A few months ago, when RMK launched their new eye shadow brushes, I picked one out of the bunch to try, because it was interesting and because I don’t see brushes like this very often.
It is the RMK Eye Shadow Brush C, which doesn’t tell us very much does it? 😀
The Brush C is fairly short in length, but a comfortable length for most of us because when you try to get close to the mirror for detailed work, it’s useful not having the long handle bumping against the mirror. The bristles are natural hair and are 100% goat hair.
What made this brush interesting is because is angled to fit the contours of the eye and face better, but it is a round brush, with an angled flat top that reminds me of a slightly looser foundation brush like this. I asked the visiting RMK Makeup Artist how it was to be used, and he showed me that it was useful for applying strong or pigmented colours because it blends it out so it doesn’t look too strong on skin and picks up product well.
The most useful way to use this brush, I’ve found, is for applying a wash of colour. Much to my surprise, it doesn’t apply colour very strongly on skin which is why I don’t use it a lot for depositing colour, but mostly for blending.
I’ve tried using this to dab on colour which allows some eyeshadows to adhere better to skin (especially if you apply over an eyelid primer) and it does help, especially when you’re working with shimmery or sparkly colours. It helps the shimmer/sparkle stay on the skin better. However, I don’t wear very shimmery or sparkly colours very much, so I use this as a very quick brush to apply a wash of color.
The surface of the brush is fairly large. So I use it to pick up colour, and then apply it to my lid in a back and forth, windshield wiper motion. This way, I get a sheerer wash of colour, which suits me when I just want something quick and simple. I find that if I angle it a little, it allows me to apply deeper colour on the outer lid area and up to the crease, quite easily, so I survived using just this brush for colour and blending on an overnight work trip.
However, there is another use for this brush that I find it preferable for other than for eyeshadow. You can use it to blend powder and concealer around your under eye area, and around the nose, the latter of which is suggested also by RMK.
Due to the shape, and due to my familiarity working with similar shaped foundation brushes, I use this brush like a mini foundation brush. So, I dab on my concealer, then use this brush to blend out the concealer and to dab on a little setting powder if I’m so minded. It suits the purpose and fits perfectly! 😀
If you are a proponent of super soft bristles, you may find the bristles on this one a little pokey. Not uncomfortable, but we’re not talking rabbit tail fluffiness here. However, that’s where it’s purpose as a blending and concealer/powder application brush comes in handy, because it is this relative stiffness that allows it to work a little better for things like this.
All in all, I’d say that this is a good brush to have, if you use concealer and setting powder on small areas because it’s ace at that function. As an eyeshadow brush, I think I could do better with other brushes because this one isn’t a must have for that purpose.
In a nutshell
The RMK Eye Shadow Brush C is a unique looking brush with a round but angled flat top, that allows it to grab eyeshadows very easily and deposit them on skin. Using a dabbing motion results in a little more intense colour, while a blending motion deposits a sheer wash of colour. I find however, that it works very well for use as a concealer or powder setting brush for small areas around the under-eye and nose area. The angled brush fits the contours of the face well, and it is ace at blending out concealer and dabbing on powder. I’d use it for this purpose primarily and it’s handy having a brush you can use for multiple uses.
Bristles: 100% Goat Hair (black)
Pros: Short length allows you to get close to the mirror easily, Versatile and easy to use, Can be used for applying and blending concealer and powder in small areas
Cons: Some people may find the bristles pokey
Who will like this: Anyone who needs a brush for blending or applying concealer or powder around the under-eye and nose area
The similar brush in a different brand would be the NARS Artistry Brush in #43 Wide Contour Eyeshadow Brush. The Nars one has a much longer handle, but a similar looking head and from recollection, the bristles feels familiar too – not super soft. Stiffer brushes do have their purpose and because this one isn’t as expensive as many other makeup brushes out there, I’d say it’s one to add to your collection, if you don’t already have something similar, or want to experiment out of the box 🙂
Have you used a similar eye shadow brush? Have you tried using any RMK makeup brushes?
This is quite an interesting brush, I’d admit and surprisingly versatile too, which is part of the reason I liked it. I can’t say however that this is a must have because it is a little more specific in its function. But if you already have a few brushes then this is a nice one to add to the collection 🙂
Paris B
RMK Eye Shadow Brush C Price: RM95 Availability: RMK counters
I have an RMK foundation brush – I think you have the identical one. It’s very soft and for some warped reason, I’m not a fan of using it for blending out foundation. It’s rather small so I use it for powder instead on targeted areas. My go-to eye brushes are a set I got from Tom Ford – the eyeshadow brush for a wash of colour, blender brush to well, err, blend 😛 and the smokey eye brush for the dark hint of colour close to the lash line or corners of my eye. I’m still a novice when it comes to eye colour so these 3 are enough for me at the moment 🙂
Yes, I have that one too and you’re right. It’s lovely but a bit too small for the whole face when you have to work quickly. I haven’t thought about using it for targeted areas so I’m going to try that! I got a couple of the Tom Ford eye brushes too, thanks to your enabling 😀 Shall have to dig them out. I keep using that MAC239 😛
I am very curious about RMK’s brushes and someone told me that they are made by Chikuhodo which always seems to make my heart leap a little. Is this true?
Already in possession of a few Japanese-made brushes, I now prefer shorter length because they accommodate my myopia. Honestly, after using Japanese brushes, the Sigmas make me feel like I am holding a tree branch.
I am a little disappointed to hear that this is pokey 🙁
Yep, I can confirm that RMK brushes are by Chikuhodo 🙂 I asked the RMK trainer when he was here and he confirmed it! They are very well made and the quality is amazing but I didn’t think the price to be too horrifying all things considered. This is a wee bit pokey, if you’re comparing it to the white haired goat hair brushes, but not as pokey as anything else out there and definitely not as pokey as Sigma brushes! 😀 Go cop a feel at the counter and see how you like it – it serves its purpose to be a bit stiffer 🙂
I have a Koyudo brush and a few Hakuhodo brushes in this shape. I love the shape so much that I got them in all the different hairs available. I can do almost an entire eye look with this one brush (except liner) by just using different sides of the brush. Iirc this RMK one is bigger than the Hakuhodo/Koyudo ones.
Ahhh that all sounds so lovely having different brushes of different hairs in this shape! 😀 I like the versatility of this brush too, although it took a lot of getting used to at first. I would have liked for it to be a bit smaller so maybe I should be looking at the Hakuhodo/Koyudo then? Hmm… more brushes?! Haha 😀
I have a Burberry version of this. It’s good for a wash of color and i use it as a ‘highlighter’ too on other parts of my face at times. I think this version is quite similar. Slightly pokey too but not exactly uncomfortable. I do however prefer 13 rushes’s concealer brush which is also similar and soft.
Mmm I never pegged Burberry for their brushes hehe… I’ve been seeing a lot of 13rushes brushes online but haven’t yet tried them. They do look quite lush and nice though. Perhaps I’ll pick up a kit, or would you recommend any individual brushes instead? 🙂
For liquid foundation, I love their flat top sculpting brush. It gets my liquids applied with no streaks, quick and fast. I’ve not tried this for sculpting though.
For eyes, i like the fluffy blender. I’m using this everyday. Says a lot.
I also like their flat top mini and one more, surprisingly, I like their tapered highlighter brush as well.
Thanks for the suggestions! I never thought to look at their brushes but you know me, now I have to 😛