It's rare that I look at brushes in sets; I too often find there are only one or two brushes I really want, and the rest are redundant. It's like back in the day when you had to buy the whole CD just to get the one song that was a hit on the radio (please tell me you all are not too young that you don't remember that??) When the Mara Hoffman for Sephora Kaleidescape Brush Set showed up recently, first I had to take a moment to just swoon over the packaging, and secondly I wondered if it would be the case where I might only like one or two in the set...
The Mara Hoffman for Sephora Collection is firstly absolutely adorable and nature inspired; I have already raved about the Kaleidescape Lip Gloss Set {review here} and was thrilled to try out some brushes as well. The box they showed up in is not something you want to throw out; It's a collectors box that makes perfect storage if you aren't the type that wants your brushes out on display, and it carries the fun print all the way inside if you choose to hold on to it for something else (like making the perfect present box if you are selfless enough to gift it away!)
Inside there is a set of 5 full sized brushes, all made from FSC certified wood with synthetic, bamboo charcoal infused fibres making them fabulous for both cream and powder products. I often find synthetic brushes can feel plasticky, or simply can't disperse the product evenly, but these are super soft without being flimsy or feeling cheap (as often synthetic brushes can be guilty of). The wooden handles have the same print as the box they come in printed directly on the wood, as opposed to a sticker overlay that will peel over time which I appreciate considering I don't mind investing in brushes as long as they last. The rose gold metal ferrules are a pretty and trendy touch that finishes off the look and makes these easy to find in the sea of brushes I already own, which is always a bonus!
Out of the entire set, there is only one brush that I feel didn't feel up to the quality of the others, and that is the Highlight Brush. Its narrow, long and tapered bristles felt much too stiff for a brush I would use anticipating a diffused look. If it had been less dense, I think it would actually perform better, but as it is I don't really have a use for it. Having said this, the other four brushes are absolutely lovely! The All Over Face Brush makes buffing out foundation super easy and smooth, and the Cheek Brush doubles as a blush brush and a contour brush thanks to its tapered bristles and pinched ferrule.
There are two shadow brushes in the kit, both soft and dense enough to pick up eyeshadow and then apply to the eye. The Crease Brush has a nice soft tapered point making it great for defined crease work and blending, and the Shadow Brush is pinched to be flat but still slightly fluffy making it a great all rounder.
I think if you've been looking for some new brushes, or would like to get some for a makeup beginner or someone who doesn't really know which brushes to use, the Mara Hoffman Kaleidescape Brush Set is a great buy. I mentioned earlier that it is SO rare to find a brush set were I use every single brush, but it's also rare to like all but one! These have definitely made it into my regular rotation, and the fun print just adds to the appeal in my books. If you're planning on purchasing I would do so very soon, these are limited edition and given the fab reviews they've been getting, I imagine they won't hang around long!
