Review: Coastal Scents Synthetic Buffer Brush Large

I do have quite a large selection of Coastal Scents brushes so I'll be working my way through these as well! Some I did get for free, some I have bought but if they don't work for me then they don't stay in my collection. Some of the brush ranges are much better than others. I'm particularly fond of this brush but I haven't tried any other of the synthetic range.

This brush is available on Coastal Scents for $13.95.


When this brush was released I had planned on buying it as I'd seen a couple of good reviews and I was looking to try another flat topped buffer brush (I had bought the flat badger one previously, this will be reviewed later). However, it turned up in the post before I got chance to put my order in!

This brush feels very expensive. The handle is solid and a good, sturdy size. I'm not worried I'm going to break the ferrule as I'm buffing foundation. The bristles are very densely packed and are incredibly soft. Very soft! I don't think I have a face brush that feels as soft and silky smooth as this one.

I use this brush for applying mineral powder foundation. To use it I tap some of my minerals into a bowl, swirl the brush around then tap off the excess. I then buff the foundation into my skin using circular motions. I did try this for liquid foundation when it arrived, but I really did not get on with it at all! All the foundation seemed to vanish into the brush. I keep it just for minerals now.

Buffing the minerals into your skin gives a very smooth, flawless look without the obvious look of foundation. However, an issue with buffing is that the brush you use has to be extremely soft and smooth. Otherwise, with a rougher brush, you risk tiny abrasions to your face which is just not going to be good. On my skin, this brush is smooth enough to buff with. I've tried with some rougher brushes and it just doesn't feel good! The other flat topped brush I own, the badger one, isn't quite as smooth as this (while not exactly rough) so I can't work the foundation in as completely.

This brush lost a few hairs in the initial washing (but I'm really rough on my brushes for the first wash) and I haven't noticed any shedding since. I give this a thorough cleaning once a week with MAC brush cleanser.

Overall this is a great brush to have in your collection if you apply mineral powder foundations. I got my Mum one as well as she tried to steal mine, she loves hers too!

I may have got this for free, but it doesn't stop it being an awesome product. I'm not getting paid to say it's fantastic, I'll write what the heck I feel like.