It’s easy to underestimate the benefits of using professional make up brushes…they’re just applicators – right?

A few years ago I bought a very expensive set of make up brushes from a makeup brand that unfortunately is no longer cruelty free (just for clarity – they were cruelty free at the time). Once the nausea from the cost of the purchase had passed I soon realised that these little gems were worth every dollar of the many dollars they had cost.

My makeup is still a bit haphazard at the best of times – but suddenly it looked like I had at least tried. Eye shadow actually blended and blush looked natural – not slapped on.

These brushes have been in my makeup case ever since, but as my once-favourite brand is no longer cruelty free (and I’m remaining true to my promise to use only cruelty-free cosmetics) I had to find an alternative.

While brushes are obviously not tested on animals, if they are produced from natural hairs then chances are that animals were harmed for them to be created. If you need any further convincing as to why you should look for cruelty-free bushes take a look at this article on the PETA website (note however that the list at the bottom recommends cruelty-free brushes from The Body Shop and Urban Decay. While they are cruelty-free brands, they are in fact both owned by L’Oreal – who are not cruelty free – so we do not recommend them. We prefer to support companies that are entirely cruelty free from top to bottom).

I digress, now back to the story…

So – enter EcoTools – a full range of 100% cruelty-free makeup brushes to cover every need.

I only bought two brushes to trial – the Lash & Brow Duo ($5.99), and the Full Eye Shadow ($7.99) – but I have to say I’m really impressed with them. It’s hard to review a lash/brow duo – they tend to be just functional items that do what they say they do – but I would say the eye shadow brush is every bit as good as the expensive version I had in my previous kit. It’s beautifully soft and applies by initial base layer of eye shadow beautifully.

For both the cost and the quality EcoTools get a big thumbs up from me – and I look forward to trying more brushes from the range.

Find them at Woolworths, Priceline and select pharmacies and beauty stores.

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