Some years ago I was afraid of wearing anything else than brown or black eyeliner. Recently, after watching many Youtube tutorials on purple looks, I started playing with them until I finally managed to create fun looks still appropriate for my age.
I loved to wear a beautiful and colorful eyeliner but since I was wearing contact lenses, of course one eye always feels more or less comfortable than the other when you are wearing lenses… and that was causing my eyeliner to fade more on one eye than the other… after 4 hours I could already see that happening and it was upsetting, I have no time and I don’t want to have to reapply make up during the day.
I first started wearing the Clinique or Estee Lauder long lasting eyeliners, then I crossed borders and discovered Urban Decay and By Terry in London, today I am in love with the Chanels and the Addiction !
I have so much fun creating looks with these, there are only two that I don’t use at all, the Chanel Violine and the MUFE 11L. These colors are not meant for me ! Before I posted this, I wanted to give them a second chance and try a look with the Chanel Violine this morning…it looks so terrible on my eyes ! I have tried to tone it down it with a darker eyeliner but then it was horrible and too thick and dark for the office. I made sure my skin was flawless and looked healthy before I put it on, but I still had to remove the liner and start all over again… with another one ! This color makes me look sick 🙁
My favorite looks are :
- the Addiction with the Tom Ford Crushed Amethyst palette
- the Chanel Grenat with the Chanel Duo Sable Emouvant
- 1 Addiction Color Purple
- 2 Chanel Grenat
- 3 Chanel Cassis
- 4 Chanel Violine
- 5 YSL Waterproof n° 5
- 6 Urban Decay Rockstar
- 7 By Terry waterproof Purple Label
- 8 Estee Lauder DW Black Plum
- 9 Clinique Starry Plum
- 10 Make Up For Ever 11L
Lasting power
The more long-lasting on my eyes are the Addiction and the 3 Chanels, then the YSL, followed by the UD and the MUFE. The less long-lasting are the By Terry and lastly the EL and the Clinique.
Texture
The Addiction is the winner of the best creamy texture, no surprise, then the Chanels. I am just wondering if the Chanels will dry out with time… I saw that happening with the similar waterproof Diors but I think it was the ones at the counters and they are not always closed properly (this is what I have been told at the counter…)
The Addiction and the Chanels will allow a precise application but a better blending application will definitely be achieved with the Addiction.
Bottom line
It depends what you are looking for… I love the color of the By Terry but I am just a little bit disappointed by the lasting power, I also love the UD Rockstar a lot and I use it very often, I think it’s a very sexy and sultry color, I don’t like the MUFE texture, I find it a bit dry. For a nice blendable pencil, go for UD or YSL, if you are looking for a matte shade, go for Chanel or Addiction, they are flattering and very long-lasting 🙂 If you are looking for a Unicorn, I found mine with the Addiction, but I still don’t want to live without the Chanels Cassis and Grenat.
Plum and purple colors make my dark-green/brown eyes pop, I just need to forget about wearing a violet liner 🙂
54 comments
You inspire me to dig in my stash! I have the UD Rockstar and forget all about it!
Not today…..
Stacy
You’re the best:))
Thanks for making the effort to swatch all your purple/ plum shades.I got this post while sitting outside customs waiting on yet another parcel!! I was just thinking that I need to take a shopping break but I’m def getting the Addiction purple first!!
The Addiction Rabbit Hole which I got on your recommendation is a Godsend. I swear that i have brown eyeliners & gels from EVERY cosmetic company out there but none of them glides on as smoothly on my aging lids and stays put like the Addiction eyeliner. Excellent formula & a GREAT tip!
You are welcome !
I am in the hunt for the perfect “petrol-green-blue”, when I do looks with this kind of colors (I use a Mac petrol liner together with my Guerlain Ombres de Nuit” it looks soooo beautiful ! but I did not find one that lasts long enough ! I saw that Addiction had one called Fanfare, I need it… 😉
I also looked at Fanfare but when I saw it in action on ‘Cosmetic Candy’ I knew it would be too much for me. You’re younger so you could pull it off I’m sure. No doubt though….these liners are best of the best.
WOW Sonia! I just unwrapped my customs parcel. You are going to LOVE the look, feel & packaging of your KOYUDO brushes:))
I got the three chubby little Fu-pa series brushes & I could just cuddle them. They’re just perfect. Absolutely NO quality issues here. LOVE, love!!
The mineral foundation brush is a dream. I plan to try it out on liquid foundation though.
I CAN’T wait to use them.
THANK you sooooooooooooooo much to Nikoleta for the BRILLIANT tip.
OH ! I can see you jumping around 🙂
Great ! I am so looking forward now !!! thank you Nikoleta, if Buggsiebee is happy then I will be for sure !!!
Buggsiebee : thanks for the Cosmetic Candy link… waw I love it ! that’s exactly what I want !!! D@mn !
Hi Buggsiebee,
From where did you purchase the Koyudo brushes?
Thanks!
Hi cc!
I ordered mine here:-
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp
but I know that Sonia ordered hers directly from Koyudo using the order form for international orders.
What I notice is that the shipping from Koyudo direct is 300 Yen cheaper than from cdjapan BUT the brush prices at cdjapan were cheaper than buying directly from Koyudo. Strange?!
The thing to know is that cdjapan declare the full price of the items on the outside of the parcel so unless you make a very small order, you will be collecting your parcel from customs & paying some tax:((
The brushes are worth it though.
I’m happy that you loved them and the little round box is really cute, right ? I’ve bougth just the foundation brush but am planning to buy also the mineral one as it seems appropriate for liquid too
Hi Nikoleta!
Thanks so much for recommending them. The packaging is really lovely and the chubby little brushes are so perfectly manufactured.
The mineral foiundation brush is beautifully dense and it’s head is about 3 X the size of the Shiseido perfect foundation brush. I’m looking forward to trying it out with liquid foundation.
They’ve just had their first bath and will be put to the test tommorrow morning:)
Thanks again!!!
Buggsiebee, Sonia I am having SERIOUS brush envy! I think I may just have to place an order RIGHT NOW! Help! Seriously, help me choose ladies….
Help me prioritize: RMK, Suqqu, Koyudo
Which ones in particular do you love?
Sonia, I am rereading all brush posts…
xo Stacy
I have the same problem 🙂 I’m planning to get some chikuhodo first and I’m saving for the new hakuhodos. But I’m tempted everyday by new things 🙁
As for Koyudo, I’ve just had a look at their website and choice is larger than on cdjapan. It seems they improved their order form also, two years back it was really ugly and there was just fu-pa and several other items.
I wish Chikuhodo follow the same logic
Allright now we need to make a list…… 🙂 Lets help each other!
So are the Koyudo’s a must?
They are easy to get and affordable (my interpretation not my husbands 🙂 )…
I was thinking the same thing today. I see no reason why Chikuhodo couldn’t offer the same simple order form procedure. It’s a real shame.
Hangs head in shame:(((
Stacy, I’m sorry to go all over board about a few little brushes but they are sooooooo loveable!! I haven’t used them yet though but i have a good feeling. The quality and presentation is EXCELLENT.
OK, here goes……
I have a small face with fine features so as far as blush & highlighter brushes go i’m more inclined to like the brushes with a smaller head.
These are the brushes I use most for blush:-
RMK cheek brush S – bought here:- https://ssl9.chi.us.securedata.net/bonboncosmetics.com/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=23
IPSA squirrel L ( rather flat but I like to use the side too. It’s super soft ) – also bought from bonboncosmetics
Shu uemura 20 & 20H
Picasso # 702 – bought here:- http://piccassobrush.com/en/21-professional-make-up-brush
Chikuhodo Z -4 and Z – 2 – bought here:- http://www.now-eproject.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1
Kanebo Tesshyu collection cheek brush – bought here:- http://akinaistore.com/healthandbeauty/makeup/cases_brushes_accessories/tesshu_collection_make-up_cheek_brush
I use the Nars Yachiyo,, the Hakuhodo Yachiyo ( M ) and my LMdB blush brush for less pigmented blushes and they are my knights in shining armour when I need help blending out too generously applied highly pigmented blushes.
I also use my SUQQU regularly but I can’t say that it’s my HG
I can’t imagine that this helped at all because it offers way too much choice. It’s a trial and error excercise I’m afraid.
Best bronzer brushes for me at the moment are the Louise Young LY07 – which I have in ‘S’ = short and my TF bronzer which shed a LOT in the beginning but which has calmed down nicely now. It’s super dense & soft as can be.
Oooooh, LONG post. Sorry Sonia:(
Fantastic 😀 thank you Buggsiebee ! I was waiting for this post ! it really helps, don’t be sorry, ever ! ! Finally I get to know your secret weapons 😛 I write these down for sure, will see how my trip ends and how I manage to gather ONLY what I “need”… by the way, the Claudio Riaz are in their way back …
Sonia, You found a way to send them back? Good for you!
Buggisbee you are so wonderful! Thank you for the info! I just had to go ahead and order the Kuyodo’s since I will never get my RMK. I’m just about ready to place my order also with Mihoko…. I keep revising the cart, checking exchange rate, revising the cart, checking….. and on and on. I also want to go ahead and just order the rest of the Tom Ford brushes for eyes. I am so pleased with the 3 I got so far.
OK, after that awesome cheek and bronzer recommendation how about eyes? 🙂
xo Stacy
At this moment I have only one little RMK eye palette (same type as the mix for cheeks) and I love it. I will be checking out the rest of the line later today 🙂
Reminds me of what Chanel probably wanted to do with their rounded pans, create eyeshadows appropriate for asian or less younger people, but didn’t manage to. RMK are pigmented but kind of “toned down” in a way, they last too !
I am preparing posts on lipsticks and a post on my favorite eyeshadows, so far Hourglass, Chantecaille, Addiction, Suqqu, and many others… a “marathon” type of post 😛
I asked ACW if I could send the Claudio Riaz back from here and they said yes… so I don’t know how this is going to end and if they will return my money and how much of it… but I prefer to try to send them back than to keep them since I know I won’t be using damaged brushes anyway.
If the rest of the Koyudo brush ranges are as well made as the Fu pa series then you can’t go wrong:)
II really like the TF brushes too which is a good thing for the price!! I like the combination of the super soft white goat hair, gold ferrule and the glossy dark brown handle.
I know that I will order some of the Hakuhodo J series but next to the TF they seem so plain with their black handles and silver ferrules.
Which TF brushes do you have?
Hi Buggsiebee ,
Thanks for the link. I have always loved my Shiseido perfect foundation brush and since the fupa03’s head is about 3 X the size, I am 3X intrigued! Haha.. 😀 Please let me know how the brushes perform. I almost wanna place an order after ‘seeing’ you jumping around in glee. 😀
Oh yeah, Sonia, have you started using the Addiction’s liquid foundation? I have tried the sample and I am happy. 🙂 Oil control is good (I have normal – T-zone oily skin) and I would say better than Chanel Vitalumeire Aqua. It’s very light coverage.
Yesterday I tried Kanebo Impress Liquid Foundation ( http://www.kanebo-my.net/impress/en/ip/product/basemakeup/liquid_foundation.html ) and I am quite impressed! Will use for a week at least to see if I really love it. 🙂
same for me.. I want it too since I also have the Shiseido but it’s so tiny… 😛
I got the tinted moisturizer sample and the coverage is light, maybe too light, I need to try it again with more time, I don’t remember how it felt, if I don’t remember it’s because it did not feel bad I guess 🙂 These days I was trying Illamasqua, I want to buy a few foundations from them this weekend and need to really see if that is compatible with my skin.
I just recently got a big sample from Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance, I will be trying this one soon…
Hi cc,
go ahead & place your oder:))
The Koyudo Fu pa mineral foundation brush works wonderfully with liquid foundation. Super gentle on the skin and it gives a flawless finish – just like I get from the smaller Shiseido. If I can highly recommend after only one use then you have my recommendation:)))
I’m also very impressed with the cheek brush. It reminds me of my now discontinued By Terry cheek brush stencil 1.
I haven’t used the Fu-pa 02 yet but I’m sure there’ll be no problems with that one. It’s even softer after it’s wash. They all washed well & kept their shape perfectly.
I find them easy to handle. Although small ( +/- 10,5 cm in total ) they are nice and chunky & are easy to hold.
The only problem with these chubby babies is that they demand their own cup to stand in. They’re so short that If i put them in with my other brushes they just drop down & disappear 🙂
A+++++
A “Koyudo project” is under construction… let’s gather info to help any brush lover that would be interested in knowing more about them, can we all review the Koyudo in a post together? I hope to receive mine next week, you could send me pictures of yours, I will add them in the post together with your comments, for those who have Koyudo and used them 🙂 ok for you Nikoleta and Buggsiebee ? and please, anyone else ?
In that post, I would add your brush pictures and your own comments signed with your nickname…
please let me know what you think 🙂
Ok, but I have just one (the goat foundation one) but I’ll send you a picture of it with pleasure
Great, thank you 🙂 it’s going to be a nice informative post 😛
“Koyudo Project” love it! You got it Sonia! I can’t wait to let you know my thoughts if mine ever show up (you know my track record at getting overseas orders is not good lately 🙂 ).
xo Stacy
Summer holiday probably the reason… 🙁
I can’t wait that we all try them !
GOOD for you that you’re returning those CR brushes!
I’m often too busy/ lazy to make the effort to return things which are not up to scratch and then I get a huge bad energy rush every time I see them just lying around not ever being used.
You’re acting exactly in accordance with the excellent Feng Shui principles of – use it, love it, or get rid of it!!
Hi Buggsiebee,
Thanks for your reviews! I am so gonna get all 3 in fupa series. 🙂
It’s a pleasure. Thanks to Nikoleta for introducing us to Koyudo:)
They’re a lovely addition to my brush family & I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Hi Buggsiebee,
The Tom Ford brushes that I have are: Bronzer, shade/Illuminate, and blush. It is true love!! I really thank you for your recommendations!
Stacy
Hi Stacy,
I HAVE to get some use out of my shade & illuminate palette & brush. Do you use yours daily/ regularly? I’m just not getting the contour color.
The TF eye brushes which I have are the shadow brush, contour brush & the blend brush. I definitely use the blend brush most – along with my Edward Bess luxury eyebrush which is my real go to blender. All three of the TF eye brushes which I have are wonderfully soft and easy on the eyes & YES they should be for the price!!
For cream shadows I use the synthetic brushes from Hourglass or Illamasqua. I never use my natural hair brushes for cream or liquid products.
Hey Buggsiebee! I didn’t get the palette… just the brush. I got it because I thought it would work well with the cream highlighters (Guerlain, Laura Mercier) that I had picked up. I was “afraid” of the palette, mainly that I wouldn’t use it :). I use the EB lux eye brush daily as well… I just automatically grab for it to dust a base color all over and to blend. A great staple to have. I don’t however seem to use his face brush. The EB face brush, Le Metier Beaute kabuki, Dior kabuki (not soft enough!) and the Chanel touch up brushes all get ignored. I thought for sure I would use them to death! Do you use any of these?
I sure wish I was shopping in London tonight… you? 🙂
xo
Stacy
Hey girls 🙂
It’s great to be in London at this time of year!
Having fun and shopping wisely :p
i have an awful internet connection but other than that it’s going very well.. Got a few babies to take home with me!
By the way, I have the shade&illuminate palette and also the brush.
I use the palette daily, I can tell you more when i come back if that could be of any help.
Talk to you soon!
Not just tonight:))
I’d need two days minimum in Harrods & Selfridges!! I love the food court in Harrods too. Everything is so appetizingly displayed & it smells so divine. I could spend hours there just looking.
Yipp, exactly, I have a glass full of eye brushes but my hand automatically grabs for the EB lux brush:)
I decided against the EB face brush & LMdB kabuki. The only Chanel brush I have is the No. 2 – Pinceau Poudre and I don’t love it.
I like my Hourglass No. 7 Finishing brush/ Kabuki to do a final gentle blend. It’s dense & very soft. I have the feeling that it gives me a a more seamless finish. I don’t like a heavy makeup and I definitely don’t want any tell-tale unblended foundation or blush lines:(
I used my cutie Koyudo Fu pa mineral foundation brush again this morning & It really does a grand job – FAST:))
Which are your staple/ favourite brushes?
Which ones were you dispoointed with?
Have fun & shop a little less wisely:))
It may be a while till you go back & it’s awful when you get get home & regret not buying this or that.
Have a party!!!
Buggsiebee, I’m with you, I don’t like a heavy makup either! Do you mind my asking which mineral powder you use? I just tried the Laura Mercier and could not get it to do well for me. I generally use CDP extra silky foundation with their now discontinued contour/ highlight powder. As far as brushes I am so excited to get my Koyudo set! I love my Tom Ford blush brush and bronzer brush and use them most days. Everyone loves the Bobbi Brown Bronzer brush but I am not a big fan. Mine is not very soft. I really like Chanel’s new blush brush and contour brush that I picked up recently. I use my EB eye brush daily along with a couple of LMB and Chanel eye brushes. None of those are miraculous. I like the Shiseido foundation brush, and I love my LMB concealor brush! I am really in the market for eye brushes…
Stacy
Hi Sonia! Hope you are having a fabulous time discovering wonderful items to temp us with! Buggsiebee is so right, it is so annoying to go home and regret not getting certain things! Don’t be too wise 😉 think of us encouraging you every step of the shopping way!!
XO Stacy
Hellooo 🙂
I am back from London ! I have discovered great products and AMAZING people, I had so much fun !!! now I have so many things to tell you, I don’t even know how and where to start 😛
Many brushes (RMK, Inglot, Suqqu, Trish, TF, Shu, Nars), some blushes, foundations, eye products and some amazing moments to share with you …
I was thinking of you and wishing we could all go shopping together, it would just be crazy !
Will be uploading pics soon 🙂
No mineral foundation for me:)
I use the Fu pa mineral foundation brush for applying liquid foundation. I use By Terry (sheer ) , LMdB and I’m trying out the Omorovicza Complexion Perfector BB cream and the Complexion Enhancer right now. They don’t offer huge coverage but they make my skin look happier:))
Personally I find mineral powder too drying for my aging skin.
I haven’t seen the Chanel blush brush up close but according to ‘thenonblonde’ it is very similar to the Shu 20 so it must be a goodie!! The Shu 20 & 20H it have been my standard blush brushes for yonks.
I must look into the LMdB concealor brush:))
Here is a rough idea of my fav eyeshadow brushes. I do chop & change but the brushes I use most for powder shadows are my Shu # 10 & 12 natural (kolinsky ) , MAC 239, Hakuhodo Kokutan SG & Chikuhodo Z-5 for patting colour onto the lid;
Then Shu 8HR, Hakuhodo S142 & 146 and the G5527BkSL for crease definition.
The Piccasso # 224, RMK L , EB Lux, Shu 8HR & Hakuhodo G5522BkSL , Paula dorf sheer crease & Trish Mc Evoy # 29 for blending.
For lining I use the Hourglass # 10 and for any cream shadows I use the synthetic Hourglass, Illamasqua & Becca brushes.
I was interested in the Shu #12, when they told me the price I just couldn’t… is it really that good ?
Welcome back! Glad you had a great time. 🙂
I am sure you found lots of treasures. Cannot wait to hear (read) what you have discovered on your shopping trip. At the mean time, I will just get my credit card (with a bigger credit limit) on standby. 😀
Just hearing those brush brands makes me cringe for your credit card:))
Can’t wait to see your picks!
I’m sure you had a few parcels waiting for you when you got back home too. Talk about sensory overload:)) I’m pretty certain you could use a few days off to recover.
Are you back at work already?
that’s for sure ! it’s your fault, you told me to do it 😛 no more shopping for a long long time ! (apart from Haku of course)
but I “just” got what I really really loved, otherwise it would have been a total disaster ! I am glad I sent back the Claudio ones because the RMK are so much better ! I even found 2 Inglot that reminded me of the CR (size) but with top nocht quality for the price !
I showed the RMK to Dena, I met her on Saturday and now I think she wants RMK too 🙂 we had the most amazing time talking about brushes ! I have many things to tell you, also that it can be insanely funny when you are in a pub talking about make up and in your conversation you mention Nars blushes, you only realize what you did when you see a bunch of guys staring at you… I thought I was going to die, that was hilarious!
No parcels yet… but the one with the Kose Addiction brushes is at the customs ! yeah.. because I really need more brushes … right ? shame on me 🙁
I landed yesterday very late, and I am back at work, I slept 4 hours and I am exhausted, I am about to drown in a big coffee mug at the moment…
Where are your Kuyodo brushes? I thought they’d have arrived by now?!
According to the tracking my Addiciton brushes are also still in customs. I’m still hoping they’ll sneak through so that i don’t have to go and collect them:))
I have had a lot of mail contact with Cherry from Cherryscosmetics where we got our brushes. She is such a sweetie!! Her prices are not that low but each items price includes the shipping fee. Her customer service is great though & she refunds a big chunk of the shipping fee once she has shipped so I’ll be going back for sure.
Mihoko on the other hand refunded my entire payment via Paypal days after my having placed the order with no reason whatsoever. I contacted them 4 days ago asking what the problem was & still have no reply so I won’t be shopping there again. The order was for 5 items – including the Addiction eyeliner in purple – so I can’t imagine that ALL were out of stock or whatever?!! Most strange & frustrating.
Heh heh I can see how a ‘NARS blush’ can be easily misunderstood if you are not aware of the name brand:D
FOUR hours of sleep?!! Drink the whole pot of coffee!!
Still 7 or so hours of work to go?!
POOR you!
Welcome back!!! Can’t wait!!!!
xo Stacy
I’ve had my Shu brushes for a long time.
Long before I had ever heard of Hakuhodo and all the other Japanese Brands. They were my first love & they ARE good but perhaps I use them more out of habit. I’m sure there are a lot of Kolinsky brushes out there which are equally good but perhaps not as expensive. I just haven’t really looked because I’m happy with what i have I guess.
Your talk of Addiction products is really making them hard to resist – but I looked them up online and it’s just TOO expensive for me to ever buy, unless I’m in Asia!! But I will live through your swatches 🙂
I totally agree with Buggsiebee, you are gorgeous and talented 🙂
You are right, they are expensive.. and I did not know that the price was so different from Asia retail one… Here in Switzerland make up is really expensive, even Mac or l’Oreal…. Addiction is the same as Chanel or Dior, still really expensive… 🙁 too much !!!
Latoya, I agree too with Buggsiebee and Sonia!
😉 Stacy
Latoya, don’t feel bad.
I’d swap ALL my Addiction goodies and high end cosmetics & brushes and more to have fresh & wrinkle free skin again like yours.
You’re gorgeous. You don’t need any make up at all!
Even your nails – hands & feet are perfect.
I love your nail polish posts:)
Awwww wow!!!! Thank you so much you guys, those are the nicest comments ever! You actually made me blush, really! That’s so sweet 😀 !!! (and another !)
I played around with my Shu brushes again yesterday comparing them to similar formed brushes and other weasel brushes & I think it’s the combination of the weasel & sable that I like. They’re soft and gentle to the eye but are denser & firmer than the similar brushes in my collection. These days there is such a wide selection of high quality brushes to choose from that paying the high price for a Shu natural # 10, 11, 12 or 15 is probably not neccessary. However, should you ever feel the need to splurge, they certainly are excellent brushes to have :))