My number-one pick right now is EcoTools Foundation Brush ($9.95 from Priceline). Not only does it lives up to its name in being environmentally friendly, but it actually works as well as most of the pricier professional brushes out there. The fibres feel soft and luxe, but are strong enough to really make things stick. It blends cream foundations beautifully although works quite effectively with mineral powder foundation. It’s a little smaller than most foundation brushes but this means it’s easier to get into nooks and crannies, like around the nose, and to cover problem discolouration patches. In short: super-highly recommended.
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I saw these in Priceline the other day. The quality looks really good. Great bargain
Comment by Mel — October 31, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
Can I use this for mineral powder foundation? I thought you have to use a kabuki brush to buff the minerals into your skin?
Comment by Anonymous — November 2, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
Admittedly it’s not the most perfect brush for mineral powders, but it will do the job okay because the bristles are firm enough. If your mineral powder is 100% mineral (like the i.d or the Bloom), as opposed to a powder that just has a sprinkling of minerals, you may want to consider investing in a second kabuki brush. That’s because there are no fillers in the mix that make the product more soft and blendable. If it’s 100% pure pigment, it takes a lot more effort, and a kabuki brush will make this a little easier.
Hope that’s clear?
Comment by Kat — November 3, 2008 @ 8:12 am
I have several artist’s brushes (with the handles cut off shorter) that I use all the time - for shadows and also for powder and mineral makeup. I agree a kabuki brush would probably be a bit better, as I tend to get a bit dusted down my front, but if you use a circular motion you can buff the min. makeup into your skin quite effectively. I haven’t tried it using my foundation brush, ‘cos it seems the wrong design.
Artist’s brushes are cheaper than the top quality makeup brushes, but work really, really well. (El cheapo brushes shed bristles like nobody’s business)
I also use my powder brush (think: a blush brush but a tiny bit bigger) with my powder compact. I find powder puffs get grotty very quickly, but worse, they dredge the powder on far too thickly. Using a brush with your pressed powder compact works beautifully, giving just enough coverage to set your foundation & concealer. More hygenic too, as you can wash them. Puffs fall to bits if you wash them.
Comment by Judy — November 3, 2008 @ 3:19 pm