I was in the city and I stopped on over to Bergdorf Goodman to say hi to Dustin. So I’m there, as usual playing with the kabuki in my hands. I’m an addict to very soft brushes and it’s no help that he’s used it on my face in every single makeover he’s done on me. I probably looked like a crazy woman touching it all the time, yet I never got the brush. I was that crazy customer who tested blushes with the brush. Yea, I’m a creeper.
I have and use Edward Bess Daydream bronzer, but I use it as a contour with my Shu Pony 20H brush. I never really used powder bronzer all over my face, and a big reason is that I don’t have the proper brush. A few months back I bought Le Metier Romeo and Juliet bronzing duet and I haven’t really played with the bronzer side, because it’s a bronzer that I can use all over. Dustin uses this duo on me, but he has always uses the kabuki brush. I thought to myself, “man, $85…I wonder if I can find something for less because $85…”
So the hunt for a kabuki began…and here’s what I’ve tested:
Too Faced: I really like this one as well and it’s travel friendly. For those who are a bit on a lower budget, this is a nice option.
Edward Bess: I’ve touched it a few times, and it has never caught my attention as a dense or exquisitely soft brush.
NARS Ita Kabuki: ok this brush is way too scratchy and wide for me. The shape isn’t designed for my personal use.
NARS blush brush: this is shaped kinda like a kabuki, but it wasn’t dense enough for my liking, which makes sense because it’s a blush brush. It wasn’t that soft either, even though it’s made out of pony hair.
Shu Uemura doesn’t make one (or not one that I know of), but I’m sure if they did, it would be full of awesome.
I don’t think Suqqu makes a kabuki either, but I do want their face brush. Eventually I’ll make the investment.
I waited, thinking that I can find a substitute. But nah. So I’ve used it a few times already testing it out with different blushes and with crème formulas too. It’s neat because it’s so small that you can take it with you in your purse, but it seriously packs a punch (in terms of the hair density). What I adore about it is that it’s sooooo soft. mmmm.
Hair: pony and goat. The hairs are trimmed off the animal and the hairs go through a three-day conditioning process. No wonder why they are so soft :D
Usage: I use it on my forehead, temples, neck and sides of my face when it comes to bronzer. I use light, circular motions and the product goes on really evenly. I’ve tested it twice when it comes to cream blushes (By Terrys VIP Bronze Expert blush). I dislike the brush applicator, so I just do a pump, slide the product on my face and every so slightly buff it in with the kabuki. It’s actually more of a stippling action, but you get the idea.
Price: $85, and it’s worth every penny because it’s such a dense, yet such a soft and the application is effortless.
Onto the photos !
Left to Right:
Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Blusher Brush
Le Metier de Beaute Kabuki
Left to Right:
Le Metier de Beaute Kabuki
Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Blusher Brush
Top to bottom:
Le Metier de Beaute Kabuki
Do you have the MAC Kabuki? Just wondering how this one compared to that. Great review.
ReplyDeleteno. My MAC MA hates it and refused to sell it to me because she's seen them being returned because it splays/loses hair. So I personally can't speak about it. I'll have to visit another counter to play with it.
ReplyDeleteI actually really love my MAC Kabuki. I admit initially there was a little fallout, but it was smooth sailing from there.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I like the review!
Thanks for the review, you having me wanting it now! Do you have any take on how it would handle mineral makeup? My sister is a BE user and in the market for a new kabuki.
ReplyDeleteThat looks fluffy and soft! I wanna pet it! :D Great review!
ReplyDeleteI have the MAC brush after a MA told me it was not synthetic. Well I found out its Nylon and it tends to dig into and destroy my softer powders. Thank you for telling us about this one! I will be trying this one out soon.
ReplyDeleteI have MAC's kabuki and luckily have never had problems with it, and I own Edward Bess' face brush, but damn I feel myself wavering on this one. I have other LMDB brushes and they are all fantastic, I don't doubt for a second that this one is any different.
ReplyDeleteIf you see my review on the Shu natural 10 brush, you'll see why I'm not a big fan of MAC brushes in general. They're okay, but once you own a quality makeup brush like Shus, you won't go back to MAC.
ReplyDelete@Sparklehead: I don't use mineral foundation, but if you want me to test a specific mineral product (a brand I can easily test at a sephora) let me know so I can report back.
@Laura: Thank you. <3
@Anonymous: let me know how it goes.
@devoted: if you can, play with it at a counter to see for yourself.
Hello panties,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post as I am actually looking to get one kabuki brush (for portability) myself! I was convinced by a few other bloggers not to get the EB brush, since I have owned Shus (most of my brushes are) and Suqqu (they are exquisite and I think I have just reviewed them after one year of use!), I really can't make up my mind hastily to get something which is not on par with my other brushes.
The only thing that put me off the Le Metier kabuki is the price! lol Maybe next time...do you actually find the handle too short or it is just right?
I have the MAC 182 kabuki, I think it's ok, nothing to shout about. I used to like their stuff (about 10 years ago).
I am actually going to check out Chanel's one (the european version), if it is good I might invest in one...
Last but not least, do you have the Shu 27? If you do, how do you find it? :) Thanks for the post again! x
It's a small brush and it's my first kabuki, so I'm not used to the short handle, but each kabuki I've tried I've had that issue. I know it's just a learning curve for me personally dealing with the short handles.
ReplyDeleteIm not a fan of chanels, I mean they're not bad, but I can't say they're extraordinary. I don't have the Shu 27, as I don't have a use for it personally. I either look for Shu stuff on the US site, or if it's not on there, I have a wonderful friend I England who gets stuff for me when I send her the $.