No. 7 MAKE UP BRUSHES REVIEW AND DIY BRUSH BAG

Boots No.7 brushes are synthetic brushes so are cruelty free and don't shed. They can handle frequent washing, I've had two for over two years and the others over a year and they fare well. They are also recommended by Pixiwoo  (before Sam Chapman made her real technique brushes.)

The brush handles are quite short which may not be to everyone's taste but they are a good size for travel and with some D.I.Y cutting the plastic packaging makes for an excellent make up brush bag.(I also keep my eye liners and lip liners in them.)

Eye contour Brush £7.25 (No 7 top Coastal scents bottom)
Most eye looks need a fluffy blending brush to contour/shade the eye crease. I bought this as it looked like a dupe of MAC's 217 fluffy brush. Unfortunately I don't own this brush but can compare to coastal scents, which is a cheaper brand than No. 7. Compared to the Coastal scents version this brush is flatter, making it perfect for a smaller eye crease. The actual brush heads are about the same length. My coastal scents one may be nearing the end of its life.

Precision Eyeliner Brush £7
I don't find this good for eyeliner at all I feel it's too thick for a precise line.
I feel this makes an excellent lip brush instead. It's thinner than the No. 7 lip brush and so gives more accurate application. I've had this brush for at least two years and wash it once a week/fortnight (I don't tend to wear proper lipstick as often as lip gloss) I've experienced absolutely no shedding.





Lip Brush £7

This is a great lip brush it's a good size for filling in lips. It hasn't really been discoloured at all over 2 years. A few hairs are bent but I think that's done to me storing them amongst too many brushes. At a pinch I sometimes use this as an eye shadow brush if I can't find any clean brushes, although it is rather small for this.

Concealer brush £8
I am currently battling dark circles under my eyes so thought a good concealer brush may help in my application of concealer. The brush is really soft. I also use it for an all over quick wash of eye shadow. Above is a picture comparing the size to a Real techniques foundation brush. The no.7 brush is smaller and a tinier bit more fuller.

What are your experiences of these brushes? Do you disagree?

Disclaimer; I bought these brushes with my own money and am not being compensated in any way or have links with Boots or No7 

10 Tips on How to keep make up hygenic and germ free

1)  Wipe make up bags and drawers with antiseptic wipes regularly.

2)  Limit fingers , use brushes, in particular for cream eye shadow in pots and concealers.
Keep fingers away from pressed powders. Oil from your hands can ruin pressed products by changing their texture/effectiveness.

3) Wash make up brushes to remove old make up, oil, dirt and bacteria and thus avoiding breakouts. How often? Try to deep clean (using water wash with baby shampoo/soap/ oil and detergent mix) your most used brushes at least once a week, others can maybe go for 2 weeks. Spot clean (with brush cleaner spray/wet wipe) in the interim (for foundation and eye brushes I clean before each use. For Lip/blush/bronzer less often.)

4) Wash hands before applying make up 

5) Don't add water (this includes spit as well, people) to thin out products or add moisture to dry products 

6) Don't blow the excess off your powder/blush brush  it can breed germs (they migrate from your saliva.) Tap the brush instead. Don't blow across powder make up pans, use cotton wool to clean them up.

7) . Don't use the same concealer to cover spots as well as under eyes- you're just moving bacteria from the spot to your under eye area. I see so many Beauty gurus doing this, but don't. 

8).Try to avoid double dipping or at least limit Double dipping
This is when you dip a make up applicator (be it mascara wand, make up brush or applicator) directly into a product and then onto your skin/eyes, then back to the product as you repeat application. This cross-contaminates the products, your skin and eyes which could lead to infections. General advice is to dip once and use a new applicator each time if more product is required.
For liquid foundations apply an amount onto the back of your hand or onto a palette so you don't end up with too much and waste it, try and siphon it it back into the bottle or double dip.

This is most important for :
 
Make up artists making over many people with the same make up kit, but is just as important if you are applying make up to friends. There are many disposable mascara wands in many styles and make up applicators available.

When you are ill. It's best to use a cotton swab to apply eye and lip products, and don't double dip. Use a sponge when applying foundation and bin it after each use.  Personally I toss tube lip with doe foot applicators after I've had a cough, cold or flu. If it's really expensive lip gloss cotton swabs are the best way to go.

9) Never pump your wands. This pushes air into the tube which encourages rapid bacteria growth.. Instead  Twist the brush while it’s inside the tube.  Your mascara will last longer, with clump less and have less bacteria.


10). Use Beauty So clean  this is a spray that disinfects make up. Although I haven't used it so I'm not sure if it can aggravate sensitive skins but the make up artist Wayne Goss has recommended it. It is available at  .Guru Make Up Emporium the spray £9.50 48 or from Feel unique wipes for £9.50. Or else Rubbing alcohol.