Review: Icing Bamboo Flat Angled Foundation Brush

Press Sample 

For probably a year now, I've been hearing from you about how Icing (as in the chain of stores found in malls across the US) has been releasing some noteworthy beauty products in-store and on their website. The price-points for Icing beauty products are comparable to some drugstore makeup brands, plus Icing frequently runs BOGO1/2OFF sales on their beauty products (they're actually running one as of the time of this post).

I received some products directly from Icing a while back for review, and the first product I'd like to show you is one that absolutely surprised me. Meet my new favorite foundation brush:

Icing Bamboo Flat Angled Foundation Brush

(retail: $8.95 at Icing stores and online)

From the Icing website:

Bamboo Flat Angled Foundation Brush 

$8.50 

Buff your foundation to a flawless finish with this bamboo flat angled foundation brush. Taklon hairs are packed tightly and sliced on an angled to create a smooth, even application. 

1"L x 6"H 

100% Nylon brush hairs

100% Sustainable bamboo material 

Imported

The brush itself says "HD Foundation Brush" but it's referred to online as the "Bamboo Flat Angled Foundation Brush" and I prefer that title since it's more descriptive.

This is a sturdy, well-constructed brush made of very soft, dense taklon bristles. The gold ferrule is secured firmly onto the bamboo handle and the bristles are firmly nestled into the ferrule as well. The bamboo handle is smooth and it feels nice in the hand. The length of this brush feels perfect to me--not too short and not too long.

The brush head is angled, allowing for easy access to every area of the face. I love angled brushes for applying face makeup because you can easily get to tight spots like around the nose area. This brush is very easy to work with and, unlike the EcoTools Skin Perfecting BB Brush, this brush does NOT feel prickly if you're using it for stippling. Used for buffing, it also feels quite soft on my skin.

I've used this brush with a variety of different foundations ranging from thinner formulas (Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Spotless foundation) to very thick formulas (Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation) and it has worked beautifully with foundations on both ends of the spectrum. As most of you know, I actually prefer to use my fingers for foundation application, but if you're using a foundation that tends to pool up in larger pores, a brush can really help eliminate that. And this brush does just that. It gives even my heaviest foundations a soft, almost air-brushed quality.

I've also used this brush for buffing cream and gel blushes onto my cheeks, and it works great with blushes too. I just used it with my new L'Oreal Visible Lift Blur Blush the other day, and it makes that blush look so soft and subtle on the skin--it's a great brush to use if you have trouble controlling a blush's pigmentation and you're looking for a very soft, natural look.

I've washed this brush over a dozen times at this point, and I haven't seen any shedding at all. It's also a very easy brush to clean using just my trusty Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap. Also, if I wash it at night before bed, it's dry by the morning. Once or twice, I did find that there was still a little moisture deep down in the middle of the brush, but that was because I washed the brush very late at night and then used it early the next morning.

TIP: If you've never used a flat angle brush like this for foundation, don't apply your foundation directly onto the brush and then try to apply it to your face. With your finger, apply little "dabs" of foundation onto key points of your face (forehead, nose, chin, both cheeks) and then use the brush to apply it from there. Buff your foundation onto your skin using a small circular motion (try to avoid back and forth strokes because that will leave brush-mark streaks of foundation across your face). Try using a stippling motion (dotting the brush in an up and down motion) over areas of your face where you may have large pores. That can really help prevent your foundation from pooling into larger pores.

FINAL VERDICT: I love applying my foundation with my fingers, so I know a foundation brush must be great when I find myself reaching for it. I've been loving this brush since the first time I used it and I think it's a steal for under $10 (or less, if you get it on sale). This is a very study, well-crafted brush that feels great in the hand and allows for total control when I'm applying my foundation. It's easy to use, it's very soft (no prickly feeling) and it has not shed after a dozen+ washings. If you're in the market for a new angled foundation brush, I think this is one to consider.

Do you own any beauty products from Icing? I would love to hear from you! And please check back soon for more Icing products reviews--I've got some palettes and other goodies to show you as well.

As of the time of this post, Icing is running a BOGO1/2OFF sale in their beauty department (online and in-store) if you're thinking about making a purchase.

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.