Japonesque Safari

These brushes look positively purrrr-fect. Okay maybe that was a little cheesy but I love the look of these new brushes from Japonesque. The Brush Set includes a Powder Brush, Shadow Brush and Crease Brush, they come with a micro-fibre case so they’re perfect for keeping in your handbag.

Also in the collection is the Bronzer Brush, which looks to pretty to use, but would make a great multi use kabuki. All the brushes in the Safari Collection are made from synthetic fibres, which is great. I find most of my synthetic brushes last a lot better than any of the animal hair brushes I have tried.

The collection will be available at Boots with the Brush Set costing £28 and the Bronzer Brush costing £19.50

Will you be splurging on this gorgeous collection?

Japonesque Blush and Brow Brushes

Following on from my first post on Japonesque (link) they were kind enough to send me a couple other brushes to try. I was sent the Blush Brush and the Brow Definer Brush. I have been using these brushes pretty much daily, and they have both really impressed me.

The blush brush is such a perfect shape and size for blush, and makes blending it really easy. It picks up quite a lot of pigment, so is great for sheerer blushes, but be careful with more heavily pigmented shades. That when used with my more pigmented blushes (like Nars Torrid) it blends the product out so well and because the brush isn’t as big as say the Real Techniques Blush Brush you won’t end up looking like a clown, and having to waste more time correcting it. This also works beautifully with powder highlighters, as the shape fits along the angles (or lack of in my case…) of the cheek bone. I love the size of these brushes, I’m going to Leeds this weekend and there’s no way I will be carting a load of big chunky brushes up there with me! Japonesque brushes fit perfectly in my makeup bag and I have never had any problems with them getting misshapen.

The brow brush has come close to changing my life.. well that may be a slight exaggeration. What can I say groomed brows excite me! I was using a Mac Angled Brush, which did the job but it was too flimsy, and didn’t give me a straight enough line or enough control. The Japonesque Brow Definer however, is just firm enough, picks up just enough colour, and shaves a good five minutes of me faffing around with my brows from my routine.

You can find Japonesque Travel size brushes at Boots (link) where the Blush Brush costs £22.00 and the Brow Definer costs £9.50

Disclaimer: PR Samples.

Japonesque Brushes

For most people in the UK, MAC is the probably where you go when you want to spend some money on brushes, for a long time I only owned MAC brushes, until I started reading blogs and watching tutorials on YouTube and I started look at other brands for brushes. Japonesque is a brand that I have been really interested in, especially after hearing YouTube Guru and Make-Up Artist Lisa Eldridge talk so highly of the brand.

Japonesque were founded over 20 years ago, and make some of the industry’s most innovative brushes and tools (their range extends to palettes, tweezers, lash curlers and make-up cases) and now their range of Travel Brushes is available on the High Street at Boots and John Lewis.

I was sent three of their Travel Brushes to try out, and the first thing I wanted to mention was that unlike MAC whose Travel Brushes (the LE sets that often appear in the Holiday collection) are not made to the same quality as their usual brushes, Japonesque’s are made to the same standard and high quality finish, they just have a shorter handle.

Travel Powder Brush (£29.25) I am in love with this brush, I have been searching for a new powder brush for a while, since my MAC 168 has been shedding for the past year, but never got round to buying one as they cost a lot and I didn’t want to end up with another one that sheds! The Japonesque Powder Brush is natural fibres, and has a large, domed head. It applies my MAC MSF perfectly and when I apply it with this, it never looks cakey. It’s also the softest brush I own, when I use this in the morning it almost sends me to sleep! I haven’t experienced shedding and it washes well.

Travel Smudger Brush (£14.75) This brush is perfect for smudging kohl or eyeshadow along the upper or lower lashline. It works equally well with powder or cream/gel products and it’s now essential to me to get a perfect, soft, smouldering smokey eye!

Travel Brow/Lash Comb (£9.75) Up until now I was using a very old, No7  spoolie brush for my brows but this brush preps them perfectly for drawing them in and the comb is the best I’ve tried to get rid of clumps after putting on Mascara. Whenever I use my Benefit They’re Real, I tend to have a problem with it clumping on the second coat, this removes all of the clumps. and gives definition to the lashes.

You can buy Japonesque brushes online and instore at Boots and John Lewis. Where do you go to buy brushes? Do you stick to one brand or do you have selection?

 

Disclaimer: These brushes were provided by PR for review.

Sigma Brush Haul

 

When Sigma announced they were giving free shipping on all orders, I couldn’t resist getting in on the action.After doing a bit of research I settled on the Sigma Precision Kit and the F50.

I’ve never seen anything like the Precision Kit in the UK and retails for ($49.99 – GBP will depend on the current conversion rates) and it includes 4 synthetic duo fibre brushes; Sigma describes the brushes as;

“P80 - Precision Flat The small, dense and flat top is ideal to conceal blemishes, sun spots and small imperfections on the skin. It can be used to stipple concealer on defined areas, followed by precise application of setting powder.

P82 - Precision Round The rounded top was designed to mimic your fingertips, making this brush ideal to apply eye shadow primers. It can also be used for the precise application of highlight shades on the bridge of the nose, cheek bones and cupid's bow.

P84 - Precision Angled The small angled top makes this brush perfect for precise contouring on the sides of the nose and contouring the hollows of the cheek bones. It can also be used to highlight the brow bone.

P86 - Precision Tapered The tapered shape of this brush is ideal for application of concealer under the eyes and on defined areas such as the sides of the nose, chin and around the mouth. This brush can also be used to perfectly apply concealer around the lips to prevent color bleeding.”

All the brushes are really soft, and dense (a lot denser than my MAC 187) and are perfect for blending concealer, primer or cream eyeshadows. I’ve tried them all out today, and loved the results. The P80 and P82 will be replacing my flat concealer brush (the P82 is perfect for blending concealer under the eyes, and gets in to the smallest areas brilliantly).

The F50 ($18.00) I will be using as a blush brush, I’ve not been happy with how my MAC 168 applies blush lately, and after a lot of reading decided a duo fibre would give me the sheer natural glow I was looking for. The F50 doesn’t disappoint, it gives a lovely wash of colour and allows you to slowly build up colour rather than have to try and blend out a too heavy application (looking like you Great Aunt Marge isn’t a hot look!)

I’m really happy with my brushes, and will definitely consider ordering from Sigma again, in fact I’ve already got my eye on the Synthetic Kabuki Kit….