Is the $280 Surratt Artistique Brush Worth It? The Best Powder Brush I've Ever Used
How a Black Friday Sale finally convinced me to take the plunge—and why I have zero regrets
Disclaimer: I do use affiliate links in this blog meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products that I have heavily researched, tested and loved, and/or used for several years.
I first came across the hype around Surratt makeup brushes years ago, buried in a Reddit thread where beauty enthusiasts were debating the best high-end brushes money could buy. The consensus was unanimous: the Artistique powder brush was in a category of its own. And then I saw the price tag—$280—and promptly closed the tab.
I already own a solid collection of high-end brushes. I've spent more than I'd like to admit on tools from luxury brands. How much better could one brush really be? That was my reasoning for years, and I held firm on it—until this past Black Friday, when Surratt offered 30% off and my willpower officially gave out.
I want to be clear that I went into this with measured expectations. I told myself it would be nice, maybe noticeably better, but not life-changing. Then I opened the box.
Just looking at the Artistique brush upon unboxing it was a sight to behold. The hairs are almost microscopically thin—so fine that the brush head looks almost like a solid, seamless dome rather than individual bristles. It doesn't look like any other brush I own. It doesn't look like any brush I've ever seen in person, for that matter.
And then I touched it. It is undeniably the softest thing I have ever touched in my life. That is not an exaggeration. Not the softest brush but the softest thing. Full stop.
Softness alone doesn't justify $280. But the performance absolutely does. Any powder—setting powder, finishing powder, loose powder—looks airbrushed with every single sweep of this brush. It diffuses product so evenly and seamlessly that there are no lines, no patches, no areas where the powder looks heavier than others. It just blends everything into a flawless, skin-like finish that genuinely looks like it was done with professional tools (because it was).
Shop the Artistique powder brush from various retailers below:
Here's my honest take: at full price, this is a significant investment that I understand most people won't be able to justify, and I held off for years for exactly that reason. But if you can catch it during their Black Friday sale at 30% off, the value equation shifts considerably. And unlike most beauty purchases, this is not a product you'll be replacing. These brushes are built to last a lifetime; the craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from the bristles to the handle to the weight of it in your hand.
If you're looking to invest in the platinum standard of makeup brushes, my advice is to set a Black Friday reminder and take the plunge when the sale hits. You'll be proven wrong in the best possible way, just like I was!
