Stila • #8 Powder Brush (short handled) • Makeup Brushes

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Stasea on 7/22/2009 4:28:00 PM more reviews by Stasea

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Kinky, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

LOVES IT!!

Hands down, the best powder brush I have ever owned! Here' why:
1- It is super duper super SOFT and gentle. It baffles me how soft this brush is.
2- It's easy to handle. I hate long brushes and so this length is not as short as MAC shorty & skinny brushes, but short enough.
3- The shape is excellent. The dowe-ish tip allows you to get the hard to master spots under you nose, sides of nose, under eyes, etc. Yet is is broad enough to sweep larger areas like you cheeks and neck with ease.
4- It applies my makeup soooo evenly. It picks up tons of powder so if you just tap it a couple times, application is PERFECT.
5- It hardly sheds. I have lost maybe 5 - 10 bristles in 4 months.
6- My powder lasts longer and has never looked better.
7- Superb versatility. This works with mineral makeup, compact, and loose.

LOVES IT!

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macnewbie08 on 6/14/2009 12:01:00 AM more reviews by macnewbie08

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I purchased the long handle version & I loved it!!!! It is so soft!!!! So, I decided to purchase the short handle brush as well. I am so glad that I did. I love this brush!!! It is the perfect size & fits in my makeup bag. I have had no shedding. I love the shape of this brush. It is perfect for applying powder under the eye because of the shape. I have tried numerous powder brushes. This is definitely my favorite! Other brushes have felt really harsh on my face or have shed like crazy. Not the case with this brush. I am so glad that I discovered Stila! This brush is a bit pricey but worth every penny. .

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*TOP REVIEWER* shelju on 5/20/2009 9:19:00 PM more reviews by shelju

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky   Eyes: Brown    

HG!!!.I have several Stila brushes as they have ALL proven that they are what all other brushes "wish" they could be. However, this was the last to join my collection because I could not figure out a use for it in my makeup routine. I use MMU mostly alone or as a finishing powder over my liquid makeup when I need a more "formal" look and have always used a dense kabuki style brush. Anyway, I would have never considered this brush for applying my MMU but on a fluke decided to give it a go one morning and WOW . . . absolutely PEFECT application! Not too heavy not too light. If I hadn't spent so much on all those darn kabuki's I would simply trash them because . . . Nothing else compares to this Absolutely Amazing Brush! Luv IT!

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MACai on 9/18/2008 4:15:00 PM more reviews by MACai

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I actually have the normal handle one, and I love it! Its definitely an investment, but its the softest brush I have in my collection. The only problem is that the handle is unnessecarily long -.-

I don't think I'd need to buy it again since its seems pretty sturdy *crosses fingers*

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sh3lls on 8/22/2008 5:34:00 PM more reviews by sh3lls

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Quality brushes are essential to me. I've tried so many (Smashbox, Chanel, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Bare Escentuals, etc.) I even purchased Trish McEvoy's #37 brush due to all the rave, but boy was I disappointed!!! It was about $62 and all it did was leave tiny hairs on my face while applying my powder. Fortunately, Saks had great customer service and I was able to exchange it for other cosmetics. Anyway, this Stila travel brush is fantastic. Super soft. No itchiness. Cute packaging. The hairs aren't too thick or densed (the more dense, the more powder it picks up) but the hair amount and hair tip shape are enough for you to choose from light coverage and build it up. I like it better than the long handled powder brush, since that one still leaves hair on my face. This one is definitely a must-have.

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bustacat97 on 2/24/2008 11:00:00 PM more reviews by bustacat97

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best blush brush out on the market hands down in terms of its softness. I have yet to see another brush that is remotely comparable. This brush feels nothing like the Stila #1 brush, nor is it like comparable to the softness of any MAC brush. My face is extremely sensitive to brushes both natural and synthetic. I can use various types of eye brushes, but I am extremely picky with my face brushes. My only hope is that Stila will make more face brushes using the same type of bristles.

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calistarose on 4/7/2007 3:56:00 AM more reviews by calistarose

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I use this extremely soft brush to apply my powder. It never makes my face itch. The short handle is perfect for traveling and I wish my other blush brushes were also short handled. I remember the price being really expensive when I bought it, but since I've had it for several years and it's still nice and soft, I consider the brush to be well worth the price! Absolutely! Hands down, the *best* powder brush. I've tried Laura Mercier's version, but this one is way better.

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angmo on 10/10/2006 10:00:00 PM more reviews by angmo

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I am truly amazed by the quality of this brush. It has the softest bristle. And it is perfect for those highly pigmented and yet soft blushes ie Chanel, YSL. However this might not work on Bourjois Blush.... I used a slightly stiffer brush for Bourjois (ie MAC 129.. one of my favorite). The SA told me that Stila uses goat hair and that explains its softness. So do other brushes (from other brand) except that they are not as silky and soft!!! I totally agree with LDDC (see below). You got to have the right tool for applying makeup. It impacts the performance of the products.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LPomona on 1/16/2006 12:15:00 AM more reviews by LPomona

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Hazel    

Best powder brush of life.
I started out using BE's kabuki (total piece of junk, as you all know).
Upgraded to Cat kabuki (lovely, soft buki).
Then started using Philosophy's Supernat. Airbrushed Canvas (my HG) and decided to try a "fluffy" brush. Bought Chanel powder brush #6. It's soft & lovely but WAY TOO DENSE for applying powder. Reading Chanel site (too late) found out that the #6 is actually designed to sweep EXCESS powder from the face. (damn!) Next bought NARS powder brush #1 and was very happy with it. It's fluffy & not nearly as dense as the Chanel.

Then I started reading this board about brushes & some MUA recommends stila #8 (short handle) to all of his clients.
Cut to the chase - I found one on ebay that was slightly less than retail so I jumped on it. This stila #8 brush makes all of my other brushes seem like they're made of cactus thorns. (OK, not really, but you get my point.) This brush slips powder onto your skin like the smoothest silk. You don't even feel the hair of the brush, just the soft powder. I can't emphasize enough that there is no brush (that I've ever used) that can compare to this one in any way, shape or form. True it is that I bought it for a few quid less than full price, but the fact is that it's WORTH full price.

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txhuangege on 10/5/2004 3:21:00 PM more reviews by txhuangege

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I bought the brush as a gift to my best friend's birthday. She loves it so much!!! Due to her sensitive skin, she's kind of picky about anything applied onto her face. But this time she told me the "brush is perfect"...I am so glad that she loves it and I'm thinking of awarding myself one. Although it's really not cheap, I think it's worth of investing. In addition, I'd like to say that short-handle is not a problem to me at all. I love the size and the glimmering blue-silver handle, which looks so elegant...I also tried the long-handled brush, but the long black handle turns out be only a burden.

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erienadadora on 7/2/2004 9:32:00 AM more reviews by erienadadora

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Went on a powder brush odyssey and this was by far the most wonderful. Super soft, a clever subtle point at the end makes it possible to flick loose powder around your eye and under the lower lashes without getting anything in your eyes-- A real plus. I have an old gold handled Trish Mac brush with the same shape and it has been useful in the same way-- haven't found any other brush with this feature. Problem is the unbelievable smell of glue or paint or something almost eye-wateringly sharp. Stank up my whole purse, my bedroom smelled like it had had been painted a week earlier. I may be a smell nutcase but other people noticed it too. My sweet Nordstrom ladies let me sniff every brush in the place-- they were suprised also. Googled the company, manufacturers in Korea and China, squirrel fur, etc. It is something having to do with making the plastic-y silver handle. Guess what! the Paula Dorf brush that is just as soft but not quite as beautifully shaped has the same silver handle-- just a different name. And the same smell. Ended up getting a lovely and satisfactory, but not stupendous like the Stila, Shiseido wooden handled brush. No smell, picks up powder adaquately and does the job. I still crave the Stila but can't deal with the paint-thinner odor. Doesn't seem to bug anyone else so maybe I'm just weird about smells. Seems like there are about 3 manufacturers for all the brushes and different companies just stamp their logo on the quality they want to represent. Wish I could figure out which low-end companies are using the same manufacturer as Stila or P Dorf.

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looavul on 5/6/2004 5:40:00 PM more reviews by looavul

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

My first "splurge" on a nice fatty powder brush. Oh baby, so worth it. All the others i've used in the past (whatever that sonia target brand is, Jenni Lee, Japanese somethingorother at Ulta) all shed like crazy.

I picked this beauty up at Sephora for $50 and my DH thought i had gone mad spending that much money on a silly makeup brush. I tried to explain saying, put the end is sort of pointy - you can't find another powder brush like that! It sets my concealer and foundation perfectly! He then walked out of the room uninterested.

But low and behold, the day after I brought it home, I saw a brand new packaged one selling for "buy it now" on ebay for $32.50.

So of course, i returned the brush i bought at sephora and exchanged it for $50 worth of eye shadow that i'm just sure i needed. :)


Long story short - this brush is what powder brush dreams are made out of!

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*TOP REVIEWER* LDDC on 4/14/2004 5:41:00 PM more reviews by LDDC

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Every brush that Stila sells is worth the price, believe me! I love all of their brushes and since I have been using them could never think about using anything else. I know some people don't realize the power of a good make-up brush...but once you have one, you'll understand. If you're going to spend a lot of money on your cosmetics...spend the extra cash to apply it right!

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*TOP REVIEWER* beauty_junky on 3/19/2004 7:12:00 AM more reviews by beauty_junky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Other   Eyes: Green    

I LOVE this brush. My powder has never looked so good! Soft SOFT SOFT!

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*TOP REVIEWER* candacej on 2/6/2004 7:19:00 PM more reviews by candacej

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Gorgeous, soft blue squirrel hairs allow this brush to apply powder oh-so-softly to your cheeks. I thought the pointed end might be annoying, but discovered that I can also use it to touch on some blush. My only gripe is the packaging - it would be nice if stila brushes were as pretty as Trish, Kevyn Aucoin or even Bobbi Brown's. And I'm regretting not getting the long-handled, which is a touch more elegant.

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Geogal on 1/26/2004 9:11:00 PM more reviews by Geogal

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I love this brush! It is much softer than the MAC or Bobbi Brown powder brushes. I got the short handled version because I thought it would be easier to use than the regular version (that handle was a little too long for me) but it has also been great when traveling. It is expensive, but it is worth the investment - you won't need another powder brush for a long time.

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chic76 on 12/1/2003 2:52:00 AM more reviews by chic76

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is the best powder blush ever. I use it for loose powder and my bronzer. I love it!

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laurawilsey on 11/30/2003 8:50:00 PM more reviews by laurawilsey

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This is one of my all-time favorite powder brushes. It is so soft and picks up the perfect amount of powder. Can also be used as a blush brush. Great shape. Look forward to using it in the morning!

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*TOP REVIEWER* x0x0rebeccax0x0 on 4/30/2003 9:04:00 PM more reviews by x0x0rebeccax0x0

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I LOVE THIS! its super soft and gives a smooth even application of powder! absolutely superior!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Marsen on 4/15/2003 5:46:00 AM more reviews by Marsen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This is my favorite brush simply because it feels like mink on the skin and it picks up the perfect amount of powder to set my concealer. The brush head is shaped in such a way that it fits the contours of the face. The hairs are fluffy, yet not too dense, depositing powder envenly and sheerly on the skin. I'm also extremelly proud that I got an umbelievable deal on this brush -- $16 on ebay, brand new : ) Love the short silver handle and tapered tip.

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