Make-up brushes

[Lia]

Well, i'm thinking on buying some brushes so i can do my make-up better (my 2 reais - less than a dollar - pack of brushes are not the best thing). But since i'm really poor at the moment, i'm thinking on buying painting brushes, since they're cheaper and some are really really good. So i'd like to have an advise about the character of the brushes used to apply foundation and to apply eye make-up - how do they behave, if they're soft or stiff and so on (my brushes aren't very good to help me achieve a smoky eye - or maybe that's my lack of ability). I used to paint last year , when i was at architecture school and i learned a lot about brushes and i would like to apply this knowledge to make-up.

[vogueboy]

Well, since you're already familiar with brushes... I'll cut to the chase...

Foundation Brushes are half synthetic, half natural bristles. It makes the brush more pliable and retains it's softness and shape.

Go for brushes that feels soft on the skin.

Flat brushes (natural hairs) pick up powder pigments very well.

Round brushes (natural hairs) are great for blending.

Large fluff brushes, are of course made for blushers, bronzers, loose setting powders.

Angle brushes (I find the half synthetic half natural bristle ones are best) are great for wet/dry eyeliner, and brows.

Large to medium Fan brushes (coarser bristles) are great for whispping away any fallen powder, applying shimmer highlight powders and sometimes a light blush application.

Small and extra small Fan brushes are a really neat and cool way to apply mascara.

Lip brushes (again my preference is half/half). They come in natural and synthetic as well. And come in either pointed, rounded and flat tipped versions.

My personal favorites are Shu Uemura and Make Up For Ever.

Well, this is a start... With your experience with artist paint brushes, you'll have no problem picking brushes that will work best for you.

Good Luck and have fun.

[Judi]

Just a thought, you can pick up Annabelle brushes (cosmetic) for about the same as art brushes. I have had mine over 12 yrs and I swear by them.
Vogueboy has given you the guide for what brushes and shapes. As always he knows his stuff. So you are on your way. Let me know if you find the brushes that I mentioned.

[Lia]

Judi, I'll check it out. The major problem is brazilian import taxes, which are 60% on the product value and another tax depending on the product . So, buying things from U.S other than books and magazines (the 60% tax doesn't apply on that case) is not a good option. The currency in Brazil is reais, and 1 dollar costs around 2,50 reais, and the same thing you buy with 1 dollar in US I buy here a national one with 1 real (like a small bar of chocolate - you buy a twix bar, i buy a sonho de valsa bar - a very good chocolate, its filling is with a cream of cashew nuts).

So i would buy national painting brushes . I bought some last year and they're quite good (but i lost one i could use for make-up it's no problem because i painted with watercolors)

[kam_621]

I want to buy some new professional eye make up brushes. One for basic shading, one for blending, and one for lining. I think that this is all I would need, but I am not sure! They need to be durable because I want them to last me at least a few years..(this is with continued daily use + regular cleanings). Firm, but soft bristles! I am a dummy when it comes to slanted, tapered, round head, square head....I'm overwhelmed! i would prefer if they were not man made hairs either, I like the real thing. I was leaning towards Stila or MAC, but MAC has like 10 brushes for each purpose to chose from and I don't know which one! I have a difficult time deciding these types of things. Keep in mind that most of my eyeshadows are drugstore, so they need to be able to pack the color, since they're not very pigmented. I don't mind if they're from different brands or if they're expensive...just give me some recs for good brushes please!!! Sorry so long post guys. Thank you, any advice here is apperciated, because I am supa frustrated with this!!

[Judi]

Clinque just introduced brushes this year and they are very nice.
Have you look at www.sephora.com or www.sallysbeauty.com
they both have a wide range both in price and varity.
Also Annabelle has really nice brush, so does Red Earth, Lisa Waiter, the Body Shop. All these brand and I have worked with their different brushes and I like them all. Hope this help. At least till Vogue is online.

[kam_621]

Yes, thanks Judi...but that is the problem for me, there is such a variety it is overwhelming! MAC has like 50 eye brushes! I am just going to do some research I guess, but I will get back to you when I decide, just so you can know what I purchased.

[Judi]

When you go to look and brushes ask the consultant for help, tell her what your plans are for using the brushes and what would be the best for you use.
Rememer you don't need all brushes from the same supplier, you can mix and match to your needs. sorry Kam I wish I could be more help. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes for you.

[vogueboy]

Originally Posted by kam_621

Yes, thanks Judi...but that is the problem for me, there is such a variety it is overwhelming! MAC has like 50 eye brushes! I am just going to do some research I guess, but I will get back to you when I decide, just so you can know what I purchased.

Yeah, there are a lot of brushes out there... the key thing to remember about purchasing eye shadow brushes, is to make sure that the bristles are the same width as you eyelid.

Too small, and the product (eye shadow) will be patchy, too big, and the eye shadow will over extend outside your lid area.

Of course when you visit the M.A.C. counter, they will give you more details on different eye shadow brushes for different parts of the eye, for example the crease.

Good Luck.

[Judi]

Yea Vogue is back great advice as always.