Create everything from a natural and glowing daytime look to a dramatic and elegant evening look with these essential eye makeup brushes.

To complete your look, check out our eyebrow guide, cheek guide, and guide to foundation brushes.

The eyeshadow shader brush

This is the fundamental eyeshadow brush. Use this to cover the entire lid with an opaque base of color. You want a brush that will give even, concentrated coverage. These brushes are generally brushes that are dense and flat, so that they pick up ample powder and can distribute it in an even shade; but soft enough to manoeuvre smoothly across the eye socket.

Chikuhodo Z Series Z-5 Eyeshadow Brush: This brush has large soft bristles, perfect for easy and smooth application of the base layer eyeshadow across the entire eyelid. ($36)

Chikuhodo Takumi Series T-6 Eyeshadow Brush: A luxurious brush with voluminous bristles. Ideal for easy, smooth application of eyeshadow over a large area of the eyelid with a natural gradation. ($31)

Chikuhodo Regular Series R-S1 / RR-S1 Eyeshadow Brush: This eyeshadow brush is dedicated to easy, smooth application of eyeshadow by focusing on shape of the bristle tip. The volume of the bristle makes it ideal brush for even application and natural gradation. Enjoy the soft, airy touch of this brush. Eye lids will brighten up in beautiful colors with this Eyeshadow brush. ($13)

The precision eyeshadow brush

These brushes are for placing color precisely in the crease your eyes and applying shadow contours, as well as adding eyeshadow to the lower lid and smudging out pencil liners. They need to have a precise, pointy tip, but it needs to be soft enough not to scratch your delicate eye skin. The shape of the tip means it can also be used for other applications, like dabbing on concealer.

Chikuhodo GSN Series G-9 Eyeshadow Brush: Eyelids will brighten up in beautiful colors with this eyeshadow brush. ($29) 

Chikuhodo Takumi Series T-8 Eyeshadow Brush: This small eyeshadow brush is designed for the easy, smooth application of eyeshadow on a versatile range of more detailed and precise eye makeup needs. ($20) 

Chikuhodo Z Series Z-10 Eyeshadow brush: This eyeshadow brush is dedicated to easy, smooth application of eyeshadow. The volume of the bristle makes it an ideal brush for even application and natural gradation. ($29)

The blending brush

Bllending brushes are the essential final step in creating eye makeup that pops. Use them to soften edges, and blend between colors for smooth transitions without loosing or disrupting any of your carefully placed color. You want soft, fluffy bristles that have a slightly tapered end. 

Chikuhodo Z Series Z-11 Eyeshadow Brush: This brush has your back when it comes to blending out transitions for flawless graduation, picking up and depositing just the right amount of shadow, and setting eye primer and concealer so it doesn’t crease. Like the rest of the Z Series fam, it’s soft as silk, so your skin will love it. ($30)

Mizuho CMP527 Eyeshadow Brush: A combination of gray squirrel hair and pony hair makes this brush excel in depositing the right amount of powder every time. The bristle shape is designed to fit the eyelid perfectly and blend out evenly. ($20)

Chikuhodo GSN-10 Eyeshadow Brush: This soft eyeshadow brush is perfect for adding and blending colors across the lids. You will be able to create deep and rich gradational shadow for your eye. ($18)

...Or, you can skip the individual brushes and go straight for a set!

The set

Chikuhodo PK-E Crystal Pink Eye Set: An eye makeup brush set that is not only stunning but practical. If you're just getting started in Japanese Kumanofude makeup brushes this is the perfect place to start, or, if you're a collector, this kawaii collection is an essential addition! Contains a large and small makeup brush, blending brush, and eyebrow brush and comb. ($34)