These Are the 10 Makeup Tools Everyone Needs, According to Pro Makeup Artists (2025)

These Are the 10 Makeup Tools Everyone Needs, According to Pro Makeup Artists (1)

Whether you put makeup on every single day or only wear it on the weekends, it’s vital to have proper makeup tools — from brushes to sponges to scissors — to get the look you want. And if you bought a brush set years ago and don’t even know what half of them do, we’re here to tell you it’s time to edit your collection down to a few powerhouse tools. The difference a beauty sponge and foundation brush can make is honestly astronomical, and we promise it will make getting ready even more fun.

Ahead, see the 10 makeup tools everyone needs in their routine, complete with tips on how to use them.

1. Lash Curler

You’ll be glad to know that you don’t need to practically lift your eyes out of their sockets to get a good curl. In fact, all you need is a great lash curler — and yes, the brand matters, as we’ve found that some simply don’t work. If you want your lashes to appear lifted and stay in place all day long, the right eyelash curler is going to do the trick. The shape and design of this curler is phenomenal at lifting all types of lashes to their highest peak. It fits all eye shapes without pinching the skin.

2. Beauty Sponge

We don’t know how we ever survived without beauty sponges — they’re one of the best ways to up your makeup application game by easily blending any product. For a more seamless, your-skin-but-better look, this tool is key. And no, a beauty sponge won’t absorb all of your product: Instead, it evenly disperses it across your skin, allowing for a more natural look.

3. Powder Brush

If you’re using a liquid, cream, or serum foundation, setting it with powder is key to making your makeup last, and a good powder brush will make even more of a difference. Whether you’re going in with a translucent powder to set or using a shade that matches your skin tone as your foundation, a fluffy powder brush will become your best friend.

4. Double-Sided Eyeshadow Brush

If you don’t wear much eyeshadow and stick to a simple bronzer in your lid with a topper, you really don’t need to have a million different brushes. That’s why we love double-sided brushes so much, especially when it comes to eyeshadow. Not only do they free up space, but they’re super user-friendly. One side is a soft, fluffy brush for sweeping on eyeshadows and blending out the edges, and the other side is a small precision detail brush to create graphic lines and shapes.

5. Concealer Brush

A concealer brush isn’t necessary for everyone as you can absolutely get away with using your fingers or a beauty sponge. Still, when you’re looking for a bit more coverage without creasing, having the proper brush is a necessity. A specific concealer brush taps on concealer for the ultimate coverage and allows the makeup to melt into the skin rather than sit atop it.

6. Foundation Brush

A foundation brush is great for those who prefer brushes over beauty sponges, and finding the right one will make your base look absolutely stunning. The bristles are densely packed, which blends product onto the face in seconds.

7. Makeup Pencil Sharpener

If you use eyeliner, lip liner, or even brow pencils, having a good sharpener in your stash will be a game-changer. The key here is to look for ones that are precise and won’t tug at your products, leaving them flaky and sharp. This is perfect for standard-size and jumbo pencils — it will get you a sharp point in just a few turns.

8. Lash Tape

Winged eyeliner can be notoriously tricky to get right. Achieving a straight, concise wing is already hard enough, and getting a matching one is next to impossible — until you try lash tape, which makes cleanup easy and is pretty foolproof when it comes to creating the wing of your dreams. True to its name, you also can place it beneath your eyes when applying false lashes to protect your skin, or even use it to catch eyeshadow fallout.

9. Stippling Brush

Another brush style we love to use with liquid and cream formulas is a stippling brush. This is an especially great option for those who prefer a more skin-like, “no-makeup-makeup” finish. Since these brushes are less dense, they’re a great choice for blending and creating a customized finish.

10. Beauty Scissors

Last, but certainly not least in our roundup of makeup tool essentials is a good pair of scissors. Look for a small, precise pair made specifically with beauty in mind. Whether you need to trim your brow hairs, facial hair, or even customize the length on your falsies, trust us when we say scissors are a necessity, even if you don’t use them every day.

These Are the 10 Makeup Tools Everyone Needs, According to Pro Makeup Artists (2025)

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