Love: Zoeva 106 Powder Brush & 230 Pencil Brush

The majority of my makeup brush collection is made up from Real Techniques with a few random brushes from different brands. I never used to be too bothered about makeup brushes but each month I seem to obsess over different products. Last month it was bases and July seemed to be all about makeup brushes. The phase doesn't seem to be going away so I have a feeling August is going to be all about brushes too.

Lately I've been hearing more and more about Zoeva. Zoeva is a German brand who produce really affordable makeup brushes as well as make up. I haven't delved into the makeup just yet but I've been so impressed by their brushes that I'm really tempted. I know this isn't always the case but in my experience, you get what you pay for especially when it come's to makeup brushes but with Zoeva, the quality definitely doesn't reflect the price.

Zoeva 106 Powder Brush, £8.75: I've never been too taken with any powder brush I've tried in the past so for that reason I've always used powder puffs. As the price was so reasonable I decided to go ahead and order the 106 which is a vegan synthetic brush. The bristles are black but white at the tips and they're so unbelievably soft. The bristles pick up just the right amound of powder to remove excess shine from the skin without ever looking powdery. I've tried the brush with 3 different powders and reapplied each several times on different days and each time the finish was natural. The handle is short, not travel size short but short enough to hold comfortably and fit into makeup bags for travel. The handles are glossy black which makes the brushes look more expensive than they actually are and I love how they've added the brush number and name to the handle so any brush newbies know exactly what it's for. The bristles are held tightly in the ferulle and not one stray hair has came out, even when giving it a good scrub.

Zoeva 230 Pencil Brush, £5.30: The 230 has the same glossy black handle with the brush name & number and is made just as well as the 106 powder brush. The ferulle is sturdy and once again, there hasn't been any shedding. The bristles are natural which I didn't realise untill drafting this post up so just make sure you double check if you're placing an order for any of the brushes. The 230 can be used to smudge out pencils or shadow close to the lashes, I've been using it to place and blend shadows along my lower lash line and to add highlight to the inner corners, The bristles aren't as soft as the 106 but in no way are they scratchy and the tapered tip allows you to place product exactly where you want it.

I have no complaints about the 2 brushes I own, the quality is fantastic and they even come in their own Zoeva Zip lock pouch which is big enough to fit 4 or 5 brushes in but each separate brush comes in it's own. I've held onto mine, they'll come in handy for weekends away or for storing brushes away and keeping them dust free. I've got my eye on the Cream Cheek Brush & Fine Liner Brushnext. Fingers crossed they're just as good.

Have you tried Zoeva Brushes?

Let me know which ones you'd recommend.

Zoeva Brushes are available from www.love-makeup.co.uk

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Lately I've Been Lovin' #11

I didn't get to blog about my favourites last month due to my internet & Blogger plotting against me so this post is for June & July. A couple of products (The Breakfast Scrub & Zoeva Powder Brush) I didn't get untill near the end of the month but they're already firm faves! If I've reviewed any of the products I'll add links.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution: Not only is this good at removing mascara but it's always on offer which make's it really affordable. It's often BOGOF or half price so stock up when you can. (link)

YUKO Anti-Frizz Shampoo*: There's nothing better than trying out and falling in love with brands I've never heard of before. From the first use I knew this bottle of frizz smoothing amazingness would make it into my monthly faves. It smells lovely and even before adding conditioner I could tell this shampoo ment business. (link)

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub: I've never been a big fan of Soap & Glory but last year I tried Pulp Friction for the first time and loved everything about it apart from the scent. Fast forward a few months and I'm a die hard The Breakfast Scrub lover. It smells like maple syrup, the scent is really addictive, and the scrubby bits are so densely packed that you get one helluva exfoliation. I always thought this was an oily scrub that would leave an oily residue on my skin but it isn't. It rinses away clean but doesn't leave the skin feeling stripped.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara: I've read a lot of mixed reviews on this mascara. My lashes without mascara look as if I've straightened them and not many mascara's actually curl and manage to hold a curl so I stayed well away untill finding it in a local outlet store for £2.99. It's the best £2.99 I've ever spent, my lashes love it! It's nice and black, lengthens, holds a curl and doesn't flake or irritate my eye's at all. I'll be going back for more.

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque*: This beauty has made it into my Holy Grail list. It's fantastic! Expensive but worth it, I'll make sure I'm never without this product. You can read more about it's magic powers here.

MAC Paint Pot 'Painterly': Another product I'd thought about getting for the longest time but never did untill a few weeks back. If you're like me and get bored from all the constant MAC fangirling and have no desire to jump onboard that bandwagon or try anything from the brand, please make this the exception. It's a fantastic product and something I reach for on an almost daily basis. It blanks out discolouration/veins on the lid and can be worn alone for a clean eye look or used as primer.

Diesel Loverdose: Diesel fragrances don't usually get my attention but last year I fell in love this this after receiving a sample with a Debenhams order. I have a 30ml bottle that lives in my bag but treated myself to this 50ml bottle last week when it was reduced to £20. It's one of those scents that last all day and always get you some compliments

100% Pure Lip Glaze 'Peach Bellini*: Gorgeous products, gorgeous packaging, gorgeous brand. Most natural make up brands I've tried haven't been very good. The colours are usually boring, lack pigmentation and the textures are questionable but not with 100% pure. I wouldn't have known this was a 100% natural brand if I'd tried the products blind. This lip glaze sits somewhere between a tinted lip balm and a lipstick. It's buildable, you can get an almost opaque finish and the colour is just lovely.

Zoeva 106/Powder Brush: I haven't tried many powder brushes and even thought I've only had this for around a week I can already tell you it's the best I've ever tried. I'll try to get a more detailed post up soon on this and the pencil brush.

Have you tried any of these products?

What have you been lovin' this month?

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*PR sample