Packing is a skill that’s all about editing—especially if you want to avoid extra fees or checking a bag. On the cosmetics front, travel makeup brush sets help keep your toiletry case compact and organized without sacrificing your routine. Even better, these pre-selected kits remove the guesswork, giving you everything you need to maintain a your look without hauling your entire collection.
And it’s not just a first world pain that only every day makeup lovers encounter—the pros do too. “This is something I come across constantly, both as a professional makeup artist and as a makeup user,” pro makeup artist Andi Bisbal tells Vogue. “I think it’s natural to want to simplify while not compromising the luxury of having options or limiting your artistry.” Bisbal recommends looking for sets that feature double-sided brushes to reduce the number of brushes you need to bring with you.
Vogue’s Favorite Makeup Brush Sets
Hourglass Vegan Brush Travel Set
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Morphe Buttery Blends 6-Piece Travel Brush Set
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Saie The Ultimate Brush Collection
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Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Makeup Brush Set
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EcoTools Start The Day Beautifully Makeup Brush Set
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Westman Atelier The Complete Petite Brush Collection
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Per celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard, makeup brushes are essential to the overall quality of your look. “With a high-quality set of brushes, you’ll see your makeup transform into a more cohesive, better-blended final look,” he previously said. “You’ll also notice a more even application of your cream and liquid complexion products, giving you a smoother, more balanced result.”
To make your jet setting a bit easier, Vogue editors and pro makeup artist reveal their go-to travel brush sets—with options from shockingly affordable to splurge-worth.
In This Story
Best Overall: Hourglass Vegan Brush Travel Set
- Why We Love It: Bisbal refers to Hourglass’s travel set as an entryway to optimizing your makeup. This set, in particular, is so beautifully curated and takes the decision-making right out of your purchase process,” she says. Fellow pro makeup artist Cass Lee is also a fan. “I love the Hourglass Brush Travel Set because it has everything you need, and the dual-ended brush is so convenient!” Lee explains. The vegan brushes are made from high-quality Taklon bristles, known for being incredibly soft. Meanwhile, the bronze vegan leather not only looks sleek, but keeps each brush tucked away in a small sleeve.
- Editor’s Experience: “Never in my life have I experienced a makeup brush softer than any of Hourglass’s brushes—they’re quite literally unmatched. This feature in particular matters to me because I’m averse to any application tools that feel slightly scratchy. This set, in particular, combines five favorites. I use the foundation and concealer brush daily, and often use the Ambient Lighting Double Edit Brush for both blush and setting powder.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Pieces: 6 (Concealer brush, foundation brush, beveled eyeshadow brush, double-sided powder brush, double-sided blush brush, set exclusive domed powder brush)
- Material: Taklon
- Travel Case: Yes
