No matter how much money I spend on the latest makeup products or how much time I spend on improving my techniques, my makeup will only look as good as my brushes are. That’s why I have high standards for my brushes. I was looking for a single set of brushes that had everything I needed, and it had to be high quality, affordable, easy to use, and, of course, aesthetically pleasing.
After using The Morphe X Ariel Signature Look 12-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set almost daily for three months, I can confidently say it exceeds all of those expectations. The set is $98 at Ulta, and it’s worth every penny.
A21 Setting & Bronzing Brush
The largest brush in the set, this is perfect for applying setting powder all over the face and acheiving a more diffused bronzer look. It’s very fluffy, so it prevents me from applying too much product. I also love keeping it clean and using it in between steps to ensure all my powder products are thoroughly blended.
A24 Foundation Brush
This is one of the best foundation brushes I have tried. Although the bristles are still surprisingly soft, they’re very dense, meaning that it’s great for blending out liquid and cream formulas while maintaining coverage. I will say that it needs to be cleaned more often than other foundation brushes I have tried, or the bristles begin to separate and leave streak marks.
A58 Cream Contour Brush
This brush is the perfect shape for cream contour because the bristles are both dense and tapered. It allows me to add targeted pigment in the areas I want without looking harsh. Unfortunately, this is the one brush in the entire collection that I have ever had issues with shedding. Every time I use it, I find the tiniest bristles all over my face.
A3.2 Powder Contour Brush
This is designed for contouring, but because it has a round shape rather than a more precise, flat shape, I use it for powder bronzer. It’s small but still fluffly, so my bronzer never looks messy or muddy.
A22 Blush Brush
When I first bought this set, I had never used a powder blush brush like this — the bristles are sparse, making it quite flimsy — and I did not think I would like it at all. Now, it’s become one of my favorite brushes. I can tell it was designed by a makeup artist because it’s so unique and innovative. Because it’s intentionally small and fluffy, it not only allows for a precise, focused blush application but it also makes it impossible to apply too much. If you prefer a soft, diffused look or are trying to cure your blush blindness, I cannot recommend this one enough.
A14 Precision Setting Brush:
Before purchasing this set, I had never thought to use such a small brush for setting powder, but as someone who has dry skin and is afraid to look too matte, this has been a game changer. The fluffy, tapered bristles are perfect for adding powder to the undereye area as well as around the nose, on the center of the forehead, and the chin. I can mattify the areas I need to, while still keeping the rest of my face fewy.
A20 Crease Blending Brush
Whether creating a natural or dramatic eyeshadow look, this is the perfect size and shape for adding dimension to the crease. It’s fluffy but still has a more flat, elongated shape.
A11 Fluffy Blending Brush
I have absolutely become reliant on this brush for all my eyeshadow looks. With round, tapered bristles, it’s essentially a smaller version of the precision setting brush, making it perfect for blending out base and transition shades. I also like to keep it clean and use it to ensure my eyeshadow is blended in between steps.
A29 Packer Brush
This is a more dense, flat brush with dome-shaped bristles. I mostly use the flat side for patting shimmers and glitters onto my eyelid, but I also use the tip to add darker shades to my crease and outer corner
A18 Smudging Brush
Essentially a smaller version of the packer brush, this also has dense, flat, dome-shaped bristles. It’s great for blending out eyeliner — both eyeshadow and pencil formulas — for a soft, diffused look.
A19 Dual-Ended Concealer Brush
Designed for targeted concealer placement, this is the only brush in the set that’s dual-ended and the only brush in the set that I don’t reach for regularly. Sometimes I use the larger end to apply pot concealer on blemishes, but I typically only use a sponge for my concealer. I think this would be more practical for makeup artists.
Soft Sculpt Signature Sponge
I am not exaggerating when I say that I do not know how to do my makeup without a beauty sponge, and this is one of the best I’ve found. It’s extra soft, and I love the pointed end for hard-to-reach areas like under the eyes and around the nose. It’s also great for adding definition, either with concealer or loose powder, to the outer corner of the eye and under the cheekbones.
I honestly don’t think there are any major gaps in this set, but I do wish there were a cream blush brush and maybe an angled eyeliner brush.
Overall, I cannot recommend this enough. If you own these brushes, what are your thoughts?
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