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True story: These are the greatest on the market.

Take one look at my vanity and the first thing you'll notice is the ~absurd~ amount of makeup brushes present, each carefully placed to optimize maximum aesthetic potential. They look really damn pretty, I'm NGL, but what if I were to tell you that I only use about a quarter of them? You'd either (a) think I'm crazy or (b) totally and completely relate. But tell me I'm wrong—you do not need an excessive amount of makeup brushes for your everyday routine (and, yes, I'm a hypocrite). Because let's be honest, it's the tried and true brushes that stand the test of time. So, that being said, today we're going to focus on the best eyeshadow brushes around that will ensure a snatched eye look each and every damn time!!

And in the spirit of minimizing unnecessary purchases—and giving much-deserved credit to the GOAT eyeshadow brushes—this list is incredibly selective, bringing you only the 29 best eyeshadow brushes on the market, according to yours truly—oh, and not to mention, a few of the best makeup artists in the game.

Believe it or not, your eyeshadow brush does not have to cost half of your paycheck in order to be good, says Nogueira. A good eyeshadow brush comes down to two things: (1) the eye look you're going for, and (2) the actual quality of the brush from the bristles to the handle and everything in between.

In order to properly judge a brush's quality, you need to keep an eye (hehe) out on the specifics:

Just like there are several types of face brushes (i.e., bronzer brushes, highlighter brushes, blending sponges), you also have several types of eyeshadow brushes: "You have your fluffy blending brushes, your dense blending brushes for detail, your crease brushes, and your detailed liner brushes," says Nogueira.

Although "you can absolutely use these brushes for other purposes," each and every brush has been specifically developed and created for use on a specific part of the face, she explains. This means that if you're trying to recreate a specific eye look, the best thing you can do is look for a brush intended for the use you need.

"What makes a great eye shadow brush depends on the bristles in the brush," says Morales. This will determine how well the eyeshadow applies to the skin, she explains. Typically, modern eyeshadow brushes use synthetic bristles made from polyester, nylon, or other synthetic fibers. The synthetic brushes are great for depositing lots of pigment, making them an ideal choice for many eye looks. Plus, they tend to be more affordable and easier to clean.

A natural hair makeup brush is made with animal furs, which can come from squirrel, sable, goat, etc. Because sourcing is more difficult, and labor is heightened in the process of making natural hair brushes, they typically run heftier in price. Sable hair is most commonly used in smaller and tapered brushes, making it the most common source found in natural eyeshadow brushes. In fact, if you're going for a natural eye look, Morales recommends a sable-based blending brush.

Last but not least, and probably the most overlooked, is the eyeshadow brush handle. If you're attempting a detailed eye look, a short handle is best due to the fact that it allows for better precision and control. If you want a more natural eye, opt for a longer brush. To get even fancier, some brushes have ergonomic handles, which offer an easy grip for better control.

So now that you're pretty much a trained pro in all-things eyeshadow brushes, go forth and discover the 29 eyeshadow brushes you need to add to your collection ASAP.

Not only is this set of EcoTool brushes ridiculously affordable, but it combines four shadow brushes into a convenient set of two. Made with recycled aluminum and plastic with renewable bamboo fibers, it comes with a shade and define brush for all-over shadow and contour and a blend and smudge brush for a seamless blend to eliminate harsh lines.

One of the OGs in the best makeup brush gang is none other than Bobbi Brown's signature eyeshadow brush. If you're looking for an all-over lid brush that creates a smooth and defined look, try this one that's designed to mimic a fingertip, but much BETTER.

Dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles, you've met your match. Not only is the unique angle of this brush designed for maximum control, but the fluffy bristles allow for an all over seamless blend. 

This ONE eyeshadow brush boasts the power of FOUR. I know, I know, I can hardly believe it myself. But it's true! If you're a traveler or want to limit the number of brushes in your stash, you'll be pleased to know that this brush includes a tip for all-over shadow, a tip for your crease, a tip for smudging, and a liner brush!

This particular recommendation comes from yours truly. After years of searching for one brush to make applying shadow in the contour area of my lid easy breezy, I finally found one that makes all my dreams come true: this tapered blending brush by Fenty. I promise, your eyes will look snatched.

I'm willing to bet that you have never seen an eyeshadow brush quite like this one from Real Techniques. If you're someone that likes to take on an intense and incredibly detailed look, you're going to need a brush that angles perfectly to fit all those easy-to-miss spots, and trust me, this one will do it.

Some days, we're feelin' glitter. But with glitter comes tough application and a hell of a mess. You'll be delighted to hear that NARS solves all those problems with the genius invention of its High Pigment Eyeshadow Brush that lets you apply glitter and intense pigments with ease.

There's a reason the Sigma Beauty E35 Tapered Blending Brush is a cult-favorite. The tapered brush tip creates the ultimate seamless look and is an incredible choice for those with hooded eyes. Due to the expertly-crafted shape, the shadow will blend effortlessly even in hard-to-reach areas. 

The dense fibers in the Jones Road detail precision brush is just what you need if you're looking to pack on some intense pigment. The vegan fibers are best used on the upper and lower lash lines.

I'm not kidding you when I say that each one of these brushes equates to less than one dollar each. But don't confuse the insanely low price for a lack in quality. In fact, almost 17K happy customers on Amazon have awarded this set 4.5 stars.  The MSQ Eye Makeup Brush set has everything you could ever need for each step of your eye look.

Nogueira says that her favorite eyeshadow brushes are by Lunar Beauty because they don't shed and use a high-quality synthetic bristle. The other great benefit of these brushes is that each one is labeled, so you know exactly what every brush is intended for.

Another brush specifically designed for the ultimate precision is the N22 brush by Dior. Due to its incredibly thin and rounded shape, it's great to use if you're looking to build up shadow around the eyes. It's ideal for use on your outer corner and the crease of your eye.

This set by Real Techniques includes a base shadow brush, deluxe blending brush, and brow definer. Not only is it incredibly inexpensive, but the quality is supreme. The synthetic bristles are so ridiculously soft that you won't believe the set costs just under 10 bucks.

Maybe you're someone who wants to upgrade from using their fingers as their makeup applicator. Or maybe you're someone who wants to have just one set to make it a hell of a lot easier. Either way, this brush set by Sigma has literally everything you need to craft any eye look. 

Ahhh, the cut crease. Yes, it's intimidating, but it! can! be! done! This flat eyeshadow brush is just what you need to sculpt the perfect cut crease. And the great thing about it is that it is beginner-friendly AND a fabulous option for the pros out there.

Chanel ain't cheap, anybody could tell you that one. However, this dual-ended eyeshadow brush is a two-for-one typa deal. It's ideal for cream shadows—oh, and thanks to the other end, you can also blend powders!

Since we're talking cream shadows, I may as well present to you the best in my book: The RMS Beauty Eye Polish Brush. The rounded and elongated brush tip works to reach every angle while depositing the cream shadow seamlessly. Plus, it can also be used to spot treat any part of the face with concealer! 

Remember that time (say, eh, a few years ago), when everyone everywhere was talkin' about these unique brushes? Well, they've stuck around, so you can guarantee that they're pretty damn good. The brush head is just a little bit shorter than your lash line, so it can apply anything linear (AKA liner or brow powder) with a breeze. However, if you turn the brush sideways, it can be used to apply shadow on the lid or sweep products across the cheeks.

I can't lie to you all—$62 is really f*kn expensive for one eyeshadow brush. However, I look at my makeup brushes as investments, and I like to believe if I buy something of high quality, it'll last me a really long time. Well, the Westman Atelier Eye Shadow II Brush is top-of-the-line quality, lemme tell ya. If you're looking for an all-over diffuser brush to create a natural eye, this here is your bb.

After that last one, I had to give you and your wallet a little relief. Remember when Nogueira said that you do NOT need to spend $$$ to get a quality eyeshadow brush? Well, this brush by e.l.f. proves that. For four bucks, this is the perfect brush to create an epic smokey eye.

Sure, the intended use of this brush is for highlighter, but you don't need to follow the rules in *certain* situations, and this here is one of those cases. I use this exact brush by Smith Cosmetics to pack eyeshadow on my lid and to highlight the brow bone with a lighter color. It is a dreammmm.

There are bigger eyeshadow brush heads intended to diffuse shadows, but those create more of a natural look. If you want to diffuse the shadow but still be precise about it, this eyeshadow brush by Patrick Ta is just what you need.

They say makeup is like art, and an artist needs their paint brushes. The Crayon Case makes incredibly well-made brushes that have such a fun vibe to them. These brushes can be used if you're a beginner and if you're a pro.

This PRO Crease Brush by Sephora is a best seller for a reason. With five stars, and a ton of happy reviewers, this targeted crease brush blends shadows like a dream.

As mentioned earlier, most brushes nowadays are made from synthetic fibers. However, this set by SHANY is made with natural hair. Though not vegan, this set is cruelty-free. If you like more of a natural makeup look, Morales suggests a sable-based brush to achieve it.

You can't talk about eyeshadow brushes without touching on an eyeliner brush! This one by Giorgio Armani is a cult-favorite and for reason. The angled shape allows you to line your eyes at the most precise angle possible. 

True story: I own this specific brush, and I've had it for years. It has since become a brush that I reach for every day. It is fluffy, which is great for blending, but not too fluffy that the eyeshadow deposits in unintended places. This brush is truly the perfect everyday tool you need in your collection.

Not only is this brush pretty to look at (I told ya I'm a sucker for a good aesthetic), but it makes blending eyeshadows totally easy. This is another great everyday eyeshadow brush that's a bit bigger in size. This brush is great for blending out base eyeshadow colors seamlessly.

This two-in-one brush can be used for both eyeliner and your eyebrows. Personally, I like to use the smaller end for my liner, which gives a crisp line, and the larger end, which gives a more diffused look, for my brows.