Former Makeup Artist Confession
Back in the day, my kit was full of Bobbi Brown, MAC, and Sigma brushes. As a MUA, those brands made me feel legit. And they were good—no doubt. But they also came with a price tag. (Php10,000 for a set of Bobbi Brown brushes, anyone?)
Then motherhood happened.
Suddenly, the budget went to diapers, formula, educational toys, and learning materials. My beauty kit gathered dust, literally! I still find some kits every now and then that are dusty! Hahaha!
One day, while looking around Miniso, I spotted a rose gold foundation brush in the makeup tools aisle. It was cute. It was very pretty. It was Php199 ($3.50), I think, or Php279 ($4.95). It was definitely less than Php300 ($5.30). I hesitated. “What if it’s scratchy? What if it falls apart?” But something in me said—try. Worst case? I give it away.
It's been years, but this is still my favorite foundation brush!
So I did. And it worked! It's dense enough for foundation absorption and application. It's soft enough not to antagonize or irritate my already inflamed skin. I love it so much that I bought 2 more!
Do you want a review of this brush too? Comment 'YES' below.
🧸 Enter the Fresh Brush
If you've been following me closely these days, you've become aware of my story about rosacea and rebuilding myself. If you're new here, just backread to my posts from June 2025.
I’m slowly rebuilding my routine—but differently this time. Not for work. Not for glam. Just for me. Let me say that again. Just. For. ME.
Honestly, it feels so good to be doing things for myself again. Old me would have felt selfish, guilty. But not this new me. I've realized that to heal, I need to say yes to me first.
And this ₱179 Fresh Blush Brush felt like the right next step. It looked simple, gentle, and inviting—everything I needed after years of trauma and skin flares.
And guess what? I found it on one of my trips to Baguio this year! I went to Watsons for Kleenex tissues. That's it. But I found this Laneige moisturizer and another item, and another item and next thing I knew, I was spiraling! But that "spiral" also led me to the realization that I've deprived myself too much in the past 13 years. And when I paid for those items and got back to the hotel, and I opened them one by one. I felt so elated. It was a feeling I haven't had for years! One might think that it's just stuff. That it's shallow to be feeling this happy over some makeup and skincare. But it means more than that to me. This purchase was the start of reclaiming myself and many different realizations in the days and weeks that followed.
This is one of three brushes that I bought that day.
It’s been a while since I used blush—partly because my cheeks are already red from rosacea, and partly because I’ve been dealing with texture, MCAS flares, and skin that can be sensitive to everything. But this Fresh Blush Brush (100), made me fall in love with applying face products again—even without the blush.
✨ First Impressions
The bristles are soft, surprisingly so for the price. They’re not too dense, which I actually love for a blush brush. I don’t like brushes that pick up too much powder and stamp it on my face. This one? Fluffy enough to diffuse pigment and gentle enough for skin that needs a little extra love.
💄 How I Use It
I actually didn’t use this for blush today—I used it to press down my NARS foundation after letting it settle. I applied with a foundation brush, then came in with this Fresh brush instead of a sponge to gently pat and smooth the product into my skin. The result? A beautifully even finish that lasted through a humid mall day—rain, dust, heat, humidity, and all.
💸 Price Point
At ₱179, it’s honestly a steal. FRESH is a local brand that offers K-Beauty-inspired products at affordable prices, and this brush is proof that you don’t need to splurge to get quality tools. In fact, it outperformed my ELF blush brush, which keeps shedding like crazy. 🙃
🗝️ Final Verdict
Whether you’re easing back into makeup like I am or you just want a solid tool for blush, powder, or even light foundation patting—this brush deserves a spot in your kit. Local, affordable, and effective? YES, please.
✨ Makeup as Self-Compassion
The truth is: applying makeup isn’t just about looking good. It’s about feeling okay. It’s about having 5 quiet minutes (or in my case, 40!) in the mirror, patting down foundation and telling yourself, “You’re still here. You’re still beautiful.”
🔄 A Full Circle Moment
There’s something poetic about a former makeup artist falling in love with a ₱179 brush from Watsons. I used to believe only pro tools could give pro results. Now I know better. It's not the tool, it's the artist. A good brush is one that makes you feel good using it. Period.
💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t Skip the Little Joys
For fellow Glow Girls rediscovering beauty—don’t underestimate the power of small beauty rituals. Even if it’s just brushing your hair with care, spritzing a favorite mist, or patting powder with a fluffy brush, these tiny moments remind you that you’re still here. You’re still worth pampering.
I used to believe I had to “earn” these moments—that I had to hit a goal, reach a milestone, or make money first before buying something for myself. But the truth is, joy isn’t a reward. It’s fuel. It’s what keeps us going. (Especially if you're ADHD like me! Dopamine, hit anyone?)
💖 Let’s Glow Together
If you’re on your own glow-up journey—healing from burnout, illness, or just rediscovering yourself after motherhood or hardship—I see you. You’re not alone. I hope these tiny finds—like this blush brush—remind you to make space for yourself, too.
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