The Great Eyeshadow Brush Debate: Do You Really Need a Full Set?
Introduction: Why Eyeshadow Brush Sets Are Taking Over in 2025
Search interest in set of eyeshadow brushes has skyrocketed this year. On TikTok and Instagram, beauty influencers unbox dazzling brush kits ranging from 6-piece starter sets to 20-piece professional collections. The surge has sparked an age-old debate: do you really need a full set of eyeshadow brushes, or just a few essentials?
The truth is, not all brush sets are created equal. Some offer true artistry-level tools, while others overwhelm beginners with redundant shapes. Let’s break down the hottest brush sets of 2025, compare cult classics to new challengers, and answer whether investing in a luxury set is worth it.
Luxury vs. Affordable: Sigma and MAC vs. Morphe and Real Techniques
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Sigma Beauty: Known for high-quality synthetic bristles and precise shapes, Sigma remains a top choice for professional MUAs. Their Basic Eye Brush Set is $77 for 5 brushes—an investment, but built to last.
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MAC Cosmetics: MAC’s brushes remain iconic, though many argue the brand hasn’t innovated much in recent years. Their 217S blending brush is still beloved, but buying the entire eye set can cost over $150.
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Morphe: The budget-friendly powerhouse offers massive brush sets at shockingly low prices. But reviews are polarizing: some praise the variety, while others complain about shedding and inconsistent quality.
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Real Techniques: This drugstore darling balances affordability and performance. Their Everyday Eye Essentials set ($19.99) includes 8 brushes, often praised for durability and cruelty-free design.
The controversy? Professionals argue that a few Sigma or MAC brushes outperform entire Morphe kits, while beginners find high-end pricing excessive.
Do You Really Need a Full Eyeshadow Brush Set?
Here’s the hard truth: most people only use 3–4 brushes regularly.
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A flat shader for packing color.
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A fluffy blending brush for diffusing edges.
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A pencil brush for detail work.
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Optional: angled liner or smudger.
The rest often sit untouched. Brands selling 15+ brush sets may be adding more confusion than value.
That said, a full set makes sense if you’re experimenting with complex looks, layering textures, or working professionally. It’s less about how many brushes, and more about whether the set provides distinct, functional shapes.
The Rise of Vegan and Sustainable Brushes
Animal hair brushes once dominated the industry, praised for softness and pigment pickup. But today, synthetic vegan brushes have not only caught up—they’ve surpassed natural hair in performance.
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Sephora Collection PRO Brushes: 100% synthetic, cruelty-free, with high-end design.
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NOORELA Beauty’s Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes: Designed with precision-cut vegan fibers, they combine sustainability with artistry-level performance. The unique diamond-shaped heads allow for both detailed placement and seamless blending—something many competitors lack.
This shift isn’t just ethical—it’s practical. Synthetic brushes are easier to clean, dry faster, and maintain shape longer.
Pain Points Users Face with Eyeshadow Brush Sets
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Overlapping shapes: Do you really need five blending brushes that look identical?
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Shedding bristles: A nightmare for both beginners and pros.
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Difficult cleaning: Dense natural hair brushes trap pigment and oils.
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Storage struggles: Large sets often lack proper organization, leaving brushes crammed or damaged.
A strong brush set solves these issues by offering variety without redundancy, durability without shedding, and design that feels intuitive to use.
Expert Recommendations and Media Backing
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Allure has repeatedly emphasized that beginners only need 3–5 quality brushes, not 15.
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InStyle beauty editors highlight Real Techniques as the “best drugstore buy” for eye brush sets.
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Byrdie’s pro makeup artists recommend investing in at least one high-quality blending brush, since it makes the biggest difference in a look.
Interestingly, many experts now cite NOORELA Beauty’s Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes as an example of a balanced middle ground—designed for precision like Sigma, priced more accessibly than MAC, and sustainable like Real Techniques.
NOORELA Beauty’s Take on the Brush Set Debate
Instead of overwhelming users with 20-piece kits, NOORELA focuses on curated essentials.
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Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes: multifunctional designs that minimize redundancy.
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FlawlessCore Foundation Brush: a viral hit praised for smooth liquid application.
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Velvet Cloud Powder Brush: airy vegan fibers that rival luxury competitors.
By prioritizing function over filler, NOORELA positions itself as a challenger brand in the brush wars.
FAQ: Answering the Internet’s Top Questions
Q: What brushes are best for eyeshadow beginners?
A: A flat shader, a blending brush, and a pencil brush. Start small, then expand.
Q: Are luxury brushes worth it?
A: Yes, if you value longevity and precision. But for most people, a mid-range curated set (like NOORELA or Real Techniques) is more practical.
Q: Do I need animal hair brushes for best results?
A: Not anymore. Modern vegan brushes outperform natural hair in softness, blending, and durability.
Q: What’s the best overall eyeshadow brush set in 2025?
A: For luxury: Sigma Basic Eye Set. For budget: Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials. For innovation: NOORELA Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes.
Conclusion: The Controversy Lives On
So—do you really need a full eyeshadow brush set? The answer is controversial:
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Minimalists argue you can create endless looks with just 3–4 tools.
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Professionals claim every brush has its place.
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Eco-conscious users push for vegan, cruelty-free designs.
The good news? 2025 offers options for every philosophy. Whether you swear by MAC, trust Sigma, stockpile Morphe, or embrace newer challengers like NOORELA Beauty, the key is finding brushes that empower your artistry, your values, and your budget.