SHANY Premium Synthetic Makeup Brush Set Review: A 32-Brush Studio in a Faux-Leather Roll

They apply makeup far more smoothly than we expected at this price. After a thorough first wash, powders cling evenly to the bristles and glide onto the skin without patchiness, while creams and liquids spread in thin, buildable layers rather than streaks or blobs.

They excel at packing and placing color, and can blend when you work in small motions. However, the set lacks a true fluffy crease blender, so for ultra-diffused transitions you’ll likely want to supplement with one dedicated blending brush from another brand.

The smaller face brush and concealer brush give smooth, even coverage for spot work and under the eyes. For all-over foundation, we improvised with the smallest of the three larger brushes; it works, but it’s bigger and less precise than a classic flat or buffing foundation brush.

Yes. The angled contour brush and the fuller fan brush are particularly useful for soft sculpting and highlighter. They’re better at creating diffused, natural-looking shadows and glow than ultra-sharp, editorial stripes, which most people find more forgiving in real life.

The smaller eye and lip brushes generally hold their shape and density well with gentle care. Some larger face brushes are more temperamental—if you soak them or dry them upright while wet, they’re more prone to loosening or shedding. Thoughtful washing and flat drying make a noticeable difference.

The current version uses premium synthetic fibers—microfiber/nylon—rather than animal hair. In our hands, they behave like a soft, slightly springy natural hair dupe, but they’re fully vegan, cruelty free, and easier to sanitize thoroughly between uses.

Yes. The updated set is completely synthetic, and the brand positions itself as a proud PETA member. No animal hair is used in the current configuration, and the materials are non-toxic and designed to be skin friendly, even for younger users.

The handles are made from smooth-finished wood, which gives a satisfying, balanced weight in the hand. The ferrules—the metal sleeves that hold the bristles—are aluminum, crimped securely to minimize wobbling and help prevent shedding when properly cared for.

No. Despite the leather-like appearance, the carrying case is a faux leather (vinyl-style) material, which keeps the set vegan. It looks sleek and wipes clean easily, but it does have a strong “new” smell initially that benefits from airing out.

Synthetic bristles are generally less allergenic than natural hair, and we found them gentle even on sensitive and slightly reactive skin. If you’re extremely sensitive, wash the brushes before first use to remove any residual manufacturing dust or dye, and patch test on a small area.

Use a gentle brush cleanser or mild face wash, working the lather through the bristles until the water runs clear. Rinse with the brush head pointing downward, reshape gently, and lay flat on a towel with the bristles over the edge so air can circulate. Avoid soaking the ferrules or drying upright while dripping.

We strongly recommend it. The initial wash removes factory residue, excess dye from the darker brushes, and any scent transferred from the pouch. After that first bath, the bristles feel softer, perform better with product, and are far more pleasant to use on the skin.

For cream and liquid products—foundation, concealer, cream blush—clean after each use or every few uses to prevent buildup. For powder-only brushes, a weekly deep clean is usually sufficient, with quick spot-cleans in between if you’re switching shades frequently.

Yes. The numbered brushes and included instruction sheet make it surprisingly approachable. Many shapes are intuitive—large for powder, angled for contour, small and flat for eyes—and you can start with just a few favorites, adding more as your technique evolves.

They worked well with every formula we tried—drugstore to prestige, powder to gel. The synthetic fibers are especially good with liquids and creams because they don’t absorb as much product as natural hair, but they also pick up pressed and loose powders effectively once properly washed.

In our testing across sensitive and slightly compromised skin, the fibers felt gentle and non-scratchy once washed. Synthetic bristles tend to be more hypoallergenic than animal hair, and regular cleaning keeps them from harboring oils or bacteria that could trigger flare-ups.

Yes. The brand positions the materials as non-toxic and kid-friendly, and the soft synthetic fibers are appropriate for teen or supervised child play. As always, emphasize hygiene—no sharing without cleaning, and avoid using brushes on broken or irritated skin.

Like all makeup brushes, they can accumulate oils, pigment, and bacteria over time. That’s why a regular cleaning routine is essential. With synthetic fibers, it’s easier to achieve a truly clean brush, but skipping washes will still compromise both your skin and your makeup’s finish.

When a brush starts shedding excessively, loses its shape permanently, feels rough or scratchy against the skin, or develops a persistent film even after washing, it’s time to retire it. A musty smell or visible residue at the ferrule are also red flags.

Avoid harsh detergents, very hot water, and soaking the entire brush in water. Don’t pull aggressively at the bristles or twist them while wet—this loosens the glue in the ferrule. Gentle swirling, thorough rinsing, and flat drying will keep them performing longer.

Despite the impressive piece count, we did miss a few staples: a true fluffy crease blending brush, a dense buffing or flat-top foundation brush, and a slimmer, more delicate fan brush. The set leans heavily into flat shaders and detail tools, so you may want to add those missing shapes separately.

This is where the budget nature of the set shows. If brushes are soaked, dried upright while dripping, or handled roughly, the glue in the ferrule can weaken, leading to shedding or detachment. We also saw variability between individual brushes—some stayed perfect, others were more fragile from the start.

Out of the box, the pouch has a pronounced synthetic/chemical scent that can be off-putting. In our experience, removing the brushes, washing them, and leaving the pouch open in a ventilated space for a couple of days significantly reduced the smell. After that, it faded into the background.

For many everyday routines, this set covers almost everything. However, if you’re particular about base perfection or blown-out eye looks, you’ll likely want to add at least a dedicated foundation brush or sponge and one high-quality blending brush to round out the arsenal.

With gentle, regular care, many of the brushes can serve you well for a year or two or more, especially the smaller eye and lip tools. The larger face brushes tend to show wear sooner. Think of this as a generous, medium-term kit rather than a decades-long investment.

Yes, particularly for beginners, students, or anyone expanding beyond a few basic tools. The sheer number of brushes, the sleek black aesthetic, and the roll-up pouch make it feel like a substantial, thoughtful gift—even though the price sits firmly in accessible territory.

Rolled up, the pouch is reasonably compact given it houses 32 brushes. It will take up some space in a weekender or suitcase, but the roll format keeps everything contained and protected, with a flap over the bristles to prevent bending and makeup transfer.

Individual replacements for this exact set aren’t typically offered, so if a favorite disappears you’ll need to substitute with a similar brush from another line or eventually repurchase a full set. The upside is that many shapes are fairly standard, so finding close dupes is easy.

No. The numbering is SHANY’s own internal system, designed to match the included instruction sheet. It’s helpful for learning and organization, but it doesn’t correspond to MAC, Sigma, or other pro numbering schemes you might see in tutorials.

This configuration centers on a classic black color story for both handles and pouch, with some variation across related SKUs. If you’re after bold colors or metallic handles, you may want to explore other collections, but black remains the most universally chic and versatile.