The soft, synthetic bristles feel featherlight, yet they're tightly packed—so you'll get more bang for your buck with your product of choice (as a general rule: The denser your brush, the more pigment you'll deposit on first blend).

Kabuki Brush, W3LL PEOPLE ($25)

Kabuki brushes tend to have shorter stems, but this takes it up (or down?) a notch with practically no handle at all. Rather, you hold the entire brush in the palm of your hand, resting your finger on the indent on top for maximum control. For those who typically love to fingerpaint with makeup, this is the brush for you.  

Palm Brush, Artís ($65)

The flat top on this brush is perfect for stippling (read: patting) on foundation for the most seamless coverage or tapping on a setting powder to finish off your look. Not to mention, the luxe handle is made from sustainably harvested bamboo. 

Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush, Tarte ($18)

You should regularly clean your makeup brushes—you know this, we know this, we wrote an entire article on this to virtually burn it into your brains. But the activated-charcoal- and silver-infused fibers on this number contain antibacterial properties that can help the brush stay cleaner for longer—plus, it makes applying makeup a touch easier on acne-prone skin. 

Seamless Buffing Brush With Antibacterial Charcoal, bareMinerals ($22)

This sleek, modern design is oh-so-versatile: Pat the flat top on larger surface areas for a velvety finish, and use the narrow edges to blend more precise areas, like around the eyes and nose. The bristles are super soft and tightly, tightly packed—so it's A+ for full-coverage looks. 

Sadaharu AOKI Paris Limited Edition Petal 55 Brush, Shu Uemura ($50.70)

Kabuki brushes and self-tanners are a match made in heaven: The dense bristles provide even coverage, and the short handle helps you sweep in precise sections so you never miss a spot (you want to avoid long strokes, which can look streaky). 

Kabuki Blending Brush, Isle Of Paradise ($24)

Round kabuki brushes are perfect for powders—be it a soft finishing powder or ethereal highlight. The handle is longer than most you would find on the market, but for a subtler sweep of powder, a looser grip is just right. It's also retractable and comes with a cap for easy on-the-go application.  

Retractable Kabuki Brush, ULTA ($16)

This round, fluffy brush (again, great for powders) is pillow-soft and blends with ease—it picks up plenty of pigment but deposits it on your skin evenly. The end result looks diffused and veil-like, never pilled or congested in one area. 

912 Kabuki Brush, Nanacoco ($20)

Another retractable brush, this number lets you gauge how precisely you want to sweep on product. It's rounded with a flat top, which makes it a fabulous option for both liquid and cream formulas—just dip it into your product of choice, tap off the excess (if you're using powder), and buff to blend.  

Kabuki Polisher, RMS Beauty ($40)

This dome-shaped brush is practically made for highlighter and blush: A couple of swirls of pigment, and the high-quality synthetic fibers fan out the formula oh-so-seamlessly. Opt for this brush whenever you want a soft shimmer that makes an impact. 

Super Kabuki, Lily Lolo ($21)

For a soft, airy finish, reach for this luxe brush. The rounded shape is perfect for loose powders, and it's quite large—so it can cover a good amount of ground. Say, if you'd like to use a finishing powder for a plush, skinlike sheen, this one has you covered. 

Kabuki Brush, jane iredale ($38)

The longest stem of the bunch, this flat kabuki brush pairs well with just about any product—it can buff foundations and concealers into your skin for just the right amount of coverage, tap on a setting powder for extra-long wear, and you can also hold the handle toward the top and gently sweep on a highlighter. Truly a multifunctional tool that will be the star of your brush lineup. 

Flat Kabuki Brush, Sigma F80 ($25)