Last December I was in New York for a Total Beauty event with my beauty blogging friend Julia. As we were talking and getting ready for the event at our hotel, Julia took one look at my huge MAC brush roll and laughed out loud.

Okay, maybe it’s crazy that I travel with my full-size makeup brushes (all 529 of them) but I just don’t maneuver short handled brushes well and my makeup brushes are an essential part of my routine. If faced with a choice, I’d rather wear nothing at all than have to apply makeup without my favorite brushes.

(I should tell you now that right after that December trip, I took Julia’s advice on packing light and bought the Laura Mercier Travel Brush Set. It includes three short-handled versions of my favorite Laura Mercier brushes and takes up one third the Makeup Bag space of my brush roll. I’m starting to get the hang of the short brushes and realize that for quick getaways—I just need to DEAL.)

Finding the right makeup brush can be tricky—there are so many options in so many price points—and if you’re like me, you’ll end up with 521 more than you actually need.

I’ve spoken with several makeup artists over the last few months about their most-loved brushes and have listed a few of them here, along with mine, to help you decide which new brush (or two!) you’ll want for your own collection:

MAC 150 Large Powder Brush (1)

This brush is my go-to brush for whisking away eyeshadow dust and applying allover face powder. The big, fluffy head holds just the right amount of product and feels so luxurious.

Prescriptives Buff Brush (2)

Jillian Veran, director of artistry for Prescriptives, can’t live without this flat top pony brush. The hair is dense, making it solid and sturdy, allowing it to buff off extra product and let your skin shine through. Jillian told me to use wide strokes and circular motions after applying liquid foundation to buff my way to perfect skin. This brush does not disappoint.

Laura Mercier Eye Crease Brush (3)

I have re-purchased this brush three times already because it mysteriously continues to find its way out of my Makeup Bag and into the makeup bags of my teenage daughters (and nobody can explain how it happens). I don’t think I could do a smoky eye without this brush. The brush is soft, yet stiff, and angles to a point—allowing precise color application in the crease.

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush (4)

Bobbi Brown Global Beauty Team makeup artist Tanya Miller picked the Bobbi Brown Blush Brush as one of her favorites. “This brush is cut at a beveled tip and is full enough to cover the apple of the cheek,” she told me. “The density of the brush will determine the intensity of the color applied.” Tanya was personally trained by Bobbi Brown and believes quality tools are key to creating a flawless face. “It’s worth the investment to get a quality blush brush allowing for a goof-proof blush application,” she said.

Shu Uemura Kolinsky Brush 15 (5)

This brush came to me as a sample, otherwise I most likely would never have considered it for my Makeup Bag (it’s way out of my price range). However, once I tried it, I became obsessed. This brush is amazing. The way it holds and deposits eye shadow, the thickness of the brush, the streamlined handle—everything about this brush is perfection.

MAC 116 Blush Brush (6)

At an event in New York last month, I spoke with MAC Pro Team Senior Artist Luc Bouchard. While giving me the scoop on Spring trends, he said that his favorite brush for blush/contouring is the MAC 116. This soft bristled brush is great for contouring—especially with the Sculpt & Shape Powder. “Holding at a 45 degree angle, this angled brush fits perfectly into the hollow beneath the cheekbone making application easy and fullproof,” he said.

Laura Mercier Flat Eyeliner Brush (7)

I rarely waste my time tugging and pulling on my lid with an eyeliner pencil when a cream or gel liner is faster, easier and creates an equally precise line. The Laura Mercier Flat Eyeliner Brush is wide enough that I can cover nearly half my eyelid with one fell swoop. Also, it’s flat enough to wedge really close to the lash line for a dark, sultry effect.

Bobbi Brown Eye Liner Brush (8)

This brush is great for the lower lashes and to deepen the outer corners with an extra layer of shadow or cream liner. I also use it for concealer and as a lip brush in a pinch. Bobbi’s brushes are so durable—I probably wash this brush every day and it still looks immaculate.

Wash your brushes weekly to keep them in good condition (liquid foundation and cream eyeliner brushes should be washed more frequently). I use baby shampoo or anti-bacterial hand soap—no need to buy expensive brush cleaners—and rinse them clean with sweeping motions in a sink full of water. I then arrange the bristles and leave them to dry on the bathroom counter with the tips hanging over the edge.

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