I wanted these for the longest time, not just because they are pretty, but because Zoeva brushes have such a high rating everywhere and are often cited as some of the best brushes around. They are very expensive, though. Some might disagree with me, but 75 € for a set of brushes is an unreasonable price as far as I'm concerned. However, since most of my brushes are budget versions and a lot are not the best shape for my eyes, not to mention very old, I decided to take the plunge and invest in these. I'm very happy I got these and some of the brushes became an instant favourite, however, there are a few that aren't as good or the best shape for me. They started selling these individually, so I could have got them cheaper if I just got the brushes I now know are indispensable to me. There are twelve brushes in the set, the blending ones are simply outstanding and you basically have every brush you could wish for an eye makeup application, but I would switch some with my old ones. Included is also a rose gold bag that's well-made and soft.
Rose Gold is the centre of attention here, or the coppery shade of gold that the ferules are made of. The base of the brushes is a pale peachy colour and all the brushes have these two minor details that make them even more special - an oriental pattern engraving on the metal part and the name of the collection on the end of the brush. Every brush has a name printed on them, unfortunately placed exactly where you hold them, so they are bound to wipe off, just like off Mac's brushes.
You'll find everything you need for simple as well as more intricate eye makeups, but a big emphasis was made in the blending department and that is something I really appreciate. These are a mix of natural and synthetic taklon hair (142 Concealer Buffer, 235 Contour Shader, 310 Spot Liner and 322 Brow Line).
By the way, the makeup bellow was created using I <3 Makeup Naked Chocolate palette, shades Dipped and Wonka.
142 Concealer Buffer
A large, dense, rounded brush that works great for blending concealer both under the eyes and on spots. Though it's dense, it's still soft enough not to merely shift the product, but actually buffing it into the skin. It's not unique as I found a dupe among my cheap Jessup brushes. Individual price 10.50 €
Jessup brush from the 5pc set and 142 Concealer Buffer. In my eyes, these are dupes. The material feels the same, they are equally dense and same in size as well as shape. You can get almost 10 of Jessup brushes for the price of one this one.
221 Luxe Soft Crease
A fluffy, relatively narrow blending brush. The bristles are longer than at 227 and it's overall wider because it's not flattened like that one. It does an excellent job at blending, even on my small eyes. None of my brushes are dupes for it, some are similar, but bigger. I have a picture with a comparisons with my other blending brushes bellow. Individual price 9.50 €.
227 Luxe Soft Definer
A flat, fluffy blending brush. This is the one brush that is closest to Mac's 217. It's a bit less rounded at the top, but the size and fluffiness is about the same, though since my 217 is over six years old, it's hard to compare. Really love this one. Individual price 9.50 €.
228 Luxe Crease
A large, fluffy tapped blush. This is basically just a bigger version of the 231 Luxe Petite Crease brush, but it's a lot fluffier than that one. I really love this one for of this one for blending and softening colour. I have nothing similar among my other brushes. Individual price 9.50 €.
221 Luxe Soft Crease, 227 Luxe Soft Definer, 228 Luxe Crease and 231 Luxe Petite Crease.
230 Luxe Pencil
A simple pencil brush, so a stiff, small brush meant for applying and blending colour under the lower lash line and in the inner corner. Mac 219 is a perfect dupe for it and I see zero differences between the two. Individual price 9.50 €.
Essence Precision Brush (TE), Zoeva 230 Luxe Pencil and MAC 219. The last two are complete dupes.
231 Luxe Petite Crease
A medium, tapered, semi-fluffy brush. My word has changed with the discovery of this brush, it is outstanding. I've been using Coastal Scents Italian Round Crease brush for the job, but this is a gazillion times better. The tip picks up the colour, while the rest blends. It's available individually and I highly recommend you get one of these. I have nothing like it among my old brushes. Individual price 9.50 €.
Nanshy Tapered Crease, Nanshy Eye Crease, Zoeva 231 Luxe Petite Crease, Makeup Revolution Ultra Metallic Crease, Coastal Scents Italian blending brush, Ebeline Blender Pinsel, Zoeva 228 Luxe Crease, MAC 217, Zoeva 227 Luxe Soft Definer, Nashy Blending eyeshadow, eBay metallic crease brush and 221 Luxe soft crease.
232 Luxe Classic Shader
A flat, stiff shader blush. While it does the job well of packing on the colour, I'm not completely pleased with this one. It's quite big for the job and I much prefer the good old classic Mac's 239 because my eyes are small. I think 234 Luxe Smoky Shader would have probably been a much better choice for the set. Individual price of both is 9.50 €.
MAC 239, Zoeva 23 Luxe Classic Shader brush and Essence eyeshadow brush.
235 Contour Shader
A diagonally cut flat, stiff brush. This is another brush that rocked my word - it is so perfect. It's excellent for applying a dark shade in the outer V and can also be used in the crease. For years I've been using Ecotools eyeliner brush, which is way too stiff for the job and I had no idea such a brush even existed. Another brush I highly recommend. Individual price 9.50 €.
238 Luxe Precise Shader
A precise, flat, stiff shader brush. Its only use that I can think of it for the inner corner. I wouldn't miss it, since I use 230 Luxe Pencil for that. Individual price 9.50 €.
310 Spot Liner
A tiny, stiff, square cute brush. Not a fan of this one because it made my gel eyeliner look patchy (not the one of the picture, that's Stila Stay all Day). It's just too small for the job in my opinion, but I'm sure I'll find use for it. Individual price 8.50 €.
322 Brow Line
A diagonally cut, flat, stiff brush. I don't do brows, so I use it instead for defining my lower lash line. It doesn't pick up much colour that's my main complaint and I prefer my other such brushes. I tried it on the brows once and again I felt like it isn't applying enough colour. Individual price 8.50 €.
eBay metallic liner brush, Nanshy Angled Detailer Brush, Essence Liner brush (old), Zoeva 322 Brow Line, Ecotools Angled Eyeliner brush, Costal Scent Black on Black Taklon Angle Liner brush.
325 Luxe Brow Light
A large, flat, stiff shader brush. I don't see much purpose in this one, since I don't have enough space under my brows, but it's meant to apply highlighter under the brows. The only similar brush I own is Nanshy Large Shader brush, which I also don't use, but Zoeva's is even wider, slightly shorter and thinner. Individual price 9.50 €.
325 Luxe Brow Light and Nanshy Large Shader Brush.
The bag is soft and well-made, a love that so much attention was given to the details - the satin-like lining with an inscription and the metal zipper with an oriental design. Such a lovely bag.
I got these for the eye-watering price 75 € + shipping which wasn't cheap either. I ordered from the official website and it arrived really fast, I believe it was three days, but it is from Germany, so not that far. These are also sold on Beauty Bay, but for some reason they don't ship these in Slovenia (because god forbid we'd get free shipping with these). They are also sold in Austrian Douglas shop, I'm just no sure it's sets as well because I hear they don't have palettes. I also hear that Zoeva keeps raising their prices which is very unjust to their customers and it almost made me not order from them.
Do I think this is the perfect set? No. But, it's close. The blending brushes are outstanding and that 235 Contour Shader as well as 231 Luxe Petite Crease deserve all the praise, but I prefer Mac's 239 for a classic shader brush to Zoeva's 232 Luxe Classic Shader, my Alverde bent eyeliner brush to 310 Spot Eyeliner and my other cut eyeliner brushes to 322 Brow Line. I would build a different set from all the brushes they have available and though you could do that by buying brushes individually, it would exceed the price of the set by a large margin. I've found two dupes: Zoeva's 230 Luxe Pencil and MAC's 219 as well as Jessup's brush from the 5pc set and Zoeva's 142 Concealer Buffer. Some brushes I know I won't use much, but there are some that are absolutely fantastic and have already become my all-time favourites. If you plan to buy any of the individually, I highly recommend 231 Luxe Petite Crease brush, 228 Luxe Crease, 235 Contour Shader and 227 Luxe Soft Definer.
Have a great day!