Makeup Brushes

Jul 26, 2011

Liz G.

Need help with makeup brushes. So many different brushes and not sure what I really need. Do I buy a set or individual ones? What are the most used brushes? Any suggestions on a brand of brushes?

Jul 26, 2011

Samantha G.

from the drugstore, ecotools makes really good brushes. they're good quality and they don't shed on you! there isn't an overwhelming amount of types of brushes, so you don't feel lost but there are enough to do almost anything you need done. elf is another good option. i'd go with the studio brushes versus the $1 ones. the studio brushes are much softer. if you want to go a little bit higher in price, sigma makes amazing quality for a good price. you can do individual or sets. i would skip mac brushes, they're far too expensive :) hope that helps!

Jul 26, 2011

Liz G.

Thanks Samantha for the reply. I will check out the brushes you recommended. I just get so confused with all the different types out there. One for shadow that does this, one that blends, one for creases. Flat top, dome top, natural and synthetic brushes.  

Jul 26, 2011

Samantha G.

ooh i completely understand!! well sigma's site breaks it down pretty well because the brushes are named.. so even if you dont end up getting sigma brushes, you can at least understand the shape. there are some brushes that i would consider luxury brushes that you dont necessarily need- like foundation brushes. your fingers work just fine :) no need to spend extra when youre first getting into brushes

Jul 26, 2011

Charlee G.

I have found at the moment Sigma brushes are really great especially when you don't wanna pay mac prices. I wouldn't buy a set just incase you won't get the use of them all, you need to think what product will I want to use and then the relevant brush. Elf brushes are also cheap :)

For first brushes I'd probably recommend: powder brush, blusher (if you use it), eyeshadow and blender brush, lip (again if you intend to use lipstick and liner).

As said for many of the thing such as foundation or concealer in the early days you can use fingers or sponges as they will do the trick.

Jul 26, 2011

Liz G.

I checked out Sigma brushes and them do seem reasonably priced and give great explanations on what and why. Thanks again.

Jul 26, 2011

Jackee M.

If you're just starting out with brushes and need ideas for the types of brushes to purchase, I would recommend flat shader brush, blending brush, and perhaps a crease brush for eyes. For face, you could probably get away with a blush brush and a powder brush. Those are probably the ones I use most. I'm sure everyone is different though!

Jul 26, 2011

Liz G.

thanks for the tip. I usually use what is supplied with the products when purchased. this is why I am just starting with the brushes. I figured to start small and then add to the collection.

Jul 26, 2011

Erica H.

Ecotools! Love em!

Jul 26, 2011

Erin W.

If you are starting out go to the drugstore and purchase Ecotools. They come in little travel packs and are great quality and really affordable. I love them and use them everyday, I have mac and other brushes as well. 

Jul 26, 2011

Liz G.

I will check them out also. I assume I can go to CVS. Sigma is only on line, correct?

Jul 26, 2011

Erin W.

Yes, sigma only sells online. Which is why I'm suggesting Ecotools. They also have descriptions of the uses on their handles... You can always go onto YouTube and look up a beginner makeup brush video and they usually explain uses and such there :-)
Let me know what you get! 

Jul 26, 2011

Liz G.

Hi Erin Thanks. I will check out Ecotools since I can see them in person. Descriptions on the handles are perfect. I have been scouring YouTube but guess I was using the wrong descriptions because I did not get any good results. I will keep you in the loop on what I do. thank you so much!

Jul 27, 2011

Jalaina S.

I purchased this set from Ebay. It has every brush you can think of....not sure what they are all for but I'm sure it will get the job done. I paid about $15 w/shipping for 24 brushes. They did come from China I believe. They're Bobbi Brown brushes. Not familiar w/that brand but again they get the job done. I'd like to eventually get the new Sigma brush set in the purple case.

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Pcs-Professional-Makeup-set-Kit-Case-Cosmetic-Brush-/140553611699?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b9a5e9b3

Jul 27, 2011

Soma S.

I have an entire blog post about the essential eye brushes you need - MAC ones w/ inexpensive dupes. http://www.kabukivoodoo.com/2011/06/repost-first-lesson-eyeshadow-brushes.html

Ecotools are great for face brushes, not so much for eye brushes... for eyes, I'd rather purchase the ELF studio 11pc. brush set... but only if it's 50% off.

For single eyebrushes that are inexpensive, refer to my blog. Hope that helps! =)

ps: You'll only need 1 foundation brush, and that would be the Sigma F80.  =D

Jul 27, 2011

Liz G.

Thank you both.
I have looked at ebay brushes that are sold. I noticed alot of them are coming from China and that some even say MAC on them.

Soma, I am going check out your blog. How do you purchase brushes at 50% off?

Jul 27, 2011

Soma S.

ELF has coupon codes running at all times, and every month or so, there's a 50% off coupon, just subscribe to their newsletter and you'll be in the know. =)

As for being made in China, MAC actually DOES make some of their brushes in China - mostly their holiday travel sets. The full-sized ones are usually made in either Japan or France. The difference between the full-sized and holiday sets is not only size, but the holiday sets are machine cut VS. being hand-cut like the full-sized black handled brushes. There are more details on my blog link.

I would much rather pick and choose single brushes VS. hoarding a brush collection. The problem w/ brush collections is that you get a pretty decent 1-2 brushes, but the rest are too poor of quality to work with. I have the ELF set, but the only ones I like are the smudge brush and their famous "C" brush. The flat top powder brush is good for beginners, but since I collect LOADS of brushes, it's mediocre compared to what I do have.

I have the Ecotools 5 pc. set, but I only like their angled liner brush [way better than MAC's 266] and their blush brush. Their bronzing brush and retractable kabuki brush also gives my other high end brushes a run for it's money... [ahem, MUFE kabuki... *cough*]

Get the F80 for sure from Sigma though - I don't like that they sell MAC dupes because I prefer to buy from a brand that stands out on its own, but their signature synthetic brushes are definitely their saving grace from being a tacky dupe brand, and they come highly recommended on www.inmykit.com. I love referring to that site to see what makeup artists have as staples in their kit!

I do have MAC, Hakuhodo, Louise Young and many other high-end brushes... but the ones I've listed in this post and on my blog are my stand-outs.  =)

Jul 27, 2011

Soma S.

Oh, and BTW: DO NOT purchase MAC brushes on EBAY! 99.9% of the time, they're fakes. If they're coming from Asia, odds are they are 100% fake. Sad, but true.  =(

Jul 27, 2011

Liz G.

I have been on your site reading your review of brushes and referring the the MAC site. Your site is extremely helpful. Thank you.

I am going to check out the site www.inmykit.com. I stubbled upon a site when I was trying to find answers to my question on brushes and came across a sit Makeupguru.com. She actually did a comparison on brushes, MAC and MUG brushes. I would say her own line. Check it out.

Jul 27, 2011

Soma S.

Def. check out www.inmykit.com! It's a really great laundry list of makeup artist favorites, tried and tested, The best thing? THEY DON'T DO SPONSORED REVIEWS OR RECOMMENDATIONS!!! *swoon*

Finally, a resource I don't have to question about it's intentions or integrity. It gets really tiring when people bombard you w/ suggestions because they're sponsored, trying to make a buck off of you. *end rant*

Jul 27, 2011

Liz G.

Totally understand. I will let you know what I end up purchasing.

Jul 27, 2011

Soma S.

Please do so! I feel a little weird saying this, but I think I like brushes more than makeup. The right tools do 90% of the work for you. Good luck!  =)