Picket Fence Life Changing Brushes

[melanie737]

Anybody tried these? I'm thinking I've only seen them in a set and wondering if they work well and if you can buy them at another source without buying an entire set?

[Peezie]

Well, i can tell you that i purchased these at CK Convention and they are what they say they are .... Life Changing! They are phenomenal! You get a perfect easy blend every time. However, my friends found the same brushes (well, what a close up looks like the same) in the make up aisle at Wallyworld, much, much cheaper! I tried color blending with those just to see if they are the same, and they are, from what I can tell.

[fifiwesfan]

You can get the same make-up brushes from Amazon extremely cheap (like 8 bucks [US] for a set of 10 in different sizes. I did a comparison of various sponges/brushes a few weeks ago using both distress ink and distress oxides and took pictures. When I have time I'll post the photos.

[melanie737]

That would be great!

[gregzgurl]

These are currently in my cart at Amazon:
10-pc Makeup Brush Set
Clear Acrylic 10 Hole Holder
The brushes AND a holder for under $20 instead of $50 for just the brushes? No brainer!

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

These are currently in my cart at Amazon:
10-pc Makeup Brush Set
Clear Acrylic 10 Hole Holder
The brushes AND a holder for under $20 instead of $50 for just the brushes? No brainer!

I am putting them in my cart.

Then I will forget why.

Beth

[fifiwesfan]

Here are the experiments I did with different brushes/sponges et al. I used Georgia Pacific 110# cardstock and Mowed Lawn Distress Ink and Oxide. I tapped each tool into the ink and swirled across the paper an equal number of times. I came in from the left side and blended towards the middle. For the right side, I came straight down and spread out as I swirled. Unfortunately these photos just don't do justice to the actual samples.


For me, I will be using the 'flat' makeup brush for inks and the beauty-blender type for oxides. The 'flat' brush fits me well ergonomically regarding my arthritis and wrist problems. Please remember your results may be different.

(Note: the beauty-blender type sponges are meant to be used damp with makeup, as far as I understand; I will eventually try it damp with the oxides to see what effects I get, if any)


DAUBER:


SPONGE:


ROUND BLENDER:


BEAUTY BLENDER-TYPE:


'REGULAR' MAKEUP BRUSH (this one happens to be angled but the rounded and flat tops work too):


'FLAT' MAKEUP BRUSH:

[bjeans]

For the very lightest blending with the softest touch, I like Clarity brushes or Tim Holtz brushes - but they are definitely an investment or a good gift.

For regular Oxide blending - not super ultra light - regular Ranger blenders work beautifully, partly because Oxides are the butter of blending. ;)

Just my take - ymmv.

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fifiwesfan

Here are the experiments I did with different brushes/sponges et al. I used Georgia Pacific 110# cardstock and Mowed Lawn Distress Ink and Oxide.

See pictures in post #7
Thank you so much for doing this, so very sweet of you! I find it extremely helpful, and no doubt others do too!!! :cool:

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

These are currently in my cart at Amazon:
10-pc Makeup Brush Set
Clear Acrylic 10 Hole Holder
The brushes AND a holder for under $20 instead of $50 for just the brushes? No brainer!

Count me in, just purchased.:cool:

[Covington Crafter]

Thank you Debra for the comparison chart and thank you Sue for the brush/holder link! Just added it to my wish list. I'm going to look through my make up drawer. I think I have a few brushes in there that I'll try with inks.

[plumdiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melanie737

Anybody tried these? I'm thinking I've only seen them in a set and wondering if they work well and if you can buy them at another source without buying an entire set?

I just found them on Amazon for under $8:Amazon.com: Duorime New 7pcs Black Oval Toothbrush Makeup Brush Set Cream Contour Powder Concealer Foundation Eyeliner Cosmetics Tool …: Beauty

[Soozie4Him]

I bought the EXPENSIVE Clarity Stencil brushes a few years ago, then I saw people using the cheap makeup brushes, so I bought about 10 Elf brushes for about $2 each on Amazon:

Amazon.com : e.l.f. Total Face Brush : Beauty

The makeup brushes that are more like blenders that you list above - do you use the smaller ones? I wish they had more of the bigger ones in a set. I should have PLeNtY as I do have the Ranger round tools and sponge discs too. I think the Elf brushes and Clarity brushes are maybe better for Stencils, and you put the ink on a little at a time.

[allee's]

I, too, bought just the sizes I felt would work for me at a CK Convention in the Woodlands. Wishing now that I had bought the entire set and most likely will in the very near future. I have all of the tools listed above for blending. These brushes far exceed them all!

I do a lot of masking in my work and the smaller brushes allow me to mask less and just brush right up to the edge of my images! I love them!!

[annie*]

Has anyone tried both the expensive and inexpensive makeup brushes for a direct comparison?

[wavejumper]

Lydia (understandblue) LOVES the life changers.

I have added Sue's to my AZ wishlist. Thanks! I am actually going to place an order for something else so the timing is good!

[allee's]

Quote:

Originally Posted by annie*

Has anyone tried both the expensive and inexpensive makeup brushes for a direct comparison?

I have just ordered the inexpensive ones. When they come in and I try them out, I will let you know how they compare to the expensive ones.

[Bohodiva]

I saw those Picket Fence applicators at a recent scrapbook expo and they were $40 for a set. I've been using my ol' faithful set of German long handle stipple brushes (similar to Clarity brushes) that are 20 years old. Since I only have 8 brushes, one per color family, I use them with all my inks (dyes, pigments, distress and oxides) and they blend the ink out just fine.

[Embri]

I predict there won't be much difference between the 'specialty' craft brushes vs. the original make up brushes. A lot of the products that get peddled to crafters are recycled from other industries with an eye-watering markup in price.

[fionna51]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soozie4Him

I bought the EXPENSIVE Clarity Stencil brushes a few years ago, then I saw people using the cheap makeup brushes, so I bought about 10 Elf brushes for about $2 each on Amazon:


Amazon.com : e.l.f. Total Face Brush : Beauty

I bought one of these elf brushes at the store the other day. Tell me what you think of it for putting just a little color on the cardstock...around the edge or in a die-cut opening for example.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soozie4Him

The makeup brushes that are more like blenders that you list above - do you use the smaller ones? I wish they had more of the bigger ones in a set. I should have PLeNtY as I do have the Ranger round tools and sponge discs too. I think the Elf brushes and Clarity brushes are maybe better for Stencils, and you put the ink on a little at a time.

I found these when looking at those everyone is talking about. I kind of like the "one size" rather than the wide variety. I really like the price!


Robot Check

ETA I don't know why "robot check" is how that is titled. It really goes to the link I wanted to share. :rolleyes:

[hultenlk]

After seeing Lydia’s video about the Life Changing brushes, I was so eager to check them out. I haven’t had a problem blending with the Tim Holtz round sponges, especially with Distress Oxides, but I find the system of peeling the sponge off the velcro annoying. I tend to get ink all over my hands and have ripped the sponges a number of times. I also found the cheaper alternative on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and just got them yesterday. I never thought I’d use the little brushes for anything, but then I realized how perfect they would be for some stencils. Here’s some of my testing.

[allee's]

Quote:

Originally Posted by annie*

Has anyone tried both the expensive and inexpensive makeup brushes for a direct comparison?

Yes, they are as good as the expensive ones, Annie, because they are the exact same brushes but sold for 1/4 the price.

[annie*]

Thanks to everyone for all the information!

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allee's

Yes, they are as good as the expensive ones, Annie, because they are the exact same brushes but sold for 1/4 the price.

I know it’s a little late to post, but just had to confirm allee’s post. They’re the same assortment of sizes, color, plushness, flexibility, and quality at 1/4 the cost!!! I’m so happy I purchased them thanks to our amazing thrifty SCS detectives!!!

[Embri]

How are y'all not mad as hornets about this kind of exploitative practice? It's rampant in the crafting industry - I regularly see ' new products' where they're charging twice to ten times the cost if you buy the 'non-craft' version in a different department or store.

[Peezie]

I am livid! I, being the tool freak that I am.... purchased the $50 set at the convention and not two weeks after I was home began seeing all the other alternatives WAYYYY cheaper. I had never seen these type of makeup brushes before and I didn't even know they existed! I felt like we were taken advantage of ...

[maryalena]

Today Jennifer McGuire posted in her tools video that the cheaper versions lose hairs and implied they are inferior. Is anyone seeing this with the less expensive brushes? I haven’t bought either so far.

[bjeans]

I also thought it interesting that Jennifer said there’s a difference and that the cheap make-up brush ones shed.

A local here said the more she used her knock-offs the more they’d shed, but she hadn’t tried the originals.

[BlueFeather]

I’ve been using my cheapies from amazon for over a month. No shedding so far. And I’m pretty aggressive with them.

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFeather

I’ve been using my cheapies from amazon for over a month. No shedding so far. And I’m pretty aggressive with them.

And they're plastic like the Picket Fence ones? Tiny plastic bits?

[BlueFeather]

I don’t know what the picket fence ones look like. These are the ones I’m using. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...4TMY084KW&th=1
Funny thing is I paid right around $10 for mine. They just keep going up I’ve noticed.

[dini]

I haven't had a problem with shedding.

[Bohodiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohodiva

I saw those Picket Fence applicators at a recent scrapbook expo and they were $40 for a set. I've been using my ol' faithful set of German long handle stipple brushes (similar to Clarity brushes) that are 20 years old. Since I only have 8 brushes, one per color family, I use them with all my inks (dyes, pigments, distress and oxides) and they blend the ink out just fine.

I watched JM's video and heard her comment about the cheap brushes shedding, but I caved in and purchased a 10 pc set from ebay, for $6.95 to give them a try anyhow. If they work great, if not its only a minimal loss.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-Professional-Makeup-Brushes-Set-Oval-Cream-Puff-Toothbrush-Brush-Black

[maryalena]

I’ll be waiting to hear. It’s such a huge price difference.

[Bohodiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjeans

I also thought it interesting that Jennifer said there’s a difference and that the cheap make-up brush ones shed.

A local here said the more she used her knock-offs the more they’d shed, but she hadn’t tried the originals.

JM may have talent, skills and is a creator of beautiful work, but keep in mind Jennifer is a sales representative, as well as papercrafting artist.
She is given products by companies to use and promote in her videos and by doing so she get's paid through her product links and sales.
I enjoy her videos and I've some techniques from her and I will continue to follow her on Youtube, but I'm not buying into all her product recommendations.

[maryalena]

At those prices a little shedding from Brand X a year down the road wouldn’t bother me too much. I didn’t get the feeling that JM had direct experience with shedding.

[RenT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFeather

I don’t know what the picket fence ones look like. These are the ones I’m using. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...4TMY084KW&th=1
Funny thing is I paid right around $10 for mine. They just keep going up I’ve noticed.

Haha I just looked for fun and yep! $16 today.

I was coming back to this thread to mention JM's recommendation, but I see you all beat me to it. I did get a PF one free with an order so I'll see how I like it before I buy any of either type.

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryalena

At those prices a little shedding from Brand X a year down the road wouldn’t bother me too much. I didn’t get the feeling that JM had direct experience with shedding.

She did say she tried make-up brushes. From what she’s said in many videos, she tries products for a long time before selecting some, so we never see her many [?] rejects. Now I’m not so naive not to think that sometimes a personal relationship/friendship factors in a bit, but I also think she has integrity.

Gosh, I sure have a lot of the tools in her videos. Some I bought before the videos, some after, but on the tool video it was check, check, check. lol

I do wonder if she’s tried yellow Frog Tape. It’s inexpensive compared to Purple Tape and the lowest tack of the painters tapes. But now I’m getting too OT.

[maryalena]

I too have many tools that JM has recommended. This last year though, maybe because I really have a lot, I was much more hesitant to add more. Can’t say I’ve ever been burned by any of her suggestions. I just don’t need so many versions of similar tools. I’m kind of to the point of good enough.

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryalena

I too have many tools that JM has recommended. This last year though, maybe because I really have a lot, I was much more hesitant to add more. Can’t say I’ve ever been burned by any of her suggestions. I just don’t need so many versions of similar tools. I’m kind of to the point of good enough.

Ditto. The exception is a laminator. Mine was recalled because it may get too hot on the bottom. I only use mine for brief periods, and there have been no fires. But maybe I should do the recall.

The laminator lives in an Expedit cubby that’s divided into 4 mini-cubbies (think of a + sign in a square) and the one JM has may be too large. She used to have the one I have now (coincidence).

I was surprised she didn’t re-show the little auto parts magnetic bowl in her accessories part. I put dies back into their pocket and deal with scraps before going to the next die(s), but was running out of time and zooming through lots of tiny dies while making a paper mountain mess, and it was nice to plunk the dies into the bowl for safe keeping. I got mine on Amazon.