Make-up Brush Sets

One of the most common questions I get asked about make-up is where can I buy a good set of make-up brushes that will give a flawless finish and won’t fall apart.  In this guide, I take you through some of my current favourite make-up brush sets.  I reckon these would make excellent Christmas presents for the make-up fan in your life!

(Picture 1) Sigma Beauty offers a range of MAC replica brushes.  Granted, they’re not as good quality as MAC, but they offer good value and are ideal starter brushes.  You can buy the brushes individually or in sets.  I have the 15-piece pro set ($109, brush roll included) for two years now and it’s still strong strong.   Click here to shop.

(Picture 2) Irish company MakeupBrushes.ie offers a range of Hairspray brushes which have received many positive endorsements, including renowned make-up artist Derrick Carbury (check out his video tutorial here using Hairspray brushes).  They offer an attractive, versatile, 6-piece brush set for €49 (including brush roll).  Click here to shop.

(Picture 3) Bobbi Brown has a lovely-looking travel brush set available for Christmas 2011 containing 6 short-handled brushes (full size heads) and a slim brush case.  The set is priced at £59 on the website; however they don’t ship to Ireland so you will have to make an in-store or telephone purchase at Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork and Galway.  Click here to view.

(Picture 4) Laura Mercier has a lovely travel set of brushes available for Christmas 2011.  It’s priced at $85 on the website; however they don’t ship internationally so Irish customers can pick up theirs at either Brown Thomas or House of Fraser.  Click here to browse the Laura Mercier site anyway.

(Picture 5) Louise Young offers the creme de la creme of make-up brushes – they are the ultimate hand-crafted luxury brushes, offering he highest quality, texture and finish.  If Santa happens to be reading this, I’m coveting the 5-piece travel brush set, priced at £50.  Click here to shop.

(Picture 6) Finally, fans of make-up artist Samantha Chapman from Youtube Channel, Pixiwoo, might be interested in her affordable brush collection which was created in collaboration with Real Techniques.  The ‘core’ collection for face (pictured below) is priced at £20.99.  There is also a set for eyes and a travel set, each priced at £20.99.  This is the only range of the six featured in this article that I haven’t tried out for myself, although the reviews online advocate it as a good starter selection.  Click here to shop.

All the above companies sell their brushes individually too, which may be of interest for those who like to mix and match.

Click here to view my previous article on caring for your make-up brushes.