Friday, September 3, 2010

Brushing it on-Favorite Foundation Brushes

I'm very excited for my latest acquisition- a Kicks (Sweden's Sephora) Professional Foundation Brush nr. 203; i also wanted to talk about my The Body Shop domed kabuki brush.

1. Kicks #203 Foundation Brush
This is a synthetic fibre brush, classically shaped like an oversized concealer brush, slightly tapered towards the end and very thick (compared to other foundation brushes).
Lindex Foundation Brush and Kicks #203 Brush
Lindex and Kicks: profile comparison
The other typical foundation brush is the one sold by Lindex, a Swedish clothing store; it's the average flat, round shaped synthetic bristled foundation brush. The Kicks #203 is slightly smaller, rounder and much thicker than the Lindex one. The bristles are nicely and gradually tapered to the hair tips, much softer and shorter, for an easier and smoother application.
The Lindex one is just an example (your 'typical' no-name foundation brush) i thought of making in order to evaluate #203. The latter is clearly more ergonomic, better looking thus more efficient.
Since everybody already owns a classic foundation brush i'm gonna be very short in explaining why i like it so much:
-it has a long handler, longer than a MAC brush
-the hairs are incredibly soft and nicely colored: the bottom ('roots') are a dirty blond, the middle is a petroleum-gray and the tips are silver. Really pretty.
-it's smaller and thicker than a usual brush, which makes it streak-proof and minimizes the application process.
-the soft and slender top is perfect for those angles i can't quite get in with a kabuki/stippling brush (around the nose, under the eyes, eyelids, ears, etc) without making a mess and spreading foundation everywhere.
-great for applying moisturizer, primer, even powder or for contouring as well (when it's clean)
-last but not least, it comes in its own plastic case, like a little tube, perfect for carrying it around without squashing it; the case also fits in all my other eye/lip brushes which is great for traveling.
I found mine on sale for about €10 (105 Swedish crowns, 8 British pounds or 13 USD) and used my 'makeup coupon' from Kicks; the final price was €5. Great deal if you ask me. I'm going to take real good care of it because i just can't get over its softness!!!

2. The Body Shop Kabuki Brush
Dome-shaped kabuki, originally a bronzer brush but i quickly figured it works just as well (or even better) as a (stippling) foundation brush. It's just amazing. I use it when i'm in a hurry and i need to apply foundation in less than 40 seconds. Really, really effective and incredibly resistant. Here are the props:
-VERY soft hairs. 100% natural bristles with uncut tips (the 'key' for a soft brush)
-i've had it for more than three years and it sheds absolutely no hairs
-the handler is cute and stubby, chunky and golden, easy to grip, and the hairs are a copper-ish brown with dark brown tips
-dome shaped, which means it's just as good for bronzer, blusher, powder as it is with foundation (ANY type-liquid, cream, mineral etc)
-although the bristles are natural i've never experienced any problems with getting it too saturated with foundation or hard to clean. I use a shampoo for dry hair (Wella) and L'Oreal conditioner for this little fellow.
-circular motion+this brush= the perfect, silky, flawless complexion EVER. It's just so fast i don't even realize i have the perfect foundation face in 30 seconds. It doesn't irritate my skin either.
-one little 'thing' would be that it's a little too bulgy for smaller angles and creases such as nostrils, eyelids, ears etc.
I got this three and a half (maybe more) years ago when it first came out. It was sold as a bronzer brush which by the way is its initial purpose. A bit more expensive at that time, perhaps the price was a little higher than €10 (i can't remember exactly). I just love love love it and will always keep it around.

1 comment:

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