It seems like every makeup company has their own version of the stippling/skunk brush; however, none of the ones that I have encountered are as dense and firm as the Mac 187 (full review) or the Sephora #44 brush (full review), which is the densest and firmest duo fiber brush that I have tried. As expected, the EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush is not a "dupe" for either the Mac 187 or Sephora #44 brush.
(There is a crack in the middle of the handle because my butter fingers dropped it.)
First off, the handle of the EcoTools brush is made from bamboo, while the bristles are made from synthetic material, specifically, taklon; therefore, this brush is environmentally friendly and animal cruelty-free. The hairs are so soft and does not shed at all; however, I find it a little too big for blush application and too flimsy for buffing or stippling liquid foundation. It's difficult to get into the small crevices of the face because the brush is too big and not firm enough. I still prefer to use my Mac 187 and Sephora #44 brush to apply liquid foundation because they are both firmer and denser. Plus, they give better coverage and better control. The only use that I find for the EcoTools brush is for applying a light dusting of setting powder.
Pros:
- feels soft
- no shedding
- no dye bleeding
- no funky smell
- easy to wash, no staining
- great for applying setting powder
- not expensive
- base is flat, handle can stand upright
Cons:
- head is too big for applying foundation in the small crevices of the face
- bristles are too flimsy for foundation application
- too big for the cheek area, not ideal for applying blush
Because I already have my favorite brush (full review) for applying setting powder, I decided to wrap a hair tie around the bristles to make it firmer and densely packed in order to make foundation application easier. I don't recommend my readers to do this because it will damage the bristles and cause them to break in the long-run. I do this because I don't have any other use for this brush. If I don't do this, the brush is just going to be sitting on my vanity collecting dust. However, I must admit, it looks so unattractive with the hair tie choking the bristles, but I only do this when my other foundation brushes are dirty and when I need it for "emergencies."
Bottom Line: It's not multi-functional in its original state (not counting when it has a hair tie wrapped around the bristles). It's only best suited for applying setting powder because it gives a light application. However, the quality of the brush is great because it doesn't shed and it's soft. I just find it too big and too flimsy for applying foundation.
Note: The EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush measures 4 inches and you can purchase this at Ulta, Target, and drugstore.com for around $7.
Do you like using the EcoTools Bamboo
Finishing Kabuki Brush for foundation application?
*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.
