Monday 13 August 2012

Review: Bdellium Tools Smoky Eyes Brush Set


As promised, here is my review of the Bdellium Tools "Smoky Eyes" 5pc. Brush Set.  I've got the Mineral Set ad the Foundation one too but I thought one set at a time was the best way to do these reviews.


I'm an idiot and didn't notice that an extra brush had slipped in - there are only 5 in the set  just to clarify.



I feel I ought to start with the basics - where I got them, the service, the price, you know the drill! So, without further ado...

Shop Louella was born out of the collaboration between Louise and Zoe who are without a shadow of a doubt in my top five favourite people of all time on YouTube.  The idea behind their internet shop is quite simply that they will sell 'their favourites' which is a concept that really excites me! I think this is the perfect extension from blogging and being a YouTuber because already they inspire so many people's purchases, why not help people out by supplying the stuff they're raving about! First to hit the cyber space shop floor were their favourite brushes; cue Bdellium Tools Green Bambu brushes.  

Not only did I feel obliged to buy these brushes because I wanted to support Louise and Zoe's business venture, but I also believed these brushes may be the elusive secret weapon and that with their help I might achieve true beauty (ie I'd look as gorgeous as Louise and Zoe) - this made the decision a bit of a no brainer really and out came the debit card! 

The 'Smoky Eyes' set is priced at £19.95 and payment is made via PayPal (I set up my account purely to make this transaction and quickly remembered why I hadn't set one up before - it doesn't feel like real money!)  Postage & Packaging cost around £4/5, which is always annoying but there is no way around it (especially for small retailers) and I wanted these brushes so the extra dollar had to be spent! 

I ordered this brush set on the first day that the shop launched so the delivery time was slower than it has since been (I don't think Louise and Zoe had anticipated how much they would sell so soon, and it's a lot of work for four hands to do, especially when two of those hands also have a baby to look after!) but it was still an efficient service and the packaging more than made up for the wait! I believe that everything should be delivered in neon hot pink packaging! 


Apologies - this is a photo of my second Shop Louella order not the Smokey Eyes set! 
Gorgeous pink envelopes can only get you so far though, and they certainly don't cut the mustard when it comes to applying eye makeup.  So how does the contents of this parcel fair at this task?! In short - well is the answer! These brushes are so incredibly soft (think Real Techniques softness) and so yes, I do find myself absentmindedly stroking my face with them - don't judge I bet you all do it too!

#781 Crease
The 781 crease brush is a really lovely brush.  I like that it is nice and small because I often find that many brushes marketed as crease brushes are actually far too large to fit the shape of my eye, but this little puppy does the job like a dream and fits perfectly into the contour of my eye! I like. 


#777 Shadow
The 777 is great for applying shadow all over the lid, but it is also small enough to allow you to do quite intricate application (under the lower lash line for example, or on the outer corner of the eye).  Again it is crazily soft and utterly delightful to use! 


#769 Angled Contour
Now, as I've already said I have rather a small lid space given to the fact that I have slightly hooded eyes, and so I don't really use this brush for contouring my crease.  I do, however, find the angel great for softening the outer corner, particularly when I am wearing winged out shadow.  This brush is nice and dense but still so soft so it does the job perfectly.


#760 Liner/Brow


There isn't too much to say about this brush really.  I generally prefer a more severely angled brush for my brows but I do like this because it is nice and small so there is less chance of an accidental scouse brow (not a look that suits me) and as a liner brush I found I was able to get a controlled line with relative ease you just have to remember not to turn the brush as it will drastically alter the liner shape! 


#716 Smoky Eyeliner
This is the only brush where I feel that the softness is actually it's downfall (oh man that sounds awful - and what I'm going to say next isn't going to make it any better...) it's too soft to smudge eyeliner and give it that real smoked effect, so I think it could do with being a bit more firm or maybe made from slightly harder bristles (I really am sorry!).  Perhaps it is just be though, it might work a dream with other eyeliners?! Fear not though, because this brush is exceptionally amazing at adding a bit of eye opening shimmer to the inner corner/tear duct area as well as for sweeping some colour along the lower lash line! 

Phew that seems like a pretty long description (you see why I'm doing them one set at a time!)

I've both spot cleaned these brushes (with MAC brush cleanser) and given them a thorough wash (with Johnsons baby shampoo) and they handled both methods like pros and were left squeaky clean and as silky as ever! 

Not only are these brushes a delight to use, but they are also 100% cruelty free and the bamboo handles make them pretty eco friendly too as "bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources and environmentally sound plants on Earth" (source).  To me, this is a really important factor because I'm a true believer in the phrase 'every little helps' - all makeup brushes should be crafted with bamboo handles in my eyes! 

I take pleasure in seeing these brushes in my brush collection as the green really makes them stand out, so it is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezey to pluck out the right brush at a glance! 

I'm sorry that this is such a crazily long post - well done if you've made it to the end - I hope it was worth it!! 


Have you tried Bdellium Tools brushes? 
What are your all time favourite makeup brushes?


I hope you're all well

x

10 comments:

  1. These looks really lovely :)
    I love that they're green, would be hard to loose them haha!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, the green is a real bonus because I'm hopeless at spotting my brushes when they're against a black background/in the mess of makeup!!

      x

      Delete
  2. So cool, I wanna get some new brushes too!

    Can you check my blog and maybe follow me back?? It would mean a lot to me!

    http://ccfashion16.blogspot.com/

    xoxo

    Nice blog btw:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love getting new brushes but I have to be careful not to neglect my old ones haha!!

      I'm so pleased you like my blog, you're welcome to follow it if you want :) and of course I'll take a look at your blog

      x

      Delete
  3. I've never tried these but would love to! I love the Real Techniques brushes atm x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore Real Techniques brushes - these are up there in terms of how soft they are!!

      x

      Delete
  4. Interesting! I was really intrigued by Zoe and Louise's shop and was SO close to purchasing their face brushes!

    Followed, by the way :)
    abundanceoferica.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for following - I hope you enjoy my little blog :)
      I've got a review of the face brushes coming soon in case that helps you make the final decision!!

      xx

      Delete
  5. I love Louise and Zoe, and really wanted to buy these too but I just have no money! :( Fab post though! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Having no money and reading blogs is like torture isn't it?! I just want everything I see, but can't have it!!

      xxx

      Delete