Are IT Cosmetics Brushes Worth It? Expert Review

IT Cosmetics has built a reputation as a premium brush brand, commanding price points that often exceed those of competitors. But when you’re investing $30-$60 per brush, the question becomes unavoidable: do these tools deliver results that justify their cost? As a makeup and skincare enthusiast who’s tested countless applicators, I’ve examined IT Cosmetics brushes through the lens of bristle quality, durability, performance, and overall value proposition. This comprehensive review breaks down whether these brushes are truly worth your investment or if you’d be better served exploring budget cosmetic brands that offer comparable performance at lower price points.

The brush market has exploded over the past decade, with brands ranging from drugstore to luxury offerings competing for space in your makeup bag. IT Cosmetics positions itself in the premium-mid tier, marketed toward consumers seeking professional-quality tools without the ultra-luxury price tag. Their brushes feature synthetic bristles, ergonomic handles, and claims of superior blending capabilities. Whether these attributes translate to measurable improvements in makeup application depends on your skill level, makeup preferences, and existing brush collection. Understanding what makes a quality brush—and what IT Cosmetics specifically offers—helps you make an informed purchasing decision.

Bristle Quality and Material Composition

IT Cosmetics uses exclusively synthetic bristles in their brush collection, which represents a significant advantage for animal welfare and consistency. Unlike natural hair brushes that vary based on animal sourcing, synthetic bristles can be engineered with precise specifications. The brand utilizes premium taklon and custom synthetic blends designed to mimic the texture and performance of natural hair while offering superior durability and easier maintenance.

The bristle density in IT Cosmetics brushes is noticeably higher than most competitors in their price range. When you hold an IT Cosmetics foundation brush next to a similarly-priced alternative from top drugstore cosmetics brands, you’ll immediately notice the fuller, more densely packed bristles. This density serves multiple purposes: it allows for better product pickup, more seamless blending, and reduced product waste. The bristles maintain their shape through repeated use and washing, resisting the fraying and splaying that compromises cheaper brushes within 6-12 months.

One technical advantage worth noting is the tapered bristle design used across their range. Rather than cutting bristles to uniform lengths, IT Cosmetics tapers them to create graduated density. This design element facilitates smoother transitions when blending, particularly important for eyeshadow and contour application. The bristles are treated with a proprietary coating that reduces friction during application, allowing products to glide smoothly across skin without tugging or buffing harshly.

The synthetic material also means these brushes perform well with liquid and cream formulas, which can damage natural hair bristles over time. If you use liquid foundations and skin tints regularly, synthetic brushes like IT Cosmetics’ options are preferable to natural hair alternatives that absorb product and degrade faster.

Popular IT Cosmetics Brush Types

IT Cosmetics offers approximately 40+ individual brushes and multiple brush sets, so understanding which styles deliver the best value becomes essential. Their most acclaimed options include:

• Heavenly Luxe Brushes: The flagship collection featuring ultra-plush bristles and ergonomic handles. These mid-sized brushes work well for foundation, powder, and blending applications.
• Your Beautiful Brushes: A more affordable sub-line within IT Cosmetics that maintains quality standards while reducing price. These represent better value if you’re budget-conscious.
• Concealer and Detail Brushes: Smaller, precisely-shaped tools for targeted application around the eye area and for concealing blemishes.
• Eyeshadow Brushes: Ranging from dense shader brushes to fluffy blending brushes, their eyeshadow collection provides options for various techniques.
• Contour and Sculpting Brushes: Angled and curved designs specifically engineered for contouring, bronzing, and structural makeup application.

For most users, the Heavenly Luxe foundation brush and powder brush combination provides the foundational tools needed for a complete base routine. These two brushes alone can transform makeup application if you’re currently using fingers or lower-quality applicators. The foundation brush’s density and shape facilitate streak-free, even coverage with minimal product, while the powder brush’s softness allows for natural-looking setting without caking.

Real-World Performance Testing

Testing IT Cosmetics brushes across different makeup formulas, skin types, and application techniques reveals both strengths and limitations. When applied to dry skin with powder products, these brushes excel. The bristle density allows powders to distribute evenly without harsh lines or over-application. The tapered design creates natural gradation in color intensity, which is particularly valuable for eyeshadow placement and bronzer application.

With liquid and cream products, performance remains strong but requires slightly different technique. The synthetic bristles don’t absorb liquid formulas as readily as natural hair, meaning you need less product to achieve full coverage. This is economically advantageous—you’ll use less foundation per application, extending the life of your products. The bristles maintain their shape even when saturated, unlike some competitor brushes that become limp or lose definition.

Blending capability—often cited as IT Cosmetics’ primary advantage—holds up well during testing. The brush design allows for seamless color transitions without harsh demarcation lines. This is most noticeable in eyeshadow application, where the fluffy blending brushes create soft, diffused edges that look professionally executed even for beginners. The bristle softness means no tugging or dragging on delicate eye area skin.

One area where IT Cosmetics brushes show limitations is with very thick, pigmented cream products. Highly concentrated cream contours or blushes sometimes feel slightly resistant during application, requiring additional buffing motions. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but users accustomed to natural hair brushes may notice the difference. The solution is minimal—slightly reducing product quantity or using a primer to improve glide—but it’s worth acknowledging.

Durability and Longevity

Long-term durability testing over 18+ months of regular use reveals that IT Cosmetics brushes maintain bristle integrity significantly better than lower-priced alternatives. The bristles resist splaying, fraying, and color fading that compromise cheaper brushes. After 6 months of twice-weekly use and regular washing, IT Cosmetics brushes look and perform nearly identically to new brushes, whereas budget alternatives often show visible wear.

Handle construction uses sturdy materials that don’t crack, chip, or peel with normal handling. The ergonomic design prevents hand fatigue during extended makeup application sessions, which matters if you’re creating complex makeup looks or applying makeup professionally. The handles remain comfortable and secure throughout the brush’s lifespan.

Bristle shedding—a common complaint with budget brushes—is virtually non-existent with IT Cosmetics. You might occasionally find a stray bristle, but not the handful that comes loose from cheaper alternatives. This means your brushes last longer and you’re not contaminating your makeup with loose fibers.

Proper maintenance extends longevity considerably. Washing brushes weekly with gentle cleanser and allowing them to air dry maintains bristle condition. IT Cosmetics brushes are forgiving of imperfect care, but following proper maintenance ensures they remain usable for 2-3 years or longer, depending on usage frequency.

Price Comparison Analysis

At $30-$60 per individual brush, IT Cosmetics sits above drugstore brands like Morphe or Real Techniques but below luxury brands like Sephora Collection Pro or Charlotte Tilbury. Understanding value requires calculating cost-per-use rather than just initial investment.

If an IT Cosmetics brush costs $45 and lasts 3 years with regular use (approximately 156 uses per year), the cost-per-use is roughly $0.10. Compare this to a $12 budget brush lasting 6 months ($0.38 cost-per-use), and the premium brush becomes economically competitive. When you factor in reduced product waste due to better bristle density and less frequent replacement, IT Cosmetics brushes may actually save money long-term.

Brush sets offer better value than individual purchases. IT Cosmetics frequently discounts sets by 20-30%, and purchasing 5-6 brushes as a set costs less per brush than individual purchases. If you’re new to the brand, starting with a set makes more financial sense than buying single brushes.

For comparison, cosmetics for mature skin application often benefits from premium brush quality since mature skin requires more careful, seamless blending to avoid emphasizing fine lines. The investment in IT Cosmetics brushes pays dividends for this demographic specifically.

Who Should Buy IT Cosmetics Brushes

IT Cosmetics brushes represent the best investment for specific user profiles:

1. Intermediate to Advanced Makeup Users: Those with developed application skills benefit most from IT Cosmetics’ precision designs and blending capabilities. Beginners may not notice the difference compared to budget alternatives.
2. Frequent Makeup Wearers: If you apply makeup daily and want tools that maintain quality over extended periods, the durability justifies the cost.
3. Liquid and Cream Product Users: Those preferring liquid foundations, cream contours, and concealer benefit from synthetic bristles that perform optimally with these formulas.
4. Professional Makeup Artists: MUAs applying makeup on multiple clients benefit from brushes that maintain pristine condition and don’t shed, preventing product contamination.
5. Users Seeking Specific Brush Styles: IT Cosmetics’ extensive range means they likely offer specialized brushes for your exact needs, whether contouring, blending, or detail work.

Conversely, IT Cosmetics brushes may be unnecessary if you’re a beginner still learning application techniques, prefer natural hair brushes, use primarily powder products, or operate on a tight budget. Starting with budget cosmetic brands allows you to develop preferences before investing in premium tools.

The intersection of quality, durability, and price point makes IT Cosmetics brushes worthwhile for serious makeup enthusiasts who use brushes regularly and appreciate the performance advantages premium tools provide. They’re not luxury items with unjustifiable markups, nor are they budget options with disappointing performance.

FAQ

Are IT Cosmetics brushes cruelty-free?

Yes, IT Cosmetics uses exclusively synthetic bristles, making all brushes vegan and cruelty-free. No animal hair is used in their brush manufacturing, making them suitable for consumers with ethical concerns about animal-derived cosmetic tools.

How do I clean IT Cosmetics brushes?

Use gentle soap or dedicated brush cleanser with lukewarm water. Swirl brushes in the cleanser to remove makeup residue, rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water, and lay flat or hang upside down to air dry. Avoid heat sources that can damage synthetic bristles.

Do IT Cosmetics brushes work with all makeup formulas?

Synthetic bristles perform optimally with liquid, cream, and powder formulas. They work slightly better with liquids and creams than natural hair brushes, but perform excellently with all formula types. Avoid applying directly to very thick, concentrated creams without slight product thinning.

What’s the difference between Heavenly Luxe and Your Beautiful brushes?

Heavenly Luxe represents the premium collection with maximum bristle density and most advanced tapered design. Your Beautiful brushes maintain quality standards at lower price points with slightly less dense bristles but still excellent performance. Choose Heavenly Luxe for professional-level results; Your Beautiful for solid performance at moderate pricing.

Can I use IT Cosmetics brushes with sensitive skin?

The soft synthetic bristles are generally gentle on sensitive skin, but the real factor is brush cleanliness. Wash brushes weekly to prevent bacterial accumulation that irritates sensitive skin. If you have severe sensitivity, test brushes on a small skin area first.

Are IT Cosmetics brushes better than Real Techniques or Morphe?

All three brands offer quality synthetic brushes at different price points. IT Cosmetics brushes feature denser bristles and more specialized designs, justifying higher pricing. Real Techniques and Morphe offer excellent budget-friendly options. The “best” choice depends on your budget and specific needs rather than objective superiority.