Cheap makeup brush substitute

[litebrite]

So I was at the art supply shop today buying boxes for my gems and decided to buy some artists brushes as substitutes for makeup brushes. I think I got a decent value given how expensive the brushes at Sephora are. Under $22 for 4 brushes including a powder brush and 2 sable ones. I only had second thoughts when one of the salespeople saw me brushing them across my face and she warned me not to do it. Obviously I will clean them thoroughly before using.

I haven''t tried them out yet (am waiting for all traces of hives to disappear) but will report back. Has anyone else done this with success? I got the idea from a budget brides forum a while back and never did it.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Um...no, no, and a big fat NO!!!

Artist brushes are different than makeup brushes in many, many ways. First of all you''re talking commerical grade synthetic vs. natural hair. You''re talking brushes designed to hold liquid paint vs. brushes designed to apply powder. Even synthetic cosmetic brushes use different grade fibers than an art brush would.

Basically, if you want to compair it to something, you''re talking using a motorcycle motor in a car. Yep, they are both motors...but they are designed to effectively do different things.

I would caution you against thinking this is a brilliant idea, and realize that spending a few bucks more on good brushes is an investment.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi,
Are you near an outlet mall? Some have the Cosmetics Company Store which has many brands for 30% (all brands which Estee Lauder make). That''s where I buy my MAC brushes. Also, if you''re looking for a set, you can usually find a good set around the holidays. . .the MAC sets are around $50 and have 4 or 5 brushes, if I remember correctly. The shorter holiday versions aren''t as well made as the full-size MAC brushes, but they''re MUCH better than using a art brush set.

 

[jstarfireb]

Also, when the department stores have gift-with-purchase promotions, they sometimes include brushes as part of the gift. That''s how I got most of mine!

 

[litebrite]

Hmm. Well, these are all good points. Obviously, I don''t have a huge amount of experience with makeup, I only wear it about once a month on average.

I think this is just another example of where ppl decide to spend their money that has been discussed on other threads. Thanks for the tips on cheaper, better brushes. The Costco and Mac holiday sets sound good and people seem v satisfied but aren''t being offered currently. Looking at other people''s reviews, it looks like they tend to release them around Thanksgiving/ Xmas, so it depends on if I can wait until then.
I also checked on Overstock but it looks like most of their well reviewed sets are also sold out.

I think I found the sites that gave me the idea. makeup aficionados discussing art vs makeup brushes.

Oh, btw the hives are from some Dior eye stuff that the Sephora artist put on me, not the brushes, just wanted to clarify. And I didn''t wipe the brush across my eyes, just my cheek. I will also email my wedding makeup artist who was fantastic to see if she has any thoughts on this before proceeding to experiment.

I appreciate everyone''s thoughts. I''m not super crazy, just willing to save in this area since I use makeup so infrequently, if that makes sense.

 

[D&T]

try AVON brushes or AVON MARK brush, inexpensive, and you can find some high sellers on ebay that has the best deal at very competitive prices

 

[VRBeauty]

Ummm... I've used an angled brush I got at the art store instead of an angled makeup brush for brow powder for many months now... haven't noticed any difference, except that it cost me less than $5 whereas the department store version would have cost 6- to 7X that amount. I also like the longer handles! Some art brushes are made of natural bristles, and they're made to stand up to regular cleanings and such, so I'm not sure why all art brushes should be off limits. That said, I also have some Sonia Kushak brushes from Target that are a joy to use, and seem to be a nice value for the money.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Alright, I may be one of the few here who can come to this issue from the other side: back in college, I had a similar thought after naively buying MAC brushes at Nordstrom, being aghast at the price when the sales girl handed me my slip to sign because it was about the amount I spent to go on a ski weekend with my friends back then, and before I used the brushes I went to my artist''s store and purchased top o'' the line sable brushes for about 30% of the cost of the MAC.

They worked fine. Never had a problem. I used them for the application of eyeshadow for a couple of years no less, but then again they weren''t synthetic. The main downside-- and why I finally tossed them aside-- is that the structure for support was different than those designed for makeup applications and therefore not as precise. They weren''t great, but they were better than the sponge applicators. I did, however, replace them with a set designed for makeup application and thought I should have made the switch sooner for the precision aspect.

On an aside about makeup personal regrets, I wish I had purchased that GIANT Chanel brush set they had in the roll a few years back! Alas, since then they''ve only released the travel set (with only four pitiful brushes) when the annual limited-edition set was released in time for Christmas last year. I''m optimistically holding out for Xmas 2009 being the year. I desperately want brush No. 3 in particular (eye contouring), but I doubt I have the resolve to hold out until winter, especially when there are no guarantees it''ll be part of the next attractively packaged kit.

 

[JSM]

Date: 8/31/2009 10:10:13 PM
Author: VRBeauty
That said, I also have some Sonia Kushak brushes from Target that are a joy to use, and seem to be a nice value for the money.

I was going to suggest these as well - fairly inexpensive, and they seem to work. I don''t always wear makeup (basic mascara and powder daily, more on the weekends or special occasions), and they''ve held up pretty well.

 

[*Danielle*]

I am a big giant cheap skate and I love ELF brushes. The regular ones are only a dollar each and the pro ones are http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio

 

[AdiS]

Date: 8/31/2009 10:56:12 PM
Author: fleur-de-lis
Alright, I may be one of the few here who can come to this issue from the other side: back in college, I had a similar thought after naively buying MAC brushes at Nordstrom, being aghast at the price when the sales girl handed me my slip to sign because it was about the amount I spent to go on a ski weekend with my friends back then, and before I used the brushes I went to my artist''s store and purchased top o'' the line sable brushes for about 30% of the cost of the MAC.

They worked fine. Never had a problem. I used them for the application of eyeshadow for a couple of years no less, but then again they weren''t synthetic. The main downside-- and why I finally tossed them aside-- is that the structure for support was different than those designed for makeup applications and therefore not as precise. They weren''t great, but they were better than the sponge applicators. I did, however, replace them with a set designed for makeup application and thought I should have made the switch sooner for the precision aspect.

On an aside about makeup personal regrets, I wish I had purchased that GIANT Chanel brush set they had in the roll a few years back! Alas, since then they''ve only released the travel set (with only four pitiful brushes) when the annual limited-edition set was released in time for Christmas last year. I''m optimistically holding out for Xmas 2009 being the year. I desperately want brush No. 3 in particular (eye contouring), but I doubt I have the resolve to hold out until winter, especially when there are no guarantees it''ll be part of the next attractively packaged kit.

I''ve done that too. Well, I guess it''s to be expected, since I''ve been painting with oils for as long as I can remember. The idea to try out some of the brushes (not the used ones, mind you! lol) for make-up application crosses your mind sooner or later with all those brushes lying around.

Never had a problem either but I still think the real ones do a better job.

 

[litebrite]

I have yet to have an event to wear makeup to, so I''ll report back later. Maybe I''ll play around with my makeup tonight.