My Ecotools Brush Set

You've probably heard so many bloggers post about their Ecotools brushes, huh?  Well, here's another post from me :-)

Actually I've had the full sized powder brush since November of last year which I posted here.   The store didn't have stocks of the sets until I saw Toma of The Makeup Mix Shop carry the Ecotools brush line.  She is a blessing for us international customers because she carries those that are not readily available to us like NYX, Avon Magix, Ecotools, other brands and even her own minerals.   I've ordered from her a number of times and she has topnotch CS with very reasonable international shipping (even comes free for orders $20 and up).

Back to my brush set....I got the 5 pc. mineral brush set because I was paricularly interested in the eye shadow brush and the powder brush.  The brushes are soft with no offensive smell.  I've washed my brushes and they haven't shed (yet).  I've used the kabuki to apply my mineral foundation and setting powders and it does the job well although I do prefer long-handled kabukis.  The powder brush is much smaller than the other Ecotools powder brush I have and I prefer this one because there is more control in applying with the bristles on this one.  The full sized one is so much more softer and fluffier that I feel the powder doesn't apply on my face well. I don't know if it's just me but this is what I've noticed.  

The eyeshadow brush seems a bit too big for the crease area of my eye but I can probably make it work for blending.  The concealer brush is just the right size and is not too soft that it would be difficult to apply and blend concealers.  

The hemp brush case is a bit too small that you have to put in the brushes sideways but it's still pretty handy to carry along for travel.

I think I'll get the other brush set (6pc.) soon plus other items from The Makeup Mix Shop.

This is the freebie mineral pigment that came along with my order:

  

Brush Guards Anyone?

I first came across the Brush Guard on a friend's blog and was thinking of getting some but wasn't able to right away since it was the holidays at that time (and my package might take a long time to arrive due to international shipping).

A few days ago my friend C of My Beauty Basket contacted me saying she was sending me some brush guards and asked what I thought about them. I got that package recently containing a variety pack of brush guards and yes, I was so excited about it.

The Brush Guard is used for:
-storage and travel, keep bristles in good shape
-drying bristles downward
-keeping handles clean and gives a good grip
-keeps brushes feel like new




The variety pack contains:
-1 large (kabukis/foundation)
-2 medium (foundation)
-2 small (blush)
-1 extra small (shadow/liner)



Made of stretchable, breathable tube.




On my own brushes:




On my wet brushes after washing. You can stand them in a glass with the bristles pointing downward to dry.



Make sure you follow directions and put in the brushes HANDLE FIRST then slide upward to the bristle part or you risk snagging the bristles on the guard if done the other way around.

I'm going to get another pack with the large brush guards to keep my kabukis in shape bec. I have a small brush holder which bends some of the brush bristles.

There are 5 different packs to choose from at P375 for each Brush Guard Pack. You can get yours at My Beauty Basket.

Blusche Mini Haul

My pre-order Blusche brushes are here!

I pre-ordered them last September primarily because they looked like the EDM long-handled kabuki which I so love. I've been making my EDM ghost cart with a few LHK brushes in it but this Blusche deal was better. The brushes were inexpensive and I didn't have to pay higher shipping fees (only $1 since they ship locally, owner is a Filipina based in Canada).

Included were sample tubes of Blusche's new skin care line, Naturally Upper Canada Hand & Body Lotions. They were in Pressed Olive Avocado and Cranberry Mojo Orange scents and both smell so good!

So here it is with an EDM comparison.

Blusche brushes

EDM LHK vs. Blusche LHK

Don't they look exactly the same?

EDM (L) vs. Blusche (R)

Even the density of the bristles is exactly the same. The only difference is that EDM's has their logo :-) I'm thinking they probably got this from the same manufacturer. Blusche's cost less than $6 each with the pre-buy.

Sweetscents pigment swatches, Blusche brush

Here are the swatches of the Sweetscents pigments I got a few weeks ago:
I took the photos near a window in bright afternoon sunlight (day after the storm), all swatched dry, no base.


indoor, no flash

Top and bottom pics, L-R:
Beach Bum, Majestic, Orchids & Diamonds, Innocense (blush), Emeralds & Diamonds


indoor, with flash

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indoor, no flash

Top & Bottom pics, L-R:
Amaretto liner, Blackstar Red, Explore, Burgundy Sparkle, Eggplant Matte, Cobalt Blue Shimmer, Painted Desert, Sage Matte, Neon Yellow, City Lites, Arctic Blue


indoor, with flash

I really like the pigments in the first 2 sets of photos. City Lights is like glitter. Really griitty and I got it all over my hands and table. Arctic Blue is like a color shifter but also very pretty. When applied it's white but move it around and you can see the blue hue.

* * * * * * * * *

Last weekend I ordered a Powder brush from Canadian company Blusche Minerals since it was inexpensive and I needed another one after my DD played with the one I was using.

I paid on Friday thru Gcash (e-money thru cellphone), it was shipped Monday and I got the brush today, Tuesday! Monica has really good CS. Also, her relatives here handle the local customers so shipping is very fast with our local couriers (1-2 days) even if the orders are received in Canada.



powder brush

It's synthetic and really soft. The white bristles are also cool. At least I'll know if it needs cleaning right away LOL!

Oops, my new brush went missing from the PC table. My DD ran off with it :-(