Siren eyes. Doe eyes. Puppy eyes. What do these three have in common?
No, they’re not listing the peepers of various critters for fun: they’re all makeup trends currently going viral all over social media.
The looks offer an exciting departure from the classic cat-eye flick; as much as we adore it, true beauty fans know that there’s always room for experimentation.
It’s not just the cool new liner trends to recreate either. All sorts of eye makeup looks can change the shape of your peepers or add a new dimension to your look, whether it’s for night or day.
A high-drama smokey eye gives the illusion of longer lashes, while techniques like a cut crease can make your eyes look Bambi-big with a higher definition of the lid. A gradient look is perfect for parties, allowing you to pack in highly pigmented colour across the entire lid and brow area. The internet is heaving with tutorials that will show you how to achieve the effect yourself.
But you can’t run without walking first. The first step in creating any eye makeup begins with a brush. While daily, natural-looking makeup can be bluffed, blurred and softened with the quick swipe of a finger or a Beautyblender, you’re going to need to call in the big guns for show-stopping precision.
While there are plenty of eyeshadow brush sets available, unless you’re going for a full eye makeup look every day or you’re a professional artist, they may not be what you’re after. We’ve put together a quick guide to the most common brushes for your eyes.
Popular eyeshadow brushes explained: what each one does
Class dismissed. Now you know more than you thought you ever could about eyeshadow brushes, it’s time to find the perfect option for you.
To help your search, we’ve listed the best brushes in the biz below. We've taken care to choose individual tools as well as sets.
Shop the edit below
Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Full-Coverage Eye Brush
A brand built on enhancing its customers’ natural assets, Bobbi Brown not only has the makeup but the tools to achieve subtle, laid-back beauty. This dual-ended brush features a fuller brush head on one end and a smaller domed version on the other, allowing you to form and finesse your eyeshadow from the lash line right up to the brow bone.
Buy now £32.00, Bobbi Brown
Morphe V202 Multifunctional Packing eyeshadow brush
A good brush to have if you’re getting off the makeup starting block, Morphe’s eyeshadow brush features soft synthetic fibres to pick up power shadows with ease. It’s a trusty all-rounder if you’re just after something to help you master the basics like a natural eye look or a soft cut crease.
Buy now £10.00, Boots
Laura Mercier Smudge Brush
Whether you’re looking to tease out your kohl liner to under the lower lash line or want to exaggerate your pencil cat-eye, this small but mighty brush from Laura Mercier will take it all in its stride. The small compact bristles help with finessing the finer details and the rounded shape means it’s rather good at adding shimmer to the inner corners too.
Buy now £25.00, Laura Mercier
DIOR Backstage Small Eyeshadow Blending Brush N°22
If you’re hoping to get detail in the smaller nooks and creases of your eyes, you’re going to need bristles that can get in there. Dior’s Backstage Small Eyeshadow Blending Brush is more than up to the job with a long handle for extra control.
Buy now £27.00, Selfridges
Trish McEvoy 10 One Sweep Colour Eyeshadow Brush
For high-impact eyes when you’re up against it, reach for this wide eyeshadow brush from makeup maestro Trish McEvoy. The square-headed design allows you to pick up colour and pack it onto the lids in one simple stroke and it’s pretty good at blending too. What’s more the soft bristles are made from pony hair, making them easy to clean and air dry.
Buy now £28.00, Liberty
Rose Inc Number 7 Fan Eyeshadow Brush
Rose Inc was supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s venture, and instead of the recent ennui of celebrity beauty brands, it’s been lauded for professional tools and innovative formulations. This fan-shaped eyeshadow brush is an excellent choice for those who prefer natural-looking makeup livened by a hint of shimmer.
The dual-length brush head diffuses colour gently and gives an effortless wash over the lid, which you can deepen with another coat if you wish. The vegan brush is made with synthetic bristles, soft and easy to maintain.
Buy now £22.00, Cult Beauty
Beauty Pie Pro Eyeshadow Blending Brush
Beauty Pie's eyeshadow brush is so lauded it's received five-star reviews from across the board. Suitable for all levels and crafted in an oval shape for the perfect contour curve, the cosmetic bag essential will become your go-to for seamless shading. Soft, cruelty-free bristles promise gentle blending and can is easy to sweep colour across the lid.
Buy now £10.00, Beauty Pie
Best eyeshadow brush sets
Spectrum X Katie Jane Hughes KJH 5 Piece Eye Brush Set
This hand-selected curation of eye makeup brushes by celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes (whose clients include the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ashley Graham and Kate Bosworth) is the perfect choice for those who want to feel like they’re in expert hands.
The edit features a combination of wide fluffy brushes for washes of colour as well as tapered brushes to add detail and use to apply liner. From the bristles to the glossy olive handles, you’ll feel the quality in every stroke.
Buy now £54.99, John Lewis
Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials
You’ll be able to create any eye makeup you like with Real Techniques’ set of eight makeup brushes, specifically designed for your peepers. The super soft bristles are a dream to work with while the metallic purple on the handles will make them easy to spot in your makeup bag, no matter how packed it is in there. As well as brushes, the set comes with a fine-toothed lash separator to get rid of any mascara clumps.
Buy now £19.99, lookfantastic
Morphe Eye Obsessed 12-Piece Eye Brush Collection + Bag
Unless your inner MUA and whip up every eye look you dare to dream of; this set from Morphe makes eyeshadow looks a doddle. The black-handled set of 12 features cream or black bristles made up of natural and synthetic fibres and will work on cream shadows as well as the powder variety. They come housed in their own pouch to help keep them in shape and cleaner for longer.
Buy now £29.00, lookfantastic
Rae Morris Pro-Liner Set
Whether you’re creating a graphic eyeliner look or want to explore how a floating liner would work on your peepers, say hello to the last eyeliner brush set you’ll ever need. Designed by one of the most influential makeup artists on earth, Rae Morris has cherry-picked five of the best and most versatile brushes around. Reach any angle and create photoshoot-worthy looks with this fab five.
Buy now £146.31, Cult Beauty
Brushworks Mini Set
The set to stash in your beauty bag for perfect eyes on the go this set of four wide and pin-point brushes covers all bases. They work just as well on cream and liquid shadows as they will on the powder variety and once mastered, will help you create head-turning eye makeup.
Buy now £7.99, Lookfantastic
Shop makeup brush sets here and foundation brushes here
