Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21

I don't know why I only have one bent eyeliner brush in my collection, the Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21 you see here. It's a good and efficient tool for gel, liquid and cream eyeliners, and one that is wonderfully easy to use. As a matter of fact, this is the brush I often recommend to liquid/cream eyeliner beginners, and have also bought it for my mother-in-law when she ventured outside of her makeup comfort zone.

When it comes to size and proportions, Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21 is right between MAC 209 and 210. It's a case of not too wide/not too narrow, very easy to control and create a line as thin or as thick as one desires. The angled shape of the ferule ensure that you can get right into the lash line while holding the brush in a very comfortable grip that allows you to see exactly what you're doing and where you're going. This is why it's such an essential brush for eyeliner novices- Smashbox #21 takes out a lot of the guessing from eyeliner application. More experienced users will be able to create a super thin line (just like the one you will get from the Sephora #19, which is great but not as easy to use. By the way, Sephora does offer a similar brush, Professionnel Platinum Angled Eyeliner Brush #23. I might pick it up eventually as a backup).



Smashbox is a PETA-approved brand and all brushes are cruelty-free. The hair of the Liner Brush #21 is made of a "sable substitute", whatever that is. In any case, the head is finely shaped and has the necessary firmness for precision work without poking you in the eye.

Bottom Line: an essential



Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21 ($20) is available from Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom and smashbox.com.

Copyright ©2006-2011 Gaia Fishler, The Non-Blonde. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.

Shu Uemura Natural 18 Foundation Brush

Once upon a time I was wary of using brushes made of natural hair for cream and liquid products. Luckily, I got over it.



Shu Uemura Natural 18 Foundation Brush is made of goat hair and I love it. This brush works for me with everything from LMdB Peau Vierge to the creamiest foundations. It applies the coverage in a thin and even layer and doesn't streak. While nowhere nearly as soft as Hakuhodo 210, this is still a gentle enough brush to use on days my skin feels tight and sensitive. Unlike many a goat brush of similar shape, I doubt my Natural 18 has lost even one hair in the 8 or nine months I've had it.

Shu Uemura Natural 18 brush is on the medium to medium-small side. It reaches most nooks and crannies and doesn't require any special technique. It's like a smaller and more precise version of an old favorite, Cover FX #160 foundation brush. The shape is nearly identical and both are made of white goat hair. I love this shape for foundation brushes, because they're excellent for blending and they give a quick and easy application. They're not meant for stippling or serious buffing, but that's why one needs variety, right?



Bottom Line: you can't go wrong with Shu.



Shu Uemura Natural 18 Foundation Brush ($42) is available from shuuemura-usa.com. If you live outside the US you can also find it at your nearest Shu counter.

Copyright ©2006-2011 Gaia Fishler, The Non-Blonde. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Blusher Brush 002

Because one can't have too many excellent brush brushes.



Rouge Bunny Rouge Blusher Brush 002 is every bit as excellent as this makeup line has taught us to expect. Soft natural hair, sturdy beautiful handle, strong ferule and perfect proportions for most powder blushes, including those that need some building up. The brush is thick and dense with  just the right amount of flexibility for quick and easy blending.



Normal people who only use a handful of blushes and require a minimal number of brushes should consider Rouge Bunny Rouge Blusher Brush 002 as an investment*. It's effective and exquisite, feels wonderful on the skin and would be an excellent go-to brush.

As you can see, the closest brush to the Rouge Bunny Rouge in head size and shape (and also performance) is the Le Metier de Beaute blush brush. Those of you overseas where LMdB is unavailable at the moment will find 002 to be a great alternative, since Zuneta ships worldwide.

Bottom Line: Worth the price.



* We're a couple of blush brush reviews away from a "Top Blush Brushes" post. Stay tuned!



Rouge Bunny Rouge Blusher Brush 002 (about $72 in the current exchange rate) is available from zuneta.com.

Copyright ©2006-2011 Gaia Fishler, The Non-Blonde. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.

Sue Devitt Refined Eyebase and Lash Line Definer Brushes

I'll be the first to admit that small flat eye shadow brushes are among the least exciting makeup tools. Their shape is simple and the modest size jut doesn't get a "wow" reaction, unless they're exquisitely soft. Sue Devitt's  Refined Eyebase and Lash Line Definer brushes are the smaller eye shadow brushes in Sue Devitt's Essential Tools collection. The biggest one, the Eyebase Kolinsky brush is a long-time favorite and sees enough use I needed a backup.

The Refined Eyebase brush is a smaller and thinner version of its big brother. It works well for packing on color and is reasonably soft, though not nearly as luxurious as Shu Uemura or Hakuhodo brushes. The Refined Eyebase is made of cruelty-free red sable and for a thin brush it's fluffy enough to allow blending and diffusing pigment.

The Lash Definer brush is not my favorite tool, but it's because of my habits and technique, not the brush's quality. I prefer either tiny and very precise brushes for detail and lash line work (Louise Young LY16, Chantecaille Eye Perfector, Paula Dorf Smudge) or small but round and fluffy smudgers (Sephora Platinum Domed Smudge brush, Paula Dorf Smokie Eye) and also pointy smoky brushes (Laura Mercier, Sephora).



Bottom Line: perhaps not best in class but nice to have.



Sue Devitt Refined Eyebase brush ($32) and Lash Line Definer ($28) are available at Barneys and other department stores, as well as from suedevittbeauty.com.

Copyright ©2006-2011 Gaia Fishler, The Non-Blonde. Content poaching is both illegal and ugly.