Sigma Synthetic Kabuki Brushes

Sigma Beauty introduced the three synthetic kabuki brushes months ago and i had to buy them after reading alot of good reviews on how amazing they are in applying foundations.

I couldnt use them all at once and it took me so long to build my judgement because i had a different use for one of the brushes.

The first brush i used is the F82-Round Top Kabuki. The brush is described as :"The F82 Round Top Kabuki brush simplifies precise makeup application under the eyes and around the nose. This brush is also perfect for achieving flawless coverage using liquid and powder products. Features synthetic Sigmax HD fibers."

Sigma F82-Round Top Kabuki brush

I didnt change my way in applying foundations "by the Beauty Blender", but to achieve a really nice and flawless look i apply the powder foundation on top using this brush. Since the brush is so dense it picks alot of product and packs alot, it doesnt look too powdery and it depends on the kind of powder you're using, i use the MAC Studio Fix powder foundation. It gave me this flawless looking skin and i loved it. And as it says its best used around the eyes and nose. The round shape of the brush makes it so easy reaching such areas.

The second brush i used is the F80-Flat Top Kabuki. The brush is described as: "The F80 Flat Top Kabuki brush is perfect for applying and blending liquid, cream, and powder products onto the skin. The flat surface allows perfect buffing with flawless results. Features synthetic Sigmax HD fibers."

Sigma F80-Flat Top Kabuki brush

 This is one weird flat looking brush, the brush didnt convince me on how good it is until i used it. Its very soft on the skin and i can easily apply the foundation in no time. The blending is very smooth and nice. The size of the brush is perfect to be used on the face, not to small or too big. I first used this brush in applying Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer.

The third brush is the F84-Angleed Top Kabuki. The brush is described as: "The F84 Angled Top Kabuki brush is the perfect brush for precise, yet blended application of products on the cheeks. It seamlessly applies cream, powder and liquid products. Features synthetic Sigmax HD fibers."

Sigma F84-Angled Top Kabuki brush

 This may be the best brush among them because of the angeled top, it makes it easier for the user to reach some difficult areas like around the nose and around the eyes and apply the foundation properly. I havent used this brush for cream blushes because i dont use them often, and i'd rather use the MAC 187 or 188 Duo Fiber or Sigma F50 Stippling brushes.

Sigma Dare, Bare, Flare Palettes

I'm so excited that i will be reviewing the new Sigma palettes Bare, Dare and Flare in my own way. I've been anticipating these palettes before they were launched. I even put an alarm on my calendar so i wont forget the launching date, funny thing that my day started before the USA day so i had an early alarm, by the evening i was able to place my order. 

Each palette has its own cover, the palettes are very impressive and the quality is really good. It has a mirror inside and double sided brushes which is why i love the palettes more. I'm very obsessed with make up brushes and they come in the real quality of Sigma brushes not like MAC limited editions which are made with very cheap bristles, never the real deal.

I believe i took enough pictures of the palettes so probably the pictures will speak and explain more and better than i do.

With the covers

Without the cover

The Sigma palettes

Sigma Flare palette is the only palette between all that mixed two different colors, purples and greens. The other two mostly tend to stick to one color shading. I dont see any medium tones colors, all darks or lights and two vibrant main colors (Oversee and Allure) which i think the looks will revolve around. Just mix and match with other colors to have different looks.

Sigma Flare palette

E40 brush: tapered blending brush. This brush is supposed to be an equivalent of MAC #224 which i use for applying eye concealer. But this brush is bigger and more fluffier. I didnt find a proper use for it until now except for blending to soften out the edges of an eyeshadow.

E40 brush

E55 brush: eye shading brush. I talked about this brush before for applying pigments, loose eyeshadows or regular eyeshadow for all over lid. Its really good but its a bit bigger than its almost equivalent MAC #239. The bristles are softer though.

E55 brush

The Flare palette has two outstanding colors, Allure and Oversee. Allure isnt as velvety as Oversee so maybe i like the second one more.

Sigma Dare palette, is one hot palette. I love the colors, the colors are reasonable, nothing too much or too weird but they're very alive. I can see alot of really nice colors. Maybe this palette is the most wearable between all. The colors are very velvety except for Shout (yellow) which is matte.

Sigma Dare palette

E45 brush: small tapered blending brush. I'm not sure what to say about this brush, i dont like it, i dont even like the MAC's version (#226 discontinued as i heard), its used to apply and blend color in the crease area which i usualy do with the E25 or MAC 227.

E45 brush

E20 brush: Short shader brush. This is one handy brush, it will save your life applying color on the lashline. I love this brush and i have two of them. I dont think i need more, i use one for light colors and the second for dark colors, in case i'm using both in one look.

E20 brush

Shout is the most obvious outstanding color, i'm so into yellow eyeshadows this season, i love how daring they are and most people get scared or hesitant using one. We shouldn't always take the color as it is, we can always lighten,darken or blend the color that will eventually be very wearable.

 

Now this is the Bare palette, honestly i am not very impressed with it, and the colors are very "regular", i couldnt even find an outstanding color. There isnt any reason in putting 2 black eyeshadows, one is shiny and the other is matte, maybe because i am not very good with black that's why i didnt appreciate it. The brown colors could be close of being my favorite, Act and Command are really nice, but again nothing outstanding or wowy. I much prefer the Urban Decay Naked palettes and i absolutely went gaga over it, the colors are simply stunning.

Sigma Bare palette

E25 brush: blending brush. This maybe my favorite Sigma brush, i believe i have like 4 or 5 of them. The E45 is very handy and mostly used for blending.

E45 brush

E30 brush: Pencil brush. This is a pencil brush, it looks a bit weird in this palette, i didnt like the cutting of the bristles, its not neat, but it will do the work.

E30 brush

The palettes are bulky

Things i love about the palettes: There is variety in the colors, and i am talking about the Flare and Dare palettes, the colors are pretty wearable, they didnt just add colors randomly, you can use two or three colors in one look and you can just mix and match. The texture is velvety and this is my favorite, the payout is really good but not with all colors. The quality of the palette/box is good, i am impressed, i love the color and design of the palettes.

Things i hate about the palettes: when i opened the palette there were fallouts around the colors (obvious in some pictures), they werent broken or cracked or anything and it does happen in some of the eyeshadow palettes, but i hate when this happen when i first open a new item. I was disappointed in the Bare palette, it is not the most wearable naked/bare palette and i've seen way better, the colors are very regular. The palette/box is a bit bulky.

Seal Your Pigment

I've noticed that every year and when the summer season "the real season" comes, which i mean by June, July and August, i always like to use MAC pigments instead of regular eyeshadows. Its maybe the pearl reflections that i love, its not glittery nor too shimmery but the reflections are so gorgeous in the summer, they wont even look too much on a sunny Emirati morning.

MAC defines pigment as "Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting. Please note: Pigments are sold by weight not volume. Containers can appear to be less than full due to settling of the product."

 

I like applying a light color all over my lid and a dark one on the outside corner and blend, blend, blend. The color will look like it's gradually getting darker. Then i use little, just a little amount of black eyeshadow for an outer corner shading, just to give it some extra deep look.

To apply the pigment on the lid you can use MAC 239 or Sigma E55, and for blending you can use MAC 217 or Sigma E25.

MAC 239 Shading brush

Sigma E55 brush

MAC 217 blending brush

Sigma E25 blending brush

MAC Vanilla Pigment is my favorite for all over lid

MAC Naked is second best

The old pigment containers

MAC Melon Pigment (old container)

Make sure you apply an eyeshadow primer before you use a pigment, and to have an intensified color you can use a mixing medium by MAC (available at MAC PRO stores) or Illamasqua Sealing Gel (Available at Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall). Lightly dab your brush in the mixing medium then put the brush into the pigment.

MAC water based mixing medium (image courtesy of Temptalia)

Illamasqua Sealing Gel

You can also make your own mixing medium and here how to make one:

- 1/3 spoon pure Glycerin.

- 3/4 spoon water.

- Container.

Put the Glycerin and water in the container and mix very well. Then you will have a water based mixing medium that will last for 2 weeks (You can buy empty containers at Daiso Store, Sephora Stores).

Image courtesy of thebeautyofmakeup