Brushed With Greatness Project

Body & Soul Brushes by Cavewoman

One of the most special and unique fragrance and beauty stores in the Beachwood Place shopping mall (where the Cleveland Gang meets often) was a tiny store called A Shade Above. Run by a delightful young woman named Gertie, A Shade Above was the the first store in Cleveland to carry Kiehl's, Demeter, L'Artisan, Creed, Manuel Canovas, Senna, MakeUpForEver, and Body & Soul. I was so sad when I learned that her store had closed. And I was glad that I'd made a few purchases from her, including some items from Body & Soul Cosmetics.

The turquoise-painted wooden handles of the Body & Soul brushes might remind you of the makeup artist Carmindy of the fun TLC channel show called What Not To Wear. Carmindy can often be seen using these brushes for her makeover segment on the shows. It's nice to know that I chose brushes that a famous makeup artist chose for her own brush arsenal.

Besides being adorably cute to look at, these brushes are beautifully made, perfectly balanced, and hold up well under years of use. The ferrules are tight, so there is no loss of bristles, and the handles are easy to keep clean. From the bottom: a long-bristle, synthetic foundation brush that has a good taper for smooth blending in areas around the nose and eyes; a windshield-wiper-style crease brush for blending darker shades evenly and smoothly; and the fluffiest powder brush for loose powder or highlighter. The taper on this brush fits the face contours perfectly.
In the photo you'll see seven brushes with shorter handles. This is the Body & Soul Travel Brush Set. It was sold on Sephora before that website (and its stores) pulled the line. I used to check the website several times a week, but it was always "out of stock" and finally I arranged to swap a makeupalley member for her brand new set. I don't even remember what it was that I swapped in order to obtain this set, but I was giddy.
Included in the set are (bottom to top) a lush powder brush, a crease shadow brush, a basic application shadow brush, a blush brush, a small-detail shadow brush that works for using shadow as a liner, a tapered stiff brow brush, and a flat liner brush for gel-based eyeliner.

Body & Soul had charming, retro-style packaging, in black and white and turquoise. I have no idea where to find Body & Soul right now. Gertie is gone, I've heard she never opened another store.

If you know where to find Body & Soul cosmetics and brushes, please let us know here on Blogdorf!

Disclosure: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman.