Recommend me a cheap mascara and foundation brush please

[Bluerose27]

I wear very little make up and very rarely.
I own one foundation, one eyeliner, lipstick (which doubles as blusher!) and I'm delighted to say the urban decay eye shadow palette - I love it!

I have a benecos mascara (natural ingredients etc eco friendly) but I don't actually like it. I had a benefit one previously but it made my eyes itchy.

So seeing as I really don't use make up , just the odd time, could you please recommend a nice but cheap mascara that I won't mind replacing in 6 months time?

And my trusty Mac foundation brush has started shedding hairs - not a good look I've been rubbing make up in with my fingers recently. Is this a total no-no? If so, could you also please recommend a brush for me.

Thanks all

Essence range in Wilkos. It is a German brand. ;)

Try a sponge rather than a brush maybe? I use my fingers to apply then go over with the spring to even and blend fully.

There was recently a thread about dupes for the Benefit "They're Real!" mascara - if you have a Peacocks near you go get W7 Absolute Lashes...something like £3. Bargain.

Next; do you have a TK Max near you? They often have high end make up brushes. Seriously, please spend the dosh on these as cheap ones are a nightmare and with a bit of TLC the good ones can last in excess of a year. X

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have all the shops you've all mentioned nearby but will definitely try TK Max and consider a sponge.

Depends on what you mean by cheap, but I rate no7 mascara. I wait until I get one of the boots vouchers for some money off and then it makes it a little better on the pricing. I sometimes buy more expensive but I tend to go back to no7 because it just goes on right for me. I don't remember which specific mascara I use but I'll check later.

Otherwise I know a lot of people really rate Superdrug's MUA range but I've never tried it.

Max factor Falsh lash in black waterproof (the fat stubby tube) is AMAZING

I apply my foundation with my fingers. Used a brush for ages then it broke and never bothered replacing it. It applies equally with finger tips and you don't waste so much clogging up the brush.

The real techniques expert face brush is very nice although I slightly prefer my sigma f80 brush but it is more expensive.

For lashes I like lash sensational by maybeline and the new lash paradise by L'Oreal (which is a dupe for the two faced better than sex mascara)