Wonders of Beauty: Brush

Beauty - 15:07

What's New | IMATS Haul (MAC + Zoeva Edition)

I know that I have really dragged these posts out but this is the last edition of my IMATS haul posts. I was only able to purchase lipsti...

Review | Sigma F88 Flat Angled Kabuki..♥

This brush is very similar to my all time favourite Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush but instead, the F88 is an angled version. Since I had taken a picture of this brush when it was brand new and I'm able to use the picture for this review, I thought I'd review this first. I've got this thing where I don't really like taking pictures of stuff to upload onto my blog unless it still looks brand new and my F80 has seen better days which is why I haven't taken a picture of it to show and review to you all. I do plan on ordering a new one soon so when I do, I may review it although it is very similar to the F88.

The F88 is part of Sigma's Sigmax collection which was released a while back. I'm sure many of you who keep up to date with beauty on YouTube and blogs would have heard about this collection.

I use this brush to apply my foundation. Its recommended use is for cream foundations but personally I don't use cream and I find it works very well with my liquid foundations. As the soft synthetic hairs on the brush are so densely packed, it's great for those who require good coverage and definitely creates an airbrushed finish. Because the brush is angled, it allows you to easily reach areas that other brushes may not as comfortably including the contours of your nose. I also find that after my brows have been filled in, the angled brush allows me to apply foundation around them more easily as areas become a lot more reachable due to the angular shape.

I find the best way to use this brush is in a stippling motion initially to apply your foundation. This way gives you the most coverage and an airbrushed finish. Once you've stippled on your foundation, any further blending can be done with the same brush and it does this very well as you are left with absolutely no streaks like some foundation brushes give you. I also find that it makes my application quicker because of the density of the brush. You cover more areas of your face a lot quicker!

You may find that compared to other brushes with less density, the F88 is harder to wash as there are so many hairs. It does need a little more washing time to return to its natural colour but the more regularly you wash your brush, the easier it is to achieve this.

The brush may also feel a bit heavier than some of the other brushes you may own. This is due to the ferule being thicker than most but I wouldn't say it is uncomfortable to use, it just may feel weird at first.

Overall I feel that the F88 or even the F80 are definitely brushes that one should own in their collection. It can even be used for nights out when you want to make the extra effort and have a flawless base because of the coverage and finish the brush gives. I currently alternate between the F88 and F80 when one is dirty but they are definitely my go to brushes.

Price: $18 (Sigma are currently doing 10% until Nov 30th!)

Availability: www.sigmabeauty.com

Sigma are currently doing 10% off their products until NOV 30th using the discount code SBAP12.

For my UK readers, they do ship internationally!

Click HERE to purchase and don't forget to use the discount code for your 10%!

Will you be buying this brush? Or do you own any brushes from the Sigmax Collection?

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Brush - 15:46

Review | Sigma F88 Flat Angled Kabuki

Review | Sigma F88 Flat Angled Kabuki.. ♥ This brush is very similar to my all time favourite Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush but inst...

What's New | MAC 163 Brush and CLARINS Beauty Flash Balm..♥

How sad, I've saved this what's new post in my drafts for nearly a month now and I never got around to completing it until now.
Yes I know there are only two products in this post but I guess nearly every little beauty buy is worth mentioning right? Although the MAC 163 brush is currently sold out, the Clarins Beauty Balm is still available to buy. I have a feeling the MAC brush will be back in stock sooner or later as I've heard it's always in and out of stock but you have to keep an eye on the site as it is a limited edition brush!

MAC 163 Contour Brush

The MAC 163 brush came out with the MAC Face and Body Collection. It's a contour brush designed to be used with the MAC Sculpting Cream. The shape of the brush is really good for use on the cheekbones to achieve prominent face definition with either a contour cream or powder. After reading reviews of the MAC Sculpting Cream at the time of purchase, I decided not to get them (I was also unsure of which shade I'd use and I was too lazy to check them out in a MAC store). I am after a product with a cream finish that I can use to contour with. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Price: £26

Availability: MAC

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

This is one of those products that there's so much hype around. I'd been contemplating buying it for a long time so when it finally went on a 3-day sale at CheapSmells for £13.99, I grabbed it as soon as I could. The product is a favourite of Tanya Burr (Pixi2woo) so I really wanted to see what it was about. It is said to be an instant radiance booster which gives a softer, smoother and healthier looking complexion. It also claims to "promote firmer looking features and reduce the appearance of fine lines and "Enhances make-up's luminous appearance and lasting wear." Sounds appealing right?

RRP: £28
CheapSmells Price: £17.95

Did anyone manage to grab the MAC 163 brush?

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Brush - 14:29

What's New | MAC 163 Brush and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

What's New | MAC 163 Brush and CLARINS Beauty Flash Balm.. ♥ How sad, I've saved this what's new post in my drafts for near...

What's New | Sigma F88, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Maybelline BB Cream, Body Shop Tea Tree Range..♥

Aside infrequent posts, I also haven't done much makeup shopping recently but I thought I'd show you the few things I have added to my collection though some are repurchases.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

After taking a liking to the Tea Tree Blemish Night Fade Lotion, I wanted to try more from The Body Shop Tea Tree range. If you're subscribed to receiving emails from The Body Shop, you will know that they're always sending discount codes or having offers. At the time they were having an offer where if you spend over £5, you get free shipping and 30% off your order so I decided to make use of the discount code and purchase. The oil can be used as a massage oil, in your shampoo, in your bath, in your makeup cleansing solution and is also meant to be good for blemished skin. It is one of their best selling products so I'm interested to see how well it works.

Original Price: £6.50

The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion

This is a repurchase. If you have not already seen my review on this product, click HERE.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation

I did decide to repurchase this foundation as it has quickly become one of my favourites. I stuck with the shade #11 which I had been using before as I tried #10 again and I didn't like it. I'm sure many of you have already read my review on it but if not, click HERE to read it.

Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream - Deep Sheer Tint

So lately there's been this whole hype about BB creams. At first I never really took interest because there seemed to be a lack of colour range amongst brands. But as time goes, more and more brands are offering BB creams for women of colour. After seeing lilpumpkinpie05 and teasedblackpearlz on YouTube use it, I thought I'd give it a try. I haven't had a chance to wear it properly because I recently had an allergy on my face but it does look a tad dark and the shade before looks light. This shade is not available in England so I had to order it off eBay from a US seller. For those interested, click HERE for the link. The seller also has other shades. Once I've tested it out fully, I'll write a review.

Price: £7.68

Sigma F88 Flat Angled Kabuki Brush
I received the F88 brush this morning that was very kindly sent from Sigma. I am in love with their Sigmax brushes and those who know me know that I cannot live without my F80 Flat Kabuki brush. That has to be the best foundation brush I have ever used for an flawless and good coverage. I always recommend it to people. I'm due to write a review on it actually! This brush is very similar to the F80 but instead it is angled. It can also be used as a foundation brush but since it is angled, it may be easier to use on certain areas of the face. Even though it is very similar to my F80, I will try it out as a foundation brush but I can see myself using it more to contour! Click HERE to view the range or purchase Sigma brushes. For those in England, they do provide worldwide shipping. You can also get 10% until September 30th by using the code SB2012!

Price: $16

If there's anything that I have mentioned in my 'What's New' posts that you would like me to review, do let me know!

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BB Cream - 16:45

What's New | Sigma F88, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Maybelline BB Cream, Body Shop Tea Tree Range

What's New | Sigma F88, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Maybelline BB Cream, Body Shop Tea Tree Range.. ♥ Aside infrequent posts, I als...

What's New: Sigma, MAC and Love-makeup.co.uk..♥

I guess it's that time again where I show you what's new! These items were purchased over the past week or so. As usual I strolled into MAC and couldn't resist temptation. I feel like every time I walk in there, I must leave with something or it doesn't feel right.
I also ordered a couple of things from www.love-makeup.co.uk. For those of you unaware of this site make sure you click the links within this post!

Sigma F05 Small Contour Brush

"A rounded dome brush for contouring and face blending, useful for powder setting after the laydown of concealer under the eyes to avoid movement of product."

I bought this contour brush to be used with my Sleek Contour Face Kit. I've found that the brushes I was using previously were not giving me enough precision when contouring my face. This brush also works lovely for applying blush. Because it is small you can really apply your blush precisely where you want it.
I believe this brush is multi-purpose and can be used for more than just contouring therefore making it good value for money.
Since my last Sigma brush purchase, they have modified the look of their brushes slightly. The handles are now glossy as opposed to matte and the Sigma logo is a bit bigger.
Call me late if they changed this a while ago, I just haven't purchased a Sigma brush in so long.

Price: £11.99
Purchase Online: Love-Makeup

♥

MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Joy
"Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer"

Swatch

This beautiful mineralize blush was purchased mainly because I don't own one. I've used it a few times now but I mainly use it to highlight my cheekbones. I love that it isn't too glittery and can be applied for that subtle glow. The blush is currently available in 6 shades but this one in particular is in the permanent range.

Price: £19.00
Purchase Online: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk

♥

Makeup Blending Sponge
"Latex free makeup blending sponge. Use the pointed end for blending in around the nose and under the eyes and the rounded end for the rest of the face. Wet and squeeze out excess water before using, when wet the sponge will swell up in size. Wash with mild shampoo after every use to prevent bacteria building."

I know I've only just recently purchased this but I am in loveeee!
I've dashed my Sigma F80 brush somewhere and have just been using this everyday without fail. I never thought my F80 brush would get replaced but I think this may have taken its place.
This sponge gives you a flawless and airbrushed finish. At first I was a bit unsure because you're meant to use it damp and I wasn't too sure how a damp sponge would feel when applying foundation and powder but I must say I think this is the best tool I've used to apply my makeup.
I use this sponge for everything apart from blush (I am still yet to try that) and it's perfect. Believe me it can also be used damp with powders as I use it to apply my Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.
During application, I use the pointed end for my under-eye concealer and the rounded side for the rest of my face.
I think everyone should try using this sponge. I'm sure you will be amazed and it retails at such an affordable price compared to the "Beauty Blender" which is around £15!

Price: £3.99 (you cannot go wrong)
Purchase Online: http://www.love-makeup.co.uk

♥

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark
"A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a
touch-up throughout the day."

This product is just a repurchase. I dust on this powder after applying my foundation. I feel that it gives off a lovely finish and a glow to your skin whilst looking matte. I'm not sure that I can live without it!
I believe it can be either worn alone or with a foundation. It does have a hint of coverage.

Price: £18.50
Purchase Online: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk

♥

MAC Eye Brows in Spiked
"Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining. Confidently adds what you need: shape, colour, density in one streamlined tool. Like a pen, creates its own just-right point. Provides definition, shape, deepens/fills in colour. Creates striking arches. Easy to tote around. No sharpener needed."

I don't know if you've noticed but I usually used the MAC Eye Brows in Stud. For some reason it has been out of stock in my local MAC for weeks. I was told that it may not even come in for a while.

At the time I desperately needed an eye brow pencil as I don't go a day without filling them in. I was going to try the Clinique Superfine Liner but once again their darkest shade was out of stock. Personally I like my eyebrows really dark because I like them to stand out so I was in quite a dilemma. Eventually I went back to MAC and opted for the shade Spiked which is the shade just before Stud but obviously not as dark. Having used it a few times I guess it's not too bad and I can make do with it until Stud returns :)

Price: £11.50
Purchase Online: www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Have you made any purchases lately?

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Blush - 16:16

What's New: Sigma, MAC and Love-makeup.co.uk

What's New: Sigma, MAC and Love-makeup.co.uk.. ♥ I guess it's that time again where I show you what's new! These items were pu...

Pages

What's New | IMATS Haul (MAC + Zoeva Edition)

Review | Sigma F88 Flat Angled Kabuki

What's New | MAC 163 Brush and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

What's New | Sigma F88, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Maybelline BB Cream, Body Shop Tea Tree Range

What's New: Sigma, MAC and Love-makeup.co.uk

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