MAKEUP WARS! Favorite Makeup Brushes | The Luxury Edition

 Press Sample and Purchased (Affiliate Links)

When the MAKEUP WARS! Team decided to feature each of our favorite makeup brushes, I knew that I had to partake– because I have a nearly irrational love of makeup brushes, and while I have accumulated more than I could ever need or use– I knew that there were three brands that I use all of the time, and that warranted being a part of this feature. I had pondered washing all of them for you, but then it occurred to me that showing them filled with pigment would give you a more accurate view of how well loves these brushes are!

I don't know why I don't talk more about my TOM FORD makeup brushes, but they are among my most coveted, and indeed most used, makeup brushes. Their quality is exquisite, they are perfectly balanced, and using them is a true joy. They are definitely ultra-luxe, but it was money well-spent given how often I actually use them. Most of the TOM FORD brushes are made from natural (goat, I believe) hair with wooden handles and rich golden ferrules. There are a few synthetic brushes in the collection, but I do not have any of them.

TOM FORD Beauty Bronzer Brush ($115.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods): While this colossal brush, with its largely fluffy bristles, is perfect for applying bronzer with a light hand, it also does an exemplary job applying setting powder for a light finish. The bristles are soft and silky-smooth against the skin, and experiencing it is a decadent, luxurious experience.

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

Disperse powder evenly all of your face with the bronzer brush by Tom Ford. The soft, natural hair bristles are designed to pick up the optimal amount of product so you achieve gorgeous, radiant skin. You can also use it as an allover face blending tool to smooth lines after makeup application.

TOM FORD Beauty Cheek Brush ($78.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods): Oh how I love this brush, and as you can see from the group picture above (second brush from the left) mine is well used and loved. This brush picks up and lays down blush with precision, and it blends it to absolute perfection. While I have a huge number of blush brushes, this is my most reached for, and most adored among them.

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

Achieve concise and effortless cheek color application with an ultrasoft, natural hair brush by Tom Ford. It's designed for versatility, enabling you to layer color to your desired intensity or sheer it down to transparency.

TOM FORD Beauty Cream Foundation Brush ($72.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods): There is no question that this foundation brush does an exemplary job applying and blending cream and liquid foundations, but is also does an extraordinary job with cream and powder blushes as well. In fact, the smaller head size makes it a great tool for applying luminizers, highlighters and just about anything else that I have tried.

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

The Tom Ford cream foundation brush with its natural hair bristles is the perfect brush for the application of creamy foundation. It blends the product into your skin flawlessly so it looks invisible and your skin looks gorgeous.

TOM FORD Beauty Eyeshadow Brush ($56.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods): This soft brush picks up shadows and deposits them effortlessly, and then blends to perfection. It is, without question, my go-to brush for laying down a nice wash of color. It is, in my estimation, the perfect eyeshadow brush. The paddle is large enough to grab the shadow, and soft enough to blend. Sometimes it is the only brush that I use!

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

The Tom Ford eyeshadow brush features natural hair bristles designed to give you a soft, allover eyeshadow effect. It picks up color with ease and glides it effortlessly onto your skin for beautiful makeup application every time.

TOM FORD Beauty Eyeshadow Blend Brush ($56.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods): This eyeshadow blending brush not only does what its name suggests, but its tapered bristles facilitate the application of a contour color in the socket of the eye.

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

The eyeshadow blend brush by Tom Ford creates perfect shade gradation for a flawless look every time. It's made with natural hair bristles to ensure soft application and precision blending with a range of differently textured eyeshadows.

TOM FORD Beauty Smoky Eye Brush ($52.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods): The Smoky Eye Brush certainly makes easy work of its namesake look, but this pencil shaped brush also does an enviable job smudging eyeliner– which is what I most often use it for.

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

The Smoky Eye brush by Tom Ford is designed to give you beautiful, dramatic eyes for a head-turning look. Winner of Allure magazine’s 'Best of Beauty' Award for Best Eyeshadow Makeup Brush, 2014.

TOM FORD Beauty Eyeshadow Contour Brush ($56.00 from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's and Harrods): This amazing multi-tasker can be used to lay down color in the crease and corner of the eye, but I have also found that it is also quite useful in applying a thicker cat eye liner as well. It has an angled, and slightly beveled edge that makes it quite effective!

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

The Tom Ford eyeshadow contour brush is crafted with natural hair bristles to ensure flawless eyeshadow application on both the crease and corner of your eyes.

TOM FORD Beauty Eyeliner and Definer Brush ($52.00-$88.00 from David Jones and Tom Ford Beauty): I noticed that most retailers seem to have sold out of this amazing brush, and that is making me think that I need to buy a back-up since it is one of my all-time most used makeup brushes! This is the brush that I reach for every single time that I apply a gel or powder eyeliner. It is the perfect size and shape to create a perfect cat eye effortlessly!

According to TOM FORD Beauty,

Tom Ford's brush collection is designed to bring ease and luxury to the process of creating your look they make expert makeup application completely effortless. Line and define the eye with perfection with the Tom Ford Eyeliner and Definer brush, made with natural hair. Designed to ensure an absolute precise line, it may be used with powder eye shadow and/or Tom Ford''s Noir Absolute. Handle is designed for true comfort and balance.

Artis brushes are so wildly popular that it seems as though more and more companies have sought to copy their amazing quality brushes. I have quite a few of them, but these three brushes, discussed below, are my most reached-for among them.

Artis Palm Brush ($65.00 from Space NK, Net-A-Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, Spring and Dillards): The Artis Palm Brush is essentially the Oval 10 Brush without the handle, and while the Oval 10 has been among the holiest of holy grail brushes for me– I must say, without reservation, that I actually prefer the Artis Palm Brush. Both cover the same surface area, both feature the densely packed cruelty-free CosmeFibre bundle brush head, and both are astonishingly soft against the skin. The primary difference is that the Artis Palm Brush offers greater control and efficacy because there is no handle to that diffuses control of the brush. It fits effortlessly, and comfortably, in the palm of your hand and is so easy to use. It blends and buffs effortlessly, and the shape, size and lack of a handle considerably enhance the efficacy of this hard working brush.

The size of both the Artis Palm and Oval 10 brushes are absolute perfection for blending foundations and finishing powders on the face. Not only are they ultra effective, but they also feel utterly divine against the skin.

Artis Elite Oval 10 ($77.00 from Space NK, Net-A-Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Spring, Harrods and Dillards): 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.

Artis Elite Oval 6 ($57.00 from Space NK, Net-A-Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Spring, Dillards and Harrods): Artis Oval 6 Brush boasts an extraordinarily densely packed head of CosmeFibres, and yet it is so soft to the touch. It feels amazing as it gently caresses the skin, and only the lightest touch is needed to get perfectly blended airbrushed results.

This brush does a perfect job applying blush, setting powders, powder foundations and liquid and cream foundations to the face. Additionally, it can be used to apply shimmering luminizers and bronzers to the face with great precision. Some even opt to use this brush to apply a simple wash of color to the eyelids, but if you have small eyes this brush may prove to be a bit large for you.

If you seek the perfectly sized brush to apply foundations, tinted moisturizers, and BB and CC Creams, then you will be tremendously impressed by the phenomenal job achieved by the Artis Oval 6. Given the sheer density of the CosmeFibres coupled with their remarkable silky softness, one is able to achieve the perfect airbrushed finish effortlessly. Some may have the tendency to apply more pressure than needed to compensate for the softness of the CosmeFibres, but this impedes the efficacy of the brush and may lead to pulling the skin. Instead, one only needs to use a light touch for maximum efficacy and stunning results. The handle is flexible, and therefore offers a very gentle application, and the ergonomic curved handle grip makes it very comfortable to hold.

HOURGLASS is unquestionably one of my all-time favorite luxe makeup brands, and their brushes are just as fantastic! 

HOURGLASS Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Edit Brush ($46.00 from Hourglass Cosmetics, Space NK, Sephora, Barneys New York, Nordstrom, Blue Mercury, Net-A-Porter and Bergdorf Goodman): is a two phenomenal brushes in one that was created to use in conjunction with the Ambient Lighting Edit. The synthetic, Cruelty-Free brushes are the perfect size to fit in this palette, and boast the perfect shapes for flawless application. Both brush heads are soft enough to feel heavenly against the skin, but are firm enough to pick up and lay down pigment effortlessly and flawlessly.

Key Benefits:
• The rounded end is ideally shaped for applying finishing powder and adding bronzer to the temples and hollows of cheeks, while the tapered side is shaped to flawlessly apply blush and highlighter.
• Features PETA-approved, high-grade, ultra-soft Taklon bristles.
• Weighted metal handles provide control for effortless blending and application.
• Perfectly sized to work with all Ambient® Lighting Palettes and travel-sized compacts.

 To Clean: Gently clean brush with mild soap and water. Lay flat to dry

According to HOURGLASS,

A multi-tasking brush featuring two versatile brush heads that can be used for an array of products including powder, blush, bronzer and highlighter. This double-ended brush can be used with powder, cream and liquid formulas for the most flawless finish. Perfectly-sized to be used with the Ambient® Lighting Edit.

HOURGLASS Cosmetics Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush ($46.00 from Hourglass Cosmetics, Space NK, Sephora, Barneys New York, Nordstrom and Blue Mercury): HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush ($46.00) is an ultra-soft brush with synthetic Taklon bristles that was specifically created to be used in tandem with the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, and there is no question that they work exceptionally well together. The slightly angled brush head, that boasts very densely packed bristles, is very soft and smooth against the skin, and yet the sheer density of the bristles are firm enough to create a flawless airbrushed finish. Furthermore, the short handle, the brush is almost 4.5 inches long, allows for meticulous control of the brush– which facilitates perfect application. The results are consistently streak-free– whether the brush is used with Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, or any other foundation that I have tried, and it has quickly become my Holy-Grail foundation brush.

Overall Assessment: These are my tried and true holy grail makeup brushes that get so much love from me. If you had to select your very favorite makeup brushes, what would they be?

Press Sample and Purchased (Affiliate Links).
Copyright © 2017 www.lolasssecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

An InLinkz Link-up

Space NK A/W 16 The Expert Edition: The Contoured Complexion #SNKbeautyedit

Press Release (Affiliate Links)

On Friday, September 9th, Space NK will host the “Autumn Beauty Edit” event across all of our 27 US locations. During this special shopping event, customers will be perfectly prepped for the new season as we present the latest in autumn trends and looks from our AW16 campaign. Guests can meet with experts from some of our finest brands for makeovers, facials, advice and tips. Event times, featured experts and services vary by location. Exclusively for the event, and while supplies last, shoppers who spend $250 or more will receive a gift with a selection of must-haves from 29 of our featured brands. Our loyal N.Dulge members will have early access to the gift on September 7-8, before the offer opens up to the public on September 9th. This gift with purchase will sell out in stores early, but will also be available to online shoppers at spacenk.com on September 9th USE CODE: ESSENTIALS16 (US only). @spacenkusa / #SNKbeautyedit

With your purchase of $250.00 or more, receive the Space NK Autumn Beauty Edit Gift Bag!

Valued at well over $400, the gift includes:

· Space NK Limited Edition Cosmetic Bag
· 111SKIN Space Anti Age Day Cream NAC Y2 (15ml)
· Aquareveal Satin Bright Soft Water Peel for Face (15ml)
· By Terry Baume de Rose Crystalline (2.3g)
· Derm Institute Anti-Oxidant Hydration Gel Masque (2 x 3ml)
· Diptyque Eau De Toilette (10ml, assorted scents)
· Diptyque Le Redouté Scented Candle (35g)
· Dermarché Labs FullFill (2g)
· Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum (0.16oz)
· Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser (50ml)
· Goldfaden MD Brightening Elixir (5ml)
· Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon (1g)
· Juara Candlenut Body Crème (1.5oz)
· Kat Burki complete b Bio-Correcting Face Crème (5ml)
· Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Mascara (4g)
· Lipstick Queen Medieval Lipstick (1.5g)
· Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (1oz)
· MD Solar Sciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 (0.25oz)
· Mila Moursi Lifting Serum (4ml)
· Miriam Quevedo Platinum & Diamond Serum (50ml)
· Natura Bissé The Cure Cream (5ml)
· Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask (5ml)
· Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo (15ml)
· Ouai Finishing Crème (0.5oz)
· Philip B. Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse (2oz) or Maui Wowie Volumizing & Thickening Beach Mist (2oz)
· R+Co Dallas Thickening Spray (1.7oz)
· Ren Flash Hydro Boost (10ml)
· Rodial Bee Venom Moisturizer (5ml)
· Smith & Cult Lip Gloss in Life in Photographs (0.08ml)
· Sunday Riley Good Genes (10ml)

Fall 16: The Expert Edition: The Contoured Complexion

Enhance your natural bone structure with subtle sculpting touches.

“The power of contouring is amazing: you can completely change someone’s face to make them unrecognizable. We’re not doing that – we want to strengthen the things we find beautiful.” - Karen Alder, makeup artist

AW “The Expert Edition” campaign, including looks created by MUA Karen Alder and the Space NK pro artistry team to produce The Contoured Complexion look using products from Artis, HOURGLASS Beauty, SURRATT Beauty, Kevyn Aucoin, NUDESTIX, Jenny Patinkin, Chantecaille, By Terry, Rodial, LILAH B., and Lord & Berry. 

The campaign, that launched in stores and on spacenk.com this week, features 6 Space NK customers who entered a contest for the opportunity to be featured as their models for 6 different looks for the season.

SHOP THE LOOK:

Kevyn Aucoin The Large Fan Brush ($60.00)

Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder ($44.00)

HOURGLASS Veil Fluid Makeup ($60.00 Reviewed HERE)

Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting ($52.00)

SURRATT Cheek Brush ($115.00)

ARTIS Oval 7 ($60.00)

NUDESTIX Bronzing Pencil (On Sale $6.00)

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Bronzing Veil ($48.00)

HOURGLASS Illume Sheer Color Trio ($62.00)

Jenny Patinkin All-Over Face Brush ($52.00)

Chantecaille Compact Soleil Bronzer ($46.00)

By Terry Sun Designer Palette ($82.00)

SURRATT Sculpting Brush ($90.00)

By Terry Terribly Deniliss Contouring Compact ($95.00)

Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Contour Powder ($57.00)

Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Bronzing Veil ($48.00)

LILAH B Bronzed Beauty Bronzer Duo ($42.00)

Lord & Berry Bronzer ($29.00)

Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Contour Wand ($48.00)

Rodial Sculpting Brush ($46.00)

Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Brush ($40.00)

By Terry Blush Brush ($85.00)

HOURGLASS Double Ended Complexion Brush ($68.00)

Chantecaille HD Perfecting Bronze ($74.00)

Space NK A/W 16 The Expert Edition: The Berry Lip #SNKbeautyedit

Press Release (Affiliate Links)

On Friday, September 9th, Space NK will host the “Autumn Beauty Edit” event across all of our 27 US locations. During this special shopping event, customers will be perfectly prepped for the new season as we present the latest in autumn trends and looks from our AW16 campaign. Guests can meet with experts from some of our finest brands for makeovers, facials, advice and tips. Event times, featured experts and services vary by location. Exclusively for the event, and while supplies last, shoppers who spend $250 or more will receive a gift with a selection of must-haves from 29 of our featured brands. Our loyal N.Dulge members will have early access to the gift on September 7-8, before the offer opens up to the public on September 9th. This gift with purchase will sell out in stores early, but will also be available to online shoppers at spacenk.com on September 9th USE CODE: ESSENTIALS16 (US only).  @spacenkusa / #SNKbeautyedit

With your purchase of $250.00 or more, receive the Space NK Autumn Beauty Edit Gift Bag!

Valued at well over $400, the gift includes:

· Space NK Limited Edition Cosmetic Bag
· 111SKIN Space Anti Age Day Cream NAC Y2 (15ml)
· Aquareveal Satin Bright Soft Water Peel for Face (15ml)
· By Terry Baume de Rose Crystalline (2.3g)
· Derm Institute Anti-Oxidant Hydration Gel Masque (2 x 3ml)
· Diptyque Eau De Toilette (10ml, assorted scents)
· Diptyque Le Redouté Scented Candle (35g)
· Dermarché Labs FullFill (2g)
· Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum (0.16oz)
· Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser (50ml)
· Goldfaden MD Brightening Elixir (5ml)
· Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon (1g)
· Juara Candlenut Body Crème (1.5oz)
· Kat Burki complete b Bio-Correcting Face Crème (5ml)
· Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Mascara (4g)
· Lipstick Queen Medieval Lipstick (1.5g)
· Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (1oz)
· MD Solar Sciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 (0.25oz)
· Mila Moursi Lifting Serum (4ml)
· Miriam Quevedo Platinum & Diamond Serum (50ml)
· Natura Bissé The Cure Cream (5ml)
· Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask (5ml)
· Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo (15ml)
· Ouai Finishing Crème (0.5oz)
· Philip B. Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse (2oz) or Maui Wowie Volumizing & Thickening Beach Mist (2oz)
· R+Co Dallas Thickening Spray (1.7oz)
· Ren Flash Hydro Boost (10ml)
· Rodial Bee Venom Moisturizer (5ml)
· Smith & Cult Lip Gloss in Life in Photographs (0.08ml)
· Sunday Riley Good Genes (10ml)

Fall 16: The Expert Edition: The Berry Lip

Seductive and eye-catching, a deep berry lip is perfect for fall.

“Black Lace Rabbit is my ultimate day-to-night lip product. You might already have been wearing a classic red lip at work – one slick of this will make it seductive and slightly vampy. ” - Karen Alder, makeup artist

AW “The Expert Edition” campaign, including looks created by MUA Karen Alder and the Space NK pro artistry team to produce The Berry Lip look using products from Artis, Lipstick Queen, HOURGLASS Beauty, SURRATT Beauty, Kevyn Aucoin, Lord & Berry, Rodial and Smith+Cult. 

The campaign, that launched in stores and on spacenk.com this week, features 6 Space NK customers who entered a contest for the opportunity to be featured as their models for 6 different looks for the season.

Shop the Look:

Artis Oval 7 ($60.00)

Lipstick Queen Invisible Liner ($18.00)

Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit ($24.00)

HOURGLASS Femme Rouge Lipstick ($30.00 Reviewed HERE and HERE)

SURRATT Automatique Lip Crayon ($34,00 Reviewed HERE and HERE)

Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope Lipstick ($50.00)

HOURGLASS Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner ($30.00 Reviewed HERE)

Kevyn Aucoin The Curling Mascara ($28.00)

Rodial Glamolash Mascara XXL ($28.00)

Chantecaille Full Brow Perfecting Gel ($40.00)

Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation ($65.00)

Lipstick Queen Cupid's Bow ($22.00)

Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil ($26.00)

Rodial Airbrush Make-Up ($45.00)

SMITH & CULT Lovers Creep Nail Lacquer ($18.00)

Artis Elite Mirror Linear 1 Brush | Review

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

I have yet to meet a person who has tried any of the Artis brushes without becoming completely obsessed with the line. Their makeup brushes require one big paradigm shift when you are used to conventional brushes, but once you get the hang of using these you will reach for them all of the time. As you may recall, I effusively gushed over their Artis Oval 6 Brush (HERE) and their Artis Oval 10 Brush (HERE), and now I am about to do the same about the Artis Elite Mirror Linear 1 Brush. 

The Artis Elite  Mirror Linear 1 Brush is a multipurpose brush that is very narrow, and therefore perfectly suited to fill in eyebrows and to apply eye liner with exceptional precision.

Their proprietary CosmeFibre is an engineered densely packed fiber bundle made up of, in many cases, ten times more fibers than conventional animal hair brushes. Their fibers are softer than anything that you can imagine on the skin, but they are neither floppy, nor are they inefficient. In fact, their brushes pick up, lay down and blend makeup with great ease and precision.

The Linear 1 is not only very narrow, but it is also very long. It therefore can cover a large surface area effortlessly, and because it is narrow it can make anything from very thin lines to bolder and thicker ones. It picks up gel and powder products for the brows or eyes with great ease, and after a few uses you will become proficient at making the perfect winged liner with an enviable cat eye flick.

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.  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.

According to Artis,

The Linear 1, has a very narrow [about 1-2 mm] row of fibres to help concentrate product application in a line, such as along the lash line. This patented brush can apply a precise line of product along the upper lash line or tucked under the lower lash line. It can also be used to fill in and define the brows and can simulate brow hair lines; or can be used to apply a defined line along the lip or any other part of the face. The Linear 1 brush is very helpful for special effects makeup to create crisp lines and linear shapes. Artis brushes are made exclusively with CosmeFibre, a revolutionary engineered fibre made for applying cosmetic and makeup products.

I have not tried the Artis cleaning system yet, but I have had great success cleaning my Artis brushes in the following ways:

1) For minor cleanings between thorough cleanings, I simply wipe the brush fibers off using makeup wipes.

2) For major cleanings I use a gentle soap and work the lather through the fibers and then rinse and repeat, if needed, until the lukewarm water runs clear. I then place the brush on top of anything that keeps it suspended in the air, and then let it dry brush side down.

Features:

• Each patented brush has on average 3 to 10 times as many individual fibres as conventional animal hair brushes, resulting in superior blending and smooth makeup application.

• Fibre bundles are shaped to make product pickup and delivery easier and more effective.

• Designed with a special grip surface to provide better control, and tilted brush tip and fibre bundles that give the user the ability to apply, distribute and blend like never before.

• A patented cleansing system that includes an antimicrobial-treated microfibre cloth with 1 million fibres per square inch designed to help “grab” and remove makeup residue from the brush without changing the shape or adding wear-and-tear.

• Artis Brushes are cruelty-free.

Note the mirror finish

I love to use the Artis Linear 1 with gel eye liners, and this seems to be an especially good medium for this particular brush. Not only do the CosmeFibres pick up and deposit powder and gel products with ease, but the Linear 1 neither tugs, nor pulls at the delicate skin in the eye area.

The brush easily fits into gel pots, and only needs to be gently dipped to coat the CosmeFibres

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.

Overall Assessment: If you need a great multipurpose brow and liner brush, and want to try something completely different from traditional brushes, then this is absolutely the way to go. You will be pleasantly surprised by how the Artis Brushes seem to make you far more skilled at makeup application as well!

$32.00 from Artis, Net-A-Porter (Smoke), Net-A-Porter (White) and Space NK.
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2015 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Artis Oval 6 Brush from the Elite Collection | An Elated Review

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

No doubt, you remember my effusive gushing over the Artis Oval 10 Brush (reviewed here), and it was here that I asserted:

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 Artis Oval 6 is truly the embodiment of the perfect multipurpose face brush. It does an astounding job applying foundation, blush, bronzer, and a wash of eyeshadow over the entire lid.

According to Artis,

The Oval 6, is great for applying product to the entire eye lid; or foundation to the face, or contouring the cheekbone area. This patented brush applies blush beautifully to the apple of the cheek and blends it so that the application looks natural and healthy. Artis brushes are made exclusively with CosmeFibre, a revolutionary engineered fibre made for applying cosmetic and makeup products.

Note the radical difference in size between the Artis Oval 6 and the Artis Oval 10

Suitable for sensitive skin

For use with liquid or powder

Artis Oval 6 Brush boasts an extraordinarily densely packed head of CosmeFibres, and yet it is so soft to the touch. It feels amazing as it gently caresses the skin, and only the lightest touch is needed to get perfectly blended airbrushed results.

This brush does a perfect job applying blush, setting powders, powder foundations and liquid and cream foundations to the face. Additionally, it can be used to apply shimmering luminizers and bronzers to the face with great precision. Some even opt to use this brush to apply a simple wash of color to the eyelids, but if you have small eyes this brush may prove to be a bit large for you.

If you seek the perfectly sized brush to apply foundations, tinted moisturizers, and BB and CC Creams, then you will be tremendously impressed by the phenomenal job achieved by the Artis Oval 6.

Given the sheer density of the CosmeFibres coupled with their remarkable silky softness, one is able to achieve the perfect airbrushed finish effortlessly. Some may have the tendency to apply more pressure than needed to compensate for the softness of the CosmeFibres, but this impedes the efficacy of the brush and may lead to pulling the skin. Instead, one only needs to use a light touch for maximum efficacy and stunning results.

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.

The handle is flexible, and therefore offers a very gentle application, and the ergonomic curved handle grip makes it very comfortable to hold.

The soft CosmeFibres gently caress the skin, and effortlessly deposit product precisely where it is desired.

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.

Artis Oval 6 effortlessly applies and blends powder foundation

Artis Oval 6 applies and blends blush perfectly

Left to Right: Tom Ford Narcissist and NARS Gaiety blended

I have not tried the Artis cleaning system yet, but I have had great success cleaning my Artis brushes in the following ways:

1) For minor cleanings between thorough cleanings, I simply wipe the brush fibers off using makeup wipes (shown below).

2) For major cleanings I use a gentle soap and work the lather through the brush head and then rinse and repeat, if needed, until the lukewarm water runs clear. I then place the brush on top of anything that keeps it suspended in the air, and then let it dry brush side down.

Overall Assessment: A paradigm-shifting concept in the application of makeup, and once you try a single Artis Brush, you will want to collect them all!

$48.00 from Artis, Space NK, Net-A-Porter and QVC (Affiliate Links).
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
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