Written by Katie
Have you ever had a brush with elves? No? How about a brush by e.l.f.? Blogger Katie of My Lips But Better has, and today she shares the magic with a review of the e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush.
The e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush and MAC 109 for comparison
I have a confession to make… even though I’m a beauty blogger and people expect me to look nice all the time, sometimes I’m just too lazy to apply foundation. This is especially true when I’m rushing to get ready for class in the morning. But then I discovered powder foundation and my life was complete… except that I didn’t have the right tool to apply it.
See, most powder foundations come with those sponges that I don’t like for two reasons — they’re hard to clean, and most people never wash them anyway. So I tried a kabuki brush, which can easily be washed, except that the short stubby handle meant I couldn’t put it in my brush organizer with the rest my brushes.
I was about to give up entirely when I stumbled onto the e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush. I wasn’t expecting such great quality from a $3.00 brush but this one really proved me wrong! The dense brush head is perfect for picking up powder foundation and buffing it into the skin instead of just dusting it on top. It’s basically a kabuki brush with a long handle, which is exactly what I needed.
The e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush and MAC 109 (again for comparison)
I also love the way this “powder brush” applies my liquid foundation. It gives a smooth, flawless finish (similar to Sephora’s coveted #55 brush) when used with MAC Face & Body or NARS Sheer Glow.
I can only come up with two reasons why this brush is so inexpensive: the flat top means no messing with tapered bristles, and the bristles are synthetic. Some people turn their noses up at synthetic bristles, but in this case I’m really pleased with the quality. I would compare the softness to my favorite EcoTools Blush Brush (or perhaps a kitten?).
The synthetic bristles also make this a great brush for foundation because you can use alcohol-based quick-dry brush cleansers without fear of drying out the bristles. More cleaning = less bacteria on your face, which hopefully means clearer skin.
The brush looks quite at home with the rest of my MAC brushes due to the sleek design — it would be great for a starter makeup artist kit.
So what are you waiting for? You can purchase the Studio Powder Brush from eyeslipsface.com for $3.00. Oh, and check my blog on Sundays for a roundup post with coupon codes and deals. It usually features discounts from the brand.
Toodles,
Katie
Written by Katie
This post was written by Katie, a college student from Atlanta, GA who’s mildly obsessed with cosmetics and moderately fanatical about organizing, almond-scented anythings, foam mattress toppers, Diet Dr. Pepper, and Glee. She’s also a nail biter in recovery and the brains and beauty behind My Lips But Better.
Kristen says
September 25th, 2010 at 8:53 pmI have this brush and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! I even bought 2 more as backups
Kristen recently posted … You see that picture Those are 10 Smashbox Photo Finish
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:06 pmThanks for guest posting, Katie! 🙂
Stavroula Plag says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:31 pmI have this brush and I loooooove it!! I actually own 4 of them! lol ! Great for liquid foundation too! 😉
Stavroula Plag recently posted … Erre Due Fall 2010 Makeup Looks
Lauren says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:43 pmI guess I’ve been missing out, but because of this post and the comments, I’m going to go get one tomorrow!
marisol says
September 25th, 2010 at 10:15 pmI use the 109 with liquid foundation and it sheds like a beast. I have to use another brush to remove those pesky black hairs left by that brush. So recently I switched to the MAC 187 but prefer a small brush. I may have to look for this brush.
marisol recently posted … Cruisin
Vonvon says
September 26th, 2010 at 1:23 amThis is cool! I might get one soon!
Vonvon recently posted … Vacation August 2010- Viva Las Vegas
Appu says
September 26th, 2010 at 7:22 amNice…I’ll be heading to my target soon to get this 😉
Appu recently posted … Get Nude with these NYX lipglosses
Nina says
September 26th, 2010 at 7:57 ami have this brush (and a backup) and i absolutely <3 it … its perfect for powder and MSFs. its not scratchy and is so elegant looking w/ its all black handle! awesome reco! thanks!
Yuki says
September 26th, 2010 at 11:42 amThis brush just keeps on taunting me =/ I’ve been wanting to buy it for a while, but it’s either out of stock online, or there’s not good deals on shipping. ($7 to ship a $3 brush? No way!)
Yuki recently posted … Review- Rimmel Gentle Eye Make Up Remover
Tally says
September 26th, 2010 at 11:52 amThanks for the review! I just recently bought a few brushes – some from MAC and some from Sephora – is it true that alcohol sprays can dry out natural brushes?? I always use Sephora’s antibacterial spray to clean my brushes daily after I use them! It takes too long to clean them daily. What should I use instead to avoid drying out the brushes that I invested in? Thanks Karen!! I love your site by the way – I check in daily (sometimes more than once haha) :)!
Steffi says
September 26th, 2010 at 12:04 pmMight have to hunt for this brush, though I have a decent powder brush(I like good deals). I usually use disposable makeup sponges with pressed powder or liquid foundation. I can’t stand the idea of reusing a sponge.LOL. My skin thanks me for it, though!
Steffi recently posted … Whats in my bag
jag says
September 26th, 2010 at 12:17 pmI was given a set of about 50 different artists brushes, some sable, some synthetic etc. I don,t know what to do with them on canvas or paper, but they make great make-up brushes!
HanaBerlin says
September 26th, 2010 at 1:46 pmI was just at a art supply store with a friend and the first thing that came to my mind was, “hey, I bet some of these paint brushes would make great make-up brushes!”. Glad to hear that it is true!
HanaBerlin says
September 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pmI’m going to have to check this brush out. Thanks for the info.
Agnes says
September 27th, 2010 at 12:23 amThis is one of my all time favourite ELF brushes! along with their eyeshadow c brush of course 😀 Lovee how its such a good quality brush just for $3! <3 <3
Agnes recently posted … Double The Fun Giveaway!
Ekaterina says
September 27th, 2010 at 3:47 amThank’s, Katie.
It was usefull. I’m going to check this brush!
Kim says
September 27th, 2010 at 8:26 amGreat post, Katie! 🙂
Deb says
September 27th, 2010 at 9:54 amThanks for the great tip, Katie! I could use a brush like that, and you really can’t beat $3!!
Deb recently posted … Extra Strawberry Shortcake Gum
Megan says
September 27th, 2010 at 5:47 pmI must agree! I use this brush to apply my powder foundation daily, and it is great! The elf studio line brushes are of fantastic quality.
grrracielou says
September 29th, 2010 at 4:54 pmi made a trip to Target just to look for this brush and luckily I found it! yay! I even bought one for my boyfriends litto sister and we are both in <3 with this brush! thanks for the awesome post! 🙂
tonya says
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:22 amTried to find this brush in Target sevearl times, finally decided to go to the site and it was out of stock for weeks. When it finally was available I bought two for me and my daughter. Love this brush, super soft with great quality.
Icah says
October 18th, 2010 at 2:44 pmjust got this in a elf mini-haul and i LOVE it. the bristles are SO soft. no joke. best $3 i ever spent. only regret is not buying more than one!
mercedes says
March 1st, 2012 at 3:44 pmi wanted to find this brush at a store so that i didnt have to pay shipping to order it online .. does anybody know what stores just carry the brush by itself so i can purchase it ???
thanks:}