My Favorite Eyeshadow Brushes (2022 Edition)

 

Lugging around (no joke) 50 plus brushes in my belt bag is the usual things for a Make Up Artist.  Losing a couple is also normal even if you label it with your name!  That is why it isn't unusual to own 3-4 similar brushes just for back-ups.

Waste of Money? YES

Part of the Profession?  YES YES YES!

Because of the pandemic and how everything was put on HOLD and how life has been simplified.  Even the makeup world - in my world - has also simplified and here, I am finally sharing my MUST HAVE Eye Makeup Brushes.  My ride or die brushes when I get stuck into an isand --- nah!  I won't be bringing any makeup when I'm stuck in an island #REALTALK :P

FLAT SHADER BRUSH

I call this my eyeshadow "packing" brush.  This is the brush I usually start with whether to apply cream-based shadow products as base or eyeshadow primer.  It just packs the right amount of product properly.  

I mostly go for natural haired bristle to pack powdered products and synthetic version for cream/liquid based eye products.  That said, you can opt to purchase 2 - if you must buy only one - pick the natural bristled one.

 MEDIUM CREASE BRUSH/BLENDING BRUSH

A brush I seriously can't live without.  I can probably miss a flat shader brush but NOT THIS ONE.  This is my eyeshadow blending brush and this size works even for small eyelids!  I own more than 10 of this type of brush from different brands because I just can't get enough of it.

Aside from used as blending, you can also use the tip of the brush to "grab" eyeshadow powder pigment and apply directly on to the lid.  The effect isn't as pigmented as using a flat shader brush but you'll get a natural flush of color on your lids every single time --- no demarcation marks if blended properly.

The famous "Wiper Motion" is also used for this brush!  You will be the master of blending your eyeshadow if you practice with this brush.

LARGE CREASE BRUSH/BLENDING BRUSH

Since I am always for OPTIONS - this is another brush to invest on if you have bigger eyelid space.  Even with small eyelid space, I find this brush super useful in so many ways.

Ecotools Now in the Philippines

 

If you are a long time AMW reader, you would know I joined a couple of online international giveaways at some point in my life as there are so many brands I wanted to try, test and own but they are not available locally.  One of the brand is a brush brand called Ecotools.  

The first Ecotools brush set I own was year 2009 and would you believe they are still working fine after 11 long years?

Then I purchased another one from an international site and loved my Ecotools Bamboo Eyeliner Brush.  It was really the earthy tone, bamboo handle that sets the brand to where it is now.

Fast forward to several years after, FINALLY, they are widely available in the Philippines and I can't help but reminisce through my blogging journey, how I went high and low just to get a product and try them out and write a detailed review for you!

See that "kilig" happy smile?  That is legit!  I still felt the excitement up until this very day - a decade plus of Blogging!

With the pandemic, I am glad the brand launched not only physically but digitally.  Widely available in SM stores, they are also easy to purchase at Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, BeautyMNL, Beauty by freyja, Kalm Cosmetics, Beauty Bubble and Watsons.

To start off let me share to you my newly acquired Ecotools brushes.  And there's more!

Check out the Jade Roller!  This is amazing in amplifying your skincare routine!  Does it work?  Well, to shorten my answer, it really does!  But you have to really be consistent about it gently! 

If you want a good eye makeup brushes to create nice looking eye makeup, go for Ecotools 1217 Eye Enhancing Duo Make Up Brush Set.  You are technically paying for 2 brushes but you get 4 brush heads to help define, blend, smudge and just blur out your eyeshadow application!  The bristles are extremely soft and because they are synthetic hair, you can use it both wet or dry application!

If like me, you wear more base makeup than eyeshadow, please invest on Ecotools 1290 Complexion Buffer Make Up Blending Brush.  This works so well on both pressed and loose powdered makeup.  Best of all, you can use this same brush to apply your sunscreen, tinted moisturizer, foundation or concealer!  I also use this same brush to apply blush, contour, highlight powder/cream/liquids.  Basta, most sulit brush ever!

Charm Essentials Brushes I Highly Recommend!

I haven't talked about makeup brushes for the longets time!  I guess, my brushes collection is complete and I take care of them even after X years, they still work good as new!

But for newbies or even professionals who plan to invest on something inexpensive yet affordable, I always recommend one of my favorite local brand Charm Essentials.

Founded year 2007, the year I started Blogging, I've seen how this brand grew and how I grew with the brand!

(P.S. I am still using the Charm PRO MakeUp Artist Tool Belt as of the moment!)

Rounding up all the Charm Essentials brushes I own, I picked some essentials that I truly think you can look into or invest on because I have been using them for personal use still!

Daily Crazy Rich Asian Look? By Choi Cosmetics

The most-buzzed movie for the year (in my opinion) is Crazy Rich Asians.  Would you believe I haven't gotten the chance to watch it?  But trust me, I  kind of know what Crazy Rich Asians do because I am surrounded by a lot of them in my line of work.  

You know why I'm talking about the movie all of a sudden?  Because I was lucky enough to receive a makeup line called Christina Choi Cosmetics straight from San Francisco (speaking, I missed San Francisco!)

Christina Choi is an Asian American makeup guru who developed a line of cosmetics to address the challenges Asian women often face with mainstream makeup.

One item that I think was able to answer OUR major concern is their Deluxe Stamp Brush.  I'll talk about it more later, as for now, let me show you my "Daily version" of a Crazy Rich Asian look!

Okay, I did say I tried my very best.  Now let's talk about the Choi Cosmetics makeup items I used to create this simple yet colorful look!

Christina Choi Eyeshadow

$22.00 each

The Body Shop Vegan Brushes Review

So you think I have enough makeup brushes for now.

Well, you're wrong!  

As a makeup artist, I am always on a lookout for both professional and personal makeup brushes and the newest brushes from The Body Shop definitely caught my attention and I am actually including these into my personal "daily-use-brushes".  I use them on a daily basis you can actually see these brushes popping out on my blog photos whenever I do tutorial or reviews.

Before you start raising your brows on what sets these brushes apart from other brands, The Body Shop brushes (and all their skincare and makeup items) are 100% cruelty-free from the synthetic bristles down to the sustainably sourced wooden handles --- they are totally VEGAN.

Locally, I see them popping in stores and I actually got 3 to try!  These 3 are my must-have brushes from the said brand and I use them daily holding each wooden handle like my dear life! :P

The Body Shop Point Highlight Brush

• Pointed highlighter brush to expertly strobe
• Made with charcoal-coated, super-soft bristles
• Developed with the latest make-up trends in mind
• Synthetic, cruelty-free bristles and a sustainably sourced wooden handle
• Vegan make-up brush

Easiest Brush to Contour Your Face

I currently own so many makeup brushes I can't seem to keep track and I dread washing them on a weekly basis!  (shhhh)  

But, a certain brush brand caught my attention because it is indeed so easy-to-use and it delivers as what the name says, it frames my face whenever I use this and the name is called.....

Face Framing Contour Brush 

by Pro Studio Beauty Exclusives 

Php480.00

I got this brush as a Christmas Gift last year and have been testing and using this for almost 2 months now.  

If you ask me, at first glance, the brush doesn't look anything special at all!  I mean judging by the look of the bristles, application could go messy.  But of course, who am I to judge?  I gave this a small sweep under my cheekbones the moment I received this (not recommended as you need to wash your brushes upon purchase)

Initial thoughts?  Brush hair is quite soft and easy to use and it fits under my cheekbones perfectly.

How to Use the Sleek Strobing Souffle?

The fluffy eyes are back!  I've been sleeping late for several nights in a row (blame it on YouTube and series marathon) so obviously, I have puffy eyes!  Instead of working against it, I've decided...what the heck?  Just use it to my advantage! :P  

The power of Positive-Thinking and the power of Sleek Strobing Souffle in Pink Opal. 

Can you spot where I specifically used the product?  Not too much I hope?  Well..that's the point!

Just so you know, Sleek MakeUp launched their New Rockstars Collection last October 2016 and I had this Strobing Souffle left in my "to review basket" for the longest time!  As I was finally being adventurous and "I don't care how my makeup turns out" mood, I "whipped" the Strobing Souffle and decided to apply it here and there and the result was just what I want!

Sleek MakeUP Strobing Souffle in Pink Opal

Php595.00 (approx $13.20)

Pony Effect Nice Shading Review (Crony)

If you are into watching Makeup videos on Youtube, you probably heard about Pony's Makeup.  I don't really get the chance to sit and watch youtube all-day long, but just in case I have a couple of minutes to spare before going to sleep, I watch Pony because I love her personality, her makeup style and just HER overall!  

So imagine the excitement when she came up with her own makeup line called Pony Effect.  How can I get my hands on them since I can't seem to travel to Korea anytime soon?  Thankfully, there's Althea and upon seeing them stock up on Pony Effect Makeup, I knew I had to give her Contour Powder a try!

On photo: 

AMW wears BB Cream, Brow product 

and Pony Effect Nice Shading in Crony

Pony Effect Nice Shading

Shade: Crony

Php960.00 (approx $19.20)

Available online at Althea

Product description (taken from Althea website)

Riot Girl Complete Set Review

As a professional make up artist, I have an excuse to own a lot of brush sets!  And truth be told, I don't mind adopting more!  Looking back from my very first professional brush set from Suesh and Charm until today, these are the tools of trade I don't mind investing on because they are all well-taken care off and still looks good as new!  

To add up to my "brush babies", a new brand made its noise online called Riot Brushes.  It took a bit of time for me to review these brushes because I had to get over "gushing" on how gorgeous they look!  I knew I had to be impartial so it took me a month to get used to owning such beauty.

Riot Girl Complete Set

Php2,500.00

The Riot Girl Complete Set comes with 6 Face Brushes and 9 Essential Eye Brushes making it a whopping 15 brushes for such an affordable price tag!

At the back of your head, if you think these brushes are too much for personal use, you may try to get the Riot Essential Face Set priced at Php1,450.00 or the Riot Deluxe Eye Set priced at Php1,250.00.  A friendly advice from your trustee AMW friend, go for the Complete Set because brushes never expire and you may never know how much you need them until you use them!

The brushes are housed in a gorgeous chic brown clutch that you may use to store all your Riot brushes, or in my case, I like to use it as my makeup kit!  My Riot brushes are now being used and abused so they don't have the chance to get back in to this lovely clutch.

Etude House My Beauty Tool Secret Brush 121 Review (Face)

When Oval brushes came out in the market, I knew I had to get them even if I own a number of face brushes as of the moment!  Especially when I chanced upon Etude House My Beauty Tool Secret Brush 121?  Who can say no to this?

 I do not own a lot of this type of brushes, the first one was from Purple Tags and I realized after using it that this is the type of brush you don't think you need?  But once you tried them, it is indeed life-changing!