Review: Nanshy Face Brush Set

 Nanshy Face Brush Set* (£34.95, link)

When it comes to applying foundation or any kind of base to my face, you'll have a hard task trying to get me to use anything other than my beloved Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  Seriously, that one brush seems to have single handedly revolutionised how women now apply foundation.  So when Nanshy offered to send me some of their cruelty-free make-up brushes to try out, I did somewhat panic when I saw an entire five piece set of face brushes beneath the bubblewrap.  Bravely, I decided to put the RT Buffing Brush into temporary storage and switched to using only these Nanshy brushes for a whole month.  Here's how I got on.     

The Nanshy Face Brush Set comprises of five full size make-up brushes, all of which can be used to apply various bases to your face in different ways.  The handles are wooden, chunky and varnished but I found them easy to hold and work with.  All of the bristles are synthetic, so they're 100%  cruelty-free and vegan friendly which I love! (Check out my Natural Vs Synthetic Brushes post to read why).  Best of all, the brushes are SO DAMN SOFT, so using them is a pleasure rather than an irritation.  The bristles are densely packed (think kabuki style) and the metallic ferrules are secured tightly.  I've washed them with Dr Bronner's Magic Liquid Soap twice and so far I've had zero shedding from any of them. 

So! Onto the brushes themselves.  They can all be used for powder/liquid/cream formulas etc, but where possible I've stated what I found them particularly good for.

Nanshy Round Buffer Brush 

Best for cream/liquid foundations

The rounded, domed shaped head lends itself very well to applying any liquid foundation / tinted moisturiser / BB cream.  It makes buffing them into the skin for a flawless finish super easy, ensuring you don't get any streaks or patchy areas. 

Nanshy Pointed Brush

Best for liquid/cream foundations & concealers

This cleverly crafted pointed brush lets you blend easily into all of those difficult areas like around the nose and mouth.  Although it has a pointed end, it's also still quite rounded with it, so you get the best of both worlds when it comes to buffing formulas in.  I've found this perfect for using with cream and liquid concealers under the eyes.

Nanshy Angled Buffer Brush

Best for cream/liquid blushers, bronzers & highlighters

An angled version of the Round Buffer Brush, this makes applying sometimes tricky cream and liquid blushers incredibly easy.  I was recently asked what I used to apply my Daniel Sandler Watercolour Liquid Brush with and the answer now is this!  Also great for using with any cream bronzers and highlighters for contouring purposes - that slight angle makes the world of difference if you're a beginner in this area.

Nanshy Flat Top Buffer Brush

Best for mineral and powder foundations

This is your typical flat top kabuki style brush and a perfect companion for anyone who loves their mineral and powder foundations.  I've been using it with my Bareminerals Original Foundation and it picks up the product so well, and distributes it evenly when you buff it in. 

Nanshy Flat Angled Buffer Brush

Best for loose powder/mineral blushers & bronzers

At first I didn't really use this brush very much, but after shopping my stash and rediscovering some of my make-up, I found it to be invaluable for loose mineral blushers.  The angle lets you contour and sculpt the face, whilst that flat top lets you blend it all out wonderfully.  You can also use it for doing a stippling motion with cream blushers as well. 

Summary: I really can't fault the quality and purposes of these brushes at all.  The only slight criticism I have is that the brushes aren't labelled with their names, but that's a personal preference thing really and when you're using them on a regular basis, you soon to get used to them and what they're for!  The set is great value for money if you're looking to treat yourself and expand your brush collection and I can imagine them appealing to both beauty junkies and professional MUAs alike.

How do they compare to the Real Techniques Buffing Brush? 

The RT Buffing Brush seems to be in a league of its own with many other brushes being similar to it, but just not being the same.  I'd say that it's like a cross between the Nanshy Round and Flat Top Buffer Brushes, sitting somewhere in the middle between them in terms of design and usability.  It's still my HG foundation brush, but the Nanshy ones certainly try to give it a run for its money!

How do they compare to Sigma brushes?
I know Sigma are very popular on the blogosphere and I own a few of their synthetic precision brushes.  I can't comment directly on their kabuki set which is very similar to this Nanshy set (well this is a bang on dupe really!), but can say that the quality of the bristles/fibres is pretty much identical.  The only difference I can see is in the price, in that Nanshy brushes are cheaper and much easier for beauty junkies in the UK to get!

Have you tried / do you use Nanshy brushes?

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