Perfecting the ultimate travel-friendly make-up kit is no easy task. From ensuring your favourite products fit neatly into a security-approved pouch, to choosing essentials that offer a lightweight and effortless glow for a cool, collected off-duty complexion – it takes a true beauty obsessive to expertly curate a kit for all climates and locations.
Vogue’s best travel make-up brushes at a glance:
Brushes are where things get a little bit tricky. I’m of the firm and steadfast belief that all holiday make-up looks should be effortless, no matter whether you’re on the beach, in the city, or on the slopes. That means less is more when it comes to packing make-up tools.
Unless you’re a full glam devotee, chances are that the collection of brushes you pack every holiday is left unused and unloved at the bottom of your make-up bag. When you’re truly on a mission to relax and enjoy your annual leave, high-maintenance make-up looks often get left by the wayside – no matter how many intricate eyeshadow looks you’ve collated on a Pinterest board pre-trip.
As such, for travel make-up brushes, the features must read as this: retractable, double-sided, lidded and mini. If I’m taking make-up brushes away with me, I opt for multi-use ones and grab a mini bottle of baby shampoo from the airport to give them a rinse between product applications. I tend to apply products like tinted moisturiser, blush and even eyeshadow with my fingers, but every so often I find it’s more convenient to utilise the soft swipe of a premium brush, even after a lovely, languorous day by the sea.
Nevertheless, certain trips abroad (think: bachelorettes and overseas weddings) indeed require a pro-adjacent brush set – especially if you’re the resident make-up expert in your friendship group. In this case, there are certain brilliant value brush sets that beauty editors swear by. But what exactly is it about these sets that sets them apart from others on the market, and what should one consider before investing?
First and foremost, consider the number of brushes on offer, and just how versatile each one is. Most contour and blending brushes can be used for bronzer and blush alike, while one flat and another fluffy eyeshadow brush tends to be enough for even the more extravagant eye looks. Once again, less is more – keep an eye out for unnecessary additions to a travel set.
Then, it’s important to take bristle material into account. While natural bristles are more premium and offer seamless application every time, synthetic bristles are generally considered better for travel thanks to their durability, versatility, and how easy they are to clean. Finally, it’s always great when a travel set comes with a dedicated pouch, which makes it easier to stay organised and prevent stray brushes from going missing.
Below, you’ll find a curated selection of the best travel make-up brushes to keep your glam in place on the move – no matter the occasion.
Otis Batterbee
The Retractable Brush Edit Set
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Compact and versatile, we’re frankly astounded that this is one of the extremely few multi-brush retractable sets that we’ve come across. Professional-grade, shed-free and suitable for all skin types, this brush edit includes an essential kabuki brush, a double-ended foundation and blush brush, as well as two double-ended precision brushes for lips and brows. We love that each brush comes with hygienic lids to keep them protected while on the move, and also protect your make-up bag from debris.
- Number of brushes: Four brushes with seven total brush heads
- Bristle material: PETA-approved vegan nylon bristles
Laura Geller
Geller To-Go 4-in-1 Travel Makeup Brush
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Featuring incredibly handy interchangeable brush heads for maximum efficiency, this four-in-one multi tool from Laura Geller is a travel dream. Whether you’re using powders, creams or liquid, it blends and buffs seamlessly and sans streaks. The complexion brush head is my personal favourite, as it’s great for blush, bronzer, highlighter and foundation.
- Number of brushes: One brush with four total brush heads
- Bristle material: Ultra-soft synthetic fibres.
Morphe
Buttery Blends 6-Piece Travel Brush Set
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Realised in a timely butter yellow hue, this set of six mini travel brushes from Morphe serves as the perfect extended collection for those who tend to opt for more detailed make-up looks while travelling. Bristles are infused with silver ions to protect against bacteria, and premium engineering ensures minimal fall-out, shedding or streaking. We love that it comes with an oft-neglected double-ended angled brush and spoolie, as well as a chic pouch to house the essentials.
- Number of brushes: Six
- Bristle material: Synthetic bristles
Sculpted by Aimee
Signature Brush Set
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Sculpted by Aimee brushes are butter soft and wonderfully easy to clean. Each is dual-ended for maximum efficiency and minimal clutter, making applying make-up while travelling a breeze. If you were to only pick one brush for your set, go for the complexion duo brush – its larger side is great for blush and bronzer, while the smaller side buffs and blends concealer like a dream.
- Number of brushes: Five brushes with ten total brush heads
- Bristle material: 100 per cent synthetic nylon bristles, vegan and cruelty-free
Chanel
Pinceau Kabuki Retractable N°108 Retractable Powder Brush
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Retractable and lidded, this luxurious kabuki brush from Chanel is an editor staple for a reason. Featuring beautifully soft synthetic bristles housed in a classic, black lacquered case, it’s the ultimate go-to powder brush and also works well with compact powder foundations. It pairs perfectly with the cult-favourite Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder for a sun-kissed yet minimal holiday glow.
- Number of brushes: One
- Bristle material: 100 per cent synthetic
Saie
The Big Brush - Multi-Use Buffer and Blender
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A staple in any handbag, Saie’s The Big Brush is a true multi-use wonder, so much so that any make-up minimalist with minimal packing room could get away with it as the sole application tool on a trip abroad (just make sure to rinse with your cleanser of choice between products). Ultra-soft and dense synthetic bristles make for seamless, easily blendable application of cream, powder and liquid-based formulas. We also love that it can stand up on its own – a small but helpful detail.
- Number of brushes: One
- Bristle material: Vegan synthetic
Sigma Beauty
Essential Trio Brush Set
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A brilliant little trio, Sigma Beauty’s essential set features two precision face brushes and a fluffy eyeshadow brush for flawless application. The E25 blending brush is equipped with a firm, dense and rounded brush head for smoothing out streaks and lines, while the E55 eye shading brush is perfect for even washes of eyeshadow. The F40 is the largest brush in the kit, perfect for blush or bronzer. We love the fact that the set comes with a compact cylindrical case.
- Number of brushes: Three
- Bristle material: Duo-fibre synthetic
Glossier
Cloud Paint Cheek Brush
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Do you love the effect of applying blush with your fingertips, but are reluctant to do so while travelling on planes, trains and automobiles? This dual-ended blush brush from Glossier features a non-absorbent silicone tip on one side, which is designed to mimic the effect of fingertips when applying the brand’s cult-favourite Cloud Paint. The opposite end is crafted from synthetic fibres for seamless application of powder formulas.
- Number of brushes: One brush, two total brush heads
- Bristle material: Undyed synthetic fibres, vegan and cruelty-free