I think I got this on buy one get one promo in 2013. I have all three of TBS kabuki brushes (bronzing brush kabuki, regular kabuki, and slanted kabuki), and the one I love the most is this slanted brush. I have yet to find an equivalent of this in other brands.
BUILD: not too heavy and feels substantial in my hands. The handle gives it a good grip for control (unlike the regular TBS kabuki brush with a very small handle). The bristles are synthetic, thick, fluffy, and super soft.
USAGE: The slant give you longer bristles on one side, great for sweeping product, and the shorter bristle side is great for packing/buffing in product. I use this with finishing powder, face powder, blushes. Since this is made of synthetic bristles, it would also work with cream, but I have yet to try it with cream products.
This brush is amazing! It is my favorite brush for applying setting powder after foundation. I have an oily skin, so I really like to press it in my skin for good setting power. Most powder brushes are way too fluffy for that. It doesn't move the foundation underneath. I like the slanted form, so I can easily and precisely cover the edges of my face, i.e. hairline, under the eyes, and because it is large, it is really quick to use.
After several years of using it daily and washing it often, it is still in really good condition. No shedding, and it is still as soft as ever. It costs 17 euro (here in Europe), which is not cheap, but it is soooo worth the price. Highly, highly recommend.
I purchased this item during a 3 items for $30 deal, and I picked this brush up. It is a very soft and dense brush, and whilst washing it, no hairs shed at this point yet.
I love using this as one of my brushes for finishing power, and/or pressed foundation.
Sometimes I also use this brush for just going all over my face, without product.
I do not know if I would generally shell out $28 for it at full price, due to it being the only brush in my collection as a kabuki/shorthanded stubby brush, and it doesn't have a home in where I place my brushes, but I will love using it for the existing time I have with it.
To be honest, this is the first makeup brush I've ever bought (only recently started getting into makeup). But I love this brush!
The price... If I remember, the tag said $28 but I got it on sale for $10. Best $10 on makeup I've ever spent.
Anyways, I looooove how this brush feels. It is SO soft and thick. I love running it across my face. I use it to apply loose powder foundation and blush, and everything goes on very easily. The angle is actually just perfect, too.
It's also very sturdy. I think I only had a single hair fall out of it the entire time I've been using it, but that was because I was washing it a bit harshly.
Great brush, would buy again (if cheap, because since I've only recently gotten into makeup, my wallet wants to cry at how expensive some products are!).
I still use this brush daily. Best brush purchase ever! Definitely invest in a kabuki brush if powders (I use it with translucent powders now) are your thing. It applies powder so evenly and beautifully.
I STILL USE THIS BRUSH DAILY. Seriously I love this brush to bits and pieces. Amazing.
A great limited edition brush. Larger and fluffier than the Mineral Kabuki, it has exactly the same bristles but the top is somewhat flat and angled.
It was intended for use with bronzers and it might be fine, but I can't imagine myself using it for this. I tried applying a talc based loose powder to set my SPF moisturizer in the morning but it would drag too much. Not that the bristles don't feel soft but I prefer the elf Powder Brush for this.
Now I use it to apply my finishing silica powder and it works great. I holds enough product to do my whole face and neck while helping to buff in everything. It's not easy to find a synthetic brush that is good at buffing. We all know natural hair brushes are generally better at this.
Update 01/20/2014: I've been using this brush daily and I'm so happy with it. It seems quite durable and there has been absolutely no shedding so far. I still had to go get myself a couple of backups. It gives me peace of mind. In any case it makes makes a great present.