Review: Sigma Makeup Brushes

July 9, 2010 in Everything Eyes, Foundations and Concealers, Highlight and Contour, Reviews

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For the past few months, I have been seeing Sigma Brushes in the brush rolls of many of my colleagues and celebrity makeup artists that I have had the opportunity to assist. Of course, I had to test these brushes out for myself! I have been test driving my new Sigma Makeup “Professional Brushes Complete Kit” for about a month and I am excited to finally share these awesome (budget-friendly brushes) with everyone!

Review:

My first opportunity to use my new Sigma Brushes was on a photoshoot with an actress named Alexandra Daddario, from the film Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief. Even though I usually go through tons of brushes when I work, I forced myself to use only the 12 brushes in my Sigma brush roll (ok, ok… and only like 8 of my regular brushes as well ). It was much easier than I thought it would be since you have pretty much every brush you need to do a whole face!  I need more when I work, but you could definitely get by on these 12 for everyday makeup application.

Quality

On first inspection of the brushes, you can tell they are very good quality. The bristles are silky smooth and they just feel well made. I use a lot of brushes from Crown (which are cheap, but not necessarily the best) and the difference a quality brush makes really can transform your application. After a month of use and routine cleaning, they are still holding up really well. I’m getting a little bit of shedding from several of the brushes, but not enough to worry too much about.

Price

One of the best things about Sigma Makeup Brushes is their price! They are extremely affordable, especially since the quality compares many higher end lines. The Professional Brushes Complete Kit that I have is only $69 without the brush roll ($89 w/brush roll). To get an entire brush set at that price is an amazing deal that would be hard to find anywhere else. If you are on a budget but don’t want to skimp on quality, I highly recommend Sigma Makeup Brushes.

Standouts:

The pencil brush is one of my favorites from the collection. It really helps give a precise application and is awesome for applying eyeshadow to the crease of the eye. I also love it for buffing out a harsh eyeliner, to get a smokey effect. I definitely have found myself reaching for this brush the most!

This has become one of my favorite concealer brushes! It is very firm and the shape is great!! It has a slight point at the tip which I really like for doing detail work. It can cover a pimple effortlessly! It came in handy on a recent shoot when the model’s foundation kept creasing in her undereye folds. I would just pop in and quickly knock it out with this brush and we’d be shooting again in the blink of an eye.

I looove  Duo Fibre brushes!! The synthetic tip blends foundation, powder, blush etc flawlessly for an amazing, airbrushed look. This Duo Fibre brush from Sigma is great because it compares to MAC’s infamous 187 brush, for only a fraction of the price! The only real difference between the two is that MAC’s is slightly denser and $26 more expensive! MAC’s 187 retails for $42, while Sigma’s retails at $16. Yes please.

I am in love with this little “Hollywood Glamour Kabuki” brush! It is sooo soft and cute! It’s a little  too bulky and  awkward to fit in my brush belt, so I’m actually keeping this one for personal use!  It buffs my powder and bronzer on flawlessly and is retractable, so perfect for throwing in your purse for mid-day touch ups!

Any Cons?

-The Eyeliner Brush (SS209) is a little too thick for my taste. I prefer a slimmer brush that allows me to build. For someone with smaller eyes, or not much of a crease, the line you would get from this brush would probably be too thick. On a positive note, I have been using it on the lips lately and actually love it! The point gives me control and the ability to make perfect lines while eliminating bleeding.

-The Contouring Brush (SS168)  has altered shape after several washings. It is not as tight as it used to be, which is makes it more difficult for precise contouring. It’s slowly becoming a great blush brush though

- I wish all of the brushes were available for individual sale. As far as I can tell, some are not available to purchase separately.

Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally.