Last updated: March 2026
What Is Fan Brush?
A fan brush is a flat, spread-out makeup brush with bristles arranged in a fan shape. It's used for light, precise application of highlighter, powder, and bronzer.
Fan brushes are characterized by their thin, spread-out bristle arrangement that picks up and deposits product in a sheer, diffused way. They're the go-to tool for highlighter application because the flat shape sweeps product along the cheekbone in a natural-looking stripe. Fan brushes are also excellent for dusting away fallout from under the eye after doing eyeshadow, applying a light layer of setting powder, or sweeping bronzer along the temples. The key advantage is control—because the bristles are thin and spread out, it's nearly impossible to overapply product, making fan brushes ideal for anyone who tends to go too heavy with highlighter or powder.
Tips
- Use a fan brush for highlighter on the cheekbones—the thin bristles deposit a stripe of shimmer exactly where you want it.
- Hold the fan brush under your eye to catch eyeshadow fallout, preventing dark pigment from landing on your foundation.
- Use a very light hand—fan brushes are designed for sheer application; pressing hard defeats the purpose.
See it in action
Tutorials that use or demonstrate this technique: