Sigma has two travel brush kit variations, both of which contain a carefully selected collection of 7 short-handled brushes. The regular Travel Kit contains travel-sized versions of several brushes that are included in the Complete Kit (which I've also reviewed here), so I was rather excited to receive the Premium Travel Kit so that I could test and review 7 brand-new brushes. The Premium kit contains travel-sized versions of several brushes that are included in the Premium Professional Kit plus the E50 brush.
Sigma Premium Travel Brush Kit - Stylish in Black
The faux leather brush roll has a hidden, magnetized closure.
There is a zippered compartment on the inside that could hold one or two extra travel-sized brushes as needed.
Tapered Face - F25
I've been loving this brush for my setting powder, which at the moment is my MAC MSF Natural. The brush is very soft but not overly fluffy due to its egg shape, so it's perfect for dusting on powder in a manner where the powder will actually be applied to your skin rather than be fluffed around your face. The tapered end also fits comfortably under the eye and as a result, this brush is also very effective for lightly setting under-eye concealer with powder and there is no need for a separate brush.
Although the F25 is much too large for contouring since the shape of the brush expands a considerable amount once brushed across the face, it is great for applying bronzer.
Duo Fibre Powder/Blush - F15
This duo fibre brush allows for a nice, sheer application of powder product as it does not pick up as much powder or deposit as much onto the face as other brushes do. In terms of powder blush, it's best used with more pigmented or really bright blushes that usually need to be applied with a light hand, as otherwise you'll find yourself having to apply several layers of blush to achieve the look you'd want with a normal blush.
I personally prefer to use this brush with cream blush, as I find duo fibre brushes rarely shed (Who likes annoying brush hairs in their blush, right?) and the sheer application means you'll never accidentally apply a blob of cream blush to the apples of your cheeks then have to hurriedly try to blend it out before it sets.
And although I have not yet tested it out, I'd imagine the F15 would also do a fine job at stippling in liquid foundation, as do most all other duo fibre brushes.
Large Concealer - F65
I think I was the most skeptical about this brush upon receiving the kit. I'm still somewhat unsure of when such a large concealer brush would be practical or necessary so any comments or suggestions are very welcomed :)
In an attempt to find a usage for this brush, I picked it up one day and used it to pat on Bare Minerals Well Rested eye brightener on the area under my eyes and so far, I've been pretty satisfied. I still have a tendency to reach for my Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush to blend it in afterwards, but I've noticed that patting on Well Rested with this brush beforehand allows you to apply more product (but not too much) and achieve a more bright-eyed look than you'd be able to achieve by using the E40 alone to apply the product and to blend it.
Large Fluff - E50
I love this brush! It's quite large and is perfect for applying a wash of color to the whole lid in no time at all. Prior to acquiring this brush, I'd usually reach for my Sigma E55 Eye Shading brush if I was looking to apply a single eyeshadow from lash line to eyebrow, but the E50 is much more efficient at doing so due to its size.
Small Tapered Blending - E45
I've been using this to apply color to my crease when I want a more defined shape. In addition to neatly fitting into the crease to deposit color, the tapered end will allow you to wing out the color too, if desired, to create more of a cat-eye effect. I prefer to use it for applying color rather than blending, so I still tend to go in afterwards with my MAC 217 or Sigma E35 Tapered Blending brush to blend out any harsh lines.
Short Shader - E20
The E20 is the brush I never knew I needed or wanted but have unexpectedly fallen in love with. It has replaced my MAC 239 and pencil brush as my go-to brush for applying eyeshadow to my lower lash line. The bristles are so stiff, even more so than the MAC 239, and as a result, eyeshadow is deposited exactly where you want it and the brush never fluffs it around or accidentally flicks it into your eye.
Small Eye Liner - E10
This is the thinnest eye liner brush of the three that I own (MAC 209 and Sigma E05) and being someone who is eyeliner-challenged, I had my reservations about my ability to do this brush justice. However, I must say that I have an easier time applying my gel eyeliner with this brush than I do with either of those other brushes or even an angled brush.
It creates a clean, thin line that is easily thickened with each additional stroke as opposed to the thick line that can randomly turn messy if the bristles on my E05 or angled brush decide they want to spread out all of a sudden while I'm drawing my line. Does this happen to anyone else?! I'm eyeliner-challenged, I tell you.
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If I was travelling with only this kit, here is how I would utilize each brush:
(I'd apply my foundation with my fingers.)
I'd use the F25 to set my foundation with powder and to apply bronzer.
I'd use the F15 to apply blush and cheek highlight.
I'd use the F65 to apply concealer and blend it in with my fingers.
I'd use the E50 to apply my lid color and brow bone highlight.
I'd use the E45 to apply my crease color.
I'd use the E20 to apply color to my lower lash line.
I'd use the E10 to apply my gel liner.
In my opinion, the F65 Large Concealer brush is not a necessity and is not a useful enough brush to warrant being included in a brush kit that only has 7 brushes. I would have much rather seen something like the F60 Foundation brush or F40 Large Angled Contour brush (for blush and/or contour) in its place, to be honest, because although the F15 Duo Fibre Powder/Blush brush would be great at applying foundation or blush, it would be less than ideal to have to use it for both because you'd then risk contaminating your blush with a brush that is dirty with foundation.
Since all of the brushes in this kit were new to me, I don't own any of the full-sized versions to compare any differences in the actual brush head. However, here is a travel-sized brush next to a regular Sigma brush so you can compare the lengths of the handles (fyi: the brushes are not the same):
Sigma brushes can be purchased from their website and the Premium Travel Brush Kit is available for $59.
Disclaimer: This product was sent to me free of charge for review purposes only. I am not affiliated with this company, nor am I getting paid for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and based solely on my own experience with the products.
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