Crown Brushes Syntho Range

I am always surprised when my friends say they don't have any makeup brushes, even though they wear makeup often, although I have to remember that not everyone is a beauty blogger and as obsessed with makeup as the beauty community is! Makeup brushes are essential in my collection and makeup routine; I have tried brushes from Ecotools, Spectrum Brushes, Illamasqua, MAC, Real Techniques and cheaper, less well know brands but I haven't been as impressed with makeup brushes on first impressions as I have with these from Crown Brushes.

I was very kindly sent a range of brushes from the Crown Brushes Syntho range which features all synthetic brushes which as a vegetarian is an important point when I am buying and using brushes. I have six brushes to share my thoughts on; honesty as always, click here to check out my personal disclaimer. 

Firstly, the *Deluxe Powder Dome Brush (SS019, £15.99) which I have been using everyday since I received it for my translucent setting powders and mattifying powders. The brush is fantastic for powder as it doesn't cake on the product and it buffs on mineral foundation for seamless light coverage. 

The second face brush is the *Deluxe Flat Bronzer Brush (SS014, £16.99) which I first used for foundation as it looks like a flat top kabuki brush and it is great for foundation however the bristles seem to soak up some of the liquid foundation. I have also used it as it was intended, for bronzer, and it works well. At first I thought the brush would be too big for bronzer but it is a great size and it blends powder products effortlessly. 

Now onto the eyeshadow and liner brushes, I have been using the *Blending Fluffy Brush (SS021, £4.99) the most as it is a fantastic, multi-use brush. I've been using to apply as wash of shadow to the eyes, to blend or to apply my brow bone highlight. I also think it would be great for concealer. As the brush is flat it applies shadow well without fallout but it is also fluffy so it can blend the edges quickly and easily; for the price and quality it is a bargain.

Next up, the *Precision Crease Brush (SS020, £3.99) which I haven't been using a lot to apply shadows to the crease as I don't really create a lot of cut crease or smoky looks but I have been using it to apply my inner corner highlight and to blend shadows along the upper and lower lash lines. As it is tapered it can get into small areas but it is also soft and doesn't really drag the skin. 

Another makeup brush staple is the *Deluxe Oval Shadow Brush (SS011, £3.59) which again is a fantastic multi-use brush. It is great for applying shadow all over the lid, especially darker shades as it is flat and fairly dense so it really packs on the colour. Such a fantastic price for a useful little brush.

Last but not least, the *Deluxe Eyeliner Brush (SS008, £2.29) which I have only used with my Clinique Gel Liner so far but it applied the creamy liner so well. The bristles are so fine, I can get such a thin precise wing with this brush; it has definitely started my obsession again with gel liner. To see the results with the brush, check out my instagram: heathernixon4

Overall, I love these brushes, I've been using them constantly since I received them earlier this month. The price are so reasonable, in my opinion, especially considering the fantastic quality. My favourite brushes are definitely the SS021, SS008 and the SS019 brushes. I have only spot cleaned them but so far so good!

Have you tried any Crown Brushes or their makeup/accessories?

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Review: Spectrum Brushes

I won a competition on twitter with Spectrum makeup brushes and I won a seven piece set from them. I am really happy to have won as I am a bit of a makeup brush addict and I always want to try more! #hoarder 

I won the Spectrum Limited Edition 7 Piece Set (£39.99, currently on sale at £23.00). I had only heard of this company because of the competition and I am so glad I entered, not just because I won but it is a great company and I LOVE the brushes! The brushes can packed really nicely. Spectrum brushes are vegan and cruelty free which is fantastic and I think all brushes should be. The brush bristles are 100% synthetic and my set comes with a great triangular hard travel case for the brushes. 

The set contains seven brushes including a foundation, concealer, powder, blush, lips, eyebrow and eyeshadow brush so you get a good mix of brushes. I have been using them consistently for the past week and I adore them. I like the design, the purple is really cute and fun; also the bristles are super soft - they are a bit softer/smoother than the real techniques brushes I own (and I own a lot of them). 

Face brushes: The foundation brush is a flat top kabuki style brush that is soft but also really dense so it is good for foundation - especially cream foundation and also cream contour/blush as the bristles are very densely packed together. The powder brush is big and very soft, it doesn't pick up too much powder and works so well! The blush brush is my favourite from the face brushes in this set as it is angled so it works really well for contouring and also bronzer, I love it and again it is incredibly smooth/soft on the skin! Finally the concealer brush, it could be used as an eyeshadow brush for packing on an all over the lid shade but it is also great for applying concealer under the eyes and on blemishes or redness. 

Eye and lip brushes: The eyeshadow brush is similar to an ecotools brush I have but this one is smoother, it applies shadow really well but as it is quite dense it isn't good for blending - you need a fluffier, less dense brush for blending eyeshadow. The lip brush is fantastic, it applies colour and lip balms evenly and smoothly. The final brush is the eyebrow brush. I have been using this for my brows as it small and precise but also as a liner brush - to apply eyeshadow as liner along the upper and lower lash line. 

Overall, I am so impressed with the design and quality of the spectrum synthetic brushes, I would highly recommend them! The case is also really nice although it isn't that easy to get all of the brushes in it and closed without squishing the bristles. To find out more about Spectrum brushes, click here. Overall, I would have to rate the company/brushes ★★★★★, 5/5!

Have you tried Spectrum brushes? What is your favourite makeup brush manufacturer?

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