Overview: Synthetic Buffing Foundation Brushes

A few of my favorite buffing brushes for liquid and cream application are actually from ELF. I didn't include them in this post because I already reviewed them here. (I definitely recommend checking them out because they created the same type of brush in 3 different size and density, which allows them to cater towards a wider audience and different types of preferences. So, I'm sure you'll find the one that's suitable for you.) Also, I reviewed the Real Techniques brushes already, so I won't go into detail about them in this post.

Synthetic buffing brushes are far superior than those made with natural bristles, when using liquid and cream-based products because they don't absorb as much product and blends it into the skin alot easier without streaking. There are so many in the market, ranging in different sizes, shapes, and density. My preference is for those that are not too big or too small so that it can be multi-functional. Also, I like them to be not too dense so it doesn't tug my skin and cause premature wrinkles. Continue reading to find out how these brushes compare to one another!

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Review + Comparison: Battle of the Flat Paddle Foundation Brushes

Flat paddle synthetic brushes are meant to be used for applying liquid foundation all over the face in a painting motion. I personally prefer to use a buffing brush for applying liquid foundation because it's quicker and buffs the product into my skin easier. When I want an airbrush effect and more coverage without the bristles absorbing lots of product, I opt for a stippling brush. In general, I only use flat paddle synthetic brushes for applying concealer under my eye area and liquid foundation around the small crevices of my nose.

Dior Backstage Fluid Foundation ~ Chanel #6 ~ Sigma F60 ~ EcoTools Bamboo Foundation

Real Techniques Essential Foundation ~ Royal & Langnickel BX-45

Dior Backstage Fluid Foundation ~ Chanel #6 ~ Sigma F60 ~ EcoTools Bamboo Foundation
Real Techniques Essential Foundation ~ Royal & Langnickel BX-45

Dior Backstage Fluid Foundation ~ Chanel #6 ~ Sigma F60

Dior Backstage Fluid Foundation Light Coverage Brush ($45) - This is the thickest of the bunch. I love that the bristles are dense and firm. The size of the head is excellent for face application, but it still fits nicely under the eye area. I just tap the product lightly and it immediately sinks into my skin, providing great coverage without streaking. (It measures 7 inches in total length.)

Chanel #6 Foundation Brush ($45) - The base of the head is thick and firm, while the tip is thin and tapered. I like using it for applying under eye concealer because it doesn't streak and it fits really well under my eye area. As for face application, I prefer the Dior one because it's thicker and slightly bigger. (It measures 6.20 inches in total length.)

Sigma F60 Foundation Brush ($16) - The head is narrower and the tip is thicker compared to the Chanel one. I do notice that if I apply too much product, it's difficult to blend out without streaking, using the Sigma one. (It measures 7.5 inches in total length.)

EcoTools Bamboo Foundation ~ Real Techniques Essential Foundation

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Foundation (Old Version) ~ Royal & Langnickel BX-45

EcoTools Bamboo Foundation ~ Real Techniques Essential Foundation

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Foundation (Old Version) ~ Royal & Langnickel BX-45

Royal & Langnickel BX-45 ~ Real Techniques Essential Foundation ~ EcoTools Bamboo Foundation

EcoTools Bamboo Foundation Brush ($5.99) - The head is slightly thicker, denser and narrower than the Chanel one. I have no issues with it streaking and it blends product into the skin effortlessly. This is a total bargain! (It measures 6.30 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Essential Foundation Brush (comes in the Travel Essentials set $17.99) - The head is slightly smaller and denser than the EcoTools one. Out of all of them, the RT one is the one that I reach for the most because it provides excellent coverage without streaking when I apply the product in a tapping motion. (It measures 6.25 inches in total length.)

Royal & Langnickel BX-45 Brush ($15.99) - This is another one that I reach for the most because it offers excellent coverage and it blends the concealer seamlessly with my foundation with barely any effort. The head is the shortest of the bunch and fits perfectly under the eye area. Also, I love how dense and firm it is. I have no complaints about this brush, which is very rare. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length.)

Royal & Langnickel BX-40 ~ Royal & Langnickel Silk Pro C201 ~ Sigma F60 (Mr. Bunny Kit) ~ Sigma F60

Royal & Langnickel BX-40 ~ Royal & Langnickel Silk Pro C201 ~ Sigma F60 (Mr. Bunny Kit) ~ Sigma F60

Royal & Langnickel BX-40 Brush ($28.99) - The head is the biggest of the bunch and ideal for face application. It doesn't streak when I apply liquid foundation, but the bristles are not as firm as the Dior brush. I prefer the Dior one for face application because it gives me better control. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length.)

Royal & Langnickel Silk Pro C201 Brush (comes in the SILK Synthetic Hair 12 pc Set $119.99) - The bristles are not flimsy and it doesn't streak when I apply liquid products, but it's not as firm as the Sigma F60. When it comes to flat paddle synthetic brushes, I'm all about firmness because I want maximum control. (It measures 7 inches in total length.)

Sigma F60 Foundation Brush (comes in the Mr. Bunny Essential Kit $120) - The bristles are not as firm and the tip is not as pointed as the regular Sigma F60. Also, I have to be careful to not over apply product or else it'll be difficult to blend out without streaking. (It measures 7.5 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Essential Foundation
Sonia Kashuk No. 05 Synthetic Foundation (New Version) ~ Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Foundation (Old Version)


Real Techniques Essential Foundation
Sonia Kashuk No. 05 Synthetic Foundation (New Version) ~ Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Foundation (Old Version)

Sonia Kashuk No. 05 Synthetic Foundation Brush (New Version $14.29) - The head is slightly thicker and firmer than the RT one. Also, it has a thin tip. The SK one is another one of my favorites. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length.)

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Foundation Brush (Old Version $14.29) - The head is thinner than the new version and it's the flimsiest of the bunch. Also, it's difficult to blend product into my skin without it streaking. The new version is far superior and I'm so glad that Sonia Kashuk revamped it. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length.)

Bottom Line: In terms of only application and disregarding physical appearance & price, my favorites are the Sonia Kashuk (new version), Real Techniques, and Royal & Langnickel BX-45. Coming in 2nd place is the EcoTools one. 3rd place goes to the Dior one and 4th place goes to the Chanel one. I love how dense and firm they all are and they blend product into my skin so easily, when used in a tapping motion!

Note: The Dior brush is available at Sephora and Nordstrom. The Chanel and Sigma brushes are available at Nordstrom. The EcoTools brush is available at Ulta, drugstore.com and Target. The Real Techniques brush is available at Ulta, drugstore.com and Target. The Royal & Langnickel brushes are available at their online store. The Sonia Kashuk brushes are available only at Target. The brush holder is sold separately and can be purchased here for $22.

What flat paddle foundation brush do you love and would recommend?

*This post contains affiliate links. The Sigma, Real Techniques & EcoTools brushes were given to me by one of my lovely friends. The Royal & Langnickel BX-45 & BX-40 brushes were won during one of their sweepstakes. The Royal & Langnickel C201 was given to me for review consideration. All of the other brushes that are mentioned above were purchased by me using my own funds, 

Review: EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki Brush

It seems like every makeup company has their own version of the stippling/skunk brush; however, none of the ones that I have encountered are as dense and firm as the Mac 187 (full review) or the Sephora #44 brush (full review), which is the densest and firmest duo fiber brush that I have tried. As expected, the EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush is not a "dupe" for either the Mac 187 or Sephora #44 brush.

(There is a crack in the middle of the handle because my butter fingers dropped it.)

First off, the handle of the EcoTools brush is made from bamboo, while the bristles are made from synthetic material, specifically, taklon; therefore, this brush is environmentally friendly and animal cruelty-free. The hairs are so soft and does not shed at all; however, I find it a little too big for blush application and too flimsy for buffing or stippling liquid foundation. It's difficult to get into the small crevices of the face because the brush is too big and not firm enough. I still prefer to use my Mac 187 and Sephora #44 brush to apply liquid foundation because they are both firmer and denser. Plus, they give better coverage and better control. The only use that I find for the EcoTools brush is for applying a light dusting of setting powder.

Pros:

• feels soft
• no shedding
• no dye bleeding
• no funky smell
• easy to wash, no staining
• great for applying setting powder
• not expensive
• base is flat, handle can stand upright

Cons:

• head is too big for applying foundation in the small crevices of the face
• bristles are too flimsy for foundation application
• too big for the cheek area, not ideal for applying blush

Because I already have my favorite brush (full review) for applying setting powder, I decided to wrap a hair tie around the bristles to make it firmer and densely packed in order to make foundation application easier. I don't recommend my readers to do this because it will damage the bristles and cause them to break in the long-run. I do this because I don't have any other use for this brush. If I don't do this, the brush is just going to be sitting on my vanity collecting dust. However, I must admit, it looks so unattractive with the hair tie choking the bristles, but I only do this when my other foundation brushes are dirty and when I need it for "emergencies."

Bottom Line:  It's not multi-functional in its original state (not counting when it has a hair tie wrapped around the bristles). It's only best suited for applying setting powder because it gives a light application. However, the quality of the brush is great because it doesn't shed and it's soft. I just find it too big and too flimsy for applying foundation. 

Note: The EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush measures 4 inches and you can purchase this at Ulta, Target, and drugstore.com for around $7.

Do you like using the EcoTools Bamboo 

Finishing Kabuki Brush for foundation application?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Review: EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush

The EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer brush is one of the prizes for my current giveaway

and it is brand new and unused. 

The one that I'm reviewing in this post is from my personal brush collection. 

Don't worry, I don't give away used cosmetics or used brushes. =)

EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush 

Pros:

• feels teddy bear soft
• bristles are densely packed
• no shedding
• no dye bleeding
• no funky smell
• easy to wash, no staining
• great size for applying bronzer all over the body (as long as you don't mind wasting product because the bristles absorb a bit of the product)
• not expensive
• base is flat, handle can stand upright

Cons:

• head is too big for applying foundation in the small crevices of the face
• too dense and big for the cheek area, not ideal for applying blush
• too big for contouring
• not ideal for buffing out over applied products, such as blush (the brush can rub off your makeup)
• the bristles absorb some of the product (liquid and powder), which means you will have to use more product
• takes more than 14 hours to dry

The EcoTools brush is one of the softest brush that I've felt. It's quick and easy to use when applying liquid or powder foundation because the bristles are super dense; however, I recommend applying your foundation first before applying your eye makeup because it's hard to work around the small crevices of your face with the brush and you might end up ruining your eye makeup, if you're not careful. I also notice that with the EcoTools brush, some of the foundation gets wasted because it's being absorbed by the bristles when I buff. Although I use a little bit more foundation with the EcoTools brush, the coverage that I get is not as good as the coverage that I get from my Mac 187 brush. However, it's made from "taklon bristles, a recycled aluminum ferrule, and a bamboo handle". So, it's cruelty free and environmentally friendly .

Bottom Line: I recommend getting the EcoTools brush if you're always in a rush or on a budget. If you don't mind wasting product, and want something quick & easy to use, then this brush is ideal for you. The bristles are super soft & dense and I haven't experienced any shedding, dye bleeding or funky smell. 

EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush Compared to:

Royal & Langnickel BC180 $14.99 (review) - It's made of natural bristles, has a smaller head, & sheds 1-2 hairs after each wash. Although the bristles are less dense than the EcoTools brush, the Royal & Langnickel brush is still a dense brush itself and is by no means flimsy. It's ideal for applying bronzer, mineral & powder foundation and for buffing out over applied products, such as blush.

Mac 109 Small Contour Brush $32 (review) - It's made of natural bristles and has a significantly smaller head. It's ideal for contouring because the brush is dense & firm and the head fits perfectly in the hollow of my cheeks.

Mac 182 Buffer Brush Couture Limited Edition $55 (review) - It's made of natural bristles, is less dense, and has a wider head. It's ideal for applying setting powder, buffing out over applied products, such as blush, and for buffing in mineral & powder foundation, if you don't want heavy coverage. 

Note: The EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer brush measures 5.5 inches and you can purchase this at Ulta, Target, and drugstore.com for around $10.

How do you use the EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer brush?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.