MAKEUP Brushes - MAC & The Body Shop

special request from BERNICE

Hi ALL,
I am going to recommend some of the makeup brushes from M.A.C. & The Body Shop (TBS) - which I've personally tried and own.


1. FOUNDATION
I would recommend MAC 187/190 depending on the coverage/look you're going after.
Both works almost similarly ie to blend the foundation so that it won't be blothcy on the skin and more hygienic compared to using your fingers.
The only difference is that MAC 187 will give you a more AIR BRUSH finish. Both work well with almost all sort of foundation be it Liquid, Compact or Cream.


MAC 187 & MAC 190 (left to right)


2. BLUSHER BRUSH
I personally prefer to use The Body Shop Face & Body Brush to apply Blusher simply because it is bigger and fluffier. You can also try MAC 129 but I am recommending The Body Shop because it is cheaper and good. I think it is retailing @ RM69.



3. LIP BRUSH
A compact lip brush for the handbag. Ultra-firm with tapered tip. Retracts into its own M·A·C-style casing. Applies any formula of lip colour.
Lip brush is a very good investment as lipstick will tend to stay longer and not easily smudge, by applying with it.
TIPS : If you want to have the EXACT COLOUR of the lipstick to appear on your lips, apply a layer of foundation on your lips before applying your lip color.
To have a luscious and kissable lips, always apply a layer of LIP CONDITIONER beneath your lipstick and MAC has a very good one (refer to the pic below).
I personally like the TINTED LIP CONDITIONER SPF 15 in Soothing Beige as I tend to have dry lips and pale at times. So a bit of colour will definitely help.


MAC 318 & MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15 (left to right)


4. KABUKI/BUFFER BRUSH
I prefer to apply Loose/Setting Powder with a Kabuki Brush simply because I can buff the product in to really SET the foundation to avoid having touch up regularly.
Both MAC 182 and The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush are recommended (but of course TBS is more affordable)
This brush is also a very good brush to apply MINERAL POWDER as it will gives a flawless finish. You can also use it as a FINAL touchup on your make up. I usually buff the skin LIGHTLY after applying BRONZER & BLUSHER to soothe out any harsh edges and blend the color together to make it more natural.


MAC 182 & TBS Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush (left to right)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, these brushes are definitely NOT cheap. So why not spending a little bit more to get a MAC BRUSH CLEANSER to keep the brush clean (for hygienic purpose, please clean them at least once a week) and last longer. (trust me, this is one good investment)

Most of MAC brushes are made of animal hairs so it is very important to use a proper cleanser to keep it disinfect and well moisturised (just like how you take care of your own hair).
As you know TBS is against animal testing so their brushes are all synthetic fibre, so you can opt to have the MAC cleanser (added luxury) or simply clean it with CLEANSING OIL or SOAP, but make sure to lay the brushes on FLAT surface to dry. DO NOT PUT THE BRUSHES VERTICALLY while they are still damp.

MAC Brush Cleanser

REVIEW - MAC Studio Tech

MAC 190 Foundation Brush

Description from http://www.maccosmetics.com/
A tri-system blend of water, emollients (substances that soften & soothe the skin, to correct dryness and scaling of the skin) and powder.
Looks solid (means high coverage), glides on as a soft, creamy emulsion.
Provides a natural matte, powder-perfect finish.
Smooth to blend.
Water-cooled - refreshes and hydrates skin.
Light diffusing: softens lines, creates a fresh, flawless finish.
Good on all skin types.

Personal opinion :
A good high coverage foundation that comes in a compact form and good for all skin type (especially dry skin as it contains emollients). Although the package comes with a VERY GOOD sponge, I would not recommend you to apply with it as you will tend to apply more than you really need to. Keep the sponge for some other purpose.
I personally love using the MAC 190 Foundation brush as it gives a better control in terms of blending and you will tend to use LESS. As I said earlier, this is a HIGH coverage foundation, so be gentle and less is more.
The tri-system formula is good for those that do not like having another setting/loose powder. But with our crazy weather here in Malaysia, I would highly recommend to set it with powder so that the foundation stays longer.

TIPS :
If you love this product because of the tri-system formula or simply because you are a cream foundation fans, BUT a bit hesitate to try it due to the fact that it is of HIGH coverage, TRY this :
APPLY WITH MAC 190 ONLY ON T-ZONE AND EYES, BLEND IT OUTWARDS WITH A DAMP FOUNDATION SPONGE ALL OVER THE FACE. You will get a sheer look but still have a good coverage.

PROS :
- dermatologist tested
- ophthalmologist tested
- non-acnegenic
- safe for contact lens wearers (like me)
- there is a VERY GOOD quality sponge that comes with the package

CONS :
- smells funny
- tad bit too heavy if you don't blend well or if you are new to makeup

Retailing @ RM 105 (10g)
Available from NC/NW15 up to NC/NW55

TIPS : most asian skins are yellow undertone so its always better to go for NC range for a more natural look. (you can always correct the yellowness with CORRECTOR BASE or BLUSHER - will cover this in a seperate topic)