Tools of the Trade // My Makeup Brushes & Sponges

While having good makeup products is certainly a must when it comes to putting together the perfect look, the other essential is having the right tools for the job. Having good quality brushes and sponges helps make sure that all that beautiful makeup you've purchased is applied effortlessly, effectively and flawlessly. Today I wanted to share some of the brushes, sponges and other bits and bobs I have on hand when I'm putting together a makeup look. Apologies in advance for the state of some of my brushes and sponges. If anything it's just proof they are well loved and used, so you know they must be good

QVS Foundation Brush / QVS Blending Brush / QVS Angled Eyeliner Brush / QVS Eyeliner Brush / QVS Crean Eyeshadow Brush / QVS Angled Blush & Powder Brush
I will start off by saying these won't be the softest brushes you've ever touched in your life, but that doesn't mean they're not good. They all still apply the product they are made for really well, they help blend product easily, and I also love their design. For some brushes that aren't going to break your bank to buy them, they will certainly satisfy. Though actually, I have to say the Foundation Brush is pretty damn soft, and the bristles are nice and dense which makes it perfect for applying liquid foundation. I haven't yet gotten a chance to try the eyeliner brushes as I don't own any black gel liners, but I'm keen to go buy some now and test these out.

QVS Eyelash Curler
While this doesn't help apply foundation, concealer or powder in any way, it's still a must-have for me when it comes to making those eyelashes on fleek. I think eyelash curlers don't get much attention, because there isn't really any way to make one amazingly different from the other, except maybe how you change its overall appearance, but otherwise they all can pretty much do the job they're designed for, so we don't think or talk too much about them. But I know I'd be lost without one. They make my top lashes look ten times better when I apply mascara and help keep them that way throughout the day. I recently received this matte black one from QVS, and while also loving the matte black finish, it's something I use every single time I do my makeup.

Platinum Eye Shadow Brush / Platinum Base Blending Brush / Platinum Blush Brush / Platinum Powder Brush / Platinum Eye Contour Brush
I love this range of brushes. First of all, you can pick these up easily and cheaply from Woolworths, which is perfect for the everyday person who ain't got time to be worrying too much about what they're buying. Honestly, you shouldn't have to anyway, brands should just make good quality products, so no matter how rushed we are and no matter what we pick up, we can be sure we'll get something that will at least do the job it's suppose to. Well, if you're ever in need of a quick brush fix, I can recommend these babies. Not only does the style of them look super lux, they are so soft! Having a soft brush just makes the application of makeup so much more fun and makes you feel that little bit fancy.

NARS Ita Kabuki Brush
I love to use this little baby for applying highlighter because I'm yet to add a fan brush to my collection; I know, who am I for not owning a fan brush yet. But honestly this does the trick perfectly fine, and I've always been a sucker for NARS packaging.

NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush
I love how unique looking this brush is. I love using this to add bronzer, which I tend to also do in such a way that it somewhat becomes my contour because I'm way too lazy most of the time to get too technical with that stuff.

NYX Pro Flat Detail Brush

This little guy is perfect for getting that eyeshadow on fleek!

OCosmedics Treatment Fusion Foundation Brush
This is only the second time I've used a brush of this kind. It's still taking some getting use to, but I'm finding I'm really enjoying it. This one makes blending foundation super smooth and easy, and the density of the brush is such that I don't think it soaks up to much product, so you don't have to use half a handful of that real expensive foundation you brought when you're getting ready to hit the town.

Ecotools Sheer Powder Brush
I love how soft and fluffy this brush is. It makes applying powder or some blush easy and kind of fun.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge / Real Techniques Miracle Mini Eraser Sponge / Real Techniques Miracle Sculpting Sponge / Real Techniques Miracle Diamond Sponge
I never really used sponges until I received a bunch of different ones from Real Techniques, now I'm basically converted. I still love using brushes sometimes but nine times out of ten you'll find me reaching for a sponge.  The Miracle Complexion Sponge is great for doing your foundation, and then I love to use the Miracle Mini Eraser Sponge to blend in any concealer. Also, can we take a minute to appreciate the beauty of the Diamond Sponge. I'm yet to use it because I'm scared to ruin its beauty.

Ecotools Perfecting Blender Duo Sponges
These are another set of sponges that are awesome and are the ones I'm most frequently using at the moment. These ones can be used without being wet first, which is why I tend to use them so much because I'm too lazy to get up and go to a tap. With these ones, I can pick them straight up and use, and despite not being damp they still work really well.

While having good makeup products is certainly a must when it comes to putting together the perfect look, the other essential is having the right tools for the job. Having good quality brushes and sponges helps make sure that all that beautiful makeup you've purchased is applied effortlessly, effectively and flawlessly. Today I wanted to share some of the brushes, sponges and other bits and bobs I have on hand when I'm putting together a makeup look. Apologies in advance for the state of some of my brushes and sponges. If anything it's just proof they are well loved and used, so you know they must be good

QVS Foundation Brush / QVS Blending Brush / QVS Angled Eyeliner Brush / QVS Eyeliner Brush / QVS Crean Eyeshadow Brush / QVS Angled Blush & Powder Brush
I will start off by saying these won't be the softest brushes you've ever touched in your life, but that doesn't mean they're not good. They all still apply the product they are made for really well, they help blend product easily, and I also love their design. For some brushes that aren't going to break your bank to buy them, they will certainly satisfy. Though actually, I have to say the Foundation Brush is pretty damn soft, and the bristles are nice and dense which makes it perfect for applying liquid foundation. I haven't yet gotten a chance to try the eyeliner brushes as I don't own any black gel liners, but I'm keen to go buy some now and test these out.

QVS Eyelash Curler
While this doesn't help apply foundation, concealer or powder in any way, it's still a must-have for me when it comes to making those eyelashes on fleek. I think eyelash curlers don't get much attention, because there isn't really any way to make one amazingly different from the other, except maybe how you change its overall appearance, but otherwise they all can pretty much do the job they're designed for, so we don't think or talk too much about them. But I know I'd be lost without one. They make my top lashes look ten times better when I apply mascara and help keep them that way throughout the day. I recently received this matte black one from QVS, and while also loving the matte black finish, it's something I use every single time I do my makeup.

Platinum Eye Shadow Brush / Platinum Base Blending Brush / Platinum Blush Brush / Platinum Powder Brush / Platinum Eye Contour Brush
I love this range of brushes. First of all, you can pick these up easily and cheaply from Woolworths, which is perfect for the everyday person who ain't got time to be worrying too much about what they're buying. Honestly, you shouldn't have to anyway, brands should just make good quality products, so no matter how rushed we are and no matter what we pick up, we can be sure we'll get something that will at least do the job it's suppose to. Well, if you're ever in need of a quick brush fix, I can recommend these babies. Not only does the style of them look super lux, they are so soft! Having a soft brush just makes the application of makeup so much more fun and makes you feel that little bit fancy.

NARS Ita Kabuki Brush
I love to use this little baby for applying highlighter because I'm yet to add a fan brush to my collection; I know, who am I for not owning a fan brush yet. But honestly this does the trick perfectly fine, and I've always been a sucker for NARS packaging.

NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush
I love how unique looking this brush is. I love using this to add bronzer, which I tend to also do in such a way that it somewhat becomes my contour because I'm way too lazy most of the time to get too technical with that stuff.

NYX Pro Flat Detail Brush

This little guy is perfect for getting that eyeshadow on fleek!

OCosmedics Treatment Fusion Foundation Brush
This is only the second time I've used a brush of this kind. It's still taking some getting use to, but I'm finding I'm really enjoying it. This one makes blending foundation super smooth and easy, and the density of the brush is such that I don't think it soaks up to much product, so you don't have to use half a handful of that real expensive foundation you brought when you're getting ready to hit the town.

Ecotools Sheer Powder Brush
I love how soft and fluffy this brush is. It makes applying powder or some blush easy and kind of fun.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge / Real Techniques Miracle Mini Eraser Sponge / Real Techniques Miracle Sculpting Sponge / Real Techniques Miracle Diamond Sponge
I never really used sponges until I received a bunch of different ones from Real Techniques, now I'm basically converted. I still love using brushes sometimes but nine times out of ten you'll find me reaching for a sponge.  The Miracle Complexion Sponge is great for doing your foundation, and then I love to use the Miracle Mini Eraser Sponge to blend in any concealer. Also, can we take a minute to appreciate the beauty of the Diamond Sponge. I'm yet to use it because I'm scared to ruin its beauty.

Ecotools Perfecting Blender Duo Sponges
These are another set of sponges that are awesome and are the ones I'm most frequently using at the moment. These ones can be used without being wet first, which is why I tend to use them so much because I'm too lazy to get up and go to a tap. With these ones, I can pick them straight up and use, and despite not being damp they still work really well.

continue reading

posted by The Noise in Wonderland . 6/24/17 .