A little while ago a dear reader of mine requested a comparison review between e.l.f’s Studio Powder Brush and Lancome’s Precision Cheek – Brush #7. I decided to throw in Sigma’s Flat Top Synthetic Brush into the mix as well, for good measure 😉
And what I’ve discovered is that despite looking similar, each three brushes have a very different use.
Lancome’s Precision Cheek – Brush #7 ($47.50US) which I mentioned was one of my favourite brushes and is actually best for (surprise surprise) applying powder over liquid / cream foundation. It is great at picking up a light to medium amount of powder, and distributing it lightly and evenly across your face. It doesn’t do a good job at applying liquid or cream foundation. With liquid it would literally absorb most of the product and leave streaks across my face, and with cream it would just be streaks-ville 🙁
e.l.f’s Studio Powder Brush ($3US), could potentially do the same, but I felt that it was actually better at apply powder foundation. The reason is because I found this brush to be quite a bit denser than Lancome, and so it worked similar to a kabuki brush, good at buffing in products.
I personally don’t buff in powder over liquid foundation because I find it shifts the liquid foundation. But I do buff in powder foundation as there is nothing beneath it to budge.
Lastly, Sigma’s Flat Top Synthetic Brush ($16US) is best for applying liquid to cream foundation / blush and buffing in powder foundation. It wasn’t great at dusting powder over liquid foundation because it would pick up way too much product and instead of distributing it evenly over my face, would plonk it right where I placed my brush.
So overall, I found that Lancome was really best for a dusting of face powder over a cream / liquid foundation. e.l.f for powder foundation and Sigma for liquid and cream products! Hope that helps 😀
I recently reviewed the Sigma Flat Top and will be reviewing my ELF one soon. I don’t have the Lancome, but I trust your judgment. Overall I completely agree with your assessments. I hated the ELF for liquid and dusting powder on top, but love it for buffing in powder. The Sigma is for sure my favorite for the liquid of the three. 😀 great job!
I can’t wait for your review 😀 Glad you see eye to eye 😀
Thanks for the comparison! I have the sigma, but I’m still unsure if I prefer it over my crown brush.
Ooh I haven’t tried Crown’s version yet, I always hear such great things about them 🙂
Labels on the brushes for the less familiar?
Done! 🙂 Hope that helps!
Thanks for the comparison. I actually love the ELF brush for liquid foundation. It provides good coverage and a very natural finish.
That’s great to hear 😀 I suspected everyone has their own habits and loves for using similar products 🙂
Overall, I only have the elf brush out of all three, I love it for powder foundation and sometimes bronzer too. Perfect for buffing out harsh line. For liquid foundation, I use my trusty Mac 130. Thanks for sharing the review!
That’s great to hear! I don’t know if I’ve tried the MAC 130 yet, I think I might give it a whirl! Thanks for the suggestion~