The single brushes are where I would put my attention. The Expert Face brush has a domed, fluffy head for liquid and cream base, and the Bubble Blending brush does the same with a rounder, quicker stroke that suits skin tint. The Powder brush is large and domed, made for bronzer and setting powder, and the Blush brush is the plush, custom-cut shape meant for the apples of the cheeks. Start with a base brush, press and roll rather than drag, and use the powder brush with a light hand. Dense bristles grab product and deposit it in one stripe, so tap off the extra first. A soft blush brush also takes a cream formula well if you keep the pressure light. These four cover almost every face routine I can think of.

Grid three is the quiet half of the collection. The Miracle Complexion Sponge is sold as a four pack, and the brand says to replace each sponge every 30 days. I use a damp makeup sponge to press foundation into the skin and to pick up excess on the nose. The Eye Shade and Blend set has three brushes for applying, blending and defining eye makeup and brows. The Miracle Brush Cleansing Palette and Deep Cleansing Gel are the maintenance pair. The brand says to clean brushes once a week, and its own routine is to lather with warm water, rinse, squeeze and lay them flat. What I would skip is drying wet brushes standing upright in a cup, since water can run down into the base and loosen the glue.

A good brush lasts when you treat it like a small tool rather than an accessory. Wash the ones that touch cream and liquid more often than the powder ones, and keep the sponge on a replacement schedule. Buy a set if you are starting out, or single brushes if you already know what you use. Either way, the two sisters' original point still holds: the technique matters more than the pile. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Why Lange Is Really a Family Story and Blenders and Makeup Brushes Worth the Price.