Where to Buy the Best Makeup Brush Kits

Everyone knows the brushes and pads that come with makeup are usually never good for more than a few uses before they begin to deteriorate in the way of brush hairs falling out or sponges disintegrating.

It's always nice to invest (or not even invest, but just spend) on a good makeup brush kit. Price points can be attractive to just about any budget and you can find good kits almost anywhere - not just at specialty beauty stores such as Sephora. Plus, if you're looking for a semi-personal gift that you want to make sure someone will use, makeup brush kits make for great presents.

Sonia Kashuk Essential Eye Kit ($10, Target): This is the perfect tool set for applying eye shadow or creating a smokey eye. I'm not a fan of the sponge applicator since they tend not to last that long and deliver eye shadow in cocentrated doses.

The largest brush and the crease brush you will definitely get the most use out of. Everythinig comes in one case complete with its own mirror - it can't get much easier than that.

Sonia Kashuk Purse Brush Set ($13, Target): First off, this comes in a nice silvery, metallic case with a clasp closure, so it makes a great gift. The best part, however, are the quality of brushes you get for the price. The bristles are soft as opposed to being stiff and rough like most cheap brushes.

Included in the set are brushes for blush and eye shadow (regular, angled and a smudger). The handles are a little bit on the cheap side and a bit on the small side (though obviously much larger than what you get with eye shadow or blush compacts) - in the event you were looking for full size brush handles.

Essence of Beauty At Home Face Kit ($14, CVS): This is a no frills brush kit. They didn't waste time on the packaging or a cutesy case to put these brushes in, but they include everything practical for makeup application. You've got everything from powder brushes to eyebrow brushes. Plus, their small handles fit great in a small makeup bag to carry around during the day. And despite the handles being mini, the actual brush sizes are just right so that you're not getting a miniature dose of makeup (you know how some "travel kits" tend to have annoying, doll-size brushes?)

AVON Mark Go With the Pro ($15, AVON): Despite this brush set being mini, there's nothing cheap about the brushes. This is excellent to keep in your purse or waiting in the wings for when you're jumping on a plane for traveling. It has a smudger, eye shadow brush, liner brush and one huge brush to blend everything in. Plus, you get a simple carrying case to keep everything together.

Bamboo 5-Piece Brush Set ($17, ulta.com): If you're eco-conscious, this bamboo brush set is for you. The brush handles are made from bamboo and the bristles are synthetic (fortunately, they don't feel scratchy).

The large powder brush is great for making sure bronzer or loose powder foundation gets blended. I also like how soft the angled eye brush is (as some can be kind of hard and stiff to the point where it feels as though you're dragging a stick across you're eye). An eyebrow and eyelash brush, make this kit incredibly versatile and useful.

Japonesque Touch Up Tube ($19, ulta.com): The fact that the bristles are so soft and sleek make this the ultimate travel set well worth it's price given that many "travel" sets sell you short with cheap, poorly made brushes. All five brushes come in hot pink, black or silver tube carrying case taking up no more space than a tube of mascara - how great is that?

AK Professional 12-Piece Basic Brush Set ($26, akbrushes.com): If you're one of those people that can't wing it with just a couple of brushes and need the security of having every brush made for every makeup use at your fingertips, look no further than this 12-piece set from AK. This has everything for all those tiny details on your face. The only thing it's deficient in is having one big powder brush, though the largest one in the kit would suffice.

Sephora Starter Kit ($38, Sephora): This is the perfect brush set for natural application of foundations and powders. You get a foundation, powder and eye brush. These brushes are perfect for making sure everything is blended before you step out that door. Plus, they're so soft; it doesn't feel like you're running a bundle of twigs across your face. So, there's no irritation - for people with sensitive skin.

Sephora Vanity Brush Set ($48, Sephora): This comes in a sleak fake leather cylindrical case good as a gift for the serious and sophisticated.

It comes with six brushes that last forever no matter how much you drop them, squish them or whatever else could possibly happen (trust me, I've done it all). Yet, none of the bristles have ever fallen out.

The kit includes a powder, concealer, eye crease, eyeliner, eye blender and smudge brush.

Smashbox Wish For The Perfect Tools Set ($49, smashbox.com): This is a little bit more pricey, but you get what you pay for. The angled blush brush is especially helpful for getting a naturally flushed look. You also get a blending, crease, shadow liner and angled liner brush. Basically, you've got every size brush to take care of everything of your eyes, concealer and blush. The hot pink, shimmery case it comes in also makes it a great gift to give.

As an added bonus, with every set you buy, $1 will go to the Children's Miracle Network.