| Review | Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Foundation Brush 2.5
Ok, since Tom Ford switched their brush range to synthetic hairs, I had no interest in buying their brushes. Especially, since they have kept their prices just as high and they're only getting higher. This particular brush piqued my interest because of its unique shape and paired with a sale a while back, I couldn't resist picking it up. Here are my thoughts on this pricey and unique foundation brush.
The Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Foundation Brush 2.5 retails for $100.00 USD and is available exclusively at Nordstrom. This brush is made of synthetic crema colored hairs, has a gold ferrule, and a cognac handle. This is how the Tom Ford bushes have always looked, very elegant and classic but they only recently because strictly synthetic hair brushes in the past couple of years.
SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL HAIR
SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL HAIR
My personal opinion about synthetic brushes is that they're really good for some applications and I really enjoy them. However, I don't believe that synthetic hair brushes are of equal worth value-wise when compared to natural hair brushes. The price to me is alarming even for a luxury beauty brand for a synthetic brush. Synthetic brush hairs do not vary wildly from inexpensive and expensive brushes. They're quite similar in quality and texture, so the high price isn't warranted.
HOW IT CLEANS
The synthetic hairs on this brush are very soft and smooth. They are a cream color but this coloring doesn't last, unfortunately, after the first use, the foundation did not wash out of the brush. I tried washing it several times but the tip of the brush remained lightly stained. It looks more stained when the bristles are wet but when it dries it doesn't look as bad but it's still stained. This, to me, indicates a very poorly crafted brush. For the price, I'd like the brush to be easy to clean and easy to maintain. I really think this is one of the pivotal features of a high-quality brush. This is an issue I didn't have with the natural hair brushes.
I was very happy to see that there was no shedding when I washed this brush, which I often experience with natural hair brushes but also, occasionally, with synthetic brushes. While the brush is dense, it took the standard amount of time to dry, about 24 hours.
THE SHAPE
I was very happy to see that there was no shedding when I washed this brush, which I often experience with natural hair brushes but also, occasionally, with synthetic brushes. While the brush is dense, it took the standard amount of time to dry, about 24 hours.
The brush itself is a very dense brush with a tapered edge that it flat. The shape is something that is very unique and it was what drew me to try this brush. I have to say, this brush's shape is so versatile, making it a delight to use and brings so much value to my routine. This specialty design makes it perfect for a variety of applications. The density of this brush is perfect in relation to its shape because it acts a lot like a sponge would, pressing in the product to the skin and minimizing streaks. The best method with this brush is a stippling, tapping, or pressing motion with the occasional short strokes. This ensures the most flawless finish to your makeup. The tapered shape allows you to get in and around all the contours of the face.
APPLICATIONS
Foundation
As a foundation brush, it is my ideal foundation brush style, dense with an even flat surface that makes it ideal for stippling and getting good coverage and a streak-free application. This type of brush isn't meant for buffing but like I said, more of a stippling motion combined with short strokes to limit streakiness. Its flat surface applies foundation almost like a sponge would, pressing the foundation into the skin in an even and controlled manner. The angle allows you to get into all the contours of the face and even under the eyes! I have even used this brush with the recently released
Contour
The other application this brush works amazing for is bronzing, sculpting, and contouring. It's small angles shape allow you to apply the product precisely and lets you blend it out in a controlled manner. Especially, if you're using cream products, this synthetic brush picks up product beautifully and works so well for blending.
Blush & Highlighter
This isn't the very best brush for applying blush and highlighter but it actually a very good cream blush brush. Again, the synthetic hairs pick up the product really well and the flat surface is perfect for pressing the product into the skin in a very natural and seamless way. I wouldn't use this for powder blush because the shape and density of the brush are too much for a powder formula and you may end up with a big splotch of blush on your cheek.
The flat shape and the small diameter of the brush can work for highlighting, especially if you are using a liquid or cream highlighter. I like this brush for liquid highlighter because I can dot the highlighter on my cheekbones and using the flat dense shape of the brush to seamlessly press the highlighter onto my cheekbones. If you use a stippling motion you can get a lot of control over the blending, like you would with a beauty sponge.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I think this brush has a very versatile and unique shape, I don't think it's so rare that it's worth paying the extremely high price for it. I have definitely seen brushes with a similar shape and look and while not exact, you can save a significant amount of money. That being said, if you want to splurge on a brush and you use a lot of liquid and cream products, this one is excellent! I love the flat edge and dense shape, it really allows you to apply so many cream and liquids seamlessly on the skin! My biggest problem with this brush is that it's difficult to clean and the brush hairs get stained but that's the worst thing about this brush. If this brush went on sale again, I would consider getting another one because I really find so much enjoyment in using it. For the full price, I would say try finding an alternative first before picking this brush up. I just don't think the quality is worth the very hefty price.
Shop Tom Ford:
APPLICATIONS
Foundation
As a foundation brush, it is my ideal foundation brush style, dense with an even flat surface that makes it ideal for stippling and getting good coverage and a streak-free application. This type of brush isn't meant for buffing but like I said, more of a stippling motion combined with short strokes to limit streakiness. Its flat surface applies foundation almost like a sponge would, pressing the foundation into the skin in an even and controlled manner. The angle allows you to get into all the contours of the face and even under the eyes! I have even used this brush with the recently released
Contour
The other application this brush works amazing for is bronzing, sculpting, and contouring. It's small angles shape allow you to apply the product precisely and lets you blend it out in a controlled manner. Especially, if you're using cream products, this synthetic brush picks up product beautifully and works so well for blending.
Blush & Highlighter
This isn't the very best brush for applying blush and highlighter but it actually a very good cream blush brush. Again, the synthetic hairs pick up the product really well and the flat surface is perfect for pressing the product into the skin in a very natural and seamless way. I wouldn't use this for powder blush because the shape and density of the brush are too much for a powder formula and you may end up with a big splotch of blush on your cheek.
The flat shape and the small diameter of the brush can work for highlighting, especially if you are using a liquid or cream highlighter. I like this brush for liquid highlighter because I can dot the highlighter on my cheekbones and using the flat dense shape of the brush to seamlessly press the highlighter onto my cheekbones. If you use a stippling motion you can get a lot of control over the blending, like you would with a beauty sponge.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I think this brush has a very versatile and unique shape, I don't think it's so rare that it's worth paying the extremely high price for it. I have definitely seen brushes with a similar shape and look and while not exact, you can save a significant amount of money. That being said, if you want to splurge on a brush and you use a lot of liquid and cream products, this one is excellent! I love the flat edge and dense shape, it really allows you to apply so many cream and liquids seamlessly on the skin! My biggest problem with this brush is that it's difficult to clean and the brush hairs get stained but that's the worst thing about this brush. If this brush went on sale again, I would consider getting another one because I really find so much enjoyment in using it. For the full price, I would say try finding an alternative first before picking this brush up. I just don't think the quality is worth the very hefty price.
Shop Tom Ford:
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