When I went on a mini trip in January, I realized I packed extremely light on makeup but had to have a whole separate (heavy) bag just for brushes. Before spring break and a few other trips, I realized travel brushes would be a good investment and better traveling solution.
I did a little research on the "best travel brushes" a lot of people like the MAC mini brushes (limited edition, usually available for the holiday season),and the Shu Uemura Compact brush set (no longer available at Sephora or Shu Uemura, priced around $50?) With either brand, I'd only receive 4-5 brushes for $40-50.
I changed my search to "best CHEAP travel brushes" the winner definitely seemed to be ecotools travel brushes. Nine brushes for $20; I had to give it a try.
I have used these brushes on three trips, I actually used them as my regular everyday brushes for about a month as well.
5 Piece Mineral Brush Set
($12.00)
Mineral Powder
This should be your all-over face brush. (Possibly blush?) I don't wear powder. But I do use this for a highlight brush and it works great.
Eyeshading Brush
This really reminds me of MAC 217, not an identical dupe, obviously. But does get the job done nicely. I mainly use it for crease color and blending, ocasionally highlighting.
Concealer Brush
Again, reminds me of MAC 192, distributes product nicely, blends well.
Baby Kabuki Brush
Because it's so little, it does a lot more time and effort. If you used this for your all-over face powder/foundation it will take a lot longer than a normal size one. Luckily, I just use this for bronzer and get rid of harsh lines from blush.
Cosmetic Bag
I wasn't impressed with the bag. It's almost too small just for these 4 brushes. I like to be able to dig around in a big bag and grab the I'm looking for rather than dumping them all out/grabbing one by one until I can find the one I'm after.
6 Piece Eye Brush Set
($8.00)
Large Eye Brush
Picks up product well and distributes evenly. I used this for all-over lid color and then the highlight color, as well.
Angled Crease Brush
I'm really confused by this brush (in fact I ending up selling it on eBay) It's too big to get the crease color placed nicely. (I use the Eyeshading Brush from the other set for crease color instead.)
Petite Eye Shading Brush
This brush is good for your inner corners and to fix mascara and eyeliner mess ups.
Smudge Brush
This is nearly identical to the Petite Eye Shading Brush, in all shape, size, and the brush hairs. Usually, when I hear smudge brush I think of a sponge, not actual brush hairs. I couldn't really figure out what to do with this brush (another one sold on eBay.)
Highlighting Brush
This brush has the same shape as the Eyeshading Brush from the other kit. However, it's a little smaller and worse quality.
Travel Case with Mirror
Again, I'm not crazy about the case because it only holds these 5 brushes. Maybe for on-the-go (keeping this brush set and case in your purse), it's good. But actually travel, it's annoying to have so many bags/cases for brushes.
It
"earth friendly beauty"
Save the Planet
Cruelty-Free Hair
Natural & Recycled Materials
Both kits were missing a few brushes that I use every day and still have to bring along the full size, (and I'm searching for travel size ones!):
Angled Blush Brush - The Mineral Brush could work as the blush brush, but I'm a little lazy and don't want to have to hold the brush a certain way to get the same effect as the angled brush.
Angled Brow/Eyeliner Brush - This kit doesn't have any type of eyeliner brush, which I found pretty weird since powder and gel liners are becoming more popular than just pencil liners.
Brow Brushes - This kit isn't very brow-friendly at all, there's not one brush. I know most of us have untamed, wild brows and need an angled brush, spoolie, and/or eyebrow/eyelash comb. Maybe I should just find a separate travel brow kit.
Rating Scale
(NEW! click here)
Product: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Packaging: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
The main point: The kits (all 9 brushes and 2 cases for only $20) are well worth the value and quality. Some of the brushes are too similar and/or serve no purpose or not the correct one it is labeled for. The kits have some room for improvement and there's most likely even better ones out there. The 5 Piece Mineral Brush Set is definitely worth looking into, the 6 Piece Eye Brush needs a little bit of tweaking by ecotools,
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