Friday, January 3, 2014

Brushes (Vol.1): How It All Begins



It was the summer of 2000. I had stumbled upon KevynAucoin’s book Face Forward while perusing the stacks at Barnes and Noble. I devoured it. I poured over every page. Soon after, bearing in mind Kevyn’s pronouncement that “no matter how artistic a person is, without quality tools and products, even a genius like Michelangelo would not have been able to paint the Sistine Chapel”, I walked into a department store and the first counter in front of me was TrishMcEvoy. I knew nothing about brush brands or which were considered good, but I felt the powder brush and knew I had found Nirvana.

I was working a summer internship and the $60 price tag was beyond steep, but I trusted the advice that good brushes were an investment that would last a lifetime. That brush was glorious. 14 years later, it still is.
Trish McEvoy Brush No. 5. The gold handle dates mine. Trish McEvoy switched to lucite handles around 2001. A new brush no. 5 costs $79 and can be purchased here.

From there, I carefully grew my collection. Based on the stellar performance of my first Trish brush, I stuck with the brand for a while.

From left to right, numbers 2B, 5, 28, 7, 29, 35, 11, 43 and 45. Note, only 5, 11, 29 and 45 are still available, though other brushes are available at trishmcevoy.com.

 And then, some would say, things got out of hand...

My entire collection. Well, almost. I didn’t include the brushes I keep in my small but exquisitely curated makeup bag.

In my defense, I use them all, and have had many of them for over a decade. How do I use them all you ask? That is a subject for another day...

But let’s talk brands and pricing for a bit. There is no doubt that some high performing brushes are worth serious money. Ever since Lisa Eldridge likened the Suqqu Cheek Brush to a stroke from a kitten’s paw (and used it in almost every video, which of course I have devotedly watched), I have wanted it and been prepared to purchase it. Unfortunately, so has every one else, and it is simply unavailable. The question is why am I so prepared to shell out the exorbitant sum? Because I don’t have a cheek brush I love. I’ve tried high, medium and low end, and nothing has thrilled me.  More than a few have downright disappointed me.

So what makes up that parade of brushes above? Clearly, Trish McEvoy. Kevyn Aucoin came out with his own range of brushes, and I have a few. M.A.C., of course. I already own two 217s and am constantly questioning whether I should own more. From the lower end of the spectrum, I am seriously impressed by Real Techniques and Sonia Kashuk.  I even made a point of collecting the little brushes Maybelline gives you with its gel eyeliner.  Those things are dreamy, and double as amazing lip brushes.

This is what I have learned through my brush odyssey. You won’t love everything from one particular brand. But many brands, even very cheap ones, can have something to offer.

1 comment:

  1. I'm obsessed with my gold handle Trish brushes! If you ever feel like parting with any of yours, let me know!'

    ReplyDelete