When I first started watching YouTube videos the one thing I always lusted over were brushes. Everyone had fancy MAC brushes which were expensive and ‘an investment.’ I remember planning how I was going to afford these brushes ‘one every month’ I told myself because at 16years old £30 for a makeup brush was a lot of money and even now I would think about it twice.
ELF Powder brush £3.75
I have read that the quality of this brush has changed but I really hope not as I love this brush and actually own two. This brush is sold as a powder brush but I use it more as a finishing brush and use it to buff in any foundation, blusher or bronzer which needs a little more work.
ELF Essential Eyeshadow Brush £1.50
At a mere £1.50 there is no reason why people should be using sponge tip applicators. I personally own 3 of these brushes and thing they are perfect for packing colour on the lid, particularly if you have a smaller eye. I’ve also heard this sheds but I’ve had mine for a while and although it may have done so initially it doesn’t any more and is still a great density. It’s quite dense but also quite short which gives you a lot of control and is actually one of the eyeshadow brushes I reach for most often.
No7 Blush Brush £11.50
Opsy. It’s a little over but with a No7 money off vouchers it’s under (plus they do other deals such as buy one get one half price.) Although possibly not the softest brush on the planet I love the size/shape of this brush. Perfect for applying a little bit of rouge to the apple of the cheeks.
No7 Foundation Brush £14
Okay a little over again, same as above applies. Finding cheaper foundation brushes can often be hard as they tend to be quite flimsy however this one if dense and the bristles are the perfect length leaving an even complexion.
ELF Studio Blush Brush £3.75
This is quite a flat blush brush perfect for very pigmented blushers or simply applying a light wash to the cheek, the size makes it really easy to control.
No7 Lip Brush £7
With lip brushes I look for a good edge, shape and a small size so it can live in my handbag waiting for a red lips day. I have so many of these No7 ones as they are the perfect size and edge is great for the cupid’s bow, I don’t think I would bother with a more expensive one- this one is perfect.
Real Techniques £9.99
I love this brush for blush, bronzer or even powder. I don’t think it picks up very much product so is perfect to build up a sun kissed look, applying a dusting of powder or a touch of blusher both powder or cream.
No7 Concealer brush £8
This is quite a large concealer brush and is almost identical to the foundation brush just much smaller. As it is quite big it isn’t great for small areas but if you have problemed skin or like concealing a large area (like the V under your eyes) this is great.
No7 Eyeshadow Blend & Contour £7.25
As the above brush is a little large I sometimes use this for concealer as well as it blends really well. This brush is regularly compared to the MAC 217 and is a much cheaper alternative!
Eco Tools angled brush £5.49
Angled eyeliner brushes are all pretty similar in my opinion and this is just as good as my more expensive ones. It’s a good size, cut perfectly and a good density!
What are your favourite brushes? Do you also have some inexpensive favourites?
This is such a fab post!!!! I love the elf brushes, that powder brush is amazing considering it's only £3.75.. such a bargain! I also love the elf shadow brush.. £1.50 is just insane xxx
Gemma ♥ | MissMakeupMagpie.co.uk
I really want to try the Real Techniques brushes, but I absolutely love the elf brushes – for such a low price, they're so good!
aaaphrodite.blogspot.co.uk
You are a princess to me right now! I'm always thinking 'can I justify paying that' and the answer is always no, so I've spent my time testing cheap brushes, and some of them are just a bit rubish. So happy to see you feel the same as me, so I have to say a big thank you for this post, gota get trying some of these bad boys
X
-Jade
gracious-silhouettes.blogspot.co.uk
Real Techniques brushes are by far my favourite. I still want to try some ELF brushes though!
Katie x | and-katie.com
Great picks! The Real Technique brushes are my favorites, for the price the quality is unreal 🙂 ♥
http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk/
http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk/
good post, I haven´t try the ELF and no7 brushes, so thanks!
Great post – I love the real techniques and eco tools brushes as they are great value but really high quality 🙂 x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.blogspot.co.uk
I think Real Techniques are the best, amazing prices and really great brushes! xxx
Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD
♥
Brilliant and helpful post, thank you
x
http://www.suckmy-kiss.blogspot.com
I love real techniques brushes, may have to buy some elf ones soon!xx
Zoe | Sweet Electric
I got some of my makeup stuff from ELF too and they're quite good quality (blush and powder brushes + lash curler). The powder brush and the cut out brush were new to me, but they are real necessities!
This is a great post! I've been wanting to expand my brush collection and this will help LOTS! Thank You Xxx
ooo I want to try the elf blush brush!
http://goodgollyitsholly.blogspot.co.uk/
xx
Great post! I just ordered a huge amount of Real Techniques Brushes. So excited to test them out!
Where can you purchase the ELF brushes?
Nicky
zeeblikesit.blogspot.com
xx
So glad No7 are getting the love. Been using them since I worked at Boots when aged 16! Now I'm living in Canada for a while I'm having to keep my Mum on her toes with brush requests whenever the No7 5 pound voucher offer is on!
I absolutely adore Real Techniques brushes! x
Lilie
mintcandylilies
I have the no7 blending brush, and I think it's really good! I love how slim it is, just perfect for the crease. I may have to try some of these brushes!
Molly x
Lyonsnotes.blogspot.co.uk
I've never tried Elf brushes before, I always buy expensive brushes for quality
Seaside Beauty
xxx
I love elf brush for foundation…but my bristles started to fall out massively :/
Thanks for the post. I agree with you that ELF powder brush is really good and worth the price as well! x
http://kreamiblush.blogspot.com
I've been looking at 'investing' in some new brushes soon. This post has been so helpful – Thank you
http://scrapbookofallsorts.blogspot.co.uk/
xx
I love the Elf powder brush:) x
http://www.thebeautymist.com
I'm always lusting after new brushes, so I will have to get my hands on those ELF brushes, they look fabulous! xx
I love Real Techniques brushes, I bought loads of Mac ones and now, going back to them after using RT, they seem so rubbish. Love this post, thank you.
Love Em xxx
emtalks.co.uk
Great post, I love the RT brushes 🙂 x
underbluelights.blogspot.co.uk
My most expensive brush is the Sigma F80 Flat Topped Kabuki, and as much as I love it I also adore offerings from Real Techniques, No 7 and Lauren Luke xx
Thank you for doing this post!! It's so helpful, as I am 16 and without a job or any source of income apart from my parents pockets, it is hard to find good quality, inexpensive brushes, so thank you!
– http://makeupanalysis.blogspot.co.uk x
still yet to try real techniques so far behind on that one!!x
Get ahead! They are really good! 😉
I have a couple from real techniques, mainly foundation brushes, but I do really love my body shop and no7 pink edition ones! I'm yet to purchase from elf as I'm so worried about getting wrong shades and I like to feel the brushes before I buy haha!!xxx
Thanks for sharing! I'll be checking out the Elf selection, I do love a bargain x