Brushes: Tools are EVERYTHING

I have always loved makeup. Growing up with a strict Venezuelan father that forbade me from wearing makeup naturally make me fixate even more on that which I could not have, and so, here we are today - firmly enamoured of all things powder and paint!

I received my training under the tutelage of  the great Julia Cruttenden and her team of fab makeup gurus at Greasepaint School in West London (Northfields). It has recently closed (in light of Julia's sad passing) and the tutors have set up a new academy at Pinewood Studios - I am planning on heading over to London in June (IMATS!!) or July (No, June, I really must go to the IMATS) and will see if I can stop by the new digs and see some old friends!

One of the greatest parts of the kit I received when I started training were my brushes. Oh, there is something so fabulous about holding new brushes - the excitement about what you can create! In the UK you are spoiled with the fab array of brushes you can find in shops like Charles Fox (replaced by Kryolan? WTF?), PAM,  and Screenface - and the quality of the brushes available in the USA has never measured up - until now.

I had originally started buying from London Brush Company as they have the best brush soap on the market - and some of my brushes are over 20 years old - I am not about to just let them dissolve - only the best soap for my babies! Then I was able to see her brushes in the flesh at The Makeup Show in New York. Hearing Sian speak about brushes and knowing the quality of brushes I had from my years of working in the UK, I knew she had something special - but little did I know how incredible her whole range is!

I ended up taking home 6 of her brushes - and there are two I bought for my kit that I am not sure that I can let go of  I have been using them everyday and they are like silky makeup magic. MAGIC.

You NEED to get these brushes. I am SERIOUS. One of the things Julia Cruttenden used to stress what the gentleness of the touch of an artist - which Sian echoed at TMS - the brush should "dance across the face like a butterfly" - a client should LOVE getting their makeup applied by you, with your beautiful, clean, soft brushes! Julia also would gently correct you if you accidentally applied too much product with a soft "Bit fierce there, don't you think?" - you will not have that problem with these brushes - they pick up and lay down product beautifully. Here is my choice for a great starter set: 12 Piece Classic Pro

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Now LISTEN to me - I don't want to hear a PEEP about the price (these work out to about $30 per brush - that's a GREAT price for this quality!)- you don't get beautiful things that are heirloom quality for FREE. It is true - you get what you pay for - and if you want great brushes - you should buy these.

I have brushes from most of your high end brands: MAC, Bobbi, Smashbox, Chanel, etc - but my brushes from Greasepaint are still kicking it (after all this time!) and my new brushes from LBC I can tell will be hanging with them. They get two snaps up from me!!

Have a question? Ask a question! Email me: alexis@thebeautyexpertgroup.com.  See you later, Alligators!