THERE is no point in splashing out on decent make-up, if you don’t have the right tools of the trade.
No matter how much you fork out on quality products like foundation, blusher and eye shadow, you will never get perfect cosmetic coverage without the best brushes to hand.
Although very often make-up sets come supplied with their own applicators, they are never as good as proper brushes you buy separately.
It’s also important to change your brushes regularly, so you don’t have a yucky build up of old make-up – and therefore bacteria!
Believe it or not, make-up brushes can carry a whole host of germs and this can cause serious damage to the skin, including rashes, breakouts and acne flare-ups.
For those who want to update their cosmetic applicators, the HNG Tried and Tested team has brushed up on what’s available. But which ones made us up?
Bdellium Bambu Duet Fiber
Large Tapered-Blending Brush
£8.50 available from www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk
4/5
THIS make-up brush was nice and soft on my face and easily blended in my all over bronzer.
It was especially good for areas round my eyes and nose to ensure even coverage.
It’s a handy little brush to have in any woman’s make-up bag and the price won’t break the bank either.
Pleased to read they are 100 per cent cruelty free too.
JM
Kent Twelve Make-Up Brush Range
Priced from £6.95, available to buy online at www.kentbrushes.com or at leading chemists. Call 01442 232623 for your nearest stockist.
5/5
AS the name would suggest, this range includes 12 types of brushes, which are available to buy individually or as a complete set (costing £100).
I tried brush number three (RRP £8.75), which is an angled eye contour brush. From the outset, I noticed it came with a travel case, which is obviously handy if like me you like to carry your entire make-up collection in your handbag!
Using high quality materials, the powder brushes are made from the softest natural hair for perfect distribution and blending, whilst advanced synthetic fibres are used to apply liquid and cream products.
I used my brush to apply my eye shadow and I have to say it’s the best I have ever used. The hair was so soft it felt comfortable to apply, but it also ensured great even coverage which meant my eye shadow was long lasting.
I would never fork out £100 for the set, but if you need the odd brush then at this price, I would definitely buy individual brushes from this range to add to my make-up bag. HB
W7 Make-up Brush Set
£8.95 available from New Look and www.faithcosmetics.co.uk.
5/5
WITH a price tag of just under £9 for a set of 12 brushes and fab faux black leather carry case, this is ridiculously cheap.
It’s so cheap I wondered if it would be any good at all. Including a brow tidy, eye and face brushes and even a mascara wand, it includes practically everything but the kitchen sink.
The brushes didn’t look cheap as they were black and didn’t appear too plastic. I was also bowled over by how soft the brush hair was.
Trying the brushes out for size, I was impressed that they didn’t itch my face too much. The make-up glided on, but I perhaps had to persist with application – so I felt I was dipping into my eye shadow more than usual in order to obtain good coverage. The blusher brush was the opposite, applying more than I would like.
But if you don’t have any good brushes, then at this price, it is a must have! What can you lose?
HB
Cosmopolitan range of make-up brushes
Price from £3.95, available at Tesco, Superdrug and feelunique.com.
3/5
THIS range of make-up brushes includes the Blend Perfect Sponge (£4.95), the Perfect Finish Kabuki Brush (£6.95), the Perfect Finish Blush Brush (£4.50), the Smokey Eyes Brush Set (£5.95), an Eyebrow Styling Kit (£7.95) and the Maximum Effect Lash Curlers (£3.95).
What I loved about this range is that it includes everything you could ever need or want, but at reasonable prices. Because it’s not a set, you only need to buy what you actually need. White but with pink Cosmopolitan branding on them, these utensils look cool and of course Cosmopolitan is a well known name.
But did they do the job? Well, I can report that they did. The eye brushes I tried all ensured even coverage of eye shadow, while the smudge brush in the Smokey Eyes Brush Set proved essential for my eye liner. The Blend Perfect Sponge was also fab for applying foundation.
The range also includes a blush brush with its own bag, meaning you can carry it around in your handbag without the blusher residue from the brush ending up everywhere.
My only slight criticism was that hairs on the blusher brush did feel a bit hard on my skin. But if you’re on a budget, you can’t go wrong with these utensils.
HB
Bobbi Brown Mineral Makeup Brush
£27.50, available from QVC at www.qvcuk.com
2/5
FIRST and foremost I was shocked by the price of this brush – perhaps I would be too stingy to fork out for a make up brush costing £27.50.
However, I gave it a whirl while perhaps expecting miracles for its price tag.
Described as a “great multi-purpose brush”, I used it to apply both blusher and mineral face power. I admit it did provide flawless make-up coverage when used with the mineral powder, and my blusher also went on well using this brush. I felt as though my blush actually lasted longer having been applied with this.
Another good aspect was that the fibres did not fall out, as they can do with cheaper versions.
Worth it if you’ve got the cash to splash, but really you can get something as good at a far cheaper price.
HB
Genie Kabuki Brush
£9.99, from www.JMLdirect.com
4/5
THE brush I tested was quite small, so I was a bit weary about whether it would live up to the task in hand.
However, as soon as I used it to apply blusher, I could tell it was high quality. The brush itself was so soft feeling on the skin and not at all scratchy like some cheaper brushes can be.
And because it is small, it meant I could target the blusher to the exact area of my cheek I wanted to colour. It is designed to be professional and is made of Taklon, a superior quality synthetic hair that’s more durable and gentle than animal hair.
Makers say each brush is precisely cut and manufactured so that each strand is identical in length to ensure perfectly smooth flawless application. I can agree that this was true.
There are cheaper brushes on the market, but at £9.99 this would by no means break the bank for a quality brush.
HB
Shavata Brow Tamer
RRP £14.50 available from www.shavata.co.uk/
2/5
DELIVERED in an easy to use click pen, this clear brow mascara provides the “hold” factor for unruly brows. I did find this product useful to carry in my handbag, especially on a night out to tidy up. And when applied, it really does work. Any strays are easily moulded into place at the click of a pen!
However, I find £14.50 too pricy. Hairspray on a brow brush does the same job.
JM
Jemma Kidd Essential Cheek Brush
RRP £10, available from www.jemmakidd.com
4/5
THIS brush is lovely and soft and is made with 100 per cent natural hair, meaning it doesn’t tickle or irritate.
It is so small and compact, meaning it’s perfect for everyday use and small enough to fit into a little clutch bag should you be going for a night out in the town.
I found my blusher went on very smoothly and, most importantly, evenly with this brush – and I applied my all over face bronzer with this brush also. The results were good. Expensive for something that looks quite small – but remember good things come in small packages. And this is certainly one of those.
JM
Shavata Brow Brush and Comb
RRP £7.50, available from www.shavata.co.uk/
4/5
HAVING relatively thick eyebrows, maintaining them on a daily basis is essential. A couple of strokes in the morning really does make a huge difference to how they sit.
The brush also helped create the arch at the top – ensuring they sit just how I want them.
However, a little tip that I’ve learned is to spray the brush with a little hairspray – this ensures your brows don’t move an inch. Especially good on a night out. This piece of kit is an essential in any lady’s handbag.
JM
