Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Artis Oval 10 Brush | The Holy Grail Game Changer

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

Every once in a blue moon a line is launched that is so innovative that it essentially redefines an entire category of products. Such is the case with the makeup brushes created by the visionary line Artis. Artis brushes look nothing like conventional makeup brushes, but instead are elegant minimalist works of art that provide for seamless airbrushed finishes. I was lucky enough to test their Oval 10 Brush, and I can tell you that it is a real joy to use. I am left wanting more, if not all, of their brushes. I have spent a small fortune on handcrafted Japanese brushes, and yet I am completely transfixed by this brush because of its truly innovative design coupled with its extraordinary efficacy.

About Artis,

This luxury line of game-changing brushes revolutionizes cosmetics application with its trademarked CosmeFibre® technology and an ergonomic handle for effective and exceptional application, not to mention the aesthetic design is one you might find at any high-end design store. Created by one of the makeup industry’s innovators and a former MAC Cosmetics Senior Executive, Matthew Waitesmith focused on the challenges of makeup “self-application” and delivering superior cosmetic performance, while taking inspiration from how he would draw a human face.
The Oval 10 is a very large oval brush, as the name suggests, that boasts an extraordinarily densely packed head of bristles. Yet it is so soft to the touch, and feels so amazing as it caresses the skin, that I find myself seeking excuses to use it even when I don't actually need to. This brush was created to apply setting powders and powder foundations to the face, but it can also apply shimmering luminizers to the face and body. In addition to being a perfect choice to apply powder-based products it also does a phenomenal job applying foundations, tinted moisturizers, and BB and CC Creams. 

This brush effortlessly creates the most amazing airbrushed finish, and because of its large surface area it does so swiftly and to absolute perfection. It feels more heavenly against the skin than any other brush that I have tried– there is just something absolutely amazing about how soft and silky it feels against the skin. Add to this that it is able to spread and blend liquid, cream and powder products to perfection, and one is left marveling at this visionary brush. 

One of the really superb design choices can be experienced in the flexibility of the handle that gently flexes as it glides across the skin rather than offering resistance. This very flexibility allows for even distribution and fuss-free blending and buffing of the products being used. 

Instructions for use: For liquid or cream, apply a small amount to the face and blend out with the brush. For powders, swirl the brush into product and glide across the face for even distribution
Alternatively, lightly coat the brush with shimmer or bronzer powder, applying to the décolleté, shoulders and arms.

The Artis Oval 10 Brush is perfect for applying setting powders to your entire face, or blending highlighting powders to the body. It is so soft that it is suitable for sensitive skin types. 
According to Artis,

The Oval 10, has a generously sized, rounded oval of fibres to provide coverage to a larger area of the face and body. This patented brush is superior for applying a setting powder to the entire face; or blending highlighting powders to the face or body. This brush can be used to apply powder foundation to the entire face in seconds. Or it can apply a shimmer effects product to other large areas of the body such as the shoulders or chest area. The Oval 10 has over 250,000 fibres. Artis brushes are made exclusively with CosmeFibre, a revolutionary engineered fibre made for applying cosmetic and makeup products.
Size: 1¾"W x 1¼"H x 8"L
The 250,000 ultra-soft CosmeFibre® filaments provide this extraordinary brush with lightening fast coverage that is both even and flawless. The Artis Oval 10 has a large head that makes it perfect for the larger areas of the face and body. 
The handle is flexible, and therefore offers a very gentle application, and the ergonomic curved handle grip makes it very comfortable to hold.
The sleek mirror finish is elegant, and the minimalist modern design makes this a work of art. This is a great example of form following function.
The soft bristles feel heavenly against the skin.
Above: Pre-blended BB Cream. Below: Perfectly blended BB Cream
Note the colossal size of the brush head!
Overall Assessment: The Artis Oval 10 Brush is a Holy Grail game changer, and now I need more of their brushes! A+

$72.00 from Artis and NET-A-PORTER (Affiliate Links).

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright @ 2015 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

DEAL ALERT: I wanted to provide you with a sneak peek at the Artis brushes that will be premiering on QVC Friday Night Beauty this Friday, July 24th during the 11PM hour!

66 comments:

  1. Have you seen a similar brush from Bésame? Huge as well and looks like a shoe shiner! http://www.sephora.com/boudoir-long-hair-finishing-powder-brush-P396822?skuId=1702729&icid2=brand%20content__p396822_image

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    1. Hi Jaleey! I hadn't seen the brush from Bésame– it looks super cool! Have you tried it, or seen in in person?

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  2. I am totally in love with this brush. It's the softest brush I've ever owned. I want to pet it all day. I hadn't used it with my CC Cream but you know what I'm using tomorrow!! Stunning brush of the finest quality.

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    1. I am SOOOOO happy that you have this brush and love it, Marcia! I agree with your assessment completely! It is truly extraordinary, and I can't wait to hear what you think about it after you use it for your CC Cream! I will be on standby waiting to hear what you think! Do you have any of their other brushes? If so, which ones and do you love them as much as this one?

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    2. This is my only one but I am going to buy the set at QVC.

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    3. Good call, I thin that will as well! I am thoroughly obsessed with this brush!

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  3. I've never seen this kind of makeup brush, but it does sound and look promising. Great review!

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    1. Hi Leelo, It's a very impressive brush, and I can't wait to try more of their brushes. I am absolutely in love with this brush, and it feels amazing on the skin! I'm so glad that you liked my review and found it useful! :-)

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  4. What amazing looking brushes! I've never seen anything like them. Was it difficult to get the hang of using these brushes since it seems like the mode of application or holding the brush would be completely different??

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    1. It is a really fantastic brush, and it feels heavenly against the skin! It was actually very intuitive to use and I didn't have to give it any thought. I thought that it would might have a learning curve and take a while to get used to, but it is so comfortable to hold, and it glides across the skin so effortlessly that it offers easy, fuss-free application every time. More than anything it's just a paradigm shifting kind of experience because it is so big and looks and feels so different from other brushes.

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    2. Thank you, Helen! I wish I could feel it - it looks so soft

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    3. My pleasure, Allison! It is indescribably soft, but the density created by the sheer number of bristles coupled with their inherent softness makes the whole experience even more luxurious than I could have imagined. It is so soft without compromising efficacy!

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  5. So that is pretty darn cool! MUA must have!

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    1. It really and truly is! I love everything about it!

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  6. I am seeing this brush around and I want one! It looks marvelous.

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    1. It really is fantastic! I think that you would love it!

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  7. Holy crackers it's huge! But you're definitely selling me on it! LOL. It sounds DIVINE! I love my Physicians Formula BB Powder, and have been on the hunt for a brush to use with it. Also I love my BB and CC creams, so it's a toss now between this or the Japonesque BB/CC brush!

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    1. Hi Miki! It is huge, but it is so fantastic to use! They have smaller sized than this one that work for foundations as well, but this is the only one that I have so far! I definitely plan on getting more! This definitely works beautifully with BB and CC Creams, tinted moisturizers and foundations. This brush and the Japonesque BB and CC Cream are so completely different from one another that they really can't be compared. I love both of them, but they really have nothing in common in terms of design. It's a tough choice, but if you are looking for something completely different from anything that you have tried before, then I would try a Artis brush. If you want something more traditional– then I would get the Japonesque brush. If I personally had to choose only one, then I would get the Artis brush because it is so unlike anything else that I have ever used.

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  8. It looks so luxe! I've never seen anything like this before.

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    1. It really is a luxe brush! It is so unlike anything else thatI have ever used, and I am really thrilled with it!

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  9. I just bought a lookalike from Etude House after seeing a review on the Muse's blog, and can't wait for it to get here. I've often thought that a shoe-brush type of brush would be more suited for foundations than the paintbrush-type of brush we usually see. Glad that brands are bringing out this design now!

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    1. I can't wait to hear what you think about the brush that you bought! What is the brand? I know what you mean about the shoe-brush shape being more well suited to the application of foundations than the paintbrush type, and i think that there is definitely a great deal of merit to your assessment. This really gives a flawless, airbrushed finish in no time, and with no effort. I think that it's a genius design!

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  10. I saw talk of these floating around recently. So interesting. They definitely have me intrigued.

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    1. I was intrigued when I first saw pictures of these brushes, and I was thrilled the moment I started using this one!

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  11. I love Artis brand, I haven't tried anything recently from them but this brush sounds amazing!

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  12. I love Artis brand, I haven't tried anything recently from them but this brush sounds amazing!

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    1. I think that you would really love this brush!

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  13. This is so strange! It sounds promising.

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    1. It definitely looks unlike any other brush, and the results have been amazing!

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  14. omg this is intense and making me get all of the brush feels. Need this in my life

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    1. I know what you mean! Just looking at the plush bristles makes you want to feel it! I think that you would really love this brush!

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  15. Wow! I've never seen anything quite like this.

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    1. That's exactly the reaction that I had when I first saw them online, but I gasped when I opened the box and was able to touch it! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. Wow! This is a very interesting looking brush! It looks so soft, but it seems so large to use on the face. How is it at getting into crevices like around the nose/eyes?

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    1. It is so soft and just amazing to use! It is surprisingly effective on the face, and it offers great coverage. I haven't found it problematic to get into the smaller spaces, but I will say a smaller brush would be far more efficient for smaller spaces since you would have much more control. This one is great for larger areas of skin. I definitely want one of their smaller brushes for dealing with smaller areas, and to apply things like concealer under my eyes since this is just too big for that type of work.

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  17. This is so interesting... I've been tempted to pick up the one Besame does (it's quite similar) but just wasn't sure about the style. I might have to try it after all.

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    1. I haven't tried the one from Besame, but this one has me completely smitten! It's such a different take on makeup application.

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  18. I've been wanting to try this style of brush out!

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    1. It is soooooo worth trying! I suspect that you will be truly impressed!

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  19. I would buy these just based on how pretty they are!

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    1. I know just what you mean! It's nice that they are as spectacular in terms of performance!

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  20. No fair! First you got me to buy the set by Beauty Junkee recently reviewed and now this set.....

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    1. I know, but you will really get good use out of all of them. Did you purchase the Artis Oval 10 that I reviewed in this post as well, or that incredible value set from QVC?

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  21. I purchased the value set from QVC. I love the oval 6 which I've used for foundation and blush. I mistakenly tried the oval 3 for my brows which did not go well. Planning to try the smaller one on my brows another time. Can't see why I'd need the oval 10. What do you think?

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    1. The value set is amazing! I have two of those brushes that they sent me, and will be reviewing them soon! I use the Oval 6 for foundation some of the time, but also for blush, and it does an amazing job. I realize the Oval 10 is big, and despite the fact that I have a small face, I really love it for foundation. It does the job so fast, and the finish is airbrushed perfection! I would use the Linear 1 for my brows instead, and it's great for eyeliner too!

      I don't think that you absolutely "need" the Oval 10, but I have to admit that I am very obsessed with mine. If you are thrilled using the 6 for foundation, then you can probably skip the 10. I won't lie though, I want all of their brushes!

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  22. Linear 1 for gel eye liner? Yes? No?

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    1. Yes, definitely for gel eyeliner. Works like a charm– I guess I didn't specify gel eyeliner in my comment above. It's also super great for brow powders! This is a seriously great brush, and I'm so glad that you have it!

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  23. Just tried the gel eyeliner with that brush. What a difference it made. It is my first foray into gel liners. The brush that came with it made me think I would never be able to use the gel liner. However, I feel I did an acceptable first timers line with this brush. Also put on some shadow with oval 3. Less of a difference using that (and it definitely would take some 'getting used to' the flat pressure on my eyeballs vs. a regular brush's much lighter pressure. I wonder if there's any other use for number 3......

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    1. You will get the hang of it very quickly. The shape makes creating a cat eye effortless! You might try to use the Oval 3 for highlighters as well!

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  24. I'm not good with make up! Do you mean highlight under the brow or on cheeks (above or below blush?)? Thanks!

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    1. I mean like a highlighter or luminizer that you apply to the face in places like above the cheekbones. I don't have that particular brush, but it seems that it might be a good fit for smaller spaces that one might like to illuminate.

      Here's what they suggest, "The Oval 3 assists in shading and blending the products applied to the outside and inside corners of the eye lid and smaller areas of the eyelid. This brush is also useful for applying foundation or concealer to the inside corner area of the eye or on the side of nose by the nostrils."

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  25. Thank you, Helen! I took out my Ambient Light Palette (which I believe I purchased on your recommendation) and gave it a whirl. I feel like a teenager again: playing with make up at night when going nowhere...... :-) Have a great night!

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    1. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad that you are having fun with this, and playing with abandon! I have a little trick that I use when applying the gel liner with Linear 1 that I think that you might find useful. I make sure that I was my hands thoroughly and use the back of my hand as one would an artist's palette. I first dip the brush into my gel liner, and then brush any excess liner from the brush onto my hand and then use the less-loaded brush to my lash line. You get a cleaner and less goopy line. Then if more is needed I dip the brush onto the back of my hand again. I'm pretty careful about washing the brush and my hands frequently so as not to contaminate the gel liner. I think that you will find this to be a useful method.

      Did the Oval 3 work well for the application of our Ambient Lighting highlighter shades?

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    2. You have a great night too! I just saw your email, and will respond later when I login to that account!

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  26. Yes, the Oval 3 worked on the Ambient Lighting highlighter. Let me ask you a question about your palette: Is there as big a difference in color between the Dim and Radiant shades as there appears to be in your review? Because the difference between the two in my palette is negligible at best. And neither could be described as a bronzer shade. Maybe my palette was not made correctly?

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    1. I'm so thrilled that it worked so well! I thought that it might! I just pulled up my review and pulled out my palette, and my pictures are true to the colors in my palette. Of course, that's assuming that your monitor doesn't distort the colors. These are more luminizers than bronzers, per se. People with fair complexions can definitely use Radiant Light as a bronzer, and I am fair enough that I can, but it's really more of a lightly bronzed effect for a luminizer rather than an actual bronzer. If you go back to my review, you will notice that those two shades look very similar in several of the pictures. Send me a picture of your palette so I can have a look, but my guess is that there's nothing wrong with it.

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    2. http://www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com/2014/06/hourglass-ambient-lighting-palette.html

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  27. It must be my monitor because when I look at your review, the Radiant pictures definitely look like a bronzer shade and many shades darker than the Dim shade. Thanks!

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    1. I think that it does look a bit like a bronzer as well, but it is definitely on the lighter side of the spectrum plus it is infused with so many luminizing particles that it is almost a hybrid type of product. You are so welcome!

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  28. What do you think of the cleaning system for the Artis brushes? It seems really pricey. Is that what you use?

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    1. Hi gracebay, I don't actually own their cleansing system. I definitely want to try it, but I just use a gentle soap for deep cleaning, and gentle makeup wipes when I do a less thorough cleaning. :-)

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    2. That's good to know that it is perfectly ok to clean them the traditional way you clean a brush. I was pricing the cleaning system, including the mat + the refills for the mat + the cleanser and it was so expensive! Crazy to think the cleaning system costs as much/more than some of the brushes. Actually the cleaning system is one of the things holding me back from purchasing any Artis brushes right now, so I was glad to hear what you do for cleaning. What soap do you use?

      Talking about Artis, what do you think about the brushes tugging at the skin because of how they are used? I've been researching this brand like mad ever since I thought I might be interested, and I've seen a few people comment on that.

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    3. Hi gracebay,

      I don't doubt that their cleansing system is wonderful, and as I have said I would really like to try it, but since I don't have it I have been using what I have on hand. Between deeper, and more thorough washings, I have been wiping them down with one of my Burt's Bees Wipes. When I want a more thorough cleaning I have been using a Bar of the Trader Hoes Oatmeal and Honey Bar Soap. I simple dampen the bar and then gently rub the brush along the top and then add a little water into my palm. I gently wash the bristles and then rinse in lukewarm water. Afterward I gently drag the brush against a very soft wash cloth to remove the excess water, and then I let it air dry bristle side down (I lay them across something above the counter height so that the brush isn't touching any surfaces. It's a super easy method, but because of the density of the bristles it can take a little while to throughly dry.

      I don't experience any of the tugging because I use a light touch during application. The brush head is so densely packed with bristles, and the orientation is that of a regular hairbrush, rather than a traditional makeup brush, that I think that it takes some getting used to for people. This may account for the added pressure that some may be applying that would naturally cause the tugging. The bristles are remarkably soft, and they blend things out to perfection– so even ultra-pigmented blushes are made to look very wearable and more natural. This particular brush, the Oval 10, is quite large– perhaps the sheer size causes some to add more pressure in attempt to gain better control over it, but for me this hasn't been a problem at all.

      I would suggest trying one of their brushes, in a size that you would use with great regularity, to get the lay of the land. These are definite paradigm shifting brushes because they don't adhere to the traditional brush formula in the least bit. I personally, am crazy about these brushes. I have a cabinet filled with Tom Ford and Hakuhodo brushes, and I love these very bit as much. Of course comparing them is virtually impossible because they are so very different from one another. Keep me posted! :-)

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  29. I love my Oval 10 so much! But it seems like my liquid foundation is making my brush feel constantly wet. I have the Artis cleaning foam and pad but it's not making a difference. I'm really worried I've altered the texture of the brush forever because it just seems to be constantly wet. Do you have any suggestions? I would be so grateful! x

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    1. Hi Yasmin,

      Thank you so much for taking time to stop by. The density of the fibers is so tightly packed that it definitely takes some effort to keep it dry. I very seriously doubt that you have altered the texture of the brush forever– I just think that you need to let it dry out.

      Here is what I do: I apply my foundation directly to my face and blend it with my fingers first, and then I blend it out with the Oval 10– this way more of the foundation end up on my skin instead of on the brush. I then wipe off my brush every few uses on a makeup wipe (like the ones from Burt's Bees), and then I put it on an elevated surface where the brush head can face downward to dry without touching the surface itself. This way it is able to dry out completely, and then I use it again once it is thoroughly dry. This method works like a charm for me. If you are using the cleaning foam and pad, I would definitely be sure to dry it out with the head facing downward so that it can really dry out thoroughly and it forces the cleanser or water away from where the fibers attach at the base. Let me know if this works for you! :-)

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I love reading all of your comments and interacting with you- so please do not hesitate to share your thoughts, and to ask questions. Remember that what you have to say is of interest to all of us! Always feel free to email me directly as well. SPAM and advertising links will not be published.

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