Beauty’s new POWER BRUSHES
They claim to banish germs, combat ageing and prevent UV damage. So should you invest in...
We’re officially in love with make-up brushes. Nearly half of UK women use one, and most of us think our make-up looks more polished when we do.
But now brushes are giving us extra bang for our bristles.
‘Innovations around synthetic, cruelty-free fibres, playful and colourful designs, as well as bringing in skincare benefits to brushes, are maintaining interest in this category,’ says Charlotte Libby from market analysts Mintel.
This means we’re seeing brushes infused with active ingredients that stay locked in the bristles, while others come with a reservoir of powder in the handle, neatly dispensing product on demand.
But do they really bring added benefits? We put them to the test . . .
THE YOUTH BOOSTER
IT Cosmetics Heavenly Skin One Sweep Wonder Brush (£35, itcosmetics.co.uk) DesIgNeD with the help of plastic surgeons, this cruelty-free highlighter, bronzer and blusher brush is infused with anti-ageing skincare ingredients such as collagen, silk, vitamins A and e, peptides and niacin.
The ‘innovative brush technology’ claims to ‘improve the look of skin on application’ — though they don’t tell you how, and has a dual bristle structure, with denser bristles towards the base, which trap and deliver more powder and finer bristles at the top for a lighter dusting of your chosen powder.
THE VERDICT: This reminds me of a pink fluffy slipper, yet feels pleasantly weighty and expensive.
I struggled to notice any skincare effects and I’d question whether the proprietary blend, which they say stays permanently in the bristles, adds anything directly to my skin, especially as my blusher and bronzer are the last thing to go on after my anti-ageing serum, moisturiser, sPF, primer and foundation.
The skincare ingredients may not be designed to be absorbed but they do seem to keep the bristles beautifully soft. What I did like is the dual-bristle technology which allows you control over how much product you apply (firmer pressure delivers more product) for seamless and natural blending.
The elongated shape makes it versatile for large sweeps as well as finer edges, if you want to add a touch of bronzer to your hairline or jawline, or highlighter around your cheeks. For the price, I would have liked a protective case for the brush’s delicate baby hairs.
7/10
CHARCOAL’S CHARM
L.A.B.2 Pro I’m Working It Charcoal Infused Brush Kit (£18.99 Ocado.com) As pollution levels rise, activated charcoal has become one of the hottest beauty ingredients due to its ability to draw out toxins and, minimise pores.
It’s even been used to disinfect wounds and has found its way into everything from toothpastes to shampoos. L.A.B.2 have permanently infused this fourpiece brush set with activated bamboo charcoal powder.
THE VERDICT: I put on my makeup at work after a 30-minute cycle through London’s polluted streets so was hopeful a charcoal brush would help draw out some of the grot, especially as the marketing info told me ‘activated charcoal is known to draw out impurities and detoxify skin’.
But I discover the charcoal in the brush hairs doesn’t affect the skin directly, but prevents buildup of product and skin cells in the brush, keeping it fresher for longer and meaning you waste less product. The brushes, which have wonderfully silky, slippery bristles, feel almost new every time and don’t put a potentially skinclogging cocktail of build-up back on your skin.
reasonably priced but the real hero is the angled blush brush which picked up powder well and gave an even finish. 8/10
THE SUN SAVIOUR
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection brush-on shield SPF 50 (£46.50, colorescienceuk.com) ThIs award-winning brush dispenses antioxidant-rich mineral
powder (available in four shades) from a reservoir in its base, protecting against ageing UVA light. burning UVB rays, as well as blue light from screens and pollution.
It also claims to be water resistant for up to 80 minutes and noncomedogenic (meaning it does not block the pores).
THE VERDICT: I activated the brush by swirling it around in my palm for a minute or so until a puff of powder emerged. The bristles are quite firm as you need to apply pressure.
I dusted my face, décolletage and backs of hands and it left a matte finish that also provided a slight blurring effect thanks to the pigment.
Because it’s a fragrance-free mineral powder, it’s suitable for sensitive and problem skins and I happily took it up to the eye area, which I would avoid with a chemical sunscreen.
It was a little difficult to tell whether I’d missed patches, so I preferred to use it for top-ups during the day after I’d applied a good layer of my normal liquid sPF. I was more inclined to reapply because it went on easily over make-up. A brush with true benefits, whether you are outdoors or glued to a screen. 9/10
SENSITIVE TYPE
Look Good Feel Better Makeover Brush Set (£25, marksandspencer. com) LooK good Feel Better, the charity that helps women and teenagers manage the visible side-effects of cancer treatment with confidenceboosting skincare and make-up workshops, know that
skin sensitivity is an issue for many women — not just when you are going through cancer treatment.
These four brushes — a lip, an eye, a foundation and a powder brush, are all treated with an antimicrobial agent and come in a hygienic protective pouch.
THE VERDICT: super softness is the name of the game with the large multi-tasking brush and the round foundation brush, which helpfully also state their purpose on the handle (the world of brushes can be baffling).
I loved the eye shading brush for a blended shadow at the outer lids which can open up the eye.
For ultra-sensitive and blemishprone skins this set is a winner.
9/10
A REAL EYE-OPENER
L.A.B. 2 Pro Real Eye Opener Brush Kit (£11.99, amazon.co.uk) ThIs set of four ombre eye makeup brushes is permanently infused with green tea powder, giving them a pretty green shade.
green tea is known for being soothing and rich in antioxidants, one of the major players in the anti-ageing arsenal as they fight the damage to skin caused by stress, bad diet, UV rays and pollution. These have a micro-studded surface that mimics the cuticle of a natural hair.
THE VERDICT: The smaller shadow brush allows you to get into the socket line and the right-angled eyeliner brush makes light work of a lash-hugging line. They spring back perfectly after washing.
however, like the charcoal brush set by the same brand, the hero ingredient is designed to stay permanently in the brush rather than transfer to the skin.
L.A.B. 2 say that: ‘The benefits to skin come because the brush bristles stay fresher for longer as they are anti-microbial and hold less make-up and skin cell residue.’ however, as eye makeup brushes in their own right they are great. 6/10