Westman Atelier Foundation Brush Review

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At this point, I think that it has become infinitely clear that I am thoroughly obsessed with the eco-luxe Westman Atelier makeup brushes. I am one brush away from having purchased all of them (one is en route, leaving me just one to purchase at some point in the not too distant future). They are expensive luxury Japanese handcrafted brushes that are vegan, and they are of extraordinary quality. I own many Hakuhodo, and Hakuhodo-made, brushes, and these lack nothing but animal hair. The bristles are extraordinarily soft, but not to the extent that they lack efficacy. The shorter sustainably procured wooden handles offer maximum control and maneuverability, and each brush is beautifully balanced and comfortable to hold. 

Westman Atelier Foundation Brush is a luxurious and compact paddle-shaped foundation brush that is effective and offers seamless application and blending, and it boasts a natural and streak-free finish. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have had little interest in paddle-shaped foundation brushes, and yet Gucci Westman has proven to be the exception with her foundation brush. After having purchased a few of her brushes, I realized that her Foundation Brush was probably by far superior to the paddle brushes that I had tried before, and I was right about that. I watched a few of her videos, and her techniques in makeup application, as a veteran makeup artist, made them educational, informative and interesting. That is to say nothing of the extent to which she is charming, humble and personable. 

This brush is small enough that it can easily navigate tight spaces on the face, and its shape lends itself to a kind of versatility in application techniques. While the flat sides of the paddle effortlessly move across the larger planes of the face, the tip fits perfectly around the nose and into the corners of the eyes. Furthermore, the soft nylon bristles do not absorb, and therefore waste, foundation. It works beautifully with both cream and liquid formulas, and I have tried it with a wide assortment of stick and liquid foundations, and it works exceptionally well. The final finish is natural and simply looks like my skin perfected, and not as though I am wearing makeup (or worse yet, that makeup is wearing me). At some point I definitely want to try Gucci's foundation, but until then I am thoroughly enjoying her brush with my foundations.

According to Westman Atelier,

Paddle foundation brush with tapered, flat bristles that will quickly become your go-to for precise applications, correcting imperfections and achieving a naturally polished finish. Blends and smooths Vital Skin Foundation Stick for a fresh and dimensional look. 

Features:

- Artisan Design: Handmade in Kumano, Japan using traditional techniques from the most prestigious brush maker in the world. 

- Lacquered Handles: Crafted with the finest sustainable hardwood birch from a Forest Stewardship Council certified forest in Eastern Europe. 

- High Performance: Luxurious and durable. Cruelty-free nylon fibers feel ultra-smooth with optimal density, softness and function. 

- Our brush-making process is cruelty-free.

- Made with cruelty-free, super soft nylon fibers.

Gucci's Notes:

Brushes are my most important tools. I think of them as an extension of myself, and it’s an absolute luxury to work with an extraordinary brush. Using a gentle sweeping motion, work close to the skin to blend and smooth your Vital Skin Foundation Stick. Ideal for even, quick applications of cream makeup.

Note the tapered tip of the brush

Cruelty-free nylon fibers feel ultra-smooth with optimal density, softness and function. 

Westman Atelier brush-making process is cruelty-free. Made with cruelty-free, super soft nylon fibers.

This compact brush is just a little over 5" long

Size comparison top to bottom: Westman Atelier Blender Brush, Westman Atelier Foundation Brush, Westman Atelier Baby Blender Brush, Westman Atelier Eye Shadow II Brush, Westman Atelier Eye Shadow I Brush and Westman Atelier Lip Brush.

Overall Assessment: I am just elated that I purchased this incredible brush, and now it is my most reached-for foundation brush! The Westman Atelier Powder Brush is en route to me, as we speak, and I am so excited that I can barely contain myself.

Purchased. $80.00 from Sephora, Credo Beauty, Net-A-Porter, Cult Beauty, Violet Grey, Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods, Cos Bar and The Webster (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2021 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Hourglass Nº 10 Angled Liner Brush Review

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Hourglass Nº 10 Angled Liner Brush is a short, angled brush, with cruelty-free Taklon bristles. The bristles are soft, and yet firm, and they provide precise lining of the eyes. This brush can be used with cream, liquid and powder products, and it is also perfect for filling in the brows as well. It has a perfectly weighted metal handle that makes maneuvering effortless. If you are a fan of a precision winged eyeliner, then this is a fool-proof brush that will deliver your desired results with ease. I washed my brush before use and after I used it for a couple of days and it didn't shed a single bristle, and retained its shape. This is a wonderfully practical, and hardworking, brush that is definitely worth having.

According to Hourglass, "the Hourglass Nº 10 Angled Liner Brush lines and defines eyes with precision and control."

TO CLEAN: Gently clean brush with mild soap and water. Lay flat to dry.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

• Features PETA-approved, high-grade, ultra-soft Taklon bristle 

• Taklon is a more hygienic alternative to animal hair and an excellent alternative for those who suffer from animal hair allergies 

• Weighted metal handles provide control for effortless blending and application 

• May be used to apply liquid, cream or powder products 

• Vegan and cruelty free

Close-up of the bristles

The bristles offer the perfect width and depth for ease of use

Overall Assessment: I am so happy with my purchase, and highly recommend this wonderfully effective brush.

$32.00 from Hourglass, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, Beautylish, bluemercury, Net-A-Porter, Cult Beauty and Space NK (Affiliate Links)

Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2021 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Hourglass Nº 12 Beveled Shadow Brush Review

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The Hourglass Nº 12 Beveled Shadow Brush is yet another one of my recent purchases, and I am so happy that I finally have it. This is a cruelty-free, and vegan, synthetic Taklon bristle eyeshadow brush with a very densely packed, sloping head. It works well with powder, liquid and cream products, and it does an exemplary job strategically placing eyeshadows, and blending them to perfection. The dense bristles, which are unbelievably soft against the skin, pick up and deposit shadows effortlessly, and the balanced metal handle offers maximum control and comfort in the hand. I washed my brush before I used it, and after a few days of use, and it did not shed a single bristle. I have been using it with cream shadows and powder shadows, and I am very impressed by its overall performance and efficacy.

According to Hourglass, "Densely packed bristles and sloped edge designed for strategic eyeshadow placement."

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

• Features PETA-approved, high-grade, ultra-soft Taklon bristle 

• Taklon is a more hygienic alternative to animal hair and an excellent alternative for those who suffer from animal hair allergies 

• Weighted metal handles provide control for effortless blending and application 

• May be used to apply liquid, cream or powder products 

• Vegan and cruelty free

TO CLEAN: Gently clean brush with mild soap and water. Lay flat to dry.

Overall Assessment: This was such a worthwhile purchase for me, and because it works so well for powder, cream and liquid shadows, I may by a second one so that I have one for wet and dry formulas, respectively. A+

$36.00 from Hourglass, Nordstrom, bluemercury, Ulta, Space NK and Beautylish (Affiliate Links).

Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2021 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush Review

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Without any exaggeration, whatsoever, HOURGLASS Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush is the best concealer brush that I have ever used (hands down). I would go so far to say that it has already achieved holy grail status for me, and it was definitely one of my best purchases of 2020. The unique half-moon shaped bristle head is the perfect shape for blending concealer around the eye area, and by this I mean I can think of no better design on the market or in my imagination. 

The cruelty-free Taklon bristles are densely packed, and ultra-soft against the skin. The density and soft texture lend themselves to a seamless airbrushed finish, and the weight and balance of the elegant metal handle offers maximum control as one navigates the contours of the face. It works equally well with cream or liquid formulas, and can also be used to blend foundation around the nose, or it can be used to cover blemishes and hyperpigmentation.

There is no question that this brush boasts quality construction, and after several washes it still hasn't lost a single bristle.

According to HOURGLASS, 

A high-performance concealer brush that delivers unprecedented precision and blending. This brush features a unique half-moon shape for controlled application to the contours of the face, especially under the eyes. Bristles have the ideal density and texture to blend seamlessly. Designed for use with liquid and cream formulas, it optimizes performance of Vanish Airbrush Concealer.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

• Features PETA-approved, high-grade, ultra-soft Taklon bristles. 

• Taklon is a more hygienic alternative to animal hair and an excellent alternative for those who suffer from animal hair allergies.

• Weighted metal handles provide control for effortless blending and application. 

• May be used to apply liquid, cream or powder products. 

• Vegan and cruelty free.

HOURGLASS Cosmetics is a 100% Cruelty-Free luxury beauty brand.

The unique half-moon shaped bristle head is the perfect shape for blending concealer around the eye area.

Overall Assessment: This is the best concealer brush I own, and the best one I have ever tried! A+

$38.00 from HOURGLASS, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, Bluemercury, Beautylish, Space NK, Net-A-Porter and Cult Beauty (Affiliate Links).

Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2020 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

HOURGLASS Ambient Powder Brush Review

Purchased (Affiliate Links)

HOURGLASS Ambient Powder Brush is not something that I needed, in the least bit, but I bought it anyway. There were two primary reasons: First, I wanted it for a long time and every time the I stopped at an HOURGLASS display it was the first thing that I picked up and contemplated purchasing. Second, I was about to lose my VIB status at Sephora because the pandemic this year resulted in far lower spending. However, I finally purchased this brush since I wanted it for so many years, and now I am just wondering why I waited so long.

While it was conceived for use with the Ambient Lighting Powder, it is also great brush for applying face powder, blush, and bronzer. It also does an enviable job blending powders, and I have successfully used it for blending liquid foundations. The short plastic handle offers maximum control, it fits in the hand comfortably and the  Taklon bristles are soft and feel great against the skin. While the bristles are soft, they are not too soft to be ineffective at picking up and laying down powder. I should note that I have washed my brush twice, and neither time did it shed a single bristle.

According to HOURGLASS,

A synthetic-bristle brush with a full, slightly rounded head and a short handle. Designed for use with liquid, cream or powder products, this brush is made from high-grade ultrasoft Taklon bristles and features a weighted metal handle that provides control for effortless blending and application. The Hourglass Ambient® Powder Brush is ideal for evenly dispersing Ambient® Lighting Powder all over the face.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

• Features PETA-approved, high-grade, ultra-soft Taklon bristle 

• Taklon is a more hygienic alternative to animal hair and an excellent alternative for those who suffer from animal hair allergies 

• May be used to apply liquid, cream or powder products 

• Vegan and cruelty free

The size of the brush is perfect for sweeping across the Ambient Lighting Powder palette, but it is good for far more than this alone!

Overall Assessment: This was such a worthwhile purchase, and I highly recommend this brush.

$38.00 from HOURGLASS, Nordstrom, Sephora, Space NK, Beautylish, Ulta and Cult Beauty (Affiliate Links).

Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2020 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Complexion Brush | Review

Purchased (Affiliate Links)

The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Complexion Brush is a wonderful cruelty-free double-ended brush that can be used for highlighting, contouring, or my preferred use– the application and blending of foundations and concealers. The synthetic fibers are densely packed, unbelievably soft and they do not absorb, and waste, your precious products.

The larger end features a flat head that facilitates a seamless, airbrushed finish effortlessly. It easily blends out foundations, softens harsh lines from contouring products and even it blends out pigmented blushes and highlighters. While this head is smaller than many foundation brushes, it is both effective and efficient.

The small end has an angled head that makes contouring easy, but it is also the most incredible tool for the application and blending of under eye concealers. Furthermore, the angled head makes it exceptionally easy to get into the small and curved, areas, of the face.

In addition to synthetic fibers, this brush features a durable wooden handle and an aluminum ferrule in a chic shade of rose gold.

I have washed this brush a couple of times and it has neither shed a hair, not has it lost its shape. Though rather obvious, I suggest storing this brush flat rather than upright– since that isn't good for the bristles. Therefore, I store mine in a drawer where I keep most of my brushes.

According to Charlotte Tilbury,

2-in-1 cruelty-free makeup brush. Darlings, this has luxurious application & a premium look! My Hollywood Complexion Brush is a fabulous 2-in-1 multi-purpose makeup contour brush with advanced synthetic fibres, perfect for effortlessly blending your contour.

Features:
• 2-in-1 makeup brush
• 100% animal cruelty-free synthetic fibers
• No hair fall-out
• The large flat-top head will allow you to achieve a flawless base quickly & effortlessly, perfect for contour blending & softening harsh lines
• The angled small head is perfect for precise contouring, as well as concealing under the eyes, around the nose or small curvatures of the face.

This product is made with synthetic bristles. It is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and not tested on animals.

Hair: Synthetic Fibre

Ferrule: Aluminum

Handle: Wood

100% animal cruelty free 3-tone fiber

Overall Assessment: This compact brush has quickly become one of my most reached-for tools, and it has proven to be a very worthwhile purchase.

$40.00 from Charlotte Tilbury, Nordstrom, Sephora, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-A-Porter, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Beautylish, Bloomingdale's and Cult Beauty (Affiliate Links).

Purchased. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2019 www.lolasscretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.