Tag: brushes

bareMinerals Brushes and Concealer

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Back when I first got to know bareMinerals in those days right after college graduation, the brand was affordable, great for acne-prone skin and based on the then unfamiliar “mineral makeup” approach. Fast forward to fifteen years later (yikes – that went fast!) and the brand has maintained its affordable price point. But the formulas have evolved with luxury-level formulas. And the same can be said for their tools. The brushes are not only beautifully made but also really really great at application.

Right now, Nordstrom is featuring a bare brush bar. It is the spot to stock up on what has become an encompassing collection. bareMinerals Smoothing Face Brush and bareMinerals® Angled Face Brush are my long time favorites.

Recently, I picked up bareMinerals ‘bareSkin’ Complete Coverage Serum Concealer (love the bareSkin collection). This thin, easy-to-apply tube of concealer covers dark circles without looking cakey. Antioxidant lilac plant stem cells and mineral optics brighten skin. And the formula hydrates my dry, winter under-eye skin. I’ve been using it with my new bareMinerals® ‘Maximum Coverage’ Concealer Brush – another favorite to add to the collection.

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

Best Brushes

Best Brushes // Belle Belle Beauty

I believe that great tools can make any product work better. I have more brushes than I can count, but I seem to reach for the same ones each and every day. I never once have regretted spending the money for a quality brush because, if you take care of them, they will last forever (note: I wash mine with this every week and dry laying flat overnight). Here are my brush MVPs:

Armani Beauty Designer Foundation Brush: While I still reach for this brush, I find the Armani version is more nimble because of its size. The sharper end can get into the contours of your face. And the synthetic brisstles play well with even the thickest of foundations, not leaving one single streak.

Laura Mercier Long Secret Camouflage Brush: When you have a blemish, there is just no better tool to apply concealer. The tapered tip allows for extreme precision and feather like strokes will keep the product from becoming cakey.

Bobbi Brown Powder Brush: I’ve had this brush for years and – to this day – it retains its strands and shape like a champ. It picks up powder and buffs on skin without being cakey or over-delivering product.

Chantecaille Cheek Brush: Made of goat hair, this super super soft brush can do everything on the cheeks. The tapered end deposits pigmented blush like a champ, but can also perfectly contour a bronzer under the cheek bones.

Le Metier de Beaute Eye Shadow Brush #1: This brush made of natural goat hair and perfectly shaped for applying shadow on the lids. I love the look so popular for Spring of a bold color just to the crease. This fluffy, square brush gets just enough pigment in all the right spots.

CHANEL Precision Eyelash Curler: I used to be a devotee of the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (I had mine for about eight years). But it wasn’t until I replaced it with the CHANEL version that I got that true lifted curl that lasts. The shape of this curler is much better suited for my lashes. Game changer.

Shop my favorite brushes:

Foundation Brushes

Since I largely use tinted moisturizer, I really should call these “moisturizer brushes” but either way, they are my favorite tool for blending any color on my face.  Over the years, I have tried great (and not so great) brushes and most are still in my collection – a testimony to how long these tools will last.

Armani Beauty Designer Foundation Brush

The fibers are shorter than other foundation brushes, which gives great control but can hinder blending.  I especially like the sharper end to get into the areas around my nose, under eyes and chin. The brush contains a blend of fibers which is typical for foundation brushes. The effect of this brush is a heavier coverage with ability to add precision. Overall this is a great brush that will last a long time. ($51)

Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush

The longer brush by Bobbi Brown won’t provide precise lines, but blends tinted moisturizer flawlessly.  The color almost buffs into the skin achieving Bobbi Brown’s signature “your own skin” look.  It also gives foundation a more moderate coverage.  I am sure the lighter bristles on the end have another purpose, but it provides encouragement for frequently cleaning because pigment is readily visible. ($35)

As a fan of foundation brushes, I think these two offer the best of what is out there.  If you are one who favors a heavier coverage, Armani is the way to go.  For those who like a tinted look, try Bobbi Brown.

Bobbi Brown Brush Cleaning Spray

Raise your hand if you don’t wash your brushes every single week: guilty as charged.  I know it is not a replacement for brush shampooing, but the Bobbi Brown Brush Cleaning Spray makes me feel just a little bit better about my brush-cleaning-laziness.  This spray is alcohol free and safe for synthetic and natural brushes.  And it is quick drying.  This really comes in handy if you have leftover color on your brush you don’t want interfering with your next application.