This is probably gonna sound weird, but all my life I’ve been bringing home random branches. If I like a stick’s shape or texture, I’ll find a way to haul it home, even if it involves jumping into hella cold SF Bay water (remind me to tell you the story of the giant driftwood someday).
Anywho, I guess that’s probably part of the reason why I like Sonia Kashuk’s new Straight From Nature Brushes. New for spring, Sonia crafted these limited-edition eye, face and cheek brushes from eco-friendly bamboo, cork and a mix of natural and synthetic fibers.
There’s something kind of branch-y and natural about them, like, if the Swiss Family Robinson wanted to make elegant makeup brushes, these are what they’d look like, ha!
If you’ve tried and liked Sonia’s seasonal brushes, then you might really dig these. The brush heads feel pretty darn soft for drugstore (the only one that’s a little scratchy is the Wooden Wonder Kabuki), and I like the sturdiness of the handles.
A few stand outs:
- Straight From Nature Bamboo Powder Brush ($20): This brush’s narrow shape and slightly pointed tip should work great for powder application on specific parts of the face
- Straight From Nature Bamboo Foundation Brush ($17): The brush head for this is also smaller and more narrow than foundation brushes I’ve used in the past; I bet it’ll get into the small spaces around my nose and chin really well
- Out of the Woods 4-Piece Set ($13): This four-piece travel set for eyes and face comes with a mini version of the awesome Sonia’s Flat Top Blusher Brush; I’ve never seen a mini version of this brush, so I’m pretty stoked
The entire Sonia Kashuk Straight From Nature Brush Line includes…
Straight From Nature Bamboo Powder Brush, $20
Straight From Nature Bamboo Foundation Brush, $17
Straight From Nature 3-Piece Bamboo Brush Set, $20
Out of the Woods 6-Piece Set, $20
Out of the Woods 4-Piece Set, $13
What do you think of the handles?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. If you’re new here, thank you for visiting. Makeup and Beauty Blog is a makeup blog with daily product reviews, beauty tips, giveaways and the random shenanigans of a crazy cat lady/makeup enthusiast named Karen (that’s me!). 🙂
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They look pretty soft, though i’m really not feeling the bags. I really like the brush that looks similar to the 187/188 mac duo fibre. The foundation brush looks a little small? The eyeshadow brushes look really nice too. Might have to pop into Target to check these out 🙂
LOL, I’m kinda tempted to post notes with thumbtacks on the bags!
I love how the handles look. How do they compare to the normal Sonia Kashuk? I have the power brush and its amazing – i only wish i could get a back up because we don’t get this brand here
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Hi Paris B,
These are consistent with the normal Sonia Kashuk Brushes… the only thing that I’d say is scratchier than usual is the Kabuki.
Interesting set! The one with the flat top brush looks very tempting!
So I loooooove the Flat Top brush! The mini-me one is super adorable. 🙂
I bought the Alicia Silverstone EcoTools kit and it has a flat-top skunk brush in it and I was wondering if you know how it compares with the Sonia Kashuk flattop brush? I use it to put on foundation (my technique could use some work though).
I have the EcoTools skunk brush (from the Alicia Silverstone set) and the Sonia Kashuk flattop brush and I have to say they are nothing alike. The SK flattop is much more dense and the fibers are stiffer (although they feel soft on your skin) so it applies product very differently from the EC skunk. I tried to stipple on liquid foundation with my EC skunk and I personally don’t think it worked very well as the white fibers were too sparse and flimsy (especially when compared with other skunk brushes I tried). I still love it for applying finishing powders and powder blushes though. I’d say the SK flattop is perfect for liquids and creams and the EC skunk is good for powders.
Hmmm that makes me really want to try the flattop but I’d be afraid that it would stipple away the previous layer of foundation. I may buy it anyways and try it out, especially with this kit which is so cute! Thanks so much!
You should definitely try it out. The SK flattop is easily one of my favorite brushes of all time (instantly outranked my more expensive, Sephora skunk brush I used previously for foundation). I actually want to pick up the kit so I have a second one for cream blushes.
I really like the Sonia Kashuk brushes. They always have a neat, imaginative type of brush. I really liked the coral inspired ones last year and now this.
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Wait a sec, I wanna hear this driftwood story!
Aww, too bad the Wooden Wonder Kabuki is the only one that’s a tad scratchy. I’m actually in the market for a new kabuki right now. I’ve been hunting for the EcoTools bronzer brush for AGES (I have the retractable but I’d prefer to get a regular kabuki since washing that one is a bit of a PITA every week) and I cannot seem to find it for the life of me… so I’m considering buying the Tarina Tarantino Kapinki brush for my birthday… what do you think? I do love that it’s pink, and I’ve heard it’s pretty nice, or any other kabuki recs in the $40 or under price range?
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Re: Catherine
That is SO TRUE about the retractable! I hate washing it every week since it takes forever to get all the cleanser out of it and then I’m always worried that there’s suds or water stuck in the retractable part!!
I was disappointed that this sounded scratchy too. Whichever kabuki you get, let us know how it works!!!
D’oh! I just bought the EcoTools retractable one, and it’s due for a wash tonight. I’ll look forward to that… Le sigh.
C’est voila!
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=231088&catid=10294
$9.99 😀
Thats why I so rarely use the retractable. I have a baby buki I got from Target for 6bucks and I bring that with me everyday.
I got the EcoTools Bronzer Brush from makeupmixshop….
These brushes look so cute!!! too bad they are not available in Australia though.. do you think you can run a comp for these babies Karen?
WANT. These are super cute.
I really think you need to tell us the driftwood story.
Aw, crap, I forgot to change my handle on this site for this browser.
I’m not too keen on the handles to be honest, but I still would love to try these, they look pretty soft.
I wanna hear the driftwood story too.
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I was at Tarjey over lunch yesterday and was eyeing those … they are very sleek and classy looking …. I just couldnt justify buying more brushes … but I just might find a reason to! They are very nice!!!
I have the kabuki brush and love, it is ultra soft and plush! I will go back an try a few others.
Karen-have you seen these unbelievable new brushes from Sephora? I hear they were created by architect Phillipe Di Meo.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P259913&categoryId=B70
http://beautynewsbyadelasirghie.blogspot.com/2010/03/noi-pensule-de-machiaj-la-sephora.html
I saw these 2wks ago at Target. I bet they’re sold out by now!
I just left Target and purchased the medium multi-purpose powder brush. It is so soft. I am going to try it with bronzer.
So Karen,
I’m starting to build up my brush collection and I thought about the new Sonia Kashuk’s Out of the Woods brushes. Do you think that they would be a good investment or should I stick to MAC or some other brand ??? Please help!!!
It depends on what you want to spend. I think Sonia’s brushes are great for people who are watching their budgets but want good performance. MAC brushes are good too (they’re just expensive). Also have to say this about the MAC brushes I’ve used: they’re very sturdy. I’ve had mine for seven (?) years and they hardly ever shed and have retained their shape well.
I’d say buy your eye brushes from MAC (266, 239, 224 or 226, 217 and 219) and face brushes (powder, foundation, blush) from Sonia.
Thanks so much Karen!!!
they look great!
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Egads I really want these. I like the bamboo-handled eye brushes…
Well, I placed my order for the Straight from Nature powder brush and the 3-pc eye brush set and they’re both due to ship some time in April! I guess they are sold out already!
OMG I’ve always had a branch obsession too! It’s been curbed a bit since I bought the house and have lots of (old!) trees in the yard, but when I was in college I decorated my dorm rooms with cool branches. In retrospect it was a bit odd, but it *was* a good conversation starter when people saw my room. Now I love looking at skeletal trees in the winter… The brushes speak to me – and can you every have enough brushes?!?
These look my boyfriend painting brushes. If I buy those, I bet he’d be tempted to paint with them. haha
I like how the brush handles compliment the makeup bag. I think the wood chip texture look looks interesting.
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OK, so I am desperate for the Foundation brush, which is the ONLY one that isn’t online?!?
If anyone can find me one, I can paypal you for it!!
Karen,
I so love the brushes ’cause I love bamboo, but yeah…..for the bags not so much. The brushes look soft too…and I so need new brushes…they are definately important in any girls bag….lol…. right now all I have are MAC brushes,’cause I am a MAC girl I suppose…from color to other, but like the way thes are.. Just the style and all…Do you know if they hold up well or shed a lot?
I am SO jealous…we don’t get SK in the UK any more – it came to SpaceNK literally for the blink of any eye and went again before I’d even had time to buy brushes. http://www.beautywoome.com does take pity and send me SK make up sponges from US though!
I got the Out of the Woods 6-Piece Set, on sale @ Target for $12.99!! and I love them!!