Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Review of the Sigmax brushes from Sigma Beauty

Well this review has been long overdue.  I got the Synthetic Face kit from Sigma, as one of my Christmas gifts last year.  This kit comes with the three Sigmax high density brushes.  Here's what they look like; 
        F80  Flat Top Kabuki      F82 Round Top Kabuki        F84 Angled Top Kabuki

According to Sigmabeauty.com, these brushes are intended for high definition, flawless makeup application.  The Sigmax filament is specially designed to apply both powder & liquid products without absorption into the fibers.  The shape, density and height of the filaments were carefully engineered to perfectly buff products onto the skin, resulting in a high definition effect.

Their description is truly accurate.  I have never used such dense brushes before.  While they are dense they are all incredibly soft & feel so nice on my skin.  I have read that some people find these tougher to clean because they are so dense, but I didn't really find that to be the case.  I use baby shampoo diluted with water in the palm of my hand.  I swirl the brush around until clean & then rinse, careful not to allow water past the ferule.  I do have to be sure to rinse these thoroughly, just to ensure I remove any trace of the soap.  I find they take a bit longer to dry, than most of my brushes, but that doesn't bother me...I just have to plan ahead.


Breaking them down individually, let's start with the the F84 (F=face in their brush numbering system).


The F84 is the Angled Top Kabuki and the one I have been using to apply my contour bronzer.  I typically daub the brush into my bronzer and then turn it on it's side, so I'm applying it using the length of the brush first.  I then hold it so that I use the entire span of the brush to blend it in.  This works great for me (if you can picture it) and makes blending so much easier.   It blends the product in so well that it's easy to remove any obvious lines, even with products that don't blend as easily.  I think it might be a little tougher to use when applying blush as you could easily overdo it, but you just have to be aware of that.  These brushes can really pack on the product!

Next is the F82

The F82 is the Round Top Kabuki.  It might be hard to tell from this picture, but you can see from the top photo how small the actual brush is.  It is very domed & densely packed.  This is the brush I have the most trouble with.  First after only a few uses, the ferule came loose & it started to wiggle back and forth-I hate that.  I did contact the company and they said they will be sending me a new brush (I'll keep you posted on that).  Also I can't quite figure out how to use this properly.  I have seen reviews that say they use it to buff foundation around their nose or that they use it for cream blushes.  This brush is so densely packed, so in trying to buff my foundation around my nose I ended up removing most of it.  The same goes for the cream blusher & I also removed most of the foundation underneath it.  I'm going to have to work with this a bit longer to try and figure it out.  

Finally the F80

The F80 is the Flat Top Kabuki and my absolute favourite brush of the bunch!  I do love my flat top brush from ELF, but this is better..hands down.  The ELF brush is not nearly as dense & does not buff as well as this brush does, nor is it as soft.  The F80 buffs both cream & powder foundations into my skin beautifully, especially the cream ones.  I do feel like it gives some of that air brushed effect when I'm done.   It's not a miracle worker mind you, you're skin is still your skin.  But the product just looks less obvious and seamless on your face.  

None of these brushes have any issues with shedding.  In fact I've barely lost a hair on any of the three, which is impressive.  I am happy to own these brushes, but if you could only buy one I would highly recommend the F80, which retails for $16USD on the Sigma beauty website.  


I will definitely buy more brushes from this site, and have my eye on the small contour F05, the tapered highlighter brush F35..oh and the retractable kabuki, to name a few. 




I also got the Naughty in Black travel kit as a gift, but I haven't used those brushes enough to give you a full review yet.  We all now know my issues with putting nice things aside & keeping them pristine and I'm really wanting to save this kit for actual 'travel'.  

Sigma really promotes their brushes among the beauty community, so just to be clear I was not sent any of these brushes and I have no affiliation with the company.  These opinions are my own.  

Do you have any Sigma brushes?  Which ones are on your wish list?


24 comments:

  1. Great review! Thanks! I have the Naughty in Black Travel kit and I love the brushes. Some have shed a little bit though but other than that I'm really enjoying using them.

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  2. Marie - Yes I agree, I have found that with the few from Naughty in Black that I've used :)

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  3. My sister has those sigma brushes too. I really want to get some! They seem so nice so I'm going to save up my money for some.

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  4. Thanks Priscilla! Let us know if you get it & how you like it :)

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  5. Pam - I think the best part is that they are pretty affordable, especially b/c Sigma always seems to have some sort of sale on. When Andy got these for me the shipping was free...even to Canada!

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  6. Thanks for the review..It comes in handy since I think I am going to be purchasing some soon..

    xo Andrea =)

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  7. I just got this too and tried the F80 for the first time this morning - instant love!

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  8. Great review. I really want to get this set. I was told Sigma is bringing out a full synthetic line so I am waiting anxiously for that.
    xx

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  9. Andrea - You won't regret it, especially the F80!

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  10. Maria - It's perfectly wonderful isn't it?

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  11. Alicia - A FULL SYNTHETIC LINE...that is dangerous for me!

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  12. I've been wanting to purchase a few sigma brushes for awhile but I am kind of worried about the cost of shipping to Canada. How much did S & H cost for you? It's all those little things that seem to add up that make me afraid to purchase online... let me know! THanks!

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  13. Mary Elizabeth - These were a gift but there was a promo before Christmas for free shipping, & that included Canada. You can go on their site, add your items to your cart & then calculate your shipping before your order goes thru. I tried it with 2 items for $34 total, & shipping would have been just over $4 :)

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  14. I love Sigma, their brushes are amazing. I want this set :)

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  15. I just received the F80 from Sigma Affiliates and I'm still trying it out but I like it! I dunno if I can say I love it, as I love multi-purpose brushes so I still have to try it out with something other than liquid foundation :)

    I really want that travel set too for when I go on holiday in June! :) Hope you get to try it out by then, and write us a review!

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  16. MakeYuUp - You lucky girl! I know what you're saying, and it is definitely the best with liquid but I have used it with my MAC MSF natural & it worked well to buff it in. I will definitely be reviewing the travel set before June :)

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  17. Christine - I hope you get it, I don't think you'd be disappointed.

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  18. Seriously i just love your blog... your reviews are so relevant to the products I use or plan to try!

    THese are the one beauty item(s) that I've held off because I keep looking for something comparable without having to order these brushes online. I just picked up the Sephora Professional Airbrush #55 brush (a cross between the F82 and F84) for about $45.00. It's a great brush for applying liquid foundation but for the price I could have probably bought this whole Sigma set plus shipping! DUH! I have heard such good things about these, I should just break down and buy them!

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  19. Nikosmommy - Thank you so so much for the sweet comments, that made my day! I have heard good things about the Airbrush as well, I had no idea it was that expensive. I think you should go get a coffee and take a browse thru the Sigma site. I just checked shipping costs for 2 items this morning & it would be $4 to Alberta...hard to beat. Have a great day & thanks again :)

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  20. Awesome review ;) Makes me want then more then ever!

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  21. Thanks Linda, hope you get them!

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  22. hey great review! i definitely want to try these out one day, they sound amazing :)
    oh and im following you now!

    Beauty Bag 411

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  23. Hi Liana, I have been a follower of your blog & really enjoy it! Thanks for the follow :)

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  24. Great review :) I own F80 and I absolutely love it, as it's great for liquid foundation! The other 2 just got in my wishlist, you're killing me LOL! x

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