Category: vegan makeup brushes
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Fancy Witch Black Magic Collection Brushes

Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Fancy Witch Black Magic Collection Brushes
A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly sent the whole range of makeup brushes from the brand Fancy Witch (I personally love the brand name and packaging design) from the online store Beauty Crowd. "The Black Magic collection has been designed by professionals and handmade from quality synthetic hair that gives an airbrushed finish."

All of the Fancy Witch brushes are cruelty free and all but one are made using vegan talon bristles. The blush brush is made from natural goat hair bristles although it is cruelty free. There are eight brushes in total and they are handmade in Bulgaria. The brushes I received all came in plastic pouches which came in so useful in terms of travelling and storing while we were away in York.


I started testing this brush properly while in York, the only thing I hate about travelling is that my makeup routine changes and things that were usually easily, suddenly become harder and messy. This foundation brush was impressive from the first use; the brushes are so smooth and soft! I've used it with a few foundations, all liquid, and it applies and blends like a dream - no streaks, no shedding and it makes foundation application/blending SO quick! The paddle shape of the brush makes it so effective. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


As well as the foundation brush, this is another that I've been using every time I apply makeup. Usually I'm not a massive fan of kabuki brushes but this one is the softest brush ever! I've been using this brush for all over powder and it is fantastic - it doesn't apply too much and blends instantly. The brush is great to travel with in it's pouch and it can stand up on its own. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


For me this brush is a little big for bronzer but because it is tapered it is relatively precise. I've been using this brush for sheer powder blush and setting powder and it blends well without making products look patchy or uneven on the skin. This is one of the brushes that I will get a lot of use out of for all over setting powder. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 


Since returning from York, I've been using this powder brush more often as it is a great multi-tasker - I love it for bronzer, setting powder and blush. The bristles are SO smooth, smooth and blend effortlessly. I have experienced a tiny amount of shedding with this brush but it was only a few bristles initially and it hasn't shed since. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 


The last face brush is not synthetic like all of the others but it still feels really soft and smooth on the skin, it doesn't drag the skin and it hasn't shed as of yet. The bristles are tapered and angled so it is great for blush and for contouring - only powder contour as the brush isn't dense enough for cream contour products. I know it's cruelty free but I still feel a little weird using a brush with goat hair bristles. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 


Now onto the smaller face and eye brushes, I haven't been using this small tapered brush as an eyeshadow brush, I love it for concealer! It is perfect for applying and blending concealer and powder under the eyes and on blemishes. As the brush is tapered, it is great for precise concealing. I think it would also be perfect for applying a wash of shadow over the lid. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


I don't have many blemishes/spots, I rarely get them but when I do they leave small areas of pigmentation so I'm always wanting extra coverage and concealer on those tiny areas - this brush is great for covering blemishes and smaller areas of redness/pores. The bristles are incredibly soft and smooth so they blend concealer perfectly. It would be useful for under eye concealing if you, like me, put off washing your makeup brushes so you have to use others...Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


I have actually used this brush for it's stated purpose, it is a perfect brush for applying and blending a wash of shadow over the lid or blending out shadows in the crease. The shape is similar to the tapered eye crease brush but it isn't as tapered although it is still useful for under eye concealing. I've washed the last two brushes and they wash really well with no shedding. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Overall, the bristles for all of the brushes are incredibly smooth, soft and work so effectively with numerous products and formulas. The bristles for all look very fluffy but they are quite dense. The price per brush is reasonable in my opinion as the quality is fantastic and they are cruelty free. I would recommend all of the brushes especially the foundation, tapered eye crease, kabuki and powder brushes!

Have you tried any brushes from Fancy Witch? Have you bought anything from Beauty Crowd?

Review: Spectrum Brushes

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

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?