Finding great makeup brushes that don’t break the bank is much harder than you think. I’ve tried both cheaper brushes with rough bristles that shed and overpriced brushes not worth the price tag.

Sigma Makeup Brushes has been getting buzz on YouTube and in the blogosphere lately - I was intrigued. Some have compared Sigma to MAC brushes, but I wanted to judge these brushes on their own merit.

For me, makeup brushes has become essential to my makeup routine. I’m very specific when it comes to quality, performance and function of makeup brushes. A good makeup brush should make makeup application a breeze, perform the task it’s meant for, last a long time, not shed after washes, and feel nice on the skin. This brush set has lived up to my expectations, taking the price point into consideration.

In my opinion, this is a good budget brush kit for beginners who are looking to build a collection, or as a wallet-friendly option. I also quite enjoy how compact and light the brush roll is – it’s great for traveling.

My highlights from the kit:

SS168 Large Angled Contour Brush: This brush is soft and fluffy. It’s a bit too soft for contouring but I love it for applying blush and bronzers. It picks up the right amount of color and is angled for more precise application.

SS239 Eye Shading Brush: I love the density and size of this brush. It grabs on and deposits pigments very nicely.

SS266 Small Angled Brush: This is now my go-to eyeliner brush. The angle, stiffness and size gives me perfect control when applying gel or cream eyeliner.

SS219 Pencil Brush: This brush has a nice tapered point that is great for applying color to my crease and blending.

SS 182 Buffer Brush: This brush is very dense and soft. It’s great for buffing out harsh lines or unevenness.

The Sigma Makeup Professional Brushes Complete Kit comes with 12 brushes and retails for $69USD for the brushes alone or $89 USD with the brush roll.