My first brushes came in an Estee Lauder holiday blockbuster (the ones you get with a fragrance purchase- White Linen Breeze was my jam!) and looking back, they were pretty bad. But compared to what I was used to (sponges or fingers*), they were revolutionary! I used those brushes for absolute YEARS. I wish I still knew where they were so I could take a pic for you.
I've truly only gotten on top of my brush game in the last few years. I have a LOT of brushes that are decent, but the following are my superstars.
(From left to right: It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand No. 14, Sephora Airbrush Concealer No. 57, It Cosmetics It Brushes for Ulta Velvet Luxe Allover Shadow No. 322, Hakuhodo J5523, a Sephora brand angled eyeliner brush from a set I bought many years ago-label is worn off, MAC 187SE, Bobbi Brown mini Face Blender)
Sorry they're so dirty, but I'm going to write a post on washing them soon!
It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand No. 14- This is my fluffy setting/finishing powder brush. I got it in a QVC Today's Special set, but it's very similar to THIS, which is $26 at Ulta.
Sephora Airbrush Concealer No. 57- I use this for applying/blending undereye corrector and concealer and also for my undereye setting powder. $24 at Sephora. (It comes with a black handle now, but don't be alarmed, is still the same.
It for Ulta Brushes Velvet Luxe Allover Shadow 322- I use this brush for laying down my base eyeshadow color, for highlighting the browbone, and for blending edges. If I'm going for a soft look, I could do all of my shadow with this one brush. $26 at Ulta.
Hakuhodo J5523- My first Japanese brush and it is a dream! It is made of the softest goat hair ever and it is an amazing crease brush. A true workhorse. If you have a small eye area to work with, I'd honestly skip the brush above and use this one as the allover brush (and get a smaller brush for the crease). $28 at Hakuhodo.
Sephora brand angled eyeliner brush- I apologize that this one doesn't have a name or number. I'm sure it did once, but I've used it for 8 or 9 years now and it's long rubbed off. It's a fantastic firm, thin brush, though. I use it for tightlining and for lining the lower lid with gel liner or eyeshadow.
Functionally, it is probably very similar to THIS. $14 at Sephora.
MAC 187SE- This was part of a holiday set. I also own the full sized version and it's the same quality, I just like the shorter handle. Just so you know, though, most MAC brush sets are NOT the same quality as their individual counterparts. Also they make am individual short handle version now, but they didn't when I bought this set. This is a pricey brush and with all the great stippling brushes on the market today from E.L.F., Real Techniques, etc., I don't find this particular brush to be a necessity anymore. Although, if you wear highly pigmented blush (or you're afraid of blush looking clownish, like I used to be), it is well worth your time and money to have a duo fiber brush similar to this one. $42 at MAC.
Bobbi Brown Face Blender- This is another brush that came in a kit and isn't available in this size individually. I use this brush for sheer blushes and bronzers and to blend edges of more pigmented blushes. It isn't the softest, and I really wouldn't recommend spending $50 on it, but it is very useful for my purposes. Available at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.
If you're just starting to acquire brushes and would like some decent ones on the cheap, I recommend checking out E.L.F., Real Techniques, and Sonia Kashuk brushes. As you learn more about what you're looking for in a brush, you can always start branching out. As tempting as sets may seem, I don't recommend them. The quality is rarely as good as individual brushes (you'll notice, I don't have any other brushes from the sets above featured-for a reason).
Eventually I plan to acquire more Japanese brushes, as my budget permits. If you want to explore Japanese brushes, I recommend Hakuhodo, Chikuhodo and Wayne Goss.
*Fingers still play a very important role in my makeup application! I use them for 99% of foundation application, some concealers, and all cream eyeshadow and blush. Don't dismiss your fingers, they're great beauty tools!
I'll post about other brushes I love on another day, because I have many more! These are just the ones I cannot do without. I hope this has been informative, it's certainly longer than I had planned!
Until next time,
Sara, aka Beelzebubbles
PS- All of the products in this post were purchased by me. I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.
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