A few weeks ago, my new EnKore Makeup brushes arrived!
Tada! These are his new brushes that he was talking about on his YouTube channel. These are supposedly duo-fibre brushes that he custom-designed for his customers.
Stipple and Swirl Brush:
Let's start with the Stipple and Swirl. I loved the idea of a duo-fibre brush specifically for liquid foundation. Koren designed this himself according to the needs of liquid makeup users and named it Stipple and Swirl. As the name suggests, the brush is designed to stipple and swirl the product onto the face.
Pardon the unwashed brushes! I took the picture after I used them.
As you can see, the Stipple and Swirl's head is a lot smaller than the 187. However, it is pretty compact, so you can really use this to buff in liquid makeup.
I use the 187 primarily for applying mineralize skinfinish and glows because the splayed head deposits highlighters and pigmented glows softly for a lit-from-within effect. The Stipple and Swirl has a more compact, denser head, which would be perfect for applying liquid foundation.
How I do it: I put a dime-size amount of liquid foundation on the back of my hand, take the Stipple and Swirl brush and dip it in the product, stipple the liquid foundation on the jaw and chin (where I need most coverage), then apply the product in swirling, buffing motions across the face. I repeat the process for added coverage. Finish is flawless and even.
I use Coastal Scents kabuki-on-a-stick (dupe for Bare Escentuals' Handy Buki brush) for my liquid makeup with thinner consistencies like BB creams and Earthen Glow Minerals' mousse foundation. However, for liquid makeup with thicker texture like Revlon Colorstay, MakeUp Forever HD foundation and Earthen Glow Minerals' HD mineral foundation, and MAC Studio Sculpt foundation, I use the Stipple and Swirl brush to avoid the caked-on look. Here is a look using Stipple and Swirl brush. I used Earthen Glow Minerals' mousse foundation:
(See a look using the Stipple and Swirl brush and the rest of the review)
Generally, the Stipple and Swirl is a good tool for HD liquid makeup, or any liquid makeup for that matter, because it gives an even and flawless finish. My one gripe however, is that it sheds pretty bad. Everytime I use it or wash it, I keep getting stray hairs on my face and hands. I hope mine was just a dud, as this is a really good brush. I just don't like the excessive shedding.
The Shades Of U rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars (loved it but not the shedding part)
No. 1 Fan Brush:
I also liked the idea of a duo-fiber fan brush. This is super soft and very easy to use. I like to use this for really pigmented blushes and bronzers, especially mineral blushes. I just dip this in a miniscule amount of product, apply the product using slanting upward motions, then quick downward motions to subtly distribute the pigment. The result is a very nice, lit-from-within blush. It deposits just a whisper of color onto the skin so you don't end up having clown cheeks. I really love this brush.
The Shades Of U Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
All in all, these new brushes from EnKore are good if you use a lot of liquid foundation or pigmented blushes or bronzers. I just don't like the shedding of the Stipple and Swirl brush everytime I use it, but other than that, the end result is exactly what I've been looking for.
7 comments
I have a duo fiber brush from mac and crown. The crown's black spot bleeds black when ever i wash it. Can you let us know how these ones are when you wash them? Thanks
You meant earthen glow's mousse and HD foundation, not everyday minerals.
I remember watching Koren's video when he first came out with his brushes and he said that he asked the manufacturers to double bind them to prevent shedding. I haven't purchased from him, but I think he seems a decent and honest enough seller, so have you considered returning the defective brush? Its lack of shedding was supposedly one of his major selling points so I think he might just look into it and give you a new one in exchange.
Jill-O- they don't exactly bleed, but as I said, the Stipple and Swirl sheds. I might have gotten a dud, though!
Sylvie- I agree, he does seem decent and honest (I like his YT channel). I still like the S&S though, so I'm gonna wait and see if the shedding stops.
I found that anything by crown that is compressed tight like that (kabuki, bronzer brush etc) sheds, I returned one once for that. I am not saying his is made by crown (it wouldn't shock me) but that it seems to be common even with good companies and brushes that are like that.
I now try not to get the black part wet at all on mine so the white stays white. My mac one never does that though.
Hey! Just wondering if the shedding on your Stipple and Swirl brush has stopped. I'm thinking of purchasing it. How are you liking it now? And by the way, how does this compare in size to the 188 or the 109? I currently use the 188 to stipple on creamy foundation and the 187 for something more fluid, like Select Tint.
I bought the same brush and told Koren about all the horrible shedding. He contacted the manufacturer and they re-made the brush and the new one has a crimped ferrule this time. He sent me the new version of the brush but unfortunately it still sheds but not as much with each use. I do agree though that the application is flawless.
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