Good makeup application is all about having the right tool for the right product, which is why those of us who amass serious collection of color products also tend to get excited about unique brushes. Now, as much as I love most of what Giorgio Armani Beauty has to offer, the brushes I have from this line (a lip brush and the eye shader brush) never rocked my world. I mean, a lip brush is really hard to mess up but also not something about which I get excited, and the eye shader brush has grown on me over the last couple of years but I've see better.
Giorgio Armani Blender Brush is a whole new game. It's an odd little brush, one you wouldn't necessarily suspect was actually designed to apply foundation. It's made of natural sable and is shaped like a flat paddle. I have other beloved foundation brushes that aren't huge (CoverFX, Alison Raffaele), but the Armani is the shortest and most flat, and has a different density and texture. Which, apparently, makes it ideal for thinner formulas of liquid foundations and tinted moisturizers, especially if you've found that applying them with a stippling brush is not ideal for some reason.
I get an excellent coverage even from tinted moisturizers when using the blender brush and can also navigate and manipulate the product when I don't want to paint my entire face, just certain areas, and still get an even airbrushed look. The brush is ideal for narrow areas and wherever I need precise work. It feels softer than I expected from the way it looks and I'm not even bothered by the short and compact handle.
Is this a must-have? It depends. Do you collect and experiment with interesting brush shapes and foundation textures? If you do, then there's a good chance you'd enjoy and use this Armani brush. If you're more conservative in your foundation application practice and already have a holy grail brush, then you can live without it, but if you're still not 100% happy with whatever you're using, head over to the Armani counter and give it a swirl.
Giorgio Armani Blender Brush ($48) is available from Saks, Barneys and Nordstrom, as well as from the company's website.
All photos are mine.
I love this brush! It's my one and only foundation brush and it gives a really natural and polished look. Also, mine is almost 2yrs old and it's been holding up quite nicely, despite being washed once a month with Johnson's baby shampoo.
ReplyDeleteI bought this brush about six years ago and, although I don't use it as my regular foundation brush, I find it's perfect for building up extra coverage when needed and for applying and blending highlighters. It also helps pesky pores to "disappear". In other words, it gets into the nooks and crannies we older ladies tend to have on the sides of the nose! It's a very high quality brush which feels good on the skin, but for me, it's more for touchup and detail work.
ReplyDeletesI heard great things about this brush and it's on its way to me along with the Luminous Silk Fdn! I can't wait to try out the brush! I've tried the Fdn as a sample and loved how much coverage I got with just a little. Like Eileen, I wouldn't mind a little help with the pesky pores!
ReplyDeleteI agree with patuxxa-this brush gives my face a very natural look. It makes my skin look airbrushed. It's far superior to the synthetic taklon (orange bristle) foundation brushes.
ReplyDeleteI have and love this brush too! I use it with the luminous silk foundation and love the results. I admit, I've never used a brush with foundation before, thought it was weird or something. But I will never be without this brush again!
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