At the requests of MisSmall, Akiki and Synical, I popped by Bobbi Brown yesterday to view their limited edition brush sets.
The RM300 set is a Short Handle brush set that comes in a faux leather case. Packaging wise, I feel they beat Shu Uemura Mika brush sets to kingdom come! Brushes are a serious matter, make no mistake about it so a nice sleek black pouch is nice. Imagine whipping it out - how professional you will look! 
In terms of number of brushes they again trump Shu Uemura because in the Bobbi Brown set you get 6 brushes instead of 4. That said, the brushes are tiny. I did a quick comparison because the sales assistant was busy with another (paying) customer and I found that the brushes were smaller than the full sized. Handles are short which again is nice but on an overall basis, I found the brushes were a little small. The brushes in the Bobbi Brown Short Handle brush set are - Eye Shader, Face Blender (perfect for applying Shimmer Brick or blush lightly), Eye Shadow, Concealer, Eye Brow, and Ultra Fine Eyeliner (for precise application of Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner). The Bobbi Brown site says a foundation brush is included but I did not see it in the one here - they may have replaced it with a powder brush but I can’t remember exactly sorry!
There is another Deluxe Brush Set that retails for RM570. These are the full sized brushes in a set with 7/8 brushes. Now these, I was salivating over beacuse they are LUX! The price is high but when you actually break it down per brush, its actually a bargain. My mom who was with me actually thought I wanted to get it and told me to hurry up and pick it up because there was only one left! Haha… I love me mom but I did not get it even if I’d have to miss out on it. 
There is one more set which is limited edition for the Copper Diamond collection - a Copper Diamond Brush set. 4 mini brushes in a metallic copper pouch for RM230. You get Blush, Eye Shadow, Ultra Fine Eyeliner and Lip (with protective cap) brushes in a set. If you are thinking of travel, this is a great set to pick up because the brushes are small and easy to pack. Of course it must also be borne in mind that the brush heads will also be smaller especially for the blush brush.
I felt the brush quality of the brush sets and I was quite satisfied with them. The smaller sets aren’t full sized so you must expect some depreciation in quality. However, the brushes are soft yet firm and I love that face blender brush. I just recently got one and seriously, its love. I’ll have to write about it some day. It is perfect for shimmerbricks or highlighters or pigmented blushes because it picks up little colour yet is so lovely and soft. I’d been wanting it for ages so when I recently got it, I was very happy
So, having seen the Mac Adoring Carmine, Shu Uemura Mika brushes and the Bobbi Brown brushes, which would I prefer?
Which brush set to buy?
I would rate them thus:-
First, Shu Uemura for brush quality. Out of the 3 brands, the Shu Uemura brushes have the best quality for the price you are paying whether it be RM195 (portable smaller sized brushes) or RM300 (short handle full sized brushes). However, their packaging is out for me as I have said many times in my other post lol…
Second, Bobbi Brown for quality and packaging. I like the sleek black case and the wooden handles. The brush quality isn’t shabby although the brush heads tend to be a little small. For the RM230 set, expect very small brushes while for the RM300 for 6 brushes its a bargain. The Bobbi Brown sets gives more variety in the brushes compared to Shu Uemura.
Third, MAC Adoring Carmine. In terms of quality, MAC falls behind both Shu Uemura and Bobbi Brown. Their brushes have obvious shedding even as they are unwrapped for you to check in the store so for that points must be docked. The packaging however is nice, I like the cheery red and they have a good selection for people who want travel sized face or basic or eye brushes. Also the pouch can fit some small pieces of makeup which makes it handy when travelling. The price at RM220 however is decent compared to the other 2 where you get better brushes only in the more expensive range.
If you are thinking of either the RM300 Shu Uemura brush set or the RM300 Bobbi Brown brush set, think first of what you want in a brush set and whether you can live with the packaging. The Shu Uemura is full sized but only has 4 brushes while the Bobbi Brown set has 6 brushes but they are slightly smaller than full sized. Packaging wise and for practicality, I personally would go for the Bobbi Brown simply because I get a nice selection of brushes and a face blender brush and because I cannot live with Shu’s packaging and the floppy face brush. However, I will agree that Shu Uemura will give you a better quality brush set albeit with lesser choices for eye shadow brushes so that at the end of the day, will have to be your deciding factor.
I hope this helps someone if it hasn’t confused you already!
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@akiki : You’re welcome - test them both and see which calls out more to you.
@Shevon: I have stated my choice in my post. Best for you to look at it before deciding.
@rinnah : BB does do good brushes. I like their face blender and eye brushes but less of their regular blush and powder brush
@Tine: When I wore glasses, getting close to the mirror was so important thus short handled were the key. Now, I have less of a problem
Hehe.. Hi 5 back! =D