Hype Hound: Is The Artis Brush Worth The Splurge?

The beauty world is full of things I never knew I needed and one of those are makeup applicators. It was only a few years ago when I started exploring brushes and sponge blenders. Before that, I just relied on my fingers or the generic puffs that come with the products to do the job of blending my foundation and blushes. So you can say that my discovery of intricate beauty tools is life-changing.

Each year, various new models of applicators promise a better way to achieve that elusive smooth and natural finish. But there are some that were more revered than others like the Artis Brush Fluenta Oval 7, which is available at Net-A-Porter.com. This innovative brush is created by Matthew Waitesmith, a makeup artist and photographer. He noticed that the typical brushes are actually built for makeup artists to use on clients, making it challenging for the average gal to apply makeup flawlessly. However, the Artis Brush, which features a unique angled handle and an oval head is specifically designed for self-application. At USD70, is it worth the splurge? Keep reading to find out.

Packaging and texture

Unlike your usual brushes, the Artis Brush Fluenta Oval 7 is especially packed and secured in a sturdy box. It certainly feels very fancy and reminded me of the wand packagings from Harry Potter. However, I think this would be an issue when you travel as it will take up a big space in your luggage. The alternative would be to pack just the brush, but would you really risk breaking an expensive beauty tool? 

As you can see, the bristles are densely packed

Moving on to the texture, I can confidently say that this Artis Brush's bristles are the softest fibres I have ever encountered in a brush. It feels so luxurious and pampering on the skin. None of the hairs sticks out and everything is evenly placed.

Application (Liquid formulas)

Left - After one stroke of blending; Right - Thoroughly blended

When it comes to liquid formulas, the advantage of using an Artis Brush is that it doesn't absorb too much product. Compared to other brushes where the foundation gets soaked up by the bristles, this one has the ability to hold makeup in place. With the first strokes, it felt like the Artis Brush was just smearing the product on my skin. But after a while, it begins to work its magic and it was as if the foundation melted into my skin. Talk about a seamless application! However, it doesn't work as well for concealers as it disperses the formula onto other parts of the face, making it hard to cover a spot. In my experience, dabbing a sponge is still the best way to blend concealers. 

Application (Powder products)

Left - Pigmented application by Artis Brush; Right - Barely-there application by generic brush

For powder products, there's also a significant difference between using the Artis Brush and a generic brush. Again, the Artis Brush doesn't absorb much product and as a result, the application is more pigmented with just one stroke. This is especially helpful if you're like me who, with the intention of wanting to have more vibrant cheeks, ends up putting too much.

Is it worth the splurge?

And now to the big question: is it worth splurge? If you're someone who is skilled at applying makeup with your usual set of brushes, then you can just stick to what you have. But for those who have a hard time working with an ordinary foundation brush like me, this beauty tool is very helpful as it guarantees a natural finish. I never have to worry about having those unsightly brush strokes because the oval head ensures a thorough and even blending. The angled handle design is also very innovative; it gives you more control over the direction of the brush. So personally, I'd say yes it's worth the splurge! And compared to makeup sponges that you have to replace every three to four months, this one can stay with you for years. 

Read more of our skincare and makeup reviews here.