Blank Canvas Cosmetics brush collection

I never really paid much attention to my tools when I first started playing around with makeup. Who does? It's all about the pretty palettes, learning how to make liquid liner look somewhat okay on your face, and just growing your collection in general. I was content when I had something cheap to pack eyeshadow onto my lids and some kind of all-in-one powder brush for the rest of my face; I was sorted. It was the explosion of Real Techniques and Beauty Blender that I started investing in how I applied my face every morning. If you've been following my Instagram (@lapetitemis), you've probably noticed that I always show the same makeup brushes in my photos.

I started using Blank Canvas Cosmetics brushes in 2017 because I'd heard a few YouTubers mention the brand, and because it's an Irish company- and I love supporting Irish brands!

Three years on, and my Blank Canvas Cosmetics brush collection is growing steadily. I'm constantly adding brushes, to the point of making it a priority to pick some up from the local chemist in rural Offaly back when I lived in the UK! The brand is extensive, with a lot of styles, colors and finishes to choose from- no matter what you're looking for, Blank Canvas Cosmetics has it (aside from a brow combing brush, sadly)! With the application of your makeup products half the battle of applying a nice face, read on for an in-depth review of the brushes I like, love, and can't live without!

face

F05: fan brush

A brush that I can't find on the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website itself, this might only be available to Irish consumers whose chemists stock it. I picked up the F05 brush as a Christmas present to myself, to replace my gaudy Real Techniques one that I'd been using up till now, and I'm so glad that I did. Made with super soft synthetic bristles, it's perfect for the sheer application of highlighter. If I remember correctly, it cost me about €10-€15 in town. Ideal.

F14: round top cheek brush

If you're looking for the best contouring brush, this is it.

The F14 brush is €15 on the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website and it really is multi-purpose. I picked one up before Christmas to up my contour game and I was impressed. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow Kit is my first highlighter palette and I quickly realised that my F05 fan brush was too big to fit in the pans, so I picked another F14 brush to use with it. It's a handmade brush with extra soft natural fibers that makes applying and blending powder so much easier. One small warning: if your highlighter or contour packs a punch, make sure to apply lightly!

F28: fluffy powder brush

This one is a bit of a weird one. I picked it up to blend dark shadows out of the crease of my eye, but it's way too big to be playing around in that part of my eye. On the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website, where it's only €9, it says that it's for highlighting or contouring, but I find that it would be a bit too small for that purpose. I use it to brush off any stray fallout from whatever eyeshadow palette I'm playing with. It's a bit expensive for a brush that does so little, but it does the job, and it has never let me down yet. Plus, it's super soft and made with pony hair fibers, so it's nice to run across the face!

F31: targeted contour brush

This is probably the only Blank Canvas Cosmetics brush that I don't use on a regular basis. A gorgeous rose gold to match my aesthetic, and only €15, I was delighted with myself. Unfortunately I found that while it applied my contour in a nice straight line, it's just a bit too thick. I need to buff it out anyway, and it's just easier to use my F14 in the end. If it's the kind of brush that you like to use in your makeup routine I would recommend it though; the handle is comfortable to hold, and the synthetic (and vegan!) brushes are dense enough to do the right job. On the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website, it says that the F31 brush is suitable for both cream and powder products, and is ideal for sculpting, shaping and adding texture to your face. I'm not a professional makeup artist, so maybe I'm doing it wrong- if you know how it's supposed to be done make sure to let me know!

F34: large powder brush

One of the key steps in your makeup routine; setting that expensive foundation onto your face before it creases. I love my black and rose gold F34 brush to get the job done right. It is a bit expensive at €15 on the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website, but I think that it's worth it for the quality and end result. I've been using mine practically daily for over two years now, and while the handle is a little loose in the ferrule, it's still in perfect condition The F34 brush is handmade with anti-bacterial synthetic fibers, meaning that it's vegan-friendly. It's a light brush, with a big handle that's comfortable to hold. The bristles are long and soft, creating a large, fluffy area that's perfect for any powder products; setting powder, blush, highlight, whatever.

eyes

E23: short pencil eye brush

Pretty self-explanatory, it's a pencil eye brush for precise application of eyeshadow. I usually use it to smudge shadows along my lower lash line or for applying dark shadows in my crease to be blended out with a fluffier brush. At €8 on the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website, it's a staple in every brush collection.

E27: mini detailer

The mini detailer is a luxury brush in your collection. You don't really need it if you have the E34, much like you don't really need to buy a Porsche if you already have a Smart car, but it's a hell of a nice tool for your arsenal. Again, not available on the website (at this stage I'm going to have to write a strongly-worded email), I believe I got mine for €8 or so. I use it for my KVD Alchemist palette and mini Alchemist exclusively.

E28: ultra fine liner brush

The only other brush that I don't really use, simply because I haven't quite found the best gel eyeliner formula yet. Strangely, the E28 brush isn't currently available on the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website. I'd say it only cost me about €7 for this synthetic vegan brush, that can be used with cream, gel or liquid products to create fine details on your face (or dots if you're not the biggest fan of raising your blood pressure trying to do something nice without ruining the rest of your face).

E34: blending brush

My absolute favourite in my collection; I have three and I'm going to pick up more. This brush is perfect for practically any eye look, and if I'm going somewhere and I need to pack light these are all I bring.

The E34 brush is great for packing eyeshadow onto your lid and blending shadows out. It works in the small of your eye, in the crease and on the lower lash line. You can use it with bright shades, transition shades and darkening shades. Basically, for €8 or so from the chemist (holy moly, Blank Canvas Cosmetics are criminal for not listing these on their website!), the E34 can do your whole eye. Vegan and anti-bacterial, these are your best friend for pressed (wet or dry) and cream shadows. You're welcome.

E35: flat shader brush

Another staple in my collection, I love this vegan brush for packing bright shadows on my lid. Again, not currently available on the website, so grab your purse and make your way to your local chemist- I think it was about €8 or so. It can be used with powder (wet or dry) or cream products.

E38: brow finisher brush

This gorgeous multi-purpose angled brush is great for your eyebrows, for detail work on your eyes, or create a cut crease. I personally only use mine for my brows; to fluffen them up and fill them in after I use a finer Lottie London one to create a defined line. Again, these only seem to be available from the chemist (at about €8 or so), and can be used with powder, gel, cream or liquid products.

If you're looking for reliable, easy to clean and cruelty free brushes that look great on your vanity, Blank Canvas Cosmetics are the best. With every kind of brush for any kind of eye look (except for eyebrow combs, sadly), these are professional-quality brushes for a reasonable price. They're available in sets or individually, and with plenty of looks and finishes to choose from, you'll always find exactly what you want. I'll definitely be adding more to my collection as I continue, and they'll always be a cherished brush collection. Have you tried any, and is there a brush that I should definitely include in my collection?

Make sure to follow my Instagram @lapetitemis to keep up with my other posts!