The EcoTools Bamboo 5 Piece Fresh And Flawless Complexion Set - A Review For My Pure*

It's been a little while since I did a review for natural beauty site My Pure but I hope that you'll be pleased to hear that from now on I going to be doing two reviews a month. The site has improved a lot since I last did a review for them, as well as a slick new design, they've also introduced lots of new brands including Balance Me and EcoTools.

I only have one EcoTools make up brush in my extensive collection - the retractable kabuki, but it's a firm favourite. I have to say I didn't know a lot about the range, but did you know that it was co created and endorsed by actress Alicia Silverstone? I didn't but it makes perfect sense; Silverstone is known for being vegan and being a long term and virulent supporter of animal rights and animal charity PETA. EcoTools are a cruelty free and environmentally friendly brand that promises quality and consciousness.

The My Pure site sells pretty much the full range of EcoTools make up brushes and applicators but being a relative newcomer to the brand I decided to dip my toes into the water by going for one of their sets.

There are number of different sets to choose from but I went for The EcoTools Bamboo 5 Piece Fresh And Flawless Complexion Set.

As the name suggest this kit is all about creating the perfect base, and perfect finish to the skin. The brushes come packaged in a cardboard / EVA case, with a magnetic closure that's perfect for storing your brushes and for travel. It also features a section that tells you exactly what each brush does, perfect for beginners.

Each brush features soft, cruelty free, synthetic bristles which are embedded in different coloured, floral patterned, recycled aluminium ferrules. There is the odd brush in the wider range with a recycled aluminium handle but EcoTools are know for their signature, sleek, varnished bamboo handles and that's what's the brushes in this set have. The brushes in this kit are probably what you would class as mini or short handled brushes but what do they all do?

1. Flat Concealer Brush

The first brush in the range is the basic flat concealer brush, that everybody needs in their collection. The flat, slightly curved head is ideal for applying and blending concealer into the skin. The bristles are soft, but the brush is firm enough to do the job and apply a bit of pressure.

2. Buffing Concealer Brush

This is an interesting brush and something that at first glance that you probably wouldn't consider an essential but believe me it is. The most obvious use of this flat headed, fluffy brush is to gently buff liquid or powder concealer into the skin and specifically under the eyes, to give it a more airbrushed, perfected finish, with no harsh demarcation lines. You can also use it though with some of the long wear concealers that need to be set with a finishing powder I have a couple in my collection, the Mally Cancellation Concealer and some professional concealers from Veil Cover Cream, and both of these need to be set with a specific finishing powder to ensure their long wear, and durability. This brush allows precise application of the setting powder, allowing you to set your concealer before finishing the rest of your base, with a larger powder brush.

3. Precision Foundation Brush

Probably the essential brush is any base kit, is a basic foundation brush. Okay I'm going to be honest, doing your full face with this one will take a bit of time because of the small size and thickness but don't write it off. The small size and the almost pointed tip means that this brush is ideal for precision foundation work. You can get it perfectly to those awkward areas around the nose, ears and eyes. The brush would also be perfect if you're one of those lucky people who don't need to use foundation all over their face, this brush would be perfect for smaller areas and areas that need a bit more coverage.

4. Complexion Blending Brush

Despite it's size this is a great brush. It works really well for buffing liquid foundation into the skin but personally I loved it for powder / mineral foundation. I normally use a much bigger brush for minerals but with this one I was able to get a more precise application in areas that needed more coverage, and the shape was ideal for that swirl, tap, buff application method.

5. Full Powder Brush 

The name describes this brush perfectly. It's a perfect mini finishing brush, ideal for applying face  powder to your nose or your t-zone, or in areas where you need to powder down. I don't know about you but I normally use a huge powder brush to finish off my make up, but I have oily skin, so generally my whole face needs powdering down, if your skin is drier and your skin only has a little bit of shine or doesn't need touching up as often, this brush is ideal.

This kit is all about precision and perfection, and in my opinion versatility. Okay the brushes might be too small for some to use over the whole face but when used alongside some full sized brushes this kit does exactly what it promises. The brushes are great for those problem areas producing, great precise results in minutes. Although this kit is all about the perfect complexion these brushes are remarkably versatile, and would make great eye and cheek brushes too. The synthetic bristles mean their ideal for liquids, creams and powders, and they wash like a dream, which is exactly what you expect from a high quality tool. With the smaller size of these brushes, some manufacturers inevitably would cut corners but not EcoTools, they are pleasing on the eye and the quality is first class and I'll definitely look into picking up some more brushes from the brand in the future. The EcoTools Fresh And Flawless Five Piece Complexion Set retails at £11.99 from My Pure. If you have any questions or if you've tried any other EcoTools brushes please leave me a comment and let me know xx

(*Sample)