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The tools you use are just as—if not more—important than the products themselves. From real to synthetic, fluffy to dense, each brush plays a role in achieving a seamless finish. But with new launches dropping every month, consumers are left asking: which ones are truly worth the splurge?
We asked the experts for their most trusted tools and the brushes they keep reaching for—so you’ll know what professional makeup artists are actually using.
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Jake Galvez
Celebrity makeup artist Jake Galvez has collected a wide mix of brushes over the course of his career, including pieces from his early days as a makeup student in New York City. Always curious about beauty, he continues to test different brushes and brands.
There’s only one rule he strictly follows: “I don’t use natural animal hair brushes anymore. I phased them out years ago. I only use synthetic fibers now,” Galvez shared, favoring cruelty-free tools that perform better and last longer.
Recently, he’s been using a range of brushes for different purposes: Anisa for skin prep; Hourglass Cosmetics, Chanel Beauty, and Yves Saint Laurent for base application; Makeup For Ever and Real Techniques for body makeup—“so good for oil-based products,” he noted—and Kiko Milano for sculpting.
Thazzia Falek
For celebrity makeup artist Thazzia Falek, a flawless makeup look starts with the right tools. Among the many brushes in her kit, there are four she consistently reaches for—each serving a distinct purpose in creating her signature seamless finish, exclusively broken down for MEGA.
She begins with the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation Brush, a staple for achieving naturally perfected skin. “It makes the skin look really seamless and natural, almost like the product is part of the skin instead of sitting on top of it,” Falek shared.
Paired with the matching Triclone Skin Tech Concealer Brush, the duo creates a complexion that feels polished yet skin-like. “I love using it around the under-eyes and for detailed complexion work because it melts the product into the skin beautifully without looking too heavy,” she added.
For the eyes, Falek consistently returns to the Rephr 19 brush, praising its ability to blend effortlessly while maintaining shape and dimension. “It gives that soft, lived-in finish that I personally love for eye makeup.”
Meanwhile, the MYKITCO 0.24 has become a permanent staple in her kit for diffusing blush with precision. “I love how soft and polished the finish looks—it never applies too much product at once, so everything feels very seamless and elevated.”
Kenric Carpio
Known for his bold editorial looks, Kenric Carpio had long relied on his usual brush sets—until discovering TILLO’s Kitsune Makeup Brushes.
“They’re compact, lightweight, and have the softest bristles—perfect for everyday use and traveling makeup artists,” Carpio shared, having used the set since its launch. Precise, controlled, and effortlessly blendable, what’s not to love?
Miki Liuson
Despite being fairly new to the industry, Miki Liuson has quickly stepped into the creative field, with her work often featured within the pages of MEGA. Focused on delivering artistry across beauty and fashion, her brush of choice is the Jessup brush set—specifically the 14-piece collection.
“Brushes are my favorite thing! I love the Jessup sets because they have all my favorite essentials,” Liuson shared.
Angeline Dela Cruz
Angeline Dela Cruz has firmly established her place in the industry, especially after winning MEGA Fashion Awards 2024: The Next Makeup Artist title. With striking beauty editorials under her belt, she continues to emerge as an artist to watch.
Her kit is anchored by two key tools. First, Revoir’s detail brushes: “They have a wide variety, but my favorites are their eye brushes—especially the small one for detailing.”
She also relies on the 2023 Happy Skin x Marj brush set, loved for its versatility across powders and creams. The latest edition of the collection, she notes, continues to deliver a solid performance.
In the hands of an expert, the right brush does more than apply product, but defines the final look. From trusted staples to new discoveries, these artists prove that investing in the right tools is essential to achieving a flawless, editorial-level finish.
Featured Image and Photos: HOURGLASS COSMETICS, HAPPY SKIN, ANISA, MIKI LIUSON, KENRIC CARPIO (via Instagram), JESSUP (via Website), MEGA ARCHIVES
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional makeup artists increasingly prefer high-performance synthetic fiber brushes over natural animal hair due to their superior durability, cruelty-free manufacturing, and exceptional compatibility with liquid and oil-based cosmetics.
The Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation Brush is highly recommended by experts for melting complexion products directly into the skin, preventing heavy buildup and creating a seamless texture.
Industry experts frequently utilize specialized blending tools like the Rephr 19 brush to diffuse pigments effortlessly across the eyelids while maintaining the overall shape and structural dimension of the eye look.
Comprehensive multi-piece collections from brands like Jessup and collaborative releases like the Happy Skin x Marj brush sets offer premium, versatile performance across powder and cream formulas without high costs.
Precision detailing brushes, such as those produced by Revoir, allow artists to execute sharp, fine-line graphic applications and delicate eye accents required for high-definition photography and magazine features.
