makeup brush set

The Great Makeup Brush Debate: Do You Really Need a Full Set of Eyeshadow Brushes?

When it comes to makeup brush sets, especially the endless options for a set of eyeshadow brushes, the beauty community is divided. Some argue that a professional makeup brush kit is essential for precision and artistry, while others claim a few multitasking brushes can do the job. So, where does the truth lie? Let’s dive into one of the most controversial topics in beauty: whether investing in a complete eyeshadow brush set is necessary — or just marketing hype.

Why the Debate Exists

Scroll through TikTok or YouTube, and you’ll see two extremes:

  • Influencers praising their 30-piece makeup brush sets as a must-have for flawless blending.

  • Minimalist artists showing how they achieve professional looks with just two or three brushes.

This polarization has left everyday beauty lovers asking: Do I really need an entire brush set, or am I being sold an illusion?

The Case For Large Brush Sets

  1. Precision & Technique

    • Professional MUAs argue that different brush shapes — blending brushes, angled brushes, smudge brushes — each serve a unique purpose.

    • A well-curated eyeshadow brush set can elevate blending and color payoff in ways a single brush cannot.

  2. Durability & Hygiene

    • Having multiples allows you to avoid mixing shades and reduces bacteria build-up.

  3. Creative Freedom

    • If makeup is your art form, why limit your toolkit? Just as painters use different brushes, makeup lovers benefit from variety.

The Case Against Large Brush Sets

  1. Overconsumption

    • Many mass-market makeup brush sets include unnecessary duplicates, inflating the piece count for marketing purposes.

    • Beauty insiders call this “vanity inflation” — selling the illusion of value.

  2. Skill Over Tools

    • Some viral MUAs (like Robert Welsh) argue that knowing how to use 3–5 brushes trumps owning 20.

  3. Sustainability Concerns

    • Cheap bulk sets often come from fast-beauty factories, made with synthetic bristles that shed microplastics.

High-End vs. Affordable: Which Wins?

This is where competition heats up. Let’s compare some of the most talked-about brands:

  • Morphe Brush Sets – Popularized by influencers, but often criticized for shedding and overwhelming variety.

  • Sigma Beauty Eyeshadow Brushes – Highly praised for durability and shape retention, but pricey.

  • Real Techniques Sets – Affordable and practical, though less luxurious.

  • NOORELA Beauty’s Eyeshadow Brush Collection – A rising contender combining vegan bristles, precision-cut design, and minimalist sets that cut out the “fluff brushes” nobody actually uses.

The controversy lies here: Are you paying for quantity or quality?

What Consumers Really Want

Recent Reddit and Sephora Community threads reveal the top frustrations:

  • “I bought a 20-piece make up brush set, and I only reach for 3.”

  • “Why don’t brands sell curated essentials instead of filler brushes?”

  • “All I want is a professional makeup brush set that’s cruelty-free and actually performs.”

This shows a growing demand for smartly edited brush sets — fewer brushes, higher quality.

Expert Take

Dermatologists warn against using old or low-quality brushes, as they can cause breakouts and irritation. Makeup educators emphasize that a balanced set of eyeshadow brushes — usually 5–7 essential shapes — is enough for both beginners and pros.

In other words: The best choice may not be biggest, but smartest.

Where NOORELA Stands

NOORELA Beauty has entered this debate by creating modern brush sets that skip unnecessary duplicates. For example:

  • Diamond Eyeshadow Brushes – Focused on precision and blending, without overwhelming you with 20 lookalikes.

  • Complete Brush Set – Curated essentials across foundation, powder, and eyeshadow, designed for both artistry and daily use.

Instead of quantity-driven kits, NOORELA leans into professional-grade, vegan tools that respond directly to what consumers say they actually want.

Final Thought: Quality Over Quantity

So, do you need a full set of makeup brushes?

  • If you’re a pro artist: yes, a broad selection expands creative freedom.

  • If you’re an everyday beauty lover: a curated eyeshadow brush set of 5–7 brushes is not only enough, but often superior to a cluttered kit.

The real controversy isn’t whether you need brushes — it’s whether brands should keep pushing bloated sets no one uses.

And maybe, just maybe, the future of makeup brush sets lies in thoughtful curation — where NOORELA Beauty is already making its mark.

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