the more the merrier
Foreword
This day has come. I have the new Spectrum x Katie Jane Hughes collaboration in front of me and I can't wait to discuss every brush in this beautiful 6-piece set. Almost three years ago I reviewed their first 25-piece set (more about it here), which was a true success. And in this post, we will see whether or not you need the additional six brushes.
Curious? Then please keep on scrolling
Hungry for more beauty reviews? Click here to explore.
About the Product
The Spectrum Collection x Katie Jane Hughes 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set (90 USD; Made in China) - is a collection of brand new face and eye brushes created by the makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes.
The 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set comes in a cardboard box without additional accessories (whereas the 25-piece set included a towel and storage case). You get six brushes, one of which is dual-ended. It has a petite accent brush on one end and a spatula on the other. The latter is a great tool for picking up or mixing cream products.
These new brushes have that same, signature Katie Jane Hughes feel. Gold ferrules and olive-toned wooden handles are gorgeous (and easily recognizable). Bristles are off-white in tone and made of synthetic. They are just as soft and demure as the ones in the original 25-piece set.
Vegan🌱 Cruelty-Free🐇 Recyclable♻️
As with the brand's 25-piece set, all brushes are marked with numbers, not labels. You are the makeup artist here, so feel free to use the 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set as your heart's desire. The bristles might get stained temporarily depending on the makeup used. From my experience with the 25-piece set, the bristles did not shed and the ferrules did not corrode after two-three years of consistent use and wash.
Now, when I reviewed the original set (more about it here), I pointed out that the bristles on most brushes were elongated and quite airy in application. Longer bristles did a great job at creating finer strokes and gentle blending, but because they were not dense enough (for that you'd need a shorter bristle length), they did not give as much room for precise buffing that you would normally get with a kabuki-styled brush for example.
And since I would still reach out for my other face brushes while using the 25-piece set, I knew these shapes were missing. Almost three years later they are finally here and I am thrilled that both The Spectrum Collection and Katie Jane Hughes took note and expanded the collection.
Let's have a look at the new shapes in the 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set. Please bear in mind that the color of ferrules appears darker due to the angle of photos in natural lighting. In real life, they appear yellow gold.
25
25 is the biggest brush in the set. It has a slanted shape that hugs the "curves" of the face well. I use mine for the base (when I want it to be extra effortless), cream/liquid bronzer, contour, or blush. It covers a larger area of the face and thus is excellent for speedy blending or underpainting. Can be used for a high-coverage foundation as well (did I say it leaves no streaks?). This is the king of the set and I do hope they sell it on its own in the future, as I would love to have a few of them in rotation.
26
If 25 is the king of this set, then 26 is the queen. 26 has that same, slanted shape as 25, however it is almost twice as smaller and slimmer. It offers good control over both spreading and blending. This shape is fabulous for the application of a liquid highlighter, sheer foundation, tint, and also (my favorite way of using it) glowing bases such as Dior Forever Glow Star Filter for example (reviewed here).
27
27 is a baby version of 02 brush from the original 25-piece set. I happen to love this "kitten paw" fluffy oval shape. While 02 is best for the blush application, 27 can be utilized in a plethora of ways. From powder, cream foundation, concealer, and powder highlighter to whatever else you like. It is a true multi-tasker.
28
Here we have another matchy-matchy duo. 28 is a splitting image of 05 from the 25-piece set. It is a baby version yet with that same multi-tasking edge to it. This is the only angled brush in the 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set. Similar to 27, you can use it for anything. To me, this is a perfect contour brush (be it powder or cream). Can be great for setting the under-eye, buffing out the edges of your bronzer, or blush. The list goes on.
29
29 is a lovechild of 25 and 26. Truly, this trio could rule the world. 29 is a splitting image of 25 in particular, just a mini size. This is a great shape for the concealer application. It is quite dense so it blends out the edges seamlessly. It can easily access smaller areas of the face, such as around the nose or in-between (around) the brows, lips, and chin. I absolutely love it and hope it becomes available by itself or in a duo with one of the previously mentioned brushes.
30
In many years of using and reviewing makeup, I have never come across a brush like this. 30 is in a league of its own. This tool is every makeup artist's dream. Not only is the petite smudging brush great for buffing out shadows or even lipstick edges, but the spatula makes it so easy to hygienically scoop the product out of its container when doing work on clients. It is also fabulous for mixing pigments or textures. The only other dual-ended brush we got from Katie was 23, which had a spoolie and a tiny angled liner brush (excellent for the eyebrow pomades or powder).
More Comparisons
25 & 29
27 & 02
28 & 05
Verdict
What happens when you combine the quality of Spectrum Collection brushes with the artistic talent of Katie Jane Hughes? Perfection, of course. Being a fan of their first collaboration on the iconic 25-piece set, I knew we were in for a treat and thankfully I was not disappointed. The 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set includes all of the brush shapes and sizes I use daily. The quality is on the same level as their original collection. These perform and last quite well, which means they are worth the investment. Whether you are a makeup beginner, aficionado, or professional - you might fall for these in a heartbeat. An A+ from me.
More online:
nordstrom.com (USA, Global)
cultbeauty.co.uk (Global)
lookfantastic.com (Global)
Purchased product; full disclaimer here
