Sunday, April 14, 2013

My Favourite Eye Shadow Brushes: High End & Drugstore

   Like any other makeup addict, I own A LOT of makeup brushes so I feel like I've tried enough to list the best of the best.  I do not believe that you need to run out and get a load of expensive brushes to apply your eyeshadow so I've decided to talk about the brushes I think are worth splurging on and what brushes give you great value for your money.

My Favourite High End Brushes
Smahsbox Travel Eyeshadow Brush:  This brush is not travel size but is called a "travel" brush because it's really all you need.  You can apply your eye lid colour and blend another colour into your crease with just this brush.  I can't find this online but if you ever come across it I really recommend it.
MAC 217:  I own three of these and I think this is the best MAC eyeshadow brush I've tried.  If you can only buy one high end eyeshadow brush I recommend this one.  I use it to blend the outer edges of my eyeshadow or to blend a dark eyeshadow into my crease. Available at MAC.
MAC 239:  This is a mini from one of their Christmas brush sets (which I highly recommend!).  It has similar hairs to the 217 so you can blend with this brush as well. Available at MAC.
Lancome 11:  I've had this brush for about 5 years and it's still in perfect condition.  It's incredibly soft and well made.  I used this to apply colour to my eyelid. Available at The Bay.

Eco Tools Eyeshadow Brush:  This brush is shaped like a concealer brush and is perfect for applying both cream eyeshadows and loose eyeshadows.  Part of the 6 Piece Starter Kit. Available at Pharma Plus, Wal-Mart, Lolblaws, and Farley Co.
Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush:  To be completely honest this brush along with the other Real Techniques eyeshadow brush below are all I need.  I use this to apply colour to my eye lid and it works for both powder and cream eyeshadows.  Part of of the Your Eyes Starter Kit.  Avilable at Wal-Mart and Farley Co.
Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush:  I use this to blend eyeshadow into my crease and find this works similarily to the MAC 217 despite the differences in their appearances.  Also works well with concealer. Part of of the Your Eyes Starter Kit.  Avilable at Wal-Mart and Farley Co.
N0.7 Blend & Contour: Basically the MAC 217 but cheaper!  This isn't the best made brush but it's lasted me a long time and cost next to nothing.  Available at Target.

Does anyone have a favourite eyeshadow brush that I haven't listed? Please let me know.


31 comments:

  1. I swear pixiwoo and Tanya burr have a constant supply of 217's! lovely post! x

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    1. Haha they do! I find having a few of then helpful though since they don't work when they're dirty.

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  2. I need to invest in some new brushes soon so this post has been really helpful! Xx

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  3. I recently bought a MAC 217 and I'm wondering what the hell I did without it?! It's totally changed my eyeshadow looks!

    www.thumbelinalillie.com
    Megan xxx

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    1. Lol I know right? Before the 217 I did my eyeshadow with only one brush and was always disappointed in how my makeup looked.

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  4. I love ecoTools' eye shadow brush and I need to try the RT eye brushes!

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  5. I love MAC 217. It's the perfect brush for blending. I use it all the time. Sigma and Crown brush make one that's very similar too. I didn't even know No7 made brushes.

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    1. I think next time I'd buy the Sigma copy instead since I've heard so many good things.

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  6. I really wanna try real techniques people always rave about them! I love Eco tools there amazing! :) x

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  7. Oooh, great picks! I definitely need the MAC 217 and 239 in my collection sooner rather than later :) And that EcoTools brush looks fantastic! I realized that I've bought a ton of drugstore brushes lately (from RT, Sonia Kashuk, and EcoTools)- I might do a feature on them soon :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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    1. Oh I really want to hear about the Sonia Kashuk brushes! I tried to get some when I last went to the U.S. but there weren't many in stock :(

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    2. Well, whenever Target hits Toronto (soon, I think?) you'll be able to see them. A Target opened up in my hometown last month, so that's where I got mine!

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    3. Probably not anytime soon haha. I do have family in the burbs though so I'm sure I can get to go to one.

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  8. I love the Real Technique brushes. I have multiples of the same few brushes because I can't bare to be without a clean one.

    Deana
    TesoriBelle.com

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  9. I only have ecotools brushes, but i love to use my fingers... :P

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  10. I have three 217s and every now and then I think about buying more, because I use them so often I can't keep up with washing them!

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    1. Yeah sometimes I need 2 of them just for one look. I want to try a cheaper dupe next time though.

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  11. ohh love this post! the mac 239 and 215 are one of my favourites ever! i highly suggest trying the mac 224, i feel like you'd love it!

    -ariel* xoxo
    www.chiclookxo.com

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    1. I actually used to have a 224 and lost it :( You reminded me I need to pick another up because I found it an essential for a smokey eye.

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  12. awww the real techniques brushes look amazing! I've checked the wal marts in montreal a few times but so far no luck finding them. :(
    Lucky Torontonians! :p
    Hopefully we'll get them here soon!

    xx LitteFox

    www.thelittlefoxblog.com

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    1. They are seriously so amazing! We only have one Wal-Mart close to downtown and they have horrible stock and it's always a mess :(

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  13. I am looking for a big fluffy crease brush! Great picks:)

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