Powder Perfect

Last week we highlighted our various blending brushes and talked about how to use each of them. Today we’re focusing on powder brushes! Powder (along with other powder products such as blush, bronzer and highlighter), can have a huge impact on your overall makeup application. Get the breakdown of all five of our powder brushes and find out which ones would best fit your makeup needs.

• F10 – Powder/Blush – This brush is soft and slightly beveled. It works great to apply blush or bronzer along the cheekbone and also for pressed powder on areas where you want to diminish any shine.

• F15 – Duo Fibre Powder/Blush – This brush is similar in size to the F10 but has duo fibre bristles, making it an essential tool for light powder placement or applying blush for a diffused and soft finish.

• F20 – Large Powder – Our most popular powder brush! This is you go-to for all over powder application. Use it to set your foundation by applying loose powder on the areas that tend to get oily throughout the day.

• F30 – Large Powder – Wondering what the difference is between this brush and the F20? The F30 is slightly denser, making it an ideal choice for application of powder or bronzer to larger areas such as cheekbone, forehead and neck.

• F45 – Buffer – Last, but not least! This compact powder brush is known for its ability to seamlessly buff mineral products and pressed powder onto the face. It can also be used to soften harsh lines following blush application and contouring.

Which brush (or brushes) do you use to apply various powder products?

© 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC

Blending Guide

When it comes to perfecting your eye makeup, a quality blending brush is an essential component in doing so. Luckily, Sigma has a wide selection to choose from so no matter what look it is you’re trying to create, we've got you covered! Read on to learn about each of our blending brushes and how to best use them!

• E25 – Our best selling blending brush! The firm bristles on this brush allow for controlled blending. Use it to create the perfect smokey eye or simply buff out harsh lines for a well-blended effect.
• E35 – Slightly longer than the E25, this brush is great for applying shadow directly into the crease to give eyes more depth.
• E40 – Features a fluffy, rounded tip for softly blending shadows into the crease to create a seamless, diffused finish.
• E45 – With its very tapered and precise pointed tip, the E45 is a great tool for applying intense colors into the crease, adding depth and dimension to the eye.

We also have one more blending brush from our Performance Eyes Kit: the E36! This is your go-to brush for precise blending of powder products onto small areas such as the inner corner of the eyes and into the crease. Because the E36 has small and slender bristles, it's best for elaborate and detailed eye makeup.

Which blending brush is your favorite?

© 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC

Invest in Your Beauty

Cosmetic brushes have the power to make or break your makeup look. For the most superior application and flawless finish when it comes to makeup, investing in quality brushes is your first step! Whether you are starting your career as a makeup artist or just love makeup, here are the brushes you’ll want to have on hand!

1 – A high quality foundation brush. If you are a frequent reader of this blog then you know the F80 is the No. 1 favorite foundation brush of not only many YouTuber gurus but for several Sigma employees as well! The dense Sigmax fibers provide a seamless application of liquid, cream and mineral foundation -- what more could you ask for?

2 – A blush brush. The F40 large angled contour brush is our go-to pick for applying blush. Bonus - the angle makes it perfect for getting into the cheekbones to apply contour powder and highlighter as well.

3 – A standard eye shadow brush. For all-over lid application of eye shadow and loose pigments, and eye shadow brush is a must. The E55 has soft and dense bristles to give an even coverage.

4 – A blending brush. To create a sultry smokey eye or to eliminate any harsh lines created from eye shadow, you will definitely want to have a blending brush in your beauty bag. The E35 gives a well-blended effect to perfect eye look you create and the tapered tip makes it easy to work into the crease.

5 – A lip brush. For the most precise application of lipstick and stains, the L05 creates the control you need for exact product placement.

Just remember that your brushes are an investment and have a strong impact on your makeup so it's best to choose quality over quantity. What are your favorite brushes?

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Let's Get Precise.

It's been almost a year now since we've launched one of our most popular brush kits: the Synthetic Precision Kit. With its unique design made to mimic that of your fingertips, there is never a need to apply makeup with your fingers. Find out why this kit stands out as a best-seller -- but more importantly -- why you shouldn't go another day without it!

The Synthetic Precision Kit is available in either a 4-piece or 5-piece (new!) set. There is also the option of buying each brush individually if you're interested in just a few specific ones. Now let's get down to the details of these versatile top-performers!

P80 - Precision Flat: The flat top of this brush works wonders for stippling concealer onto small imperfections such as sun spots, dark under-eye circles, and blemishes. It can also be used to blend out any harch lines on the face made from contouring powder, for example.

P82 - Precision Round: Identical to that of a fingertip, the P82 comes in handy for a wide range of tasks: applying eye shadow base or primer onto the lid, concealing imperfections, or for smoothing and blending out harsh eye shadow lines. 

P84 - Precision Angled: The small angle of the P84 is best for applying product onto areas such as the sides of the nose and the hollows of the cheek for precise contouring. It is also doubles as a great highlighter tool for areas like the brow bone and cupid's bow.

P86 - Precision Tapered: This brush's tapered tip is designed for exact placement of concealer on the hard-to-reach areas of the face such as eyes, nose, chin and around the mouth. Pro tip: Use it to apply powder around mouth to prevent lipstick bleed, or even use it to apply eye shadow directly into the crease. (This is one of our makeup artist's must-haves and we can definitely see why!)

P88 - Precision Flat Angled: The newest addition to the precision collection, this brush is is great for application of concealer products anywhere on the face, particularly around the eyes and nose -- definitely an essential for covering up dark undereye circles and redness around the nose!

All in all, we encourage you to get your fingers off your face and your hands on this kit instead when it comes to applying your makeup! We'd love to have you weigh in on which of the five precision brushes is your favorite!

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

NEW Sigmax brushes! F88 - Flat Angled Kabuki & P88 - Flat Angled Precision

Today we’re excited to announce the launch of the newest additions to our Sigmax line – the P88 and F88. These innovative brushes were specially engineered to provide an efficient and superior application of cream and liquid products with their one-of-a-kind angled brush head. 

• Flat Angled Precision brush P88 - Use for precise application of concealer products anywhere on the face. Works particularly well around the eyes and nose. $14 

• Flat Angled Kabuki brush F88 - Blends foundation easily onto hard-to-reach areas of the face. The angle fits all areas of the face seamlessly. Works especially well on cheekbones and contours of the nose. $16

Each of these brushes will be added to our best-selling Synthetic Precision Kit and Synthetic Kabuki Kit but you can buy them individually as well. The P88 and F88 are a completely unique design not offered by any other brush supplier in the industry.

Questions, comments? Send ‘em our way! In the meantime, get shopping!

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

NEW - E75 & E80!

Today we introduced the new E75 and E80 – two brushes made exclusively for creating and maintaining beautiful brows and lashes! We believe that the eyebrows and eyelashes are the finishing touch in perfecting your makeup routine. Keep reading to learn why these brushes are a must-have for your brush collection!

The angled brow brush (E75) was designed specifically for filling in, defining and strengthening thin or sparse eyebrows. The E75 works best when used with powder or gel products to create full and defined brows. (We love that bold brows took center stage in the spring runway shows)!

The brow and lash brush (E80) is essential for grooming eyebrows and eyelashes; the “mascara spool” design provides the ideal firmness for precise control in these areas. Use the E80 to brush through brows to determine areas that need to be filled in; also use it to brush through lashes for an elongated effect and to separate any mascara clumps.

Make sure to read our previous blog posts on maintaining flawless brows and lashes to learn more about how to keep these areas looking their best!

What are your secrets for maintaining and accentuate your brows and lashes?

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Cleaning Care for Brushes

We made a blog post awhile back about the basics of caring for your brushes but after receiving several questions about cleaning specifics, we wanted to take it a step further so you know exactly how to take care of your brushes to make them last as long as possible. If taken proper care of, your brushes can last for several years!

As we mentioned before, you should do a thorough washing of your brushes every 1-2 weeks to remove the build-up of products in the bristles, and spot cleaning in-between when need be.

A few of you had asked, “What exactly is ‘spot cleaning’?” Spot cleaning refers to small cleanings in between your deep cleanings that are a lot quicker and less thorough. To spot clean, gently rub a brush cleanser onto the bristles of your brush and wipe the brush off onto a paper towel or wash cloth. This is especially good for eye shadow brushes since different colors are constantly being used on them.
Pro tip: To prevent staining white-haired brushes such as the F40, spot clean immediately after each use if you’ve used a highly pigmented color on the brush. 

“So how do I deep clean my brushes?” Wet your brush with the fluffy part pointing downwards so you don't get the ferrule wet or drip water down the handle. Place a small amount of baby shampoo (or other gentle anti-bacterial cleanser) in your hand. From there, gently swirl the brush in the cleanser in a circular motion and rinse. Repeat until no color leaves the brush. To keep your brushes well-shaped and increase drying time, place them in the Sigma Dry’n Shape!

Another question we received was, “Should I wash my synthetic brushes differently than my natural-bristled ones?” The answer is no. Both natural and synthetic brushes can be washed the same, however, synthetic brushes such as the F80 are very dense and tend to need a more thorough washing.

Lastly, it is also important to replace your Cleansing & Polishing Tool brush head approximately every 3 months to prevent the build-up of soap scum and bacteria.

Are there any questions you have that we didn’t answer? What steps do you take to keep your brushes the cleanest they can be? 

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

NEW Performance Eyes Kit!

Available as of today – the Performance Eyes Kit! Exclusive to Sigma Beauty, this one-of-a-kind kit contains eight brushes for elaborate and advanced makeup artistry. Each of the brushes have a specific use to create the most detailed eye designs. Whether you're a pro or a beginner, these unique hand-crafted brushes allow for distinct eye looks that can only be made using the Performance Eyes Kit. Read more about the unique features of each brush here:

• Eye Liner (E11)  Made for precise lining of upper and lower lash lines. The E11 is best for producing detailed looks such as the classic cat eye or double-wing. Take it a step further by creating a more unique look like seen here!

• Tightline Liner (E16) Ideal for application of cream, gel and powder formulas on the upper lash line. Create the appearance of thick and full lashes by using the E16 to apply a dark brown or black eye shadow directly onto the lash line. 

• Waterline Liner (E17) Perfectly applies cream, gel and powder formulas on the lower waterline. Use the E17 to apply a dark shadow to the waterline to intensify eyes, or a white shadow to brighten them.

• Smudge (E21) Softens harsh lines on the upper and lower lash lines. This brush is an essential tool for smudging out shadow and creating the perfect sultry smokey eye. 

• Blending (E36) Precise blending of powder products on small areas, such as the inner corner of the eyes. The E36 works to seamlessly blend out shadows to define eyes and smooth out any jagged lines.

• Shader – Inner Corner (E46) Perfect for application of highlight shades in the inner corner of the eyes. Produce an eye-brightening effect by applying a highlight powder into the corner of the inner eye. For a glam look, use a golden shade instead. 

• Shader – Crease (E47) For applying and blending darker shades onto the crease. The E47 is essential to apply and blend out shadows to create dimension and depth within the crease. 

• Shader – Lid (E56) Precise application of pressed and loose eye shadow onto the lid. Works to create a base for an elaborate eye look.

What are you waiting for? Get your one-of-a-kind Performance Eyes Kit today! >

Watch the video >

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Top 5

We held a poll here in the Sigma Beauty office to find out which brushes the ladies simply couldn’t live without. The catch? They could only choose the five they thought were most essential for creating an everyday look. After compiling everyone’s answers, here are the brushes that made the top five:

• Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki (F80) – This brush turned out to be the majority of everyone’s go-to foundation brush for its ability to evenly buff on foundation for a clean, flawless finish. Runner up? The F84!

• Large Powder (F30) – The F30 contains large, dense bristles for application of powder products to set and keep foundation in place all day. Perfect for creating a matte finish on skin! 

• Large Angled Contour (F40) – The angle of the F40 makes for easy application of blush, bronzer and/or highlighter to enhance and define cheekbones. 

• Eye Shading (E55) – The E55 was a top pick for its versatility to apply shadow all over lid and to blend out any harsh, jagged lines. 

• Small Angle (E65) - This brush performs double duty by working to fill in sparse areas of brows but also to apply gel eye liner or powder along the lash line.
  
  
  We'd love to know - what are your top essential Sigma Beauty brushes?
  
   © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Natural vs. Synthetic – what’s the difference?

When it comes to makeup brushes, there are two kinds: natural and synthetic. So how do you know which one to choose? Here we’ve summarized the differences for you!

Natural bristled-brushes hold product extremely well and are best suited for building color. The bristles hold powder products most effectively because of the cuticle on the hair, which helps to keep the makeup on the brush until you apply it. For that reason, professionals tend to prefer natural brushes over synthetic ones.

Sigma Beauty’s synthetic bristled-brushes utilize the Sigmax HD filament that is 100% man-made. These brushes rarely shed, if ever at all, and are a perfect fit for someone who chooses to use vegan-friendly products. Synthetic brushes provide flawless makeup application without absorption of product into the bristles. People who have any kind of of sensitivities or allergies should opt for synthetic brushes.

As a general rule, natural fibers are best for powders whereas synthetic fibers are best for creams and liquid. 

In the end, both types of bristles are high-quality and provide fabulous makeup application. Whether you decide to purchase natural or synthetic comes down to personal preference.

Which type do you prefer?

 © 2012 Sigma Enterprises, LLC

Be extravagant...

with the new Sigma Beauty Extravaganza Complete Kit! Just launched this week, the Extravaganza Complete Kit contains 29 of our best-selling individual brushes as well as brushes from our popular Essential and Premium Kits. Each hand-crafted brush features 18k gold ferrules. Get glam with these extravagant and luxurious brushes!

Also be sure to check out our Extravaganza Face Kit, new as of last week!

 © 2011 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Easy Eye Brush Guide

 

We get a lot of questions from customers on what each of the various Sigma Beauty eye brushes are for and how to use each of them. For your convenience, we’ve categorized our different types of eye brushes and given you a brief description of what they can do to help you perfect your eye makeup application!

· Angled – Angled brushes are best suited to apply gel or cream eyeliner along the lash line, or for filling in brows with powder. 

*Sigma Beauty Angled brushes: Small Angled E65

· Blending – If the name of the brush didn't already give it away, this particular brush is meant for blending shadows. Blending brushes merge colors together, eliminating any harsh lines or edges.

*Sigma Beauty blending brushes: Blending E25, Tapered Blending E35, Tapered Blending E40, Small Tapered Blending E45

· Liner – Eye liner brushes are made to deliver precise and even strokes to line the lashes; perfect for creating a defined cat eye! Depending on the thickness of the line you are trying to achieve, we offer both a regular and small-sized liner brush.

*Sigma Beauty Eye Liner brushes: Eye Liner E05, Small Eye Liner E10

· Pencil – Pencil brushes allow you to precisely apply shadow directly to the eye’s crease, outer corner, and upper and lower lash line. A pencil brush is also the perfect tool for smudging eyeliner to achieve a soft, smokey eye. 

*Sigma Beauty Pencil brushes: Pencil E30

· Shading – Shading brushes are best for applying eye shadow, both pressed or loose. The brushes come in various sizes; smaller blending brushes are ideal for applying colors on the lid and for smudging along the lash line, while medium to large ones work great for applying shadows to the entire lid or highlighting the brow bone.

*Sigma Beauty Shading brushes: Short Shader E20, Eye Shading E55, Large Shader E60, Medium Angled Shading E70

What are your favorite eye brushes? 

 © 2011 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Bunny Collection

NEW - the Sigma Beauty Bunny Collection!

We were extremely excited to introduce our latest synthetic and cruelty-free brush set earlier this week. The Bunny Collection features 100% synthetic, vegan bristles among 12 brushes that deliver seamless makeup application. The brushes come in a unique and functional container that conveniently turns into two brush holders. Choose between Mr. Bunny - classic black brushes with silver ferrules, or Mrs. Bunny - baby blue brushes with pink ferrules. Each one is also available in a seven-piece travel size set! 

Go glam while going green with this must-have collection of brushes. What are you waiting for, get gorgeous and buy the bunny!

Want more vegan brushes? Check out the Sigmax Synthetic Essential Kit, the Miss Tayor Hollywood Glamour Flat Top Retractable Kabuki, the Breakfast with Audrey Hollywood Glamour Retractable Kabuki, or the Princess Grace Hollywood Glamour Retractable Kabuki!

 © 2011 Sigma Enterprises, LLC 

Brush Care Basics

Not only is it important to wash your makeup brushes to rid them of bacteria and cosmetic products, but also to extend their life. We advise a thorough washing every 1-2 weeks, and spot cleaning in-between when need be. Here’s our step-by-step quick guide on how to go about the washing and drying process to get the most out of your brushes:


1.    First, wet brush heads, but do not submerge entire brush in water
2.    Work a small amount of cleanser into the bristles, washing thoroughly but gently with warm water until brush is fully clean (baby shampoo works in place of a brush cleaner if you do not have one)
3.    Squeeze out excess water from brush
4.    Lastly, place your clean, damp brushes into the Sigma Beauty Dry’n Shape, making sure all bristles are firmly compressed

The Dry’n Shape is a one-of-a-kind Sigma Beauty tool designed to dry and shape your most dense brushes within just 4-6 hours, guaranteed! Upon drying, your brushes are shaped the same way as when you first purchased them. The fabric used to shape the bristles was specifically engineered to accelerate water evaporation, resulting in dry and well-packed brushes in no time!

Check out YouTube guru TiffanyD’s video on why this product is well-worth purchasing, plus get a $5 OFF coupon code! 

 © 2011 Sigma Enterprises, LLC