So we are familiar with the fact I love blush yes? If I can just take one makeup item with me on a desert island it would likely be blush – just don’t make me choose which one!
No really, don’t! 😛
So, what brushes do I use on a daily basis to apply my blushes? Here is an insight into the ones I use regularly.
Ecotools Bamboo Blush Brush (link to review)
This one’s a winner in my book. I use it for every single blush, whether it is a pigmented one or a non pigmented one. For pigmented blushes, I just tap it on the surface and apply with a light hand to buff it in. For less pigmented blushes, I swipe it across the powder and the buff it in.
It works like a charm and I am really thinking of getting a backup. Its quite perfect for the price. You can read my previous review by clicking on the link above.
I like using this with : Benefit Sugarbomb and Coralista, MAC Porcelain Pink and almost any blush I use.
Shu Uemura #17 Pony Blush Brush
I have a love-hate relationship with this one. I bought it many years ago in Hong Kong (it was cheaper there) but what I really wanted was the #20 which is bigger and fluffier. However, I’ve since learned through experimentation, that this little flat brush works very well for precise placement of blush on the cheekbones and it works for me with pigmented blushes. I like taking this one along when I travel because its small. I can’t recall the price anymore (but its likely to have gone up anyway)
I like using this with: Shu Uemura Glow On blushes and NARS powder blushes and anything that might be pigmented.
Anna Sui Flat Top blush brush #2 (discontinued) (link to review)
Its sad that this brush is discontinued, because its a great brush for use with light or lesser pigmented blushes. It applies powder blush more densely hence working better with powder blushes that are light and the flat top makes it easy to buff in the blush for a beautiful glowy look.
I like using this one with: Benefit Dandelion and Georgia blushes, Chanel Joues Contraste blushes and any light or less pigmented blushes.
Lumiere Duo Fibre/Skunk brush (link to review)
I do not use this very regularly. When I do use it, its with very very strong blushes or cream blushes. I’m experimenting with the latter and this gives a natural glowy look without depositing too much colour.
All that said, I usually only use 1 blush brush nearly everyday and that’s the one by Ecotools shown above. Personally, I’d recommend it, if you just want 1 blush brush. Its inexpensive, longlasting, and works with a multitude of blushes depending on how you use it. I can even use it with strong coloured blushes. Here’s how.
How I use regular blush brushes with strong colored blush
I TAP not swipe or press the brush on the surface of the blush, shake off excess powder and apply it on the skin, blending as I go. I add colour if I need it and I make sure I blend like crazy – thats the key. This way, I’ve never found a real need for a duo fibre/skunk brush even though I do own 2.
So these are the blush brushes in my current rotation. Most mornings, I pick my blush first then reach for the brush from my brush holder. Most times, I don’t even bother thinking about which brush goes with which blush – I just make them work as I go.
What blush brushes are your favourite? Do you have a blush brush you’d like to rave about?
Paris B
I use the MAC 187… works every single time! 😀
Iconic brush, this one! 😉
i use ecotools too! but the short handle version, the one with the mini kabuki 😀 it also earns it’s place permanently in my travelling makeup pouch! too bad this doesn’t get sold separately though 🙁
Oh the one that comes as a set? I dislike buying sets if I don’t end up using the rest of the brushes. I do really like the bamboo blush brush – definitely need a back up!
I am using the retractable blush brush from Make Up Store. I don’t even know how much it costs because I bought it together with so many other things, didn’t look at the receipt. hahaha.
Personally, I prefer round blush brush… Perfectly round 360 degrees type. I do have the EcoTools, and tried using it before, but have not learn how to handle half flat blush brushes…
And normally, I don’t mind using those brushes that comes in the package as well. I work well with those rectangular ones from Sugarbomb and those tiny ones from Majolica Majorca… So am pretty much fine with packed-in brushes. =)
Oh I used to use a round fluffy brush too. Mine was by MAC – a travel brush. But it got so scratchy after a few years I threw it away. I find round fluffy brushes diffuse colour better but I like how the Ecotools brush diffuses yet puts colour just where I want it. 🙂
I have the EcoTools brush from the 5pcs set like plue and have been using it as a blush brush. The EcoTools brushes are very soft and fluffy, from the pictures above it looks like the fluffiest.
From the ones I have featured, yes the Ecotools one is the softest and fluffiest. I use different brushes depending on the different textures of blushes. Some work better than others 😉
For everyday wear,I only have 1 blush brush…The Body Shop. I love it, except the large handle (because it can’t fit in most makeup brush-roll).
I also have a smaller brush -for traveling- by Tamiya (is it available in Malaysia?) that’s affordable but soft enough for my standard.
(i’m not a blush freak 🙂 )
oh! I have that body shop one too! Is it the one that’s slightly flat? I gave it to my sis because I wasn’t using it enough but its a great brush to use. I haven’t come across Tamiya but its great to find a good travel brush 😉
Love the Ecotool brush myself! And as for the flat top, Elf’s USD$3 dollar flat top baby works wonderfully well. =D
Haven’t checked out ELF but I’ll take your word for it! 😉
I got Ecotools, but it’s fresh in the pre-packs. I love ELF brush, am using it as my blush brush all the time. 🙂
Hmm… I gotta take a look at these ELF brushes!
I only have 1 blush – coralista. and 1 blush brush – the dual fibre brush from etude house. =P and i STILL dont know how to apply blush correctly to get the high cheekbones n stuff. sigh.
Tip: Smile, dab blush on the highest bits and blend. With the dual fibre brush, its hard to go wrong 😉
I saw the Ecotools brush at Shin’s but it’s so expensive… I can’t lay my hands on it without bursting my pocket… I know is a soft brush which I like it a lot. Currently my best blushes brush is from Lumiere Angled Blush Brush. It picks up right amount of blushes. Normally I’m not heavy handed when it comes to blushes except for powder type. I can’t never estimated the right amount… =P It’s not as soft as Ecotools, I have to admit that but at least the pricing isn’t that high too.
Ecotools at Shins is way overpriced. I got mine from makeup mix shop online where its much cheaper! If you can wait for her to restock and for the shipping 🙂 Lumiere brushes aren’t too bad either and they are affordable
Mac 129 is my HG blusher brush! Give it a try, and I can assures you it works better than Mac 187 🙂
Oh I think I had the 129 but it was a travel sized one. Its a pretty good brush
At the moment, using an angled blush brush from Elianto (one of my firsts) and the duo-fibre brush from Etude House. Etude’s worked so well for me, I bought another one just so I have one for my pink-toned blushes and another for bronze/coral-toned blushes 😛
I noticed you dont use angled blush brushes though. Do they not work for you as well as flat-top ones?
No I don’t use angled blush brushes because I don’t know how to work them. LOL! That’s the truth too! I like flat top brushes for that glowy look when light colour is buffed in.
MAC 131 is my favourite brush for blushes. 😉
All these MAC brush numbers are so confusing! *runs to google 131*
Currently I’m using the Sephora Flat Blush Brush for Benefit Dandelion. I like to use this for less pigmented blushes because I found that I tend to cover too big a cheek area with the old dome shape fluffy blush brush I used to use.
I use the Lancome skunk brush for Benefit Coralista. I think it might be a travel size brush. It has soft but somewhat sturdy bristles for control over the area I apply my pigmented blush with less product picked up.
These are my 2 trusty brushes. 😀
Unconventional and brushes that sound very useful indeed! I do tend to agree with you that flat brushes work much better for colour placement because fluffy brushes can spread it too wide
I always use the side of my palm (the outer side of my thumb). I’m good at adding shades under my cheekbones that way.
Now that’s unconventional!
I wonder how do you get product on the palm?
My long time fav is definately the shu uemura pony 20.
Second is Kent Twelve contour powder brush. Followed by mac 134 and lastly mac 187.
Ahhh… Pony 20! I keep looking at it everytime I go to the Shu boutique 😛
I’m using EcoTools as well! Love it! Recently I bought a Posh blush brush which is v similar to your Shu #17. Still not sure how to use a flat blush brush… any tips?
For the flat brush, I tap it on the powder blush, and using the flat broad side, apply it to my cheekbones. Its smaller and easier to control than a fluffy brush, but be careful to blend out the edges because it can look harsh if not careful or if you pick up too much colour.
oh i use ELF studio kabuki face brush and ELF studio powder brush for blush…USD 5 and USD 3 respectively… it’s super cheap and good quality too! i think the ELF studio powder brush would make a good dupe for the discontinued anna sui flat top… 🙂
Another vote for ELF. Gotta really take a look at these!
I use the NARS yachiyo brush for most blushes, and for contouring, but for blushes that are not too pigmented I also like the shu uemura 20 pony.
Am using Bobbi Brown’s blusher brush, though i think the hair’s not soft enough. Body Shop’s one work wonderfully & the hairs doesn’t come off after years of cleaning. Have you heard of Michelle Phan’s IQQU brushes? The red kabuki is on sale currently, so am pondering now… 🙂
At the risk of sounding completely ignorant, what’s the difference between a pigmented blush and a non-pigmented one?
Oh and I’m using a Laura Mercier brush that looks like your Ecotools one. Please don’t get it – the hair bits keep falling off on my face each time I use it! So irritating…
And yes, I too love to use blush! Love how it adds a natural glow to my face. 🙂
Yes! I love blush 😀 Way too much if I’m honest LOL
Not ignorant – we’re all here to learn 🙂 A pigmented blush is one that the colour is very strong so you only use very little or very lightly to get colour on your skin. A non pigmented blush is one that applies light and sheer, even if it might look strong in the pan.