Looking for the Best Brush Set?

 

What happens when a luxurious vegan and cruelty-free brand like LARUCE Beauty collaborates with the uber-talented Freelance Makeup Artist, Janice Daoud? A makeup brush set worth writing about!  Janice Daoud has worked with some of the top celebrities of the moment, including Miley Cyrus and Rihanna.  Her work has graced the pages of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Rolling Stone and her Runway and client work are all names easily recognizable.  I first learned about the LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set ($100 retail) on Instagram.

The Makeup Brush Set – Why You’ll Want to Buy!

When I ordered the LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set, I was taking a gamble. I did not know anyone who owned the set, but the Instagram advertisements intrigued me. After watching Janice Daoud’s video on the LARUCE Beauty Instagram page where she details who this set was designed for (Everyone!), what was included and why she decided to collaborate with LARUCE I placed my order. The video I watched, was her first look at the retail set as she had been using the prototypes previously.  I could tell that she put a lot of thought into every single aspect of these brushes.  Even the brush numbers were created using numbers that were meaningful to her.  The microfiber towel (included with set) is intended to mimic her backstage setup.  All makeup artists I know put down some sort of a towel before laying out their tools.  Since Janice is known for her skin work, I was personally eager to get my hands on her sculpt and contour brush (which did not disappoint). Her decision to include a microfiber pouch for easy carrying of the brushes also made this purchase a no brainer.

If you are new to my site – Welcome! – I should let you know that I own quite a comprehensive brush collection.  I own hundreds of makeup brushes from brands all over the world.  When I first get a new brush or brush set, I look for similar brushes in my existing collection to compare it to. I was very excited to see that this set most closely resembled my Rae Morris brushes. Rae Morris is a world-renowned Makeup Artist and designed the Rae Morris Magnetic Brush Range. While the LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set is not magnetic, I am happy to report that the brushes are shaped perfectly and will change your makeup application. While I respect Rae Morris as an artist and enjoy her brushes in my humble opinion they are overpriced.  On a positive note, this set from LARUCE is an absolute steal! If you were considering buying the Rae Morris brushes, I highly suggest you consider the LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set instead.

For Comparison:

1.      The Jishaku #2: Mini Kabuki from Rae Morris retails for $95 on her site

2.      Number 10 Powder Brush: LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set (includes brush number two below, plus ten other brushes pictured -below, right – microfiber towel and microfiber carry bag)

How does the LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set Perform?

I have been testing this set since I received it on December 29^th, using a variety of mediums and techniques.  This set truly holds its own against many of my higher-priced Japanese made brushes.  If you own a traditional brush set from a brand like Sigma or MAC, I think you will find this set offers some truly unique shapes that would complement a traditional set nicely.  Standouts for me include the #18 Lip Brush, #27 Precision Contour Brush and #31 Shadow Brush. The #18 Lip Brush is a truly unique shape in my collection.  The way it hugs the cupid’s bow makes applying lip color truly effortless. The #27 Precision Contour Brush is another unique shape and is great for so many things including contouring the nose and under the lips. The #31 Shadow Brush is a standard shaped eye brush, but I think the size of it makes it a great choice as an all-in-one eye brush.  You can easily apply color to the lid with one swipe using this brush helping you create all your favorite looks.

When I started this site years ago, finding professional quality makeup brushes that were also cruelty-free wasn’t easy.  Many brands didn’t even list the bristle type (some still don’t) making it impossible to make an informed decision easily. Today the options may seem overwhelming.  I can confidently recommend this set for both makeup lovers and Makeup Artists. 

For those new to this style of makeup brush, please note the (intentional) smaller size.  The handles on this set are slightly longer than the Westman Atelier, with the #25 Detailed Eye Brush (pencil-style brush great for smudging along the lower lashline) slightly shorter than the Rae Morris Jishaku #9.1: Pencil Point Shader. If you are in the market for new brushes to round out your collection, start a new one or get a gift for the makeup lover in your life who has everything, look at the Laruce X Janice Daoud Brush Set and see the difference for yourself.  The value is quite apparent when compared to similar style brushes available on the market and this set really shines as one that will meet the needs of many different artists, regardless of their level of expertise. 

Pictured Above: #25 Detailed Eye Brush (above left) slightly shorter than the Rae Morris Jishaku #9.1: Pencil Point Shader (above right)

Pictured Above:  #27 Precision Contour Brush (above left) slightly longer than the Westman Atelier Eye Shadow I Brush (above right)

Pictured Above: A closer look at the set 

Have you purchased the LARUCE X Janice Daoud Brush Set yet?  Which brushes do you think you will get the most use out of? 

Please share your questions / comments below!  Thank you for reading and don't forget to subscribe so that you never miss a post. 

Tips for Keeping Your Makeup Brushes Clean

Tips for Keeping Your Makeup Brushes Clean!

It has certainly been a while since I have written a blog post. Like many of you, I am stuck at home and feeling overwhelmed by everything going on in the world.  I don't know why, but one of the few things that I find relaxing is cleaning my makeup brushes.  Over the years I have tried a number of cleaning solutions, methods and storage options for keeping my makeup brushes in pristine condition. 

Here are a few tips that work well for me and help me find a moment of peace in an otherwise insane world.

*All of the items in this post were purchased by me.

On to the tips.....

• Tip #1: Separate dirty brushes. I always keep an empty cup on the side of my makeup table.  After I am done applying makeup, dirty brushes go in that cup away from my clean brushes.  I never contaminate my fresh brushes by mixing them in with dirty ones filled with product.
• Tip #2: Different brushes may need different cleaning methods.  In general I try to follow the recommendation of the brush manufacturer for keeping my brushes clean.  For example, I have some more expensive, delicate brushes that are hand made.  With these types of brushes, I am more gentile with how I clean them.  I will often use a soft microfiber cloth and wipe in the direction of the bristles.  In general the way you use a brush on your face is the same motion you can use to clean it.
• Tip #3: Sanitize with 70% alcohol.  I read so many articles telling people to use 99% alcohol to clean brushes, and this is just plain wrong.  If you use something stronger than 70% alcohol, it will evaporate before actually sanitizing anything.  If you use something less than 70%, you are likely not killing the bacteria and germs as intended.

• Tip #4: Be mindful of the professional brush cleansers your choose.  As far as professional brush cleaners go, there are a number of wonderful options on the market.  However, I personally prefer to use clear brush cleaner because I have found certain colored solutions can leave an unusual blue cast on white bristled brushes.  When I look at some of my more special brushes from Rae Morris or Westman Atelier the thought of their snow white bristles staining with blue antiseptic does not make me happy. That being said, I have used something like Cinema Secrets (a blue colored solution) to clean my darker bristled brushes.  Cinema Secrets does a thorough job and dries very quickly which is why it is an industry favorite.  There are a number of similar products on the market that are completely clear in color as well. 

• Tip #5: Dry brushes upside down or on a flat surface. It doesn't matter if you use a shampoo, professional grade cleaner, and/or alcohol to clean your brushes if you don't dry them properly.  If you place a brush handle side down right back into a brush cup after cleaning, some of the moisture may seep down into the ferrule loosening the glue that holds the bristles together. There are a number of options for brush drying on the market including brush trees (such as my old favorite Benjabelle), the Sigma Dry 'n Shape, and even newer styles that clip to the side of a counter or look like a file bin you might find in the office. You don't really need any of these items.  Simply lay your freshly cleaned brushes flat on a towel until they are completely dry.  I recently purchased the Sigma Dry 'n Shape because I often clean a large number of brushes at once.  I find this tower is a practical way to dry a large number of face and eye brushes at once time without taking up much counter space.  Plus once brushes are dry, it doubles as a cute desktop storage display. I still own the original version of this product and this new version is quite an improvement! 

The above photo is only one half of my complete Sigma Dry 'n Shape Tower.  The full tower holds over 90 brushes!  Plus, as the name suggests, has bands that help to shape the brush heads as they dry.

• Tip #6: Proper storage will keep your brushes free from dust.  I know a lot of people like to store brushes in a cup.  This is fine if you want to keep  a few of your daily brushes handy.  When you have a large number of brushes, it is best to store them in a way that will protect them from dust.  There are many custom acrylic brush holders on the market.  Many artists I know prefer keeping makeup brushes in a fabric or faux leather brush roll.  I personally keep my brushes in drawers fitted with bamboo dividers.  Some of my brushes are stored in brush cups with a screw on lid that makes for easy portability.  Keeping brushes in a box with some sort of fabric or tissue paper underneath is also a good option.  Whatever method you opt for, I suggest rotating your brushes often.  After all they are meant to be used!

This is a picture of the inside of one of my Alex drawers from Ikea.  I have a bamboo organizer with adjustable dividers in place and have my brushes organized by brush type.  I store my more expensive brushes in a similar manner, but tend to keep them in a single layer.  Some worry that putting brushes in a drawer can flatten out or misshape the bristles.  For this reason, I rotate an use my brushes often.  There are some limited edition brushes that I keep in the boxes they came in.  I have also seen some more creative solutions online such as using a glasses case, jewelry box, or even a shoe box lined with tissue paper.

I do not recommend just throwing brushes in a drawer without some type of protection underneath.  The drawer dividers I use are also lined with contact paper and a clear coating so I can easily wipe them clean. 

Recap:

I personally clean brushes after every single use.  At the very least, clean your brushes weekly otherwise you are simply brushing bacteria onto your face. Remember, clean brushes with a solution that is right for you.  I know some makeup artists who swear by dish cleaning liquid.  If you are a professional makeup artist be sure to sanitize your brushes as well. Be gentle, and always squeeze out any excess water before laying flat to dry.  If using a cloth, be sure to use something lint-free such as a microfiber cloth. Only when your brushes are completely dry should you put them back in their dust-free storage area of your choosing. 

*I only own and use brushes made with synthetic bristles.  Synthetic bristles do not need to be conditioned.  They are not only more hygienic than natural hair bristles, but they are also hypoallergenic and kinder to our furry friends.

What do you use to clean your brushes?  How do you store your tools?  Please share your favorite makeup brush cleaning tips in the comments below!

How to Own Brushes Like a Pro!

How to Own Brushes Like a Pro!

Buying makeup brushes can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you are a new or aspiring makeup artist. I decided to put together this guide to teach you the best way to buy brushes for your kit.  This is also helpful if you are someone who creates a lot of makeup looks.  My secret?  Buying multiples of the brushes I use the most has been one of the best things I have done for my kit.   Shopping this way can prevent impulse purchases, and ensures that you always have the perfect brush handy. 

In some categories, you will notice I literally own several of the exact same brush.  In others, I simply like to have many of the same brush type handy.  The key is knowing which styles meet your needs.  Start by thinking about how you apply makeup, and which products you typically use.

Here is a quick look at what works for me: 

1. Bdellium Tools 776 (your favorite blending brush) - This brush is my favorite for blending eyeshadow. It is a multipurpose brush that works great with powder and cream products. The size, shape, and fluffiness of it meet all of my needs for achieving the perfect blend.  I always keep multiples of the Bdellium Tools Pink Bambu #776 brush handy because I know that no matter what eyeshadow look I am going for, this brush works well for me. If you have a different blending brush that you love, buy several of them.  This really makes it so much easier when you are working with different eyeshadow colors, so that you don't have to clean off the brush in between. I often use more than one blending brush when creating an eyeshadow look.  If you prefer a shorter handle length, the Green Bambu #776 is the same style, with the only difference being handle length and color of the brush. 

2. Flat Shader brush for packing on pigment (Sigma E54 Medium Sweeper) - If you love working with glitters and shimmers on the eyelid, a good pigment packer is a must! I like a medium sized brush head with bristles that come to a tapered tip.  This enables me to pat or sweep color onto the lid, then use the tip of the same brush to apply color along the lower lash line. 

3. Pencil Brush (Sigma E30 Pencil) - No, I don't have a Sigma discount code, nor am I a brand affiliate. Sigma just seems to put out a very good variety of brush shapes at reasonable prices. I own quite a few of their E30 Pencil Brushes because they are ideal for really smoking out the lower lash line. Use these with your favorite eyeliner or eyeshadow to get right under those lashes, or blend out any harsh lines for the perfect smokey eye. 

4. Face Fan Brush (multipurpose) - Scott Barnes #66 - There are some people who don't believe in fan brushes, but I can't live without them. This luxurious find from the great Scott Barnes is one that I use nearly every time I apply makeup. It is the perfect brush for sweeping on Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, dusting on highlight, blush, bronzer, or sweeping away that loose powder you are baking under your eyes. The unique tilted shape really fit the curves of the face in the most natural way.  This is the brush that made me fall in love with the entire brush line from this brand. If you are a professional artist, you can't go wrong with any from this line. 

5. Lip Brushes (PRO1L Furless Cosmetics) - If you are not a working makeup artist, you may not get a lot of use out of lip brushes.  I have always preferred to use a lip brush, even on myself for getting a really perfect looking pout.  No other brush beats my Furless Cosmetics Pro1L.  I own three of these and this brush has had a home in my kit for a number of years for a reason.  It allows me to really get into the corners of the mouth, and this brush can also be used for concealing small spots on the face, or even help in creating a cut crease on the eyes. 

6. Powder Brushes - setting powder, bronzer, powder blush. Have a few good sizes handy including one for more precise powdering (Scott Barnes,  Real Techniques, etc) - Kelley Quan #5, Scott Barnes #67, Sephora PRO Featherweight Powder #91, Princeton Neptune #6 & #8 - When it comes to powdering, I have three main sizes that I like to have multiples of; a small very tapered style, a medium size for blush or setting powder, and a super large brush for bronzing up the neck and body.

There are a lot of good options on the market.  I love these art brushes (pictured below) that I picked up at my local art supply store.  The Real Techniques setting brush or contour brush will also work for powdering small areas such as setting your under eye concealer.  The only difference between the two brushes pictured below is handle length. 

For a medium sized powder brush, Kelley Quan's #5 reigns supreme in my stash. These are a bit on the pricey side, so I only own two, but they are worth every penny. The bristles are unbelievably soft, and the quality is top-notch. I really love these for sweeping a variety of different powders on the face, using a pressing motion for setting powder or adding that perfect touch of highlight. 

Then there are the super huge rounded styles that are a must-have when bronzing the neck and chest area. For this brush, I don't own multiples of any one specific brush.  Instead I have a few of the same style across several different brands. The main reason for this, is that due to the very large brush head, these brushes tend to be the most expensive within their respective brands. If you have one that you love and want to buy a few by all means do so.  Since these are not something I use everyday, I have purchased the few that I own over time.  The two pictured below are my favorite in this size because the very rounded tip has the perfect amount of flexibility to not only apply product but really blend it out.  I use these mostly to apply bronzer along the shoulders for the most natural looking tan. 

7. Foundation Brush - Only of you don't use sponges (Marc Jacobs The Face Brush I and II) - If you are a professional makeup artist, you should only use disposables when it comes to makeup sponges.  The caveat to that, is if you plan to give the BeautyBlender or beauty sponge to the client, but BeautyBlenders cannot be properly sanitized so the same sponge should not be used across multiple clients. I do love beauty sponges, but only use them for personal use.  For everyone else, foundation brushes are a true staple.  I tend to favor the Marc Jacobs foundation brushes because the density of the bristles really give an airbrushed look to foundation. I like The Face Brush I for liquid or cream foundation, and favor The Face Brush II for mineral or powder foundation.

8. Flat paddle Brushes - great for face primers (Princeton Neptune Oval Wash, Furless Cosmetics PRO1F, S.I.L.K. Green Line Foundation GL-7, IT Cosmetics) - Speaking of foundation brushes, many people think of these flatter brushes for foundation application. I have used them for this purpose, but really like them better for primer application. I understand a lot of people apply primer with their fingertips, but using a flat brush enables a truly even application.  Many different brands sell this style of brush, but I tend to favor one with a slightly thicker brush head and rounded or angled bristles to better reach the inner corners of the face. 

9. Duo Fiber Face Brushes (for applying moisturizer) - Furless Cosmetics PRO6F, PPF3  - This brush is also commonly referred to as a stippling brush. I use this type of brush daily to apply moisturizer. I know a lot of people don't use this style, but it really is the best for layering up products onto the skin because you can both stipple and blend with the same brush.  Furless Cosmetics makes really great sizes of this brush in terms of bristle length and circumference of the tip. 

10. Concealer Brushes (flat and buffing style) - Also great for applying eye primer. (IT Cosmetics, Icing eyeshadow crease brush, Furless Cosmetics ME1, e.l.f. Angled Contour Brush) - Again, this is a brush that I use daily. In fact, I often use a few of these during one makeup application.  You will notice that most of them are not true concealer brushes.  They were designed for eyeshadow, but the angled flat tip almost works like fingertips to pat concealer on under the eyes. If you use a mineral or powder foundation, this style will conceal a blemish in a pinch.  Just pick up some of the powder, and gently swirl it around the spot using one of the angled brushes below.  The traditional flat style concealer brush (the first one in the below photo) is also perfect for applying eyeshadow primer in a nice even layer.

11. Angled Brushes / Push Liner (only if you don't use pencil exclusively) - Kelley Quan #17, Crown Brush Angled Brush, Smith #211, Sigma Flat Definer E15, S.I.L.K. Green Line GL-9 Flat Liner, Kelley Quan #15 - I almost did not include this last category of brush, because finding angled brushes is not difficult. However, when it comes to applying powder to the brow, my Kelley Quan #17 Wave Brush has been a staple in my kit for years. I do own a couple of them, and find them to be truly unique. The Smith #211 (third brush below) is a much stiffer bristled brush, which I like more for applying pomades.  Angled brushes can also be useful for applying winged liner, and a push liner brush can really help create the appearance of a thicker lash line.  I encourage you to think about which products you typically use.  For example, if you only use pencil and brow gel, an angled brow brush may not be important to you. If you do like these styles, think about how firm you like your bristles, and what size works best for your style. 

I hope you found this guide helpful. Again, what works for me may not work for everyone.  The overall theme here is to really think before you buy. Don't just buy a bunch of blending brushes because your favorite YouTube star told you to.  Instead, think about what you already own, and really focus on the shapes and styles that work best for you.  After analyzing the products you use, and which brushes are most important to you, it becomes easier to narrow down what you like.  Once you have found that perfect brush buy a few of them.  I think you will notice it is much easier to have a few of your favorites handy rather than settling for applying with another brush because the one you prefer is dirty. 

What brushes are your go-to?  Do you own multiples of your favorites?  

*This post may contain some brushes that were sent to me.  The majority of them were purchased by me. I do not write sponsored posts, or get paid to name any brands in anything I write. Brands mentioned are simply for informational purposes. All of the brushes mentioned in this post are brushes that I own and really use and love. 

Why the Wayne Goss Synthetic Makeup Brush Set Beats Them All

Why the Wayne Goss Synthetic Makeup Brush Set beats Them All

I know some who see this post may dismiss it as just another one of my many brush posts. Yes, I make a lot of posts about makeup brushes that I like.  These days, many of them have been on the more luxurious side.  However, this post is different. This post is really special to me. 

Wayne Goss is a professional makeup artist who has been sharing his tips, tricks, reviews and techniques with the world via his YouTube channel.  I have watched him for years, and he is one of the few who I almost always learn something from.

These days there are a lot of YouTube personalities, makeup artists, and beauty gurus launching brush lines and/or makeup lines. Sometimes it feels like everyone is trying to sell you something. That is why this post is so very important to me. I am not going to lie.  I get sucked in too. I have jumped online and ordered something just because it is a collaboration with a YouTube personality that I find entertaining. Sometimes I am happy with my purchase, sometimes I am not. Wayne Goss is different. Many years ago, he did a video on his channel about top quality synthetic makeup brushes.  I remember him clearly discussing the brushes from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, which I purchased at his recommendation. You see, Wayne loves makeup brushes. I have followed the launch of his first brush line (which was made with animal hair) and I look forward to his upcoming makeup line. I wish him all of the success in the world. 

Now let's look at the brushes! 

The Packaging

I pre-ordered the Wayne Goss Synthetic Set from Beautylish.  The set arrived in a cardboard cylinder, closed with a label on front. This cylinder can be used to store the brushes, and protect them from dust. A velvet carrying pouch, and a brush guard on the fan brush were also included. All of the brushes were individually wrapped. The set contains four brushes; two for the face, and two for the eyes.  Wayne says that this is really all that one needs for a full face. I will be honest, I use a lot of brushes when applying makeup. This is largely due to the fact that I have a lot of brushes handy. If I only had these four brushes, could I apply a full face of makeup beautifully?  The answer is yes. While I have not had these brushes very long, I put them to the test. I used each brush in a variety of ways, and attempted to do a full face of makeup without bringing in any outside brushes. 

This four-piece set retails for $140.00 plus tax.  I realize some people may think this price is a bit expensive.  It is a lot of money for makeup brushes, but it is not a lot of money for these particular brushes. Like his animal hair brushes, Wayne Goss had the synthetic sets hand made in Japan by artisans. I would also like to note, that Wayne fully funded his initial brush line with his own savings.  He did not have any outside investors, or any company backing him. Some are under the misguided impression that animal hair brushes cost more to make, and expect to pay less for synthetics. However, according to Wayne, the synthetic bristles were just as expensive as animal hair. I believe this to be true.  Many brushes are made with goat hair.  Last time I checked, goats were not rare animals, so I can't imagine why their hair would cost more than technologically advanced human made bristles. The older synthetic bristles that used to be available (and still are on cheap brushes) felt like cheap plastic.  These days synthetic bristles are so advanced, they look and feel just like animal hair. 

The Brushes

The first brush in the set is the 24S brush. It is a fan brush, that can be used for foundation, bronzer, and highlighter. I personally like it for contouring, especially around the hair line. Like all of the brushes in this set, the bristles are very soft, and work well with powder, liquid and cream products. They feel comfortable in the hand, and are very high quality. 

The second brush in the set is the 25S.  It is a large tapered powder brush, great for applying setting powder to the face. It immediately reminded me of the holiday brush that Wayne launched in the past. That brush is made out of animal hair, and a friend of mine allowed me to borrow it (along with other animal hair brushes) for comparison. I did not use the animal hair brushes on my face, but I did touch the bristles, and with my eyes closed the synthetic bristles feel just as soft as the animal hair, if not softer. 

Now, it is time for the eye brushes.  The 26S is my favorite type of eyeshadow brush. It is perfect for nearly any eye look.  If I could only use one eye brush for the rest of my life, this would be it. This is shaped like the MAC 217 (or 217S if you prefer), which is a staple in most makeup artist's kits. The flat side can be used to apply pigment to the lid, and the tapered tip to apply shadow to the crease. If you turn the brush vertically, it works perfectly for blending.The tapered tip also allow for blending along the lower lash line. I love this type of brush with powder and cream eyeshadows, but it can also be used to apply concealer or setting powder under the eyes. 

The second eye brush in the set is the 27S, a small pencil brush. This works beautifully for blending shadow along the lower lash line. It can be used to blend out eye pencil, powder shadow, or even spot conceal. This brush style is another must-have for most makeup artists, and it is easy to understand why Wayne included it. 

Truthfully, I would not have minded a few more eye brushes in this set.  His spoolie is not made with animal hair, and it would have been nice if he included it along with these four brushes. I personally already own that spoolie, and use it regularly. It is my favorite tool for grooming brows. 

Comparisons:

The bristles on all of the brushes are very soft and smooth. I pulled out every brush in my stash (all synthetic bristled of course) and felt them, comparing them to the Wayne Goss brushes. If I have to make a comparison, the bristles remind me of those on my new Tom Ford brushes (made with synthetic bristles), and the set I own from BeautyCounter.  Pictured above, from left to right; Tom Ford, Wayne Goss, and BeautyCounter.  I also would have appreciated it if Wayne included a small flat eyeshadow brush, similar to the BeautyCounter brush pictured above. I know he favors brushes with a tapered tip, or point, as they can be used for just about anything. However, I do like a smaller flat brush for some types of eyeshadow application, such as patting on more shimmery pigments. 

The fan brush immediately reminded me of a baby version of my BeautyCounter Powder Fan brush. The bristles are softer than my Real Techniques Bold Metals #100 brush, but slightly less dense than my BeautyCounter Powder Fan brush. The fact that the Wayne Goss brush is a bit flatter than the BeautyCounter brush makes it nice for contouring, and patting on setting powder. However, I like the larger BeautyCounter brush for blending. The two together, result in the most perfect application of face powders. 

Here is a closer look:

The Wayne Goss bristles are obviously much whiter looking because the brush is new. Since I just got them, I do not know exactly how they will hold up over time.  I must admit that I have a little bit of concern about them staining with all of the higher pigment products on the market these days. That being said, most white bristled brushes do clean up well as long as they are cleaned properly, and with proper frequency. 

The picture above is my new Wayne Goss Synthetic Fan brush next to one of the original brushes from Wayne's original (animal hair set).  I borrowed the animal hair brush from a close friend for the purpose of this post. On my new brush, the brush number and Wayne Goss are embossed.  The lettering is raised, while Wayne's original brushes had any writing on the brush hot stamped.  He did this initially to cut down on costs, and as you can see, the writing is now almost completely worn off the original brush.  I suspect this will not happen with the newer brushes. 

The only negative thing I can possibly say about these brushes, if I am really being picky, is that the handles are extremely short. This brush set is closer in size to my travel brush sets.  Above is a collection of similarly shaped brushes from different brands to demonstrate handle length.  I suspect that most people, like myself, will be using this set for personal makeup application. If that is the case, a shorter handle is often preferable.  However, when I use brushes to apply makeup on someone else, I strongly prefer a longer handle.This is a matter of personal preference, and the Wayne Goss brush length is very similar to the length of Tom Ford brushes. 

Above is a comparison of tapered powder brushes.  The first one on top is the Wayne Goss holiday brush (animal hair) that I borrowed from my friend. It is nearly identical to the Wayne Goss synthetic brush in this set.  The animal hair version is a tiny bit more fluffy, but they are equally as soft. The brush on the bottom is another newer brush to my collection.  It is made with synthetic bristles and also made in Japan by artisans.  It is from the Hakuhodo X Sephora Pro collection.  I LOVE the brush pictured above with the red handle.  It is so soft and smooth, and applies beautifully, but the Wayne Goss synthetic brush is even better!

Finally, the Wayne Goss synthetic pencil brush, is really not like any other in my collection. From top to bottom pictured above; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics small tapered brush, BeautyCounter, Wayne Goss, Sigma Pencil Brush. As you can see, the Wayne Goss brush has a gently tapered tip. It is not too pointy, nor too rounded, and the perfect size for adding an inner corner highlight to your eyeshadow look, or smudging out product along the lower lash line. 

Brushes in Action

Pictured above are the brushes in action. I used the large tapered powder brush to set my under eye concealer with powder.  The fan brush, I used for contouring, and especially loved it for placing powder along my hair line.  The larger eyeshadow brush works well for applying shadow to the lid, and also for blending. I used the pencil brush to blend shadow along my lower lash line.  I do agree that I could have done a full face using just these four brushes.  However, I did find myself reaching for others in my set.  I don't know if it was out of habit, or because I really felt like I needed additional brushes. I needed to use an angled brush from a different brand to fill in my brows, because one wasn't included in this set. I would have loved if Wayne added an angled brow brush with a spoolie on the other end. I know a lot of people are using brow pencils and markers these days, but I still favor brow powder and or pomades. I also like a small dense brush for blending out my under eye concealer.  Again, I know many people use a beauty sponge for their face and will be fine with just these four. 

Here is the finished look:

With so many makeup brushes on the market, I know it can be difficult to know how and when to spend your money. I strongly feel these brushes are well worth the price tag.  These are an investment, for someone who wants to stop wasting money on cheap brushes, and have a good quality set that will last for years. If you love makeup, and wear it most days, $140 is not a lot of money. If I think about all of the money that I have wasted over the years on crappy brushes that gave my makeup a streaky appearance, or broke after a short time, I can only say that I wish Wayne made this set sooner. 

I sincerely hope that this set sells, and others see the true value of investing in quality brushes. I also hope that Wayne expands this line a bit. If he does, these will be the only brushes I will likely want to spend my money on because they are far superior to most others on the market. 

Do you own the Wayne Goss Synthetic Set? Do you plan on buying it? 

Let me know in the comments below!

*The Wayne Goss Synthetic Brush Set in this post was purchased by me. I do not write paid reviews. This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own. 

Looking for the most luxurious cruelty-free makeup brushes money can buy? This set is for you.

Earlier this month, I saw a tweet from Allure magazine about cruelty-free makeup brushes. Allure has been a source for quality makeup and tools for years.  Anytime I see a list of cruelty-free makeup brushes published, I immediately scroll through to see if there is anything new that I am not aware of. Most of the brushes on the list are ones that I already own. 

As for those brushes not already claiming a spot in my collection, I began doing further research. One set in particular stood out; the Essential Brush Collection from Beautycounter.   I found myself reading online reviews to try to get a feel for the quality of these beautiful brushes. After reading numerous 5-star reviews, I decided this sleek collection of brushes needed to become part of mine. 

I purchased the Beautycounter Essential Brush Collection for $98.00.  The set includes four brushes; two face and two for the eyes.  Each came packaged in an individual cardboard box. Like the brushes inside, the boxes have a nice high-end look and feel to them. Each gives a brief description of the intended use for the brush inside.  The majority of packaging from this brand includes cartons that are recyclable in most North American Communities.

The company, Beautycounter, isn't one that I was familiar with before reading the Allure article. You can learn more about the company here: The Beautycounter Story

There are many high-end, luxurious makeup brushes on the market.  However, sadly a lot of them are made with animal hair. There are of course some wonderful brands on the market, but this set is different from others that I own.

Here is a closer look:

The Fan Powder Brush, isn't a traditional powder brush.  As the name suggests, it is a hybrid between a fan brush and a powder brush and serves both purposes. Like a powder brush, it is intended to apply and buff setting powder.  Like a large fan brush,  it also works well for bronzer, blush and highlighter application, as well as other powder products. The soft, dense brush head is quite large, as you can see from the above photo.  I used it to apply my Urban Decay mineral foundation (pictured above) for extra coverage.

The bristles glide over the skin with ease without disrupting the liquid foundation or concealer underneath.  As I am getting older, I really do not want to use anything that will pull or tug at my skin.  It is easy to find a brush with soft bristles, but not as easy to find one with soft, synthetic bristles that pick up, apply and blend powder beautifully.  This brush hits all the marks.  The unique shape and size makes it very versatile.

Next, I tested out the Angled Cheek Brush.

This brush is much smaller than the fan powder brush. It is the perfect shape for blush application.  Like all of the brushes in this set, the quality is remarkable. I love this for sweeping on my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. The way the bristles hug the contours of my cheekbones allows for perfect placement.

The All-Over Eyeshadow Brush is a standard flat eyeshadow brush intended for applying color to the eyelid.

It has a medium brush head size, with the bristles cut in the perfect shape to pick up powder products easily. When I apply eyeshadow, I often use quite a few different brushes depending on how dramatic the look is that I am creating. I decided to apply an eyeshadow look using only the two eye brushes in this set to really put them to the test. The second eye brush in this set is the Crease Eye Brush.

I found this brush to be surprisingly multipurpose. I used it to blend eyeshadow through the crease of my eye, sweep pigment below my lower lash line and highlight the inner corner of the eye. The size, shape and flexible bristles make this a much more unique shaped brush than I originally thought.

Who is this set for?

This set is ideal for those looking for luxurious, cruelty-free makeup brushes. It is a highly edited set comprised of the four brushes everyone needs in their set for a full makeup application. If this is your first set of brushes, it is a great place to start, allowing you to add on extra blending brushes and angled brow brushes later. 

At this point in my life, I am very particular about the type of makeup brushes I want to use. I have tried so many different brands, that I only want to add truly high-quality brushes to my stash. While I still try a variety of brushes and review them here, so that you don't have to find things out the hard way, it is important that I only add well-made brushes to my personal and professional collection. With the quality of synthetic brushes finally at a point that rivals their animal hair counterparts, I can confidently recommend brushes to fit a variety of budgets.  With this particular set, I do think the quality is superior to many other brands at this price point.  

These are the types of brushes that will improve your application, allowing you to get the most out of your products. 

What brands are they comparable to?  

I don't have any powder brushes shaped exactly like the Fan Powder Brush in this set. However, if I had to describe the bristles, I would compare the texture to my Real Techniques Bold Metals #100 brush or Furless Cosmetics PRO3F.

Here is the makeup look I created using only the Essential Brush Collection from Beautycounter:

Next on my list from this brand, I hope to try their Powder Brush ($39), which has a large dome-shaped head.

Have you tried any Beautycounter brushes?  Which one is your favorite?

*All of the brushes in this post were purchased by me.  I do not get paid to write reviews.  All opinions are my own.