Pink Is The Navy Blue Of India

Lancome's Deluxe Brush Set & Fashion Case

This gorgeous brush collection contains 5 brushes in a cool patent leather clutch-like case. The magenta dipped, dense brushes are snuggie-like soft. The brushes are outrageously handy but it is the deep pink color that makes it a "must have" purchase. They are girly yet hip.

Powder Brush #1:
Foundation Brush #2
Blending Shadow Brush #17
Dual Ended Brush #18
Precision Shadow Brush #12

The set retails for $59 and is exclusive to Nordstorm. It would make a killer stocking stuffer!
Visit http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3066277/0~2377897~2377898~6020567~6020570?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6020570&P=1


Quote Credit: Diana Vreeland

Disclaimer: A press sample was provided by Lancome

Declaring Smitten Status! Lancome Brush Set

Just a few random pictures of the new Lancome brush set from the Declaring Indigo collection. They are heaven on sticks.
Behold the inky tips!

There is a mineral powder foundation brush, a foundation brush#2, a blender brush #4(seriously bananas!) and a dual ended brush. This brush has a flat edge that gives a precise application. It also moonlights as a shadow brush.

I plan to do a full review later. I just wanted to share and gush this morning.

Let us know if you have caved on the set in the comments!

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Lancome

Declaring Indigo by Lancome




You might be seeing this photo on all the blogs tonight. This is the first image released from the upcoming fall collection called Declaring Indigo. The color collection celebrates all things Paris. There will be red lipsticks (*silently begs the gods for a Behnaz dupe*)and a navy blue nail polish. Of course, there is more to this collection than that. My 100% focus is on that stunning brush set featured in the latest Allure magazine. I think Lancome has awakened the beast in me. That set has to be mine.

The brush set is exclusive to Nordstorm and is available for pre-order at this link: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3037244/0~2376780~6009391~6016274~6018544?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6018544&P=1
***People: I have not ordered it yet...so please do make it sell out until after the weekend. I need to let my credit card cool down after the damage I did at the Beautyhabit sale this afternoon.***

Visit the Lancome blog and read Kerry Diamond's post about the collection:
http://www.thelancomeblog.blogspot.com/

Covet-Worthy:
Lancome Cobalt Blue Brush Set

I have been struggling with a serious beauty rut lately. Nothing is bringing me any joy. I can not remember when I last gushed or swooned.
Then Lancome jump started this blogger's lemming heart!

These are the most beautiful makeup brushes I have ever seen. That pop of blue in a sea of ink! I die!

This is a picture taken of a picture in the new issue of Allure( It is low tech here in the Blogdorf office!). Allure reports that the brushes will be available on July 17th 2009 @ Nordstorm.com. It retails for $52. I have no other deets other than this. I have no clue if it is a Nordstorm exclusive or if the set will be available at local counters across the states.

All I know is...these will be mine.
Thank you Lancome for making my heart race.
Now Bring back Erika F!

The Line Up Project: Brushes
Review by MUA's Cavewoman

I'm taking a little break in my liner reviews to talk about brushes, and the reason for that is I am finished reviewing all of the liners that I have that came with their own brushes. All of them were from the drugstore brands. I have more liners to review, but they come from the department store cosmetic lines, and none of them have brushes included with the liner. Many of these lines have brushes that were designed to be used with the liners, and on QVC some of the Smashbox liners are available to be purchased with a brush as a set, but I haven't done that yet. If I do, I'll post that review in the same format as my previous reviews. And so, in order to test out the rest of the gel and cream liners for Blogdorf, I've been digging around in my brush cases, and I've even purchased a few so I can do some experimenting.

In the first photo: top to bottom: Sephora, Stila, Smashbox (red), BeneFit, Sonia Kashuk, Stila, MAC #22, Chanel, and Shu Uemura 5F.


In the second photo, left to right, Dior (in the navy blue sleeve), Kashuk close up, MAC #22, Chanel (there's a story to this one below),and Shu Uemura 5F.

There are so many different shapes and styles of brushes for lining the eyes, and I present a few of my little arsenal here. Some of them I have had for a long time (two Stila, the slant-tip MAC, and the two Chanel) and some I have purchased recently just to be used with these gel and cream liners (Shu Uemura, Dior, Kashuk, and BeneFit) -- as I wrote in my preview, it would take forever to try all of the liner-brush combinations.
When I found the red-handled Smashbox brush in my storage case, I remembered buying it several years ago at Sephora, because it was the latest "greatest" style of eyeliner brush, to be used with their own cream liners, but I wanted to use it to line my eyes with shadow and not with cream liner. I found it to be too wide to work with, and not the right shape for the shape of my eyes. I stored it away with the Stila flat brush that had come in a travel set of brushes. Neither of these brushes work well for me, and they're going back into storage.

There are two Chanel brushes. One has a short, stubby shape, and it actually was a lip brush. I have had it for ten years. I took it on a trip to Italy 9 years ago, and it was too long to fit in my makeup case, so I whacked a few inches off of the end with a wire cutter, sanded the rough wood with an emery board, and painted the end with a black Sharpie. Instant travel size brush! I don't recommend doing this, since now there are such great short-handle brushes at all the counters and drugstores, and when I mention it to my Chanel SA Chris, she laughs but she laughs with a little bit of a cringe! Still, this brush has served me well over the years as a liner brush with other products. The other Chanel brush is their liner brush, thin and longer, flexible but not too soft.

The two bent-handle brushes are the Sonia Kashuk which I've already been using and talking about in these reviews, and the BeneFit version which is almost identical but with a shorter handle and slightly thinner tip.

I have not used the MAC #22 brush yet, the one in the photo with the slant edge. I'll report if and when I use it with future testings.

The Shu Uemura was a find at the Lancome outlet last year. It's the 5F and I have a feeling it's another lip brush. I used it today for the first time with another one of the gel liners. Review to come!

There are two Stila brushes, one short tip and one flat tip.

The Sephora brush is a nicely balanced brush for those who prefer a long handle. The head of the brush is thin, with long bristles.

Last but not least, the latest brush I've added, in the navy blue sleeve, this is the Dior liner brush. I have high hopes for it. The head is flat, but the edges of the bristles taper a bit, as you can see, in contrast to the sharp flat shape of the Stila and the Smashbox. The Dior is smaller, and I think that the rounded edges will work much better with my eye shape. I can't wait to try it! And I will, soon!

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this review were purchased by the reviewer.

Nars Yachiyo Brush

I have been using this brush for powder dusting and slight highlighting. The head is dome shaped and it is constructed from goat hair. It is soft as silk and manages to hold onto every powder kernel.
The handle is hand-spun with black wisteria.
I love that it is functional while being so damn lovely. It is priced at $50 and is available at your local Nars counter.

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Nars Cosmetics

Brushed With Greatness Project

Nars Ita Brush by Storybookheroine

The NARS Ita brush was released as one of two Kabuki Artisan brushes made of super black goat hair and based on traditional Japanese Kabuki brushes. Advertised for contouring (something I rarely do), I did not feel the need to spend $38.50 to watch it gather dust. A month later I was given the Ita as a gift. Still puzzled as to how to use the brush, it was not until I started using Albatross (a highlighter by Nars, really perfect you must go look for this) that I understood how useful a tool this is. The long flat line allows me to pick up just the right amount of highlighter, sweep it with precision across the top of my cheekbones, then blend it down into my blush seamlessly. It's amazing, application was never so easy! As someone with 50 or so brushes not a single one does the job like my Ita. It is my go to cheek brush. I use it for bronzer on the hollows of my cheeks, to apply blush to the apples then sweep it back up the cheeks, to add highlighter and blend to pro like perfection! Above all it blends everything you do so well you can branch out and be creative. It's really made a difference in how I apply my cheek colors and the overall result. The Ita makes it very easy and fast so you will find yourself doing things you normally passed on in your everyday face. Overall a fabulous brush with a design unlike any other cosmetic brush I have seen. It reminds me of the Japanese wash brushes used in watercolor painting. I cannot wait to try the other artisan brush in this series, the Boton, and I would be very curious about any other releases in the Artisan line.

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by the reviewer, Storybookheroine.

Brushed With Greatness Project

Miscellaneous Brushes by Cavewoman

This last photo includes a little mix of odds and ends from my brush collection, one from this or that company, that are worthy of mention here on Blogdorf's Brushed With Greatness.

At the top is a Victoria Vogue white-bristle brush that might have been designed to be a shadow brush, but it's too large for that. I bought it at a drugstore, with one specific purpose in mind, to apply Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder to the undereye area over concealer. Its soft and moderately floppy bristles fit perfectly into that area, giving a very even, light application of the powder, keeping it right in the undereye area. It grips the powder very well, too. It is the perfect brush for this one important makeup task that I do every day.

The Armani brush was sold to me at Saks, to go with the Luminous Silk Foundation. I've never used the brush with liquid foundation, Armani or not, because I just can't get a grip on the idea of natural bristles with liquid foundation. Granted, my MA at Saks used it to apply the foundation flawlessly to my face, but I can't seem to bring myself to do it. I use this brush for blush.

The Japonesque flat wide brush sits in my collection, neglected. I'm not sure what the purpose of this shape of brush is. Please let me know what I should do with it!

The lash comb/spoolie is a recent acquisiton from Tarte. It's a great lash comb, better than my expensive Rubis which lost some teeth one day when I was cleaning it. I love the long handle, it's easier to use than the folding Sonia Kashuk, and the spoolie is nice for brow grooming.

The red-handle synthetic brush is the Lola Cosmetics concealer brush. Way way too big for undereye concealer application, but okay for spot-concealing on the face. I have actually used this brush for foundations. It works well with cream foundations. It may seem a bit small for face work, but it was certainly too big for the undereye area.

The Maybelline shadow brush was cheap and nicely shaped for blending crease colors.

Two short-handle shadow brushes from Garden Botanika are good for travel bags. One of them has a very useful v-shape, great for working a smokey color into the outer crease area. I've never seen another company offer a brush with this shape.

The little stubby Cover Girl shadow brush was also a travel purchase. Who would think that such a nicely-made, well-balanced, usefully-shaped tiny brush could be found in a blister-pack on a peg at the Cover Girl wall!

I need to repeat Discovery #1 here.
I have too many brushes.

Disclaimer: The featured products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

Brushed With Greatness Project

Beautiful by Nature by Cavewoman

This retractable brush came from a markdown bin at Bath & Body Works. It is called Beautiful By Nature and I snagged three or four of them. Who could resist a $4 brush? Not the cavewoman. I brought them home and set them aside in a drawer. I didn't really need them and didn't know what to do with them.

And then, I bought a laptop computer. A week or so after I bought the computer, I noticed that the screen was getting a bit dusty. Now how in the world can you clean a flat computer screen?
You dig into your brush stash.
The B&BW retractable brush is my computer-screen-cleaning brush.
I've since given away the rest of my B&BW retractable powder brushes to my friends with flat-screen monitors.

Have you ever used a makeup brush for a non-makeup purchase? Now is the time for True Confessions!

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman.

Brushed With Greatness Project

Misc Brushes by Cavewoman

During the initial "skunk" brush craze, I hesitated to buy MAC's version. It seemed huge and weird to me. I resisted all the raves on the MakeupAlley makeup chat board, I didn't need this brush, I don't wear bronzers, or highly pigmented blushes, etc etc etc.
Or so I thought.
A trip to Saks always includes a thorough perusal of all counters in the cosmetics department. Annie and I found Lancome's version of the "skunk" and we were impressed by its smaller size, nicely shaped handle, and softer, more flexible bristles. It's a more user-friendly "skunk" than the famous MAC #187. I have not regretted caving on the Lancome version. If you own a bronzer or a bright blush that requires a light hand in applying, a "skunk" is a necessity. I'm not sure if Lancome continues to offer their version. The smaller fluffy Lancome shadow brush was included in a long-time-ago gift with purchase. I keep it in my travel bag, and it's a nice shape for an overall wash of eye color.

My love of all things Prescriptives isn't limited to color and treatment. Prescriptives is well-known for fine foundations, and it extends to their brush collection for face products as well. My very first loose-powder brush was a Prescriptives brush, and you can see that it's been pretty well used over the years. And still it performs as well as it did when it was new, washes beautifully, stays soft, even though I can't seem to get the handle clean anymore. The foundation brush has a good point at the tip for working foundation into the nose area, as well as under the eye. But my favorite brush from Prescriptives is the angled blush brush. This ultra-soft, short-handle brush was a recent discovery at the Lauder outlet store. A perfect travel size, the bristles are expertly tapered and lay down a soft and even application of blush, without applying too much color in one area. Blending is a breeze with this superb brush. I'm liking these angled blush brushes right now.
I think I'll go see if I can spruce up the handle of that old Prescriptives powder brush.

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

Brushed With Greatness Project

Chanel Brushes by Cavewoman

Luxury abounds at the Chanel beauty counters.

When our local Kaufmann's (now a Macy's store) finally opened a Chanel counter, I was second in line. First in line was a fella who purchased Vamp nail polish. I know who he is and I will keep his anonymity. I bought a lavender dome-shaped pressed face powder that day, and a fluffy powder brush to go with it. You see the brush in the photo.

I added to my Chanel collection little by little over the years, both in color cosmetics and in brushes, and all have stood the test of time perfectly. The brushes in the photo are mostly 8 years old and older, with the exception of a shadow brush I picked up a few months ago. I use that brush often enough to justify a second one. Some of the short-handle brushes have traveled many miles with me and have served me well.

One of the brushes in the photo is in an altered state, and I'll explain why. I was heading to Italy and trying to arrange and choose my makeup to fit into my Trish McEvoy planner. I needed my Chanel eyeliner brush on that trip. This brush has very short stiff bristles and is perfect for applying a dark shadow over top of eyeliner, which helps to make the liner last all day. My Chanel brush was too long to fit in the planner. I grabbed some wire cutters and snipped off the end of the wooden black-lacquered handle, filed the rough edges with an emery board, and dabbed the cut tip with a black Sharpie. And there it was, my perfect liner travel brush. I shared my story with Chris, our local fabulous Chanel makeup artist, who gave me absolution from my Chanel sin. I think my next Chanel purchase will be another one of these useful eyeliner brushes.

I won't chop this one.

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

Brushed With Greatness Project

Sephora brushes by Cavewoman

Standing in front of the huge display of Sephora's own brand of brushes is almost an overwhelming experience. There are brushes for just about every single makeup application you can imagine, and some for application that you didn't know you needed and for techniques or products that you probably don't even have, or use! If there is a specific brush for a specific product or makeup application that has eluded you in other brands, go to Sephora. Their house brand of brushes is the most extensive collection I've ever seen.

Sephora brushes are beautifully crafted workhorses. Synthetic and natural bristles, short and long handles, black or silver handles, pro or amateur, the brushes are displayed in groups according to use, so it is not too hard to zero in on the type and shape you want.

My Sephora brushes are all eye-product application brushes. Don't pay attention to the Pro designation, as Sephora is phasing out their original black-handle brushes (mine say Pro on them) and offering new Pro brushes in both natural and synthetic bristles. Right now the old black handle brushes can be found at a nice half-off discount. The fine liner brush at the bottom of the photo was only $4. Less than the price of a Starbucks Frap!

Take a close look at the brush at the top, it is the smudge brush. This brush is identical in shape to the NARS smudge, but half the price! But if you check at Sephora, look at all the brushes carefully in the smudge brush jar display. The older ones have these very short stubby bristles that don't move when you use the brush. The newer ones have slightly longer bristles. I prefer the stub.

Not in the photo, but soon to be added to my Sephora brush collection, are the new synthetics. A bit pricier than usual for Sephora's brand, these are the most incredibly soft brushes I've ever seen (or felt) and the Cleveland Gang were full of ooohs and ahhhs as we tested the powder and blush brushes on our hands. I see a massive caving ahead, for all of us!

Sephora brushes hold up beautifully. Choose the short-handle for your travel case, and the long-handle for your vanity table. And don't forget the sets, which change seasonally and make great gifts for your makeup-loving friends.

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

Brushed With Greatness Project

Bare Escentuals brushes by Cavewoman

It stands to reason that a company that became famous for its revolutionary foundations would offer great brushes to go along with that foundation. I'm not a fan of Bare Escentuals loose mineral foundation, although I've tried several times to understand the love and raves this product receives. The minerals made my face feel tight, itchy, and they appear very shiny-weird on my face, but the brushes from Bare Escentuals work well for any other powder product from any line.

Tightly packed bristles with a superb dome taper are the brush style for BE. Short and long handles are available, depending on personal preference. I use my BE short handle brush to apply (shhhhh) Milani loose mineral foundation (much preferred to BE) and also for finishing powder. They're definitely not the softest brushes in my collection, but they have a great 'grab' -- they pick up plenty of product. These brushes are designed perfectly for loose powder foundations. They don't shed, and they hold up well to the tap-swirl-buff technique that BE recommends for applying their foundations. Any loose mineral foundation is best applied in that manner, too.
BE offers a lovely, soft, synthetic brush called Soft Focus, both in a regular handle and a retractable version for portability (and keeping the inside of your purse or makeup bag free of loose powder fallout!) These Soft Focus brushes work beautifully for buffing on a loose finishing powder, and I use mine for my La Mer Translucent powder. I'm impressed with the even application and very soft, full dome of the brush.

And then there is the little, tightly packed, exaggerated-dome brush that resembles a mini of the Nars Bronzer Brush. This is the Handy-Buki by BE, and I can't rave enough about the versatility of this brush. Originally offered by BE as a buffer for its mineral foundations, this brush works well for a bronzer-user-novice like myself, and it's great for applying a highlighting powder over blush. I use it to apply MAC Lightscapade at the cheekbone. DuWop has a Blushbooster that I want to try over my regular blushes, and I think that this Handy Buki will be perfect for that, too.

On your next trip to a BE boutique, try to resist (it's almost impossible!) the adorable cake-stand displays of super-pretty, shimmery-glimmery shadows and blushes, and head to the brush display. Or, if your ability to resist is weak, you can order BE brushes from QVC.com.

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman.

Brushed With Greatness Project

Tony +Tina brushes by Cavewoman

Sometimes you get a second chance.

I passed up the beautiful Tony & Tina brushes so many times at our Cleveland Nordstrom store. Maybe I was too involved in playing with those splendid pots of glitter, (I blame that on Miss Blogdorf herself, who loves sparkly loose shadows and shimmery powders, maybe she distracted me!) but whatever it was that led me away from the brush sets at the Tony & Tina display, I was sad to learn that the line had been discontinued, and that my chance to grab the beautiful synthetic-bristle brushes would be gone forever.

Rumor has it that Tony & Tina broke up.

And then we started to hear of the brush sets showing up at TJMaxx! I scoured the stores and found a few sets, under ten dollars, and sent them out in swaps and gifts. I forgot to save a set for myself! And then, one day at the fabulous TJMaxx store that Chanel dresses, I spotted a few of the shadow and powder brushes packaged on their own, and this time they would be mine.

I've heard that Shu Uemura made these brushes for Tony & Tina. I'm not sure if that is true, but the quality of these brushes is amazing. The powder brush is incredibly soft and flexible, and I reach for this brush when I'm using my La Mer loose powder. The handle has a nice heft to it, and is perfectly balanced, easy to keep clean, and pretty! The bristles are densely packed, but the dome is nicely rounded and not the least bit stiff or scratchy. I can't say that the shadow brushes get much use because I tend to reach for flat brushes, but these round, nicely shaped shadow brushes are great for crease work and for blending. I used to be a natural-bristle-only brush buyer, but now I check out synthetic bristles in other lines. Be alerted that Sephora's own brand has a new group of synthetic-bristle brushes that are so fabulously made and so soft, that they had the Cleveland Gang gasping in delight! Synthetics have come a long way, probably due to the fine Tony & Tina brushes establishing a great standard for synthetics.

What synthetic brushes do you own, how do you use them, and how are they performing for you?

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by the reviewer, Caveoman.

Brushed With Greatness Project

Nars by Cavewoman

What NARS does in terms of brushes is a bridge between the needs of the average consumer (me) and the professional makeup artist. Nars color products tend to be highly-pigmented and more "pro" than most of the other color cosmetic lines, more runway-oriented. I appreciate that Nars designs brushes that work perfectly with their color products. I certainly have my share of NARS!

The large bronzer brush at the top is a versatile brush that doesn't just work with bronzer. I bought the brush without even owning a bronzer! I use this brush as my final step in my makeup application, just running it across and around the face to soften edges and remove any excess finishing powder. The small-head, pointed synthetic brush is shaped like no other liner brush I've seen, and it works well for getting liner in between the lashes and applying liner at the corners of the eye. It's stiff enough that it doesn't move around during application, so mistakes are easily avoided. And it works well with using powder shadow as liner, as well as blending pencil liner or using the popular gel liners that other companies are offering right now.

The blush brush is a treasure that I had to wait over a year to obtain, since the company had not sent our local Saks counter any of these blush brushes and we were left waiting (and wanting) until finally, three of them showed up at Saks. With its small, flat, rounded head, it's a good shape and size for applying blushes and getting the color in just the right place on the face. I tend to prefer these smaller blush brushes.

The brush with the tiny stubby dome is the famous smudge brush. My NARS MA, Shawn, used this brush to do my smokey-eye look at the Ayako Event last year, and with his patient instructions on how to use it, I bought it with confidence. It's the perfect example of how NARS designs brushes to be used to create specific effects with NARS products. Blending dark colors to achieve a smokey-eye can sometimes be difficult, because the dark shades tend to grab the skin and won't budge once they're placed on the eye. This smudge brush is the only brush I know of (besides the Sephora knockoff) that can blend out dark shadow colors into a softened effect, without removing the color altogether. Its flat shape fits under the lower lashes to blend out shadow used as a liner, too.

NARS brushes are some of the most thoughtfully-designed makeup brushes of any line at your cosmetic counter. Stop by and check them out, ask your makeup artist how they are used, and be ready to rock your own smokey-eye look! You might even come home with a new shadow, too.

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

Brushed With Greatness Project

Shu brushes by Cavewoman

My collection of brushes from Shu Uemura isn't as large as some of my other brand collections, but what I have chosen from Shu are mostly brushes for special applications. Shu Uemura brushes are legendary, the standard by which most people judge excellence in quality and craftsmanship, durablilty and versatility.

Some of the brushes you see in the photo were purchased by me at the Shu Uemura store in SoHo. The first time I went to that store, with Cousin Elaine, we were delighed to see the beautifully organized displays, the huge assortment of brushes, and the comfy chairs and magazines for taking a little shopping-spree rest. Elaine chose the chair and a copy of Vogue, while I tested lipsticks at the tester counter (next to a young man who was also testing, we were asking each other's opinions on colors!)

From the top, the most unusual of my Shu brushes, because the handle says "Made In France." All my other Shu brushes are made in Japan. This slant brush has blue squirrel bristles and it is a good shape for working crease color precisely. The small flat liner brush, the flat tapered brush and the perfectly-shaped foundation brush are made for cream-based products, and what I love the most about these is they do not separate or clump together like some brands' synthetics.
The #17 pony-squirrel fluffy brush is just the right size for either highlighting powder or loose powder, not too big or overwhelming, and I tend to reach for this as a finishing powder brush quite often. I like that it fits well into my smaller loose powder jars! Sometimes a jar of powder is too small for those huge powder brushes, so you might want to try a smaller brush if your powder jar is small.
Recently I took a little shopping trip with a buddy, over to the outlet stores near here. I haven't stopped into the Designer Fragrance And Cosmetics store in a year. Rumors of Shu products at the store (a Lancome outlet) were only rumors to me, our store never had anything but a purple-bristle powder blush and the Shu lash curler in the past. But into the store we went, and there they were on the counter, Shu brushes! I bought the #17 pony-squirrel, the #10 kolinsky sable shadow brush (be still my heart, this is a $60 brush that I got for $19!) and the synthetic liner brush that I mentioned earlier. I sure hope that our local store continues to offer Shu brushes at such great prices.
Moving on down. The #14 pony blush brush is a bit longer than the NARS blush brush, and I think it gives a softer application than the NARS. This Shu is unbelievably soft, a pleasure to hold and to use.

The five small brushes are travel size and I bought the four black-handle brushes at the Shu store in SoHo. I have no idea where I found the one with the silver handle! Can anyone shed some light on this, have you seen any silver-handle Shu brushes anywhere?

I'd love to add to my Shu Uemura brush collection in the future. From basic application brushes to highly-specialized styles and shapes, it doesn't get any better than Shu.

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

Brushed With Greatness Project

Stila brushes by Cavewoman

When I was gathering my Stila brushes for this review, I surprised myself by how many of them I have and use! I surprised myself because at this moment, I only have one Stila product, a blush, and I rarely even use it. But back to brushes, that's what we're here for. Stila's loose powder brush is the floppiest powder brush I've ever seen. I'm not sure why Stila made this brush so floppy, but it feels nice and soft on the face, and I use it more for applying pressed finishing powder than for loose powder. I reach for the flat shadow brushes every day, and they work well with applying a wash of color from lash to brow. The bristles are shaped to fit nicely from the inner to outer eye, and they can hold a good pack of color better than just about any other shadow brush I have. This brush isn't for subtle effects, detail, or crease work. Every day I reach for this brush to apply my base color (usually Isadora Gleaming in Seashell, or MAC Seedy Pearl.) After years of daily use, I did re-glue the ferrule which had come a bit loose from the handle. Back to the workhorse brush cup it went, with no problem at all.

Stila offered a short-handle brush set several years ago, and I took this set to Italy with me. I don't know if Stila offers these shorter sets of brushes now. I don't even stop at the Stila counters. I'm sure that's MakeupAlley blasphemy!

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

Brushed With Greatness Project

Pout by Cavewoman

These two brushes from Pout are not just pretty to look at, but they are well-crafted and perfectly shaped to perform the makeup tasks for which they were designed. This is another example of a company doing exceptionally well in one particular category of brushes, this time for application of products for the face.
The foundation brush has a densely packed synthetic-bristle head, with a long taper and a domed tip. What I like best about this brush is that it does not separate into pointy sections like some other foundation brushes I've tried (Paula Dorf's for example) -- this helps to prevent streaking, and gives a more even application of liquid foundation. I haven't tried the brush with cream foundation yet, but I will. I tend to use my fingers for applying foundation most of the time, but if any foundation brush can help me to apply more evenly, this is the one. It takes practice to learn to use a foundation brush, and I'm still practicing.

The blush brush is almost as large as a powder brush. It's so incredibly soft! The ferrule is flat, but the bristles are thickly packed and have a wide, gentle splay. The dome shape is finely tapered and the tips are soft and lush.
I don't use this brush for highly-pigmented blushes, because it's almost too big for my cheeks. I use it for pale blushes such as NARS Oasis, or Chanel Winter Shimmer, both of which aren't really blushes, but more like highlighter-blushes. This brush is also great for applying overall shimmer in loose form, such as Prescriptives Magic loose powder. And just in case I've over-applied a blush, this brush is great for evening out and blending, too.

Oh, and did I mention how pretty these brushes are?

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

Brushed With Greatness Project

MAC Brushes by Cavewoman

As I have been taking photos of my brush collection, I've come to two conclusions.

1. I have too many brushes.
2. Some companies do certain types of brushes better than other companies.

Number 1 is self-explanatory and will become even more evident in the next few days.

Number 2 is an interesting discovery. As I look at my MAC collection pictured here, I see that most of the brushes I have from MAC are eye brushes. The #9 tiny flat dome at the top is great for adding a touch of highlighting color either right below the brow, or on the eyelid right above the iris of the eye. My favorites in my MAC collection are definitely the #217 and #239, I don't know why I seem to prefer the white bristles to the dark ones. Maybe because it's easier to see how much powder is picked up by the bristles. Two really useful brushes are the slanted fluffy shadow brushes #141 and #142. One is slightly longer than the other, and these are nice for crease. I'm not quite sure why I have these both, but I tend to use the longer one for blending, and the shorter one for application.

The white blush brush is #168 and I love the softness of the white goat hair and the shape of the slant. You can see Chanel Narcisse blush on that brush. The best lip brush I've ever found is #318, retractable. I love that the brush retracts with no chance of splaying, like their other lip brush which has a separate cap. I tossed that one ages ago.

The brush that has the black bristles with the white tips is #188, fondly referred to as the small "skunk" brush by the members of the MakeupAlley makeup board. This is a must-have brush for applying highly pigmented blushes so you don't over-apply. It picks up and lays down powder blush or bronzer in a very soft application. There is a larger version, #187, that would be great for bronzers and also highlighting powders, or any face color that you'd want to apply lightly. You won't get any splotches of color with these perfectly-designed brushes.

Now that I've told you about my #2 discovery, I am eager to share more about which brands do the best in which brush category. More to come on Blogdorf's Brushed With Greatness! Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

Brushed With Greatness Project

Z New York Brushes by Cavewoman

Many years ago, on a trip to New York, I found a little tour guide magazine in my hotel room. I studied it as if I were going to take a test on its contents, and found a listing in the shopping section for a store called Zitomer. Cosmetics and jewelry were listed in that little ad, and that was enough for me. A short cab ride later, and I was standing in front of one of the most unusual little stores I've ever seen in New York. At Zitomer, well-dressed ladies, impossibly chic, toting tiny pups in Vuitton carriers, browsing cards of bobby pins and Judith Leiber bags, shopped next to nannies in uniform who were picking up toys and prescriptions, and little old ladies in flowered dresses dipping their fingers into face cream tester jars. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Zitomer has its own line of cosmetics, skincare items, and brushes. It was the brush display that caught my eye, with its well-balanced handles made of silver-painted wood, displaying the Z logo and "Made In France" distinction. I chose two brushes that day, and in other trips to Zitomer over the years, I added a few more to my collection. The Z New York brushes have natural bristles, some of blue squirrel which are the softest bristles I've ever used. Craftsmanship is absolutely the best, holding up easily as well as the Trish gold handle brushes I've recently reviewed for Blogdorf.

From the bottom: a small synthetic-bristle brush that is perfect for applying cream concealer under the eyes; a small shadow brush; the fabulous blue squirrel blunt-slant shadow brush (for perfect positioning of crease color;) a fluffy powder brush with a handle that's short enough to be great for travel or purse; a fabulously soft and tapered blush brush that might just be my favorite of all my Z's; a small tapered shadow brush that is great for precise application of highlighting shadows, and a round shadow brush for overall color.

I was pleased to see that Zitomer has its own web site now, so you can go see the brushes, the Z New York cosmetics and skincare, and everything else Zitomer has to offer online. But if you ever have the chance, pop your puppy into his carrier and head to the store yourself. And next door, take the pooch to the Z Spot, a little pet store with everything you need for your pet, including his or her poochie wedding cake. Rumor has it that a very famous female celebrity had her dog's wedding cake made at the Z Spot.

What that has to do with brushes is nothing. But you know by now that I always digress, just a little.

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