Foundation Brushes?

silverspoon

So, I'm in the throes of a dilemma.

My beloved ELF powder brush has fallen to pieces after only a few months. It was the best foundation brush I've ever used, but at 4 euro I certainly got what I paid for. I don't want to buy another one, despite the low cost, because no matter what the brush costs, if the quality isn't there then it's just a waste of money.

I have a traditional paddle foundation brush which I got from No.7, but I find it leaves lines, and a very heavy finish. So I want to invest in a decent brush, and since the powder brush was like a MAC 187 without the duo-fibre, I've been interested in getting a stippling brush.

I'd love to hear people's opinions and recommendations re: foundation brushes - is the MAC 187 worth it? Is there something better out there? 4 euro is one thing but 45 euro just to hate another shedding brush would break my heart!

Thanks in advance for the help!!

Twee.

I love the Mac 187. Had it almost a year now and have no shedding to report, and I wash it pretty regularly. I find it gives a lovely, light finish to foundation and spreads it well for coverage. Took me a few goes to get the technique right, bless you Youtube!

Only criticism is that it's quite a large brush and isn't the easiest to get into the nooks and crannies.

lainey316

My 187 fell apart. I suspect it was my fault, from cleaning, but if the ELF powder brush upset you, at ten times the cost... I had one ELF powder brush fall apart, bought two more, no shedding so far.

glitterbug86

If you definitely want to invest in a more expensive brush then I would say go with the mac 187. The mac 190 (flat top brush) is no better than similar cheaper brushes in my opinion. Mac has 3 duo fibre face/foundation brushes: 187, 188, 130. The 187 is lovely and the most popular but is a little large as Twee said. For the most part I don't find this a problem and I like how quickly I can do my face with it but I sometimes grab my 130 to do my eyelids as I get a little foundation in my eyebrows with the 187. The 188 is a smaller version of the 187. Some find it too small. The 130 is about the same size as the 188 but the bristles are much shorter and denser. Some like this to buff in thicker foundations. The important thing with the 187 is to stipple lots before you start to swirl. I have not had shedding with mine.

Mac brushes are very expensive but last. I would say if you're going to spend that kind of money on a foundation brush then the 187 is def the most recommended. On makeupalley it has a score of 4.6/5 with 1141 reviews. Maybe have a google and see if you can find some reviews comparing it to your elf brush. If you want something cheaper you could check out sigma. Also if you want to buy online keep an eye on http://www.allcosmeticswholesale.com/tools1.html and http://stores.homestead.com/Rock-The-Catwalk/-strse-MAC-cln-BRUSHES/Categories.bok (both genuine). Neither have it in stock at the moment and it sells out quickly when they do get it in. It's still expensive but not as expensive as BT.

ultimatemma

Mac 187 is by far the best foundation brush IMO. It works well with all types of foundations and you can do your whole face super quick!

As long as you look after it and clean regularly it will last really well. I have 3 of them in my kit and the oldest one is 3yrs old and still looks like new!

silverspoon

Thanks everyone, I think I'll take the plunge. I've heard that it sheds, but I could live with that as long as it doesn't have a history of actually falling apart. Thanks everyone!

RhubarbCrumble

OP, I have a Body Shop foundatin brush. It cost me about €20, so much cheaper than MAC. I have it a couple of years now and no shedding or losing hairs at all. It washes very well too.

Mc Kenzie

i have the no.7 faoundation brush and i foundit didntwork for me left lots oflines and marks.i stick with a sponge and dabon make up. i know they say it uses alot but for me personaly works better. altho mabe i should give another brand a go,

pow wow

I'd say the same about the Body Shop one. It's great quality but the finish it gives is awful.

Salty

I love my MAC 187..I'd be lost without it to be honest! It gives a lovely finish, and it's easy to build coverage with if that's what you want. I've had mine for 3 years and it's still perfect. Shedding is practically non-existant tbh so I wouldn't be worried about that:)

About the Bodyshop brushes..I had a foundation brush from there and although the quality was excellent, the finish really wasn't very nice. I have a powder brush of theirs though which is almost 5 years old, and it's still like new and really soft.

VivaAdonis

The MAC 187 is an amazing brush but, having tried it for a few different uses, I actually find it works best for blusher, either cream or powder. The effect it gives is amazing and airbrushed while still looking natural.

I've tried the 187 and the 190 by MAC for foundation but, my favourite foundation brush by far is the Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki. Sigma is a MAC-alike brand without the exorbitant cost but, with all the quality of a MAC brush. I think the F80 is $16 from the Sigma website.

It's effectively a super dense 187 which buffs in foundation like nobody's business and gives a flawless effect!

silverspoon

VivaAdonis, that looks exactly like the kind of thing I'd like! I don't know much about international shipping with Sigma, is it expensive?

The Cool

I looked there, and Ireland isn't on the list of countries!

nursemar88

I use the samatha chapman(of pixiwoo fame) real techniques stippling brush. It is quite small, which i like because you can get in and around all the nooks and crannies. And at £10.99 i think it is definately worth it. You can get it here: http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/ Also that website is amazing for loads of stuff!

glitterbug86

The Cool wrote: »

I looked there, and Ireland isn't on the list of countries!

They do - it's listed as 'Republic of Ireland'.
The sima f80 looks like a larger mac 130 to me. It's rated 4.8/5 with 145 reviews on makeupalley so looks very promising. I think thats the one makeupbytiffanyd loves too.

Monife

I have a MAC 188 brush and it is brilliant. Smaller than the one you are on about but I just put a light layer of foundation on with my hands first and then use the brush to go over the problem areas (most areas lol forehead, nose, eyes, chin). It does shed a little bit but I have had mine for over 3 years and it's still great. Don't clean it as often as I should but still does the job perfectly.