Review: Tapered Crease Blending Brushes for the Eyes

4. Sonia Kashuk #109 Pointed Blending Brush
5. Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush

I already made a post about tapered crease blending brushes in a previous post. Those brushes are intended for the eyes, but I personally use them for face application. Most of the brushes mentioned in this post are smaller and more suitable for eye application.

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Review + Comparison: ELF Studio Brush Collection

I've been wanting to purchase the ELF Studio Angled Blush brush, Mineral Powder brush, Small Tapered brush, Flawless Concealer brush and Small Stipple brush ever since their release, but a few of them were always out of stock. I finally got the chance to purchase all 5 of them at the same time during the holiday season when they were half off! They're already so affordable at retail price. I can't believe I paid $1.50 each plus $6.95 shipping. ^_^

Pros:

• synthetic bristles feel very soft
• bristles are not flimsy at all
• ideal for applying liquid/cream products
• no shedding
• affordable ($3 each)
• no funky smell after a few washes

Cons:

• currently sold only online (now widely available) 
• dye bleeding during the initial wash (no dye bleeding afterwards)

ELF Angled Blush Brush is ideal for applying cream products and highly pigmented blushers. The synthetic bristles feel very soft and are more densely packed than the MAC 168 (review), but not as stiff as the Sigma F84. The ELF one is more flexible, but is by no means flimsy. I personally use it to apply highly pigmented blushes because the bristles disperses powder product lightly and evenly without leaving a clownish finish. I also use it to apply my Chanel cream bronzer (swatches) because the shape of the brush fits nicely on my cheek area and it doesn't leave any bristles on my face to clean up afterwards. (It measures 6.25 inches in total length.)

MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush ~ ELF Angled Blush Brush ~ Sigma F84 Angled Kabuki

Sigma F84 Angled Kabuki ~ ELF Angled Blush Brush ~ MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

MAC 109 ~ ELF Mineral Powder Brush ~ Sigma F35 ~ ELF Small Tapered Brush

Real Techniques Contour Brush (available in the Core Collection set) ~ Real Techniques Setting Brush

ELF Mineral Powder Brush is ideal for applying cream products, such as blushers and bronzers. The synthetic bristles feel very soft and are not too flimsy or too densely packed. The Real Techniques Contour brush is slightly smaller and more tapered, which makes it more ideal for applying concealer and setting powder under the eye area and for highlighting the cheekbones. The ELF one fits better on the cheek area and it blends cream products onto my skin flawlessly when I use it in a tapping motion. I also like using it in a buffing motion when I apply liquid foundation because it gets into all the crevices of my face really well, but I just wish the brush was a little bigger. By the way, their stock photo looks bigger than the one that I received. (It measures 6.25 inches in total length.)

ELF Small Tapered Brush is ideal for applying setting powder, highlighting, and contouring. The bristles are slightly denser than the ELF Mineral Powder brush and slightly bigger than the Real Techniques Contour brush. Due to its tapered point, it fits very well on top of the cheekbone area, on the hollows of the cheeks, around the crevices of the nose, and underneath the eye area. I have been loving this for applying setting powder in the "hard to reach" places of my face. (It measures 7 inches in total length.)

MAC 109 ~ Sigma F35 ~ ELF Small Tapered Brush ~ ELF Mineral Powder Brush

MAC 109 ~ ELF Mineral Powder Brush ~ Sigma F35 ~ ELF Small Tapered Brush

Sigma F35 ~ ELF Small Tapered Brush ~ Real Techniques Contour Brush ~ Real Techniques Setting Brush

ELF Mineral Powder Brush ~ ELF Small Tapered Brush ~ Real Techniques Contour Brush ~ Real Techniques Setting Brush

Inglot 4SS Brush ~ ELF Flawless Concealer Brush ~ Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush ~ Sonia Kashuk Small Multi Purpose Powder Brush

ELF Flawless Concealer Brush is ideal for applying setting powder, spot concealing and blending. The synthetic bristles feel very soft and are more densely packed than the Inglot (review), Edward Bess (review) and Sonia Kashuk brush pictured above. I personally don't like using it to apply concealer underneath my eye area because I find that it takes to long when I use it in a tapping motion and it doesn't give as much coverage when I use it in a buffing motion. However, I love using it to blend my cream eyeshadows when I'm applying an all-over-the-lid shade. It's also  excellent for setting concealer because the brush can reach in the small crevices of the face. Also, you don't have to worry about it leaving a cakey finish because the synthetic bristles lightly disperses product. (It measures 6.50 inches in total length.)

Inglot 4SS Brush ~ ELF Flawless Concealer Brush ~ Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush ~ Sonia Kashuk Small Multi Purpose Powder Brush

ELF Small Stipple Brush is ideal for applying cream products and highly pigmented blushers. The synthetic bristles are not as dense as the Real Techniques and MAC 130 brush, but is slightly denser than the MAC 187 (review). Keep in mind, it is by no means flimsy. It stipples and buffs foundation into the skin really well without leaving a streaky finish. I just wish that the brush head was bigger. Because of the size of the brush, It's more suitable for applying cheek products, which it does flawlessly. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length.)

MAC 187 ~ Real Techniques Stippling Brush ~ ELF Small Stipple Brush ~ MAC 130

MAC 187 ~ Real Techniques Stippling Brush ~ ELF Small Stipple Brush ~ MAC 130

Bottom Line: I highly recommend checking them out, especially if you're on a tight beauty budget. These brushes feel baby soft, don't shed and work well with both liquid and powder products. 

Note: The ELF Studio brushes can be purchased individually for $3 each at their online store, drugstore.com, and Target. 

Which ELF Studio brush have you tried?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Swatches + Comparison: L'oreal Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadows (Part 2)

Pros:

• texture feels silky
• applies smoothly
• great pigmentation when used with a primer
• doesn't crease when used with a primer
• lasts at least 12 hours without fading

Cons:

• fallouts during application
• application can be a little tricky, depending on what tool you use
• these are not wrapped in plastic seal

Top: 557 Glistening Garnet ~ 556 Smoldering Plum

Bottom: 335 Golden Emerald ~ 800 Bottomless Java

(Do not discard the flattener!)

Packaging: Although the jars are made of plastic, I don't find them to look cheap. However, they don't have a plastic seal wrapped around them. So, it's difficult to tell if anyone has tampered them with their grimy fingers.

When you unscrew the cap, there's a little "flattener" that's supposed to secure the product in place and prevent it from going everywhere. Do not discard this because the product will get loose the more you use it and you will then have to use the "flattener" to re-press the eyeshadow. 

Application: The L'oreal Infallible eyeshadows are essentially pressed pigments with a creamy texture to them. They all apply smoothly and offer intense pigmentation when used with a dense brush, such as the MAC 239 brush (full review). I also tried applying them with my fingers and they do apply more smoothly and evenly, but the pigmentation was not as intense as when I used a brush. I still prefer to use a brush because it's more sanitary, it gives me better control and I get better color payoff. 

I find that the eyeshadows blend away easily and they turn into a "muddy" look on my NC35/37 skin tone if i use a heavy hand and a dense brush, such as the Sonia Kashuk blending brush (mini review). I end up having to reapply the product to bring back the intensity of the color. However, I didn't have a problem when I used a light hand and a fluffy brush, such as the MAC 217. 

I did experience some minor fallouts with Glistening Garnet, Smoldering Plum and Bottomless Java during application. Golden Emerald was the only one that was a little bit more troublesome to work with because it contains tiny gold sparkles. However, it's not a huge problem for me because I usually do my eye makeup before I apply my foundation. So, I can easily wipe away the mess with makeup remover. (To prevent major fallouts, use a dense brush and tap off any excess before applying and/or use a tacky base. Also, in order for the product to adhere better onto the lids and for a more intense, metallic look, spritz some MAC Fix+ or water onto the brush before applying.)

As for longevity, I didn't experience any creasing and they all last at least 12 hours without fading when worn with a primer underneath. (I have oily lids, so I never test eyeshadows without a primer.)

557 Glistening Garnet is a fuschia pink with a frost finish. Stars Makeup Haven Wine Not is more purple, MAC Cranberry is more red and Plum Dressing & Hepcat are less red-based.

When I saw other people's swatches, I thought it was going to look too light and disgustingly red on my NC35/37 skin tone. It definitely makes my eyes look swollen, sick and scary when worn as an "all over the lid" color. However, it looks lovely on my crease, especially when I wear a light champagne shade (MAC Jest or Urban Decay Sellout) on my lids and a dark brown shade on my outer v (MAC Embark). Using that combination, Glistening Garnet looks less garish (on me) and more sultry. 

556 Smoldering Plum is a dark blackened plum with reddish-purple shimmers. I love using it on my outer v and the gorgeous purple undertone really comes out when paired with other purple and pink eyeshadows. 

(picture taken during a sunny day under the shade)

800 Bottomless Java is an espresso brown with bronze shimmers. I thought this was going to be very similar to many other eyeshadows that I have, but I was wrong. As you can tell from the swatches, Bottomless Java is much darker and definitely different enough for me, personally, to warrant the purchase. (Maybe you have something similar to Bottomless Java in your collection? Let me know!)

(picture taken during a rainy day)

(picture taken during a cloudy day)

335 Golden Emerald is a forest green with tiny gold sparkles. The swatch picture does not do this eyeshadow any justice. When worn on the eyes, it looks VERY sparkly and almost like liquid metal. The glitters are not chunky; instead, they look more like tiny specks of gold shimmer. Urban Decay Mildew, MAC Humid and Inglot AMC Shine 44 are not as sparkly, wet-looking or eye-catching. I just can't stress enough how gorgeous Golden Emerald looks. This is my favorite of the bunch. I will definitely be wearing this during the holidays! 

(Because of the amount of fallouts with this eyeshadow, I strongly recommend using a tacky base or applying it wet. Be sure to use a dense brush and tap off the excess before applying. Also, cleanup will be much easier if you apply your eye makeup first before applying your foundation.)  

Bottom Line: I recommend grabbing these shades if you're a fan of metallic & frosty eyeshadows and don't mind dealing with minor fallouts because the pigmentation and lasting power are amazing, especially when used wet or with a tacky base. 

Note: Each L'oreal Infallible 24 HR eyeshadow contains 3.5g of product and is available at Ulta, Target, and drugstore.com for around $7. As with any drugstore product, I would definitely wait for a sale because there is always a "buy one, get one half off" or even a "buy one, get one for free" sale.

*This post also contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Please click here for a review and swatches of Part 1.

Do you like to wear them dry, wet, or over a tacky base?

Swatches + Comparison: Urban Decay New Reformulated Eyeshadows 2012 (Part 2)

From Top Left, Clockwise: Urban Decay Scratch ~ Bust ~ Bender ~ Blackout ~ Snatch

Please check out swatches of Part 1 and Part 3.

From Top Left, Clockwise: Urban Decay Scratch ~ Bust ~ Bender ~ Blackout ~ Snatch

Pros:

• texture feels buttery smooth (Scratch, Bust & Bender)
• great pigmentation when layered & used with a primer
• applies evenly
• blends easily 
• does not look chalky
• doesn't crease when used with a primer
• lasts at least 12 hours without fading when used with a primer
• no fallouts during application (Scratch, Bust, Bender & Blackout)
• can be depotted and the pan fits in the MAC and CS empty 28 pan eyeshadow palettes without needing a magnet
• the depotted pan can be placed back into the container

Cons:

• fallouts during application (Snatch)
• refill pans are not available

Packaging: The new packaging allows you to pop out the eyeshadow and put it into the Urban Decay customizable palette, which holds 4 eyeshadows. I do not travel light, and I prefer to depot all my eyeshadows and store them in my Empty 28 Pan Eyeshadow Palette, which holds 28 eyeshadows. For this reason, I wish Urban Decay sold refill pans, which would also cut down on the plastic, be more eco-friendly, and reduce the cost.

In order for the eyeshadow to fit in my palette, I have to depot it using a hair straightener, similar to the way that I depot my MAC eyeshadows, except it just takes a little bit longer to depot because the plastic insert is much thicker than the MAC one. However, the thickness allows the plastic insert to retain its shape much better than the MAC one; therefore, it can pop back into container and be used for storage when you're travelling light. The containers can also be used to store any depotted MAC, Stars Makeup Haven or Inglot eyeshadows! (Click here for pictures of the depotted container.)

(To depot the Urban Decay eyeshadow, (1) pop out the plastic insert, (2) place the plastic insert on a hair straightener for about 20 seconds and then remove the label using a tweezer, (3) place the label on the table, sticky side up, (4) place the plastic insert back onto the hair straightener for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, (5) remove the plastic insert from the hair straightener, (6) turn the plastic insert upside down and push the pan out onto a soft surface, using a tweezer, and (7) finally, place the label on the back of the pan. You do not need to place a magnet on the back of the pan because the pan magnetizes to the palette. I have depotted over 50 eyeshadows and have never experienced them cracking. The key is to not overheat them. Also, please remember to wear gloves. I will not be responsible for any injuries incurred during "depotation." ^_^)

Reformulation: The original formulation of the Urban Decay non-glittery eyeshadows have a very buttery texture and they are super pigmented & long-lasting. The new formulation (of the non-glittery eyeshadows) is basically the same, but it just feels slightly more smooth. 

Some people have mentioned that the colors of the original formulation are slightly different than the new formulation. I have the original and new formulation of SWF, which is a light baby pink with micro-glitters and a metallic frost finish. The new version has a softer texture, but it still doesn't feel as buttery smooth as the non-glittery Urban Decay eyeshadows. Besides that, the new and original version are practically indistinguishable. They both look the same when applied onto the lids and they both have the same pigmentation, amount of fallouts during application, ease of blendabilty, and long lasting quality when worn with a primer. (I will be comparing more eyeshadows of the original formulation to the new one in my next post.) 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Scratch (1.5g for $18) is a rosy pink with a metallic frost finish. Free Love (original formulation) is more coral, Snatch is lighter and peachier, All That Glitters is more peachy gold and Blaze (original formulation) is more coppery. Scratch may look dark in the swatch pictures, but that's only because I've swatched it next to SWF, which is a lighter & brighter shade. Scratch is definitely too light for the crease, but it's perfect as an all over the lid shade, especially when paired with browns.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Snatch (1.5g for $18) is a light peachy pink with gold micro-glitters and a metallic frost finish. It has minor fallouts during application, but once you start blending, the tiny specks of glitters fly everywhere and it's difficult to wipe away even with a piece of tissue, fan brush and your fingers. The only way to clean up the glittery mess is to use a makeup remover wipe. Therefore, I strongly recommend using a tacky base to prevent major fallouts and applying your eye makeup first before applying your foundation.

A few reviewers have mentioned that Scratch may be a dupe for Snatch; however, I wouldn't consider them as dupes, especially on my NC35/37 skin tone. Scratch is slightly darker, pinkier and doesn't contain any glitters, while Snatch is lighter and peachier.

Urban Decay Bust ~ Bender ~ Blackout

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Bust (1.5g for $18) is a taupe with grey shimmers. It's not as metallic or frosty as the other eyeshadows, but it's also not as subtle as Urban Decay claims it to be. YDK (original formulation, contains micro-glitters), Inglot Pearl 402, MAC Satin Taupe and Stray Dog (original formulation) are less grey, more brown and all have a slight plummy undertone.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Bender (1.5g for $18) is a dark forest green with gold shimmers. Urb (original formulation) is much lighter and looks more sage green. It also has gold micro-glitters and is very sheer unless you use a dense brush and layer it over a primer. Mildew (original formulation) has a more metallic finish, stronger gold sheen and is lighter. Humid is frostier and lighter than Bender, but it's slightly darker than Mildew. Inglot AMC Shine 44 has a more frosty finish, stronger gold sheen and is slightly lighter than Bender when compared side by side on the lids. When worn on the crease, they both look indistinguishable. 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Blackout (1.5g for $18) is a dark black with a matte finish. Carbon looks slightly lighter than Blackout when swatched on my arm, but they are both indistinguishable when worn on my eyes. The texture of Blackout doesn't feel as buttery smooth as the shimmery shades, but I had no issues during application. The color is very rich and blends effortlessly. Also, I didn't experience any fallouts as long as I used a dense brush and tapped off any excess before applying.

Bottom Line: Snatch can be a pain to work with, considering the amount of glitter fallout that occurs. However, I highly recommend getting Scratch, Bust, Bender and Blackout, especially if you want amazing pigmentation, ease of application & blendablity, no fallouts and long wearing eyeshadows.

Note: The new formulation of SWF, Scratch, Snatch, Bust, Bender, and Blackout are available for purchase on Nordstrom, Beauty.com, Ulta and Sephora for $18 each. The original formulation of SWF, Blaze, Free Love, YDK, Stray Dog, Urb and Mildew are being discontinued and are currently on sale for $9. All That Glitters contains 1.3g, while Satin Taupe, Humid, & Carbon each contain 1.5g. All 4 MAC eyeshadows are permanent and are available at MAC and Nordstrom for $15 (pot) and $12 (refill pan). Inglot Pearl 402 contains 1.6g, while Inglot AMC Shine 44 contains 1.8g. They are both discontinued in the round pan, but are available in the square pan for $6 at Inglot. The empty 28 pan palette can be purchased from Coastal Scents for $9.95.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Tired of all these eyeshadows swatches? 
Sorry, but I have more coming your way. 

Don't worry, I'll be on a blush frenzy soon! ^_^