Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll The best Affordable Makeup Burushes?
Truth be told, I’m an unapologetic brush snob — and I mean it in the truest sense. I’ve spent over two decades collecting makeup brushes like some people collect fine wine or vintage jewelry. My love for brushes started back in the early 2000s when I splurged on my first MAC brush — a moment that sparked an obsession. Since then, I’ve slowly built a collection that includes some of the most well-known and coveted names in the beauty world: Surratt, Artis, Sonia G, Wayne Goss, IT Cosmetics, Hakuhodo, Make Up For Ever, Morphe, Charlotte Tilbury, and plenty more tucked away in brush cups and drawers.
So yes, I’m picky. I’ve tested countless shapes, bristle types, handle styles, and price points. While I have a deep appreciation for luxury brushes that feel like velvet on the skin and last forever, I’m always on the hunt for affordable finds that deliver a high-end feel for a fraction of the cost. Some budget-friendly gems have impressed me — Wet ‘n Wild and Real Techniques have earned a permanent spot in my rotation. But until recently, Colourpop wasn’t on my radar for brushes at all.
When the Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll launched, I went against my usual instincts. Normally, I cherry-pick single brushes that fill gaps in my kit. Sets often feel redundant, with too many brushes I don’t use. But something about this one made me curious enough to take the plunge. I ordered it without a second thought — and I can honestly say I’m glad I did. This brush roll is one of the best surprises my vanity has seen in a long time.
So, What Makes a Makeup Brush Worth It?
Before we get into every brush in this roll, let’s clarify what I expect from a makeup brush — especially since I’m so selective about what makes it into my everyday routine.
A good brush has to do more than look pretty in a cup. Here are my must-haves:
- Softness: The bristles need to feel smooth and gentle on the skin. No scratchiness allowed, ever.
- Performance: A brush must pick up product easily and apply it evenly — whether it’s powder, cream, or liquid. No patchy blending or harsh streaks.
- Durability: I expect minimal to no shedding and bristles that keep their shape after multiple washes.
- Comfort: The handle should be the right length and weight so it feels balanced and comfortable to hold for extended blending sessions.
Above all, a brush needs to make me want to reach for it — not push it to the back of the drawer.
First Look: What’s in the Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll?
So, what exactly do you get with the Ultimate Brush Roll? For $39 USD (or $44 if you miss the sale), you’re getting a complete brush wardrobe — 14 brushes in total, wrapped up in a blush pink faux leather roll that keeps them secure and organized.
- 11 brushes are brand new designs made for this set.
- 3 are best-sellers pulled from Colourpop’s main brush line.
Every brush in the set is vegan and cruelty-free, which is a big plus. The bristles are synthetic, but they feel nothing like those stiff plastic bristles that used to dominate cheap brush sets. These are genuinely soft — surprisingly so for the price.
Each brush comes with a full-length blush pink wooden handle and a sleek rose gold ferrule. All the bristles are white, which looks gorgeous but does mean you’ll want to keep them clean if you’re using dark pigments. A small trade-off for an aesthetic that looks great on any vanity.
Breaking It Down: The Face Brushes
Let’s start with the three face brushes included in the roll:
1. Large Face Brush (F18)
This is exactly what I want in a big fluffy face brush — soft, airy, and perfect for applying bronzer in a super diffused way. I also love it for buffing powder all over the face to blend everything together once the rest of my makeup is done.
2. Rounded Cheek Brush (F20)
This one’s a great shape for contouring and adding definition. It has the perfect balance between softness and density to sculpt without leaving harsh lines. I’ve been using it for strategic bronzing under the cheekbones and along the jawline.
3. Angled Cheek Brush (F21)
Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t like this one. The bristles looked bluntly cut and not tapered enough for my taste. But I was wrong — it’s ideal for softly diffused blush. It also works well for lightly setting powder in small areas like under the eyes or around the nose.
Eye Brushes: The Standouts and the Misses
Eye brushes are where I’m most particular. I’ve tried so many over the years that I know instantly if one will work for my eye shape and blending style. Out of the eleven eye brushes, here’s what I loved — and what didn’t quite make the cut for me.
Eye Brushes I Keep Reaching For
Deluxe Blending Brush (E15)
A perfect soft brush for sweeping colour through the crease or blending out harsh lines. It picks up just enough product without muddying the rest of your shadow.
Precision Blending Brush (E19)
This narrow, tapered brush is great for placing colour exactly where you want it — whether that’s deepening the outer corner or faking a crease if you have hooded eyes.
Angled Eye Brush (E6)
This is easily one of the best angled brushes I own. It’s stiff enough to pick up powder, gel, or cream products and apply them with clean, sharp lines. It’s become my go-to for winged liner.
Round Pencil Brush (E21)
A soft, rounded pencil brush that works perfectly for smudging shadow on the lower lash line or softening liner without tugging at delicate skin.
Detailed Blending Brush (E17)
A dense, domed brush that packs colour on while diffusing edges. Unlike many small crease brushes, it’s not too pointy, so you get an even wash of pigment without harsh spots.
Small Dome Brush (E18)
This flat brush is a great size for patting down cream shadows, cutting a crease, or packing metallic shadows onto the lid for extra impact.
The Ones I Could Skip
Lip Brush (L1)
It works fine for precision lipstick application, but I rarely use lip brushes in general. If you love crisp lip lines, you might love it — it just isn’t essential for me.
Large Tapered Blending Brush (E16)
I wanted to love this, but it’s too floppy for my taste. The bristles feel a bit long, and mine had a few uneven bristles sticking out. It blends, but not as precisely as I’d like for my eye shape.
Medium Shader Brush (E4)
There’s nothing technically wrong with this brush, but it’s a little big for my lids as a flat shader. It could work well as a small concealer brush if you like using flat brushes for cream products.
What Makes This Set Stand Out
What surprised me most about the Ultimate Brush Roll is that it actually includes brushes I’ll use again and again. A lot of brush sets are filled with duplicate shapes or filler brushes that just take up space. This one feels thoughtfully curated.
Here’s what makes it worth considering:
- The bristles feel genuinely soft and don’t scratch the skin.
- The brushes pick up and distribute product well.
- They’re vegan, cruelty-free, and easy to clean.
- The full-length handles feel balanced in the hand — no awkward short travel handles.
- The roll keeps everything tidy and is easy to toss into a suitcase.
- The blush pink and rose gold design looks more expensive than the price tag.
Who Should Buy the Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll?
This set is ideal if:
- You’re new to makeup and need a complete brush kit to cover all your bases.
- You want to refresh your old brushes with something affordable but high-performing.
- You like having a matching, travel-friendly set you can pack up easily.
- You’re looking for a beauty gift that feels thoughtful but doesn’t cost a fortune.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Colourpop brushes worth it for the price?
Absolutely. They feel and perform way above what you’d expect for under $4 a brush.
How do they hold up after washing?
So far, they’ve cleaned up well, dry back into shape, and haven’t shed or splayed out.
Are the bristles really soft?
Yes. They’re synthetic but don’t feel plasticky or stiff at all.
Do I need the whole roll, or can I buy brushes individually?
Some brushes are unique to this set, but a few are available individually from Colourpop’s main brush collection.
Do they stain easily?
The white bristles can stain if you’re using dark creams or pigments, but regular cleaning keeps them looking fresh.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for a solid brush set that won’t drain your wallet, the Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll is genuinely worth checking out. I didn’t expect to like this as much as I do — but it’s found a permanent place in my rotation.
Even at the full price of $44, each brush works out to just over $3 — and honestly, they perform better than some $30 brushes in my stash. Whether you’re starting fresh, upgrading your kit, or just want a matching set that travels well, this is one brush roll that’s worth rolling out.
You can find the Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll [here for $39 USD]. If you’re as picky about brushes as I am, you might be just as surprised at how good these really are.Got it! Here’s a longer, optimized, emoji-free rewrite of your Colourpop Ultimate Brush Roll Review, expanded to a more advanced, casual, yet detailed version — structured for easy reading in about 7 minutes (~2,000 words).