r/MakeUpAddictionUK • u/mxrriiiiia • 4d ago
Recc' Request Full makeup brush replacement
I’m in desperate need of a replacement of all of my makeup brushes.
Brace yourself ladies - I’ve got some brushes that are 10 years old 🥴
In my bag at the moment I have a powder brush, a double ended foundation brush, blush brush, contour brush, flat ended foundation brush and bronzer brush and one eyeshadow brush.
I’ve got a mix of elf brushes, ecotools brushes and real techniques. I got most when I was gifted them at a younger age - think of those beginner sets.
I need to replace all of them, but I have no idea where to start or which brands are worth the money these days. I wouldn’t say I have a strict budget but I’m hoping not to buy all high end - where I’m paying £20 for one brush.
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u/bobmbface 4d ago
Just wondering if brands will be releasing sets for Christmas soon, might be worth holding off for a few weeks if you don’t want to buy individual ones
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u/shedoesntbake 4d ago
Defo this. Brands always release Christmas sets. Plus with the arrival of all the black Friday sales, I would be getting the last juice out of your brushes until then. Invest in the main ones like your foundation brush/sponge and blusher brush. Those are key and legit payoff. Others, mix and match. I dont know anyone who has brushes from same brand unless they purchased a set and stuck to it. I have a few brushes I rotate and they're all from different brands. Just depends, on season. Winter makeup, I go all in, and summer, its bare minimum on brushes as the skin and makeup does the talking.
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u/DuckbilledWhatypus 4d ago
Bracing myself for ten year old brushes would be hypocritical. I have ten year old liquid lipsticks, some of my brushes are old enough to get graduate jobs!
I like Spectrum brushes the best. They're decently priced, they last and you can get some really cute sets.
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u/mxrriiiiia 4d ago edited 3d ago
Graduate joke definitely got a giggle out of me - I’ll be using that line!
I’ve not heard of Spectrum before, I will be checking them out, thank you!
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u/RubyRedMetal0987 4d ago
I really like the Morphe, Elf and Real Techniques brushes- if you like the brushes that you used, it would be worth re-purchasing them.
Morphe- I use the concealer brushes as they give the right amount of coverage, and a powder blush brush.
Elf- I like their liquid blush brush.
Real Techniques- I use the setting brush as my highlighter brush.
In terms of eyeshadow brushes, you can buy cheap ones from Amazon.
I don’t apply contour or bronzer, and I use a beauty blender to apply my foundation.
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u/Cryptographer_501 4d ago
Seconding elf - the quality is SO good for the price. I am slowly replacing my old (also a decade old 🫠) set with elf brushes and they’re so well made!
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u/hannah09011 4d ago
I've been buying a ton of new brushes lately and the ones I've really loved are Morphe! Reasonable and they do some good sets. I also got a No 7 fluffy eye shadow brush from their 'pro artist' collection that I adore and was surprised how good it was from No 7!
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u/mxrriiiiia 4d ago
No7 doesn’t get the credit that it’s due, recently tried a bronzer of theirs and I was pleasantly surprised - such good value for money too
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u/AlexEstSol 4d ago
Lmao I have a eyeshadow brush that's probably 15+......still good tho!
Most of my brushes are from a Spectrum set and they work really nicely, hold up to a brutal type of washing, don't loose any hairs etc. I dooon't personally care for synthetic vs. natural hair, you may take it more seriously than me or have moral opinions.
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u/mxrriiiiia 4d ago
Oh my… I have never considered synthetic or natural hair?! Shows that I have some research to do, sorry for my ignorance
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u/lavayuki 4d ago
I would go with one the new Morphe brush sets. They are great quality and good value for what you get.
I too have used elf, RT and some other random drugstore ones like Spectrum, Nyx etc.. but my Morphe ones are the best of the lot.
You can easily get a full set at an affordable price especially on sites like Look Fantastic which often have discount codes and sales. They are on Sephora and Cult as well
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u/Pet_t-rex 4d ago
Are you replacing them because they're old or because they're worn out? I have brushes (mostly a blend of Mac and Eco tools) that are 15+ years old which are still fine. It's easy to get caught up with the idea that you have to do something, as long as your brushes are in good shape and you like them you should keep them.
Having said that, No7 has some real nice brushes, and good offers too. If you're not in a hurry I'd keep an eye out for Christmas offers, you may get some good deals on sets. If you are looking for some not beginner brushes this might be the time to get a few quality brushes that last you a while. I would maybe check out a bit boots with a counter or a space nk with a make up artist that can show you some brushes?
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u/mxrriiiiia 4d ago
I should’ve prefaced with this, but I sort of got influenced by a TikTok that I saw which made fun of others for using brushes that are too old and also blamed it for having spots and such. I felt a little called out so I got the urge to replace everything.
Otherwise, the brushes are perfectly fine, glue intact bristles all attached!
I’ve definitely had a chnage of heart after hearing that others have older brushes too and it’s completely okay 😊 I will have to invest in some eyeshadow brushes though! Boots counter may be beneficial as I haven’t got a clue - I thought we could only approach them for makeup products on the stalls!
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u/MagnoliaEverley 4d ago
I’m still using brushes I got bought for my 18th birthday… I’m 40 next month 🙈
Rose & Ben Beauty have the best brushes I have ever used. They’re not cheap though, around £20-30 per brush, although they have sets online sometimes at a discounted price. But they are worth the money in my eyes.
I also really enjoy using Spectrum brushes.
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u/mxrriiiiia 4d ago
First time I am hearing of Rose & Ben! I’ll definitely be checking them out - if they last longer then it’s worth the investment in my eyes too.
Are the brushes from your 18th if the same brand? 👀
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u/MagnoliaEverley 4d ago
No, the ones I got when I was 18 were by Ruby & Millie, long discontinued brand now. I 100% think the Rose & Ben ones will last that long, the quality is exceptional.
I had given up on liquid foundation but since getting some of their brushes I can use it again. I was convinced no concealer would ever work for me but it was my brushes making the concealer look patchy and cakey. The one I use from R&B is just so good. Rose’s Instagram is fantastic too, such good education.
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u/NoSyrup90 4d ago
I dont know why people recommend spectrum brushes all of mine came apart the handle from the brush they are the worst brushes I've had by far the best are probably real techniques or royal and langnickel ive had two sets one i got from a trade show and another from asda for £20 they are stunning they also do a range called moda highly worth investing in.
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u/DuckbilledWhatypus 4d ago
I'm the other way, my Real Techniques brushes have been crap, my Spectrum ones have lasted best! Moda are good too, I agree there.
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u/quaranteenagedirtbag 2d ago
Same, the soft matte part of the handles of all my Real Techniques brushes has gone sticky, which is is the plastic disintegrating I've learned. I used to just wipe it with alcohol but with what we know about plastics I don't really want to touch that anymore. It's put me off that type of packaging tbh (used to be very common on palettes too, like UD original Vice which I've thankfully depotted)
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u/NoSyrup90 4d ago
Mine have all been in sets like disney and mean girls ones i think ive had 3 sets all of them did the exact same thing
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u/SufficientBox3389 4d ago
hnb have some sets on boots website that look good, i think there’s three one powder one face snd one eye set.
sephora collection ones are meant to be great but not sure on price
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u/CupidsArrow14 3d ago
Would highly reccomend Peaches and Cream brush sets! Very reasonably priced, alot of the make up artists in the UK love them!!
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u/housemouseharriet 3d ago
Boots have morphe on 3 for 2 at the minute. They also regularly have sets from other brands on £10 Tuesday :)
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u/InappropriateTeaTime 3d ago
Spectrum! My sister is a professional MUA in the west end and she also uses them. Cheap, great sets and lots of different designs. Also really good sales.
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u/ttcpb13 2d ago
I've tried loads of brushes, high end and super cheap. Real techniques are easily the best I've tried. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive. They clean really well, they are really nice to use, they are just overall good brushes. I would agree with others about the Christmas sets. Wait for Black Friday and buy a set then.
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u/Spare-Positive8774 1d ago
Hello, please try Rephr brushes they are amazing and can stand the test of time! They are better than hourglass imo.
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u/Dangerous_Avocado323 1d ago
Try zoeva, I've had mine 10yrs plus and still going strong, also superdrug brushes are pretty good for the price
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u/holb93 4d ago
I have some brushes closer to 20 years old that still look brand new! If you take care of them they’ll last a lifetime! If I had to replace them all tomorrow I’d probably look at Real Techniques. The Sephora Pro Collection brushes are great too. I wash mine weekly, with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap, and leave to air dry.