Tuesday 2 July 2013

Rubybox Tools: Eyeshadow Brush

Can one ever have too many eyeshadow brushes?

Well, I guess you can, but I never get tired of it. I'm not sure how many I have, but I'm going to guess about 20+. And I really feel it when I decide to wash all of them in one session. *head in hands* And yes, I use almost all of them. As a makeup artist, they all have a place, but in a personal capacity, I think I'm just weird with my eyeshadow brushes. I tend to designate them to certain products. For example, I won some Dr Hauschka products on One Stiletto At A Time a while ago (which I LOVE) that included eyeshadow brushes, and I only use those eyeshadow brushes for the eyeshadow compact that came with it. Also, I have this angled eyeshadow brush that I only seem to use to apply/blend a specific grey eyeshadow. Whaddup widdat?
rubybox.co.za


Rubybox Tools Eyeshadow Brush is flat with a rounded, tapered edge. It has silky nylon fibres, and is not very dense. It seems a bit "thin". It doesn't seem to affect the quality of application, though. It also depends on what you like, I suppose. When I looked at it and felt the bristles, my first thoughts were that it'll be best for cream/liquid shadows or for when you want to apply eyeshadow powders with a damp brush for intensity. The texture looks like that of one my professional concealer brushes.

Well, I've tried it a few ways and it works well. For dry, compacted shadows (most common form eyeshadow packaging, think standard MAC eyeshadow singles and eyeshadow palettes, generally. They're compacted.), it picks up just enough so that you don't have to tap off any "excess". By "just enough" I mean I press the brush onto the compacted shadow once and it's enough to see the colour/product on your lids in a single application, but there is room for layering. Everyone's intensity preference is different, but I prefer to have the option to layer. I don't do that whole swirling and swiping motion with the eyeshadow brush in compacted eyeshadows: it's untidy and it wastes product as you end up dusting the excess "loose" powder off or blowing it...which is super unhygienic, btw. Don't be gross. Eeuw.

Obviously, for loose eyeshadows (such as Black Up's Glitter and Pearl Powders. Also called "pigment pots" or something similar at some other brands) it depends on your dispensing method. If you're going to "dip" the brush into the pot until you feel the bottom of the container like you're mixing batter, tapping will be necessary, but Rubybox Tools Eyeshadow Brush provides for a smooth application if you just "touch" the little that you're going to use, or if you're like me and prefer the subtle, take the bit on the sides of the pot. Same goes for using it dampened: decant eyeshadow and press onto lids for colour depth and intensity. Do not drag on your eyelid.

My favourite way to use this eyeshadow brush, as I initially thought, is for cream shadows. It's got the perfect shape and texture for this purpose. I've used it for creams shadows about thrice so far and it provides smooth application and blends really well. So if you get it for any reason, get it for your cream shadows. Or for all the liquid/gel eye cosmetics now available. It works much better than those sponge-tip applicators and is much easier to clean. Not keen on cream shadows? That's fine. Luckily, this brush has a "multi-medium" appeal and you can use it with your current eye-shadow products.

Rubybox Tools Eyeshadow Brush is R99.95 on rubybox.co.za


Remember to vote for me in the Rubybox Ruby Royal Competition here or here.
Thank you.
xxx


Miss B