Flat Top Kabuki Brush

Daubigny's makeup brushes have over 4,100 stellar customer reviews on Amazon, and the brushes sell for under $10, including the entire eyebrush set👇 below!🎯

The dense bristles of the Daubigny Kabuki brush remind me of my more expensive IT Velvet Luxe brushes once sold at Ulta. I bought my set one brush at a time, not knowing they would soon be discontinued before I got the chance to buy my last brush, the IT Kabuki brush. Daubigny's Flat Top Kabuki Brush, won't ecstatically match my IT Velvet Luxe brushes, but reviewers say it blends makeup in all forms -- liquid, cream, or powder -- perfectly. (It appears the lookalike brushes sold by other sellers for a few dollars less are the same exact brushes, but this cannot be confirmed without purchasing them. You take a slight risk they are of lesser quality.)

Like my 7 IT Velvet Luxe brushes, the bristles of this brush are dense, firm, and soft, precisely what I look for in makeup brushes. Makeup brushes on smoothly and evenly to give you a flawless, poreless non-makeup finish. Vitally important, the bristles do not shed! The reason I invested in IT brushes was I got tired of picking the shedding bristle hairs off of my face after applying blush or powder to my face.

The Flat Top Kabuki brush is a steal! It comes with a durable plastic carrying case with a flap and snap closure to keep both the brush and the inside of your bag clean. Nice!

Temptation calls: I'm getting a 2nd chance to buy a superb Kabuki makeup brush. Should I take a bite of the apple and get it? Yes!

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On THE SAVVY SHOPPER, I don't normally write sales-flash posts on products. Occasionally, I'll post a too-good-to-ignore sale alert on the blog's Facebook page, where such up-to-the-minute (act now!) information works better. Here (by design) readers can go back 10 years to read blogs that mostly keep their relevance. The advice and tips don't date like this present blog entry will eventually do ... in a day? ... a week? ... or a month's time. (Well, we will ... together ... find out.)

But a price drop on a stellar makeup brush (that is also unwisely being discontinued) is too good not to share!

Last year I bought a quality makeup brush from the IT For Ulta Velvet Luxe line. The brushes in that particular line, are plush, soft, firm, precise in the application; and never, ever shed. In other words, everything we want: It is hands down the best makeup brush I've ever used! 

Retailing at $48, I was happy to get it on sale for $24. In the future, I knew I had to buy more makeup brushes in the Velvet Luxe line to replace inferior brushes ... when they again went on sale. Although on sale, the money still adds up! 

Not until a year later did I return to Ulta to buy my 2nd (a blush) brush. To my great surprise, Ulta is out of stock of the It Velvet Luxe blush brush (as well as many of the other Velvet Luxe brushes which do other jobs expertly). Why??? Because IT Cosmetics is in the process of discontinuing their Velvet Luxe variety of brushes. Insane!!! ~~ as their new brushes  -- at the same price -- are inferior! They are not as soft or plush! So double trouble!!

Readers, the light at end of the tunnel is ...  you can (while supplies last) still buy the IT For Ulta Velvet Luxe brushes on eBay for even less money than Ulta's best sale price.

I own 4 of the IT Velvet Luxe brushes: LBD Powder #307; Plush Foundation #304 (a multi-tasker, I use it for blush and bronzer); Soft Focus Sculpting #315 (blush); and I just ordered the Empress Fan brush #324 (such a price drop why not? ... to set makeup with finishing powder). I also like the Kabuki brush -- it's the biggest of the brushes. If you don't mind the size, you can use it in place of  the #307 and #324 brushes. Truly once you pay for an item and walk out the door, it's nobody's business how you use it!

As to why IT Cosmetics is replacing their superior Velvet Luxe brushes with less plush, or stiffer bristles I haven't a clue. THE SAVVY SHOPPER doesn't like change unless it's an improvement. :(


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A Guide To Makeup Brushes

A line of makeup brushes sold at Bath Body and Beyond

Makeup brushes help us apply makeup with ease. The application goes on lighter, resulting in a more natural appearance and less product waste. With the right tools, you can look more polished and beautiful!

There are many types of brushes to consider. So using the above image, here is the cheat sheet of what each bush does. Let's go from left to right:

1. Smudge brush - Use to achieve a smoky eye: Allows you to blend away harsh lines for a softer look.

2. Foundation brush - Lets you start with a small amount of liquid foundation and layer it until you get the proper coverage. Makeup artists say, begin with the center of your face and blend out.

3. Contour blush brush - Professionals apply blush to the fullest part of the cheeks, sweeping color towards the temples.

4. Highlighter brush - Creates a dewy glow by sweeping shimmery highlighting powder in circular motions on the tops of the cheekbones (according to several sources, including Gissel at Henri Bendel).

5. Eyeshadow brush - Use for base colors on eyelids; complementary colors on the creases of the eye; and to blend colors.

6. Powder brush - Apply face powder using circular motions -- tight circles for fuller coverage and wide circles for lighter coverage.

7. Angle eyeliner brush - Also helps create a smoky eye. Use dry eyeshadow for a natural look, and wet the eyeshadow for a dramatic look.

Examples of kabuki brushes

8. Kabuki brush - Use to dip into loose mineral powder. Apply using small circles to look airbrushed.

I also recommend Alicia Silverstones' Ecotools brushes.

Expect to pay $10 to $18 per brush. Personally, I skip buying a travel brush set. Full size brushes get the job done, without taking up much room in a suitcase, so why buy a smaller set? I will also confess to only using two brushes, powder and blush. That's because I usually don't wear eyeshadow. I didn't discuss a lip brush, which I do like for applying lipstick. I own, but rarely use a lip brush since it's nasty to clean.

Periodically, wash makeup brushes with mild soap and water and lay flat to air dry. (this I do!). Clean brushes will last for years, as well as, give you the best results.

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The Best Kabuki Brushes

In life, we spend on some things and save on others. When quality and performance matter, we spend even if we have to save up to buy an item. At other times when good enough works, we can save.

Discontinued 😞

Good makeup brushes make a huge difference in applying makeup evenly so usually, we spend on quality brushes, moving up from the good enough ones we settled for when we were younger.

I did so one makeup brush at a time, but before I could buy my last planned brush, in the It Velvet Luxe Collection For Ulta, the line was discontinued! So my coveted Kabuki brush (at $54 without a deal) got away! I looked a long time for it on eBay to no avail and so I had to move on. 

Today I'm featuring 3 Kabuki brushes that are top-notch in the qualities I love in makeup brushes: They're (1) plush/dense, (2) soft, and (3) do not shed for a smooth application of liquid or powdered makeup. I use a Kabuki brush to apply face powder as a final step to blend and set the makeup on my face. (Some people use it for liquid foundation, which I skip.)

I've uploaded the 3 brushes in today's blog in the order of most to least expense. They are: 

1) Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Face 2.0 Teardrop Kabuki (See the top image.👆) 

2) Isle of Paradise Foundation Brush (See the purple case.👆)

3) Petal-Shaped Kabuki Brush - This option is sold all over the internet. I bought one from Walmart. It also sells on Chinese retailer websites like Temu and Shein. Surprisingly, it is a great quality brush at a low cost! The brush has tons of 5-star reviews from happy customers!

Although I found a good Kabuki brush for less, I still regret losing out on the pricey Kabuki brush that got away! All I can do now is show and write about it.😢

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NYX Cosmetics: Cheap And Fabulous

My friend, Clorinda, just returned from New Orleans, but she is upset after discovering she left her makeup behind at her hotel. It's a painful loss! 

I rarely take expensive makeup on vacations. The reason: Anything can happen when you're traveling. Cosmetics can melt, roll out of your bag, not make it passed homeland security, or be forgotten at your destination, as happened to Clorinda. A traveler has too many other things to think about. Minding costly belongings shouldn't be one of them.

NYX, the drugstore label that is pronounced like "Nicks," is perfect to take on trips. For just a few dollars, $6 for lipstick, $9 for blush, or $4 for eyeshadow, you get professional quality makeup. An all-in-one cosmetic palette runs about $12!

Named after the "Greek Goddess of the Night," NYX has oodles of choice for eyes, lips and complexions: Awesome colors; a moist and smooth consistency; all-day staying power.

Other budget friendly tricks I use for traveling include:

1) Save the free samples of pricey face serum, face primer, hair shampoo, hair conditioner and suntan lotion that retailers, such as Kiehl's, give out. Take the samples with you to go on vacation.

2) Multi-task products: In a pinch, talc powder works as face powder. Body lotion moisturizes skin, lips and hands, as well as, slicks down flyaway hair. Lipsticks can double as a cheek color; and cream blush can double as a lip color. A dollop of Vaseline is ultra versatile!

 3) Visit e.i.f -- i.e. eyes, lips, face -- to pick up cheap makeup brushes costing from $2 to $3 dollars each. In fact, I now use e.i.f's blush brush daily at home, and it works, as well as, my more expensive brushes. Had I bought the e.i.f blush brush first, I would have bought the entire set as my primary brushes. Expensive makeup brushes aren't supposed to shed; and yet, I keep picking bristles off my face!

4) Take a break from makeup: Who looks at us on vacation? Bring less and simplify your routine. You'll have more time to relax and have fun! 

NYX cosmetics and e.i.f brushes are fabulous finds. Save money without compromise. You may still be upset if you leave them behind, but the reason won't be because you spent lots of cash!

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IT For Ulta Velvet Luxe Goddess Kabuki Brush

Back in August 2019, I learned It Cosmetics had discontinued its amazing Velvet Luxe line of makeup brushes after visiting Ulta intent on buying a 2nd brush. This was a crazy business move as my review of the superior line of brushes describes:

This and all of the following photos relate to the last paragraph of the blog. :) Wow, I especially love the oval ring, post earrings, and matching necklace.

Here's a snippet of my review: "'Last year I bought a quality makeup brush from the IT For Ulta Velvet Luxe line. The brushes in this particular line, are plush, soft, firm, precise in the application; and never, ever shed. In other words, everything we want: It is hands down the best makeup brush I've ever used!'"

Fortunately, I found 4 of the coveted sizes of the brushes on eBay, paying bargain prices for them as it turns out! Unfortunately, the one that got away I still pine for, namely the Velvet Luxe Goddess Kabuki Brush. I can make do with the brushes I now own, but every now and then I still go online to see if somebody, somewhere, anywhere is selling my longed-for kabuki brush. Makeup brushes must be sold new-and-never-used for me to buy them, and as we get further and further away from 2019, there's little chance the kabuki brush will be listed on eBay or elsewhere. A makeup maven who buys closeouts would have to discover it stashed in her basement for us to see it listed for sale again, but if I ever find it, my set will be complete.😍

By becoming a more mindful shopper and an under buyer, I make fewer mistakes, avoid buyer's remorse and save a few bucks along the way. But the other side of the coin is, I also must accept losing out on a few desired articles. However, on balance, I think I come out ahead. 

Material things will come and go. Something new always replaces an old wish that vanishes.

No engagement is needed, I just love this ring.😀

All the lovely things posted today on this blog are on my Fairy Godmother Wish List but wisely I decided not to buy them. However, the kabuki brush I'll snatch up for a good price if ever, ever I see it again!

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes well you might find

You get what you need.🎶  Mick Jagger

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15 Makeup Dos & Don'ts

Photo: Maybelline

For many of us, applying makeup begins as trial and error until we figure out what flatters our faces. And, we can always learn new tricks, especially for an evening out when we tend to wear more makeup. Here are 15 common makeup dos and don'ts. Let's replace bad habits -- Don'ts with better habits -- Dos:

Do: Start with primer on your face and under your eyes.

Don't: Skip primer. Makeup glides on easy and stays put on primed skin!

Do: Dampen your blender sponge with water.

Don't: Dip a dry sponge into makeup. It soaks up too much product.

Do: Blend foundation beyond your jawline down to your neck and up to your hairline. Dab and pat is the way to go.

Don't: Stop foundation at the jawline to create a visible line.

Do: Match a concealer to the skin on your inside wrist.

Don't: Use a concealer lighter then your skin. You will look like a raccoon.

Do: Use correct makeup brushes for your foundation, blush, contour, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow and powder.
Don't: Apply makeup with the wrong brushes. Using the correct brush lets you apply each item correctly.

Do: Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Don't: Extent blush beyond the apples of your cheeks. You may look like a clown.

Do: Apply cheek contour right under the hollow of the cheekbone and stop midway.
Don't: Apply contour too low and too far across your face. It ends up looking unnatural, or dirty.

Do: Stroke bronzer lightly above contour to produce a warm sun kissed glow. (A contour and bronzer are often used interchangeably, however professionals use contour to create edges on the face with faux shadows, while bronzing is used to bring a warm luminesce to the skin.)

Don't: Overdo the bronzer. Light is right!

Do: Use an eyebrow pencil shade lighter than your hair color and be sure to stroke lightly following your natural brow. Next soften and blend using a brow brush. (Exception: Blonds go a shade darker.)
Don't: Make eyebrows look unnatural. Polished is good/harsh is bad!

Do: Apply darker eyeshadow near the base of your eyelashes, not at the crease.
Don't: Go lighter (from the lids) to darker (at the crease). You will then produce ghoul eyes!

Do: (1) Use an eyeliner to draw thin lines; or increase line thickness as you move out away from your nose.
Don't: Draw a thick line near the nose that gets thinner moving out. It makes eyes look droopy.

Do: Use mascara starting at the base of eyelashes to lengthen lashes. You can do top and bottom lashes. Blot excess away with a tissue so it doesn't smear later.
Don't: Apply mascara only at the tips of lashes. It won't lengthen them.

Do: Apply highlighter where light hits your face: on the cheekbones, the nose, a dot at the hairline and cupid's bow. Moreover, use a light brush stroke to avoid a "heavy shimmery mess."
Don't: Overdo highlighter by putting it all over your face. Less is best!

Do: Use face powder to set your makeup and to take away shine.

Apply with a powder brush.
Don't: Use a "dirty" brush, one that you use for blush, contour, bronzer or highlighter.

Do: Apply a glamorous lip color to your lips. 
Don't: Minimize your lips, nor go more than a hair passed the lip line. Aim for full, pouty lips (do) without looking like a vampire after a meal (don't).

Remember: The purpose of makeup is to balance and flatter the face by enhancing or softing features. People should think ... you look great, not your makeup looks great!


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IT's Velvet Luxe LBD Makeup Brushes For Ulta

Quality makeup brushes are necessary, but usually pricey! With cheap brushes, shedding is often a problem. After I tired of picking tiny hairs off my face, I walked over to Ulta to buy an IT Powder Brush For Ulta (lists for $48)  from the company's Velvet Luxe LBD line. Fortunately, it was half price on promotion. 

This powder brush is a makeup tool I love! The handle is easy to hold and control. The brush is dense; soft; and gives an even application for a smooth finish. After daily use for the last 8 months, there is absolutely no shedding of bristles.

If you are going to splurge on one cosmetic brush, this is the one to buy.

Recently IT launched a travel kit of 5 brushes, however, I think it's a waste of money. Full-size brushes don't take up much room in a suitcase, nor add significant weight. Instead: Splurge on one good brush that you use daily ... for me it was IT's Velvet Luxe LBD powder brush. For you it could be the retailer's blush, or eyeshadow brush. Whatever cosmetic you use daily, buy a good cosmetic brush to apply it.

With its sales and rewards, Ulta is an excellent retailer to pick up cosmetics and makeup tools.


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BH Cosmetics Makeup Brush Set

Good makeup brushes are a beauty essential. Quality ones can be costly, but they are vital tools in applying makeup evenly and flawlessly.

BH Cosmetics offers a fabulous mid priced 11-piece set worth considering. The set is a pretty rose gold metal material. Sold by various retailers, I first spotted the set at Urban Outfitters for $23. Sometimes a single brush costs more!

The 11 piece set includes:

1) Powder brush
2) Flat buffer brush
3) Foundation brush
4) Pointed crease brush
5) Blending brush
6) Angled blending brush
7) Round smudge brush
8) Flat concealer brush
9) Oval shadow brush
10) Brow/liner brush
11) Lip brush

The synthetic bristles feel soft-to-the-touch and can be dipped into liquids, creams or powder. They blend makeup without shedding. A cute matching rose gold vinyl case is included.

This is a good basic brush set. You can apply a full face by multi-tasking the brushes. Makeup mavens will know what is missing. It does not contain a blush brush, highlighter brush or contour brush. Yet at this affordable price, you could buy the additions you need for your individual beauty routine.

Less glossy, but the same quality bristles at a lower price (about $13), the 10-piece BH Cosmetics Sculpt and Blend Brush Set is a great deal too. The set includes all the basics, i.e. the main brushes used by many women who favor an Ivory Girl, natural look.

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Should We Line Our Waterline?

Photo: Getty images/Ingolf Hatz

The waterline is the rim of the upper or lower eyelid between our lashes and eyeballs. Lining my lower waterline is sometimes the only eye makeup I apply as a quick way to accent my eyes without putting on shadow or mascara. I think of it as the lazy girl's smoky eye since it creates the illusion of a smoky eye without the time it takes to do a complete and smudged smoky eye using additional makeup products.

Photo: YouTube

Although I've been lining my lower waterline for decades now without any side effects, optometrists don't encourage us to do so. The waterline area has specialized glands that excrete oil and the practice could obstruct the glands' natural ability to produce healthy tears.

You also must make sure the eye crayon pencils you use are soft and remain free of contaminants that could lead to eye infections.

Revlon Eye Colorstay eyeliner is a good and cheap option.

I have no scientific evidence to back up my guess that perhaps the reason I've been spared eye issues is usually I only apply the eye crayon in the morning after hopping out of a shower and don't use a lot of other eye makeup which would increase my chances for irritation or contamination. However, I can't say I've never reapplied my eyeliner crayon to my waterline later on in the day or used eye shadows and mascara at the same time. Moreover, in my 20s I often sampled display eye makeup at Ulta and Sophora ... a huge risky and stupid no, no!!!

Photo: Aishwarya - Loreal Infallible Waterproof eyeliners - Good eyeliner but difficult to sharpen. LOeal has other developed other types of eye crayons that roll up. 

IMHO the eye doctors' warnings should make us more mindful about safe makeup practices, as well as, more vigilant in keeping our makeup and our makeup tools super clean. 

But frankly, I don't want to stop lining my waterline altogether with a soft eyeliner crayon. It's such an easy and attractive look!

How about you?🤫

I'm still using Adrienne (how she spells her TV line) Arpel's eye crayon (which I stocked up on when it was discontinued). Her makeup including a newer eye crayon is hard to find nowadays, but it's a good one.

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