I love craft stores.  They always give me such creative inspiration.  It’s common for me to come out with all sorts of aspirations to make paintings or cross-stitch something onto something else.

Last time I went to the craft store, I had a very exciting epiphany:

You can buy paint brushes to replace makeup brushes at a MUCH smaller price than regular makeup brushes.

That’s right, I bought paint brushes to use on my face.

As you can see, I got three brushes.  Starting from the top, I got:

• 2 Royal Soft-Grip SG 170: I’m going to use this one for lips.  As you can see in the picture, I’ve already started using it.
• 4 Royal Soft-Grip SG 850: This super soft fan brush is perfect for blush and other light face powders.
• 3/4” Royal Soft-Grip SG 1400: I’m using this round brush for translucent powder and other face stuff.

Normally, if you would buy makeup brushes like these that are specifically for makeup, you’d be paying at least $10.00 each.

Instead, I paid $2.99 each for these paintbrushes, not including the 20% discount I got, too.

Cha-Ching!

If you are in need of a good yet inexpensive makeup brush, paintbrushes are a VERY good replacement.  The ones I’ve chosen are all soft and nice.  They feel just like the professional makeup brushes you pay so much money for.  Plus, they have extra long handles and comfort grips.

But not all paint brushes are good for your face.  Follow these rules so that you come out of the craft store with something perfect to use with makeup:

• Don’t get a wrapped pack of brushes.  As much as this is tempting with even more saving money, it’s a bad idea.  You won’t be able to feel the brushes to make sure they’re good.  Get individual brushes instead.
• Feel Feel Feel.  Be sure to really fondle the brushes.  Don’t worry, you’re allowed to.  Try to pick brushes that are soft and not at all harsh.  After all, you’re going to be using this on your delicate face.
• Stiffness matters.  When you’re feeling brushes, keep stiffness in mind.  Depending on what you’re going to use it for, you’re probably going to want the bristles soft in texture, but stiff enough that it doesn’t flop around.  This right here will eliminate about half of the available brushes.
• Shoot for natural fibers.  Although it’ll be a bit more expensive, natural fibers work best with most makeup and with your skin.
• Compare until you find the right one.  You’ll likely come across a whole wall full of hundreds of brushes. Taking the time to check out each one will be in your benefit.

Paint brushes aren’t made for your face.  It’s true.  But some brushes, can still do a great job at replacing the expensive makeup brushes you find in cosmetics stores.

You may not want to replace all of your makeup brushes with paint brushes, but it’d be a good idea to use at least some.

What do you think?  Is this too much sacrifice in order to save money?

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Tags: brushes, makeup brushes, save money

This entry was posted on Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 9:01 am and is filed under How Tos, Tips and Tricks, Inspiration, Makeup Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.