Drugstores aren’t always home to great makeup brushes, which is why Sonia Kashuk took so many of us by surprise.
But Sonia’s not the only one making superb yet affordable makeup brushes. Say a warm hello to Eco Tools and their fantabulous 5-Piece Brush Set ($10)!
They’re the softest drugstore brush heads I’ve ever used, even softer than Sonia Kashuk’s. That, coupled with the great price, makes this kit (which includes four travel brushes and a carrying case) a total steal.
From left to right: Eye Shading, Concealer, Powder/Blush and Baby Kabuki brushes
Made from the synthetic fiber, Taklon, Eco Tools brush heads feel both silky AND soft, LOL! — like my favorite fussy tabby’s fur (meow!).
The kit goes on sale next month and comes with the following:
- Baby kabuki brush: While not as dense as my MAC 182 Buffer Brush, this lil’ baby applies powder with aplomb. The small brush head really gets into the nooks and crannies around my nose.
- Powder/blush brush: You can use this brush to apply mineral foundation or face powder. I like to use it as a blush brush (both powder and cream), because the head fits precisely onto the apples of my cheeks.
- Concealer brush: I like the precision of very thin concealer brush heads. This head’s a little too big for my taste, but it still works like a charm, applying Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows like a pro.
- Eye Shading Brush: A tapered brush great for simple washes of color over the entire lid, for crease work and for blending.
- Cosmetic Bag: Cute and tiny, this cotton and hemp bag carries all four of the kit’s brushes with room to spare.
Eco Tools wants to go green. Their brush heads aren’t made from animal furs, and their brush handles which fit nicely in the palm on my hand (I wish they were longer, though, sigh), are made from sustainable bamboo and recycled aluminum.
Eco Tools 5-Piece Brush Set
Price: $10
Use: A fantastic, yet affordable travel brush kit
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
On tonight: The City
A new ep of The City premieres tonight, and I’ve already got my Tivo fired up!
I’m gonna keep count of how many times I roll my eyes at Oliva (she’s so pretentious!).
What do you think of Whitney’s boy toy, Jay? Gotta love the accent, but I think he’d be cuter if he shaved off that beard…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Maggie says
January 5th, 2009 at 6:26 pmi must watch out for these! it seems really good, a lot of people have been raaaving about it! 😀
lesley says
January 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pmI’m not very fond of Olivia either and I’m glad I’m not alone! I don’t know how I feel about Mr. Aussie man Jay and those (could be) rumors of him cheating on Whitney… I guess we’ll just have to see what happens tonight!
I hope you had a good Monday! Say “Hi” to Tabs for me (yay), my hubby and I wanted to get a cat badly, but our landlord stopped that from becoming a reality. I’ll be with you in spirit watching the City tonight and rolling eyes at Olivia 😉
Laurie says
January 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pmThese brushes rock! I have a set of the ones currently at Target and I love them – they work great. I hear they’re coming out with a retractable Kabuki? I’ll be all over that when I see it.
The City is awesome! Jay needs to cut the beard, I agree. Even my husband said, “he’s probably a good-looking guy with a new haircut.”
Laurie´s last blog post..The Bachelor is back!
Dao says
January 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pmOMG, I want those brushes! My town had better bring them in or I’ll hold a riot! The bad thing is their website does not sell the brushes directly 🙁
I like guys with a little bit of a scruffiness but keepin’ a beard like that screams high-maintenance (although makes kissing fun!) *blush and run away* 🙂
Dao´s last blog post..Happy New Year 2009!
Rae says
January 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pmI adore my ecotools! They’ve managed to pull of high-quality synthetics at a price even lower than most of the other drugstore products, AND they managed not to feel “cheap”! I haven’t seen this kit yet, but now I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled ^^ Thanks for the review, hon!
Rae´s last blog post..Swapping and returning
Stephie says
January 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pmThanks for the review on the Eco Tools brushes. I will definitely give them a try when I head over to Target this week to pick up that black Hayden Hartnett bag that has been calling my name 😛
Apple Diva says
January 5th, 2009 at 7:41 pmGirrrl, I like the ecotools brushes. I got mine from ulta. Every now and then, Ulta has a BOGO free on ecotools products.
Apple Diva´s last blog post..Christmas EOTD 2008
Hana says
January 5th, 2009 at 8:28 pmI’ve got the retractable kabuki brush and it’s soooo soft. I do wish it were a bit more dense for heavier coverage, but it works great anyway, and I love that I can throw it in my bag without worrying about dirt or messing up the bristles or anything.
Christina says
January 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pmDao, I know what you mean… my town seems to take joy in depriving me from products like these. I was honestly surprised when I found a drugstore that carried Sally Hansen’s Carmindy line.
The consensus here seems to be that Target will have the kit, though…? Because that gives me a fighting chance of grabbing one! 😉
Thanks, Karen, for the review!
Christina´s last blog post..Jonas Brothers Go Country
Janelle says
January 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pmHey Karen! Oh my, I haven’t commented in a while!
WOW I am DROOLING over that EcoTools brush set! I have one of their blush brushes & it’s a fave of mine. I think I will definitely stop by Target tomorrow to hunt them down. Do you know where else they might be? All drugstores?
Janelle´s last blog post..Hello 2009!
Shefali says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:50 pmI’ve got to get these brushes!! For $10…how the heck can you go wrong?! Especially when they’re good quality!
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:53 pmHi Maggie,
I hope you can get your hands on some — definitely give the face brushes a go, they’re the best! 🙂
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:53 pmHi Lesley,
Yah… I dunno, maybe she’s nice and it gets edited out (cause you never know with MTV), but what does make it on screen isn’t very flattering.
My Monday was pretty productive. I wrote all day long and just watched after Tabs. He’s feeling better (he was sick all last week). I’m so bummed that you guys can’t have a kitty. You can be Tabs’ auntie, if you’d like. 🙂 How was your day?
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:55 pmHi Laurie,
Yah, that brush looks fab. I can’t wait to try it.
LOL, El Hub said the same thing about Jay. Funny how we can sucker the boys into these shows, huh? El Hub has said on many occasion that he knows WAAAAY too much about Speidi. 🙂
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Dao,
If you don’t get ’em in your town, you can always buy them on Ulta. 🙂
Awww, you are too cute. The beard provides some exfoliation when you’re making out, too. 😉
How have you been?
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Rae,
Sho’ nuff! Which brushes do you have? I’m thinking of buying a few individual brushes. 🙂
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Stephie,
OH YAH!!!! I can’t believe I almost forgot! I need to go on Thursday because I’m lusting after this brown cutie:
Hayden-Harnett Double-Flap Bag
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Apple Diva,
I will have to keep the eye out for that BOGO sale, as I love these.
Happy Belated New Year to you!
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Hana,
Sounds like the travel kabuki will have to make it’s way into my travel bag. I can never bring my MAC 182 because I’m always worried about the bristles getting messed up but this should solve the problem. 🙂
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Christina,
You’re welcome! 🙂 Bummer that it’s tough to find the line. I feel the same way about some lines I loved that are no longer available at Sephora (Paul & Joe, Anna Sui).
Hopefully they’ll have them at House of Tar-jay! 🙂
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Janelle,
I just looked online and it’s available on Ulta: here’s the link!
Eco Tools 5-Brush set
Karen says
January 5th, 2009 at 9:58 pmHi Shefali,
They’re such a good deal! Plus, you can throw ’em in your purse — so light and easy to travel with.
How did the studying go today?
Tanya says
January 5th, 2009 at 10:14 pmI’m definitely going to have to pick that set up next time! I’m seeing them pop up all over the place (Target, Longs, Walgreens, and I think Rite Aid).
Tanya´s last blog post..Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation
Marisol says
January 5th, 2009 at 10:19 pmCute brushes. I prefer the light haired ones. I feel like I can see if I wash them properly when they are lighter hair bristles.
Marisol´s last blog post..One year ago today…
YadiQ says
January 6th, 2009 at 6:37 amaww these brushes are such cuties i am a sucker for small brushes since i am always on the go
i hope i can get my paws on them!! i just got a sample from Sephora of mineral id (by B.E) and it came with a baby i mean “baby” brush – i think its so cute
Karen says
January 6th, 2009 at 7:25 amHi Tanya,
Yah, they’re great! 🙂 Gotta love a good bargain.
Karen says
January 6th, 2009 at 7:25 amHi Marisol,
Welcome back! How was your trip?
Karen says
January 6th, 2009 at 7:25 amHi YadiQ,
I have road tested these in my over the shoulder turkey holder and they’re very travel friendly. 🙂
I used Bare Minerals once and I got huge pimples on my chin… I know lots of women love the line, though!
YadiQ says
January 6th, 2009 at 7:30 amlol i am not a fan of the powder but the brush it too cute it’s like the size of my thumbnail lol
Karen says
January 6th, 2009 at 7:39 amHi YadiQ,
OH HOW CUTE! I want one! I probably couldn’t do anything with it (imagine how long it would take to swirl, buff and tap), but I’d like to keep it on my desk just so I could admire it, ha!
YadiQ says
January 6th, 2009 at 8:51 amlol its really a cutie! i sent you an email with a pic of it!
Justine says
January 6th, 2009 at 9:45 amWe don’t get Sonia Kashuk in Canada but we DO get EcoTOOLs, and they were my first set of brushes! They were so soft and cheap that I go ab it o_o at MAC prices even though their brushes are also really nice (but …. sooo expensive in comparison).
Justine´s last blog post..Snapshot Thoughts
Tiffany says
January 6th, 2009 at 4:56 pmTEN DOLLARS?! That’s pretty awesome. I have heard good things about this brand but never see their products anywhere 🙁
I think Olivia and Jay are both tools! and not the eco kind!
I have the city from last night sitting on my tivo, but my hubby is playing his ps3 and there is no way I am getting near that thing 🙁
Daya says
January 6th, 2009 at 9:47 pmI have heard great things about those brushes! Good reason to go shopping…I don’t have a kabuki brush! 🙂
Sleepy says
January 7th, 2009 at 6:11 pmWoo this seems very exciting!
pouneh says
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:56 pmIt is me again…i gave in and got this set…COULD NOT BE HAPPIER i am using the concealer brush as a regular eyeshadow brush…and the eye shading brush as a crease brush makes it effortless to get the smokey eye effect!!! Since i do not use mineral powder makeup anymore i will be using it as back up for my blush brush…the baby kabuki can be used as extra blending in small areas even thu i BELOVED too faced retractable kabuki does a wonderful job at that as well! I LOVE ECOTOOLS soo much the price is a big surprise to me!!!
jojoba says
May 17th, 2009 at 10:09 ami think i really like Eco tool brushes after reading so much about them. i am going to put these on my wish list. thanks a lot!
jojoba´s last blog post..Review/FOTD/Swatch: T. LeClerc Pressed Powder Orchidee Or, Limited Edition
Serena says
June 24th, 2010 at 6:19 pmWhere can I get ecotools in Canada? Walmart?