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. 

The Essential 18 of 2018

Welcome back to another look at my 2018 favorites. This time, I am bringing you my essential makeup brushes of 2018.  While there were many favorites, and not all of these were new to my collection, this list sums up the top 18 that got the most use in my makeup routine last year.

Here are my essential 18 makeup brushes of 2018:

1. From the Wet n Wild 10 Piece Brush Collection the Flat Top Foundation Brush is the perfect tool for buffing in liquid, powder or cream foundation. The ergonomic handle, makes it comfortable to hold, and I purchased the set on sale at my local Walgreens for only $15!
2. Next up, is an old favorite from IT Cosmetics. Their Heavenly Luxe French Boutique Blush Brush has been a longtime staple in my collection. At $34.50 each, this high-end brush is worth every penny.  Aside from performing well, the design is a lovely addition to any makeup table. 
3. When it comes to eyeshadow application, having a high quality tapered blending brush that you can depend on is extremely important. That is why Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Tapered Blending Brush made my list. The small size, and super tapered tip makes applying and blending eyeshadow completely effortless. This $20 brush is vegan, right down to the adhesive used in making it!
4. When it comes to bronzing brushes, the Marc Jacobs Beauty The Bronze - Bronzer Brush No. 12 is a favorite in the makeup community. At $78 it is one of the most expensive brushes that I own, but with close to 200 five-star reviews on the Sephora app, it is pretty obvious that I am not alone in thinking this brush is amazing. The extra large size, is ideal for bronzing the body.  To get a natural glow anytime of year, I use this brush to dust bronzer onto my neck, shoulders and chest area, for a perfectly blended tan. 
5. Moving back to my Wet n Wild 10 Piece Brush Collection, the Large Powder Brush in this set earns a spot on my list.  The tapered tip helps apply powder products with precision, and the bristles are soft and fluffy enough for a perfect blend. 
6. Crown Brush Pro Deluxe Fan Brush has been in my kit for years. With how popular highlighters were last year, it got more use than ever before. At only $11.95, this brush is a steal.  I love it for applying powder products to the neck and decollete as well. 
7. Contouring was also super popular in 2018.  The Fenty Match Stix were a big hit for me, and I loved using the Wet n Wild Flat Contour Brush from their 10 Piece Brush Collection to blend it out. The shape works perfectly for just below the cheekbones. 
8. The Bdellium Tools Pink Bambu #776 Blending Brush has made my brush favorites list since I bought it. This is such an underrated makeup brush! For $6.12 it is the perfect eye brush for blending cream or powder eyeshadow. 
9. With all the highlighting I did last year, I found myself using a number of different brushes to get the job done.  The brush I used depend on the type of highlighter as well as the placement. To highlight the very tops of my cheekbones using a lighter application, I found myself reaching for the Wet n Wild Tapered Highlighting Brush from their 10 Piece Brush Collection. 
10. If you have been reading my blog for years, you probably know that I am a huge fan of the Kelley Quan Synthetic Blue Squirrel Tapered Brush - Large.  I have seen more and more brand coming out with synthetic blue squirrel hair brushes, but my favorite is still the original. At $65 each, I own multiples in my kit because this brush is extremely useful. It blends out any harsh lines with ease, and creates the most natural looking finish on the skin when blending out powder products. 
11. The Lottie London Bronzer Brush is the first I've purchased from this brand.  I just love the super wide bristles on this angled brush for applying bronzer to the face. 
12. 2018 marks the first time I tried Kat Von D makeup brushes.  Her Powder Contour Brush is a must-have for those higher pigment powders.  This brush is great for sculpting, and defining cheekbones, and truly makes application effortless. 
13. Last year, I did not skip on luxury.  The BeautyCounter Angled Blush Brush is another high-end favorite for blush application. At $35, this brush is great for blush, contour, and bronzer.  The bristles are high-performance and the brush is weighted at the bristles for a more comfortable feel. 
14. Speaking of blush, I must mention the Blush Brush from the Wet n Wild 10 Piece Brush Collection. This brush truly rivals higher end brands, and is not just pretty to look at. It truly applies and blends blush like a dream! 
15. While I named a few highlight brushes on this list, the Sephora Pro Highlight #98 brush is probably the most versatile. It is ideal for products that work best painted on, and is a unique size to my collection. I am really happy I added this brush to my stash last year, because I had been eyeing it for a while. 
16. If you are looking for a slightly larger brush than the Sephora #98, I recommend the Arbonne Precision Brush. This one has been in my collection for a while, and is ideal for more dispersed color placement. 
17. Many Makeup Artists use actual art brushes for makeup application. Last year, I added the Princeton Velvetouch Oval Mop brush to my collection for use as an eyeshadow blending brush. The size and shape is just perfect for the eye area, and the price was a bargain. 
18. Last, but certainly not least, is the It's Likely Makeup X Furless Cosmetics Collab PRO3M Brush. I loved the entire set, but this brush changed my makeup game!  Unlike other pencil brushes, the short, dense, dome shape make this ideal for not only the lower lash line, but also getting color really precise on the outer corner of the eye. This brush is truly multipurpose, and great for makeup lovers and professionals alike. 

I have to give an honorable mention to my Aveda Inner Light Foundation Brush. I feel very confident that anyone who buys this brush will love it. I use this brush mostly when applying mineral foundation, but it works equally as well with liquid and creams. When I first bought this brush for $40, I had no idea how much I would love it. This was absolutely one of my favorite products of 2018, and if I had a 19th spot, would make my most used brush list as well.  

I hope you enjoyed this look at my 18 essential makeup brushes of 2018.  

What brushes did you use the most last year?  

*Note: Some of the brushes in this post may have been sent for consideration by the company. I do not get paid to write reviews, or write sponsored posts. I do not accept products in exchange for reviews. All opinions are my own. I will disclose that I am a Crown Brush affiliate.  However, I only make a small commission if you shop through my dedicated link.

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. 

Best Cruelty-Free Dupes for M.A.C. 239

Best Cruelty-Free Dupes for M.A.C. 239

Sadly M.A.C. is not a cruelty-free brand.  Many makeup artists and YouTube creators use their makeup brushes.  While the brand has switched over to synthetic bristles for many of their brushes, there are still a lot of consumers who do not want to shop at M.A.C. until they become a truly cruelty-free brand. 

Don't worry, I have sifted through my collection, to find the best cruelty-free dupes.  Today's post features dupes for M.A.C.'s popular 239 (or now 239s) brush, which is a flat shader brush that works well for packing pigment onto the eyelid.  The bristles come to a taper at the top, which makes it useful for working along the lower lash line as well. The brush head is a nice compact size, which is ideal for those with smaller eyelids, or anyone wishing for more precise placement.

The three brushes in my collection that most closely resemble the 239, and work well for packing on eyeshadow are my Bdellium Tools 777 (green bambu line), Sigma Medium Sweeper E54, and Furless Cosmetics PE2. Let's dig a little deeper to see which of these is the best dupe, and why.

When it comes to handle length all of these brushes are about the same, except for the Bdellium Tools 777 from the green bambu line. The Green Bambu Series 777 brush is 5.6 inches (14cm) in length. However, if you prefer the longer handle, the same brush is available from Bdellium Tools in their Pink Bambu Series with a handle length of 6.6 inches (17cm).  The M.A.C.239 is just a little bit longer coming in at 7.3 inches (18.5cm).  

What I really looked for in this comparison, was soft dense bristles, that work well for packing pigment onto the eye lid.  M.A.C. brushes are known to be long lasting, so this was another important factor in deciding which brush is the best dupe.

I am happy to report that I have had the Bdellium Tools, Sigma and Furless brushes for a number of years. I actually have multiples of all three for my kit and the quality for all of these absolutely meets my high standards. All three brushes also have soft, dense bristles and work well for eyeshadow application.  Therefore, it really came down to the minor details when picking which brush was the closest to the 239.

Before I get into those details, I want to give an honorable mention to the Christopher Drummond Beauty Eye Color brush (pictured above along side the M.A.C. 239s). The reason this brush did not make the cut, is that it is my understanding that these brushes have been discontinued.  This really makes me sad because I have several full size and travel size Christopher Drummond Beauty brushes that I have owned for many years, and they are absolutely wonderful.  That being said, the bristles are just a bit too long for this brush to be a true 239 dupe.  However, it really is a wonderful brush!

Above is a side view of all of the brushes (from left to right): M.A.C. 239s, Bdellium Tools 777 Green Bambu Series, Sigma Medium Sweeper E54, and Furless Cosmetics PE2.  This photo is where a clear dupe begins to emerge. One of the key features of the 239 is that the bristles come to a tapered tip.  As you can see from the above photo, the only brush that is cut the same way is the Bdellium Tools 777.  The Sigma E54 is close, but the head is just a little fuller, with a more rounded tip.  The Furless PE2 has a brush head that is the same size as the 239, but the bristles do not come to a taper.  By no means does that mean any of these brushes are not worth buying. As I stated previously, I own multiples of each. The Furless brush is the fluffiest, making it very multipurpose. I can apply eyeshadow and blend all with the same brush.  The Sigma brush, works best for sweeping pigment on, which a lot of shimmery eyeshadows require for their best performance.  However, the Bdellium Tools 777 gives me that perfect packing brush, with the tapered tip that can blend shadow along the lower lash line as well. 

For this reason, the Bdellium Tools 777 Green and/or Pink Bambu Series ($9.00 each) wins as the best cruelty-free and vegan option for a M.A.C. 239. Looking for a set? Bdellium Tools offers their 777 Yellow Bambu brush as part of their 5 piece smoky eyes set ($27.00). Looking for a complete brush set? The 777 is also available in their Purple Bambu Precision 17 piece brush set ($130.00). All of the Bambu brushes from Bdellium Tools, regardless of color, are made with 100% vegan bristles. I own brushes from all of their bambu series, and am confident in their quality and performance. 

I hope you found this post helpful. If you are looking for a cruelty-free dupe for the M.A.C. 217, you can read my picks here: Best 217 Dupes. Is there an animal hair makeup brush that you want to find a synthetic-bristled dupe for? Let me know in the comments below.  Your question just may answered in my next post!

*This post contains brushes purchased by me, as well as brushes sent by the company for consideration.  I do not get paid to write reviews.  Any links in this post are NOT affiliate links, and are simply included for the reader's convenience. All opinions are my own. 

It's All About STIPPLING BRUSHES! - Battle of the Brushes

As many of my readers know, I love makeup brushes. My obsession started with an attempt to locate the best quality synthetic makeup brush brand, and find professional grade versions of the animal hair brushes most artists were using at the time. What I didn't realize was that my quest for the best, would lead me to collect an assortment of brushes across many brands, some good, some bad and everything in between.  Truthfully, there is not one brand to rule them all.  I have found a few wonderful brands across different price points each with their own strengths and weaknesses.  Therefore, I decided to use my collection to help educate consumers without showing favoritism to one particular brand.  I want to help you find the perfect brush for your needs! The "perfect brush" will be different for each individual based on budget, lifestyle, and intended use.

For today's post, I am looking at one specific brush type, across a variety of brands. Yes my friends, today it is all about the stippling brush!

What is a stippling brush?  This type of brush, also called a duo-fiber brush, generally consists of two different types of brush fibers for the bristles. The bristles are sometimes staggered so that you have long and short bristles densely packed together. Other stippling brushes have the bristles uniformly cut or shaped so they have a flat, even head. Regardless of how the brush is constructed, this brush is intended to apply makeup to the face using a stippling (bouncing up and down motion) motion.

For example, the bristles can be dipped into liquid foundation, and then bounced onto the skin using an up and down motion to press the product into the skin. The more tightly packed the bristles, the more airbrushed look it will provide. 

While this type of brush is intended for stippling, as the name suggests, it can be used for so much more. Lately, I have been using it to apply moisturizer to the skin for my pre-foundation prep work. Something about the movement of the bristles around the face, allows me to get into all of the small sections, gliding the cream on with ease. 

Here is a look at some of the stippling brushes in my collection: 

As you can see from the above photograph, stippling brushes come in a variety of sizes and colors.  Some of the brushes have a longer handle, some of them short.  Some have quite a small brush head, some are large enough for body work. Sometimes the bristles are packed very tight together, others have bristles that are spaced apart. Regardless of how the brush is constructed, I  decided to put them side by side and examine each brush pictured above.

Criteria for best stippling brush:

• Long lasting - A brush should stand up to multiple cleanings and repeated daily use.
• Firm ferrule- If the ferrule (metal piece that connects the bristles to the handle) is loose, the brush doesn't have much time left. 
• Soft bristles- While the bristles should be firm enough to push product into the skin, they should never feel scratchy or rough. 
• Comfortable handle- It is not uncommon to use a stippling brush for multiple products in the same makeup application.  I might apply moisturizer with the brush, and then stipple on and blend in foundation with the very same brush.  When holding any makeup brush for an extended period of time, comfort is key. 
• Functionality-As I mentioned, this type of brush can be used for different things.  Does it function for what I want it to?  If you are buying a stippling brush to use with a cream blush, but the brush head is too large to fit into the container, you may want to consider a different brush. With bristles like this, it is imperative that application is not streaky. 
• Price- Nearly every brand makes stippling brushes these days. They are not at all difficult to find.  Therefore, you should be able to find one in your budget. 

To begin my ranking, I decided to break the brushes up into group by size.  Comparing them this way helped me evaluate their functionality, which is the most important attribute to start with.  

Small Stippling Brushes

For the smallest brushes in my collection, I have a small stipple brush from E.l.f. Cosmetics ($3.00) and the stippling brush from Real Techniques ($10.00).   As you can see, I own multiples of the Real Techniques version.  This is because the small brush head is ideal for smaller containers of cream blush, and applying products to smaller sections of the face.  I had the Real Techniques version first, and did not discover the E.l.f. Cosmetics version until much later. The brush head is slightly smaller on the E.l.f. version.Both brands created their brushes with two layers of bristles and intend them for use with multiple product textures. 

The Real Techniques brush has a wide base at the end of it's handle so that it can stand on a table. However, between the two brands, I must say that I prefer the E.l.f. Cosmetics version.  The Real Techniques brush has rubber at the bottom of the handle. Rubber and alcohol are not friends. While cleaning my brush handles with alcohol one day, I realized that all of my Real Techniques stippling brushes had turned tacky on the rubberized section.  Sadly, the alcohol caused the handles to melt and turn sticky to the touch.  This created a section that all of the dust and pigment just sticks to on the brush.  Trying to remove it only further scraped up the handle of my brush.  I now realize that I need to clean the handles of my rubberized brushes differently, but this is especially frustrating as a makeup artist trying to keep everything sanitary.  The price discrepancy is another reason why E.l.f. Cosmetics wins my pick for best small stippling brush.

Winner in the size small category: E.L.F. Cosmetics Small Stipple Brush $3.00.  Available on their website or in select Target stores. 

Medium Stippling Brushes

This is the size that I use the most when it comes to stippling brushes.  Something about it feels comfortable in my hand, and the brush head is the perfect size for most faces.  I will use this size brush to apply moisturizer to the face before foundation. Unless I am working on a client with very oily skin (in this case I may skip right to primer), moisturizer gets applied before foundation to every single client with a stippling brush. In my collection I evaluated the Bdellium Tools 955, EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone stippling brush, and Expert Stippling Brush from Icing.  All three brushes are about the same length, with the brush from Icing having the largest brush head of the three.  The Bdellium Tools 955 brush has the softest bristles out of the three by far. Icing's bristles are the second softest in this trio, with the EcoTools bristles being the most coarse. I have had the Bdellium Tools & EcoTools brushes for several years, with the Icing's version being the newest brush to my collection out of the three.  That being said, I have still had the Icing version for at least three years. This EcoTools brush was a collaboration with the actress Alicia Silverstone and has since been discontinued.  However, the brand does make a very similar version called the Seamless Stippling Brush ($7.78) which is available at Walmart. Due to the fact that my brush is old, and the brand has since redesigned many of their brushes, I do not know if the bristles on the Seamless Stippling Brush are softer than the version I own. The Bdellium Tools 955 Green Bambu Finishing Brush is $14.00 and is available at bdelliumtools.com. Icing was a retail store in the Virigin Islands that I stopped into when they were having a big sale. I know this store is also in the states, and it's target demographic is women in their 20s, vs Claire's (their parent store) which targets teenagers. I am not in my teens or 20s, but still appreciate a good bargain.  I picked up this Expert Stippling Brush on sale for about $5.00.  I do not know if they still make it, but I did find an Expert Bamboo Stippling Brush on their site that looked quite similar.  This version retails for $9.99, but at the time of this post is buy one, get one free. If you are a beginner with makeup and can grab it on sale, the Expert Stippling Brush from Icing is a great choice.  However, if you are in the market for a high quality stippling brush that will last you for years to come, spending the few extra bucks and springing for the Bdellium Tools version will be well worth it. This brush has served me well over the years.  It does an amazing job with liquids, creams and powders, applying and blending them with ease.  The bristles are so incredibly soft that I never have to worry when using it on clients with sensitive skin.  I have never had even 1 bristle shed from this brush. I have had this one in my kit for so many years, and it sill looks as new as the day I bought it. 

Winner in the size medium category: Bdellium Tools 955 Green Bambu Finishing Brush ($14.00) available at www.bdelliumtools.com or Amazon.com 

Large Stippling Brushes 

After medium, large stippling brushes are the size that I use the most. The stippling brushes pictured above are from the brand Furless. They are all professional quality brushes that live in my kit.The PPF3, or Perfectly Pink Stippling Brush is made with soft, yet durable bristles and retails for $12.99.  The two brushes next to it are essentially the same brush in different colors.  The brush in the center is a Furless PRO6F, Must Have Pro Stippling Brush ($16.95) and the one to the right is from the Rose Gold Must Have ItsLikelyMakeup Set. The set is beautiful and costs $169.95 for 20 makeup brushes plus a brush apron.  I have had the PPF3 since August of 2014.  The PRO6F is a brush I have had for much longer than that, with the Rose Gold version being the newest addition to this trio. Picking a favorite here is really just splitting hairs.  They are all very high quality brushes that will last for many years. My only complaint is that I do wish the Rose Gold brushes were also sold separately, as I would like to purchase a few backups in this beautiful color to give as gifts to people. 

Winner in the size large category: It's a toss up, but if I must choose the PRO6F has to be it. I have had this one the longest out of the three, and the cobalt blue handle is professional, yet stunning.  The bristles are soft, and functional without ever leaving streaks behind. This brush is good for so many different uses, and can be purchased solo or as part of a set.  You can shop here: Furless Cosmetics

Extra Large Stippling Brushes

I know this post is starting to get a bit long, but I had to include these extra large brushes.  With their super big brush head, it is almost impossible to stipple these on the face.  However, they do make excellent body brushes.  Foundation should always be taken down the neck and onto the shoulders or any exposed area of skin.  Sometimes, we just want to tap a bit of highlighter onto the shoulders, or buff in a bit of bronzer.  These brushes are ideal for these uses. Out of these three brushes, I have had the Sedona Lace 813 (first one pictured above) the longest by far. The quality is similar to Sigma brushes, and the price point used to be just a bit cheaper than Sigma at the time of purchase.  It looks like as of the time I am writing this post, this brush is on sale for $6.98 (regular price $19.95). Sedona Lace also sells animal hair brushes, so please be sure to shop for the Synthetic Duo Fibre Brush - 813 if you are looking to add this one to your collection. The brush in the center is from Real Techniques by Sam & Nic.  Sadly, I do not see this brush on their website.  I believe I purchased it at my local Walgreens or Target at some point last year.  It is incredibly soft and the rubber at the bottom of this brush seems to be made of a slightly different material than the stippling brush I mentioned in the section of smaller brushes above. Unfortunately I do not recall how much I paid for this brush, but I believe it was included as part of a set. The last brush pictured above is from IT Cosmetics. Again, I got this brush as part of a set that I do not believe they make anymore. However, I did locate a set on Ulta's website that has a brush from the brand that looks very similar.  It is called Your Airbrush Masters 6 Pc Advanced Brush Set, and retails for $65.00. This set calls the brush their Blurring Powder brush, and recommend it for powder application. I will say this, I have numerous brushes from IT Cosmetics and every single one is a winner.  I am not a big fan of double sided brushes, but the ones I do like are from IT Cosmetics.  These brushes make excellent gifts, and their sets are a wonderful value. I recommend this brush for anyone looking for a bit of luxury in their makeup game.  The bristles are ultra plush and feel so incredibly soft on the skin. 

Again, you can't go wrong if you buy any of these brushes.  All three are absolute winners in my book. The Sedona Lace is great for a professional kit, especially at the sale price! The Real Techniques brush is great for personal use, and the IT Cosmetics version would make a lovely gift, or be ideal for someone wanting brushes that are a bit more luxurious. 

Winner in the extra large category: Sedona Lace Synthetic Duo Fibre Brush - 813.  At $6.98 each, I am seriously considering buying a few more of these for my kit.  Professional quality at drugstore prices? Yes please!! Shop at Sedona Lace.

And the winner is.....drum roll please.....

It's a tie!  Bdellium Tools Green Bambu 995 Finishing ($14.00) and Furless Must Have Pro Stippling Brush ($16.95). 

Both brushes are professional quality, and will last you for years to come. The Bdellium Tools brush has a shorter handle, while the Furless brush has a long handle, so depending on your personal preference this may help you to decide.  The bristle length is about the same on both brushes, but the circumference of the brush head is larger on the Furless brush. The bristles are equally soft on both, and I have noticed no difference in handle comfort.

I have always said that makeup artists and those truly passionate about makeup should invest in high quality tools.  The best tools that you can afford vary depending on one's budget.  However, I promise you that you will not go wrong with either of these brushes.  They are both well-made brushes that I am proud to have in my collection. 

What is your favorite stippling brush? Did I mention it here?  Please let me know in the comments.

*This post contains both brushes purchased by me and brushes sent for consideration.  However, any links within this blog post are simply for the convenience of the reader.  I do not get any commission if you purchase any of the brushes mentioned in this post.  I was not paid to write this post. I do not get paid to write reviews, nor do I write reviews in exchange for products. I have worked hard to build my brush collection over the years, and hope to share my knowledge with other consumers so that they can make the best decisions possible.