Previously, I reviewed Lumiere Duo Fiber Optic Brush and received an e-mail asking me to explain what's a Skunk Brush.
A Skunk/Stippling Brush is named so because of the bristles being two colours, black and white, the resemblance of a Skunk. A Skunk Brush is made to pick up less pigments with its uneven bristle length. The lesser densely tapered bristles pick up lesser pigments. Therefore, you have to see how sheer you want your makeup to be to select the right Skunk Brush.
However, in this post, I am going to review a brush with a total opposite purpose. It is the Lumiere Long Handled Kabuki Brush. A Kabuki Brush is designed to pick up more pigments with its dense bristles. The name Kabuki comes from a style of Japanese theatre defined by actors who wear heavy, stylized makeup. (source)
Now that the basics have been taken cared of, let me get into the reviewing bits...
Lumiere Skin & Beauty Bar Long Handled Kabuki Brush
Product Description:
Our Long Handled Kabuki (...snipped) is greatly loved for applying Lumiere Mineral Foundation; for achieving light to medium coverage.
This brush will do everything our synthetic kabuki will do; yet, with the ease of a longer handle.(...snipped.)
The Long Handled Kabuki is wonderful for those with arthritis and helps make applying your minerals more comfortable than a standard kabuki.
(Snipped)
100% synthetic, cruelty free and vegan friendly
Brush measures 4 inches total length. Brush hairs measure approx. 1-7/16 inches long and 1-1/4 inches in diameter across. - Lumiere Skin & Beauty Bar
Put to test:
I was interested in this brush because it claims the brush is friendly for those who have arthritis. I don't have arthritis but I have been diagnosed with a medical condition called Trigger Finger on most of my 10 fingers since I was a child (Trigger Fingers in children) and already had 2 corrective surgeries done because the conditions were severe. (The middle finger of my right hand would be in a locked position when bent. The two surgeries were done 10 years apart due to the recurrence of the problem.) Because of this medical condition, I had to give up playing piano as it was too taxing for my fingers. (I was very upset about giving up playing the piano!)
Therefore, I wanted to give this brush a try to see if it would change my mind about Kabuki brushes in general because of their short and cumbersome handles and coarse bristles (on many of the Kabuki brushes I had tried.)
I don't like long handled brushes because they aren't easy on my small hands. I also dislike super short ones because they are equally as awkward to hold. And that's why I often ignore those tiny applicators/brushes come in the makeup palettes.
The moment I held this brush, I knew I could manipulate it easily. It has the perfect length for a powder brush for my problematic fingers. Come to think of it, all my favourite face powder brushes are about this length!
And I can't describe how baby soft the bristles are on this Lumiere Long Handled Kabuki!!! Oh My God!!! The super soft bristles changed my bad impression about Kabuki brushes. I used to own a Kabuki from Bobbi Brown but it started to scratch my face after about 2 years. (I swear I washed it properly with mild cleanser and followed with a conditioner.) I gave up on that brush eventually. As years went by, I tried more Kabuki from other brands and none had left much impression on me.
Currently, I am left with two regular short handled Kabuki - Tarte Glam On The Go Kabuki Brush and Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush. Tarte is the cream of Kabuki while Bare Escentuals is on the bottom of the ladder. The only reason why I am still keeping Bare Escentuals is because I have no guts to give anyone such a crap brush! Please have a look at this picture below and you'd understand why I said so!
Please click on the picture to view the details.
Bare Escentuals is, eh, not meant for human face consumption. And $28USD?
The Bare Escentuals looks worse than the no name, 3-buck Kabuki from a beauty supply...
Bare Escentuals vs. Lumiere vs. Tarte
Lumiere Long Handled Kabuki Brush vs. Tarte Glam On The Go Kabuki Brush
Lumiere Long Handled:100% synthetic, $19USD, housed in a transparent plastic case.
Tarte Glam On The Go:
natural goat hair, $29USD, housed in a chic faux croc case (see left).
*So I paid $10USD extra for this chic faux croc case?
Both brushes are very soft and gentle on the cheeks. Lumiere picks up more powder on a concentrated area while Tarte is less condensed in colouring but covers a larger scope.
Though Lumiere offers my favourite length for a powder brush handle but I must say that Tarte isn't too short either.
Bristle Comparison
My Verdict:
This is a high-quality Kabuki brush. It has most requirements I ask for in a Kabuki:
It's effortless to deal with, very gentle on the skin, has the ability to pick up large amount of pigments, not to mention its affordable price.
I prefer using this for powder foundation, loose powder and highlighter. But I rather use Tarte for blush application as I am not a fan for a doll face look. Lumiere is a bit too intense for my liking in this aspect.
PS: It's Tarte Glam On The Go Kabuki Brush. I made a mistake on the name in all the pictures. *_* Sorry!
Related Posts:
Review/Comparison: Lumiere Skin & Beauty Bar Duo Fiber Optic Brush vs. Etude House Duo Fiber Cheek Brush & Laura Mercier Finishing Brush (Mini Size)
My Makeup Tools
My Colouring:
MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02
Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.
If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.
Posts
12 comments:
Woah..just by looking... I can feel how soft the brush is! I think it is gonna be fab to brush on those powder!
I adore your very detailed reviews. Not only are they helpful but enjoyable to read too.
I think I am going to stick with my BE one for now I have have the small heavenly one but this was helpful! Thank you!
Wow ! U have the Tarte Glam On The Go Kabuki brush ! I had been wanting it since first time I saw it. but I ended up bought Too Faced Retractable Kabuki Brush, u should try that one. Lots of beauty blogger love it ! ;)
Hehehehehehe, I totally agree with you on the Bare Escentuals brushes. They are truly such crap. I finally just threw mine out b/c it seriously is not worth anything at all! My favorite buki is the EcoTools mini one from their minerals set... but it's probably a bit on the short side for your hand (I was really surprised to learn about Trigger Finger condition!).
I think I'm just the laziest 1 here... I'm using 1 brush for everything including powder foundation, finishing powder, highlighter & blush... LoLz... I have a Lumiere Baby Kabuki brush and not too bad in my opinion.
really intensive.. too bad I'm wary to order online coz of our custom taxes. :(
Lumiere, is this the Finnish skincare line?
I'm sorry, I got confused. I was thinking of Lumene, an excellent skincare line from Finland that was available here in New York but it was a marketing failure so I can't find it anymore. Their retinol was the equivalent of a light facial peel.
I just did a blog about dumpster diving and how I used to run a wholesale to-the-trade beauty supply store here in New York and also worked for a major cosmetic manufacturer in a dept. store and how this PRODUCT WHORE was forced to throw out product displays from Lancome and others that had never been touched into the dumpster!
I searched under google images for 'cosmetic product display' & your image came up. Hope you don't mind if I used it. I featured your blog a few weeks ago and before, in late '08. Adore your blog. xox Fellow Product Junkie/Whore Sickitten
Amazing kabuki. It looks so soft! I like it being vegan friendly as well. The animal lover in me rathers synthetic brushes ^-^
S. Venessa hailey: oops, I didn't know you like your BE! :p Well, if it works for you, stick to it as I always say! I am happy to read about opposite opinion! :)
Meri L: I have been reading lots about that Too Face Retractable Kabuki as well. Maybe that should be on my next to try list. Thanks for the rec!
Catherine: As a kid with trigger fingers, I knew how difficult and painful it was when my finger was locked and had to pull it up with a loud click and of course, PAIN!
And I hold a pen very differently from normal people and of course attract some attention. Now that my middle finger's corrected by surgeries, the odd way of my holding a pen doesn't. It's too difficult to change an old habit (method) that I stick to. I tried, but never did work.
Thus, I never teach my son what's a so-called correct method of holding a pen, so long as he is able to write and comfortable with it, I don't mind. I had gone through so much ridicule as a kid and don't want him to go through the same experience. I hope he doesn't have the same condition. It is unexplained (unknown) why some children born with it. But at least there are ways to mend this problem. Thank GOD for that!
Syn@3sTh3sI@: You sound like me when I started using makeup in the early 20's.:P It's a point of no return now that I am so used to different brushes.
S. Venessa hailey: oops, I didn't know you like your BE! :p Well, if it works for you, stick to it as I always say! I am happy to read about opposite opinion! :)
Meri L: I have been reading lots about that Too Face Retractable Kabuki as well. Maybe that should be on my next to try list. Thanks for the rec!
Catherine: As a kid with trigger fingers, I knew how difficult and painful it was when my finger was locked and had to pull it up with a loud click and of course, PAIN!
And I hold a pen very differently from normal people and of course attract some attention. Now that my middle finger's corrected by surgeries, the odd way of my holding a pen doesn't. It's too difficult to change an old habit (method) that I stick to. I tried, but never did work.
Thus, I never teach my son what's a so-called correct method of holding a pen, so long as he is able to write and comfortable with it, I don't mind. I had gone through so much ridicule as a kid and don't want him to go through the same experience. I hope he doesn't have the same condition. It is unexplained (unknown) why some children born with it. But at least there are ways to mend this problem. Thank GOD for that!
Syn@3sTh3sI@: You sound like me when I started using makeup in the early 20's.:P It's a point of no return now that I am so used to different brushes.
Post a Comment