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| 4. Sonia Kashuk #109 Pointed Blending Brush 5. Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush |
I already made a post about tapered crease blending brushes in a previous post. Those brushes are intended for the eyes, but I personally use them for face application. Most of the brushes mentioned in this post are smaller and more suitable for eye application.
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| 4. Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush 5. Sonia Kashuk #109 Pointed Blending Brush |
1. Inglot 4SS Brush ($23) - I have a full review here. The bristles are made from squirrel substitute, which usually means goat hair and feel very soft. I love using it to highlight my cheekbones and to apply setting powder underneath my eyes.
2. Giorgio Armani Large Eye Contour Brush ($41) - The handle is the shortest of them all and can get lost in my brush holder, but it's great to travel with. The box that came with it says it's made with 100% natural goat hair, which feels slightly softer than the Inglot one. Also, not that it matters to me personally, but it's important to mention that the bristles look more yellow in the company's stock photo than the one that I got from Nordstrom.
It's intended for contouring the eyes, but I find it to be too big for that purpose. However, because the head is tapered, it's great for precisely highlighting the bridge of the nose and for blending out the contour line of the nose. I also love using it to apply setting powder around the small crevices of my nose and to soften my lid color.
3. Sonia Kashuk Small Multi-Purpose Powder Brush ($10.79) - This has been discontinued (which I am very upset about), but I included it in this post to show you guys comparisons and possible alternatives. The bristles are made from goat hair. It's denser and fuller than both the Sigma E35 and E38, but not as full and big as the Inglot 4SS. The Giorgio Armani one is slightly bigger and firmer than the SK one, but they both feel equally soft. Regardless, I use the Inglot, Giorigio Armani and Sonia Kashuk one interchangeably.
2. Giorgio Armani Large Eye Contour Brush ($41) - The handle is the shortest of them all and can get lost in my brush holder, but it's great to travel with. The box that came with it says it's made with 100% natural goat hair, which feels slightly softer than the Inglot one. Also, not that it matters to me personally, but it's important to mention that the bristles look more yellow in the company's stock photo than the one that I got from Nordstrom.
It's intended for contouring the eyes, but I find it to be too big for that purpose. However, because the head is tapered, it's great for precisely highlighting the bridge of the nose and for blending out the contour line of the nose. I also love using it to apply setting powder around the small crevices of my nose and to soften my lid color.
3. Sonia Kashuk Small Multi-Purpose Powder Brush ($10.79) - This has been discontinued (which I am very upset about), but I included it in this post to show you guys comparisons and possible alternatives. The bristles are made from goat hair. It's denser and fuller than both the Sigma E35 and E38, but not as full and big as the Inglot 4SS. The Giorgio Armani one is slightly bigger and firmer than the SK one, but they both feel equally soft. Regardless, I use the Inglot, Giorigio Armani and Sonia Kashuk one interchangeably.
4. Sonia Kashuk #109 Pointed Blending Brush ($3.99) - The bristles are made from goat hair. It's great for blending light colors.like a transition shade. The Sephora crease brush is shorter, firmer and overall smaller, which offers better control and makes blending alot quicker. (Please refer to the first picture for the correct reference number.)
5. Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush ($16) - I bought this years ago when they still made it using natural bristles, which feels slightly firmer and softer than the Sonia Kashuk #109. The one that they currently sell is made with synthetic material. Regardless, I use the Sigma E35 and Sonia Kashuk #109 the same way. The main difference is that the #109 is easier to clean due to its black bristles. (Please refer to the first picture for the correct reference number.)
5. Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush ($16) - I bought this years ago when they still made it using natural bristles, which feels slightly firmer and softer than the Sonia Kashuk #109. The one that they currently sell is made with synthetic material. Regardless, I use the Sigma E35 and Sonia Kashuk #109 the same way. The main difference is that the #109 is easier to clean due to its black bristles. (Please refer to the first picture for the correct reference number.)
6. Sephora Crease Brush - This one came in the Karen Walker Amber Craft Beauty Brush Set ($125 limited edition) and is made with natural bristles, which are not scratchy, but not as soft as the Sigma E35. The Sephora one is also firmer and works better at blending for those that want more precision or for those with smaller eyes when compared to the Sigma E35 and Sonia Kashuk #109. I find that it's too big to define my crease, but it's great for creating a soft, diffused look without the harsh contour line for those who have a bigger eye area. It comes with a total of 6 brushes, including a stand, and is currently on clearance for $95.
7. Sigma E38 Diffused Crease Brush ($16) - This one is made with synthetic material and works better for blending cream bases. When compared to the Sephora one, the Sigma E38 is not as firm, but it's by no means flimsy.
7. Sigma E38 Diffused Crease Brush ($16) - This one is made with synthetic material and works better for blending cream bases. When compared to the Sephora one, the Sigma E38 is not as firm, but it's by no means flimsy.
8. Chanel #20 Contour Eyeshadow Brush ($38) - The box that came with it says it's made in France. The bristles are made with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers that feel similar to the Sonia Kashuk #109 brush. I love using this when I want a soft contour and it also blends my crease color effortlessly without me having to reach for another brush.
9. Sigma E45 Small Tapered Blending Brush ($14) - The version that I have is made with natural hair and feels just as soft as the Chanel #20. The one that they currently sell is made with synthetic fibers. It's smaller and offers more precision than the Chanel #20. The effect that the E45 gives is a more defined look and a sharper contour.
9. Sigma E45 Small Tapered Blending Brush ($14) - The version that I have is made with natural hair and feels just as soft as the Chanel #20. The one that they currently sell is made with synthetic fibers. It's smaller and offers more precision than the Chanel #20. The effect that the E45 gives is a more defined look and a sharper contour.
10. Chanel #19 Large Tapered Blending Brush New Version ($38) - I bought this in September 2015, which is made with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers that are white and feels a smidgen softer than the old version. It's also denser, firmer, and wider. This works well for applying color onto the crease area and even for blending out harsh lines.
11. Chanel #19 Old Version ($38) - I bought this in 2012. The bristles are made with natural hair that feels very soft. It's smaller and not as firm as the new version, but I still find it to be great for defining the crease. Though, the new version is more versatile.
11. Chanel #19 Old Version ($38) - I bought this in 2012. The bristles are made with natural hair that feels very soft. It's smaller and not as firm as the new version, but I still find it to be great for defining the crease. Though, the new version is more versatile.
12. Sigma E39 Buff & Blend Brush ($16) - This one is made with synthetic material and works well for blending cream bases. It provides more precision than the Sigma E38 because it's shorter, denser, firmer and overall smaller.
13. Sonia Kashuk #116 Large Crease Brush ($5.99) - The bristles are made from natural goat hair and feels just as soft as the Sigma E39, but it's not as soft as the Sonia Kashuk Multi-purpose brush. This has been my holy grail brush for blending out harsh lines for years and still, no other brush has replaced it. Its density and firmness are the reasons why it blends out stubborn dark lines effortlessly and quickly. I have over 5 of these in my brush collection!
Bottom Line: Those with small eyes will find that the Inglot 4SS, Giorgio Armani Large Eye Contour and Sonia Kashuk Small Multi-purpose brush work best for face application. For blending eyeshadows, the Sigma E35 and Sonia Kashuk #109 work best for those with a large eye space, while the Sigma E38 and Sephora brush work best for those with a small eye space. For a 2-in-1 brush that applies and blends your crease color, the Chanel #20 is most ideal. To create more depth and darker contour, the Sigma E45 and Chanel #19 (old version) are more ideal. The Chanel #19 (new version), Sigma E39 and Sonia Kashuk #116 work best for blending out stubborn harsh lines.
Note: The Inglot 4SS, and Sephora crease brush can be purchased on their online store. The Sonia Kashuk #109 and #116 brush are available at Target. The Giorgio Armani Large Eye Contour Brush, Sigma E35, E38, E45, E39, Chanel #20 and #19 brush are available at Nordstrom.
What is your ultimate eye blending brush?
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