The thing about watching YouTube videos is that you want something that was used in the video that is not available directly in the country. That’s what happened to me a few weeks ago when I was interested with NYX Baked Blush. So I do what I do best. I googled for any available online store and coincidently I was directed to Colours Cosmetics Malaysia website, the one website that many beauty addict recommended to me before this. What’s so coincident about this is that as soon as I put my laptop to sleep, I received an email through my phone from Colours Cosmetics Malaysia asking me if I would like to be among the first few to have and review their upcoming Flat Top Foundation Brush. A brush? A flat top foundation brush?! Come to mama!
Colours Cosmetics Malaysia (CCM) has been around for the past three years, bringing in brands and high quality products from oversea such as NYX (including those not available in Sephora), Physicians Formula, Wet n Wild, Milani, Jordana, BH Cosmetics and many more. You must be thinking this Flat Top Foundation Brush is a travel size isn’t it? Well, it’s actually a normal size brush. Don’t judge the brush by it’s size 😀 . The inspiration came when the partners of CCM realized that all of us, the beauty addicts had the same problem when applying our makeup close to the mirror – that the normal long brush handle keeps on knocking onto the mirror. I don’t know about you but I don’t mind the mirror. All I care about is my brush and how scratchy it would be in the long run. Yes, I’m that particular about my beauty products. I’m glad finally someone recognized the problem and did something about it 😀
Let me guess. You must be wondering why is the Flat Top Foundation Brush looked so similar to Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki right? It wasn’t right for me to compare this one with F80 because I got to know from one of the partner of CCM that it was never their intention to came up with something similar to F80. With that information on hand, I don’t think I would do a comprehensive comparison review but I will tell you a little bit about the difference between both, although it would be so much easier to churn out a review based on F80. However, that’s not me. I want to tell you all I can about this Flat Top Foundation Brush and not the F80. This will explains my review direction for today 🙂
The brush idea
CCM came out with a flat top after doing various brush testing, market research and coming out with various prototypes. It turns out a flat top is the best for foundation and I have to agree with this after having to own several different foundation brush. I always always go back to flat top. If I look at the top of the bristles and compare it with F80, the ring size is the same. But that doesn’t mean the amount of bristle hair is the same as well and I’ll tell you why.
This new Flat Top Foundation Brush is densely packed, firm and yet soft to touch. If I can compare yet again to F80, the hair on this brush is much finer than F80. I would prefer this one mainly for it’s softer bristles, not because I was sent one BUT it does perform better on me. What I notice about CCM’s version of Flat Top Foundation Brush is that the softer brush bristles somehow work best in the buffing, giving the finishing an overall smoother look. Now, that’s something that I don’t see coming. The shorter handle also plays a huge part in the finishing as shorter handle means I have a better grip and control during application.
The length of the handle to the ferrule is about the same with Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Powder Brush. It’s ferrule is made from tri-chrome plating that will withstand corrosion in the long run while the handle is made from glossy wood and lastly the bristles are synthetic.
Interestingly, I received the brush nicely packed in a brush guard. I’ve bought quite a number of brushes online but never once received one readily protected with a brush guard. You know how excited I am with brush guard don’t you 😀 . As soon as I took the brush guard off, I waste no time and quickly gave my brush a deep cleansing so that I can use it the next morning. I’m glad to report that there is no shedding at all up until today, whereas I’ve washed my brush at least six times since the first day.
Here comes the most interesting part. Yes, you get to see my face continuously for the next 12 photos below lol *runs*
I’m just joking. The interesting part about this review is that I’m going to demonstrate to you on the differences using the brush for both liquid and powder foundation. Most people didn’t know that flat top foundation brush not only work best with liquid foundation but also perform equally good with powder foundation. The funny thing is, I didn’t read any of the instruction of product info that came along with the brush. You know me and reading instructions 😛 . So I used the brush for liquid foundation AND setting powder because I was too lazy to switch brush. Surprisingly it works all good but the coverage is too thick for me. I ended up washing my brush every three usage as I like my brush to be clean and fresh all the time.
And no, I wasn’t joking about looking at my face for the next 12 photos.
Using Flat Top Foundation Brush with Liquid Foundation
The most conventional way in using a flat top foundation brush is to use it with liquid foundation. For the purpose of this review, I am using a lighter version of liquid foundation so that you can see the difference between liquid and powder product. The lighter shade foundation I have with me is also a matte version which is slightly drier and harder to buff. I used a lighter buffing motion and voila, the foundation spread out from thick and clumpy to soft and smooth. The size of the bristles fits my face and it doesn’t take me more than a few minutes to do the whole face usually.
I know some people like to switch to a small brush when it comes to corner of the nose and inner eyes. I’m not used to switching to a small brush for corners and inner eye area so usually I used the same brush. This Flat Top Foundation Brush is able to maneuver into all the right corners of my face. There is no poking as the bristles are soft.
If you have larger pores like I did and you find buffing doesn’t help to conceal the pore appearance, I find the best trick in this matter is to stipple. Just dab the brush on problematic areas and the appearance of the pores will be less visible. Swirling and buffing also require a bit of technique. I find that using Sigma F80 will require harder buffing effort and that leaves a streaky finishing. CCM’s Flat Top Foundation Brush works the other round. It perform best with lighter hand buffing.
Using Flat Top Foundation Brush with Powder Foundation
Most people doesn’t know this, I don’t know this initially but flat top foundation brush also work equally good with powder foundation. I’ve once tried it with Sigma but hated the thick finishing. The trick in using such brush to apply powder foundation is similar to the recommended application method for Bare Minerals powder foundation – buff just a little product onto the skin and repeat a few times until desired coverage is achieved. That’s exactly how I do it.
The soft bristles of Flat Top Foundation Brush is able to disburse the product evenly onto the skin and at the same time giving the skin the coverage that is needed. The result is a smooth, flawless finishing. To be frank, this is also my favourite type of foundation to use at the moment and this brush is doing all the work for me. I prefer using it for powder foundation than for liquid, not because the brush is bad with liquid but because I’m kinda into that smooth but covered look with powder at the moment 😀
Here’s the comparison for liquid foundation vs powder foundation using the new Colours Cosmetics Malaysia Flat Top Foundation Brush. I didn’t use any concealer prior because I want to see how it fares on camera. For the first time ever, I didn’t need to set my liquid foundation with a setting powder! Somehow there is no heaviness of product sitting on top of my face, the coverage is all smooth out and literally no icky sticky feeling.
If I continue to build the coverage on the powder foundation side, I would have gotten a much better result than shown here 😀
Exclusive Discount Code for Street Love Readers!
Colours Cosmetics Malaysia is kind enough to give a 15% discount for the purchase of this brush just for you! Simply enter SLOVE15 at check out to enjoy a 15% off from RM55 from today until 30th June 2015. The good news is, you can reuse the code again and again for repeat purchase of the brush. There is no limitation. However, the code will be automatically ceased if the brush is sold out before the promo expiry date on the 30th June 2015.
Do you prefer fingers over brush when it comes to applying makeup? What is your favourite brush for foundation? There was a point of time where I’m very much into paddle brush and for some reason I don’t like it now. I was back to flat top brush and fell off the bandwagon a bit and went to sponge! Then I realized sponge is too time consuming and I’m back to flat top even before this brush was sent to me. I think this brush will keep me occupied for quite a bit now that I can use it for my powder foundation 😀
Colours Cosmetics Malaysia Flat Top Foundation Brush is available at http://www.colourscosmeticsmalaysia.com/ccm_CCFT
Price: RM55
Discount Code: Enter SLOVE15 (reusable for multiple purchase) at check out for 15% off the brush price. Offer valid until 30th June 2015 or while stock last.
Brush Length: 9.8cm overall from bristle to handle
100% cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and Muslim users as well.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/colourscosmetics
Website: http://www.colourscosmeticsmalaysia.com/
Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.
Comments (18)
Hi,
Use to go through CCM page, lots of great goodies…
Quite interested with the brushes back than,
but now my collection is more than enough.
Nice review with the 12 pictures..LOL
You’ll never have enough of brushes! I keep on buying the same brush because I just like brushes haha. 12 pictures of my face LOL. That is for everyone that told me my face seldom appear on the blog muahahaha 😀
that is me comforting me and myself not to purchase anymore brushes.LOL
Ahhh I see 🙂
I wanna get this!! I have experience brushes knocked on the mirror while applying make ups. haha!
I usually use fingers to apply foundation as the BA taught me so and for the product they say if we use finger it will be easier to apply.
I use paddle brush as well previously but I found out that it can’t apply very even and sometimes I can see the lines around my face, ending up I need to use my fingers again.
i haven’t tried powder foundation but your demo seem like the coverage is very good!
Go go! There’s 15% off discount code in the blog 🙂 Good if you like short handle and don’t wanna spend on Sigma. Fingers is recommended because the warmth will somehow melt the product as you apply. I just don’t like to waste wet wipes / tissue paper in all the wiping lol.
I stop using paddle brush because the foundation just sit on my face and the application is uneven all over the face sometimes. I too use my fingers to smooth it away.
tadaaaaaa! Bought!! I have some problem while checking out when it reach to the credit card/online banking section. The page just can’t load. At last I just online bank it manually and send the receipt.
I always have to wash my hand after doing make up and that becoming an habit now. You still have to put the foundation at the back of the hand if we use the brushes right?
Oh wow. Thanks for your patience and for making the payment manually! I still do wash my hand after makeup because the hand is a bit sticky hehe. I no longer put foundation on the back of the hand now. I bought a steel palette for this purpose 😛
I like CCM and bought a few things in the past. I’ve used a flat top kabuki (different brand) for liquid and powder foundations before but find that the application tends to be heavier. Nowadays, I just stick the the Real Techniques Expert Brush for both liquid and cream as I hardly use powder foundations.
By the way, I really enjoyed the face shots 🙂
Yes the application using flat top tends to be a bit heavier. That’s what I encounter with Sigma F80. Probably the bristles is densely packed and stiffer. This CCM one is softer. On me it’s not too heavy. Just nice.
Oh thanks 😀 Once in a blue moon you’ll see my face shots haha
Nice comprehensive review from you as usual. I’ve never use a flat top foundation brush before. I used my fingers as it’s faster. Won’t the coverage be thick if use dense brush like this?
Hope you like the review and the 12 face shots LOL. It’s true fingers is faster but you get an uneven application. Buffing with a brush will ensure that each portion of the face is evenly covered :). Nope the coverage is not thick. The trick is to use very little of product, dab the brush on the product evenly before buffing on the face. Don’t start with a lot of product. You’ll of course ended up with a thick coverage.
For me, this brush is quite a legend 😉 i have been using it since last year when I won it from CCM’s facebook giveaway. I never tried this brush with powder foundation before and that is so unadventurous of me =_=” thanks for highlighting it, I regret not trying it earlier because it gives me a fantastic smooth-look when I tried it with my loreal matte magique powder foundation and the maybelline white superfresh cake powder. all these while I only used this little brush with my revlon whipped creme foundation and revlon colorstay foundation because they are very thick and blending with finger will give me a plastered-with makeup-face look.
Now i feel like buying another 3 of this brush, hehe!
Wow lucky you! I should have discovered the brush earlier. It’s much more better than F80 especially when used with powder foundation regardless loose or compact. I’ve tried it with Maybelline Superfresh and all of the sudden the powder on me is so much better! I don’t use my fingers to apply foundation. Not liking dirty, sticky fingers and transferring finger prints everywhere!
Go buy a spare 😀
The brush seems like the perfect dupe for Sigma with the fraction of the price! Sigma poke my face a lot. It’s too dense and gets clogged up very fast as well.
Looks like a dupe, doesn’t feel exactly like it. This one here is much softer and doesn’t poke your face haha 😀
Hi Fiona,
I’ve been so intrigued with your latest post so I check it out from Colour Cosmetic website and place my order with these brush with your discount code 🙂 jUst curious, does it really soft and have a bit similarity with F80 except from its handle? Just excited to try it my own.. hihi 🙂
Yes it is really as soft as what I’ve mentioned in my review and yes it have a bit similarity with F80. Enjoy the brush!