My Brush Collection featuring my favourites (Mostly cruelty free)
So I've been doing my makeup since around 14 (I'm currently 19) and used brushes right from the start, so I have a bit of experience with them. I have purchased both in store and online, both individuals and sets and both cheaper and higher end.
The sets I have include the Coastal Scents 22 Piece set of which I have destashed some brushes; the RealTechniques Core collection set, Sculpting set and Starter set; and the Zoeva Complete Eye Set.
On to the brushes!
I won't beat around the bush, this first picture features the small brushes I favour (I know, there's a lot). I have them organised in a rainbow of different sections starting at angled liner and smudger brushes,
followed by flat shaders, then blending and crease brushes
and working into brushes I use for cream shadows (not oft used) and one lonely pencil brush.
The two sitting sideways are small brushes but not specifically for eyes. The first is the e.l.f. Flawless Concealer Brush which I use for concealer, particularly under the eyes. I also use my sponge for this purpose. The second non-shadow brush is the RealTechniques Detail Brush which I have used a few times with liquid lipsticks. The Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks have stained this little baby.
Following this are my favourite face brushes, I'll go into a bit more detail for these. From the left you can see the RealTechniques fan brush, I use this for highlight; the RealTechniques contour brush; the e.l.f. Blush Brush which I have used for blush, contour and setting powder; the RT setting brush, I normally use this for setting under the eyes but I also use for highlighting; the essense blush brush (not sure if this is still available) for blush and contour; and then the RT buffing brush which I used for setting powder. Then running from near to far the RT sculpting brush which I think would be nice for cream contour (not interested personally), I use it for blush; a Coastal Scents duo-fibre blush brush; 2 e.l.f. Powder brushes and 3 Coastal Scents flat buffing brushes all of which I used for packing on powder and the CS which I used for foundation.
Just note that I'm going through an awkward period where my face is getting really oily throughout the day and accordingly cakey so I have stopped setting it and am seeking out a good primer, therefore the brushes I mentioned I use for powder I am not currently using.
Next is the collection of brushes that I maintain to supplement my collection when I run through my favs like a mad beast between cleans. All of these brushes are either a little too firm, a little to flimsy and/or feature slightly prickley bristles. I'd like to draw your attention to the Sigma F80 and the Zoeva 315 fine liner and state that these are actually nice but they just don't suit the way I personally apply my makeup.
To finish off I'll show you some of the other tools and brush accessories I use.
While I started out using kabuki brushes for foundation (I recently decluttered the Sigma 5 Piece Kabuki set), I now use a beauty sponge; specifically the RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.
My eyelash curler is from Revlon and is the second I have ever owned. I think it's great though I can't wholeheartedly recommend it because it is certainly not from a cruelty free brand. For those who don't care about that I have never lost any eyelashes, the rubber buffer is still firm and springy after 2 or 3 years and any makeup residue cleans off easily with alcohol.
I use the RealTechniques Lash and Brow Brush to sweep through my (you guessed it!) lashes and brows when they're looking crazy and to remove mascara clumps. I don't use it every single day but it works well enough, I really bought it for the metal lash comb, personally I prefer a spoolie brush for the brows. Also note the metal prongs are hard to get fully clean even with alcohol.
Finally my bonus items are a face towel for wiping brushes off on when I've used my e.l.f. spot cleaner or if I get a little too much product on a brush and want to remove some before application; and also the beloved Q-tips/cotton buds, a great multi-use item.
Lastly you can see an image of the storage vessels I employ. The brush tree I use to store soiled brushes waiting to be cleaned, the purple contained I use to store brushes currently in use and the blue/clear plastic drawers I use to store the rest of my collection (least favourites are at the top followed by fav small and then large brushes, the bottom holds some lip products). You can also see the Boe Beauty Lighted Mirror whose light I do not use because it is very blue and remains lightly lit when plugged in, even if turned off.
UPDATE: This week I happened to be at the Gold Coast very near to Crown Brushed in Burleigh Heads and while I was there I purchased 5 eyeshadow blending brushes.
Crown Brush is (to my knowledge) cruelty free (which is not the same as vegan) and also fairly affordable.
The brushes from left to right are: C330 Pro Blending Crease, BK38 Badger Blending Crease, SS027 Deluxe Blending Crease, SS021 Deluxe Crease Buffer, SS012 Deluxe Crease.
A review for these will follow when I've had a chance to use them.
So that's everything! If anyone wants any further information about the sets I've purchased or any individual brushes I own, feel free to ask. I may follow this up with a Top Ten post, let's see how I go.
Thanks for reading,
Cassy
The sets I have include the Coastal Scents 22 Piece set of which I have destashed some brushes; the RealTechniques Core collection set, Sculpting set and Starter set; and the Zoeva Complete Eye Set.
On to the brushes!
I won't beat around the bush, this first picture features the small brushes I favour (I know, there's a lot). I have them organised in a rainbow of different sections starting at angled liner and smudger brushes,
The two sitting sideways are small brushes but not specifically for eyes. The first is the e.l.f. Flawless Concealer Brush which I use for concealer, particularly under the eyes. I also use my sponge for this purpose. The second non-shadow brush is the RealTechniques Detail Brush which I have used a few times with liquid lipsticks. The Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks have stained this little baby.
Following this are my favourite face brushes, I'll go into a bit more detail for these. From the left you can see the RealTechniques fan brush, I use this for highlight; the RealTechniques contour brush; the e.l.f. Blush Brush which I have used for blush, contour and setting powder; the RT setting brush, I normally use this for setting under the eyes but I also use for highlighting; the essense blush brush (not sure if this is still available) for blush and contour; and then the RT buffing brush which I used for setting powder. Then running from near to far the RT sculpting brush which I think would be nice for cream contour (not interested personally), I use it for blush; a Coastal Scents duo-fibre blush brush; 2 e.l.f. Powder brushes and 3 Coastal Scents flat buffing brushes all of which I used for packing on powder and the CS which I used for foundation.
Just note that I'm going through an awkward period where my face is getting really oily throughout the day and accordingly cakey so I have stopped setting it and am seeking out a good primer, therefore the brushes I mentioned I use for powder I am not currently using.
Next is the collection of brushes that I maintain to supplement my collection when I run through my favs like a mad beast between cleans. All of these brushes are either a little too firm, a little to flimsy and/or feature slightly prickley bristles. I'd like to draw your attention to the Sigma F80 and the Zoeva 315 fine liner and state that these are actually nice but they just don't suit the way I personally apply my makeup.
To finish off I'll show you some of the other tools and brush accessories I use.
While I started out using kabuki brushes for foundation (I recently decluttered the Sigma 5 Piece Kabuki set), I now use a beauty sponge; specifically the RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.
My eyelash curler is from Revlon and is the second I have ever owned. I think it's great though I can't wholeheartedly recommend it because it is certainly not from a cruelty free brand. For those who don't care about that I have never lost any eyelashes, the rubber buffer is still firm and springy after 2 or 3 years and any makeup residue cleans off easily with alcohol.
I use the RealTechniques Lash and Brow Brush to sweep through my (you guessed it!) lashes and brows when they're looking crazy and to remove mascara clumps. I don't use it every single day but it works well enough, I really bought it for the metal lash comb, personally I prefer a spoolie brush for the brows. Also note the metal prongs are hard to get fully clean even with alcohol.
Finally my bonus items are a face towel for wiping brushes off on when I've used my e.l.f. spot cleaner or if I get a little too much product on a brush and want to remove some before application; and also the beloved Q-tips/cotton buds, a great multi-use item.
Lastly you can see an image of the storage vessels I employ. The brush tree I use to store soiled brushes waiting to be cleaned, the purple contained I use to store brushes currently in use and the blue/clear plastic drawers I use to store the rest of my collection (least favourites are at the top followed by fav small and then large brushes, the bottom holds some lip products). You can also see the Boe Beauty Lighted Mirror whose light I do not use because it is very blue and remains lightly lit when plugged in, even if turned off.
UPDATE: This week I happened to be at the Gold Coast very near to Crown Brushed in Burleigh Heads and while I was there I purchased 5 eyeshadow blending brushes.
Crown Brush is (to my knowledge) cruelty free (which is not the same as vegan) and also fairly affordable.
The brushes from left to right are: C330 Pro Blending Crease, BK38 Badger Blending Crease, SS027 Deluxe Blending Crease, SS021 Deluxe Crease Buffer, SS012 Deluxe Crease.
A review for these will follow when I've had a chance to use them.
So that's everything! If anyone wants any further information about the sets I've purchased or any individual brushes I own, feel free to ask. I may follow this up with a Top Ten post, let's see how I go.
Thanks for reading,
Cassy
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