Packing is a skill that’s all about editing—especially if you want to avoid extra fees or checking a bag. On the cosmetics front, travel makeup brush sets help keep your toiletry case compact and organized without sacrificing your routine. Even better, these pre-selected kits remove the guesswork, giving you everything you need to maintain a your look without hauling your entire collection.

And it’s not just a first-world pain that only every day makeup lovers encounter—the pros do too. “This is something I come across constantly, both as a professional makeup artist and as a makeup user,” pro makeup artist Andi Bisbal tells Vogue. “I think it’s natural to want to simplify while not compromising the luxury of having options or limiting your artistry.” Bisbal recommends looking for sets that feature double-sided brushes to reduce the number of brushes you need to bring with you.

Per celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard, makeup brushes are essential to the overall quality of your look. “With a high-quality set of brushes, you’ll see your makeup transform into a more cohesive, better-blended final look,” he previously said. “You’ll also notice a more even application of your cream and liquid complexion products, giving you a smoother, more balanced result.”

To make your jet setting a bit easier, Vogue editors and pro makeup artist reveal their go-to travel brush sets—with options from shockingly affordable to splurge-worth.

In This Story

• How to Choose a Makeup Brush Set
• Do non-pros really actually need a variety of makeup brushes?
• What are the essential brushes in every travel set?
• How to Store Your Travel Brush Set
• How We Tested
• Meet the Experts

Best Overall: Hourglass Vegan Brush Travel Set

• Why We Love It: Bisbal refers to Hourglass’s travel set as an entryway to optimizing your makeup. This set, in particular, is so beautifully curated and takes the decision-making right out of your purchase process,” she says. Fellow pro makeup artist Cass Lee is also a fan. “I love the Hourglass Brush Travel Set because it has everything you need, and the dual-ended brush is so convenient!” Lee explains. The vegan brushes are made from high-quality Taklon bristles, known for being incredibly soft. Meanwhile, the bronze vegan leather not only looks sleek, but keeps each brush tucked away in a small sleeve.
• Editor’s Experience: “Never in my life have I experienced a makeup brush softer than any of Hourglass’s brushes—they’re quite literally unmatched. This feature in particular matters to me because I’m averse to any application tools that feel slightly scratchy. This set, in particular, combines five favorites. I use the foundation and concealer brush daily, and often use the Ambient Lighting Double Edit Brush for both blush and setting powder.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Pieces: 6 (Concealer brush, foundation brush, beveled eyeshadow brush, double-sided powder brush, double-sided blush brush, set exclusive domed powder brush)
• Material: Taklon
• Travel Case: Yes

Best for Complexion Makeup: Saie The Ultimate Brush Collection

• Why We Love It: Those more keen on perfecting their base makeup, with a minimalist approach to the eyes, will appreciate Saie’s skin-first collection comprised of six brushes with densely-packed nylon bristles and aluminum handles manufactured in a sustainability-certified facility. While this isn’t a travel brush set per se, it’s Saie’s entire brush collection, which is curated down to the essentials. There are two fluffy powder brushes (one tapered, one fluffy) for all your powdery needs, alongside two complexion brush sizes, a liquid blush brush, and a dual-sided option. The base brush, in particular, is popular—one that celebrity makeup artist Amrita Mehta described in our best makeup brush guide as perfect for blending. “It distributes product evenly and leaves you with a soft, skin-like finish that feels polished and natural,” said Mehta.
• Editor’s Experience: “I use a Saie makeup brush every day. The Base Brush is reliable for foundation and skin tints, while The Double Brush has versatile uses for concealer and setting powder. Being sleek and black is truly an added bonus.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
• Pieces: 6 (The Base Brush, the Big Brush, the Double Brush, the Fluffy Brush, the Powder Blush, the all-over Powder Brush)
• Material: Aluminum handles, with nylon bristles
• Travel Case: No

Best Variety: Morphe Buttery Blends 6-Piece Travel Brush Set

• Why We Love It: Despite only just launching this past January, Morphe’s aptly named “buttery” bristles, are in fact, already living up to their ultra soft reputation. This six-brush collection is designed to handle the essentials of your complexion and eye routine whether you’re smoothing out concealer, sculpting your brows, or buffing out bronzer. Which, it’s worth noting, provides more variety than many affordable sets. Plus, the silver ion-infused bristles help to reduce harmful bacteria build up in between brush washes. Whether you’re working with cream, liquid, or powder formulas, the soft, dense fibers deliver a smooth, polished result with minimal effort.
• Pieces: 6 (Domed foundation brush, small pointed powder brush, rounded blush brush, large paddle eyeshadow brush, large rounded eyeshadow brush, dual-ended angled brow and spoolie brush)
• Material: Iron-infused synthetic bristles
• Travel Case: Yes

Best Luxe Minis: Westman Atelier The Complete Petite Brush Collection

• Why We Love It: Westman Atelier not only makes some of our favorite vegan, cruelty-free makeup brushes—they’re also handmade in Japan (a marker of the highest-quality brush making) with sustainably-sourced birchwood and nylon bristles. “Synthetic brush fibers can be shaped more like virgin hair, which results in a soft feel and smooth application,” Gucci Westman previously said. “The quality can so closely mimic natural ones that it can be hard to tell any difference upon the skin.” This set, in particular, is a limited-edition pairing of nine mini-sized brushes (basically, just shorter handles—great for traveling and storing) that span complexion, eye, lip, plus cream, liquid, and powder application.
• Pieces: 9 (foundation brush, liquid blender brush, spot check brush, blender brush, baby blender brush, powder brush, eyeshadow I brush, eyeshadow II brush, lip brush)
• Material: Sustainable wood handles with nylon fibers
• Travel Case: Yes

Best Eco-Friendly: EcoTools Start The Day Beautifully Makeup Brush Set

• Why We Love It: If you’re new to makeup, shelling out big bucks for brushes can feel downright unreasonable—especially when you’re just getting the hang of using them. That’s where EcoTools comes in: they offer a budget-friendly set of five must-have brushes to cover your whole look, all packed into a handy kit. The bamboo handles add an eco-conscious touch, and the soft synthetic bristles are 100% cruelty-free.
• Pieces: 5 (Angled Liner Eye Brush, Defined Crease Eye Brush, Full Blush Face Brush, Blurring Concealer Brush, Angled Foundation Face Brush)
• Material: Nylon
• Travel Case: Yes

Best Portable: Sigma Essential Travel Brush Set

• Why We Love It: Another affordable option, Sigma’s set features seven brushes—four eyeshadow brushes and three complexion brushes, which you can use interchangeably for everything from blending eyeliner to setting concealer and foundation. Aside from the slightly-shortened handles for space-saving packing, the brush fibers are antimicrobial to resist bacterial buildup. And when you’re done with it, you look, everything tucks away in the small cup-shaped case.
• Editor’s Experience: “If someone is looking for great-value makeup brushes beyond the drugstore aisle, I always recommend them Sigma. The brushes are great for beginners—blending product with ease via soft, synthetic bristles.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
• Pieces: 7 (E30 Pencil Brush, E40 Tapered Blending Brush, E55 Eye Shading Brush, E65 Small Angle Brush, F30 Large Powder Brush, F40 Large Angled Contour Brush, F60 Foundation Brush)
• Material: Polymer-based handle, anti-microbial fiber bristles
• Travel Case: Yes

Best Multi-Tasking: Real Techniques 6 Piece Everyday Essentials Set

• Why We Love It: Among drugstore beauty brands, Real Techniques stands out for its high-quality brushes that stay soft, don’t shed, and make blending a breeze. What’s more, the six brushes are surprisingly versatile—they make it simple to achieve a smooth foundation, seamless concealer, and set everything perfectly, with a variety of brushes, or one in particular you’re fond of. Plus, these brushes are compatible any formula, from liquid and cream to powder.
• Editor’s Experience: “Before I had access to testing luxe beauty brands (or a steady income to even consider splurging), Real Techniques were my go-to brushes—and they’re still the affordable tools I’m loyal to. Firstly, it’s often hard to find low-cost options that aren’t firm or slightly scratchy to the touch—these are soft and plush. My all-time favorite brush from the brand is its 402 setting brush—I have used that brush for just about every step in my complexion makeup routine, unapologetically. And you know what? It works like a dream from blending liquid blush and concealer, to strategically placing setting powder.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Pieces: 6 (Blush Brush, Crease Brush, Setting Brush, Foundation Brush, 2 complexion sponges)
• Material: Aluminum handles, and trademarked UltraPlush synthetic fibers
• Travel Case: No

Best Value: Sephora Collection The Total Brush Set

• Why We Love It: Sephora Collection’s total brush set provides a well-rounded assortment. The eight brushes cover every step of your routine, at an accessible price point—from creating an even, flawless base to defining eyes and adding finishing touches. The synthetic bristles maintain their softness for a smooth application, while the handles are made from a mix of recycled plastic and rice husk byproduct. Plus, there’s a clear travel case included for convenient storage.
• Pieces: 8 (Foundation brush, concealer brush, powder brush, cheek brush, eyeshadow brush, crease brush, smudge brush, brow brush)
• Material: Rice husk and recycled plastic handles, synthetic bristles
• Travel Case: Yes