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For as long as I can remember, I applied liquid foundations with my fingertips. However, since my foray into the world of foundation brushes a couple years ago, I've never once looked back. When it comes to ease of application, efficiency, and finish, a brush is superior by far and this is not even taking into account the fact that you will never have greasy foundation fingers again. I've been pretty content with my EcoTools foundation brush and my oval foundation brush from Avon but recently, I was gifted the Shu Uemura Petal 55 Foundation Brush ($79 CAD) to try. As someone who doesn't like to spend over $20 on a makeup brush, I was initially hesitant. However, after using it for a few months now, I'm pretty darn impressed so I want to share with you my review today......
The Petal 55 Foundation Brush is a liquid foundation brush designed to create a flawless, poreless application. I have here the limited "red" edition that's no longer available but the original and a new limited "pink" edition are currently selling online at Shu Uemura. Unlike traditional makeup brushes, the Petal 55 Foundation Brush has a short, stubby handle as opposed to a long-stemmed one. The black lacquered base has an ergonomic hexagonal shape. At first I thought it may be a bit awkward to grip, but because my hands are so close to the bristles, I actually have more control during application. The "55" in the name comes from the actual width of the bristles. Densely packed with soft, synthetic bristles that form a flower petal shape, the brush has a length of 55mm and a width of 35mm.
With such a large and dense brush top, the Petal 55 provides a super efficient application. Just a couple of swipes will provide a complete coverage of one cheek. Because of the size, I was a little worried about blending and smoothing around the nose and under the eyes but the brush does a very good job. As you can see, the petal shape has two tapered ends perfect for getting around little nooks and crannies of the face. I have some issues with getting clean lines around the mouth but I usually just wipe off any excess foundation I get on my lips.
Despite having such a dense and fluffy design, the Petal 55 is surprisingly economical. As compared to a couple of oval makeup brushes I own, this one doesn't absorb as much product, allowing me to use the least amount of foundation possible. Additionally, not only is the brush efficient at spreading the foundation, it provides a flawless finish that's virtually streak-free. Because the bristles are so dense, the finish looks almost airbrushed.
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| Shu Uemura | Petal 55 Foundation Brush |
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| Shu Uemura | Petal 55 Foundation Brush |
Despite having such a dense and fluffy design, the Petal 55 is surprisingly economical. As compared to a couple of oval makeup brushes I own, this one doesn't absorb as much product, allowing me to use the least amount of foundation possible. Additionally, not only is the brush efficient at spreading the foundation, it provides a flawless finish that's virtually streak-free. Because the bristles are so dense, the finish looks almost airbrushed.
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| Shu Uemura | Petal 55 Foundation Brush |
Finally, the brush is easy to clean. With the help of my cleaning board from The Brush Bar (reviewed here), I use a bit of cleansing oil or micellar water on the dry brush to emulsify any remaining foundation before washing with soap and water. The drying process does take a long time (at least 24 hours), especially if you take care to dry the brush with the bristle side down to prevent water from collecting at the base of the bristles. However, it's not a deal breaker given how well the brush performs. A specific problem I experienced with this limited "red" edition is that some red dye leeches out after the first few washes so I would caution against buying any colored-bristled versions of the Petal 55.
Overall, this is an amazing foundation brush, one of the best I've tried. With its unique handle and large, densely packed brush head, the Petal 55 provides lightning fast coverage and a smooth, flawless finish. I rarely recommend high-end makeup brushes but at even at $80, the Petal 55 is worth the investment!
Availability:
Shu Uemura is available in stores at The Bay, Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, select Sephora, and www.shuuemura.ca.
