Originally used to pack on makeup for Japanese theater, Kabuki brushes have gained popularity in the United States, the U.K. and many other countries all over the globe. But what are Kabuki brushes and which of them are the best to use? We’ve got the details on the best drugstore Kabuki brush and more. Check it out!
Table of Contents
- Best Drugstore Kabuki Brush
- What Is the Best Kabuki Brush?
- Our Ultimate Pick: Daubigney Store Kabuki Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Docolor Kabuki Foundation Face Powder Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Soushop Angled Flat Foundation Kabuki Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Milani Kabuki Fan Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- EcoTools Retractable Travel Kabuki Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Wet ‘n Wild Flat Top Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Matto Powder Foundation Makeup Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Boao Store Kabuki Makeup Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Kabuki Face Brush
- Brush Highlights
- About This Kabuki Brush
- What the Reviews Say
- What is a Kabuki Foundation Brush?
- What do I use a Kabuki brush for?
- How do you use a Kabuki brush?
- FAQs
- The Best Drugstore Kabuki Brush Is Within Reach!
Best Drugstore Kabuki Brush
- Daubigney Store Kabuki Brush
- Docolor Kabuki Foundation Face Powder Brush
- Soushop Angled Flat Foundation Kabuki Brush
- Milani Kabuki Fan Brush
- EcoTools Retractable Travel Kabuki Brush
- Wet ‘n Wild Flat Top Brush
- Matto Powder Foundation Makeup Brush
- Boao Store Kabuki Makeup Brush
- Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Kabuki Face Brush
What Is the Best Kabuki Brush?
Our Ultimate Pick: Daubigney Store Kabuki Brush
Brush Highlights
- Unique Petal Shaped Design
- Comes With Hard Plastic Case
- Soft, Densely Packed Bristles
- Hexagon Shaped Short-Stemmed Handle
About This Kabuki Brush
This Daubigney Kabuki brush is in a league of its own with a hexagon-shaped handle for better grip, soft but densely packed bristles and a petal shape design to achieve full coverage wear in just a few strokes. This Kabuki brush can be used to apply various mediums including liquid foundation, powder and cream makeup, making this brush the ideal pick for virtually all large-stroke makeup applications. It also comes with a sturdy storage box for safe keeping. Score!
What the Reviews Say
Reviewers rave about how well the Daubigney Kabuki brush does to hide imperfection and provide a full coverage and seamless makeup look. Many state that this brush blends product extremely well, much better than other brushes they own. Moreover, users love that it has no shedding, wastes no product and leaves behind no unattractive streaks. At such an affordable price, this brush is a steal!
Docolor Kabuki Foundation Face Powder Brush
Brush Highlights
- Dense, Soft Bristles Made of Synthetic Fibers
- Medium Length Stem Handle
- Perfect For Flawless Foundation Application
- Safe For Sensitive Skin
- Doesn’t Absorb Product
About This Kabuki Brush
The Docolor Kabuki brush is designed to give a silky soft touch to even the most sensitive skin while packing on makeup in a smooth and flawless way. The brush can be used for powder and foundation, has a medium-length black stem and features gradient brown bristles for a classic makeup brush style.
What the Reviews Say
People have nothing but great things to say about this Docolor Kabuki brush. They love that it can handle powder, foundation and cream and the fact that the bristles don’t absorb much powder, as this makes it easier to clean. Buyers also mention that they experience no shedding from the brush and that the brush exceeds their expectations for such an affordable price.
Soushop Angled Flat Foundation Kabuki Brush
Brush Highlights
- Long-Stemmed
- Cruelty-Free
- Angled For Detailing
- Soft Unique Bristle Design Prevents Steaks
About This Kabuki Brush
This long-stemmed drugstore Kabuki brush is a showstopper in its own right. Designed in beautiful gold with compact soft angled bristles, this Soushop Kabuki brush fits easily in the hand for a non-slip grip and streak-free makeup application. This Kabuki brush can be used to apply a variety of mediums to the skin for flawless coverage.
What the Reviews Say
Users love that this brush does exactly what it says! For such a low price point, reviewers rave about the flawless finish that the Soushop kabuki brush leaves behind, how little product is wasted and the fact that the long-stemmed handle gives them more control over their makeup application. Despite the positive reviews, one reviewer did mention that the brush is extremely narrow. This might be a downer for some, but a highlight to others who might wish to use it for contouring.
Milani Kabuki Fan Brush
Brush Highlights
- 2-in-1 Kabuki and Fan Brush
- Well-Known Brand
- Easily Accessible In-Store
- Great For Contouring and Highlight
- Medium-Stemmed
About This Kabuki Brush
Unlike most other Kabuki brushes, the Milani fan brush serves an alternative purpose. Instead of being used to apply makeup to your entire face or body in large strokes, this brush was designed to highlight and contour your cheekbones, jawline, nose and other areas using densely packed Kabuki bristles.
What the Reviews Say
Reviewers love that this Milani fan kabuki brush is soft and cleans up nicely after use. Some are put off by the small stature of the brush but others love the design as it yields better control for applying bronzer and highlight.
EcoTools Retractable Travel Kabuki Brush
Brush Highlights
- Made From Cotton and Bamboo Fibers
- Designed With Recycled Aluminum and Plastic
- Cruelty-Free
- Retractable For Easy Travel
About This Kabuki Brush
This travel friendly Kabuki brush by Ecotools comes with a retractable handle which makes it perfect for applying makeup on the go or for touch-ups mid-day. Moreover, this Kabuki brush was designed from recycled materials, is cruelty-free and features soft bamboo and cotton bristles. Overall, this is the perfect travel Kabuki brush whose materials you can feel good about.
What the Reviews Say
Buyers love this little Ecotools Kabuki brush! They gush about how easily it applies blushes, mineral powder and foundations seamlessly while fitting easily in their purse due to its retractable design. Moreover, many love its sleek appearance. Thus, this drugstore Kabuki brush is a win!
Wet ‘n Wild Flat Top Brush
Brush Highlights
- Well-Known Brand
- Easy In-Store Access
- Flat Top
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Long-Stemmed Handle
About This Kabuki Brush
Densely packed, this well-known brand packs a punch with this flat-topped Kabuki brush. The wet n’ wild kabuki brush comes with a long-stemmed ergonomic handle and is designed beautifully in all white with a pop of pink in its bristles.
What the Reviews Say
Buyers love the look and feel of this Kabuki brush by wet n’ wild but some claim that the brush isn’t soft and absorbs product which forces you to have to use double the amount you normally would. Others contend that the brush applies concealer and foundation perfectly, despite the amount of product it absorbs.
Matto Powder Foundation Makeup Brush
Brush Highlights
- Short-Stemmed
- Attractive Platinum Colored Handle
- Black to Gray Gradient Bristles
- Designed to Last
- Ultra Plush Bristles
About This Kabuki Brush
Like a traditional Kabuki brush, this beautiful gray brush from Matto is short-stemmed and has plush and wonderfully soft fibers. It is easy to clean and is specially designed to last without losing its flawless application effect.
What the Reviews Say
Reviewers love these soft, non-shedding bristles! They claim that this Matto brush applies makeup like a dream, and this is especially true for mineral powder wear. The compact design is also convenient for travel.
Boao Store Kabuki Makeup Brush
Brush Highlights
- Attractive Rose Gold Colored Bristles and Handle
- Comes in a Set of Two
- Comes in a Large and Small Size
- Full and Soft Rounded Heads
- Long-Stemmed Handles
About This Kabuki Brush
We agree that these beautiful long-stemmed rose gold colored Kabuki brushes from Baoao are a steal of a deal! Grab two of these at a drugstore price point to pack on cream, liquid or mineral foundation with ease. Their large and soft rounded heads make application quick and easy as they cover more surface area. You can also grab these in several other alluring colors such as metallic green, gold, metallic red and steel blue.
What the Reviews Say
Reviewers love the look and price point of these Baoao Kabuki brushes and are generally impressed with their performance as well. However, some have noted that the handle can snap upon use, or that the handle sometimes arrives already broken. If you do cop these anytime soon, be sure to use them with a gentle hand.
Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush
Brush Highlights
- Retractable
- Synthetic Taklon Fibers
- Anged For Detailing and Contouring
- Comes With Lid
About This Kabuki Brush
This Real Techniques Kabuki brush comes with soft full fibers and an attractive retractable hot pink handle. It is ideal for travel and makes for the perfect addition to an already established makeup brush collection.
What the Reviews Say
Buyers claim that this RT brush picks up just the right amount of product and is good for general use. Many also love its retractable design. Most buyers do not love the cap, though, as they say it often cracks or breaks within only a few months of purchase.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Kabuki Face Brush
Brush Highlights
- Well-Known Brand
- Easy Access In-Store
- Short-Stemmed
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
About This Kabuki Brush
Designed like a traditional Kabuki brush, this e.l.f. drugstore brush is short-stemmed and features a soft and fluffy top. It’s described as being best used with powders and bronzers, and is compactly designed for travel and on-the-go makeup use.
What the Reviews Say
Reviewers agree that this is the perfect brush for powder application. They claim that the e.l.f. brush holds the product well and is easy to clean. One reviewer described the bristles as being as soft as “kitten fur” which feels amazing on the face. Some even use this Kabuki brush for foundation application, though it seems to provide sheer to medium coverage when used this way.
What is a Kabuki Foundation Brush?
So, what is a Kabuki foundation brush, anyway? A Kabuki foundation brush can be defined as a soft but densely packed brush that is typically designed for broad-stroke application to the face and other areas of the body.
Traditionally, Kabuki brushes were used in Japanese culture to apply heavy makeup to the face of those acting in Japanese theater. In fact, the term “Kabuki” is literally the term for Japanese dance-drama and hence is how the Kabuki brush got its name.
What is Kabuki brush made of?
In the traditional sense, Kabuki brushes were used in Japanese culture for the arts had been made of horse or goat hair. Today, however, most Kabuki brushes are made from a form of synthetic fiber which poses no harm or risk to animals. See our recommendations above to find cruelty-free and a few vegan Kabuki brush brands.
What do I use a Kabuki brush for?
As mentioned previously, a Kabuki brush is usually used to apply makeup in broad strokes anywhere on the body. Some use it for their face but others use it for application on their legs, arms or wherever they may be applying makeup.
Kabuki brushes come in various shapes, sizes and forms, and some may serve functions different from that of typical application.
For example, the Milani fan brush mentioned in detail above is used more for contouring and highlight, not for broad stroke application.
Lastly, Kabuki brushes are used for applying various mediums to the face, including foundation, powder and cream makeup. Some brushes are better than others in terms of these applications, and some may be limited to powder or mineral makeup use. To know for sure, always read the claims of the brush as well as reviews prior to purchase.
How do you use a Kabuki brush?
To use a Kabuki brush, simply swirl the brush in your makeup, whether it be liquid foundation, cream or powder, and apply in circular, buffing motions on the face.
This should yield a medium to full coverage finish when applying liquid or cream makeup. If you are applying powder, lightly dab the brush in your powder and apply in swirling circular motions all over the face or body.
FAQs
Is a Kabuki brush good for liquid foundation?
Yes! Most Kabuki brushes are perfect for foundation application. But be careful. Some brushes, like a few mentioned above, have specific purposes, so be sure to read the package instructions, as well as reviews, to be sure you are buying the best brush for foundation application.
How do you store Kabuki brushes?
While some Kabuki brushes come with storage containers, this isn’t true of all brushes. To store, place your brush in a jar sitting straight up to keep bristles in great condition.
How do I clean my Kabuki brush?
Cleaning a Kabuki brush can be done by swirling it in a makeup remover in the palm of your hand or washing it out under warm tap water with mild soap. Be careful not to squish bristles as this can get them out of shape. Place the brush on its side to dry, or sit it straight up.
For more makeup brush cleaning tips, check out the link!
The Best Drugstore Kabuki Brush Is Within Reach!
All in all, when choosing an awesome Kabuki brush, there are several things you’ll want to remember.
You’ll want to determine your desire for application and whether or not the brush you choose is suitable for this sort of application.
Next, take note of whether or not the brush comes with a storage container and whether the stem is short, medium length or long. Y
ou may also consider the angle or shape of the brush head itself.
Once you’ve picked the perfect brush for you, then congratulations. You’ll be that much closer to a flawless, seamless and put together makeup!
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Kabuki brushes are awesome!
What a great kabuki brush roundup- I love this brush style!
-Ashley