Review : The Brush Guard

Are you tired of seeing the bristles of your brush crinkle, shed, or get caught by the zip of your makeup pouch ruining the soft, gentle bristles? Seeing the bristles getting caught by the zip is even worse when the brush costs an arm and a leg. Regardless of the value of the brush, all brushes should be kept protected and well-maintained to prolong the life of the brushes.

How to protect and maintain your baby brushes? I had been personally using The Brush Guard for about four years now when it was introduced by the Youtube makeup guru star, Michelle Phan. Being an excited, budding makeup fiend, I purchased mine from a forum in Lowyat (which is no longer active). That was four years ago.

With all that chatter, let's not forget to introduce "The Brush Guard",

Who is 'The Brush Guard'?

THEIR PRODUCTS The Brush Guard is a stretchable, breathable polyester tube that protects your make-up bristles, and brings them back to new! We know that brushes can be a pricey investment, we don't believe in throwing them away because they are over used and splayed.  With one use of The Brush Guard, your brushes will look as good as new!  We have brush guards for all shapes and sizes from eye liner brushes to kabuki brushes.  Did you know that in each make-up brush lives oil, old make-up, skin cells, bacteria, dust & dirt? Ew! We call these the ICKIES!  Not cleaning your make-up brushes can cause breakouts, clogged pores and blackheads.  A simple clean from our Brush Guard Cleaning Kit will solve all those problems!  Since 2005, The Brush Guard has created innovative methods in brush care and maintenance which are available in their popular patented line of product including: The Brush Guard, The Brush Defender, The Brush Guard Cleaning Kit, and the Squeaky Clean Brush Shampoo. THEIR STORY The Brush Guard began with a problem - how to wash and dry makeup brushes while keeping their shape perfect and their bristles intact.  Founder Diane Baker struggled with this problem until, during a dinner party with a long-time friend and mechanical engineer, Malcolm Plant, (after several glasses of wine!) they figured out for the first time ever how to safely cover and shape brushes, and so The Brush Guard was born! THEIR PHILOSOPHY We believe that our products revolutionize brush care.  We also believe in keeping our tools at their best.  We are devoted to brush care and hygiene.  We believe that brush hygiene is the missing link in our skin care routine. Nobody should put clean makeup on clean skin with a dirty brush.  Everybody should get the most from their brushes!

Information taken from The Brush Guard

When I first received it, I wondered what was so special about this plastic-like netting that strongly reminded me of the nettings found wrapped on small fruits in the supermarket. I also questioned my judgement on purchasing something that seemed replaceable with something else. Fast forward, I continued using them and haven't given much thought about them till today. So, when Mesmerize Online approached me to review The Brush Guard, it struck me that I had the Brush Guard for four years already! I quickly rummaged through my cupboard and gathered my scattered Brush Guard. I was impressed that its still usable till this very day, except it looks slightly discoloured and worn but it's still good. 

The Variety Pack

The Brush Guard's Variety Pack consists of 6 brush guards of different sizes:  

• 1 Shadow 1/4" extra small
• 2 Blush 3/8" small
• 2 Foundation 5/8" medium 
• 1 Powder/Kabuki 1" large

My very first 'The Brush Guard' was the The Variety Pack. If you are not exactly sure which pack to get or would prefer a range of variety (pun intended), I'd suggest to get 'The Variety Pack'. You won't be disappointed because it usually covers the basic brushes in your collection, may it be small or big. 

How to Use: 

1. Slip The Brush Guard over your brush’s handle until it extends ¼” to ½” beyond the bristles.
2. Select the size that fits snugly over your brush’s ferrule (the metal part) and it will not slide back towards the brush handle nor crush the bristles. 
3. Never slide from bristle towards handle!

Below are some comparison pictures of my old Brush Guards and new Brush Guards. 

See the difference after 4 years?

If you are still not convinced, below are some pictures and video taken by me with my collection of brushes. 

Medium-sized Brush Guard with Sigma Flat Kabuki F80 and Sigma Round Kabuki F82

Small-sized Brush Guards with Sigma Large Angled Contour F40 and (new version) Ecotools Blush Brush

Left: Large-sized Brush Guard with Covo HD Kabuki Brush and ELF Kabuki Face Brush
Right: The Variety Pack in Action

The Brush Guard's Shadow/Liner Pack

Now, if you have a beautiful collection of dedicated eye brushes like my Sigma Eye Performance Kit. I would suggest this little gem (the kit isn't cheap alright). These would protect and prolong your well-invested babies. The best part is, you can bring your babies around when you travel. Hint, hint: Chinese New Year is just around the corner! :D

A close-up picture of the Shadow/Liner Pack. Sorry for the poor quality photo :/ 

The Brush Guard's Shadow/Liner Pack in action with my beautiful Sigma Eye Performace Kit :)

The Shadow/Liner Pack in action with Zoeva 232 Classic Shader and Sigma Small Tapered Blending in E45

Conclusion

The thing I like about The Brush Guard is their honesty and non-outrageous marketing claims. Such as, they did note : With use, The Brush Guard may fray. Moderate fraying will not impair The Brush Guard’s effectiveness. Admitting that the product has a lifespan is like admitting we are human beings. It doesn't claim to keep your brushes forever young, and all that crap. I'm serious. It can be quite tiring and disappointing to part with our hard-earned money falling for a marketing gimmick. It's not to say that I am against marketing gimmicks/claims but I believe there's a beautiful balance between truth and pure exaggeration. Think about the long run. 

Anyway, the bottomline is that I love The Brush Guard as it has served me well for the past 4 years. It keeps my brushes' bristles in an orderly fashion and it does help prolongs the lifespan of my brushes but of course, with the proper care from cleaning to storage. Think about it. If you have spent about RM50++ on a brush (especially Sigma/MAC/MUFE brushes), I'm pretty sure you would like to show some extra love to make sure it lasts you for years to come. Well, I hope all of you find this review helpful in deciding which pack would be suitable for your makeup brushes. 

Where to purchase The Brush Guard? 

You can purchase it from Mesmerize Online at RM30 per pack (here). They have:

• Variety Pack
• Shadow/Liner Pack
• Powder/Kabuki Pack

It's free shipping for purchases above RM150. So gather your friends and family to share the joy and prep your makeup brushes for this coming Chinese New Year! Travel with a peace of mind. #onlymakeuploversunderstand. 

Thank you for reading!

Love,
Sarah :)

Disclaimer : The products were provided for reviewing purposes. Please know that all of the information above are my own thoughts and views on the product. This is not a paid review. And, no I don't get any commission from the sales of this item. 

Review : Colours Cosmetics Flat Top Foundation Brush

Review : Sigma Flat Kabuki F80, Zoeva 104 Buffer, Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Hello ladies! 

Click on "read more" >>

Review : Zoeva 142 Concealer Buffer Vs Sigma Precision Flat P80

Elo.

Yep, this is a comparison post of both concealer brushes I own (both purchased with my OWN money).

Read on to find out which one should have a place in your collection or your heart ;)

Review : Colors Cosmetics Malaysia Flat Top Foundation Brush

Hey girls, 

Here is the long-awaited review is finally done! Phew. 

I have been using this Flat Top Brush by Colors Cosmetics Malaysia for about a month now and quite frequently as well which I am quite confident in doing a full review on this little baby. The review starts after this jump!  *** Meet Colors Cosmetics Malaysia (quite a mouthful, so I shall shorten it to CCM throughout this review. Hee.)'s newest creation - the Short Handle Flat Top Foundation Brush. Very similar to Sigma's F80 eh? 

TADA! So cute yet super functional.
Please excuse the extremely chipped off nail polish. >_>

The size fits in my palm just nicely! 

Similar characteristics as the Sigma F80 with its metal handle holding the bristles and  body firmly together.

Sleek, short, black body with CCM's sticker logo on it!
Can't wait for an embossed on version of this. I bet it would look more cool with it :)

Compacted, soft and kinda-even surface bristles.

Thick and packed bristles. Great for buffing in your foundation!
Please excuse the dirty picture as I have a reason for it! >,<

A side by side visual comparison with my Sigma F80. 

 Okay, now to the facts :-

Price : 
Its is currently selling at RM55. Postage fees varies from WM/EM. 

Availability :
Currently only available online in their online store (here). 

According to information provided by CCM on this brush :

CCM says : The brush is modeled after the quality of the F80 Flat Top Kabuki by Sigma. The length of the bristles are almost exactly the same. However, we improvised it to be denser so it can pickup more product.

Sarah says : Yep, it feels almost quite luxurious as my Sigma F80. As for the density, it is slightly more dense than my Sigma F80 but somehow I don't see how it affects my foundation/BB cream application drastically. 

Left : Sigma F80.
Right : CCM Flat Top Foundation Brush

CCM says : Bristles are synthetic fibers, that means its halal. 

Sarah says: Kudos to CCM for thinking long-term in order to survive in our Malaysian market. Its an everything-friendly brush for every Malaysian girls to use ;)

CCM says : We hand checked each brush, however, the bristles do tend to shed during the first wash, it should stop shedding after the 2nd-3rd wash.

Sarah says : The brush I received was in excellent condition except for the fact that the surface of the bristles is not even. As you can see there are some bristles sticking out. Based on my observation when I washed it for the first time before using, there was no color or weird smell released (which is good) but there are some loose bristles here and there as highlighted on their page. It is a good thing that they have highlighted that fact, so that we as consumers know what to expect and not be turned-off by being caught off-guard. 

CCM says : The brush is easier to use due to the shorter length of the handle and closer proximity to the face. Asian hands are typically smaller, so short handle is actually a better option as it gives more control during blending. 

Sarah says : I was intrigue by this brush and to be honest, it stands out as a foundation from most brushes I have seen online it is solely because of the brush's short handle. I don't find any problems with my current F80 brush's length but the short handle does help ease application when it comes to applying foundation close up in front the mirror (whenever I don't use my contact lenses. @_@ ). 

*Off -topic* I wished that CCM would come up with a quality eyeliner brush or eye brushes line with sturdy, short handles as well as I face problems trying to draw my gel liner whenever I go up close to the mirror especially times where I don't use my contact lenses. #blindasabat 

PROs :

1. Does not have any dye-bleed.
2. No weird chemical smell after wash.
3. SUPER convenient for traveling. (brought this brush to Malacca for CNY!) 
4. Easy to clean and DRY. 
5. Does not shed after 2-3 wash. 
6. Excellent customer service provided by CCM. 
7. Uses less products. 
8. Malaysian made! *Proud*

CONs : 

1. Price.
   Personally, I think it is quite pricey for a Malaysian made brand when you can get your hands on Sigma's for about RM 60-70 with/without postage fees. What I am trying to say is, to compete against a brand like Sigma which is an internationally renowned brand, hailed and raved by thousands, if not millions of beauty gurus and bloggers slapped across all over the internet is indeed challenging. I wouldn't say that it is not worth the price but if I can get my paws on Sigma. I would pass the CCM's brush. Sigma has a fine marketing team, same goes for Urban Decay making girls of all shapes and sizes covet or lust over almost every single thing they release. It is SCARY. I fear for my bank account. (T______T)
2. Quality.
   After using this brush for about 15-20 times (yes, I use foundation/bb cream quite frequently due to my bad skin nowadays. Sigh.). It does slowly reveal its 'age' or wear signs. If CCM carefully experiment and get constructive feedback from users, I am very certain they will be able to find the PERFECT formula to come up with brush that will give Sigma a run for their money :P

Sarah's conclusion (I bet you'd be thinking, FINALLY right?) :

I love this brush, but not as much as my Sigma F80. (IAMSORWEEE). 

I'd switch usage between this brush and my Sigma but somehow found that I would still go back to CCM's Flat Top more often as its convenient when it came to application and it has cut down my foundation application time by half. Plus, I used to use about 2-3 pumps of foundation when I used my fingers to apply my foundation.

Plus, it is easy to clean and dry especially living in a hostel when I don't have air-conditioned rooms to speed up the drying time. Besides that, I do move around a lot or do a lot of 'internal' travelling from hostel to home to friend's place to home back to hostel. Whew. It is indeed travel-friendly, taking up less space in my make up pouch. SCORE! ♥

Would Sarah repurchase?

Yes. Yes and Yes. Support QUALITY Malaysian made brands! ♥

Sarah recommends to :

• Beauty and cosmetic lovers of all ages :) 
• Working ladies/students who travels from WM to EM or EM to WM or anywhere in the world. More luggage space for other stuff. Hehehe. 
• Make up artists who needs a quick fix for their customers/models. 

Sarah rates this brush : ♥♥♥♥♥, A- 

How about you? Have you heard of this brush?
If yes, how do you find it?

Comment away!

Love ♥
Sarah :) 

Disclaimer : This brush was provided by CCM for reviewing purposes but it has not in anyway affect my view and experience towards this product. My review is 100% based on my own honest opinion after using this product for about more than 6 weeks.