AMW Reviews: Charm Essentials Vegan Brushes

The first time Sophie came up with a Vegan Brush idea, the first thing I remembered telling her: "Will it grab the right amount of makeup pigments?"  The reason for the said thinking is because I do own a set of Synthetic brushes in the past and I found myself skipping this as much as I can as it doesn't grab as much pigments as I want.  

After almost a year, during our UBE at Tagaytay, Sophie whipped out her Vegan Brushes sample and I told her: "Wow, it's soft, but does it perform well?"

As you can see, I have this "angst" with synthetic brushes, I have a love-hate relationship with them!  I love it for the fact that it's good for our furry-animal friends but it's not that good as compared to natural bristled brushes when it comes to performance! 

To make the long story short, Sophie finally came out with her line of Vegan brushes!  Before you read my in-depth review, good news to everyone! YOU CAN PURCHASE THEM IN SINGLES!  You don't need to force yourself to purchase a set but you can choose the brush you want and need!

Powder Brush

Php399.00 (approx $9.00)

Apply your powder products, may they be pressed or loose with this luxuriously soft powder brush that distributes product evenly across the face.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Super soft.
• Dense and has a right "firmness"
• No weird/funky smell.
• Can give light to medium powder foundation coverage.
• No shedding nor bleeding.
• Multi-purpose brush, can be used on both powder and cream products.
• Can create airbrush-finish with stippling motion.
• Super worth the price for its performance!

Cons

• Takes a bit of time to dry as compared to the rest of the brushes in this line.

Tips

• Best used for pressed and powder foundations or setting powders.
• Can also be used as blusher brush if you like a very light hint of shade on the cheeks.
• A great brush to apply powder foundation or sparkly powders all over the arms and body.
• I also like to use a "clean" version of this to remove makeup fall outs.

Blush/Contour Brush

Php399.00 (approx $9.00)

This brush is created to apply blush products, wet or dry, on the cheeks, as well as contour the cheekbones to give the face its much-needed dimension.

AMW says ---

Pros

• No weird, funky smell.
• Washed this several times and confirmed, no bleeding nor shedding.
• Most of my synthetic angled blush brush/contour brush aren't as firm as this!  This has a good control for contouring!
• Can grab good amount of pigments as compared to other synthetic bristles.
• Can use for powder, cream and liquid products.
• Since this is a synthetic brush, you don't get fluffy brush after several washes.
• Functions similarly with my MAC169 brush but the bristles of Charm are a tiny bit longer.

Cons

• As compared to natural hair, this grabs a tiny bit "lesser" pigments.  (It's all good for me)

Tips

• If you use cream/liquid products, you can add an Olive Oil on your regular shampoo to remove stain from the bristles.
• Use the shortest portion of the brush to contour.  Use the longer portion to apply blush powders.  With this technique, you do not need to mix the contour and blush powders!

Foundation Brush

Php399.00 (approx $9.00)

Apply your primer, and liquid foundation with ease using our Charm Essentials Foundation Brush.

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• Dense!  This turned out to be almost similar to my favorite Essence of Beauty Foundation brush.
• Multi-purpose: Can be used to apply moisturizer, primers, foundation, concealer and other cream/liquid based products.
• Very soft, no scratchy feel.

Cons

• None!

Tips

• This brush for me is the most difficult to clean!  Add olive oil in your shampoo/gentle detergent cleaner to remove oil-based makeup.
• As compared to the rest of the brushes, I suggest to wipe this immediately with a makeup cleaner pad or wet ones as this may cause skin irritations the most!

Big Eyeshadow/Concealer Brush

Php250.00 (approx 5.70)

Our multitasking Charm Big Eyeshadow Brush picks up, and distributes eyeshadow color efficiently on the lid, and can also work as a concealer brush. Apply eyeshadow wet or dry, you won't be disappointed with our Big Eyeshadow Brush!

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• Has a good control.
• Very dense and thicker as compared to regular concealer brush.
• Can be used to apply eyeshadow (wet) and concealer.

Cons

• I like this as a concealer brush rather than eyeshadow brush.  If eyeshadow used aren't that pigmented, it's a bit difficult to transfer on lids! (This brush will work better if you apply eyeshadow wet with foiling method.)

Tips

• Again, as stated, if you plan to use this to apply eyeshadow, best if you applied this wet with a patting motion.
• Since the brush is dense enough, you can use the flat portion to conceal larger areas and the tip for spot correcting/concealing.

Small Eyeshadow/Precise Concealer Brush 

Php230.00 (approx $5.25)

Our multitasking Charm Small Eyeshadow Brush is used for a more precise, and concentrated application of eyeshadow, may it be wet or dry. This can also be used to apply concealer for more precise, spot concealing.

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• Even if the bristles aren't as thick as the bigger version, this is not flimsy and has a good control.
• Multi-purpose.
• Spot correcting/concealing is easy with this brush.

Cons

• None

Tips

• This brush is best used for small eyelid space.
• Best for foiling eyeshadow pigments.
• Best brush to use to apply my cream eyeshadow.

Crease Blending Brush

Php275.00 (approx $6.25)

Charm Essentials Crease Blending Brush is a must-have as a blending brush, as it defines and contours your crease, and also blends eyeshadow into a seamless gradient.

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• OH MY!  This is definitely a synthetic version of MAC's 222!  SPOT ON!
• Has the right Amount of "stiffness" yet soft enough to create smokey eyes.
• Can do all the blending of eyeshadow colors without the scratchy feel! (No matter how soft the natural haired Blending Brush, it does scratch at times.)
• Multi-purpose: Can be used as a blending brush and would you believe....under eye concealing brush?
• Seriously inexpensive, I bought Prestige blending brush 3-4 years ago almost the same price but look how many years have passed?

Cons

• NONE!

Tips

• If you used this brush for cream/liquid based products, do not use this on powdered products unless you clean this.
• Apply a thick amount of eyeshadow (1 shade) of choice and use this brush and keep on blending the harsh edges and you have a quick, easy, smokey eye makeup!

Classic Blending Brush 

Php250.00 (approx $5.70)

Charm Essentials Classic Blending Brush is your multi-tasking blending brush - it blends your eyeshadows into a seamless gradient so that you need not sport harsh edges on your eyes! Aside from that, it is also a useful brush to dust loose powder around the eye area, and apply  a wash of eyeshadow on your lids.

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• Fluffy yet firm.
• Very soft, no scratchy feel.
• Very nice nose contouring brush.

Cons

•  I can't seem to use this brush as much as I have very tiny lid space!

Tips

• Be creative!  Try to find ways to use this and make this brush work!  I think nose contouring is the best use for this brush.
• I also like to use a clean brush of this to remove excess fall outs without using my fingers.(Especially on clients)

Precise Lip Brush 

Php199.00 (approx $4.50)

Lipsticks are best applied with lip brushes for a more precise, and even distribution of color. Our Charm Precise Lip Brush has the right stiffness to pick up enough lipcolor to apply evenly on your lips, and has the right circular, angular shape that allows you to shape your lips into perfection!

AMW says ---

I can't say much with this brush as lip brushes aren't that difficult to review.  They are usually good no matter what brand!

Tips

• Can be used as spot concealing.  I super like to cover tiny pimple marks with this brush!
• Again, since lipsticks are oil based, add olive oil on your regular brush cleansing.
  

Pencil Point Brush 

Php250.00 (approx $5.70)

This brush is designed to further accentuate the outer-V of your eyes using more intense color. The precise pencil-like shape of this brush also allows you to smudge your eyeliner and perfect your smoky eyes!

AMW says ---

Pros

• Reminds me of my Smashbox Synthetic Pencil Brush.  
• Can grab good amount of product.
• 
  

Cons

• None

Tips

• Since the bristles are super short and dense, it is difficult to clean this, I suggest using a good amount of olive oil mixed with baby shampoo, swirl the brush on your palm for a minute, then gently wash it off again with baby shampoo.
• Best used to line your eyes with the use of powdered eyeshadow also on the lower lash line.
• Once you use this brush to create an outer-v shape, do not forget to blend this with a blending brush!  It's a no-no to see harsh lines on your eyeshadow application.

Shading Brush 

Php250.00(approx $5.70)

This brush is a hardworking multitasker as it can apply color on your  lids, apply powder on your under eyes, define your crease, and even contour your nose.

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• One of the most unique brush I've seen!
• Best used as a nose contouring brush.
• Does not create harsh line.
• This actually helps blend in concealer under the eye area to create a smooth finish.

Cons

• Can make your eyeshadow disappears if you use this brush and you have tiny lid space!

Tips

• To make this work for my eyeshadow application, I like using this as a final step on applying highlighting powders on the brow bone area.
• Use a clean brush and apply a nice "glittery" eyeshadow powder on the inner corner of the eyes.
• If used as a nose contouring brush, blend! Blend! Blend!

Angled Eyeshadow brush 

Php250.00 (approx $5.70)

AMW says ---

Pros

• No bleeding nor shedding.
• Has a perfect angle to create "outer-v" minus the harsh lines.
• Can also be used as blending brush.
• Super soft, no scratchy feel.
• Best for people with small lid space like mine.

Cons

• None

Tips

• You can choose an eyeshadow shade that's a shade or two darker than your original skin color, bend your head backwards in front of the mirror and apply eyeshadow on the "socket" of your eyes.  This gives a super natural "deep set of eyes".
• I prefer to use this brush for powdered pigments, try not to use this on cream based eyeshadow.

Angled Eyeliner brush 

Php250.00 (approx $5.70)

AMW says ---

Pros

• Has a good "hold" or stiffness.
• Can create "winged" eyeliner look without problems.
• Can actually double up as an eyebrow powder brush.  
• Can be used to apply eyeliner with powder products. 
  

Cons

• If you want to create a super thin eyeliner, you may have a difficult time as it'll always come off a bit thicker than the usual.

Tips

• Add Olive Oil during cleansing as gel liners are a pain to remove!
• Best brush to use to apply powdered shadows on the lower lash line giving an effect of bigger eyes.

Overall?  You can obviously read on all my PRO portion how they are super soft, non-scratchy, no bleeding nor shedding when washed.

I am quite happy that Charm took the time to tediously test on each single brush as I like that all of them do come with quality plus the fact that it's not too expensive as compared to other synthetic brushes!  I am actually confident to bring this for my make-up gigs as they are non-scratchy, very soft and easy to clean!

If you are like me who likes to see the brushes in person before purchasing, you can find Charm brushes at Mommy Mundo, Rockwell this weekend November 19-20, 2011 10:00am to 8:00pm.

Singapore-based readers can purchase Charm Brushes in Singapore!!!
Address: 119A East Coast Road, Singapore 
Tel. no: +65 93857769 (please give Joie a call first)

10% off on Charm Brushes from November 28 to December 5, 2011!

Which single brush/es caught your attention?

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Stay happy!