Rave: Marionnaud Premium N3 Slanted Blusher Brush First Impressions

I remember the first time I encountered the Marionnaud N32 Slanted Blusher Brush last year and I was so pleased with it that I blogged about it right away. It may not be the perfect angled blush brush but it is definitely something I like using for my Shu Uemura Glow Ons and for defining my cheeks with my Stila Contouring Trio. However, I realized that it can sometimes be a pain to work with because the bristles, even though soft, are kind of stiff and does not blend blushes softly and evenly. So I set them aside for a while and rekindled my love for the EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush. I remained loyal to their double ended spoolie and eyeliner brush though that I even have a back up of it. Anyway, it was not until early this week, Tuesday to be specific, that Marionnaud once again wow'ed me with their brushes, when I finally purchased the Premium N3 Slanted Blusher Brush. I have seen a few write ups about it on blogs so I decided to get one for myself. And now, I can't stop myself from posting something about it this early.

Description taken from the case:
Made of natural goat hair - smooth to sweep the blusher on the skin with a firm touch.

Okay, that wasn't much of a help though a very short and direct to the point description.

Care Instruction:
Hand wash before initial use and blot dry with a paper towel. Wash frequently in lukewarm water and mild soap or shampoo. Rinse well and shape the head of the brush with your fingers. Lay flat to dry.

See how fluffy the brush is? 

Initially, I was sorely disappointed when I found out that the bristles are made of natural goat hair and thought that it might be scratchy and irritate my skin. But I still went ahead and purchased one. I immediately washed the brush when I got home. I was expecting it to smell but it didn't and it never bled too. However, it shed a few small hairs as I was washing it.

After the brush dried, I put it to test and fell in love with it right away! It feels really soft and not as scratchy as I expected it would be. I like how it easily picks up pigments and how it evenly distributes the color on the cheeks. Not to mention that the bristles aren't as stiff as the one from the regular angled blush brush from the same brand. It blends blushes nicely too. I tried using it on bronzers, finishing powders, and on contouring powder and it works just as great! I simply adore this brush to make a pseudo-review and rave post about it. :)

Even though I adore this brush, there are two things I'm not a fan of - the texture of the handle and it isn't as dense as it looked when sealed. If you are familiar with the matte, rubber packaging of NARS products, that is what the texture of the handle is. I've had trouble keeping my NARS compacts back then from accumulating dust so I am expecting the worst from this handle too (though I badly wish it won't happen). Now for the bristles, I find it a little too soft that it sometimes flatten on my cheeks. But it could also be due to my being heavy handed and I sometimes end up not applying products lightly especially with brushes. Or maybe I have gotten a bad apple. But still, I like this brush a lot that I am considering getting a back up! Oh, another very minor dislike is that the handle is way longer than the regular one but not something that bothers me a lot.

Overall, a really nice and inexpensive angled blush brush that is worth the price tag of Php 299. I've been using this for 3 straight days now and I'm happy with it. What a swell! But I'll give it a couple of months before doing an in-depth review of this brush. Who knows what could happen in the next few days. But for now, I'll enjoy this brush in every way I can. :)

Left: N3 Premium; Right: N32 Regular

Premium N3 is also fluffier than N32

Have you tried this brush or any other from the Premium line?

Have a great weekend, everyone. :)

Cheers,

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Product Review: MAC 190 SE Foundation Brush

How's your weekend, everyone? I certainly hope you're all having a blast. Anyway, it's time for another brush review. I am reviewing one of the very first MAC brushes I owned, way back in summer of 2009. I got this brush as part of the Adoring Carmine Holiday Collection together with the 187SE, 168SE, 194SE, and a pouch. Please note that this is just the short-handled brush and I don't have the full-size 190. On to the review then.

Product Description taken from MAC Cosmetics website:

Pro-quality. A foundation brush designed to create a smooth, even finish, flawless look. Works well with any M·A·C foundation, including Studio Fix and Studio Tech. Use to apply, distribute, and blend foundation into all areas in the face.

19 cm
US$32.00

What I like:
- The bristles are firm but flexible enough to not drag the skin as foundation is applied and blended. Not scratchy either.
- This is a traditional foundation brush that is great in applying liquid, cream, and mousse foundations.
- Coverage can go from light to full when using this brush.
- Creates a flawless and even finish as long as you do not forget to blend. Some people complain about the foundation looking streaky, blotchy, and uneven but seriously, the key is blending. It won't hurt to add a few more strokes. But if you are in a hurry, a flat top brush is the way to go.
- I sometimes use this to apply concealer because the size of the head is just right for the under eyes. Just simply pat, pat, pat and then use my ring finger to pat the concealer one last time and I'm good to go.
- I like the short handle, actually. It gives me better control than long-handled ones like the 187 and 188 because they hit the mirror when I hold it in front of my face.
- The bristles are dense and packed tightly together and makes buffing and blending the foundation easier.
- Locally available at MAC Counters - both full size and those included in holiday sets.

What I don't like:
- It eats a lot of foundation but not as much as the amount sponges absorb. But the trick here is to apply very little foundation using short, gentle strokes and slowly build up from there instead of spreading the foundation in long strokes.
- Full size is expensive and I guess costs more than Php 2000 but will check for the exact price and update this post. The set is also expensive for Php 3850 (not sure if the sets were part of the price increase though).
- The SE ones are made in China whereas the full size ones are made in Japan. But this is not a biggie since this is pretty good.

Overall rating: 4/5 This is a good basic foundation brush but if you have already found something similar to this that works great for you, there is no need to purchase this or the full size. Might as well invest on multi-tasking brushes such as the 187 or the 188.

Will I buy again? I am still not sure if I would but it would entirely depend on my need. See, I've had this for almost 2 years and a half now and it's still in great condition. So let's see if I do in the future. :)

187 made in Japan and 190SE made in China

Have you tried this brush? What other foundation brushes can your recommend?

Happy Saturday, super awesome peeps. :)

Cheers,

Coming up: Bourjois Blush in 54 Rose Frisson Read more...

Product Review: Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki F80

On my most recent Current Favorites post, I included the Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki F80 on my list and this review will explain why it has become not just a current favorite, but a total favorite. Here is the 3rd installment for my brush reviews.

I got this brush, thanks to the affiliate program of Sigma Beauty.

Product Description taken from Sigma Beauty website:

This exclusive flat top synthetic kabuki was designed to deliver a flawless makeup application. The Sigma Makeup F80 is a buffer brush that can be used to blend powder or liquid products. The short and dense bristles make it easy to buff your liquid foundation. The long handle adds comfort to your makeup application. The synthetic fibers are ideal to be used with liquid products and can be easily cleaned. Made of Synthetic Sigmax HD filament.

********************************************************************************************

What I like:
- This is by far, the best brush I have used for cream/liquid foundations and bb creams. Unlike stippling brushes and regular foundation brushes, it applies the product more quickly while evenly distributing it on the face. You won't even see streaks at all and the result is a flawless face.
- Since I started using this, I noticed that I use less product. It's as if the skin absorbs the foundation and there won't be much product left on the bristles. Other brushes eat a lot of the product but not this one. Also keep i mind that with this brush, less is more.
- The bristles are dense and perfect for buffing which requires little effort to have an even application. It also glides on the skin so it does not involve any dragging and tugging. They are really soft and non-scratchy too.
- Buff it or stipple it, this brush does a great job.
- Does not irritate my skin at all.
- Does not bleed nor does it shed every time I wash it.
- The handle is just right - not too long and not too short. I get the right amount of control over this brush.
- Since the bristles are made of synthetic hair, I can be assured that no animals were harmed in the making of these brushes (I think I made it sound like a movie/tv disclaimer).
- Reasonably priced at $16.

What I don't like:
- Takes quite some time to dry.
- Not locally available but there are now local resellers. Great for those who do not have PayPal or credit/debit cards they can use to purchase this directly from the Sigma website or for those who live outside the US and hate the waiting game.

Overall rating: 4.75/5

Will I buy again? I would if there is a need to. I think this brush and I will have a long way to go before going our separate ways. But I want to try the F05 or the Small Contour Brush that looks like MAC 109. :)

Have you tried this brush?

Have a great week, everyone! :)

P.S. I was supposed to do a birthday giveaway for the Miss Taylor Kabuki but to my surprise, the rules have changed. I'll do my belated birthday giveaway soon.

Cheers,

Disclaimer: Product was received as an incentive for the Sigma Beauty Affiliate Program

Coming up: Becca Bodouir Mineral Powder Foundation Review
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Product Review: MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush

Here's my second installment on my brush reviews. I will be alternating between makeup/skin care reviews and brush reviews so it won't be all about brushes for my succeeding posts. Anyway, I've had this MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush for almost two years now so I thought of giving it its much-deserved review. I initially purchased it last October 2009 during the height of my blush addiction for the sole purpose of using this on my blushes. But I found another use where this brush is excellent at and I'll share that on this review.

Description from MAC Cosmetics Website:

A flat-topped, full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of any formula colour – fluid, cream, powder or pigment. Ideal for creating soft layers or adding textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres.

17 cm

US$34.00

********************************************************************************************

What I like:

- This works great in applying cream and/or highly pigmented blushes because it gets just the right amount of color and distributes it evenly on the cheeks.

- I like using this in blending my under eye concealer when I use something creamy like Laura Mercier Secret Concealer. It works so much better than my ring finger because it blends it better by swirling it around the eye area and that prevents the product from caking up (this is the other use I am talking about on the intro of this post. I use it more on concealers than I do on blushes).

- When used in applying cream or liquid foundations, it works great on the crevices like the sides of the nose, near the ears, and around the eyes and forehead as compared to MAC 187 due to its size (significantly smaller than 187 - see pictures below). If you plan to apply foundation using the stippling motion, it will take you a while if you use this on your entire face so I suggest leaving it to the 187 brush to do that and use this 188 on hard to reach areas instead. But if you're just going to buff it in, this brush will do.

- This applies highlighters and contouring products like a dream, its size is perfect.

- If you want to apply your eye creams without tugging on the under eyes, you may very well use this brush too.

- I experienced minimal shedding and it never bled every single time I wash it and it does not take long to dry.

- Locally available at MAC Counters and part of the permanent line.

What I don't like:

- Quite pricey for a single brush at Php 2050. Those on a budget may want to consider the Adorned with Grace Minerals Ingenue Dual Fiber Brush since the size is almost the same and works just as fine as the 188. But it sheds like crazy.

- I wouldn't use this on uber pigmented blushes and foundations and cheek tints because the white hairs might get stained just like what happened to my 187. :(

- The black goat hairs can be quite scratchy so make sure only the white hair touches your skin.

Overall rating: 4.5/5 Despite the price, the versatility of this brush got me - from eye creams to concealers to foundations, blushes, highlighters and bronzers. However, I don't think this is a must-have for everyone. If you already have brushes for different products, you can do away without this. :)

Will I buy again? I hope I won't have to since I take care of this brush but in case something unexpected and unfortunate happens to it, I will. :)

A closer look

Compared with MAC 187 size-wise

Do you have this brush?

Happy Wednesday, everyone! :)

Cheers,

Coming up: Alba Botanica Acne Dote Oil Control Lotion Review

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Product Review: Charm Luxe Retractable Kabuki Brush

I will be reviewing a few brushes on my upcoming posts and this review is the first installment. Well, I thought of several ways to begin this post but I couldn't decide how to so I'll just cut to the chase. I declared my love for the Charm Luxe Mini Kabuki brush last year and was thinking of purchasing either the big kabuki or the retractable one from Beauty & Minerals. Now you know which one I got. :)

First off, I won't be doing this review in bullet form. Okay, eye sore again because I'll do it in paragraphs instead and I promise I'll make it short. The first thing I thought of when I received it is that it's such an eye candy for being metallic pink - it definitely screams "girly". I found the cover/cap to be a little loose so I just sort of squeezed it til it's no longer that round, making sure that it has enough grip on the base.

It is a very cute fluffy brush with bristles that are uber soft and feels nice on the skin due to its being synthetic. I knew I wouldn't have problems about the bristles irritating the skin. However, I thought the bristles are a bit long, thus, decreasing its density. Instead of using it as a kabuki brush, I use it as a powder brush since it is a bit too flexible to buff in powder products on the face. But maybe it's just me as I am used to the shorter and denser bristles of my EcoTools Retractable Kabuki.

The only problem I had with it is the length of the bristles but that's something that could not be resolved. I just pull the silver thingie  that protects all the bristles (when I'm about to put the cap back on) halfway through and keep a tight grip on it  until it feels dense enough. And gee, it takes a really long time to dry. :(

Side-by-side with EcoTools Retractable Kabuki (which I will be doing a Revisited and Reviewed post since I've had it for a little over 2 years now)

Overall, this is a very nice brush to own because it's so cute and feels really soft and does a good job in applying powder products. It is also what I use when I need to touch up very lightly. Since I prefer light coverage when it comes to makeup, this works perfectly in providing light coverage using powder foundations. Another good thing is that this brush never bled nor shed on me. Plus it is a local brand and very affordable at Php 580.

However, I will not repurchase because I want to try the big kabuki brush (Luxe Kabuki) as I prefer something a bit denser than this (I find the mini buki denser than this one too). I also just saw a review of the Gold Retractable Kabuki and it looks sooooo much better than this one. So I now have to decide between the two. :-\

Do you also own this brush or other brushes from Charm?

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone. :)

Cheers,

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Product Review: Charm Luxe Mini Kabuki

I love soft and fluffy brushes and pink is my favorite color. What else can be the perfect mix of both the things I love other than Charm brushes? I have been seeing reviews of these brushes everywhere and haven't brought myself to buying one but seeing Tara's post about the Charm Luxe Mini Kabuki made me want to get myself one on Christmas. I go back and forth her post then finally ordered on impulse and I was a happy girl. I was even happier when I finally received it and I never knew such a small little cute pink brush will bring such a huge smile on my face. I kept playing with it and looking at it because it was the cutest thing ever! The cutest brush I have ever had! :) Okay, I am once again blabbing so I should stop now and go on with the review.

It comes with a cute little pink pouch too. I store my Kryolan Anti Shine Powder on this pouch together with the brush which is perfect for touch ups.

I can't get over the cuteness of this pretty little thing! :P

What I like:
- The color. It is suuuuuper cute. :)
- The bristles are really soft and fluffy and not in any way scratchy. Using this on the face is a lot of fun because I find it kinda relaxing. :P
- It comes with a cute pink storage pouch that you can easily put in your purse and won't eat a lot of space. Perfect for touch ups.
- It has not shed on me and it did not bleed either.
- Dries easily when washed.
- Bristles are synthetic, thus, no animals became baldies when these brushes were made.
- Inexpensive at only PHP300. Locally available and can be bought from Beauty and Minerals.

What I don't like:
- Picks up a lesser amount of powder as compared to my Ecotools Mini Kabuki so it takes a little more time to completely buff in the powder on my entire face.

***Those who do not like pink may find the color a con.***

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? I'm hoping this will last for years but if I have to, I will definitely buy again. But I have my eyes set on the bigger one though. :)

Ecotools Mini Kabuki and Charm Luxe Mini Kabuki looking so comfy and happy together. What a cute couple. :P

Kryolan Anti Shine Powder snuggling inside the storage pouch with the baby buki. :P

 

See how small this is? :P

Have you tried this brush? If not, you better try it and prepare to be Charmed!
Happy Manic Monday, super awesome peeps! :P

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Product Review: Everyday Minerals Flat Top Brush - a long overdue review

I decided to do a series of brush reviews so I can share to you guys what I think of the few ones I have. I stopped buying brushes because I have favorites and even though I do not have much, I am not able to use each and everyone of them or I have stopped using some of them for a while. The very first soft brush I had was the EDM Flat Top Brush, as I mentioned on my EcoTools Bamboo Blush Brush review. This brush has been with me for about 2 years and a half and it never ceased to perform well no matter how badly I have treated it. So on to the review.

See how dense the brush is?

What I like:
- This brush is really soft without being flimsy. Not scratchy and has never irritated my skin. And the bristles are still soft even though it has been washed for so many times since I've had this for more than 2 years now.
- Bristles are dense, thus, providing medium-full coverage.
- I used this for mineral makeup back when I was hooked to it and gives a flawless finish. I also used it on powder foundations (pressed) and it works too! And now, I use this brush to apply bb cream and I like how it evenly distributes the product on my face quickly as compared to using my fingers or my MAC 190SE foundation brush. I also tried using this when applying bronzer and yes, it worked too.
- Sturdy. Did I mention abusing this brush to the point that I just threw it anywhere? The handle has scratches and turned to a darker shade and has fallen from different heights yet it's still alive and kickin'! It still has a long way to go.
- Inexpensive. I do not remember the exact price but I'm sure that I got it online for less than 500 bucks (around $10 - exchange rate is higher back then).
- Size is just right and allows me to have maximum control over the brush.
- I never experienced bleeding with this brush every single time I washed it.
- Never shed a single hair. It probably did but I remember pulling a strand or two but it was by force. :D

What I don't like:
- Hard to use if I want really light coverage. A regular kabuki is better than flat tops if you want such coverage.
- Not locally available and I can no longer find any local reseller selling this brush! Boo!
- It takes almost a day to completely dry. I don't like buying backups (I think I only have one backup brush - the Marionnaud N32 Slanted Blusher Brush) so I have to wait that long to be able to use it again).
- Although I find the size quite right, I still find it a little bulky and eats up space on my makeup pouch.
- I cannot use this on finishing powders or touch ups because it can cause caking on certain areas of the face. :(

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? Yes. But I hope I don't have to as it's quite hard to find this brush here (in the PH) nowadays. If I need another flat top brush, I might just settle for what's locally available like the one from Charm.

Any suggestions for a good flat top brush? :)

Happy Friday, peeps! :P
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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: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap - Lavender Pure Castille Soap (Brush Cleaner)

Keeping our brushes clean is important as we use them on our face. Dirty brushes can irritate our skin and can cause blemishes like pimples and I'm sure no one loves having pimples. Aside from the spot cleaners, deep cleaning at least once a week is essential because it will remove all the dirt and makeup residues that the spot brush cleaners cannot remove. I'd like to share a soap that effectively removes all those dirt - the Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap 18-in-1 Hemp Lavender Pure Castille Soap.

What I like:
- You only need a little amount to clean one brush.
- Effectively removes dirt even on just the first wash.
- Easily lathers.
- No detergents and did not cause any break outs at all.
- My brushes still feel soft even after several washes using this soap.
- This magic soap can be used in several other ways - shampoo, safe enough to be used on babies, etc.
- One bottle lasts for a long time. I've had this for a little over a year yet I haven't used up this 118mL of bottle.
- It may seem expensive at first because it costs more or less than PHP300 (I forgot the actual price) but given the quality and how long this lasts, I would say it's cheap in the long run.
- Locally available at Healthy Options.

What I don't like:
- The lavender scent but it's just my nose. Some may find the scent relaxing but I don't. **This is subjective**

Overall rating: 5/5 I still gave it a 5 because it performs well.

Will I buy again? Yes! But I will try other variants like peppermint or if they have unscented ones. :)

 After more than a year, I still have a lot left. I think this will last for another 6 months.

Happy Tuesday, 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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Product Review: Adorned with Grace Minerals Ingenue Dual Fiber Brush

I have been on the lookout for a dupe of MAC 188 since I don't want to use mine as I'm afraid the MAC logo/label will rub off if I keep using it and the white bristles might get stained just like with my MAC 187. I was browsing eBay for stippling brushes when I came across a listing for this. Before placing a bid, I looked for reviews online and most of the reviews I found are positive so I gave this brush a go. When I finally received it, I was really surprised to see how really tiny this brush is. Really a mini. At first glance, it is like the little sister of MAC 188. I have been using this brush in blending the concealer on my under eyes for a couple of weeks now so it's time for a review.

See how small this brush is? It's just an inch or two longer than a tube of MAC lipstick.

What I like:

- The size of this brush is handy and can easily fit in a purse.
- Since it is short, it allows you to get as much control as possible when it comes to application of makeup.
- It looks sleek and resembles MAC brushes. (See picture below with MAC 187 and 188)
- I use this to blend the concealer on my under eyes and it blends like a dream. Less caking and the concealer does not settle on fine lines since it blended well with the skin.
- Cheap. I got it for only PHP285 + 50 shipping on eBay (a little over $7 inclusive of shipping and at least I don't have to wait for a week to get my hands on this if I ordered it from AwG directly).

What I don't like:
- This brush sheds like crazy! Every single time that I use it, I get tiny strands of hairs on my face. I've had this for a couple of weeks now but it still sheds. I have to remove hairs from my face and it's not funny having to do that all the time.
- I've washed this thrice and it still bleeds!
- I tried using it with a pigmented blush - NARS Taos - and it looked really blotchy so I guess this will stick to concealers.

Overall rating: 4/5  I still gave it a 4 because it delivers and performs the job I intended for it to do very well and that is blending the concealer on my under eyes. However, I still hope that it will stop shedding! I think that this may be a good substitute for MAC 188.

Will I buy again? Maybe. Though I think this will last for a few years since its task is really easy. And I hope it doesn't lose all its hairs by then.

MAC 187, MAC 188, AwG

 Happy Thursday! :P

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DIY Project: Homemade Brush Spot Cleaner

I am almost out of my Smashbox brush cleaner after having it for more than 2 years now. The 120 mL bottle lasted that long. After watching videos on YT, I decided to make my own spot cleaner but I did not follow recipes which had detergent because they make my hands itchy. Moreso if I use a brush cleaned with it on my face. I used only 3 things - water, shampoo (I used L'Oreal Total Repair Repairing Shampoo) and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in Lavender (which I use for deep cleaning my brushes). I mixed them all together and placed the mixture in an empty spray bottle. I must say it cleaned my brushes pretty well and I'll show you how it did.


The dirty brushes

Eyeshadow and gel liner dirt

Prestige 103 blending brush

MAC 194SE concealer brush

And the clean brushes! :P

I hope you can tell the difference. I am so glad this worked I will continue using this until I have decided which spot cleaner to buy. I'm thinking either MAC or another one from Smashbox or other cheaper alternatives. Plus this one smells good too. :P I hope this post helps. :)

Happy long weekend, gals! :P
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