Are expensive make up brushes worth it?

IrishPhoenix

I'm thinking of investing in some decent brushes and I am completely baffled by conflicting advice and reviews.

Can someone tell me are the expensive brushes like Bobbi Brown, MAC, Clinique etc worth the money or are there cheaper substitutes that are as good?

moonflower

It depends on the brush really and the brand. I'm not a great fan of MAC makeup but I love love love their brushes, they're the best I've used. On the opposite end of the scale I also have two eyeshadow brushes I bought in Dunnes for €3 each years ago which are fantastic and have held up really well.

I usually find brushes with natural bristles to be better than synthetic brushes although they are more expensive.

If you don't want to splash out too much try Ruby & Millie brushes, you can get them in Boots. They're usually around €8 I think but last January I picked up a set of 5 of their brushes and an eye and lip palette for around a tenner and was pleasantly surprised by how good they were. Brushes to avoid (in my opinion) would be the body shop ones, I have a few and never use them, the handles are too chunky and the brushes dont blend well.
Hope that helps!

Jessibelle

I find the Body Shop brushes to be excellent and for the more expensive but not break the bank expensive ones, I likesigma brushes. That said, I've bought some of teh cheap ones from Penny's Opia range that are as good and don't shed at all.

Michellenman

No. 7 have a new line of brushes that I find to be quite good. The blush/contour brush is a particularly nice shape. I have the concealor brush too, which tbh I use to apply foundation all over, as it's so wide. Quite expensive, €15/16 each but they are included in the promotion Boots run for No. 7 where you get a €7.50 voucher for No. 7 when you spend a certain amount so I generally just pick them up when I've a few vouchers

Posy

Yes, I love the Boots €7.50 No.7 voucher offers! Getting €7.50 off a Ruby & Millie or No. 7 brush is a great way to spend them! And the No.7 brushes are pretty good.

mackmuffin

MAC brushes are definitely worth the extra money. Best brushes I've ever used, and I'm not generally a huge fan of MAC. I have a LOT of MAC make up, but only like the eye pigments and shadows, but the brushes are fab.

moonflower

Posy wrote: »

Yes, I love the Boots €7.50 No.7 voucher offers! Getting €7.50 off a Ruby & Millie or No. 7 brush is a great way to spend them! And the No.7 brushes are pretty good.

They never let me use the vouchers on brushes, every time I try I'm told they can only be used on makeup. It's really annoying because I've wanted to try the No.7 ones for a while, one of my friends has a few and she says they're great.

LadyMayBelle

I find the Body Shop brushes great, switched from sponges to brushes two years ago now based on recommendations here and never going back! Altho I'm a divil for not cleaning them, and watched a youtube clip last night from a girl who says she does it every day, I'm embarrassingly lazy about it!

Never considered the Ruby and Millie brushes an always just chuck those vouchers out; they don't sell Ruby and Millie make up in Galway AFAIK (MoonFlower you might know better since you tried??) but I will def push for a brush next time I'm in...

wyrn

I have Benefit brushes but I haven't used them yet because I started using cheaper brands and I've had no problems with them so I've stuck to them!

For foundation/concealer/cream eye shadow I use this Miss Makeup brush. It's FANTASTIC! I love it.

For eye shadow I have this No. 7 brush that I got free with one of those €7.50 vouchers.

For a powder brush I have a Cosmopolitan brush that I got from Tescos (sorry I can't find an image of it) and it's MASSIVE. It's great for applying bronzer - it only takes a sweep or two.

OP if money is a bit tight I'd suggest buying those 3 above. Very reasonable and handy for keeping in your handbag. Try them and see how you get on, if you aren't happy then go for the expensive brands. Like I said I've Benefit and Estee Lauder brushes and I rarely use them (only if I can't find my normal brushes).

On an aside note: can anyone recommend a decent (cheap) makeup brush roll bag. I cannot find one anywhere. I've asked at the counters in Roches, Clearys etc... but all I get is vacant stares!

LC_ugh

They are definitely worth it. got a face2face one quite recently, it has black and white fibres in it, i find it so much easier to put make up on with, and it washes like a charm! found it in a shop off grafton street!

pikachucheeks

I use the Benefit foundation brush, which I find great. Even-looking skin tone in seconds
I use 2 Mac eyeshadow brushes, one for general application and one for blending. Love them both as well and they were definitely worth the money.

moonflower

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

Never considered the Ruby and Millie brushes an always just chuck those vouchers out; they don't sell Ruby and Millie make up in Galway AFAIK (MoonFlower you might know better since you tried??) but I will def push for a brush next time I'm in...

They sell the palettes around christmas and they're usually reduced by a lot in January. The one I bought was originally €35 or €40. The cosmetics aren't sold in Galway usually, just the brushes.

jenizzle

IMO, the expensive ones aren't worth the money. I get my brushes from Crownbrush and they're awesome!

Novella

I use a Benefit foundation brush and have a few MAC brushes for eye shadow and things. I had a Benefit powder brush but I dropped it in the toilet. :eek: Anyway, decided I didn't have the money to invest in an expensive brush so bought a new one in h&m and have to say, I'm pretty damn impressed!

makeup-angel

I have gone through a number of make-up brushes and what I found is that it doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Saying that, I don’t like the less expensive brushes found in the high street.

I use Bobbi Brown brushes (by far the best) and some badger brushes I got from http://www.crownbrush.co.uk. They are very inexpensive but high quality.

Blending with poor quality brushes is a nightmare and you end looking like lady gaga and that isn’t a good look for anybody!

I think if you invest in brushes it pays to look after them. Wipe them after use to remove product and wash them at least once a week with baby shampoo then let them dry naturally on top of a tissue.

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Beonce

I'm not sure that the expensive ones are actually worth it, I was getting ready for dinner one night in my cousin's house, left mine at home and had to borrow my 10 year old cousin's brush ( 6 euro in Penney's apparantly) and it worked a dream!

I've spent a fortune on brushes, some were great, others were kind of ..meh...in fairness though, when you DO get one that does the trick, its always worth it!

The Lovely Muffin

I'm also thinking of investing in some decent make-up brushes. I don't know what ones to go for. Do BTs, Arnotts and Clearys have decent selections of brushes does anyone know? Thanks.

I have the No.7 Ultimate Body & Face Brush and it sheds bristles like there's no tomorrow. So I never use it. It was expensive-ish, it cost me €18 (iirc), that was two years ago.

I have a 'Ms Makeup' eyeshadow brush and it's brilliant.

I have a 'Ms Makeup' face brush and it's useless, like the no.7 one, it sheds hair, and the make-up usually stays on the brush rather than going on my face.

I have the ELF powder brush and it's great, but lately I have noticed a few bristles on my face after using it.

I also have the following three ELF brushes and I find them absolutely brilliant, I'd definitely recommend them. They aren't expensive either.

ELF Eyeshadow C Brush

ELF Small Precision Brush

ELF Concealer Brush

My fave make-up brush is my mother's, she got it 19 years ago and it's still going strong. It's definitely the best brush I have ever used.

According to staff members in three different pharmacies/chemists in town, the 'Lancome' brushes are the best to use.

I guess brushes 'work differently' for everyone and you just have to keep searching and trying different brushes until you find what works best for you/your skin.

Asphyxia

I use MAC make up brushes ALOT!! They are my favourite brushes, there exspensive but totally worth it aslong as you keep them clean and safe you can use them forever never needing another set.

I also have been using no. 7, Coastel Scents, Urban Decay and Bobbi Brown all amazing! I haven't tried Clinique yet but have ordered a three brushes so can't wait to try it out. I have also found really cheap brushes that work etc. Dunnes Stores, Essence and Avon. My boyfriend also bought me make-up brushes he won't tell me wear he bought them and I can't find the name online but they are seriously good.

Shop around and see which brushes suit yourself have a look in Debenhams and ask the shop assistents to help you thats what I did first time. Goodluck

Crisps

I think expensive brushes are definitely worth it. If you look after them well they'll last a life time. I have ALOT of make-up brushes. Probably around 30-40. Most are MAC. I've a few Ruby and Millie ones. They're alright I suppose but they do get a bit wrecked after about a year. I do however have a heated eyelash curler by Ruby and Millie and it's the best thing ever!

The Sigma brushes are good too. Don't have any myself but have used my friend's ones and they're the exact same as MAC brushes. Even the numbering system is the same. I'd be interested in buying some of those myself, but I feel my makeup brush fetish is spiraling out of control!

Anna Molly

I got a benefit foundation brush, personally i find the hair to be too short and it just seems stiff. I bought a set of brushes in M&S for 30 quid and I love them. I mean, they're pretty basic, but they work and the hair hasn't fallen out.

yungwan

I feel a little confused now.

My sister bought me a set of brushes for xmas and I have never used them. Like never!!

I have to admit I prefer to use my fingers for application of foundation and eyeshadows. Obviously I use a brush for blusher and bronzer application, but I dont use fancy ones. Sometimes a set of makeup brushes just confuses me as I dont know what they are all for and by the time id have figured it out Id have my makeup on!! Another sister wants to take the brushes but now Im reluctant!! haha

Am I alone here on my makeup application!?

The Lovely Muffin

yungwan wrote: »

I feel a little confused now.

My sister bought me a set of brushes for xmas and I have never used them. Like never!!

I have to admit I prefer to use my fingers for application of foundation and eyeshadows. Obviously I use a brush for blusher and bronzer application, but I dont use fancy ones. Sometimes a set of makeup brushes just confuses me as I dont know what they are all for and by the time id have figured it out Id have my makeup on!! Another sister wants to take the brushes but now Im reluctant!! haha

Am I alone here on my makeup application!?

When I wear eyeshadow I use a creme/cream eyeshadow as the 'base' (think that's what it's called) and I use my fingers to put it on. It helps the powder shadow's to 'stick'/'stay in place'.

For powder/loose powder eyeshadow I use one of the eyeshadow brushes I have and I find I always have some powder eyeshadow under my eyes/on the tops of my cheeks, even though I don't put it there, so I don't know if it's the brushes or what lol. It drives me mad lol. I don't wear eyeshadow much now, because of this.

I, like you (and possible many others here) use a brush for bronzer/powder application.

For foundation; I switch between my finger and a sponge lol. I usually the sponge for the 'hairline', so it blends properly and I don't have a white streak.:o

tily

I think for a foundation brush it's defo worth spending the money, I used to use cheap ones and bought a mac one a few months ago and can't get over the difference, but for eye shadow brushes etc I don't think it makes too much of a difference.

slowmoe

seasonnie for a new poster a lot of your posts are advertising stuff you found online...

i have a clinique foundation brush and find it hard to use, with liquid foundation there are always barely noticable lines that i have to use my hands to blend in

The Lovely Muffin

I bought the Ruby & Millie Foundation Brush and it makes difference to my make-up.

My make-up looks natural now, whereas before, it looked like it was caked onto my face. It also feel's lighter.

It was €16 or €18 at full price, but I had a €7.50 voucher to use. Happy days.:D

metrochica

I have gone through a million brushes and I have to say I think my Sigma ones are the best. They deliver to Ireland and it doesnt actually work out very expensive for the basic set.

I have a couple of good No7 ones too that I picked up with the vouchers like a lot of people seemed to have done!

Scarinae

I actually find it easier to apply eyeshadow with a sponge, eyeshadow brushes just end up getting bits of powder under my eyes as well - maybe I'm not using them right?

For foundation I definitely think a brush is better though, a sponge absorbs a lot of product so you'll go through it a lot quicker (not good if you're using expensive stuff!) I got brushes on sale in the Body Shop a couple of years ago and they're still going strong, although I don't wear a full face of makeup every day to be fair

JennyAnt

I use Prescriptives brushes, and even now, over a year later, I'm still delighted at how flawless make looks by using them! Have to say I think using a good brush shampoo is a must every coupla weeks - MAC do a good one for about 13 quid I think.

RhubarbCrumble

I bought my foundation brand in Superdrug. It's a brand called QVS and I find it really good. I think Dunnes do the range as well. The Body Shop are very good for brushes too. I have an eyeshadow brush that I got there about 5 or 6 years ago and it' s still going strong.

The Lovely Muffin

RhubarbCrumble wrote: »

I bought my foundation brand in Superdrug. It's a brand called QVS and I find it really good. I think Dunnes do the range as well. The Body Shop are very good for brushes too. I have an eyeshadow brush that I got there about 5 or 6 years ago and it' s still going strong.

Your right, Dunnes sell the QVS brand.

What are their eyeshadows like?

I want to try them, but I have sensitive eyes and skin (:rolleyes:) and don't want spots or eyes running water.

Thanks.