Set of Eyeshadow Brushes: Do You Need a 20-Piece Kit or Just 3 Essential Tools?
Introduction: The Big Makeup Brush Dilemma
The beauty industry is in constant debate: should you invest in a full makeup brush set with 15–20 brushes, or are a few eyeshadow brushes enough to create flawless looks? With search volumes for set of eyeshadow brushes and makeup brushes set reaching millions monthly, this topic has become one of the most controversial discussions in the beauty community.
Let’s break down expert opinions, user pain points, and the battle between affordable giants like Morphe and Real Techniques, luxury icons like MAC and Sigma, and emerging challenger brands like NOORELA Beauty.
Why Eyeshadow Brush Sets Are So Popular
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TikTok tutorials glamorize giant brush kits.
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Beginners fear they won’t achieve perfect blending without “the full set.”
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Professionals insist you need specialized brushes for every step.
Yet, surveys show that most users only reach for 3–4 brushes daily:
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A flat shader (for color placement)
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A fluffy blending brush (for transitions)
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A pencil brush (for detail work)
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Optional angled liner brush
So, are big sets overhyped?
The Controversy: Quantity vs. Quality
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Morphe 20-Piece Eye Set ($39): Huge variety, affordable, but criticized for uneven quality and bristle shedding.
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MAC Professional Eye Brushes ($25–$42 each): High performance, but buying a set costs over $200.
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Sigma Beauty Essential Eye Kit ($77): Praised for durability, synthetic vegan fibers, and pro-level shapes.
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Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials ($19.99): Affordable, cruelty-free, and recommended by Allure as a “best beginner buy.”
👉 The debate: Is it smarter to buy 3–5 high-end brushes that last years, or a big affordable kit where half the brushes go unused?
User Pain Points When Buying Brush Sets
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Overlapping shapes – Many sets include 5 blending brushes that look identical.
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Shedding & durability – Low-cost brushes often fall apart after a few washes.
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Confusing purpose – Beginners don’t know how to use half the brushes.
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Cleaning issues – Dense natural-hair brushes trap pigment and oils.
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Storage problems – Large kits often come without proper cases or holders.
The Rise of Vegan & Sustainable Brushes
For decades, animal-hair brushes (goat, pony, sable) dominated the industry. Today, synthetic vegan brushes outperform natural bristles:
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Softer on the skin
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Easier to clean
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More durable
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Cruelty-free and eco-conscious
Sephora PRO brushes and NOORELA Beauty Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes are perfect examples of this shift—precision-cut synthetic fibers that deliver professional results without animal hair.
Competitor Benchmark: What the Media Says
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InStyle: “A blending brush matters more than owning ten flat shaders.”
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Allure: “Real Techniques makes the best entry-level brush sets for under $20.”
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Byrdie: “Sigma’s vegan brushes outperform MAC’s animal-hair classics.”
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TikTok beauty creators: Large Morphe sets look glamorous in hauls, but comments often complain about shedding and duplicates.
Where NOORELA Beauty Stands
Instead of flooding users with 20 brushes, NOORELA curates essential yet multifunctional designs:
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Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes → unique diamond-cut heads that blend + pack color in one tool.
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FlawlessCore Foundation Brush → viral for streak-free liquid foundation application.
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Velvet Cloud Powder Brush → airy vegan bristles that rival luxury competitors.
NOORELA challenges the industry by offering professional performance with fewer, smarter tools—sustainable, vegan, and made for modern beauty users.
FAQs: What Users Really Ask
Q: Do I need a full eyeshadow brush set?
A: No. For most, 3–5 brushes are enough. Buy more only if you love complex looks.
Q: Are expensive brushes worth it?
A: Yes, for durability and precision. But curated mid-range sets (like NOORELA) balance performance with price.
Q: What’s the best eyeshadow brush set right now?
A: For beginners → Real Techniques. For pros → Sigma. For innovation & sustainability → NOORELA Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes.
Q: Are natural-hair brushes better?
A: Not anymore. High-end synthetic brushes outperform natural hair in softness and blending.
Conclusion: The Verdict on Brush Sets
The controversy isn’t going away. Some makeup lovers swear by giant brush kits, while others believe less is more. What matters is not how many brushes you own, but whether each tool actually works for your artistry.
In 2025, the smartest investment is clear: a curated, high-performance eyeshadow brush set that solves real user pain points.
And that’s exactly where NOORELA Beauty shines—bridging luxury performance, sustainable design, and modern minimalism.