Skeptic No More: Sigma Makeup’s Sigmax High Definition Brushes are (Surprise!) Really, Really Good.

January 4, 2011 | 27 Responses

Sigma Makeup Sigmax High Definition Synthetic Brush Kit

Sigma Makeup‘s brushes have received a great deal of rave reviews from YouTube gurus and beauty bloggers in the past couple of years. I admit that even though I was a little curious, I was more skeptical of all the hype they’ve been getting. Is it brand bias? To be perfectly honest? Maybe. It just all sounded too good to be true.

If you’re not familiar with the brand, Sigma makes a full line of high quality, handmade makeup brushes. Its claim to fame: MAC brush dupes for a fraction of the price.

I have been test driving the new line of Sigmax High Definition Brushes ($42) containing three face brushes: F80 Flat Kabuki, F82 Round Top Kabuki, F84 Angled Top Kabuki. The Sigmax HD Brushes are designed to work well with both cream/liquid and powder products. The brushes are also available for purchase individually.

The brush handles are a thicker than my other brushes, and so the brushes are heavier than what I’m accustomed to. The brush ferrules are very sturdy and do not move around when I pull on the brushes during a wash.

These brushes are made with synthetic fibres. I am really impressed that they held their shape and were free of any funky smells after washing and drying. All of the brushes are very densely packed, which make them excellent for buffing in creams and liquids. A nice side effect: they are very easy to clean because very little product gets absorbed and lost in between the brush fibres.

F80 Flat Top Kabuki

Usage: To apply and buff in liquid foundation all over the face; to buff in powder (or powder foundation) for a heavier coverage.

It does a fairly quick job to cover the whole face. I don’t actually reach for this brush that often for liquid foundation, and I think that’s just my personal preference. It is excellent for buffing in the foundation into the skin to achieve a perfect complexion easily. I quite like this type of brush for buffing in powder like my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural to get more coverage out of it.

Recommendation: You might like this if you want that perfect skin look quickly, and if you don’t mind using a separate brush for general concealing.

F80 Flat Top Kabuki

F80 Flat Top Kabuki (density / brush head size)

F82 Round Top Kabuki

Usage: To apply and buff in foundation all over the face; to blend concealer under the eyes and around the nose.

The F82 brush head is smaller than the F80′s, so it is easier to manoeuvre around tricky areas of the face. I prefer it over the F80 for foundation, too, as I like that I can “roll” the brush around because of the rounded top. Its smaller size compared to the F80 means that I have to work longer, but I eventually get the same gorgeous finish.

Recommendation: As my favourite of the three, I like the F82′s versatility as a foundation and concealer brush. I love this brush and think it is an absolute must-have.

F82 Round Top Kabuki

F82 Round Top Kabuki (density / brush head size)

F84 Angled Top Kabuki

Usage: To apply and blend cream blush on the cheeks; to apply powder blush heavily.

This is the perfect brush for cream blushes. I always found MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Blushes to be tricky to blend with my fingers or with any other ol’ skunk brush, but this brush takes care of the job in two seconds. If you have a not-so-pigmented blush like NARS Douceur, this could save you time by picking up a heavier amount of powder on the bristles.

Of the three, this was the only one that shed 3-4 hairs during a wash.

Recommendation: This is a must-have for those who prefer working with cream blush over powder. Also, if you have a softly pigmented powder blush that you love but need to layer, this brush is a definite time saver.

F84 Angled Top Kabuki

F84 Angled Top Kabuki (density / brush head size)

Sigma Brushes: Yea or Nay?

Have you given in to the hype? If these three were any indication of the quality of the rest of the line, I’d say they are definitely worth the hype. I might try the eye brushes sometime.

Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge Turns Makeup Newbies into Pros.

June 19, 2010 | 18 Responses

I have used the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge ($8.99 at Target) several times now. I can wholeheartedly say that it has now surpassed my aDesign pointed foundation brush as my preferred tool for “putting on my face.”

Quick Sponge Tutorial for the Newbies.

Because it is such an unfamiliar tool to many (including me, I had to look this one up), here’s a little bit about how I use this.

Before application, I dampen the sponge by either
- running it under water and squeezing the excess,
- spritzing it with water until damp, or
- spritzing it with MAC Fix+ Rose
I place some liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer on the back of my hand, and pick it up with the round end of the sponge.
After dotting on blobs all over my face, I then swirl it all over my face. There is no real technique to how I do this; it is usually just a “spread here, swirl there” ordeal.
For concealer: I apply it to my under eye area first, and then use the pointed end to blend it out.

I find that spritzing with MAC Fix+ Rose produces the best dewy finish, and so that’s how I like to use mine.

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.

Maybe it’s because the damp sponge allows a sheerer application of face products, but this is makes foundation application a breeze. With a traditional foundation brush, my foundation starts off streaky and I have to work it around to blend. The blending sponge minimizes the need for blending out streakiness.

The finish I get with this is flawless. If I don’t get a desired coverage with one pass, I can keep on layering my foundation without looking caked on. Also if I use just my fingers, I have a tendency to overuse my theBalm Time Balm concealer under my eyes that cause some creasing. I have yet to experience this when I’m using my Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge.

Amazing eh? However…

You Dirty Thing!

One drawback to using this and any other foundation sponge is that it gets dirty. And I’m not just talking about a dirty surface, but it gets soiled deep within. It’s probably okay if you’re a diligent brush washer (can you wash mine too?). But if you’re a lazy girl like me, you’ll probably wash it every 2 days, so then you end up with this:

This photo makes me so sad! So unsexy!

I’ve tried a few things to wash the sponge.

Baby shampoo? Still dirty.
Quo Brush Cleaner? Still dirty.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Cleanser + Baby shampoo? Still dirty.
Sunlight Dishwashing Detergent? Hells yeah baby!

In the several weeks that I have been using it, the sponge hasn’t yet crumbled during or after washing.

The Low Down

If you love liquid foundation, you will fall in love even more after using it with the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge. I think this is an amazing tool for someone who is looking to perfect their face makeup application. It is absolutely fool-proof and you’ll love the results. If you’re lazy like me, I would pick up two. I know I will buy another when I’m back at Target in Buffalo, NY. Rating: A+.

My Mineral Makeup Encounters with Annabelle.

May 11, 2010 | 6 Responses

When I received news that Annabelle’s mineral makeup line was soon to arrive in my inbox, honestly I was a little concerned. Loose mineral makeup and I aren’t good friends. It’s messy, takes me a long time to use, and I never get a good enough coverage. But one lazy Saturday I took a deep breath, then opened up the box. Time to prove me wrong, Annabelle.

Swatches: “True Beige” foundation / “Hush” blush / “Terra” bronzer
(click to enlarge)

Foundation in “True Beige”

I apply this foundation with a dense stippling brush (like the MAC 187). I’m surprised that this gives a medium coverage. It doesn’t feel like anything on but it evens out my skin tone nicely. It lasts an exceptionally long time even on my oily skin; I know because my face wipes tell me so. It has a satin finish so it never looks chalky or cakey on my face. Around mid-afternoon it does get dewy on me but not like a grease ball; it’s more of a “glow.” For those who are looking for a good and affordable mineral powder foundation, this is it. Rating: A.

Blush in “Hush”

I love me some blush, so I really wanted to love the blush. This one is a warm rosy pink, and has the finest shimmer to it. The pigmentation is perfect. We have a winner, right? Wrong. I had a problem with its staying power. After I talk on my iPhone, some of it transfers onto my phone and ends up looking blotchy on my cheek. Not cute. It may fare better on those with non-oily skin. Rating: B-.

Bronzer in “Terra”

I saved the best for last. The bronzer is so lovely. It imparts a stunning glowy sheen, kinda like I’ve just been back from vacation. More like fake-ation! Good, non-orange bronzers are hard to come by, and this is one of the best I’ve tried. You already know I’m not a loose minerals kinda girl, but I love this so much that I might actually attempt to press it into a pan. Rating: A+.

Here’s a photo of me wearing the foundation (also
worn as undereye concealer), blush, and bronzer.

The Low Down

Overall I think this is a solid offering from Annabelle. The packaging of the minerals are big enough to swirl face brushes around, and the finish of the products is perfection. If you’re itching to try this line, get the bronzer or foundation. I would skip the blush if you’re oily skinned. I still need a bit more convincing when it comes to loose mineral makeup, but for those who already love minerals, this is definitely for you.

Disclosure: This product was sent to me for consideration by Groupe Marcelle.