you need to apply your makeup and achieve a sleek finish.

This blending brush is the standout of the collection and is the perfect option for eyeshadow lovers who are on a budget, as it effectively softens harsh color lines and sets products.

This six-piece environmentally-friendly brush set from EcoTools contains everything you need and more to create a multitude of eye looks from a light smokey eye to a more dramatic winged shadow.

The set comes housed in an aluminum box, and the handles are crafted from renewable bamboo — all for just under $5.

From gold shimmering eyes to matte fluorescent lids, Rihanna has launched dozens of eyeshadow trends over the years. Her brand Fenty has come up with this fabulous pink all rounder eyeshadow brush that can be used for both color placement and blending.

The luxury bristles evenly distribute shadow across the lids and then softly fade out the shades to eliminate harsh lines — all without irritating the eyes.

If you are serious about your eye makeup, sometimes one brush just isn’t enough to create the eye looks you desire. This set from Sephora has all the essentials you need to take your smokey eyes to the next level.

Containing two shadow brushes, a crease brush and a blender, it even includes a brow brush to complete your makeup and ensure your face is perfectly framed.

This brush set from Real Techniques is a bestselling option with rave reviews, proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve well-applied eyeshadow. In addition to a base shadow and crease brush, it has a spoolie for brows and an angled brush that can be used for liner.

We also love how the metallic pink handles brighten up our makeup bag and how easy they are to clean.

Streamline your application process with this sleek dual ended brush from Merit. The bigger brush works like a dream to place color across the lid, as its fluffy bristles diffuse shades evenly to avoid patchy looking eyeshadow.

The thinner, tapered end is perfect for along the lash line making it the best choice for anyone who likes to keep their eyes lined with color — whether it be with a classic black or something more vibrant.

Sigma brushes are a favorite among beauty insiders, with many makeup artists even declaring them as the best in the business. Their E38 brush is an essential for anyone who likes to add definition to their eyes by applying shadow in their crease.

The super soft bristles were designed not to cause irritation and shaped to mold to your eye socket for a mess-free application.

A good smokey eye is probably one of the most universally flattering makeup looks ever. Whether you like to keep it timeless with a mix of matte browns or experiment with shimmery tones, having one of these kits from e.l.f on hand will help you achieve a flawless finish.

All the brushes were designed to cover each step of the smokey eye application process — from placement, blending, lining and smudging.

This brush from wet n wild is perfect for cream shadows, as the curved bristles make it effortless to place color and glide seamlessly along the lid. The comfort-fit handle is ideal if you don’t have such a steady hand as it is easier to hold.

If you are looking to achieve a more precise eye look, this brush will help you keep your makeup looking clean. It also costs less than $1, making it one of our favorite beauty bargains ever.

If you are looking to really up your makeup game, then it might be worth looking into investing in a full brush set. This bestselling kit from BS-Mall comes neatly packed in a cylinder holder and provides you with every tool you could ever need to apply makeup.

This set ensures that not only is your eyeshadow flawlessly applied but that your contour, base, lips and cheeks are too.

Those with sensitive eyes may have long sworn off eyeshadow due to how irritating it can be. The super soft bristles on these brushes make for a gentler application which reduces the chances of causing redness and tears.

This set contains two dual-ended brushes which means that you get four brushes for just under $6 — making it a great value, providing you with options to define, smudge, blend and shade.

This brush has one of the finest tips available on the market, making it the ideal option for applying liner or shadow along the lash line. If you are looking to get as tight as possible to the lashes, then this is the brush you need to create a clean looking finish.

As with all Make Up For Ever products, this brush is of the highest quality and feels durable. The sturdier handle also means you can get a better grip and achieve that all important precise finish.