Makeup Brushes vs Artists Brushes

[martygreene]

Don't be sorry, we ENCOURAGE the revival of old threads!

Filbert is a flat oval shaped brush, used to create soft edges and blend colors in painting. MAC's concealor brush would be considered a filbert brush.

For shading and blending, I suggest something more like a round, natural hair brush generally in a size 6 or 8. I use a Loew Cornell Arttec Red Sable 165-8, which is a round size 8 brush, for lid and brow application, as well as blending. For smudging, you might want to look for a short-haired flat or filbert brush, or even a small deerfoot stippler (this will probably be natural hair).

I do suggest going to your local art supply shoppes and just looking at the brushes, feeling them, and seeing what works for you. A lot of brushes are stiffened with a sizing when they are packaged for sale, and their true nature is difficult to discern in this state. Ask an employee if you can see a softened version of a brush if you are curious about it.

[mspixieears]

Oh martygreene, thou art the purveyor of prompt and helpful advice supreme! I shall definitely be going to an art store to check them out in person, with your advice jotted down in my diary. Thanks so much!!!

[martygreene]

No problem. In all honesty, when I need brushes I go to the art store and start fiddling around with the brushes until I find one that I think will work. I've got enough experiance with the brushes via my artwork that I know somewhat what I'm looking for, but nothing works as well as just fiddling about once in a while. I do tend to stick to watercolor brushes and acrylic brushes, mainly because oil brushes are a lot stiffer due to the properties of the medium.

[glamella]

I use both, but some art brushes can be pretty pricey, even at Michael's or AC Moore. I think the Essence of Beauty line at CVS and Face Secrets at Sally's are also excellent quality, affordable brushes.

[Bubbles12_98]

I just bought brushes from Hobby Lobby today...I dunno if i even bought the right kind...I guess I'll find out how they work tomorrow morning.

[Bubbles12_98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbles12_98

I just bought brushes from Hobby Lobby today...I dunno if i even bought the right kind...I guess I'll find out how they work tomorrow morning.

i used my brushes this morning & was soo disappointed I think I bought the wrong kind (

[Sushi_Flower]

Can someone list all the Mac brushes which can be replaced with an art store one most easily? I.e. all the ones i shouldnt' buy from Mac and save my money!!

[Bubbles12_98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sushi_Flower

Can someone list all the Mac brushes which can be replaced with an art store one most easily? I.e. all the ones i shouldnt' buy from Mac and save my money!!

lol! I 2nd this. I am so clueless of what certain brushes should look like that you're going to use for certain items (except some e/l ones)

[martygreene]

Personally, I don't think any particular brush should look any particular way- everyone has very different shaped features and techniques, that getting what works for you is best.

Based on looking at the MAC brushes (remember, I only really own a few MAC brushes as I've found no need to purchase them over my other ones), you should be able to find brushes that will work in place of most brushes. The list is longer what you CAN find similar brushes to (without modifying them) than what you can't.

You probably won't find art-store versions, or versions that don't need modification for:
102
180
187
202
204
206
318

[aznsmurfy]

I found some really cool (cheap! 2.99) Taklon brushes at my local fabric and craft store. The only drawbacks are that the handles are rather long and there is this soft gooey comfort grip thing that makes them look ridiculous with my MU, but other than that, woot!

[swaly]

I find that blush brushes and other face brushes are almost impossible to find a match for in art supply stores––you may find one of similar shape or thickness, but it's rare that you get a three-way match of shape, thickness and softness. In terms of eye/lip brushes, however, I find you'll get the greatest selection in an art supply store. They're comparatively cheap, there's a wide array of lengths, thicknesses, firmnesses and quality of bristle (whether sable or synthetic).

[lovejam]

Does anyone know of a good art store brush that is similar to one of MAC's blending brushes? Preferably one that's like the 217? I just want to know what direction I should be heading in, what shape, maybe some brands I can check out, etc.

Also, any suggestions for something similar to the 242 brush? I'm getting Bare Canvas paint this weekend, but I don't want to spend $22.50 on a brush I'm only going to use for that sole purpose.

[aziajs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznsmurfy

I found some really cool (cheap! 2.99) Taklon brushes at my local fabric and craft store. The only drawbacks are that the handles are rather long and there is this soft gooey comfort grip thing that makes them look ridiculous with my MU, but other than that, woot!

I just bought one of these!!!! I bought a fan brush and LOVE it! The comfort grip handle is so weird but feels so good. It looks weird with all my other brushes but I love it so I donit care.

[user3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovejam

Does anyone know of a good art store brush that is similar to one of MAC's blending brushes? Preferably one that's like the 217? I just want to know what direction I should be heading in, what shape, maybe some brands I can check out, etc.

Also, any suggestions for something similar to the 242 brush? I'm getting Bare Canvas paint this weekend, but I don't want to spend $22.50 on a brush I'm only going to use for that sole purpose.

Gosh, I know I've seen a few just like the ones you are talking about but I can't recall the name. Do you have a Micheals near you?

[cyens]

Well I only have one mac brush, the 272 and I have brushes from other cheaper make-up brands.
A brush is a brush you can't go wrong, so I look for replacements. But being an artist, I have over the hundreds and hundreds of artists brushes I use for paints ( they became a no-no now for my face now ).
So browsing through art stores and playing around with them, I found a lot of artists brushes for make-up. They are actually way better then make-up brushes, cheaper and more resistant through time and use. Although you have to wash them troughly before use since they have scealant on them.
I actually bought the mac brush I own, to test the difference in quality, I think it only hurted my wallet...sigh....

[giz2000]

My favorite liner brush is actually a super fine artist brush...it has like 3 bristles on it and makes the thinnest, sharpest lines....

[AriannaErin]

I also found some really nice artists brushes at just a small local artist supplies shop by my school, and got some really nice rounded basic shadow brushes, and a few different fine tipped ones that i use for my fluidlines (one very fine and a little thicker one), I think for 4 brushes it cost me like 12 dollars (canadian) or something like that. And the're sooo soft

[Gwendy]

I've tried some and honestly, they're the exact same, I don't care what anybody else says.

They both do their job, but you actually end up getting a better deal with the art brushes because you can find them on clearance during art sales for mere dollars. I got some fantastic thin brushes for eyeliner for about $5, originally $25-$30 art brushes (art brushes are expensive). Art brushes are also known for their quality because the last thing an artist wants is a brush that falls apart, so they're made to last.

Overall they're definitely worth buying if you can get them on sale because you'll save a ton, but otherwise they'd be just as expensive or more expensive than makeup brushes.

[Melisanda]

How come I have never posted here. I love artist brushes. I have five different artist brushes I use for applying e/s, two were quite expensive but they are excellent quality (top quality artist brushes aren't cheap!!) so I don't regret buying them at all. The rest were dirt cheap (around 2, 3$ i think)-they are great for a precise e/s application and haven't shed any hairs so I'm very happy with them too-I have never seen any m/u brushes that cost that little that would look decent.
I'm also thinking about buying a synthetic brush for applying concealer-I have one brush that looks like it will be fantastic for it but I have already used it for painting. If I find a bigger version of that brush I might even buy it for applying foundation.
As far as blush and powder brush are concerned, I have seen beautiful soft brushes at my local artist supply store that would be just perfect for that but they cost about 150$ (the largest brush) I think I just about fainted a little when I saw the price tag because I was already seeing myself walking out of the store with one of those big fluffy brushes.

[Locke]

A while ago I really wanted to try Fluidliners but I only had enough cash for the e/l and not the brush to go with it. I went to a craft store, found a brush for $2.99 and it's perfect! Can't beat that

Locke

[pugmommy7]

When bobbi brown first started- way before her line,she appeared on tv regularly recommending the use of artist brushes.
If it is good enough for her
I have used them for nail art for years as well.
I think a good mix is great!ESP taklon/nylon!, liners and fans for subltle but precise effects.

[Cool Kitten]

i use artist brushes for fluidlines (paid under $3 for them) and got a big fluffy brush for blushes under $7 at Michaels which i actually prefer over my MAC 129!
AC Moore sends out 40% coupons every once in a while with their flyers, making those brushes dirt cheap. Personally i'd rather buy another fluidline than pay $14 for MAC fluidline brush when a $3 one works just as well, and is a dead ringer for it.

[MissChievous]

I think I have to visit a better art store. I went to one and all the brush bristles were really stiff and hard to the touch, not at all smooth. I wouldn't want to put them anywhere close to my eyes!

[holliedavis]

[color=Black][color=Sienna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 .

I have looked everywhere for these brushes, but I couldn't find the 240 series. Even online... any other suggestions on wher to find them?

[user3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by holliedavis

[color=Black][color=Sienna]

I have looked everywhere for these brushes, but I couldn't find the 240 series. Even online... any other suggestions on wher to find them?

I saw them at Micheals when I was there just last weekend.