Coupon Code 2016: 30% OFF Sigma at Beauty.com + Free Gift with Purchase ($140 value)

Get 30% OFF Sigma products through this link. You can also get a free Sample-Filled Ulla Johnson Aurora Bag ($140 value) if you spend $100 or more at beauty.com. (You can fill your cart with any products on Beauty.com's website.)

Gift with Purchase includes:

• Ulla Johnson Aurora Bag
• Laura Geller New York Spackle Treatment, Even Tone 
• Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask 
• Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar 
• Decleor Harmonie Calm Soothing Milky Cream 
• L'Occitane Divine Cream 
• Eprouvage Thickening and Plumping Spray 
• Tocca Eau de Parfum, Liliana 
• DevaCurl Low Poo Delight Weightless Waves 
• Beachwaver Co. Half Up, Blonde 
• Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Eye Serum 
• Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, Sun-Kissed Glow 
• Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 
• Savvy Traveler Take Offz 
• Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner 
• Biobelle I Woke Up Like This Mask 
• Tarte Tarteguard SPF 30 
• Beauty.com Offer Card $10 off $50

This post contains affiliate links.

Review + Comparisons - Nordstrom Brush Haul (Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Sigma)

It's difficult to review eye brushes and recommend the "best" one because some work better than others, depending on your eye shape and lid space. So hopefully, these pictures will help you figure out the one that's most suitable for you!

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Review: Tapered Crease Blending Brushes for the Eyes

4. Sonia Kashuk #109 Pointed Blending Brush
5. Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush

I already made a post about tapered crease blending brushes in a previous post. Those brushes are intended for the eyes, but I personally use them for face application. Most of the brushes mentioned in this post are smaller and more suitable for eye application.

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Review + Swatches: Sigma Synthetic Eye Brushes for Cream Products

Sigma's synthetic eye brushes stand out from their competition because they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. You're bound to find one that's perfect for you. The ones mentioned in this post are all made of synthetic material and animal cruelty-free. I love using them to work with cream eyeshadows and concealer because they glide product onto the skin smoothly and evenly.

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Swatches + Comparisons - Collective Haul (Guerlain, Nars, Urban Decay, MUFE)

I had some of these products for a few months and others for a few years. -_-
I decided to group them together in one big post with mini reviews instead of making separate posts.

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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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Overview: Pointed Tapered Brushes for Contouring & Highlighting

1. Sephora Pro Contour #79 Brush

2. Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush

3. Sigma Tapered Highlighter F35 Brush

4. Hakuhodo G5521BkSL Brush

5. Hakuhodo G5518BkSL Brush

6. Trish McEvoy 86 Petite Kabuki

Tapered brushes are one of the most important tools in my arsenal. They are designed to fit perfectly in areas of the face that are not too big or too small, including the under eye, top of the cheeks, hollows of the cheeks and border of the face. They're suppose to offer control, while still being flexible enough to blend out product effortlessly. Also, the ideal one would allow you to apply & blend product on the same area without having to reach for another brush. Continue reading to find out how the following six brushes stack up to the "ideal" tapered brush.

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Review - Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove

(This is the instruction on the back of the package.)

Pros:

• makes the brush cleaning process more "fun"
• protects skin from getting wet and wrinkled
• microfiber glove insert is removeable, washable and makes the silicone glove more comfortable to wear

Cons:

• slightly too big
• need to wrap a rubber band on the bottom of the glove to secure it to my arm
• doesn't shape and squeeze the excess water out of the brushes as easy as my bare hands
• leaves a liquid/cream product residue on surface of the glove and on the ferrules of flat shader/paddle brushes

Neutral:

• $39 (Price is a very personal issue and I will defend my stance below in further details.)
• It cleans my brushes well, but it doesn't clean them faster or better than the bare hands method. Therefore, this is neither a pro nor con.

   

   (The bottom of the glove indicates whether it's the side for washing eye brushes or face brushes.)

I have over 200 brushes and counting because I dread washing my brushes. (I just placed a Hakuhodo order and have a few Sigma brush sets that I haven't even reviewed yet.) I usually leave my dirty brushes off to the side and wait for them to pile up before deep cleaning them all at once. I do this once every 2-3 weeks. I rather not wash them right after they get dirty because I'm lazy I don't have time. The Sigma glove makes brush cleaning less of a chore and more "fun" because of the nubbles. The side with the smaller nubbles is meant for cleaning eye brushes, while the side with the bigger nubbles is meant for cleaning face brushes. Both sides on the bottom of the glove clearly indicates whether it's for cleaning eye or face brushes. Also, I wash over 30 brushes at a time, so I like that the glove prevents my fingers from getting wet and wrinkled like a prune. It also comes with a microfiber insert that's removable, washable and makes the silicone glove more comfortable to wear.

(Darn it, I spelled "removable" incorrectly. -_- It's been a long day.)

Psychologically, it seems like the silicone glove does a better job with cleaning my brushes because I can see all the gunk coming out of the bristles and clearly on the glove. However, it doesn't actually clean my brushes any faster or better than the bare hands method. When I use the bare hands method to wash foundation brushes, I always need to wash it once with olive oil to get all the product out and then wash it again with baby shampoo. I have to do the same thing when I use the silicone glove. It can actually take a little bit longer because it's not as easy to shape and squeeze the excess water out of the brushes compared to my bare hands because the silicone glove is a little bit too big and thick. Also, I have to wrap a rubber band on the bottom of the glove to secure it to my arm or else it'll keep sliding out. (This may be due to the fact that I have small hands.)

Warning: Be gentle when you swirl your brush onto the glove. I was a little bit too harsh with my sigma F82 and it shedded 2 hairs because I pressed it too hard against the nubbles when I was swirling the bristles all over the glove. I didn't experienced any shedding with any of my brushes when I was gentle and it still cleaned my brushes well.

(The glove is too big and thick. So, it doesn't shape and squeeze the excess water out of the brushes as easy as my bare hands.)

I have to wrap a rubber band on the bottom of the glove or else the glove will keep sliding out.

Another important thing to mention is that there was a residue on the glove after I used it to wash my foundation brushes. This can actually make the cleaning process longer for my next dirty brush. Also, when I wash my flat shader brushes or flat paddle foundation brushes, residue gets on the ferrule because I have to wash those types of brushes in a painting motion. When I wash my other brushes in a swirling motion, it's difficult for the residue to get onto the ferrules. (I remove the residue just  like I remove the liquid/cream product from my brushes, using an oil-based cleanser to break down the product.)

(Notice the foundation residue.)

(Notice the cream product residue on the ferrule of the brushes.)

Price: Personally, Sigma was a brand that represented good quality at an affordable price. Although their quality never matched up to luxury brands, it was fine because their price was reasonable for the quality that they were offering. I paid $39 for the silicone glove + $6 for shipping. Even with the 10% off coupon, my total came up to $41.10. At first, it did seem "overpriced" for one item that's basically an "oven mit." However, I don't measure the value of a product based solely on quantity. I also measure it in terms of quality, how it would fit into my lifestyle and how it would improve the quality of my life.

Bottom Line: The Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove would be less valuable to those who have only a few brushes in their collection. However, if you are a brush hoarder, then this product will make the brush cleaning process less of a chore. 

Note: The Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove is available on their online store for $39. It measures 11 inches in length and 7.5 inches at the widest point.

How do you wash your brushes?

* This post contains affiliate links. 

The Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove was purchased by me using my own funds,

Review + Comparison - Crown Brush C442 Duo Fiber Buffer Brush + C439 Round Buffer Brush

I placed an order with Crown Brush last year when they had a 10% OFF sale. The company requires a minimum order amount of $25 and they charge a flat rate shipping fee of $7 to east coast residents. I bought the C442 Duo Fiber Buffer brush, C439 Round Buffer brush, and SS003 Deluxe Medium Foundation brush, which totaled to $33.85. The SS003 was too flimsy for me, so I gave it away. Continue reading to find out what I think about the other brushes!

Crown Brush C442 Duo Fiber Buffer Brush ($9.99) - The white bristles are made of synthetic material, while the black bristles are made of natural hair. It is super dense and much firmer than my other duo fiber brushes, which is not necessarily a good thing. I actually find it to be too dense for stippling liquid foundation because it places a concentrated amount of product on one area and takes longer to blend out. I prefer the MAC 187 to stipple liquid foundation because it's not as dense as the C442, but it is by no means flimsy. So, it disperses product evenly and it provides better coverage without absorbing and wasting alot of product. Also, it leaves an airbrushed finish.

When used in a buffing motion to apply liquid foundation, the C442 does not shed because the white synthetic bristles are so densely packed that it prevents the product from reaching the black bristles. (If you press the brush firmly onto your skin and use a heavy hand when you're buffing in the product, then the product will reach the black bristles and it will start shedding. Just use a lighter hand when you're using the brush in a buffing motion and it won't shed.) Because the bristles are so densely packed, it absorbs alot of product and doesn't provide as much coverage as my MAC 187. (Keep in mind, I only use my MAC 187 in a stippling motion.) Also, the head of the C442 brush is wide and can be a little difficult to reach the small crevices of the face. However, it blends out product really well and makes applying foundation much quicker when used in a buffing motion. The Sigma F80 has a smaller head and the bristles are made of solely synthetic material. I prefer the C442 over the Sigma F80 because it doesn't tug my skin as much when used in a buffing motion. 

The C442 feels very soft and doesn't feel prickly or uncomfortable when used in a stippling or buffing motion. I did experience dye bleeding during its initial wash and it stained the white bristles grey, which I had to remove by using olive oil. It hasn't bled since then, but it sheds 1 hair from time to time when I'm cleaning it. (I clean it with baby shampoo and olive oil.) However, it doesn't shed or leave hairs all over my face when I'm using it. It takes about 13 hours to dry, but if you use a paper towel to absorb the excess water, then it'll take about 8.5 hours to dry. Also, the head is full size, but the handle is travel size. The full length of the brush measures 4.75 inches. 

Crown Brush C439 Round Buffer Brush ($13.95) - The bristles are made of solely synthetic material and is much denser than the Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Buffing brush, but a teeny tiny bit less denser than the Sigma F82. The head of the C439 brush is bigger, so it can cover a greater portion of the face and buff in product quicker, while the Sigma F82 is smaller and can reach the small crevices of the face better. However, both tug my skin when I use them to buff liquid foundation because they are very dense and don't glide product onto the skin as easily or blend product as effortlessly as my Real Techniques Buffing brush.

The Sonia Kashuk brush has longer bristles and it is not as dense as the C439 and Sigma F82, so it doesn't tug the skin. Also, the size of the head allows it to buff in liquid foundation quickly. I prefer to use it to apply my Chanel cream bronzer. The top of the brush is too wide to fit on the cheek area, so I like to hold the brush at an angle and use the side of the brush to tap the product onto my cheeks.

The main issue with the Sonia Kashuk, C439 and Sigma F82 is that they all waste and absorb alot of product and don't provide as much coverage as my MAC 187 when used for applying liquid foundation. Also, I don't recommend any of them for buffing in mineral/powder foundation because synthetic bristles do not lay down powder products as well as natural bristles. For applying mineral/powder foundation, I recommend using the Sonia Kashuk Dense Blush Powder brush or the Sephora #43 because they provide better coverage. However, I don't recommend using brushes made of natural bristles for applying liquid products because that will cause your brushes to shed.

The C439 brush feels very soft and I haven't experienced any shedding. Also, the head is full size, but the handle is travel size. The full length of the brush measures 5.75 inches. It takes about 12 hours to dry.

Bottom Line: If you don't mind wasting product and are always rushing out the door, then the C442 and C439 will suit your needs because they buff in product quickly. The size of the short handles also make it excellent for travel.

Note: The Crown C442 and C439 are sold individually on their online store. The Sigma F80 and F82 are available at Nordstrom. The Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Buffing brush is available only at Target. 

Which Crown brushes do you recommend?

* This post contains affiliate links. 

The Sigma brushes were given to me by one of my lovely friends. 

All of the other brushes that are mentioned above were purchased by me using my own funds,

Review + Comparison - Sonia Kashuk Spring 2013 New Brushes

Sonia Kashuk is back with some new brushes for her Spring 2013 collection. I follow her on Facebook and once I found out that the collection was released, I immediately raced down to my local Target store and picked up a few items. ^_^

Sonia Kashuk Domed Blusher Brush ($17.19) - The bristles are softer than the Sigma brushes and are neither too dense nor too flimsy. Because of its tapered tip, it places product nicely underneath the eye area, on the cheeks and the "3E". I love using it to apply setting powder, sheer & regular (not highly pigmented) blushers and bronzers. When using it to apply regular blushers, do not swirl the brush in the compact or else you'll end up looking like a clown. Just tap the brush once in the compact and it'll deposit the right amount of product for one side of the cheek. 

When compared to the Sigma F25, I prefer the SK one more because it offers better control. The size & density of the SK one makes it more multi-functional and it's perfect for the types of applications that I mentioned above. The SK Dense Blush Powder brush is much denser and more ideal for buffing in powder foundation. (The SK Domed Blusher brush measures 7.30 inches in total length. It did shed a few hairs during its initial wash, which is normal, but it hasn't shed since.)

Sonia Kashuk Medium Eyeshadow Brush ($10.79) - The head is bigger and thicker than the MAC 239, which is better for those with a small lid space. The SK suits a wider range of people. The bristles feel very soft, but the MAC 239 is slightly softer because it has a waxy feel to it. As for performance, it packs on color well and offers excellent control because it's very firm, just like the MAC 239. I love using it to place color onto my lids and highlighting my brow bone. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length. It has not shed a single hair.)

Sonia Kashuk Large Powder Brush ($19.19) - The bristles are fluffy, but definitely not flimsy.  The size of the head makes it ideal for applying setting powder all over the face and body. It picks up the right amount of product and disperses evenly without ever leaving a cakey finish. (It measures 7.75 inches in total length.)

Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush (Old Version $17.19) - The head is smaller than the Large Powder brush and is my go-to brush when I'm dealing with a very difficult blush that's highly pigmented. The bristles are not densely packed, which allows it to pick up product lightly and disperse evenly. I just wish it was a teeny tiny bit smaller so that it'll fit on my cheeks better. If I'm not careful, it can place product onto a large portion of my face. (It measures 7.30 inches in total length.)

Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush (New Version $17.19) - The head is slightly narrower and the tip is not as wide as the old version. So, it fits alot better on my cheeks. Also, the bristles are a little bit more densely packed and is excellent for applying regular (not sheer or highly pigmented) blushers. (It measures 7.30 inches in total length.)

All 3 of these brushes did shed a few hairs during its initial wash, which is normal, but they haven't shed since. These are not from the new Spring 2013 collection. I've had them for more than a year and they still feel like brand new.

Bottom Line: Sonia Kashuk's black handled professional brushes never fail me. The hair on these brushes are super duper soft and the ferrules never loosen. Also, the new ones have the brand name and number of the brush engraved on the handles, which is a nice touch. I highly recommend checking out her line of brushes, even if you're not a fan of "drugstore" products because these are definitely superior to other drugstore brushes and are even better than some of the high-end ones that I've tried. 

Note: The MAC brush is available at their online store and Nordstrom. The Sigma brushes are available at Nordstrom. The Sonia Kashuk brushes are available only at Target.

Have you check out Sonia Kashuk's Spring 2013 collection?

*This post contains affiliate links. All of the Sonia Kashuk products were purchased by me, using my own funds.