Makeup Brushes vs Artists Brushes

[Onederland]

Alrighty, i spend alot of Makeup Brushes, but have any of you ever bought actual ARTISTS brushes like from Aaron Brothers or whatever, INSTEAD of a Makup Brush?


Essentially they should be there same, no?

I was browsing through the paint brush section last night, and realized, certain brushes have the exact shape and feel of a foundation brush, or an eyeshadow brush...

I mean, cosmetics company just takes these brushes and slaps a new name on them, no?

[smilezlie]

i have always wondered the same thing lol.

[archangeli]

With synthetic taklon and nylon brushes, you could use artist brushes and no one would know except you and your bank account

Most eyeliner, foundation, concealer and some eyeshadow brushes are made using synthetic fibres (nylon and taklon) because these fibres are better designed for creamier consistency products.

Natural hair brushes are better for "powder" based products.

For super-fine eyeliner brushes I have about 12 "fine tipped" art store painbrushes lined up and waiting. I tend to eat through them and the tips get splayed after a few washes (it's unavoidable really...) so I'd rather spend $3 on a new one versus $24 for a "name brand makeup brush."

Where I wouldn't go the art store route is with powder and blush brushes. There really is no inexpensive replacement for a good powder brush *huggles my Kevyn Aucoin Powder Brush*

[Elorien]

I agree with archangeli. Any brush you CAN find an equivalent to in the art store, why not go for it? The biggest reason I don't use more art brushes is they tend to have longer handles than I like for makeup brushes, and I don't want to have to saw off the handles of my brushes.

Also agree with buying a blush/powder brush meant for makeup.. as a painter I don't see what purpose this brush would have for art.. but I could be wrong, there might be such a thing available at the art store :P

[martygreene]

Quote:

Also agree with buying a blush/powder brush meant for makeup.. as a painter I don't see what purpose this brush would have for art.. but I could be wrong, there might be such a thing available at the art store

watercolor wash brushes! I use Windsor Newton 240 series wash brushes for blush/powder. They are white goat hair, soft and full and fluffy as can be, and last longer and cost less than their perhaps slightly shorter handled cosmetic counterparts.

[Elorien]

Maybe it's just where I shopped.. but I always found natural hair watercolour brushes to be just as expensive as makeup brushes (MAC price range.. I don't buy more expensive ones than that). I never had to buy a large, round wash brush though.
I use the MAC short handled blush brush, so it really is a much shorter handle than any paintbrush. For something that lasts that long, I don't mind paying a bit more for a small detail like a handle I prefer. But if you like a longer handle, why not

[martygreene]

The winsor & newton 240 brushes are:
#1 5.85
#2 8.05
#3 9.80
in US dollars

I am also very very fond of Raphael's kevrin brushes, particularly the 86__ series (the 8608 #4 being my favorite for all manner of lining and crease work).

I believe that I have a photo of the winsor & newton brush in my MUA photos. I'm martygreene on there as well.

[Elorien]

They definitely didn't have anything of that price range here That would buy a cheapo synthetic brush.

They look very nice from your photo.. next time I'm at the art store I'll see if they have that series (but it doesn't look familiar).

[martygreene]

If you can't find them in your area, let me know. I'd be more than happy to pick a couple up for you.

[singinmys0ng]

ive wondered the same thing..and i guess i wondered right..looks like im going to the art store 2morrow :-D

[martygreene]

For what it's worth, I only own 2 actual "makeup" brushes.

[Elorien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by martygreene

If you can't find them in your area, let me know. I'd be more than happy to pick a couple up for you.

Thanks!

[clairewear]

I am just getting into pigments/paints/cream base: which art brushes (specifically) should I get? (you've convinced me that art brushes are the way to go rather than fork out $$ for make-up brushes)

Thanks!

[polobear45]

Just a heads up The Winsor & Newton 240 (#1,2,3) are available at Michaels. I just pick them up and are very nice .

[solardame]

I've been using Loew-Cornell "Maxine's Mop, Natural Hair - 270-1/4 & 3/8" as eyeshadow brushes. Sold also at Michael's..

[diesel]

I've had the same experiences as Elorien, with super long handles on the best potential brushes, and varying price ranges. But for gel liners, I couldn't think of anything better than synthetic paint brushes - consider $30 CAN for a Nars liquid liner vs. a whole $4.15 CAN for the teeniest synthetic brush I've ever seen. Great precision, great quality.

My only problem is narrowing down all the cheap brushes I want!

[martygreene]

Remember, it's quite easy to just trim the handle to a workable length for you.

[aeni]

I combine all my brushes now. My watercolor brushes are in my makeup brushes and vice versa. I find my angle brush works great in detail for watercolor and the fan brush for coverage on the face. Pricewise, I feel I'm still paying the same.

[Demosthenes]

I tried a few artist brushes, and hated them. I must have come across a cheaper brand because they poked at my face and seemed really rough. I like the silky smooth feeling that my MAC brushes give me. *hugs* You also can't beat that purty M-A-C logo on them.

[rouquinne]

i use Maxine's Mop too! i have 4 of them.

Michael's regularly discounts artists' brushes by 30% and they always have coupons for 40% off one item if you're looking for a blush or powder brush.

if there's an art school in your town/city, you'll find a supply shop nearby.

Loomis & Toles and Omar Deserres are the two big chains in Canada.

[martygreene]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demosthenes

I tried a few artist brushes, and hated them. I must have come across a cheaper brand because they poked at my face and seemed really rough. I like the silky smooth feeling that my MAC brushes give me. *hugs* You also can't beat that purty M-A-C logo on them.

You want to make sure you are using watercolor or acrylic brushes, not brushes for oil paint. Oil brushes are stiff. Watercolor and acrylic brushes are softer, generally made from mongoose, squirrel, and white goat hair.

Go to your local art store, and just play around touching all the brushes. Some will have brush sealant on them to make them stay in the appropriate form prior to purchase, but you can generally find one or two that other folk have touched enough to break through the sealant.

[martygreene]

Other good brushes, but a bit harder to find, are Raphael's Kevrin (Mongoose) hair brushes. These are generally in the acrylic/oil section, and are wonderful brushes. They have an amazing life, carry color wonderfully, and are amazngly soft.

[midnightlouise]

Love artist's brushes! I went to art school (long time ago lol!) so I got a student discount @ the art supply store. Of course I stocked up my makeup kit, too and I've been using them ever since!

[Jozie]

My boy is quite the artist (and works as a tattoo artist) and some of his painting brushes have inspired me to pick up a few. So many different blushes, the selection is endless, plus the quality is there without a doubt.

[mspixieears]

Sorry for bumping up such an old thread, but I'm looking more into the whole art brush thing and was wondering, what type, generically speaking, of synthetic brush would you recommend for eye shading or smudging?

I was searching around on e*** and I think I'm after some flat-headed ones, much like the MAC #242 or smaller, more rounded etc. Brand name isn't too important. Just finding it a bit harder to get taklon brushes.

And, again, please pardon my ignorance, what exactly is a filbert? I can't tell from the picture. Hopefully martygreene will read this and answer all my stupid questions!