Koyudo BP014 Brush

Hello and hope everyone had a good weekend!  I'm rounding up the rest of my posts for 2013, and I honestly think this will be my last year for blogging.  I've been doing it for a long, long time... And I would like to move on, plus I don't think I've made any significant improvements or contributions.  As much as I used to think I needed the next new product, and yesterday... I don't think like that anymore.  I've found a lot of good formulas worth sticking with, and as long as I have a few nice colours to work with, that's fine with me.  I think sticking with Instagram is cool, even though its maybe like a shortcut.  On a related note, I've been sick a lot, so hopefully no one will mind that I'm mostly doing swatch posts rather than full face... Nothing worse than a red nose, baggy watery eyes, and dry patches haha!!

This a brush specifically stated as a foundation brush. I was so disappointed when I got it that I contacted them to make sure I got the right brush (none are marked in any way) and they responded it is best for mineral powder foundation, not liquids or creams. Suggestion: please update the description!! No need to wait six weeks and spend $30 for something I don't need, since I don't use that type of foundation. So I'm showing what the brush looks like for those who may need it, but it isn't suitable for liquids for me as it is really too long, flexible and not dense enough. I found it's ok for highlighting, but not even that for me personally because I like highlighting smaller sections and it tends to hold a lot of product.

Missha Eyebrow Brush

Since I switched away from powder brow products, I have to diligently clean my brow brushes after each use, wearing them out. I saw this Missha brush- it's super affordable and nice!

At first, I thought I could use a flat eyeliner brush (meant for gels/creams, which is what I use for brows) the same way as a brow brush. No. Eyeliner and eyebrow brushes for me are not interchangeable. Even the flat ones are just unacceptable to use on my brows- way too harsh looking, too flexible, too much product, etc. This brush as example, is almost too wide to dip directly in my brow gel pot. But it's very firm and makes a nice width for my brows- not too thick or thin.

Overall, I like this brush.  It's a good solid brush- it's not exquisite or anything, but it's not a big investment anyway. I like the shape and the density, and its stiff but not hard, so its really easy to use. I rotate my brow brushes so one doesn't get used/washed daily, but this one has had 2-3 washings a week for about a month now, so I'm happy with it.

NARS Makeup Brushes Review: Eye Brushes

NARS currently carries 10 eye brushes.  I have 8 of these.  The two I did not purchase are the liquid eyeliner and the nylon push eyeliner.  I tend to use pencil liners more often, and it has been my experience that there are very good inexpensive eyeliner brushes available.  The # 16 wide contour brush I will review at a later time because I seem to have misplaced it. 

I have found them all to be of superb quality, shed-free, and very durable. 

They all have the same type of handle, which I could not capture well individually. They all have a silver ferrule and are natural fiber bristles. 

Brush # 5   Brow Shader Brush

This brush is perfect!!  It is the right size, shape, and texture.  It is firm and stiff, and picks up brow powder without spreading too much.  It is definitely my favourite brow brush, and actually the only one I have now. 

Brush # 12  Small Domed Eye

This is an excellent crease brush. 

Brush # 13  Large Domed Eye

I use this brush for blending.  However, the MAC 217 is my favourite blender.  This one is not as dense or flat as the 217.

Brush # 15  Smudge

This is an excellent brush, but I found a Sonia Kashuk dupe- it feels and performs identically.  I use it for eyeliner and for black eyeshadow on my upper lash line. 

Brush # 4  Angled Eye Shader

For definition or crease.  It is a little wide for me, and honestly, I don't use this brush- forgot I even had it. 

Brush # 14  Eye Contour

This is a small contour brush, I've used it to pack colour in the crease and I tried to use it for the cut crease application.  It wasn't the brush's fault I failed at that attempt. 

I found it is similar in shape to the Smashbox #30 brush (Top), but the NARS one is more durable and the bristles retain their shape better.

Brush # 3  Eye Shader

When I got this brush, I did not think I would use it at all.  But, I have used it for a quick one or two shadow look.  It is super soft and feels luxurious.  It is also ridiculously expensive.  When the NARS representative told me it was pony hair I was a little shocked.  They take the underbelly hair from the pony. 

It is similar in shape and density to this Sonia Kashuk one I have with a bamboo handle, which is also quite soft.  The NARS one is bigger and a little fuller.

I've had the NARS brushes for a while, and I like them a lot.  They are excellent quality and very durable.  I like that none of them have white bristles!  But for practical purposes, I think many of them, you can find in other brands as well.  

EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki Brush Review

I received some EcoTools brushes as a gift in the past, and I do admit, I am not a fan of their eye brushes at all.  I do, however, LOVE the bronzer brush.  I had to have this brush the minute I saw it online, and it took me totally by surprise when I finally spotted it at Walgreens.  It is so cute!

The bottom is flat, so it can stand up alone too: 

It is small, about 2 1/2 inches high, and the bristles are a little over 1 1/2 inches high.  All of the bristles on EcoTools brushes are cruelty-free synthetic.  These are the bristles:

This is a really great brush!  I love the shape of the bamboo handle, it is really easy to grip, and it feels smooth too.  The bristles retain their shape well and I haven't had any shedding with this brush.  MAC used to make a brush shaped like this but with flat bristles, but I am sure it has been discontinued.

This brush works very well on loose powders and provides an even distribution.  It is really easy to adjust the level of coverage too, because you don't get too much with the first dip. 

I did not use it with any liquid, but the bristles are very similar to MAC's 187- though wider, although my 187 has been used and I mean USED! - so if you use liquid with the 187, this one would probably work for that as well. 

I am glad they called this a finishing brush.  The synthetic bristles are less dense than the other ones, and I think it is excellent for that purpose. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend this brush!