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The top 10 make-up brushes – As rated by you!

21 September, 2014 - 10:40pm by - First Lady | 27 Comments

Article by BR Tabatha

A good work-woman never blames her tools right?  Well with this latest Top Ten list, you won't definitely won't have an excuse to blame your tools again!  We've compiled the top ten makeup brushes on Beauty Review - you'll find individual brushes and sets in the list, with one thing in common - they're highly rated and recommended by other Beauty Review members.

What we love about our Top Ten lists, is they're not based on brand's, editor's or even the Beauty Crew's opinions.  As if!  We present New Zealand's Top Ten Makeup Brushes as rated by our members - that's you!

1. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - 4.9/5

They say:  Ultra firm and broad for application and blending of cream or liquid foundation.  Ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free.  Self-standing for easy storage and has an extended aluminum handle that is light and easy to use.

You say:  This brush is multi purpose but I tend to use it for foundation (if my stippling brush is dirty), and/or highlighter if I want it a little less subtle.

One of the first things I noticed about this brush when I first used it is how incredible soft it is. It feels like my cats fur hahaha. It's so beautiful. The bristles are packed nice and densely yet it feels like a dream on your face.

Like all of my other RT brushes I haven't had any issues with this shedding or losing its shape after washing. It still feels amazingly soft even though I use this daily.

If you don't like using a stippling brush to apply foundation then I highly recommend getting this. It leaves your foundation streak free and the density of the bristles means that you can stipple it and buff it into your skin for a super natural look.

While this isn't a 'must have' to those first starting out with makeup brushes, I feel this adds to your brush arsenal really superbly. I highly recommend it if you are wanting another brush that is great for multi-use.

Beauty Review Hero: jessickaxnz

2. xoBeauty Flat Top Synthetic Face Brush - 4.9/5

They say: A flat top synthetic brush that is Shaaanxo's personal favorite to apply her liquid foundation with! It's also perfect to use with powder and other cream and liquid products. This brush is super dense and super soft, enabling a flawless finish every time!

You say: I brought this brush towards the end of last year and it has become one of my top brushes to apply foundation with. It is very soft which is a must for me, it is dense enough without being too dense and it blends out product flawlessly. It is very comparable to other high end brushes out there but without the hefty price tag and I am all for supporting NZ businesses. Great brush - and I love the other XO beauty brushes I purchased as well!

Beauty Review Expert: NatsR

3.  Real Techniques Powder Brush - 4.9/5

They say: Evenly apply powders and mineral foundations for smooth, high-definition results. Ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free.  Self-standing for easy storage and has an extended aluminum handle that is light and easy to use.

You say: I've had this brush for about 6 months now, and love it! It is a lovely big fluffy brush, and is so easy to apply powder with, as it is big, it's easy not to cake on the powder. I used it as a mineral foundation brush for a while, but prefer it as a powder brush. It's a great price for such a quality brush. I've never had any shedding, and it goes back to looking like brand new every time I wash it. The handle is easy to hold making it easy to apply powder.

Beauty Review Expert: belindaledwards

4.  e.l.f Kabuki Face Brush - 4.9/5

They say:  This anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this brush! Our handy and easy to use Kabuki Brushes provide a light to full coverage on your face or body to ensure a flawless finish. The compact brush is perfectly sized to allow for precise and controlled application of bronzer, powder, or a highlighter on your skin. Vegan Friendly.

You say: And yet another major HIT for Elf, I am constantly being blown away by the quality of their products. This brush set me back less than $4 NZD during their big 50% off sale and I'm so glad I got it and slightly annoyed I didn't grab a couple more.

The bristles are super soft yet dense, the handle is big enough to grip properly yet small enough to carry around in your handbag. I love using this with my powder to set my foundation, I find that this brush doesn't move my foundation around while setting it unlike some other brushes I've used before. I think this brush is worth so much more than the current price tag but I'm certainly not complaining at the affordability. I haven't had any problems with shedding or bleeding either which is a big plus!

Beauty Review Expert: lipstickmanic

5.  e.l.f Complexion Brush - 4.8/5  

They say: E.L.F Complexion Brush is a new anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush!  Expertly sweeps all types of powders across the entire face and sculpts features beautifully. Use with pressed, loose, or translucent powders, blush or bronzer

You say: Of all the brushes I now own this is by far my favourite!

It is a beautifully soft large head, slightly tapered at the sides, which I use for bronzer/skin enhancer powder all over my face. The price is amazing and it has washed well, dries really quickly and has retained it's shape.  I love this brush so much I've bought two more as standbys.

Beauty Review Expert: Tess

6.  Real Techniques Core Collection - 4.8/5

They say:  Create a perfect canvas with this collection of coverage essentials:includes 4 full-size brushes + case. Contains a detailer brush, pointed foundation brush, buffing brush, contour brush and a panoramic brush case which doubles as a stand.

You say: These were the first real set of brushes I ever bought after becoming a qualified beautician. At the time I thought they would be an inexpensive, inbetween kind of set while I saved up to buy some more expensive brushes but boy was I wrong! These are high quality brushes that are durable, don't shed and look great! The brushes are soft and sturdy, the buffing brush is the perfect density for creating a flawless, streak-free base and they wash like a dream! I use the contour brush for contouring my cheeks or applying a light powder under my eyes, it's great with powder or cream products! The pointed foundation brush is great for under-eye concealer and covering blemishes. I use the detailer brush for gel liner, lipstick and applying highlights on my inner corner and browbone. I highly recommend these brushes! They are well worth the time and will definitely become part of YOUR core collection

Beauty Review Expert: amelietitia

7.  Real Techniques Starter Set - 4.8/5

They say: Eye definition goes high-definition with this essential set.  Includes base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush, accent brush, pixel-point eyeliner brush, brow brush and a panoramic brush case which doubles as a stand.

You say: They are SO soft and luxurious. You can pack quite a lot of colour and pigment on the shade brushes, and they distribute very evenly. The angle brush I use for my brows. It is just soft enough, but not too soft. Makes a very natural looking brow. The liner brush is a wee bit too thick for me, but if I use a light hand I can definitely make it work :) And they have NEVER shed!!.

The case / holder they come in is so handy, I love that it has room for other brushes, folds up for traveling and folds out to make a stand! I definitely recommend these to everyone. They are great quality for the price.

Beauty Review Expert: T-rish-e

8.  Real Techniques Setting Brush - 4.5/5

They say:  The key to completing any look with a controlled dusting of powder or highlighter.  Ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free.  Self-standing for easy storage and has an extended aluminum handle that is light and easy to use.

You say:  So trying to figure out how to write about a brush is almost as hard as perfume!

Butterfly kisses! So soft and delicate like a wee butterfly dancing on my skin. I have other brushes (well did) that are hard and the bristles fell out into my face. I love this and the rest of the collection I binned the old ones.

I like how it easily picks up enough product and how it leaves the final look. The handle is easy to hold.

Beauty Review Hero: Farmers-Wife

9.  Artiste Crème Blush Brush - 4.1/5

They say: Used for blending and buffing cheek powders for even distribution. The natural bristles pick up powder easily for extra accentuation. Great for buffing off excess make-up.

You say: I purchased this brush from the Beauty Rewards Vault, and I am so glad I did! It is a wonderful brush, and I couldn't want anything more in it. The packaging of all Artiste products is really nice, and made it all the more exciting when this brush arrived in the post.

The brush itself is also lovely, with bristles coloured in pretty tones of pinks, purples and blues instead of plain cream or black. The shape is excellent for blush application - simply sweep down along your cheeks then blend in for a perfect glow. It's softness makes it feel gorgeous on the skin, and the quality of the brand and product mean this brush is bound to last a long time and be a true investment in my brush collection.

Beauty Review Expert: BeautyCutie

10. Real Techniques Stippling Brush - 4/5

They say: This dual-fiber brush is the trade secret for creating airbrushed, high-definition results with all types of makeup.

You say: I really love this brush. I've tried stippling brushes before and I've found them to either have the brush hair fall out too quick or they are too soft. This brush isn't any of those. The brush is nice and firm but not overly firm to the point where it can irritate your skin.

It makes applying foundation so much easier as you just dab where you need to apply. I've even used it to buff, but if you want to keep it for longer, I recommend just for stippling. I've had mine for ages now and it hasn't shed any hair at all. The handle is just right i.e. easy to hold and the size all together is just right for comfort. If you're looking for a brush that does it all, then look no further, you have found it.

Beauty Review Expert: Mumof3munchkins

 

So there you have it - The Top Ten Makeup Brushes in New Zealand, as rated by New Zealand's largest independent beauty review website.  Did your favourite make the list? 

*All products have a minimum of 10 reviews submitted against them. 

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Comments

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24th January, 2015

I love the real technique brushes! They are really high quality and affordable too.

22nd January, 2015

I love my Real Techniques brushes - can't wait to get my hands on the new bold metals brushes!! Would have thought that a MAC 217 would have made the top 10 though. I can't live without mine - so much so that I have 4

28th September, 2014

Real technique brushes are absolutely amazing! Awesome reviews ladies!! I have to try the Shaaanxo beauty brushes :)

27th September, 2014

Love the xo brands and real techniques ones so very happy to see them here.

26th September, 2014

I need a new Kabuki brush in my life....

26th September, 2014

I think Real Techniques is by far the best brands as they are so cheap and affordable.

26th September, 2014

I'm thinking I have to the Real Techniques Foundation brush now! I have a flat top foundation brush, 2 actually one unbranded bamboo handled one which I love it's super fluffy, the second one an IMEI flat top and I find it's to dense and my skin feels raw after using them sometimes and then I also have a Manicure Foundation Sponge (beauty blender dupe type thing) and I love that. BUT it's time to try the RT brand ;)

25th September, 2014

I love the elf kabuki brush so much I now have two!

25th September, 2014

Awesome list, but is it possible to have a list of where we can buy the brushes from??

25th September, 2014

Real Techniques truly is a winner! I love all their brushes that I own and will surely be buying more, until I have them all!!

23rd September, 2014

Wow I thought the Sedona Lace, Jessup and Sigma Brushes would be in this list??? Fail lol

23rd September, 2014

Good to see so much real techniques. Great to see a reasonably cheap product that is great quality

23rd September, 2014

It seems like everyone loves those real technique brushes, iherb, here I come :)

23rd September, 2014

I actually don't own any brushes. Eek. Only the ones that come with gel liners and stuff. Planning to save up and splurge on a good set so thank you for this article!

23rd September, 2014

I have a few RT brushes, loooove them and also a set of the ELF studio brushes - those are also really good!

BR-Queenie
25th September, 2014

Hi there if you go to the brand directory and check out the brands there, the links are all there to take you to the brand website. xo BR

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