The Mermaid and Unicorn trend is going strong! And that’s good news for my blog and business…. it being called, I Need This Unicorn. I don’t know what I’ll do if unicorns suddenly become “out”. But we as little girls always loved them, how could they possibly go “out”?
PopSugar just coined the term “fairidescent” and I love it. That’s the trend. Mermaids, unicorns, holographic colors, duochromes, glitter… I’m all for it. I don’t care if I’m no longer a little girl or in the 80’s. Why not have some fun with your look?
I will get to the “fairidescent” makeup items a bit later. I have a lot on my blog to-do list as well as my other project’s to-do list!
This is pretty much a first impressions review since I have only started using my brushes the day I am typing this post. This is more me showing you pictures of the sets so you can see what you’re getting into. Though I highly doubt the types of brushes they offer are the selling points. You want them because they’re pretty and make you squeal in delight. Not because you find them practical!
But honestly, these could be the roughest brushes ever and scratch your face till it bleeds and I’d get them BECAUSE THEY’RE SO MAGICALLY GORGEOUS! Fortunately for everyone, they’re super soft and I won’t need any bandages after using them.
Putting on makeup should be fun. You should see your vanity and feel happy! Pretty brushes will make you feel giddy! Your room looks cute, you look cute, you feel good.
The brushes I am featuring are:
Spectrum Collections Glam Clam ($75) and The Bomb Shell ($98)
Unicorn Lashes Unicorn Brushes ($75)
Tarte Make Believe in Yourself Magic Wands Brush Set ($39)
The Royal & Langnickel Moda Prismatic Pro Makeup Brushes ($16.94)
My first time using them, I stuck to only these unicorn and mermaid ones instead of my usual brushes, just to see if they met my needs. And yes, I got everything I needed out of them. They all felt really soft and the Spectrum and Tarte ones felt really sturdy. Obviously, I have 5 different sets that I’m using. You’re not going to get everything you need from the 4 and 5 piece sets. But they still hold their own. My only complaint is that I think all the angled brushes are too thick for my brows. I like a smaller brush for me or things can get crazy real fast. The fluffy blending brushes aren’t HG like my Wayne Goss brushes. But they’re still good and they will indeed get used. I really liked the fine point on the Spectrum eyeliner brush. I actually was able to make a winged liner without it looking fuzzy. (Man, my other liner brushes must be old.)
My opinion of the brushes will probably develop over time as I use them. I can’t use them once and decide what I think. It just comes naturally what I tend to grab. Since the bristles are soft on all of the brushes, I think I probably won’t ignore them. And when it comes to washing them, I will also have an opinion. Like does the dye come off? Will the brush hairs fall out in one big clump? Definitely things to know! (I assume not since we would have heard of this already from others!)
My biggest concern is with the Unicorn Lashes brushes, and that the ends taper pretty thin and I worry that they will snap, the thinnest brushes in particular. These are definitely things that you want to be careful with, and not let kids play with. I would keep them in their own container so you don’t accidentely break them shoving another brush in there. You can keep them in their diamond case, but it’s not practical for everyday use to have to go fetch them, unzip the case, get the case all dirty afterwards, etc.
Otherwise I am happy with the quality of the bristles (after my first use). I just hope I don’t get all Hulk Smash and accidentely break them if I’m in a hurry.
The Royal & Langnickel Moda Prismatic Pro Makeup Brushes are not easy to get ahold of, but are the most affordable of the sets I am featuring.
The neck is very flexible, which also scares me because I feel like it will one day snap. But the application is amazing. It makes my usually-medium-coverage foundation (with a Beauty Blender) look full coverage. I was so impressed! And I appreciated having the smaller sizes which I didn’t realize I would need. I haven’t used the tiniest one yet, I’m sure I’ll figure out what I am supposed to do with it. Blending eyeshadow seems like it would be weird, but I guess I’ll try and see if it’s do-able.
Seriously forget spending $500 on a set. Either get 1 or 2 in the sizes you think you need, or hunt down this set. It cost me $17 at Walmart. I’ve also seen it listed for $24.
I do not know if the Royal & Langnickel website will be restocking these. So I’d recommend you check Walmart online and order for pickup at your local store if they have it in stock. I did that and it was no hassle at all. I thought I bought the last one, but it looks like that particular store restocked. So there may be hope for you!
The Spectrum and Unicorn Lashes sets come with cute cases with chain straps, which is a huge bonus! You can definitely uses them as purses. They have the bands to hold brushes in, but they shouldn’t get in the way of your wallet. And you can stick pens or makeup in the loops if need be. This could be useful when packing for a trip too.
They will sit on top of my dresser as decor for the time being! I would probably bring them when I feel like being extra with my outfit.
When it comes down to which one you will get if you were to get only one. I’d say to pick the one that most appeals to you. How attracted you are to them may be a stronger pull than what brushes are in it. Availability and price may be a factor as well. I can’t tell you which to get. Get the one you can’t stop thinking about.
They’re not limited edition, but do sell out often. Also the price points vary. Spectrum’s Glam Clam is about $75, The Bomb Shell is $98 and Unicorn Lashes is also about $75. (Purchased from Dollskill) These two brands are from the UK, but thankfully ship to the US as well as have a few US retailers. Be sure to check their website to see who the authorized retailers are so you’re not getting cheap knockoffs.
When I purchased both the Glam Clam and Unicorn Brushes, each retailer had free shipping. The Bomb Shell was given as a Christmas gift so obviously I didn’t pay for it at all. If you purchase through a UK retailer, expect to pay shipping fees if you’re not in the UK. The prices are pretty hefty, expect to pay $30 for shipping. Or… wait for the US retailer to get them back in stock. But I am assuming you are in the USA. Hello, my analytics say that you are from all over the world! You’ll want to check the brand’s website to see if they ship to you!
If you are following UnicornLashes on Instagram, then you know that creator, Mel Blue, is going to make mermaid brushes. Based on the concept art, I am unsure of the mermaid brushes only because I worry that the fins will break and will be hard to store in my brush containers. But if she can pull it off, then go Mel!
I’ve seen other mermaid brushes where the “fins” are a scoop. That’s a helpful extra if you have potted foundations and concealers.
I know there are TONS of knockoffs all over the internet. Honestly you should do what you want and pay what you can afford. Sometimes its buyer beware, some prices are too good to be true. I’d recommend buying the brush set that won’t fall apart when you wash them or leave scratch marks on your face.
I’m not a fan of exact knockoffs. I get the idea of unicorn horns is not created by Unicorn Lashes. That was something thought up many years ago. It’s just that unicorns are IN now, and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. I think it’s great. Companies keep making these, I’ll probably buy it. Hell, my website is named after it! Buy my stuff too.
But people making pearlized brushes with the exact same bristle color scheme is shady. They can change up the colors. Create a set that aren’t the same exact brushes. It’s not that hard to think of a different variation. Tarte did make a different version. The only thing that’s similar it that it’s a makeup brush with a unicorn horn handle. As much criticism as they got, I think it’s unfair to say they copied. I’ve SEEN copies. Those copies could be easily confused for Unicorn Lashes. Tarte’s brushes are different. And who knows if they were even inspired by Unicorn Lashes or came up with them because unicorns are trending and they know that creating something popular is just plain smart.
It’s okay to take inspiration from something, but not copy it exactly and then make a profit from someone else’s idea. Anyway I’ve seen too many comments with people jumping on the criticism bandwagon. Yeah, we know.
There are so many more brushes out there that fit in this theme. Have you seen SLMissGlamBeauty? Those brush sets are gorgeous!
The makeup bags pictured in the top photo (because I know someone will ask) are:
Half Unicorn/ Half Mermaid are doubled sided pouches from Spectrum Collections
The sea shells are a part of the Spectrum sets
The holographic diamond comes with he Unicorn Lashes unicorn brush set
Silver holographic train case (hidden in the very back) and large rectangular case (lower left) are from Sephora Collections
The smaller silver holographic bag that Tarte brushes are resting on is from Forever 21
The blue holographic pouch in the middle is from Forever 21
The small glittery blue pouch to the right is from a Deborah Lippmann set.
The unicorn head purse is from H&M
The gold holographic star on the top left is a gift box
Cosmic Unicorn and Shall I Be A… are from my own brand, I Need This Unicorn. Yes, thats right! I am starting an apparel and accessory line! These are prototypes and I will have them manufactured with a different company. They’re not going to look like this. (Other brands, please do not copy them word for word and use the same color scheme! I know how knock off companies don’t take inspiration but just plain copy things. Did you read what I wrote about— no, no, no one reads these.)
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. Spectrum’s Glam Clam, Unicorn Lashes Unicorn Brushes, Tarte brushes, Moda brushes and all the makeup bags were purchased by me with my own money. The Bomb Shell was given to me as a personal Christmas gift. (Not by the company!)
Nothing was sent for free by any company. And none of the links are affiliates.
