If you have just bought your first home, the bathroom drawer is finally yours to organise, and a proper set of makeup brushes is one of those small upgrades that makes getting ready feel less chaotic. The trouble is that "best makeup brush set" returns a wall of choices in Australia, from compact kits to large sets of 25 pieces. Once the brushes are sorted, our guide to the best jewellery boxes for a first home dresser does the same tidy up for rings and chains.
See our guide to manual curlers to compare with your makeup tools for another part of the routine.
We pulled live Amazon Australia listings and compared star ratings and rating counts. Seven brush sets are covered here, and two of them, the BS-MALL 14 piece rose gold set and the ENZO KEN walnut set, could not be bought on 17 October 2026. The other five run from a compact everyday kit to a 25 piece labelled set to learn on.
For the hair half of getting ready, see our guide to the blow dry brushes that dry and shape hair in one pass.
What is the best makeup brush set in Australia right now?
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials is the best makeup brush set in Australia for most people: four brushes and the Miracle Complexion Sponge, rated 4.7 stars from 40,659 Amazon AU ratings. For more pieces, the BS-MALL 18 piece set is rated 4.4 stars from 55,218 ratings.
Lashes are the other half of an eye look, so see our guide to heated lash curlers and their temperature settings.
The quick list: best makeup brush sets at a glance
Here is the short version before we get into each set. Ratings and rating counts are the figures shown on each Amazon AU listing.
- Best overall: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials, 5 pieces (4 brushes and a sponge), 4.7 stars (40,659 ratings).
- Best value: BS-MALL 18 Piece Set, 4.4 stars (55,218 ratings).
- Rose gold set: BS-MALL 14 Piece Rose Gold Set. Could not be bought on 17 October 2026, see its section.
- Best big labelled kit: Jessup 25 Piece Professional Set, 4.4 stars (1,336 ratings).
- Walnut set: ENZO KEN Walnut Makeup Brush Set. Could not be bought on 17 October 2026, see its section.
- Best premium face kit: Real Techniques Au Naturale 9 Piece, 4.6 stars (1,926 ratings).
- Also worth a look: MAGEFY 22 Piece Set with case, 4.5 stars (1,410 ratings).
How did we choose these makeup brush sets?
We are an Australian aggregator, not a salon. We research and study rather than physically test, so our job is to weigh up the evidence that already exists and present it honestly. Here is how we narrowed a crowded category down to seven sets.
- We pulled live Amazon Australia listings to see which of the sets can be bought there; the two that could not are described in their own sections.
- We used the star rating and rating count shown on each Amazon AU listing. Every set you can buy here has more than 1,300 Amazon AU ratings, and two have more than 40,000.
- We read the customer review text saved with each listing and kept only points we could find there.
- We took the specifics from each listing: piece count, bristle material, handle material and whether the brushes are labelled, as the maker states them.
- We covered a range of set sizes, from a compact everyday kit to a big labelled learner set, so there is a sensible pick whatever your starting point.
- We read Google's search results and AI Overview for this topic and used them to choose the questions answered below.
Quick comparison of the five sets you can buy now
The table lines up the five sets that could be bought on Amazon AU: pieces, bristle material, rating with rating count and the seller the listing shows. Real Techniques Everyday Essentials is our pick.
| Set | Pieces | Bristles | Rating and ratings | Seller shown |
|---|
| Real Techniques Everyday Essentials (our pick) | 5 (4 brushes and a sponge) | Synthetic, vegan | 4.7 stars, 40,659 | Amazon AU |
| BS-MALL 18 Piece | 18 | Nylon | 4.4 stars, 55,218 | A-Beautyshop, shipped by Amazon |
| Jessup 25 Piece | 25 | Natural goat hair with premium synthetic hair | 4.4 stars, 1,336 | Jessup HongKong, shipped by Amazon |
| Real Techniques Au Naturale | 9 | Synthetic, UltraPlush | 4.6 stars, 1,926 | Amazon AU |
| MAGEFY 22 Piece | 22 | Nylon or polyester | 4.5 stars, 1,410 | MAGEFYlashes, shipped by Amazon |
Last checked: 17 October 2026.
Best overall makeup brush set: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials
The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Kit is the set we would hand a friend who just wants good brushes without overthinking it. You get four brushes plus the Miracle Complexion Sponge, five pieces in all: the 400 Blush Brush, 300 Deluxe Creasing Brush, 402 Setting Brush and 200 Expert Face Brush. The listing says they are best used with foundation, concealer, blush, highlighting and shadow. The synthetic bristles are vegan, the aluminium handles are light and durable, and the listing shows 4.7 stars from 40,659 Amazon AU ratings, the highest rating of the sets in this guide that you can buy.
What makes it the overall pick is how little it asks of you. The listing calls it a one and done set, and says its four brushes cover blush, bronzer, highlighter, concealer and shadows. One reviewer who also owns Hourglass and Dior brushes called the 200 and 402 brushes perfect for foundation application, and another reviewer named the Expert Face Brush a new favourite. The sponge is listed for an airbrushed look, used damp for a dewy glow or dry for full coverage.
It has fewer pieces than the bigger kits: four brushes and a sponge, against 18, 22 and 25 pieces in the larger sets here. For everyday makeup, fewer brushes that you actually reach for can beat a big tray of duplicates. If you want one simple set to start with, this is the one we would pick.
For the eye area, see our guide to magnetic lash kits compared for liner or no liner.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
One reviewer found the 400 Blush Brush too large and dome shaped to use easily, and would not recommend the 300 deluxe crease brush for hooded or mono lid eyes because it is a bit large. If cheek precision is your priority, you may want to add a smaller blush brush.
Best value makeup brush set: BS-MALL 18 Piece Set
The BS-MALL 18 piece set is the value pick: 18 pieces in a black, gold and silver finish with a travel case, listed for face, eye and lip makeup. It holds 4.4 stars from 55,218 Amazon AU ratings, the largest rating base of the sets you can buy in this guide. The listing shows A-Beautyshop as the seller, shipped by Amazon.
The listing gives nylon bristles, wood handles and aluminium ferrules, and describes ultra soft synthetic bristles that are easy to clean. One reviewer said their partner finds they work just as well as more expensive brushes. The listing calls the set beginner friendly and an ideal gift, so it is a sensible first kit if you want real range.
This is also a sensible choice if you are building a kit from scratch and are not yet sure which brush shapes you prefer. With 18 pieces you can experiment, find your favourites, and replace individual brushes with pricier options later if you fall in love with a particular shape. Think of it as a low-risk way to learn your own preferences.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Reviewers mention a smell of glue or plastic out of the box, so wash these before first use. The review summary on the listing also says the travel case gets mixed feedback, with some buyers finding it perfect for travel and others reporting missing containers.
BS-MALL 14 Piece Rose Gold Set: could not be bought on 17 October 2026
Could not be bought on 17 October 2026: Amazon AU shows this BS-MALL 14 piece rose gold set as currently unavailable, and the link now opens a different BS-MALL set with 20 pieces sold by Amazon US through the Global Store. If you want a BS-MALL set that is in stock, the 18 piece set above is the one we checked.
The title calls it a labeled makeup brushes kit, and the listing names blending foundation, powder and mineral makeup, contouring with cream and powder products, eyeshadow and lipstick among the jobs the brushes are for. For a learner who wants to grow into a full kit, 25 pieces give you room to try each technique.
At 25 pieces it has the most pieces of any set in this guide, so it suits people who want options rather than a minimal everyday kit. If you enjoy experimenting with contour, highlight and detailed eye looks, the breadth here pays off.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Its 1,336 ratings are a much smaller base than the 40,659 for Real Techniques Everyday Essentials, and its 4.4 stars sit below both Real Techniques sets, which hold 4.7 and 4.6. The listing shows Jessup HongKong as the seller, shipped by Amazon.
ENZO KEN Walnut Makeup Brush Set: could not be bought on 17 October 2026
Could not be bought on 17 October 2026: Amazon AU shows this ENZO KEN walnut set as currently unavailable, and the link now opens a different ENZO KEN set with 9 pieces, grey squirrel hair and oak handles. For a natural hair blend that is in stock, the Jessup 25 piece set above lists natural goat hair with synthetic hair.
Where the Everyday Essentials set keeps things minimal, the Au Naturale kit gives you a dedicated brush for each stage of the base, from priming through to powder. One reviewer calls the brushes well made and easy to use, and perfect for beginners. If you want the Real Techniques feel with more brushes than the five piece set, this is the natural step up.
The listing walks through the order of use: start with the RT 250 Primer Brush for serums, moisturisers and primer, then the RT 223 Blurring Concealer Brush, the RT 220 Light Layers Complexion Brush for foundation, and the RT 219 Ultimate Powder Brush and 321 Full Coverage Brush for powder.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
With a dedicated brush for each task there is a learning curve, though the listing spells out the order of use. It also has fewer ratings than the Everyday Essentials set, 1,926 against 40,659, so its rating rests on a smaller base.
Also worth a look: MAGEFY 22 Piece Set with case
Rounding out the list is the MAGEFY 22 piece set, a labelled synthetic kit with a flat carrying bag that holds 4.5 stars from 1,410 Amazon AU ratings. The listing says it covers foundation and powder application, eyeshadow blending and precise contouring across 22 brushes, with a brush name printed on each handle. It shows MAGEFYlashes as the seller, shipped by Amazon.
It competes with the BS-MALL 18 piece set and has more brushes, 22 against 18. The listing describes ultra soft synthetic bristles that are cruelty free, and a carrying bag with a handle and a flat design for travel or daily use.
We have it as the competition rather than a headline pick because the BS-MALL 18 piece set has a far larger rating base, 55,218 ratings against 1,410, which gives us more confidence in long term consistency. If the black and gold finish or the flat carrying bag appeals, it is still a solid option.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The 1,410 ratings are a much smaller base than the BS-MALL 18 piece set. Washing a new brush set before first use is a sensible habit.
Affordable makeup brush sets in Australia
The BS-MALL 18 piece set has the lowest listed price of the five sets you can buy in this guide, and the MAGEFY 22 piece set has the next lowest. Both are synthetic, and they rate 4.4 and 4.5 stars from 55,218 and 1,410 Amazon AU ratings.
Pick the BS-MALL set if you want the larger rating base and a travel case, or the MAGEFY set if you want 22 labelled brushes in a flat carrying bag. Listing prices move, so check the current price on Amazon AU before you buy. For the best rated set instead, Real Techniques Everyday Essentials has 4.7 stars from 40,659 ratings.
Do you need a set or a few single brushes?
A set is the easier start if you are learning, because the brushes arrive together and labelled kits show what each one is for. Once you know your favourites, a few single brushes can replace a big kit: one saved ChatGPT answer says a few good individual brushes can beat a 20 piece kit.
For learning, the Jessup 25 piece set is listed as labeled and the MAGEFY 22 piece set prints a name on each handle. For everyday makeup, the Real Techniques Everyday Essentials set keeps to four brushes and a sponge. To upgrade a single tool, the MECCA Australia and Sephora Australia brush pages rank for this search, though we have not captured their listings.
What should you look for in a makeup brush set?
The short answer is bristle type, piece count and how you actually do your makeup. A few simple rules cut through the marketing. Match synthetic bristles to liquid and cream products and natural hair to powder, then choose a piece count you will use, since a smaller set of brushes beats a large kit you never open.
Synthetic or natural bristles?
Synthetic bristles suit liquid and cream products such as foundation and concealer, and BS-MALL lists its synthetic bristles as easy to clean. Natural hair, such as the goat hair blend in the Jessup set, grips and diffuses powder, so it suits eyeshadow and powder blush. Most people are well served by a synthetic set.
How many makeup brushes do you actually need?
Fewer than big kits suggest. The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials listing says its four brushes cover blush, bronzer, highlighter, concealer and shadows. Beyond that, add a dense foundation brush, a fluffy powder brush, a blush brush and one eyeshadow blending brush. Larger kits such as the Jessup 25 piece set suit learning.
Do labels and a case matter?
For beginners, labels help. The Jessup 25 piece set is listed as labeled and the MAGEFY 22 piece set prints a name on each handle, so you learn each brush. A travel case helps with storage, and the BS-MALL 18 piece set includes one, but judge the brushes first. Pair it with a makeup bag for travel.
Which makeup brush is for what?
Foundation and buffing brushes are dense and rounded for liquid or cream base. Powder brushes are large and fluffy for sweeping on powder, and fan brushes are low density for dusting highlighter. Blush and contour brushes shape the cheeks. Crease and blending brushes place and soften eyeshadow, and small flat or pencil brushes handle concealer and liner.
- Foundation brush: a flat or rounded synthetic brush used to apply liquid or cream foundation smoothly.
- Buffing or kabuki brush: a dense, short handled or dome shaped brush used to buff liquid, cream or loose powder in circular motions for high coverage.
- Stippling brush: a dual fibre brush with mixed bristle lengths used to lightly press liquids or creams into the skin.
- Powder brush: a large, fluffy, soft brush used to sweep loose or pressed setting powder across the face.
- Blush brush: a soft, slightly slanted or dome shaped brush that deposits and blends colour onto the apples of the cheeks.
- Contour brush: a dense, angled or flat brush used to sculpt the hollows of the cheeks, the jawline and the sides of the nose.
- Fan brush: a low density, sweeping brush used to dust highlighter onto the high points of the face or clean up fallen powder.
- Concealer brush: a small, flat or tapered synthetic brush used for pinpoint coverage under the eyes or over blemishes.
- Eye shader brush: a firm, flat brush used to pack pigment onto the eyelid.
- Crease brush: a small, tapered brush designed to place and deepen colour in the eye crease.
- Blending brush: a fluffy, soft brush used to diffuse harsh lines and blend eyeshadow.
- Pencil or smudger brush: a small, rounded brush used to smudge eyeliner or smoke out the lower lash line.
Two of the sets list their brushes by name. The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials listing names the 400 Blush Brush, 300 Deluxe Creasing Brush, 402 Setting Brush and 200 Expert Face Brush. The Au Naturale listing names the RT 250 prime, RT 223 concealer, RT 220 complexion, RT 219 powder, RT 428 fan, RT 307 shading, RT 321 full coverage, RT 304 crease and RT 326 flat liner brushes.
In this guide, synthetic bristles means the nylon or polyester fibres listed on sets such as the MAGEFY 22 piece set, and natural hair means animal hair, such as the natural goat hair with premium synthetic hair in the Jessup 25 piece set.
How do you clean and care for makeup brushes?
Real Techniques advises cleaning its Everyday Essentials brushes weekly with its brush cleansing gel, so weekly is a sensible rhythm for brushes you use most days. The same listing says to air dry its sponge thoroughly in a well ventilated area and to replace the sponge every 30 uses.
Give a new set a wash before first use, as some reviewers of the BS-MALL 18 piece set mention a smell of glue or plastic. Our makeup brush cleaner guide covers products for the weekly wash.
You will also want these makeup and beauty extras
A good brush set is one piece of the kit. These companion buys round out a tidy beauty routine.
How does the competition compare?
Google's AI Overview for this search also lists the Sephora Collection Essential Total Brush Set and the Morphe Ready, Set, Pro 16 Piece Face and Eye Brush Set, which it places at MECCA Australia. We have not captured those listings, so we do not rate them here. Our focus is the Amazon AU sets above.
Among the five sets you can buy, the two Real Techniques sets have the highest ratings, 4.7 and 4.6 stars, and the Jessup 25 piece set is the biggest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best quality makeup brush set in Australia?
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials is the best makeup brush set in Australia for most people: four brushes and the Miracle Complexion Sponge, rated 4.7 stars from 40,659 Amazon AU ratings. If you want more brushes, the BS-MALL 18 piece set is the value choice, rated 4.4 stars from 55,218 ratings.
Are synthetic or natural makeup brushes better?
Synthetic bristles suit liquid and cream products such as foundation and concealer, and BS-MALL lists its synthetic bristles as easy to clean. Natural hair, such as the goat hair blend in the Jessup set, grips and diffuses powder, so it suits eyeshadow and powder blush. Most people are well served by a synthetic set.
How many makeup brushes do you actually need?
Fewer than most big kits suggest. The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials listing says four brushes do it all for blush, bronzer, highlighter, concealer and shadows. On top of those, a dense foundation brush, a fluffy powder brush and one eyeshadow blending brush cover most routines, while larger kits such as the Jessup 25 piece set suit learning.
How often should you clean makeup brushes?
Weekly is a sensible rhythm for brushes you use most days, and Real Techniques advises cleaning its Everyday Essentials brushes weekly with its brush cleansing gel. Its listing also says to air dry the sponge thoroughly in a well ventilated area, to store it in a cool, dry place and to replace it every 30 uses.
Is a cheap makeup brush set worth buying?
Yes. Budget synthetic sets can be good: the BS-MALL 18 piece set is rated 4.4 stars from 55,218 Amazon AU ratings and the MAGEFY 22 piece set is rated 4.5 stars from 1,410. Buyers report mixed feedback on the BS-MALL travel case, so judge the brushes first.
Which makeup brush set is best for beginners?
Beginners do well with a labelled set. The Jessup 25 piece set is listed as labeled and the MAGEFY 22 piece set prints a name on each handle, so you learn what each brush does. The Real Techniques Everyday Essentials kit keeps it simple with four brushes and a sponge.
What is each makeup brush used for?
Each brush has a job. Dense, rounded foundation and buffing brushes apply liquid or cream base, while large fluffy powder brushes sweep on powder and low density fan brushes dust highlighter. Blush and contour brushes shape the cheeks, crease and blending brushes place and soften eyeshadow, and small flat or pencil brushes handle concealer and liner.
Is it worth buying expensive makeup brushes?
Not for most people. Real Techniques Everyday Essentials is rated 4.7 stars from 40,659 Amazon AU ratings, and the BS-MALL 18 piece and MAGEFY 22 piece sets are rated 4.4 and 4.5 stars. Spend more only if you want natural hair bristles or single specialist brushes for detail work.
Which brand of makeup brushes is best?
Real Techniques is the brand we rank first: the Everyday Essentials set is rated 4.7 stars from 40,659 Amazon AU ratings, and the Au Naturale 9 piece set is rated 4.6 stars from 1,926. Au Naturale adds primer, powder, fan and concealer brushes for a fuller face routine.
Keep setting up your new place
Sorting the bathroom is one job among many when you move in. If you are working through the rest of the house, these NestPath guides pair naturally with a tidy beauty routine.
About the author
Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first-home-buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first-home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au
