Stila
Although I've been MAC faithful for brushes for over two years, my collection has recently expanded to include some very fine brushes from Stila.

#1 Blush ($24) - This small but nicely tapered size works well for precise application while still giving a soft, not streaky, application.

#5 All over shadow ($21) - A great brush for easy lid color, or for thick crease contour. The bristles aren't as soft as the #7 crease brush, so it deposits more color in one stroke. Remember, the softer the bristles, the softer the application of color.

#7 Crease ($18) - Super soft bristles and a small tapered shape make it a perfect choice for crease color, lid color, or even super smudgy liner. This is one of my favorites from Stila.

#10 Angled brow ($16) - I like this one much better than MAC's #22 because of its stiffer bristles. The control is excellent without depositing too much color.

#13 Flat eyeliner ($16) - This brush is a little thick for precision lining but a good choice if you are just started with shadow liner.

Estee Lauder
Powder ($20) - I like the full, soft bristles, but they are cut in a strange angled shape. A few bristles came out when I pulled on them (a good way to test the quality of the craftsmanship), which is not a good sign.

Blush ($18.50) - The small tapered shape and soft bristles give a soft application of color. No bristles fell out, but there were a few gaps between the bristles and the ferrule (the metal piece that clamps the bristles onto the handle), which could scrape the skin if it got too close.

Square shading for eyes ($15) - I like this shape and the softness of the bristles very much. If you usually use one shadow color, this is a nice soft brush for smooth, allover color.

Eyeshadow/Contouring ($12.50) - This is a knock-off of MAC's #36 crease brush. The bristles are soft but floppy, making any serious crease application next to impossible.

Angled eyeshadow/brows ($12.50) - This brush may be good for smudgy liner, but it's much too soft for precise brow or crease color.

Concealer ($12.50) - I typically like a brush to place concealer, then I use my finger to blend it out. This is a nice shape, and large enough to cover undereye circles in one sweep.

While they have some good shapes and nice, soft bristles, I have had the (unfortunate) advantage of seeing a EL powder brush after six months of use -visibly worn, with bristles falling out a few at a time with each powder application. Truly good quality makeup brushes should not appear worn out after six months, or even after a year. If you decide to investigate EL's brushes, or any other lines's brushes for that matter, check carefully for loose bristles and overall craftsmanship, and don't hesitate to return a brush if you feel it is of inferior quality.

MAC
Of all the lines I've seen with makeup brushes, MAC has the most extensive collection and the best quality for the money. Every MAC brush is designed to last a lifetime, no matter how hard you use (or abuse) them, or how many times you wash them. For beginners or full-time makeup artists, MAC has a brush for every type of design possible. I decided to keep it to the basics.

Powder - You can use either #135 ($25) or #101 ($36) for powder. The #135 is smaller and can also be used for soft blush, while the #101 is very full and super soft, great for blending and all-over powder.

Blush - Again, there is more than one choice for blush. If you like a more precise application, the #2 ($25) with its smaller, tapered head (much like Stila's #1) is a great choice. For a softer look, the #135 ($25) is perfect, with soft bristles and a full, tapered shape.

Eyeshadow - The ultimate multi-purpose eyeshadow brush, the #141 ($26) can do everything - lid color, crease color, smudgy liner, even brows. The bristles are soft and tapered at an angle that makes crease work a breeze.

Brow - For precise color application, brow grooming, or even powder eye liner, the stiff #22 ($16) angled brush is a MAC favorite.

Lip - The #117 retractable ($12) is the way to go. My favorite trick with this brush is loading it up with color, putting on the lid, and taking it with me for a night out - no fussing with lipstick tubes!

Philosophy
Once only available in The Coloring Book, Philosophy now sells them individually so you can customize your set to fit your needs.

Blush ($25) - Nice full, tapered size makes blush application a snap. A little expensive for a fairly standard, but still good quality, blush brush.

Shadow ($20) - Fluffy, tapered bristles are very soft for a more soft, sheer application of color. A good choice if you are new to eyeshadow, or if you use only one or two colors at a time.

Blending ($18) - Excellent crease and blending brush that is soft enough to be gentle on the skin but stiff enough to deposit a fair amount of color. I really like this one!

Lip ($18) - The small, tapered shape is great for fool-proof application, even if you are rather uncoordinated (like me!).

Brow ($10) - A very stiff brush great for general brow grooming as well as adding a little color. One of Philosophy's better priced brushes.