The Budget Fashionista

I bought a big Maybelline powder brush about, oh, 9 years ago.  It’s still going strong, and it rarely sheds.  I’m pretty impressed with it.  I think I got it for 7.00 at Wal Mart.

For at least three years (since I doscovered them) the Costco line of brushes, they come in a huge set with case for tenty dollares, has matched brush-for-brush that of MAC. The only difference is that the foundation brush for Costco is only slightly less firm than MAC’s, but I actually prefer that.  They’re made of both natural and synthetic materials, and the quality is amazing for the price. I’ve had mine for three years and you wouldn’t be able to tell. I tend to give out the sets (Costco’sKirkland releases a new one every year) for Christmas gifts, and everyone’s been impressed.

Sonia Kashuk makes an ok liner brush, I use one for travel in my purse. I was less impressed with the selection they provided for blending.

I don’t wear makeup often so i only use the one that comes along with the blush.

i used to have paint brushes as my makeup brush before lol. but my friend gave me on as gift few months back i m still using it… its really awesome. its soft and the fibers are really thin.

Michael’s definitely has some great brushes.  Loew-Cornell 3/8 Maxine Mop is my favorite and comparable to MAC’s 239 brush.  Also crownbrush.com and coastalscents.com have really great brushes that are dirt cheap!

curlytop - 09 March 2008 06:46 AM

I don’t wear makeup often so i only use the one that comes along with the blush.

I recently started using makeup again. (I still do so rarely but more these days…)
I bought three brushes from Elephant Pharm. They’re in the $10-15 range, but I had a coupon. ;-) I bought three - one that I can use for mineral foundation and for blush, and two for eyes. one of he eye brushes is bigger and softer, good for the light allover or quick swipe of shadow, the other is a stiff wedge that’s best for painting the eye color on.

I was pleased at how much easier it was to put on makeup *well* with the decent brushes. The pad that came with the mineral makeup was putting too much on. I didn’t like that. Now, I pick up a smaller amount and it spreads well so that I don’t get that “cake-y” look.

Good tools make a job easier - including a makeup job.

kabuki (BE) and Sonia (target)  :)

I recently discovered Ecotools makeup brushes. They’re made of wood, recycled metal, and synthetic hair as opposed to animal hair. The hair is so soft on your face and doesn’t get tangled when you wash them. I found them at Target and Walgreens. I absolutely love them.

yea maybelline brushes tend to last a long time. So for the money you pay for it, it’s a perfect deal.

Ulta has a nice line of brushes and they go on sale periodically.  Don’t forget to use the Ulta coupons!

I love any kit from Bare Escentuals because they always includes brushes with the kits - then you have them for a long time! (and they are wonderful!)

-jgirl
iheartheels.com

I have had REALLY good luck finding great brushes for a fraction of the price on ebay.  I bought a whole set of Bobbi Brown brushes for less than 1/2 retail price.  It is still a bit more expensive than some of the other brands, but what a great deal for some very high quality brushes.

I absolutely love http://www.jglamour.com brushes, very soft and nice to the skin. They have a deal where you buy a set with a brush roll and get 25% off whole thing! Pretty good deal…
If you want your brushes to last (and not spend money on new ones!), lay them flat to dry after you wash them. If you leave them vertically, the water will make the hairs start falling out…

love the Sonia Kashuk brushes too!