Which brushes should I buy?

[luvmymakeup]

My samples came yesterday, whoohoo! I mixed and played for about 15 minutes, and got my (I think) correct foundation shade on the second try! LOVE the look of this foundation! It doesn't settle into pores and lines like others I've tried! I'm still working with concealing and coverage, but I'm sure it will come to me in good time. Question: Which brushes should I buy? I've checked out the flat top and kabuki's offered by SN, but I want to know which one has better coverage without looking chalky. Today I used my other brand kabuki, which is a natural hair brush. I have one other synthetic brush, but it is VERY loosely packed, and I don't see it picking up enough minerals to be useful. Also the bristles are VERY long, so it's useless for buffing minerals into the skin. Any suggestions? So far I'm hooked though, love my SN! Thanks in advance!

Deb

[JenW]

I use the Flat Top on site for foundation. Others use a Kabuki. A Flat Top tends to give a little heavier coverage than a Kabuki. The thing I like most about the Flat Top Karen sells is that the bristles are slightly shorter than some of the other synthetics on the market, so it allows you to have a little better control.

[luvmymakeup]

Great, thanks Jen. I plan on placing an order tonight, so that helps! What kind of brush do you use for finishing powder or glows?

Deb

[karen]

For the regular white Perfecting Powder I use the puff- or my kabuki (I use that for foundation too- it's lighter coverage, but I like the ritual of putting on my makeup, and I like to build layers...which isn't the most popular way, but I like it). If you're getting a flat top you could probably use that too- there's no reason you couldn't.

For glows- I use my fingers- they're really concentrated, so I just blend in a little bit with my ring finger. The fiber optic works pretty well too.

[Rhys]

I like the flat top for foundation, too. And both of the E/S brushes.

For just about everything else, I use the fibreoptic - I have three or four of them. It depends on preference, but I'm quite pale and with the fibreoptic there's no danger of overloading finishing powder, bronzer, or blush. The baby buki is nice, too - I keep that one in my travel bag, as you can pretty much do your whole face with it should you need to. Useful tip: Pick up a small microfibre cloth to keep your brushes clean between washings. They really work a treat getting the minerals off.

[luvmymakeup]

Rhys -- Do you use the microfiber cloth damp or dry to clean your brushes between washings?

Thanks,
Deb

[Rhys]

I use it dry. But I generally wash the E/S brushes every day (I have backups of them, and the flat one dries in minutes anyway), because I've generally foiled something.

The fibreoptics dry really quickly when you wash them, too. When I was in the States, I found a cheap synthetic brush at Walgreens? (that chemist shop on every corner), that was just called 'mineral powder brush' for about $4. It's not as soft as the ones Karen has, but it's not bad for primer or finishing powders in a pinch. It doesn't pick up lots, and you really don't want it to.

[luvmymakeup]

Rhys - You're not kidding about the Walgreen's on every corner! What country are you from? It's interesting that SN has a following from abroad! I hope the word spreads, because I hope they NEVER go away!!! I was at a pool party yesterday, and decided to try out my SN foundation for coverage and wear outside (also my color match.) My sister, who wears another brand of MMU, was amazed. I swear, even after getting splashed in the pool and being outside in the heat all day, it looked the same at 7pm as it did at 11am. I was hooked. I placed an order last night for full sizes! I think I convinced my sister to try it too. I'm going to test it out for a 12 hour shift at work tonight. That will be the TRUE test!

Deb