For anyone serious about makeup, one lesson becomes clear very quickly: great makeup starts with great tools. Over the years, we’ve learned that brushes can be just as important as the products themselves. The right brush can elevate an application, improve blending, and make techniques easier to execute. The wrong one can leave even the best formulas looking patchy or unfinished.

With that in mind, I set out to test some of the newest brush collections from local beauty brands. From professional-grade sets to beginner-friendly essentials, here's how they performed.

Among the brush sets featured here, Dala's First Class Face Collection stands out for its elevated design. The deep navy handles paired with white-and-black bristles give the eight-piece collection a sophisticated, professional feel.

Made with the brand's patented Cloudbristle Pro fibers, the brushes are designed for professional use while remaining approachable for beginners. During testing, they delivered smooth and efficient applications, whether for laying down foundation, blending cream products, or buffing out edges.

There were a few drawbacks. Two of the brushes felt slightly prickly on the skin, creating a pins-and-needles sensation during use. Still, the collection shines in its complexion tools. If you're only picking up one or two pieces, the 201 Base Arc Spatula Foundation Brush and the 202 Base Angled Buffer Foundation Brush are standout performers. Both excel at creating an even, seamless base.

Ever Bilena's first brush collection is a welcome addition to the local beauty market. Featuring eight brushes with soft pink-peach handles and plush bristles, the collection feels playful, feminine, and perfectly aligned with the ongoing Y2K aesthetic revival.

The bristles are impressively soft yet dense enough to handle both cream and powder products, making the collection particularly beginner-friendly. One small challenge is the absence of labels indicating each brush's intended use, which may require a bit of experimentation for first-time users. Among the standouts is the All Around Brush, which works beautifully for the underpainting technique. Another favorite is the Silicone Lip Brush, a surprisingly versatile tool that helps create soft-focus, blurred lip looks with ease.

Teree Daisuke expands his bestselling brush line with Tales of Kitsune: The Most Requested Collection, a six-piece set inspired by the shapes most requested by his community. The collection retains the brand's signature antimicrobial bristles and travel-friendly design while introducing fuller, denser, and fluffier brush heads. As with the original collection, comfort remains a highlight. Throughout testing, none of the brushes felt scratchy or irritating on the skin.

The T19 Mini Angle Brush emerged as a clear favorite. Ideal for concealer application, its shape allows for precise placement and effortless blending, helping create a smooth, crease-resistant finish. Equally impressive is the T15 Flat Angled Cream Brush. Its dense structure and larger surface area make it excellent for applying cream and liquid products quickly and evenly.

What makes Absidy's brush set stand out is its focus on often-overlooked steps in a makeup routine: setting and buffing. Many people rush through these stages, but the brand's thoughtfully designed brushes encourage users to give them the attention they deserve. The result is a more polished and long-lasting finish.

The Precise Setting Face Brush is particularly useful for targeted powder application on smaller areas such as the under-eyes and sides of the nose. Meanwhile, the Foundation Buffing Face Brush performs exceptionally well when building coverage, whether using liquid, cream, or stick foundations. Together, they make a compelling case for slowing down and perfecting the finishing touches.

A longtime favorite among professional makeup artists, Gladking's Wooden Vintage Collection offers the most extensive selection on this list, with 12 brushes, including eight dedicated eye brushes. It is also the only collection here that incorporates natural hair fibers in select designs. Depending on the brush's intended purpose, the collection utilizes wool and pony hair, both of which are traditionally favored for powder products due to their ability to pick up and diffuse pigment beautifully.

Among the standouts is the Cube Slope Liquid Brush, whose angled shape resembles a painter's brush and makes foundation application both precise and intuitive. The Angled Stippling Brush is another winner, creating a soft-focus, airbrushed effect that works particularly well with complexion products.

Whether you're a beginner building your first brush wardrobe or a seasoned beauty enthusiast looking to upgrade your kit, today's local beauty brands offer impressive options across different styles and price points.