Kevyn Aucoin Super Soft Buff Powder Brush

I love the performance and versatility of a good flat-top brush. Kevyn Aucoin Super Soft Buff Powder Brush is one such makeup tool: wide, very dense and soft. I use it either for liquid foundations just as I do with Stila No. 21 or for powder, especially when I'm going for more coverage.

 I don't know why such brushes are often sold and labeled for blush application- they are buff brushes, and unless you actually mean to buff a huge amount of pigment onto your cheeks (really not a recommended look), you'd be better off either with a much smaller flat top brush (Julie Hewett Cheekie or Hakuhodo Mizubake) for cream blushes or a domed/pointed blush brush. Kevyn Aucoin's Super Soft Buff Powder Brush does enough for me without being dipped into blush pans.

The nicely weighted handle is similar to all Kevyn Aucoin brushes, comfortable and pretty. The head size is right between my other two flat tops- the Stila one and Hakuhodo G527M. The latter is obviously not as flat as the other two and is only used for powder, while the Stila and Kevyn Aucoin are amazing with liquid foundation and tinted moisturizer; don't be afraid of using natural goat hair brushes for such purpose. The Kevyn Aucoin brush is not as soft as the Hakuhodo but definitely soft enough. Its weakness is in density- it could have used a little more hair. On the other hand, Stila No. 21  might be denser but the two newer ones I bought shed quite a bit (I don't think my old one ever did).

Bottom Line: a very stylish workhorse.

Kevyn Aucoin Super Soft Buff Powder Brush ($46) is available from Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Dermstore.com.

All photos are mine.

Kevyn Aucoin Galaxine/Rosette Liquid Cyber Lip

There are some really nice gems in the under-hyped Kevyn Aucoin makeup line. The glosses of the Liquid Cyber Lips range are one such item, offering a very moisturizing texture (not sticky at all), flattering colors (I've never dared to try the light blue one, though) and quite a bit of shine and sparkle when you're in the mood for it. The Galaxine/Rosette shade is a warm rosy brown with multicolored shimmer particles in cooler tones that balance the final look.

I like using Galaxine/Rosette Liquid Cyber Lip over nudish and muted lipsticks to give them (and me) a little more life. This Kevyn Aucoin gloss is also great on its own- my lips are naturally dark enough so Galaxine/Roseete just adds some rosy red hues and shine to the look and keeps my lips hydrated and healthy looking. The sparkle/fine glitter might be a bit too much for an office environment, but not any more than your average Chanel Glossimer. Texturewise  this Liquid Cyber Lip doesn't feel gritty. The finish is beautiful and overall appearance is of a real quality product, which it is.

Bottom Line: Great.

Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Cyber Lip glosses ($27) are available from Bergdorf Goodman (in-store only), Barneys (also online) and Dermstore.

All photos are mine (yes, they're from November, hence the autumn leaf decor).

Kevyn Aucoin Medium Eyeshadow Brush

If this is a "medium" eye shadow brush I'm curious to know what is considered a large one by the Kevyn Aucoin team.

But, seriously, the Medium Eyeshadow brush from Kevyn Aucoin is a good multitasker. Its size and fluffiness makes it a good choice for an allover sheer wash- it's not very dense and won't pick too much product, so I like it with some of my more assertive NARS eye shadows. It blends colors on the lid and does a nice job evening out my application, especially thanks to the angular shape. However, I must admit that if it came to making a choice for one blending brush I would still go with a rounder shape; the Kevyn Aucoin is not an alternative to the perfection of my Edward Bess eye brush.

Still, I like this eye brush, medium or not, because it's somewhat different, well crafted and a good performer. It's also big enough for me to use as a highlighter brush since I don't have much cheekbone space. Kevyn Aucoin brushes are very pretty and sturdy. They have an elongated handle with a burgundy core and a thick lucite coat, making them look luxurious and feel good in one's hand.

Bottom Line: nice to have.

Kevyn Aucoin Medium Eyeshadow Brush ($32) is available at Bergdorf Goodman (in store only), Barneys (also online), beauty.com and dermstore.com.

Photos by me,  the model is Sophie.

Kevyn Aucoin Concealer Brush

Concealers, like any other makeup items, require different brushes depending on their texture and the task at hand. Are you trying to highlight a larger area and blend it seamlessly into your foundation? Are you trying to hide a scar? cover a blemish? Is it a thick cream or a light fluid concealer? Then there are your personal preferences regarding bristle type and shape. Generally I'd recommend having a few concealer brush in different shapes and sizes so you're ready for most common tasks.

Kevyn Aucoin Concealer Brush is unique in its small flat head. It's meant for detailed and precise work, and make the smallest imperfections disappear when using a high-coverage thick product. Hiding small blemishes and thin scars is suddenly easy because the Kevyn Aucoin brush grabs the right amount of spackle and deposits it exactly where and how you want it. The head is thinner and flatter than in most pointy concealer brushes (like Laura Mercier and Sephora Professional Platinum) and smaller than in traditional flat ones (think Chanel, Smashbox and most others). That's why I also like using this brush for highly accurate jobs like applying concealer around the lip line to create the perfect lipstick look and keep everything firmly in place (it also need to perfectly blended, otherwise don't bother).

Kevyn Aucoin makeup brushes have a pretty handle- maroon colored inside a clear lucite shell. They're sturdy, stable and have a comfortable weight and grip. The concealer brush washes easily and dries quickly. I reach for it often and find it an essential tool.

Kevyn Aucoin concealer brush ($24) is available from Barneys, beauty.com and kevynaucoindirect.com.

Photos by Sophie and me.

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