Friday, November 22, 2013

The Brush Off: Crown Brush Syntho Set and Sonia Kashuk Brush Review


A recommendation request I constantly get is, “What are some good, affordable makeup brushes?” Most good brushes are, unfortunately, quite expensive. While high-quality brushes tend to be worth the money you pay for them, if you need an entirely new set, it can either blow your budget or be completely out of your price range. Never fearthere are alternatives!


Crown Brush Syntho Set makeup brushes

CROWN BRUSH SYNTHO SET REVIEW

In conjunction with the HauteLook App Review I posted yesterday, one brand that regularly reappears on the site is CrownBrush. I kept seeing the brushes advertised, but I hesitated because of mixed online reviews. Some of my brushes needed to be put into retirement, or more like the morgue, so, I took the plunge. And…the results are in…the Crown Brush Syntho Set receives an A+, with special commendations. 

The first thing I liked, before even picking a brush up, was their general appearance: matte black & chrome-accented wooden handles and cream-colored bristles with a sort of dip-dyed tippretty and polished. Next, the second a brush touches your face you experience a sensation of complete luxury. I’d love a blanket to wrap my entire body in that mimics the sensation of these brushescreamy velvet comfort completely enveloping you. One thing I can’t stand is a brush that feels even slightly rough. Let’s leave exfoliation to products that are meant to do so. These Syntho brush are literally the softest I have ever experienced.

Next, the assortment of brushes provided in the set is quite good. This is a great set that goes a bit beyond your basic starter kit. You get:

Flat bronzer brush
Angle liner brush
Large foundation brush
Mini fan brush
Oval shadow brush
Crease brush
Eyeliner brush
Powder dome brush
Spoolie brush
Angle blush brush

Makeup application with these also proved excellent. Although it’s called a flat bronzer brush, this is also the perfect tool for applying liquid, cream, or powder foundation. My NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat Powder Foundation (a fave that I’ll review for you) went on quite smoothly with it over my L’oreal BB Cream. The angle blush brush was an excellent shape for double tasking with bronzer to contour my cheeks (currently use Lorac’s Wild Tantalizer Bronzer) and then applying blush (Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer).

These brushes normally sell for $148, but you can either wait for them to pop up on HauteLook for $50, or get them them now for $59 directly from Crown Brush. Additionally, you can get 10% off for following Crown Brush on one of their social media sites.
Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition "Lavish Luxe" 10 pc Brush Set



SONIA KASHUK BRUSHES

On a tight budget? Need some decent new brushes ASAP? Then run to Target for Sonia Kashuk brushes. Here’s the truth: a friend purchased a set of these for me eight years ago, and I only recently replaced them with some higher-end selections. Yes, they lasted that long. You seriously can’t go wrong with this brand. The sets are a better value than buying individual brushes. If you need an individual brush, I’d go ahead and splurge with MAC.


MAC's 227 brush is great for applying concealer and eyeshadow.

A MUST-SPLURGE: MY FAVORITE MAC BRUSH

If you’re going to buy any MAC brush, make it the 227. I picked up a few products at a Nordstrom counter a few years ago and a MAC artist introduced me to this gem by using it to buff in concealer. The way the brush applied just the right amount of product under my eyes and gave it a beautifully soft, buffed finish really impressed me. It is $32, and I still own it. You can also use it to apply shadow and contour your nose. Note: don't let the term "large fluff brush" deceive you. I definitely would not describe it as large, unless you're comparing it to a small shadow brush.

Although I have not personally used them, Casey Holmes highly recommends Sigma Brushes, and I highly recommend Casey! She is my absolute favorite YouTube beauty guru, and everyone I tell about her falls in love with her reviews and tutorials.





Happy Friday!!




43 comments:

  1. This is fantastic and timely! After being a fashion blogger for almost 2 years now, I can't believe that I am JUST getting into applying make-up the RIGHT way. LOL! I'm never clear on which brushes to buy but now, since I've seen this I will definitely be watching Hautelook like a hawk. LOL! Thank you!

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    1. Johnnalynn, I understand that, don't worry! I think applying makeup can feel really intimidating, so some people just avoid it. Kind of like me needing to solve a math problem, haha! And yes...there are SO many choices out there, so it can be quite overwhelming. I believe you'll love these! Thanks for the comment : )

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  2. For years, I've been using the little brushes that come with my makeup products. I just bought foundation, blush and eyeshadow brushes, and they make a HUGE difference. Thanks for the recommendations for brushes--I will definitely have to consider these as I buy some more!

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    1. Natalie... I don't think anyone realizes what they are missing out on until they try professional or higher quality brushes. Then, it's the "light bulb" or "aha" moment where people think, "What have I been doing all these years?!" I also HIGHLY recommend getting a Beauty Blender or Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I prefer that to a foundation brush.

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  3. I'd love to own the first set. That's such a great deal, especially if they typically sell for $148.

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    1. HilLesha...yes...I was skeptical at first, thinking, no way...this has to be too good to be true. How could such high-quality brushes be so affordable? But they are incredible and I love using them.

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  4. Those brushes are all gorgeous!!! I need new brushes for my makeup . . .

    -Rebecca @ Love at First Book

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    1. Rebecca, you definitely should. You will NOT be disappointed!

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  5. My little make up brushes are so pitiful! Maybe I'll ask for these for my birthday :)

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    1. Annette, if you're going to get some, I would most definitely request these. They have absolutely been living up to my expectations!

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  6. I'll remember these brands the next time I need to get new makeup brushes. I like the ones I use now, but they just don't hold up that long at all.

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  7. Angie...that happens with sooooo many brushes. They seem "ok" initially, but then they start shedding everywhere (when that happens I feel like I'm growing whiskers! haha). I have had absolutely zero shedding issues with these babies.

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  8. Oh, oh, oh. I know what my granddaughter and daughter will be getting for their birthdays this year. Thanks for the most excellent review.

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    1. Tink, thank you for being so kind! I am sure your daughter and granddaughter will be in love with how incredible these brushes are...xoxo

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  9. I love the look of them! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. No prob! They are fashionable and functional ; )

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  10. Great advice - I need to replace my brushes, so this is super timely!

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  11. All these are great tips. I really need to replace my makeup brushes. I haven't put as much money or thought into them as I probably should have. Now I know what to grab!
    -Stacey
    GluedToMyCraftsBlog.com

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    1. Stacey, YAY! I love hearing that something I recommended helped someone out with making a decision. You won't regret buying these. Thanks for reading!!

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  12. I actually don't wear make-up, honestly! But I LOVE the look and what you described about the Crown Brush Syntho Set! They're so pretty, I would buy them just to have them sitting around as a decor item. Weird, I know! But I'm always all over anything metal and wood. I always love the quality, there's a lot of wood products in our house. Including 75% of my son's toy collection. The Sonia Kashuk brushes, on the other hand, are definitely not my taste. Too shiny and eye-grabbing for me ;)! I will recommend the MAC brush to a girlfriend of mine who I know loves all things MAC. Might save her from buying any other brushes that she isn't happy with.

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    1. Lalia, I don't think that sounds weird at all!! I think that's a fab decor idea. I'm glad you got something out of the post since you don't wear makeup. I'm also glad you can share the MAC brush with your friend. xoxo

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  13. Thanks for sharing!

    Sarah's Fare recently posted → <a href="http://sarahsfare.com/eggs-in-a-nest/”>Eggs in a Nest</a>

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  14. Brushes make or break make up application . I have to check these out. Thanks dear

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    1. Of course!! Thanks for checking out the post. Bad makeup brushes feel AWFUL on your skin...get some good one ASAP!

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  15. I hear such good things about the Sonia Kashuk brushes. When I need to replace my current brushes I'll be looking at those.

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  16. Those do look like really nice brushes. As an Avon representative, I tend to use my products. I'm actually not familiar with Sonia Kashuk. It is always nice to learn something new.

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  17. Looks like a great deal. I don't wear make up though so it would not be very useful to me.

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  18. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm in desperate need of new makeup brushes (mine are so cheap and old that most don't even have the handles anymore!). I've been looking at the Sonia ones at Target but really wasn't sure if they were a good buy or not. Thank you so much for sharing and I can't wait to get some new brushes! :)

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  19. I'm overdue to get some new brushes so I much appreciate this post and your advice. Thank you! :D

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  20. Thank you for sharing this with us--I always wonder what kind of brushes to use--it's the tools that make thing (like application) a lot easier.
    Thank you for breaking these down for all of us.

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  21. I don't spend much time on makeup. Usually some BB cream and mascara in the parking lot after preschool drop off. Fun to think about using brushes. Maybe when the boys are older and I have 5 minutes to myself in the mornings.

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  22. If makeup is important to you, then the quality of your brushes should be, as well! They can make some serious difference.

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  23. Great post! Thank you for sharing these great options.

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  24. I don't wear makeup, but these brushes have nice designs.

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  25. Thanks for the tip! I have been using my brushes for two years already. It may be time to change them!

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  26. Thanks for sharing, I only have one makeup brush and I dont think I have even used it. I never know what to do with makeup to look natural or not overdone as a stay at home mom.

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  27. My sister bought me a set of makeup brushes for Christmas and I love them! I think they are made by bhcosmetics.

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  28. Finding a good set of brushes is always so overwhelming. I think I want to get a really nice set soon--I love using the cleaner on them.

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  29. I'm a makeup noob. My face breaks out in hives from everything so I wear nothing. My aunt though would love this post. Thank you for sharing.

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  30. That gold Sonia Kashuk set is currently on clearance at Target right now for $6!

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