The Budget Brush Challenge - Will Boots Rise to it?

Gulp.

I've put away my plethora of posh brushes and I am on a mission to see if I can find some decently-performing brushes on a budget.  Normally, a bit like foundation, I think with brushes you mostly get what you pay for, and that means it can be worth buying one good one a month to build a kit. But I'm well aware not everyone shares my viewpoint, and equally, not everyone's mad enough about makeup to want to shell out €45 on a foundation brush and then keep on going until they have what they need.

Equally, we've been pretty impressed by the quality of a lot of the cosmetics at the lower end of the market in the past while, so I thought it was time Beaut.ie launched an investigation worthy of Prime Time into the hairy matter of makeup brushes.

Are cheaper tools a false economy or are they surprisingly acceptable? A mosey around Boots in Liffey Valley on Saturday threw up lots of options for the bargain-hunter which is heartening - Max Factor has a new, well-priced range for example, there was a decent selection of Eco Tools as well as No7, Ruby and Millie, 17 and Barbara Hulanicki ones available. However, it's worth noting that you're never going to get the same level of choice at the lower end of things, and you might only get one (or two at the very most) eyeshadow options, whereas pro ranges would offer many, many more.

I bought myself five Boots own-brand brushes: powder, blush, concealer, eyeshadow and an eyeshadow blender. The latter three cost €7.50, with the blusher brush coming in at €10.50 and the powder costing €11.99. So, a total of €44.99 for the lot - quite pricey, I thought. All are made with natural hair barring the concealer brush, the design is simple, with each having black handles, ferrules and bristles.

So this week I'll be using my five and assessing them for ease of use, shedding, quality, washability, value for money and basic usefulness. Already, just from handling them, I think the powder brush and concealer brushes will be ok; I'm less convinced by the blusher and the shadow brushes and not at all sure the shadow blender will work as it's meant to.

Here are the face brushes in close-up.

And here are the two eye offerings.

Have you tried this range - and if so, what did you think?