Brushes...the
one thing everyone who does make up uses.
Like
make up, there are good brushes and there are bad brushes, there are expensive
brushes and there are cheap brushes.
A
very common misconception in make up is that if something is expensive then
it’s bound to be brilliant and better than the cheaper versions, but that is so wrong. Yes, some of the more expensive Brands are
good, but then there are a lot of brilliant Drugstore Brands that perform just
as well, if not better, than some of their high priced competitors.
One
of the best Drugstore Brands is MUA (Make Up Academy). The Brand itself
is only 3 years old but, in that time, it has grown and gone from strength to
strength and is continuing to grow on a daily basis.
MUA
offer a large range of products, with new lines being added all the time. Their prices range from just £1 up to £8
(which is their 24 Colour Immaculate Collection eye shadow palette).
Recently
MUA expanded their collection to include a MakeUp Organiser Case and a line of Brushes. The brushes range from £1.50 t0
£5.00.
You’d
be forgiven for thinking that, for £1.50, these brushes aren’t going to be much
good. I’ll admit that I was expecting
something that looked and felt cheap and was also expecting a lot of shedding
from the bristles at the first sign of work and complete destruction upon
washing.
I’ve
been using MUA products for over 2 years now and I have always been pleasantly
surprised by all of the new ranges, but I really was sceptical about the
brushes. I have used all manner of
brushes in the past, ranging from the high priced ones, right through to a
generic, brand-less set that I found on eBay for £14 (which actually turned out
to be one of my best bargains!). I have
experienced the good brushes, but I have also experienced the very, very bad
brushes.
I
decided that I would buy some brushes from MUA, after all, even if they turned
out to be no good, it’s not like I would have spent £15 per brush or anything
silly like that.
When
my order arrived, I have to say that I was really impressed.
The
brushes were packaged in their individual plastic wallet and have cellophane
around the bristles to keep the shape.
However, it was the brushes themselves that really caught my
attention.
As
I said above, I was expecting something that felt and looked cheap, but these
brushes are neither. They all have
sleek, black handles with MUA’s logo embossed on them, together with their
brush number (e.g.: F4, E2, L1, etc.), the ferrule is shiny, black metal and
the bristles are black, synthetic fibre.
The only exception is the stippling brush, which is designed to look
like badger hair, and is a “salt and pepper” colour with a white tip.
None
of these brushes feel cheap to hold and the bristles are amazingly soft; even
the likes of the eyeliner brush and the eyebrow brush that, although firmer
than the likes of the blending brush, are still so soft.
MUA
currently have 14 brushes in the range, out of which I have 10. I have the Kabuki Brush on order, so that will bring me up to 11. I did think about ordering the other 3, but I
know I wouldn’t use them, so thought it better to save my money for something I
would use.
 |
| © Gemma Peters - Make Up Artist 2013 |
Before
I go into the breakdown for each brush I just have to say that, like make up,
there are no set rules for brush use.
Just because a brush is expected to be used on the eyes for example, it
doesn’t mean that it can’t be used for something else – as with make up, just
because a lip-gloss is designed for use on the mouth, it doesn’t mean that you
can’t experiment and use it on the cheeks or eyes. Make up is all about experimentation and
finding what works best for you. That is
the beauty of MUA products – they are all cheap enough that you can afford to
experiment without breaking the bank but, at the same time, they perform just
as well as the high end Brands, so you can still achieve the same results, just
at a fraction of the cost.
I
am now going to do a breakdown about the particular brushes I have and what I
use them for on a day to day basis but, like I said above, it doesn’t mean that
this is what you have to use them for
– dare to experiment and push the boundaries.
The
first set of brushes I will talk about are my essential face brushes.
 |
| © Gemma Peters - Make Up Artist 2013 |
“All-purpose for bronzer, blush and face
powder. Full and dense for dusting
pressed powder and bronzer on face or body with soft synthetic fibres that form
a full, rounded shape that glides effortlessly over skin to achieve the perfect
finish.” - MUA
I
have 2 of these brushes and I use 1 for applying my powder and the other for
applying my blusher.
I
love the size of this brush; it is large enough that it covers a good area of
skin in one sweep, but it is not too large so that (when applying blusher) you
end up with an out of control flush of colour.
It’s
a great brush for people experimenting with product placement and pros
alike.
“Shaped to fit the facial contours and
cheekbones. This multi-use brush is a
great way to apply your powder blush as well as your cream blush enabling you
to effectively sculpt the face” –
MUA
Like
the Powder Brush, I have 2 of these. I
use 1 for my contouring (using MUA’s Bronzed Perfection) and the other I use for my highlight (using MUA’s Undress Your
Skin Highlighting Powder or their Shimmer Kisses Bronzer).
This
brush is by far the best face contour brush that I have used. I used to use a contour brush but found it
too soft and it didn’t fit to the contours very well and I ended up not using
one for years. I decided to purchase the
MUA one to see how it went and I loved it (which is why I ordered
another).
Although
the bristles on this brush feel very soft, they are dense enough that they
don’t splay out on contact with the face, and the head is small enough that the
bristles nestle nicely under the cheekbones and make following your natural
contour a breeze.
It
also performs just as well for sweeping a highlight across the top of your
cheekbones, down your nose and anywhere else you may want to highlight.
All
in all, a good brush, especially for people unsure on how to find/follow their
natural contour. This brush will do the
work for you with little effort but maximum satisfaction.
“A flat-topped, full circular brush used
for lightweight application and blending of any foundation. Ideal for creating soft layers or adding
textures to the skin” – MUA
I
love stippling brushes and this one is no exception.
I
love how they can create the look of perfect, smooth, dream skin.
I
start by applying my foundation to the back of my hand and then dip the
bristles of the brush into the foundation.
I stipple any excess of onto my hand and then start to apply it to the
face. I stipple over the area(s) that I
want to cover and then, when that is done, using the same brush and whatever
product is left on it, buff into the skin in circular motions. I then, if needed, go back and build my
coverage in the same manner.
I
will say that this sort of brush can take some getting used to, especially if
you are used to using a flat foundation brush or a sponge. Initially I wasn’t over keen on stippling
brushes but, after more practice and finding a technique that suited me, the
results were well worth it.
“The rounded flat shape makes this brush
ideal to concealer under the eye area for precision application and blending of
all concealer formulas.” – MUA
I
love this little brush.
I
use concealer every time I wear make up, even if I am using a BB Cream, especially
around my eyes.
My
favourite concealer is MUA’s Cover &Conceal but, every now and then, I still get the “concealer lines” under
the eye – you know, where the product sits in the creases of your eyes and
looks awful.
Since
using this brush I have noticed that frequency in which the lines appear is
significantly reduced and, in fact, the concealer blends in a lot nicer and the
“cakey” appearance that can sometimes happen, especially after powdering, has
also reduced.
It
is a smart little brush and is well worth the £1.95 price tag.
Now,
the brushes that can really make or break a look; the eye brushes.
 |
| © Gemma Peters - Make Up Artist 2013 |
It
doesn’t matter how expensive (or cheap) a product is, I really believe that the
right brush makes all the difference.
These
are my must have eye brushes.
“Small angled brush designed for eyebrow
and eyeliner definition. Use to define
or add and fill in brows and for application of powder, liquid or cream products
on the upper and lower lash line. Its
precise angled tip provides professional application” – MUA
I
couldn’t have put it better myself. This
brush is my ultimate must have.
For
someone who has non-existent eyebrows, I always fill in my brows using pencil,
shadow or a combination of the 2 but, whichever method I use, I always use an
eyebrow brush.
This
brush has such a fine, sharp edge which enables the most perfect of lines when
defining brows.
You
can use it for the “hair stroke” effect, for defining the brow lines, for
filling the brow or for smudging product through the brow.
I
have had more compliments on my brows since I started using this brush than at
any other time.
I
also have another of these brushes which, like MUA say, I use for lining the
top/bottom lashes. I do use an eyeliner
brush when working with gels/creams but, when I am using a shadow as a liner or
just to add that little extra definition when I don’t want the hardness of a
liner, this is the brush I turn to. I
use it either to push the shadow on, to draw the shadow on or to smudge the
shadow line.
It
is one of the most versatile brushes in the collection and, for £1.50, I think
it is one that everyone should have at least 1 of.
*Sometimes
referred to as a fine angle brush
“This brush has a tapered, rounded edge
with smooth, firm, fine fibres with a soft and dense rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed powder or loose
eye shadows and pigments to the eyes” –
MUA
This
is a really lovely brush.
It
is so soft and doesn’t drag at the delicate skin of the eyes at all.
It
can be used to press colour onto the eyes or to sweep it across the lid
too. It picks up a good amount of
product and performs consistently well with both pressed shadows and
pigments. It also works well with
cosmetic glitter.
This
is definitely a brush that everyone needs in their collection, as it is the staple
brush to have when applying eyeshadows.
It’s
non-shedding and is a dream to clean either with a spot brush cleaner or when
doing the deep clean wash.
*Sometimes
referred to as a flat eyeshadow brush or flat, round eyeshadow brush.
“Medium angled, tapered, flat top
brush. Ideal for applying shadow in the
corner, in the crease or all over the lid.
It is especially handy for contouring and smudging any eye look” – MUA
Another
bargain brush from MUA.
This
is the brush I use to apply colour into the crease of my eye and to start the
smudging and blending.
It
is perfect for following the contour of your eye and would be great for people
who are trying out new eye looks and experimenting with product placement.
With
this brush you don’t need to try to find you eye’s natural contour, the brush
does the work for you. It is best used
with a light touch as then it glides effortlessly over the lid and smoothes
colour onto the eye without damaging the delicate skin.
I
find it hard to believe that MUA only charge £1.95 for this brush, it is worth
so much more. Definitely a brush to add
to your collection.
*Sometimes
referred to as an angle brush, soft angle brush or fluffy angle brush
“A blending brush for shaping your eye make-up
to perfection with powder and loose eye shadows, and its moulded shape is
perfect for a soft colour application and perfect for a defined blended smoky
eye” – MUA
The
Don of the eye make up world, the brush that is a Make Up Artist’s Best Friend
and the brush that everyone needs in their collection. This is the brush that makes an eye look come
together.
It
is used for blending your colours together, softening edges/hard lines,
etc. It can also be used for applying
shadows for a much softer finish.
I
wouldn’t be without this brush (I have 5 from MUA in my collection and at least
another 10 from varying brands).
MUA’s
version of this brush is perfect. The bristles
appear long, but they are dense enough that they do their job brilliantly. Like the other brushes, the bristles are very
soft so you hardly feel them against your skin.
I
have used this brush both for blending looks together and for applying shadows
for a softer look and it performs
consistently every time. It holds its
shape well when blending and doesn’t fan out, which can ruin the look.
This
brush requires very little pressure on it and works well either in small,
circular motions for blending, side to side or smudging upwards.
Definitely
a steal at £1.95; I would have paid much more for this brush. Do not be fooled by the price, it in no way reflects the quality.
*
Often referred to as the fluffy brush, sometimes referred to as the blending
brush
“A compact eyeliner brush for the handbag
with top. With a precise finely pointed
brush with finished tapered tip, provides a controlled, ultra-fine application
of any powder, liquid or cream-based eye liners” – MUA
I
love this little brush. I love that fact
that it is compact and can be stored within itself for space saving/travel and
that, unlike a lot of other compact brushes, it doesn’t feel flimsy or like it
will come apart when stored or when in use.
 |
| © Gemma Peters - Make Up Artist 2013 |
It
applies gel/cream liners with ease and in such a smooth, fine line. The fact that tip is tapered means that it
allows for a precision fine line, but also handles the thicker lines just as
well, while keeping them looking neat and professional.
It
holds its shape during application and doesn’t bend from the ferrule like some
eyeliner brushes can.
If
you love your eyeliner then this is definitely the brush for you!
“A compact lip brush for the handbag
with lid. Perfect for definition and
precision lip application” – MUA
I
rarely use lip brushes for personal use however, since purchasing MUA’s Lip Trios, my need for a lip brush
increased and so I purchased this one.
I
have used lip brushes before but have found them really rigid and they tended
to push the colour around the mouth rather than actually place the colour. When on jobs I use disposable lip brushes and,
to be honest, I find them too soft and flimsy, especially when trying to achieve
that perfectly defined lip line so I wasn’t altogether sure what to expect from
this brush.
Apart
from looking like a much more expensive brush and having the compact feature in
its favour, I immediately liked the shape of the tip itself.
 |
| © Gemma Peters - Make Up Artist 2013 |
I’m
so happy with this brush that I will be ordering more to take on jobs with me,
even if it does mean that I have more brushes to wash when I get home, this one
is definitely a keeper.
In
conclusion, these brushes are brilliant and in NO way does the price reflect the
quality or performance.
I
am proud to tell my Clients that I am using MUA brushes/products on them and I
am always amused by their reactions when they find out how little the products
actually cost. MUA makes experimenting
with make up both fun and
affordable.
If
you’ve been thinking about buying some new make up brushes and weren’t sure
which to get I hope that you have found this blog useful or even if you have
brushes and weren’t entirely sure on the best way to use them.
Before
I sign off, I will mention that I am running a massive giveaway over on my Facebook Page. Once I reach 500 likes I will be selecting
one lucky person to win a fantastic bundle of make up, fragrances, nail bits
and, as announced last night, a set of brushes from MUA (at least 1 of each
brush mentioned in this blog). Head over
there now, check out the list of brushes up for grabs, like the page and then
you too will be in with a chance of winning all the goodies.
Until
next time, stay beautiful.
~
Gem xx
DISCLAIMER
All
of the views expressed within this blog are mine and mine alone
All
of the products mentioned within this post are mine and were bought and paid
for by me
All
images in this blog, unless otherwise stated, are mine and taken by me. PLEASE DO NOT take my photos without my
express knowledge and consent
