Sigma Beauty Makeup Brush Set
Sigma Beauty ranks best-in-class for a small mixed-hair face-and-eye kit because its hybrid approach pairs high-performance synthetic fibers with select natural hairs and professional-shaped heads, giving excellent product pickup, blending and long-term durability. Compared with the other sets on this list, Sigma leans technical—denser ferrules, rigorous QC and a reputation for longevity—which justifies a higher upfront cost for pro users who value lasting performance over frequent replacement.
Pro blending bliss
Durable fibers
Pro blending bliss
Durable fibers
Review Summary
"Users praise Sigma's build quality, dense bristles and long-term durability, noting professional-level performance and easy cleaning; complaints are mainly about the higher price compared with drugstore sets."
Studio handles
High-performance Sigmax synthetic bristles designed to mimic natural hair for seamless blending.
Studio handles
High-performance Sigmax synthetic bristles designed to mimic natural hair for seamless blending.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
Sigma Beauty ranks best-in-class for a small mixed-hair face-and-eye kit because its hybrid approach pairs high-performance synthetic fibers with select natural hairs and professional-shaped heads, giving excellent product pickup, blending and long-term durability. Compared with the other sets on this list, Sigma leans technical—denser ferrules, rigorous QC and a reputation for longevity—which justifies a higher upfront cost for pro users who value lasting performance over frequent replacement.
Pro blending bliss
Durable fibers
Studio handles
High-performance Sigmax synthetic bristles designed to mimic natural hair for seamless blending.
Compact kit covers essential face and eye brushes suitable for travel and everyday looks.
Pro blending bliss
Durable fibers
Studio handles
High-performance Sigmax synthetic bristles designed to mimic natural hair for seamless blending.
Compact kit covers essential face and eye brushes suitable for travel and everyday looks.
MAC Professional Brush Set
MAC holds market-leader status among pro makeup artists thanks to its classic natural-hair options, professional sizing and ergonomically balanced handles in a compact face-and-eye collection. Versus Sigma and the mid‑market sets, MAC brings a trusted industry standard and strong resale/brand recognition; it typically commands premium pricing but is preferred where traditional natural-hair blending and predictable pro results matter most.
Studio-grade precision
Luxurious bristles
Studio-grade precision
Luxurious bristles
Review Summary
"Buyers report MAC brushes deliver excellent performance with soft natural/synthetic blends and professional shape retention, though many cite the premium price and occasional shedding as downsides."
Weighted control
Balanced combination of natural and synthetic hairs optimized for both powder and cream products.
Weighted control
Balanced combination of natural and synthetic hairs optimized for both powder and cream products.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
MAC holds market-leader status among pro makeup artists thanks to its classic natural-hair options, professional sizing and ergonomically balanced handles in a compact face-and-eye collection. Versus Sigma and the mid‑market sets, MAC brings a trusted industry standard and strong resale/brand recognition; it typically commands premium pricing but is preferred where traditional natural-hair blending and predictable pro results matter most.
Studio-grade precision
Luxurious bristles
Weighted control
Balanced combination of natural and synthetic hairs optimized for both powder and cream products.
Salon-grade brush shapes for contouring, precision eye work, and polished finishes.
Studio-grade precision
Luxurious bristles
Weighted control
Balanced combination of natural and synthetic hairs optimized for both powder and cream products.
Salon-grade brush shapes for contouring, precision eye work, and polished finishes.
$150-250 CAD
Sephora Collection Total Brush Set
Sephora Collection delivers a well-curated small brush set that balances synthetic and natural hairs for both face and eye work, making it a smart mid-market choice available through a major retail network. Financially positioned between drugstore and luxury, it offers broader variety and retail convenience than e.l.f. while undercutting the higher price points of MAC and Sigma, so shoppers get a versatile all-in-one kit without a steep investment.
All-in-one variety
Travel-ready pouch
All-in-one variety
Travel-ready pouch
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Sephora Collection Total Set for its wide variety and overall value, but commonly note inconsistent quality between brushes and some shedding compared with higher-end options."
Value-packed selection
Curated mix of natural and synthetic brushes to tackle powders, creams, and eye detailing.
Value-packed selection
Curated mix of natural and synthetic brushes to tackle powders, creams, and eye detailing.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Sephora Collection delivers a well-curated small brush set that balances synthetic and natural hairs for both face and eye work, making it a smart mid-market choice available through a major retail network. Financially positioned between drugstore and luxury, it offers broader variety and retail convenience than e.l.f. while undercutting the higher price points of MAC and Sigma, so shoppers get a versatile all-in-one kit without a steep investment.
All-in-one variety
Travel-ready pouch
Value-packed selection
Curated mix of natural and synthetic brushes to tackle powders, creams, and eye detailing.
Comprehensive selection that covers full face and eye needs in a single compact set.
All-in-one variety
Travel-ready pouch
Value-packed selection
Curated mix of natural and synthetic brushes to tackle powders, creams, and eye detailing.
Comprehensive selection that covers full face and eye needs in a single compact set.
$120-180 CAD
e.l.f. Ten Out Of Ten Brush Set
e.l.f.'s Ten Out Of Ten is the standout budget pick, offering a compact mix of brushes geared to face and eye looks at a very low price; while largely synthetic for easy cleaning and cruelty-free claims, the set includes shapes and textures designed to emulate some natural-hair performance. Compared with the other products here it trades long-term luxury materials for affordability and replaceability, making it ideal for beginners, students or anyone who rotates tools frequently to control cost.
Budget beauty bang
Soft synthetic feel
Budget beauty bang
Soft synthetic feel
Review Summary
"Customers praise the e.l.f. Ten Out Of Ten set for strong everyday performance and unbeatable price, saying most brushes blend well and are great value, though a minority report faster wear after many washes."
Compact storage
Affordable ten-piece set made primarily with synthetic fibers geared to face and eye applications.
Compact storage
Affordable ten-piece set made primarily with synthetic fibers geared to face and eye applications.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Time-Saving Convenience
e.l.f.'s Ten Out Of Ten is the standout budget pick, offering a compact mix of brushes geared to face and eye looks at a very low price; while largely synthetic for easy cleaning and cruelty-free claims, the set includes shapes and textures designed to emulate some natural-hair performance. Compared with the other products here it trades long-term luxury materials for affordability and replaceability, making it ideal for beginners, students or anyone who rotates tools frequently to control cost.
Budget beauty bang
Soft synthetic feel
Compact storage
Affordable ten-piece set made primarily with synthetic fibers geared to face and eye applications.
Lightweight and compact handles ideal for travel, beginners, or everyday carry.
Budget beauty bang
Soft synthetic feel
Compact storage
Affordable ten-piece set made primarily with synthetic fibers geared to face and eye applications.
Lightweight and compact handles ideal for travel, beginners, or everyday carry.
Real Techniques Au Naturale 9 Piece Makeup Brush Set
Real Techniques' Au Naturale 9-piece set is a strong mid-market option that emphasizes user-friendly design and a blend of synthetic and natural fibers in a compact face-and-eye kit, often marketed with eco-conscious materials and comfortable handles. Technically it competes with Sigma on blending feel but typically at a lower price and with a clearer sustainability narrative than some luxury or mass-market rivals, making it attractive for shoppers seeking performance with a conscience.
Earthy wood handles
Balanced brush mix
Earthy wood handles
Balanced brush mix
Review Summary
"Real Techniques Au Naturale is widely praised for soft, cruelty‑free synthetic bristles that perform like natural hair, good durability and easy cleaning; most users find them comfortable and excellent value."
Effortless blending
100% synthetic taklon-style bristles paired with eco-inspired handles for a natural aesthetic.
Effortless blending
100% synthetic taklon-style bristles paired with eco-inspired handles for a natural aesthetic.
Eco-Friendly Living
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Time-Saving Convenience
Real Techniques' Au Naturale 9-piece set is a strong mid-market option that emphasizes user-friendly design and a blend of synthetic and natural fibers in a compact face-and-eye kit, often marketed with eco-conscious materials and comfortable handles. Technically it competes with Sigma on blending feel but typically at a lower price and with a clearer sustainability narrative than some luxury or mass-market rivals, making it attractive for shoppers seeking performance with a conscience.
Earthy wood handles
Balanced brush mix
Effortless blending
100% synthetic taklon-style bristles paired with eco-inspired handles for a natural aesthetic.
Nine essential brushes designed for blending, bronzing, and precise eye techniques.
Earthy wood handles
Balanced brush mix
Effortless blending
100% synthetic taklon-style bristles paired with eco-inspired handles for a natural aesthetic.
Nine essential brushes designed for blending, bronzing, and precise eye techniques.