i heard about the brushes by Paula Dorf from Lisa Eldridge for the first time, she recommended some in her favourite brushes video. i found some models for a discounted prices on ebay, i think this line was discontinued at some stores and rests were sold to wholesellers.
after some research on the internet, i was convinced that i had to get them at that "bargain" price ;)
initially i was on the hunt for the Paula Dorf Sheer Crease Brush and the pencil type brush, but i couldn't find them, so i bought these 4 brushes:
- Powder Brush
- Bronzing Fan Brush
- Eye Blender Brush
- Eyeshadow Brush
Paula Dorf Powder Brush
i paid about 30$ for this, it's a classic paddle type powder brush of a medium size. it's made with squirrel hair, i think, because it's just as soft as my Rouge Bunny Rouge or MakeUpShow or Trish McEvoy squirrel hair brushes (much softer than MAC/Sigma & co.). it still has some structure and volume to the bristles and feels fluffy and has a good bounce. it's very tender to your skin because it's made with natural ending hairs that wasn't cut. it washes very nice, although bled a little bit of greyish dye in the first wash. it didn't shed at all (and also doesn't) and kept the shape.
i like it to dust a fine veil of powder to set my foundation and to apply bronzer.
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| Paula Dorf Powder Brush - MAC 134 |
Paula Dorf Bronzing Fan Brush
i needed a fan brush and was about to get the huge and thick Louise Young one. i bought this here to try a thinner one to put on pigmented blushes, or highlighter or just to sweep away loose powder or eyeshadow fall outs on the cheeks.
i paid 14$ for this. it's made of goat hair and is not as soft as the other brushes. i still need to get the Louise Young brush.
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| Paula Dorf Powder Brush - Paula Dorf Bronzing Fan Brush (size comparison) |
Paula Dorf Eye Blender Brush
this is a really big fluffy eye brush. it's like a MAC 227 with longer bristles. i bought it for 15$. it's made of very soft hair (i don't know if squirrel or goat) but has a good bounce to it. it's size and fluffiness makes it unusable for eyeshadow application for my small lids, i use it for general blending out or cheek highlight. if you do nose contouring, i think this brush would be perfect for it.
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| Hakuhodo Kobutan Eyeshadow Brush L - Paula Dorf Eye Blending Brush - MAC 227 - Rouge Bunny Rouge Large Shader #3 |
Paula Dorf Eye Shadow Brush
this is a fluffy MAC 217-type shaped brush (only this is a bit more flat at the top), i didn't expect it to have such a shape, because i couldn't really see it in the ebay-photo. it cost me 14$ and is made of very soft natural hair (again, no idea if squirrel or goat). it has a nice pressure point. so just like the MAC 217, this is a multipurpose brush. i use it to blend, to apply crease colour, lid colour, brow bone highlight and cream eyeshadow.
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| MAC 217 - Paula Dorf Eye Shadow Brush - Estée Lauder Blender #25 |
Lovely review. As you know I'm quite interested in these brushes. Did you get them from one seller on ebay? I think I'm most taken with the powder brush. As an aside, I'm amazed at the size of the Hakuhodo brush. I think I need to investigate more of your brushes posts!
ReplyDeleteI think the brushes are a little bit expensive.
ReplyDeleteBut when they still look good after washing them. Maybe the quality is it worth.
@modestybrown: yes, i think it was jimblob... something. it's a wholeseller. shipping was ok and the shipping fees are very low. i paid 5.50$ for the combined shipping. and the weak $ comes in very handy, too ;)
ReplyDelete@valerie: i find they are really worth it! you get much better quality for your money than with mac brushes, especially with the face brushes.
I love these brushes. I bought a set pre marriage and pre kids, so yes, I agree that they are pricey. BUT, I have had my set for 10+ years and my foundation brush has just started to fray. None of the brushes have lost any hairs. These brushes are extremely well made and well worth the investment.
ReplyDeletei absolutely adore my PD Powder Brush - it's amazing! i do think these have amazing quality, i love the eye glimmer brush and tapered crease brush as well. i totally want to get the blush brush, but i have so many that this is for now only planned for the future. it's good to hear that they have lasted you so long! quite well worth it.
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