Share your pick! And don’t forget to share why 🙂
It’s funny… I used to be obsessed with buffer brushes, but I rarely reach for them now! I still like MAC’s 182 a lot.
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tarte the buffer airbrush finish bamboo foundation brush http://goo.gl/x0dGnx
It’s soft, never sheds, cleans easily, easy and comfortable to hold and use. Leaves no marks. Great coverage. It keeps its shape well after weekly washing.
I LOVE the Real Techniques Buffing Brush.
I really like this ELF one I picked up while shopping at Target, it turned out to be really good.
I also like the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. It does a nice job without pushing the foundation around.
I’ve been loving my buffer brushes from Stelicious. One is rounded, the other is flat, but I love ’em both. They really give my skin a super natural finish.
I really like ecotool’s custom coverage buffing brush. It’s small enough to apply foundation in the corners of my nose, it never sheds and its cruelty free 🙂
I only have the RT one. I don’t use it much, so I don’t see the point of trying any other one. Or maybe that’s what I should do 😀
I reach for the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush more than their Buffing Brush, but both are very nice, especially for the price.
Ditto! I use both interchangeably, depending on which one I find first, or sometimes which is clean… I’m also a big fan of the Physician’s Formula flat-top mineral kabuki brush, but I don’t know if it’s still available.
I do not own any. Don’t need.
I don’t use them.
After I nearly destroyed my skin with Bare Minerals brushes I thought I’d never “buff” again, however, I took advantage of some IT Cosmetics deals on QVC and now I have a set of amazing brushes. 🙂
The finest buffer brush I’ve used (by far for me, but I’ve used a lot of “bargain” tools):
IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush
I’ve had mine for almost 3 years now and it’s still like a brand new brush.
Goodness, are the Bare Mineral brushes that bad? I don’t have anything by them but I was always under the impression that their stuff was generally good.
This was quite a few years ago, before the brand was “iconic”. I started to get rosacea-like rashes on my cheeks and chin, and I thought I had rosacea. A dermatologist confirmed it was irritation from “scratching” bristles, and possibly allergy. Since then I’ve learned that my face hates Goat Hair, so I’m sure it was the hair, not the brushes! I should have been clearer about that.
Coastal Scents classic buffer large synthetic! It’s like a duo-fiber and a kabuki brush in one.. I’ve been using it for my foundation every single day since I got it and haven’t gone back to any other brush. It spreads liquid foundations so evenly over the face and I never have to touch up cakey spots with a beauty blender because the brush blends everything in so well. $14.95 on its own or $34.95 in a 22-brush set!
I agree! I own this brush too and honestly, it’s better than my RT Buffer Brush. The only reason I don’t use the CS brush often is because it’s super hard to clean! I know…I’m lazy…lol. I just can’t stand stains in my brushes.
Another vote for RT’s buffing brush. I also really like one I have from IT Cosmetics and my Shiseido foundation brush which also works as a buffing brush.
I love buffer brushes. My favorite is the RT buffer brush. It’s one of my go to foundation brushes.
Zoeva 104!
I loved my MAC 182 but I lost it somehow. I have an Ecotools retractable one now which I like and I did buy the beautiful Aerin kabuki brush but I stood on it one day and dented the base. It still works fine and although I didn’t pay full price for it I’m still gutted and can’t look at it or use it anymore without feeling bad about the whole thing! I still miss my 182. 🙁
I’d say the Real Techniques Expert Face brush, but then I also like Sigma’s… erm, F80? The rounded one that looks like the Expert Face.
For mineral powder foundation, my favorite is the Ultimate Long-Handled Flat Top Brush from Silk Naturals; for liquid products, I buff with the MAC Masterclass large oval brush. Love the Masterclass brushes! I always carry the small oval one with me to fix any little makeup problems that occur during the day — it magically gets rid of foundation that’s settled into lines without disturbing the rest, wipes away any errant eyeshadow/lining products that somehow fell out without disturbing foundation or powder, smooths out any trouble.
Fran, that is a great idea. I own the small oval face brush and hardly ever use it. I’m going to follow your lead and carry mine in my makeup bag for touch ups. Thanks for such a great idea.
I’ve had my eye on the 182 for awhile. For sure I’ll be getting it after Christmas. Currently I have the Real Techniques buffing brush. I love it. The Real Techniques brushes I own are all amazing.
I used to be obsessed with them too, but they have fallen by the wayside. Still think NARS Kabuki brush is pretty good. Has stood the test of time!
Buffer brush as in the big kabuki type ones? Because those I don’t use. Now buffing brush on the other hand… I love my UD Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush 😀
I love the MAC 182! I bought it on your recommendation, Christine 🙂 I use it to apply loose powder and blend everything beautifully together at the end. I also use it to apply finishing powders. It’s my favorite brush.
RT buffing has been a holy grail for me for foundation for a while (I have two – one for foundation and one to soften cream blush). But I’ve found it’s getting a little scratchy so looking to branch out. Thinking about trying sigma (in the vein of “I will try anything Lisa Eldridge uses.”)
I like Real Techniques Buffing and Expert Face brushes, especially for powder foundation, but I prefer the finish a sponge gives me over a buffer brush. I have some texture issues on my skin, so I find that sponges work best on my skin without accentuating any problematic areas.
I love my Illamasqua Buffer (not sure about the number) and the Real Techniques Expert Face and Buffer. All in this order, they’re dense, pick up enough product, don’t ‘swallow’ it and can be used for liquid, creme and powder.
The only downside is that the Illamasqua and the Expert face brush are a pain to clean, but still better than sponges or flat foundation brushes.
I do not know if they are considered buffer brushes but I love the stubby and the long handle Tarte foundation brushes.
The Elf Powder Brush (which is basically just a synthetic flat-top kabuki) is awesome, and it’s only $3! I bought it because I figured “why not?” and as it turns out, I reach for it over my Mac 187 all the time. Since I love this brush so much I want to try the Sigma F80, too.