Chanel New Foundation Brush #6

 Brushes and Tools, Chanel, Foundation  5 Responses »
Sep 302011
 

With the release of Chanel’s new Perfection Lumiere Foundation (swatched here and here), Chanel released a single Foundation Brush ($45) (#6) (Chanel Brush/ Les Pinceaux de Chanel Pinceau Fond de Teint).  Some stores have not yet received these in stock, mine was purchased from Chanel.com.

According to some sales associates whom I’ve interrogated (yes, Cafe Makeup brings it when we visit a makeup counter, and sometimes we feel a little bad about that), Chanel’s brush redesign should be completely up for sale around Spring ’12.  Please note that “Spring ’12″ in the makeup world means “late December ’11.”  We’ll have to see what actually happens, because none of this information is official and may have been obtained under duress.

The brush is just over 6 inches long.  As you can see, Chanel has dramatically changed the brush head into three colors, which if inspected closely have three different textures.

For lack of a better word, I’ve come to think of this as a “tri-fiber” brush  head.  Chanel’s former international (non-U.S.) foundation brush was somewhat similar.  The fiber closest to the ferrule is very stiff, so that the brush head holds its shape when wet with liquid foundation, and pressed against all of the different parts of the face.  The center portion (the dark brown) has more flexibility and seems quite absorbent to hold the liquid well.  The bristle tips are soft and feathery, which is a good brush texture for blending an airbrushed finish.  The ends taper to a very fine point.

The handle has the same feel as Chanel’s former international (non-U.S.) brushes–it feels like wood (or a wood composite), which is not too heavy but sufficiently substantial to give you a good grip.

The text on the back is simple–only the brush number (#6) and brush name (“Foundation”) are printed there.  Curiously, I did not see the country of origin stamped on the brush.  This is true even on the ferrule, where Chanel had previously stamped its country of origin.  Like Chanel’s now-discontinued brush, this new one is made in China:

Some of my former Chanel brusheswere made in China have held up very well for years, and perform extremely well.  I would not have noted this at all, except that I occasionally get questions.

Comparison of three foundation brushes–my well-worn Chanel now-discontinued foundation brush (#16), Shiseido’s new Perfect Foundation Brush (reviewed here) and Chanel’s new foundation brush:

I liked the brush head of the new Chanel Foundation Brush (#6), better than the discontinued Chanel foundation brush (#16).  The feathery tip helps me get a flawless look with fewer brushstrokes.  The finish that I can achieve with the new foundation brush and Perfection Lumiere has drawn compliments (it does look better, in my opinion).

If you are choosing between Shiseido’s Perfect Foundation Brush and Chanel’s new Foundation Brush #6, here are my thoughts:

  • As you can see, the brush head shape of either is remarkably different;
  • The Shiseido brush tends to be faster, because the flat head absorbs and deposits foundation very quickly;
  • If you are inexperienced or rushed, the Shiseido will give you a slightly heavier coverage (those with more experience or care can work well with either);
  • The Chanel brush shape is a classic shape used for layering foundation–it’s more intuitive for light coverage that is then “built up” only where needed;
  • Shiseido’s compact size is perfect for travel and less expensive;
  • Chanel’s seems to be easier and faster to clean (this isn’t really a performance issue I thought I’d point it out).
  • Bottom line, if you are choosing between them you cannot go “wrong” with either one–really, it’s going to come down to your personal foundation style and use preference.

Overall, the new Chanel Foundation Brush is a positive step forward.  I far prefer it to the older Chanel foundation brush–the smaller size, the feathery bristle ends, and the tapered top deliver a better product.  To get The Beauty Look Book’s views, see her review here.

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Recommendations and Overview: Chanel Sophisticated Eye and Les Aquarelles

 Blush, Brushes and Tools, Chanel, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Lipstick, Powder  11 Responses »
Aug 212011
 

Here is an overview of the items from Chanel’s recent collections, followed by a list of my personal favorites:

First, the Sophisticated Eye Collection:

Recourbe Cils de Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler ($36) is reviewed here.  Overall, it is a very good curler with logo appeal.  If Le Metier de Beaute’s is workable for you, it is a better value at $19.

Chanel Eyeshadow Quad in Lagons ($57) is reviewed here.  It is a beautiful palette of shimmery blues.

Chanel Eyeshadow Quad in Vanites ($57) is reviewed here.   This shimmery palette swatches with a strong purple/violet tone.  It is pigmented, pretty and can be very flattering.

Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Taupe is reviewed here ($29). This eyeliner is a softly pigmented cool plum Ebene has been previously released and it is reviewed here.  

Chanel Crayon Sourcils Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in Blond Clair ($29) is reviewed here.  It’s a convenient, easy to use pencil that works well for light-toned brows.

Chanel released several new eyeshadow singles ($28.50 each).  Twilight is reviewed here.  Fauve is reviewed here.  Magic Night is reviewed here.

Chanel Inimintable Intense Mascara ($30), Lily single eyeshadow ($28.50) and Beaute de Cils Mascara Base ($30) are not reviewed.

Second, Les Aquarelles:

Ombres Tissees in Beiges ($75) is reviewed here.  This is a large, shimmery palette designed for eyes but can be used as a highlight for the rest of the face.

Joues Contraste Blush in Pink Cloud ($43) is reviewed here.  This is a very subtle, light color.

Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Gris Exquis is reviewed here.  It is a beautifully pigmented matte neutral.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu ($32) is re-promoted with this collection. It is a sheer light shimmery pink previously reviewed here.

Joues Contraste in Rose Petale ($43) is re-promoted with this collection.  It is reviewed here.

 

Stylo Yeux Eyeliner in Ebene is re-promoted with this collection ($29).  It was previously reviewed here.

Chanel Vernis in Tendresse is part of this collection, but is not reviewed.
My favorites from the two collections:

  • Gris Exquis single eyeshadow is an excellent basic that I will reach for again and again
  • I liked both eyeshadow quads, Lagons and Vanites
  • Ebene eyeliner is an excellent pencil, although you may already own this from the previous collection
  • For the real Chanel fans, Ombres Tissees and the Precision Eyelash Curler are musts.  These are both limited edition, signature products.
Which are your favorites?
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Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush Review

 Brushes and Tools  25 Responses »
Aug 062011
 

Shiseido’s Perfect Foundation Brush ($30, available at Nordstrom and elsewhere soon) first came to my attention because I noticed several beauty editors twittering praise.  You really don’t see a lot of excitement about brushes in the makeup world.  When I saw the impression that this brush was making, I made a mental note.

The brush is small but mighty.  About 4 1/2 inches long, the head is very densely packed with bristles that feel synthetic.  The tip is slanted so that it can fit the contours of the face.  The upper edge fits nicely into small niches, such as around the nose.

The bristles are remarkably soft.  No scratchiness.  This picture shows the shape from the side:

To use it, I pumped some liquid foundation on the back of my hand.  I then dabbed the brush into the foundation, then dabbed it over the areas of my face.  Touch lightly for soft coverage, and more strongly for denser coverage.  Once you’ve dabbed some dots in each area, use the brush to smooth, distribute and cover the skin.

You can go back over problem areas to add coverage where needed.

The Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush works quite well.  My foundation was very even, it was fast and easy to use and it gave a flawless finish.  It is designed to work with all foundation formulas.

I find nearly all my foundation brushes challenging to clean, this one was no different.  I attribute this to the foundation formula, which usually must be removed with oil.  For that reason, I’ll sometimes use a drop of an oil cleanser to clean any foundation brush (including this one).

Also, I find that I use more foundation with a brush (1 1/2 to 2 pumps), perhaps because some of the liquid is lost to the brush.  In this respect, Shiseido’s Perfect Foundation Brush was no different.

The bigger question is how the Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush compares to more traditional foundation brushes, am I right?  When I first used it, I did not find the experience terribly different. After a few tries, I realized that there were some important differences.

First, Shiseido’s Perfect Foundation brush seems to grab foundation well, then lay it down quickly.  In other words, you can get medium-to-dense coverage in less time.  When I use a traditional paddle-shaped foundation brush, it takes more patience to build up coverage.  Shiseido’s Perfect “dab dab” technique and density allows me to quickly pick up and distribute more product more rapidly.  Second, for some inexplicable reason I really got no brush marks with it.  It really does give an airbrushed, smooth finish.

This brush really does seem designed by a makeup artist, in that coverage is quick, flawless and pleasant.  Believe me, it made my foundation look better.  Highly recommended.

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Burberry Brushes: Face Brush No. 2

 Brushes and Tools, Burberry  7 Responses »
May 202011
 

Although Burberry Beauty Brush No. 2 (price not yet determined) is not yet for sale, I was able to obtain one during the last Holiday season when Nordstrom had a gift with purchase that included this lovely, incredible brush.  This is an unbelievable powder brush.  It’s dense, it’s luxurious, and it works.   It’s absolutely perfect for either a light dusting of setting powder, or a very soft application of bronzer or blush on pale skin.

The handle is substantial without being too heavy.  It’s held up beautifully through weekly (or more) washings for the past five months.  I had no lost bristles, it dries perfectly overnight.

Is “brush-gasm” a word?  Like Chanel’s Euro face powder brush (reviewed here), Burberry Face Brush No. 2 has a wide, flat side that contours beautifully to the face.

Turn the brush sideways, and you will see that the top of the bristles narrow down to a chisel in a way that allows a very light application of powder.

I found a number of similarities between the Burberry Face Brush No. 2 and Chanel Flat Powder Brush #3 (Pinceau Poudre Flat). Here is a side-by-side:

Bottom line:  Highly recommended.

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Burberry Brushes: Eye Brushes Nos. 10 and 11

 Brushes and Tools, Burberry  5 Responses »
May 192011
 

Over the past few months, Burberry Beauty began selling a few items from its brush line (previewed here).  In addition to a limited release of gift with purchase items that Nordstrom featured during the Holiday season, the store is now selling Eye Brushes Nos. 9, 10 and 11 (pictured here among the other eye brushes).

Last week, I picked up both Burberry Beauty Brushes No. 10 and 11 to expand my brush range.  The quality of these brushes is extremely high.  Even the softly-colored Burberry eyeshadows cling to them beautifully, laying down a serious layer of pigment.  The handles are sleek, classic and beautifully machined.  The “heft” factor is appropriate–these are light but solid.  Let’s take a closer look at these two…

Burberry Beauty Brush No. 10 ($32) is a variation on a pencil brush, intended for smudging and making softly defined lines.  It comes packed in a plastic sleeve inside a velveteen cover marked with the trademarked Burberry plaid with a black-on-black texture.

I found that the head of Burberry’s Eye Brush No. 10 was denser and larger than the MAC 219 pencil brush ($24.50).  Here’s a side-by-side of the new, unused Burberry next to my well-worn MAC 219:

I’ve played with Burberry’s Eye Brush No. 10 and find that it gives a beautifully pigmented, rich lay-down of color.  With a pigmented soft shadow (NARS Mekong, for example), I got a beautifully rich line of color where the soft gold sparkles showed up nicely.  I’m so pleased with this brush, I know that I’ll get constant use from it.  The handle of No. 10:

Burberry Beauty Eye Brush No. 11 ($38) has an uncommon, but extremely useful shape.  The top is a slanted, flat circle that lays down a rich sweep of color over the entire lid.  It can also be used for precise placement of powders under the eye over concealer.

The bristles are very dense, and works beautifully like a magnet, depositing color very evenly across with lid with a single sweep.

These are great quality brushes, and a pleasure to use.

Another:

Bottom line:  Highly recommended.

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