Sigma recently launched their new Sigmax brush line for high definition, flawless makeup application. The Sigma Sigmax line exhibits three brushes made with Synthetic Sigmax HD filament, designed to allow the brushes to perfectly buff products into the skin without absorbing them into the fibers. This results in a airbrushed finish, high definition look! The brushes can be purchased separately at $16 a pop or together in the Synthetic Face Kit for $42. Let’s take a look at the Synthetic Face Kit…
The kit comes with all three brushes: The F82 Round Top Kabuki, F80 Flat Top Kabuki and F84 Angled Kabuki. The Sigmax Fibers are soft and fluffy, yet dense enough to do what they need to. The brushes feel good against the skin and are not rough or scratchy. The kit also comes with a brochure telling you how each brush can be used.
F82- Round Top Kabuki
The F82 Round Top Kabuki Brush is designed to apply makeup precisely under the eyes and around the nose. It is also good for achieving perfect coverage using liquid and powder products. The F82 has the densest fibers of the bunch and for that reason I chose to use it to apply my liquid foundation. Using a nickel sized amount of my Revlon Colorstay, I was able to get complete, even coverage without having to use a lot of product. Since the bristles are so dense, this brush would also work well to achieve full coverage with powders. Denser bristles = more complete coverage.
F80- Flat Top Kabuki
The F80 Flat Top Kabuki is designed for perfect application and blending of liquid, powder and cream products. It is less dense than the F82 and the flat top gives it more surface area to perfectly buff products into the skin. After using the F82 to apply liquid foundation, I used the F80 to apply MAC MSFN over the Revlon ColorStay. It buffed the powder in with the liquid creating a flawless finish. Here is where the airbrushed effect set in! This brush is also great for applying liquid foundation using the stippling or buffing method. I used it to apply my Revlon ColorStay Foundation using the stippling method and the results were flawless. Again, I only used a small amount of product.
F84-Angled Top Kabuki
The F84 Angled Top Kabuki is a great brush to apply and blend liquid, powder and cream products to the cheeks. Perfect for blush, contour and highlights. It is the least dense of the bunch and the angled tip helps you to apply product exactly where you want it. I used it to apply blush on my cheeks and it buffed it in perfectly creating a natural flushed look. I also used it to contour my cheeks and boy oh boy did it perform perfectly. I think this is going to be my new holy grail brush for contouring!
I attempted to deep clean the brushes using my usual method, baby shampoo. I have to say that the brushes are extremely hard to clean. No matter how many times I washed them, the bristles seemed to be stained with foundation. I think I am going to have to try an oil based cleanser such as MAC Cleanse Off Oil. I am out of Cleanse-Off at the moment so I couldn’t test my theory. The brushes also take extremely long to dry, at least 8 hours. So it’s best to wash these before you go to sleep. However, I did not experience any shedding and the brushes retained their shape after washing.
Pros:
- Sigmax fibers are soft yet dense enough to get the job done
- Brushes apply and blend products perfectly ,creating an airbrushed look
- Each brush is versatile with many different uses
- Affordable compared to other brushes of similar quality (Ahem… MAC!)
- No visible shedding and brushes retain shape
Cons
- Hard to clean
- Takes a long time to dry
This was my first experience with Sigma brushes and overall I am totally pleased. The brushes do exactly what they claim and I like the fact that each brush has multiple uses. I will definitely be using these a lot and plan to get another set for my kit. I am glad that Sigma gave me the opportunity to review these, and I definitely plan to add more Sigma brushes to my collection in the future. You may purchase the Sigma Sigmax High Definition Brushes on the Sigma Website.
20 Responses
Great review. These brushes are on my wishlist!
Thank you. They are definitely great brushes. I will be purchasing another set for my kit!
thanx very much for this review..I cant wait2getmy hands on Sigma brushes..u r most helpful&informative hun
Thank you and no problem! 🙂
Hey E! Awesome review! I own the F80.
To minimize absorbtion of my liquid foundation, I hold the brush upside down & spritz with MUFE Mist & Fix or MAC Fix +.
To clean, I hold upside down moisten bristles only to rinse them. I take some african black soap (the real kind LOL) & make a soapy lather in my palm. I rub the brush in my palm. I may have to do it 2x depending on how dirty my brush is.
I rinse under warm running water. It usually comes clean.
I would love to get the entire set of these brushes. That would give me a backup F80.
Thank you so much for sharing. :O) XXX ~ Sha
Thanks Sha and no problem… This is what I'm here for! 😀
Thank you so much for the tips. I am going to have to try that African Black Soap. Its crazy how we always go back to the simple things after getting all fancy lol
My F80 is in the mail!
I’m so excited now!
great review 🙂
Thanks mama. Great choice. If I could only choose one it would be the F80! 🙂
@ Mz. More…NP girl! I forgot to add, somex I use the elf shampoo.
Wetting dirty bristles,
about a dime size elf brush shampoo in the hand.
a lil water on top of that. (cupping hand)
then swishing bristles in that water/shampoo mixture
rubbing in hand to make a lather.
That stuff is amazing! Inexpensive, yet effective brush cleanser!
Thanks again Sha. I'll try this as well. This morning I used good old Pears Glycerin Soap and actually got my F80 clean. Removed all traces of f/d!
Thanks for the review. I am considering buying new brushes to replace my current Stila brushes…… will look into these!
No problem at all. How are the Stila brushes?
you can try using dish washing liquid mixed with olive oil to clean the synthetic brushes…. i had problem cleaning my foundation brushes. Baby shampoo is just useless and MAC brush cleanser is pathetic as well… now I feel lucky to have found out about using washing liquid it makes life so easy ( I learnt it from Michellephan) =]
Thank you so much for the tip. I always stay far away from the dishwashing liquid as I am afraid it will make me break out. I just ordered some E.L.F. Brush Cleaner and Antibacterial shampoo so I will see how that works. Thank you so much for your input! 🙂
Perfect score! This is definitely something worth investing in. I love how luscious they look (and I’m sure they are). 🙂
Yes they are very luscious and full hon. So fluffy, yet dense! 🙂
Cosigning on "loner"'s comment. Using baby oil works in place of an oil based cleanser. Dish soap shouldn't break you out. I've used it several times with no problem and my skin can be sensitive. I know Sam Fine swears by it. Just don't use a lot or you'll be rinsing forever, especially with dense brushes like these.
Thanks for the tips. I\’ll have to try good old Dawn one day, but so far my new Parian Spirit brush cleaner is working wonders. 🙂
Which would you recommend over the other, sigma or bdellium?
I recommend both brands as both make good brushes. Depends on the type of brush you are looking for. The Sigma Sigmax brushes are great!