Product Review: EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush

Investing on good brushes is something every make up aficionado should know. When I say good brushes, I am talking about the quality and not the price tag. Brushes do not necessarily have to have a hefty price tag to perform really well. You get what you pay for is the most common argument, like if you buy something for a really cheap price, you end up with something that has poor or lesser quality than if you paid more for it. Of course, it is not entirely true in all cases. On most, it is, but there are a few exceptions to the rule. I am one of those who initially never understood why I have to pay more for cosmetic brushes when they are already included in some cosmetics and there are cheap ones so I bought this brush set from a local brand I won't name (clue: sounds Japanese or Chinese) thinking those will do. I was wrong. I couldn't bring myself to use them on my face after the first few times because they were utterly scratchy and quite a pain to use aside from being flimsy and basically not doing a good job at all. My first ever soft brush is the Every Day Minerals flat top kabuki brush (which I will be reviewing soon) and I sort of understood why I have to pay a little extra to get something good. Then came the EDM LHK and when I started reading reviews about EcoTools, I had my cousin in the US buy some of those for me and I was a happy girl when he finally handed them to me the moment he arrived here to visit. I instantly fell in love the moment I took each brush out from the ziplocks. The one I ultimately fell in love with is the Bamboo Blush Brush which I will be reviewing today. Okay, that was quite a speech so without further delays, here are the pictures and the review.

I have stopped using this brush May this year because that was the time I discovered the Marionnaud N32 Slanted Blusher Brush and this took the backseat. But I have recently started using it again and I am once again amazed with the quality of this brush.

What I like:
- This brush is super soft and application feels great on the skin. I couldn't describe it any other way.
- The bristles are dense and fluffy and the size is perfect for my chubby cheeks.
- Eco-friendly and animal-friendly as the bristles are made of synthetic taklon (animal cruelty-free), ferrule is made of recycled tin, and handle is made of bamboo.
- Picks up just the right amount of pigment and deposits color on the cheeks really well.
- Has not shed on me at all even after having this for about a year and a half.
- Bleeding was never a problem for this brush. I have never experienced it at all.
- Even though it has been washed several times, the bristles did not turn scratchy.
- I have tried using this as a powder brush and it still works.
- Inexpensive but has good quality - this is exactly what I was talking about on my opening statements.

What I don't like:
- Not locally available though this can be purchased online from resellers (local and international).

In between: Having a big and fluffy head may be a con to some especially for those with small faces as it might be too big for their cheeks. But if you have the powder brush from the Mineral Brush Set, you can try using that for blushes. Or you can use this as a powder brush instead.

Overall rating: 5/5 Whoever said that good quality brushes have to be expensive has never heard of EcoTools yet.

Will I buy again? Yes! But hopefully, I won't have to since it'll be hard to get my hands on this brush.

Side view

 

See how thick and fluffy this brush is?

What's your favorite blush brush?

Happy Wednesday, super awesome peeps! :)
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Product Review: EcoTools Kabuki Brush from the Mineral 5-pc Bamboo Brush Set

If you love make up, you will agree with me when I say brushes are essential tools. Though people have preferences when it comes to the materials brushes are made of - synthetic and animal hair - it still boils down to the fact that brushes are important. I noticed that I haven't been reviewing much the brushes that I love so I will start reviewing them one by one. I'll start with the kabuki brush that is included in the EcoTools Mineral 5-pc Bamboo Brush set. I've had this for a year and a half and have been using it for that long so I will give it its well-deserved review.

I personally prefer brushes with synthetic bristles over those made of animal hair. I find animal hair scratchy and they shed a lot. I want something smooth and soft, without having to worry that the bristles will irritate the skin. So almost all my brushes are synthetic except for my stippling brushes with partial animal hair. And please, love the animals, not make them bald!!! :P

What I like:
- This brush is unbelievably soft and not in any way scratchy.
- Bristles are made of synthetic taklon and recycled tin (for the base) so this is eco-friendly, thus, the name EcoTools.
- I mentioned I have been using this for over a year now and it has not shed a single hair. I never experienced having tiny stray hairs on my face with this brush. Absolutely no shedding.
- It does not bleed every time I wash it.
- Picks up and deposits powder evenly (of course, by buffing it) and provides light -medium coverage depending on your desired coverage.
- Not as dense as other kabuki brushes and therefore ideal for light dusting of powders. Can be used to have lighter coverage from those foundations that are heavy.
- The size of this brush is really cute and can easily fit in purses since this is small - around 2 inches.
- Can be used on foundation (pressed or loose), blushes, and finishing powders (some even use it for bronzers).
- Has never irritated my skin the way brushes with animal hairs did (Yes, I have used a couple of brushes with animal hairs when I was starting out with makeup).


What I don't like:
- The top of this baby buki has become flat (could be that I buff too hard?).
- Be extra careful with this brush as it might break off just like what happened to Nikki's. :(
- Cannot be purchased individually as this is part of a set. However, if you want just a kabuki brush from EcoTools, you can try their retractable kabuki which is denser.
- Not locally available at malls but you can buy them from resellers.

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? Yes but I don't need an entire brush set so I might try baby kabuki brushes from other brands. I have been itching to try the Charm mini kabuki and I might buy one soon so I can have something to alternate this brush with.

Size compared to a MAC lipstick.

Really cute and small. My hands look bigger when holding this brush.

What's your favorite kabuki brush?

Happy Thursday, super awesome peeps! :P

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My Best and Worst Product Purchases in 2009

I have been inspired by fellow bloggers' posts about the best products they have purchased and used in 2009 so I decided to come up with my own. So here are the best and worst products I have bought and used for the past year.




Let me start with the worst or probably the products I regret to have purchased and used.

The 10 Worst 2009 Buys: (in no particular order)

1. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner - Yellow Variant
- This product made my skin look dirty and I broke out with it.


2. Charcoal Soap from Saizen
- Dried out my skin and made it flaky and gave me red marks and dried out my cheeks so bad.


3. Garnier Light Cleansing Foam
- Broke me out in the past, I should've known better instead of repurchasing this year to once again give it a try


4. Skin 79 Diamond Collection Star Glow Cheek
- This has to be the worst smelling blush/highlighter ever! Smelled like beans and greens and worse, smelt like a rotten one that I can't stand using it.


5. ELF Sunkissed Bronzer
- It broke on its own after less than 24 hours upon purchasing it so I was not able to use it.


6. False Eyelashes & Glue from Saizen
- The glue stung my eyes so bad and the pair I got was so hard to work with.


7. Olay Regenerist Cleanser
- Olay's supposed to be a good product but I am one of those unlucky bunch who broke out with Olay products.



8. Sunsilk Straight & Sway Shampoo & Conditioner (Green ones from the picture)
- Made my hair brittle and dry. I couldn't touch my hair as it feels annoying.


9. The Soap Factory Tomato Soap
- Broke me out after just a couple of washes.


10. A few more mineral make up
- I know mineral make up breaks me out but I decided to give it one more shot but still, I broke out no matter how nice the finish is and regardless of how long it stays on my oily skin.


The Top 14 Best Purchases of 2009:

1. NARS Blushes
- Being a blush girl, I do not and I don't think I will ever regret buying NARS blushes as these are a few of the best investments I made when it comes to make up. The product is so worth it for the price.


2. Kryolan TV Paint Stick
- The only foundation in a non-powder form that really works for me. Didn't break me out and for PHP1250, I could never go wrong. Beats all the powder foundation I have when it comes to staying power and its ability to conceal my blemishes.


3. Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder
- This kicked MAC Blot's behind when it comes to keeping oilies at bay. You get so much product (30g) for only PHP1350 which will most likely last you for years.


4. Chanel Joues Contraste and Irreelle blushes
- The most I had to spend on a single compact of blush but definitely worth it as Irrelle In Love is my current HG blush.


5. Saizen Charcoal Mask
- Made such raves and became one of the most wanted products in girltalk that it was always out of stock on the first and second waves of raves. Now, there is a lot of stocks at Saizen so feel free to go there and grab a tube or two.


6. PureDerm Strawberry Yogurt Pack & Dual Wellbeing Pack
- Inexpensive yet very effective products. These two are now officially part of my favorite products.


7. MAC 187 and 188 brushes
- MAC 187 haunted me in my dreams and I knew then that I had to have this brush. The most expensive single product I have purchased so far for PHP2950 back then and PHP3050 now, if I remember correctly. Very versatile as this can be used on foundations, powders, and best of all, blushes. :P
MAC 188 is the smaller version of 187 and I use it only for blushes and is priced at PHP2050.


8. Etude House stippling brush
- The most abused brush in my brush stash. Made my 188 and 187 kept in the brush box as I use this pretty much on everything. Works best with NARS blushes.


9. ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo
- Because of this, I don't have to buy a NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo. Cheap yet a good product.


10. MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner - Gentle Coral
- This has to be my favorite tinted lip balm and is now my HG lip balm. I use this more than I use lipsticks and lip glosses. I use it every single day.


11. MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Cosmo.
- This has to be my best nude-pink lippie ever! :P


12. EcoTools Brushes
- Talk about cheap with good quality and eco-friendly tools.


13. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
- My best friend in deep cleaning my brushes. Makes brush cleaning easy as a breeze.


14. BRAGG Apple Cider Vinegar
- The best and cheapest toner I have tried. Not the best smelling product though. Smells like Tequila.



* I would've also added Aztec Indian Healing Clay as one of the best prods but I have not purchased one as I am using the sample I received form Japjap. :P*

So there you are. My best and worst picks in 2009. I would've added more but I can certainly go on and on and on and this might be a very long post if I do. Plus I already forgot everything that I purchased this year.

Happy New Year, everyone. Wishing you all the best for 2010!

xoxo,


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Product Comparison: The Body Shop Blush Brush and. EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush

I've been using the TBS (The Body Shop) Blush Brush for almost a year now and I have to admit this is a pretty tough brush. I haven't been very careful with this brush as I just tend to throw it inside my bag, on my bed, or on the table after every use. Okay, I wasn't that into brushes yet back then. I didn't know how to take good care of them. So I have used it for powder blushes, mineral blushes and cream blushes and it does a pretty good job of applying my blush. I remember using it a few times in applying my foundation because I was told by the SA that it can be used that way too.

I have bought a couple of other blush brushes- the Blusche Angled blush brush and the MAC 168SE angled brush, but I end up using this one more than those 2. I like that it doesn't feel scratchy even after washing it several times and has been "abused" by the owner.

I never thought of buying a back up for this brush because i knew it'll last me for a very long time. Until I saw the EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush on the Internet. I had wanted it the moment I saw it and read that it is eco-friendly. Plus all the good reviews it had on MUA. So when I finally had the chance to own one, I instantly grabbed the chance and this time, I made sure I'll have a back up.

The EcoTools and the TBS blush brushes.

Both the bristles are soft.

Left: TBS Right: EcoTools
Notice that EcoTools is kinda bigger than that of TBS.

Topview. Left: EcoTools Right: TBS

EcoTools is noticeably thicker and fluffier than TBS.

Sideview. The ferrule of the TBS brush is slimmer than EcoTools'.

Here's what I think of both products based on my very own experience.

The Body Shop Blush Brush

Pros:
- locally available at any The Body Shop store
- can also be used as a foundation brush (based on the SA's reco and my own experience)
- sturdy (even after all the throws I've made)
- has only shed once for almost a year ^_^
-still soft and the shape hasn't changed, well, maybe a little, since I first had it

Cons:
- a little bit pricey for almost 1k
- the ferrule easily gets scratches -subjective
- the label is gone in just a few months - this is very subjective as I didn't take good care of this brush

Will I buy again? Hmmm... Maybe I will. But right now, I am going to try my EcoTools blush brush and take it from there.


And now...


EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush

Pros:
- eco-friendly - nothing can ever beat this!
- the bristles are uber duper super soft
- did not shed when I washed and used it
- has a resealable case
- great quality for such a cheap price

Cons:
- not locally available - major bummer! X_X

NOTE: This isn't a complete pros and cons thingie for the EcoTools brush because i've used it for just a couple of times whereas i've used the TBS brush for almost a year now.

Will I buy again? Yes, but not as of the moment. I still have a back up of this. ^_^

So that's it for now. Ta! ^_^

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ECOTOOLS Bamboo 5 Piece Mineral Brush Set

This brush set caught my eye because of the cute cosmetic bag and the baby kabuki brush. The bristles of both the baby kabuki and the powder brush are undeniably soft even after I washed them. Plus, they did not shed. Not even once, which is great! I was sort of expecting the brush set to be a little bigger but after reading some reviews from fellow bloggers, I have managed my expectations for this brush set. I just settled for the softness and the cuteness of the brushes and the case. Here are a few photos.




Look at how small the brushes are!




And this is how soft the brushes are.


The concealer brush

The eye shading brush

The baby kabuki brush ^_^

The mineral powder brush

The cute cosmetic bag


Here's the description at the back of the "reusable storage pouch".

This Earth-friendly set shows respect for the planet:
-Bamboo handle has a low impact on the earth's resources as it is from a highly sustainable plant
-Synthetic Taklon bristles are 100% cruelty free
-Sleek ferrule is made from recycled aluminum
-Cosmetic bag is made from natural cotton and hemp
-Reusable storage pouch

Mineral Powder brush
-apply powder or mineral foundation all over face in a circular buffing motion and work inward towards nose

*I say I can use this as a blush brush as well. I have tried and it works just as fine as the bamboo blush brush. ^_^*


Concealer Brush
-use with liquid or mineral concealer for more coverage on blemishes and under eyes


Eye Shading Brush
-expertly cut to apply and blend powder eye shadows


Baby Kabuki
-buff powder over areas that need more coverage


Cosmetic Bag
-55% hemp linen, 45% cotton


What I like about this brush set:
-Eco-friendly (nothing beats that)
-the bristles are uber duper super soft but delivers as well
-small and sleek and can easily fit on the bag
-priced at $12.49 + tax and I say the great quality is not bad for the price

What I do not dig about it:
-not locally available

Here's my EcoTools bamboo 5 piece mineral brush set and I am happy with it.
Will I buy again? Maybe not, because if i take good care of these brushes, they'll last me a good long time. But if something happens to them or I lose them (I hope not), then I will certainly purchase this very same brush set.

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