Brush Review- Becca One Perfecting Brush

From the Brand: 

 

What it is:
A true beauty multitasker, this patent-pending brush cuts makeup application time in half by replacing 10 other brushes and tools.

What it does:
From start to finish, primer to powder, The One Perfecting Brush can be used with liquids, creams, powders and anything in between. Non-porous, high-quality natural hair allows product to sit on top of bristles rather than absorbing, ensuring a seamless application with no wasted product. It can be used effectively as a foundation brush, powder brush, contour brush, bronzer brush, stipple brush, blush brush, fan brush, concealer brush, kabuki, or sponge.

The bristles are packed in a 3.5 inch horizontal design allowing you to effortlessly and evenly cover larger or smaller surface areas. The density of the brush creates a smooth, even, and airbrushed application every time, taking the guesswork out of brushwork. Flat edges fit the linear contours of your face, while curved corners allow for targeted, more precise application. Long, flexible bristles make a variety of application techniques possible including: targeted application, stippling, blending, contouring, and highlighting.

What else you need to know:
The bristles are free of dye, ensuring they will not lose shape or softness over time, and the unique shape of the handle and soft-touch finish provide complete control during application, allowing you to create your desired look. The bristles are reinforced with shed-resistant technology. However, the brush may lose strands during use. As with the hair on your head, this is completely natural and will lessen with use and proper care.

Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product.

Retails for:  $49.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora stores and online at Sephora.com


My Thoughts:  I saw this in action for the first time back in October when I attended the iFabbo conference in San Fransisco.  Becca Cosmetics was one of the sponsors of the event, and they demonstrated it up on stage for all of us beauty and fashion bloggers.  It was pretty amazing how quickly and easily the makeup artist was able to apply the foundation, powder, bronzer/contour, and blush to the model!  I remember thinking in my head "oh, please, oh, please, oh, please let there be one of those brushes in our swag bags at the end of the day!", and I just about squealed when I found it in there. 

First, let me tell you about these bristles.  They are soft.  Like S.O.F.T.  They buff even thick cream foundation over my face in seconds with barely any left on the bristles themselves.  The surface feels dry immediately afterwards.  I don't know what kind of makeup voodoo that is, but it's pretty awesome.  What that means is that you can apply your foundation with it and then immediately apply powder products with the same brush without having to clean it off first.  And you can go back and forth between colors without them blending and getting muddied up.  The color comes off on your face and doesn't hang around on the brush.

That's not to say that it doesn't get dirty.  You can see in the above images that this is after some use, and the color has worked its way down just a bit into the bristles.  After a few uses, with the bristles being so light, you can definitely see when it's been used and needs a wash.  But it's not getting all over face going back and forth from day to day to use it for the whole gambit of application.  It makes travel super easy.  You can see me using this brush to try the Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation for the first time in my Youtube review.




Final Verdict:  If you want to cut down on how many brushes you have on hand and want something that multitasks like no other, than this is your brush!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. I was given this item for my consideration through the iFabbo conference from Becca Cosmetics.  This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- Tarte Beauty Without Boundaries QVC Set

Tarte Beauty Without Boundaries Set from QVC

I got an email a few months ago about a new set coming out from Tarte available only on QVC.  It contained two brushes, their new mascara I was dying to try, plus their new BB concealer that's not even available anywhere else yet.  That alone was enough to compel me to buy, but there was more and it was a major value!  I'm happy to bring to you my findings on these new products after playing with them the past two weeks on a near daily basis.

BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer-  I thought it was going to be like other BB creams that I've tried, and I was honestly wondering what the difference between this and their BB Perfecting Liquid Foundation was.  Well, this is definitely a primer and not a traditional BB cream.  The tint might as well not even be there for the amount of coverage it has when you immediately apply it.  However, it's like there's some kind of magic in it, because by the time I'm done applying some of the BB undereye corrector to my dark circles and a big around the sides of my nose, it's like I've suddenly got a face of foundation.  I'm not sure what it is about this stuff that tricks my eyes into thinking that I've got more even skin than I do, but I'll take it!  As a primer, it does amazingly well, and I've been wearing it under my regular foundation every time since buying the set.  There is something in there though that is causing the slightest bit of irritation to my face, since I'm noticing a little bit of bumps/redness in my t-zone.  It's not enough to make me stop using the product, and I'm hoping my skin adjusts over time.  My foundation usually starts to settle in my pores after a few hours, no matter what primer I use, and with this even after a 10 hour day on set, my foundation was looking amazingly perfect.  It also feels like pure silk.  I love it!

Double Ended Bamboo Brush-  I haven't used this yet honestly.  It's not the style of brush I use on myself, since I prefer a sponge or bigger buffing style brush for my foundations, but it may work its way into my pro kit at some point.

BB Tinted Undereye Corrector-  If you've read my review on the Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, you'll understand why I find this so amazing when I say it's like they figured a way to put the maracuja concealer into a pan.  At first I thought the color was a little too pink, but that was in the lighting in my office.  In my bathroom lighting and out in the real world it looks pretty perfect for my fair skin, and it's super super pigmented.  I don't know why they are calling it tinted.  It's way more than tinted.  It starts off kind of sticky, and if you don't set it with powder or put some foundation over the top of it, the sticky feeling doesn't fade.  This is one concealer I'll definitely always use under my foundation.  I really really hope they release this into their regular line soon.  I don't see it individually on the Tarte or QVC sites, and it's really an amazing concealer.

Dual Sided Diffuser Bamboo Concealer Brush-  The brush is almost as good as the concealer itself.  You can see in my photos that it's been well used!  I love the different textures of the hairs on each side.  The light side is perfect for applying the concealer, while the dark side is made to buff and blend it evenly over the surface for a perfect finish.  I don't know how well it would do with a more liquid concealer, but it's perfect for the BB one in the set.

Lights, Camera, Lashes Waterproof 12-Hour Inner Rim Liner-  This I wasn't a fan of at all.  I found that it didn't give a full coverage with one swipe, and once you go over the same area more than 2-3 times, it starts to remove the product rather than build it up. It seems to set that quickly.  I was able to keep it in place for several hours, but no where near the 12 hour claim, if I didn't actually touch the waterline, but you can wipe it away easily with the tip of your finger even after it's set.  If you want a more smudgey smokey effect, this will work well.  If you want a stark deeply pigmented line, skip it.

Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara-  I've used the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara for years, and I was excited when I saw this one released on the website a few weeks back.  I'd gone back and forth over whether I had time to review yet another mascara (trust me if you're getting bored with reading all the mascara reviews, imagine how bored I'm getting with writing them...), but when I saw it in the kit I knew it was meant to be that I review it.  And I'm glad I had the opportunity.  It's a unique brush as it has two different sides for applying and then combing the mascara through.  It's a similar concept to the Benefit They're Real! Mascara brush.  It's just as pokey, too.  I won't go into too much details now, as I am writing a separate review on the mascara of course later on.

LipSurgence Power Pigment in Awakening-  Another product I wasn't in love with.  It has some high points- it's super pigmented with just one quick swipe, and I love both the creamy hydrating feel and the peppermint flavor/tingle.  But the color just wasn't right for me.  It seemed to oxidize really quickly on my mouth and turned a weird orangey color, when it looks like a beautiful pink with only the slightest hints of peach.  If they come out with this in other shades, I'd love to try them out to see how they look on me.

Looking to add any of these products to your own makeup bag?  Check out TarteCosmetics.com for the BB Tinted Primer and Lights Camera Flashes Mascara now and be sure to keep checking back for when they launch the rest of the products.  You can also check out the selection of Tarte products available on QVC.com for products I've never seen on the regular Tarte site!

Product Review- e.l.f. Makeup Brushes

e.l.f. Makeup Brushes Review


From the Brand:

Studio Small Taper Brush- The tapered head of the Small Tapered Brush makes application easy for reaching small crevices for a flawless finish. This precision brush is perfect for contouring and creating even coverage. Use with powder to set under the eye, on the hollows of the cheek to contour with bronzer, or use with foundation to achieve a light finish.

Studio Angled Eyeliner Brush- This new anti-bacterial, synthetic-haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. Studio brush! This thin pointed brush creates even and accurate color application in one fluid movement. The perfect angled tip of the brush provides exact placement for concentrated color right up to the lash line. Use to apply eyeliner for perfect color application.

Essential Smudge Brush- This short curved brush is the perfect shape to expertly smooth in color along the lash line for a smoky look. The dense brushes apply exact color application for extreme intensity to blend colors or smudge lines. Perfect for contouring and enhancing definition around the eye.
 
Essential Blending Eye Brush- Expertly blends multiple eye shades while softening dramatic edges and fine lines. Using a Blending Eye brush after shadow and liner application creates a natural finish to any eye look. This brush can also multitask:  use it to set powder or liquid concealer.

Studio Small Stipple Brush- Use the Small Stipple Brush to create soft layers by adding texture for a natural airbrushed result. The two layers of bristles create ultimate control from sheer to heavy coverage for small and hard to reach places. Ideal with liquid, cream or powder products, foundation, concealer, and cream blush.

Studio Stipple Brush- This new antibacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. Studio brush!

The layered bristles create a soft airbrushed look that's perfect for applying foundation or adding color definition to cheekbones or highlighting with soft layers. Use this brush with any liquid or powder face product such as foundation, blush or bronzer to build your coverage from sheer to heavy.

Studio Angled Blush Brush- The slanted shape of the Angled Blush Brush offers precision application for a sculpted look. The soft dense bristles contours facial features easily. Use with cream, liquid or powder blush, bronzers or highlighters for a professional result.

Retails for:
Small Taper Brush- $3.00
Angled Eyeliner Brush- $3.00
Smudge Brush- $1.00
Professional Blending Brush- $1.00
Small Stipple Brush- $3.00
Stipple Brush- $3.00
Angled Blush Brush-$3.00

Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com

My Thoughts:

I own many more of the e.l.f. brushes than those pictured, but these are my most used brushes along with the two I wish I hadn't wasted the money on.  Therefore, I'm calling this my "mini" review, and in time I hope to do reviews on more of their brushes.  Hopefully you enjoy this!  Be sure to leave me some feedback in the comments section below and let me know if there's a specific brush you'd like reviewed or if you have had similar/different experiences with any of these brushes!

Small Taper Brush- {not pictured, it's mixed with my work brushes from a recent photoshoot}  I love this brush, and it's no surprise I couldn't find it when it was time to take my photos.  I'm sure it's mixed in with my kit brushes somewhere waiting to be washed after a recent photoshoot.  It's perfect for applying contour and highlight to the face and blending out.  You can use it to apply loose powder under the eyes or around the nose, but use a light hand.  The hairs are just a little more tightly packed than I prefer for those areas, but it will do.  Amazing brush for only $3!

Angled Eyeliner Brush-

I use this brush all the time to mix the foundation colors in my airbrush.  I use a professional airbrush system, and the gun has a little cup up top where I can custom blend foundation colors.  Since most people aren't one straight color right out of the bottle (which is why I really detest the "pod" style systems that give you no control over the color and therefore negate the biggest feature to the airbrush besides the delivery method), I have to blend multiple shades together for the most lifelike look.  This is perfect because it's bent and can get all the way down to the bottom of the cup.  For those of  you not using an airbrush all the time, it's still a great brush to apply gel eyeliner easily.  The little bend is the perfect angle to get a nice even straight line.  The hairs are slightly on the thick side, so it's a little tricky at first to get a super thin line, but with a little practice it's easily managed.

Smudge Brush-

The white handled brushes are from the Essential brush line, and these are only $1.  The quality on these brushes is significantly lower than those with the black handles in the Studio line, and this brush is no exception.  The hairs on it are super soft, but they aren't densely packed enough to really get a good smudge.  It's ok for applying a sheer smudgy line along the lashes, but it's not really that great for blending or smudging out a cream product or applying a more dense layer of color.  They tend to shed a lot, which is a real bitch when you're working in the lashes as they tend to get in your eye and make them water.

Professional Blending Brush-

Another of the Essential brushes, this one is even more useless than the previous.  It's too short to be a big fluffy blending brush, which it would be great at given the loosely packed hairs, and it's too loose to be a useable crease brush for applying a sharper line.  It sheds, and you can just see how cheap the hairs are by looking at them up close.  The white pearlized paint chips with long term use, too.  The ferrule is a cheap metal that snaps easily, and the whole head of this brush came right off at the base where it meets the wood handle.

Small Stipple Brush-

This is my favorite of these brushes, and I plan on getting several more for my makeup kit for clients.  I like to apply a cream product before foundation to highlight and contour the face for a very subtle natural look, and this brush is perfect for blending those colors out and into the skin before the foundation is applied over the top.  It's also great for applying powder highlight to the tops of the cheekbones lightly, especially when you have a densely glittery or shimmery product.  It's small enough to fit into the hollows of the cheek for a very chiseled look if you like to apply a powder contour, too.

Stipple Brush-

I use this more for applying bronzer than anything, which is why you can see the dirty bristles.  This one in particular obviously needs a good washing, but you can see that the head on it is much larger in comparison to how it's represented online.  I thought it would be more narrow, but it fluffs out quite a bit with use.  I think it makes it perfect for a soft diffused wash of color over the perimeter of the face, which is how I like to bronze.  (Think of it as a 3 pattern starting at the center of the forehead, sweeping around the outside of the eyes onto the cheekbones towards the nose, then back out around again ending along the jawline.  Like drawing a large 3 on the outer edge of your face.)  This brush also works really well for loose powder over the surface of the face, but I like something a little more dense for patting a setting powder into the t-zone to absorb shine.

Angled Blush Brush-

This is a really great blush brush, but be careful that it's slightly dense and a tiny bit stiff.  The hairs pick up a good amount of product, so depending on how finely milled your product is be sure you're tapping the brush to remove excess before applying the color to your face.  The angled shape is perfect for sculpting and hugging the curves of the cheekbone for a flawless application.  It's not the softest of brushes, but for only $3 it's very well made and works great.

Final Verdict:  Holding each of the types of brush in your hand, you can see a huge difference in quality between the $1 Essential line and the $3 Studio line by e.l.f.  I'd skip over the Essential brushes, as despite the implications of the name, they are anything but essential.  The Studio line is worth every penny of the paltry $3, with a quality of a brush at many times that cost.

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

Today's blog post is a little bit of a "cheat".  Here's my latest product review video for YouTube, where I talk about each of the different Real Techniques makeup brushes and how I like to use them.  I could go on and on in the blog about how freakin' amazing these makeup brushes are and how much I love them, but I think for something like this a "show and tell" method gets the message across so much more nicely.

You can see the Real Techniques makeup brushes mixed in with my other brands... ready for a wash on a Friday night!

I think I own probably about 300-400 brushes.  I have tried every line out there at some point, and none have impressed me as quickly as the Real Techniques makeup brushes.  I apologize that this video is kind of long, but 1. Let’s be honest here, we all know I’m a chatty Cathy, and 2. I own I think every brush they make.  So there’s a lot to go over.  Hope you enjoy it.   

Products Used or Shown:

Real Techniques Expert FaceBrush

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Real Techniques Essential Foundation Brush

Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush

Real Techniques Detailer Brush

Real Techniques Foundation Brush

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush

Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Real Techniques Setting Brush

Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush

Real Techniques Accent Brush

Real Techniques Brow Brush

Real Techniques Pixel Point Eyeliner Brush

What do you think?  Would you or will you buy these brushes? Have you tried them already?  How do you feel?  Let's get some feedback!

**Update*** 10/23/13:  These brushes are now available online at Target.com and inside your local Target stores!