Sigma Kabuki Kit

I got this set as well when I bought the Mrs Bunny Travel Kit in 2012 when Sigma did free international shipping for Black Friday.  I can't seem to find this set on the Sigma website anymore so I'm not sure if they've discontinued it, but the Kabuki Kit with 5 brushes is still available for $84.

The brushes in this set are all available individually for $21 so in the 5 brush set you're technically getting one brush for free.  The four brushes I have are as follows:

F80 Flat Kabuki - As I've mentioned before I don't like flat foundation brushes, I much prefer to buff it into my skin, so this is one of the brushes I use for foundation.

F82 Round Kabuki - I also really like this one for foundation, more so than the flat one as the round shape is better at getting in around the nose area.

F84 Angled Kabuki - This one is perfect for bronzer and contouring, but I also like to use the tip for highlighter.

F86 Tapered Kabuki - I particularly like this one for highlighter but the shape of it is also good for contouring.

I really like these brushes, they're so soft and densely packed.  The downside of this is that that can take forever to dry after washing them!  Also because I use Brush Guards to help them keep their shape, this probably makes it a bit longer too.  I usually leave them out drying for a couple of days just to make sure!

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Sigma Mrs Bunny Travel Kit

I've decided to do a series of posts on my synthetic make up brushes organised by brand.  The first in this series is the Sigma Mrs Bunny Travel Kit.  I got this for part of my Christmas in 2012 but I'd bought it in the Black Friday at the end of November as they did free worldwide shipping which makes all the difference.

They have updated them since and have made the ferrules silver instead of pink but this seems to be the only change.  The set costs $75 and the brushes included, from left to right, are:

E30 Pencil - This one is good for adding very precise colour to an area, in the outer corner or on the lower lash line.  Similar to the Mac 219 but not as stiff and with longer bristles.

E40 Tapered Blending - I hoped this would be comparable to the Mac 217 but unfortunately it's a a bit too wide at the top.  However it is still good for blending once colour is in place, and also good for powdering undereye concealer.

F60 Foundation - I don't tend to use these shape brushes for foundation, I prefer buffing it into the skin with a densely packed brush, so I can't really comment much on this one.

F30 Large Powder - I use this everyday for my setting powder, no complaints - works well!

F40 Large Angled Contour - I also use this everyday for blusher and I really like the shape of it, it gives a really nice effect.

E55 Eye Shading - I found this a bit short for eyeshadow to be honest but it works fine for packing on colour, could just do with being a bit longer!  I usually go for this one if my other shaders are dirty.

E65 Small Angle - I prefer using a thin pointed eyeliner brush rather than angled but it does do its job and gives a nice thin line.  Also good for using powder to fill in eyebrows.

I love that the set comes with a brush holder, it's so useful!  It is a travel case but then unfastens and turns into two separate containers.  I use one for storing face brushes and the other I use to put dirty brushes which have to be cleaned.  Then of course when travelling, it's so handy, especially for smaller brushes.

I just need to mention that my powder and contour brushes both broke shortly after I started using them - the ferrule and handle came apart!  However I emailed Sigma with photos straight away and they dealt with it quickly and efficiently, sending me out two new brushes.  The other ones are still usable and could be glued back into place but that sort of thing shouldn't happen - especially for the price of them!  Maybe that is part of why they've changed the ferrule in the new version?

Overall I really like this set, even though there are a couple I don't get much use out of they're always handy to have, and love that it comes with the holder.  They also feel really soft, not as soft as other synthetics I've got, but definitely good enough for me.

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Some Christmas Pressies!!

I do love seeing what people have got for Christmas, it's so exciting!  I've decided to do a sort of abridged version just including my bigger presents rather than going through every sweetie and pair of socks haha!

I wasn't expecting much this year as I'm over 21 now and apparently that's the age when everyone decides you're too old for presents!  However I ended up with a good wee haul anyway, I am very lucky!

So first, one of my main presents from my mum and dad was the Sigma Mrs Bunny Travel Kit, which also comes in black.  I got this on Black Friday when they did free international shipping, and I also treated myself to the Kabuki Kit!  It was then passed onto the parents and put away until Christmas.  I really like it, it comes with synthetic versions of the E40, E30, E55, E65, F30, F40 and F60!

Next is a coat I wanted from work, I brought it home a week before Christmas like, can you buy me this for a present?  They didn't even wrap it :( I've not had it on yet but I love it, and it was a bargain too!

I got loads of books this year!  My Auntie Tricia got me the Enid Blyton Adventure set, and my parents got me the new Jodi Picoult book, Lone Wolf.  I'm looking forward to reading these, Enid Blyton takes me back to my childhood!

My Auntie Tricia also got me Lgns London Roses & Diamonds perfume which I had asked for.  This is a BUAV Approved company so finally I can have some fancy cruelty free perfume!  It is also pretty cheap too, I think it's about £20 for 30ml.  It smells so nice but you don't need to take my word for it because they send out free paper samples - which I had already got.  There is also another perfume called Serenity which I haven't tried, and they are currently doing a deal where you get a free mascara when you buy that perfume.

I got this bag from my Auntie Heather and family.  It's so big and squishy, I love it!!  I'm getting a bit fed up of my tiny little bag so I am going to transfer everything over into this one.  It means I can get a nice big purse to go with it too!  I'm not 100% sure which it's made of which worried me at first but I think it is faux leather - hopefully!

...And my Auntie Tricia gave me this wee charm too (she spoils us!!!) so I attached it onto my new bag!

From my mum's friend and her daughter I got a Soap & Glory set which I was really excited about.  I've never actually tried any of their stuff so I can't wait to try it out and see if they live up to the hype!

And finally from my neighbour, a L'Occitane hand cream set.  The packaging on this is just stunning, I'm definitely keeping the box!  Sadly L'Occitane started selling in China last year so I wouldn't be able to repurchase but I'm sure this will keep me going for a while!

Have you got a favourite present from this Christmas?

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