Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Le Métier de Beauté Makeup Brushes

Much has been written about Le Métier de Beauté's makeup brushes lately - and for good reason. They are fabulous brushes. I own the three shown above: Blush ($55), Eye Shadow Brush #1 ($40), and Large Concealer Brush ($50). I love their magnificent quality. I also love the fact that no animals suffered to make them. I will tell you that Charlie thinks it's the cat's meow to have his face stroked with my Blush Brush.

The brushes have short handles. With some brushes, I prefer short handles. With others, it's a toss-up to me; I can use them short or long. I know some makeup artists prefer long handles because they give them room to work at a reasonable distance from their clients. Personal space is not an issue to me when I'm applying my own makeup.

The Blush Brush is tapered for natural blush application. It's made with 100% natural goat hair. It's the one I bought most recently, and it was easy to clean up for this photo. It's nice and fluffy and allows me easy control to ensure I don't apply so much color I have to start wiping it off (or covering it with foundation), a casualty that's not uncommon with some other brushes. My skin is fair, so I need to use a brush that allows me to build color - not forces me to subtract it.

The Eye Shadow Brush #1 is as close to perfect as it gets. Also made from 100% natural goat hair (my those goats are soft!), it's just the right size for my eyelids. I use it as intended to apply shadows to my lid, and sideways in the crease. I'd really like to have the Eye Crease Brush for that, but I spend too much money and have to make brushes work for me when my credit card bill gets painful or I start thinking about retirement. The Eye Shadow Brush picks up exactly the right amount of shadow for my tastes. I can always add more, but it gets tricky to remove shadows when you've already primed your eyelids or added a base shadow shade. Starting over is not a happy option on work mornings when I spend too much time on my computer and not enough applying my makeup. I love brushes that make it easy for me to swipe and go.

The Large Concealer Brush may be the superstar among celebrities. It's described as narrow, but that's a front-to-back measurement, not a description of side-to-side width. It's actually a wide brush. It is the most perfect brush I've ever used to apply and/or blend concealer under my eyes - or anywhere on my face anywhere except on my eyelids. I can quickly smear a stick concealer under my eyes and make the application perfect with only a few strokes of this brush.

The synthetic hairs on the Large Concealer Brush are easy to clean. I didn't clean them for this photo, so you can see my under-eye concealer on the tip. The hairs are coated with something to allow the brush keep the hairs from absorbing product - and, I suspect, to give this brush its amazing ability to blend concealer flawlessly.

Would I like to have more Le Métier de Beauté brushes? Absolutely! I reach for the three I own more frequently than other brushes in the same categories. That's high praise because I have a collection of fine brushes. Should you try at least one? Yes, but be prepared to want more (or all) of them. Next on my wish list are the Eye Crease Brush, the Flat Liner Brush, and the Powder Brush. I need a second job - err, make that a third, since writing this blog is my second job.

You can purchase Le Métier de Beauté makeup brushes at all Le Métier de Beauté counters. I bought mine at Neiman Marcus.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

16 comments:

Unknown said...

You guys are out to get me aren't you??!! I will get these brushes eventually. I'm supposed to be getting the concealer brush shortly but this darn impending Canada Post strike is messing things up for me. I do really need a good blush brush...hmmmm

Charlestongirl said...

PP, you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE the concealer brush! It will be instant gratification! Or possibly delayed gratification. A strike? I just mailed a box to Canada. Sigh...

Eileen said...

I had to smile at Charlie and the brush. I keep an old Chanel blush brush for pampering my cockatiel. While he's balanced on my finger, I begin by stroking his chest. As soon as that brush touches him, he begins singing. He'll then tilt his head down and turn around so I can get his wings and back. What a bird!

Charlestongirl said...

Eileen, I think you are the sister I wish I had had (instead of the one I got). :) My reaction to reading your comment was one huge "Awwwwwww!"

Walls said...

Thank you for sharing! I have been wondering about LMdB's brushes for some time. I have been absolutely loving my Chanel brushes (European line) as well as the new Burberry eye brushes. Would you mind telling me where LMdB's brushes are made? Thanks for all the fantastic blogging!

Hopelessly Devoted To Makeup said...

You know I have those three that you mentioned plus the crease brush. I truly love all their brushes and have yet to be disappointed. At the time I purchased mine, there were little to know reviews on them. I am glad that I took the plunge and purchased them anyways. I now know what you know, they are great brushes and worth the investment.

LilyBiscuit said...

Thanks for posting this. I really need the large concealer brush. I was just complaining to a friend yesterday about the "3" concealer brushes I bought in the past few months that are too small and don't work well with my concealer. Time to go shopping :)

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Walls!

They are made in China - surprisingly.

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Hopelessly Devoted! It took me some time to buy them because I kept getting kidnapped by the color! :)

Charlestongirl said...

Have fun, LilyBiscuit! Please let us know how you like it.

makeup merriment said...

I'm trying to resist these brushes but all these wonderful reviews are breaking me down! I trying to decide which one to get first! I'm wondering if the concealer brush may be the one I *need* the most-lol.

Thanks for the review

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Makeup Merriment!

I think I'd start with the concealer brush - if I had to choose just one. Glad I didn't have to!

luv2smilexo said...

I really want to try these brushes. The kabuki and the concealer brush are definitely on my list.

Joolz said...

I have the one eye shadow brush and I love it! The next one on my list is the crease brush, but you make the blush and concealer brushes sound divine! Do you think the large concealer brush can be used for foundation as well?

Unknown said...

Yes there may be a postal strike effective midnight tomorrow. I really hope not because I have several packages out in both directions :-(
I also am always kidnapped by colour!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi everyone...

Luv2smilexo, yes! You will love them.

Joolz, absolutely...it's as large as some of my foundation brushes. Go for it!

PerilouslyPale...oh no! How long will it last? Any idea? I sent a box to Quebec province last Friday or Saturday. Dying now.