Real Techniques Brushes | Core Collection

 

Now, I am no make-up artist, far, far from it so if you're looking for an experts opinion on these brushes you've come to the wrong place.  I have never been massively in to brushes - I know, sounds crazy right? I've always had a few knocking about but I have always been a rub my foundation in with my fingers kinda gal.  I know, I know, some of you will think I'm crazy and it's not like I didn't read all the stuff about how using make-up brushes really does transform your make up, I read it, I just ignored it.  Until now. 

 

 

I decided to go with Real Techniques Core Collection & Starter Set (more on the starter set in my next post).  The reason I chose these was 3 fold

1. I love Pixiwoo (those girls rock!)

2. They have rave reviews all over the internet

3. They're relatively inexpensive

 

I've been using them in my morning make up routine for the past month now so I thought I let you in to my thoughts about each brush and the set as a whole.

 

First off, I kinda like the packaging.  I know I'm gonna eventually take them out and place them in a container on my dressing table (when I finally get one!) but for now they live in the handy little casing.  You can fold them over so the brushes are hidden away or there's a little toggle that you pull and you can stand the brushes up (like I have in the photo) 

 

The brushes are all made with taklon bristles which is a synthetic fiber.  They all feel very soft and are 100% cruelty free.  The handle is made from aluminium which makes them very light and the end of them is flat which means they can stand up on your dressing table (if you have one *insert sad face here for my non existent dressing table*)

 

I am absolutely in love with this collection as a whole and I have to admit it, you people that have ranted and raved at me for years that I really should invest in make up brushes were right (dang you, I so hate it when I'm wrong).  It's made such a difference to my make up routine and it is now my goal to collect every single one of the Real Techniques brushes.

 

Contour Brush | use with bronzer to define the cheekbone, contour the crease above the eyes, for highlighter

A truly fantastic brush for contouring cheekbones which I've used every day since purchasing it.  It's a really good size and fits perfectly in the hollows of my cheek.

Buffing Brush | Use for cream to powder foundation or a mineral foundation.  It can also be used to apply bronzer, blush and highlighter.

This is my absolute favourite brush from the set.  Literally, I don't know how I did my foundation without it and another one I've used it every single day without fail.  I've been using it to buff liquid foundation on my face and blending it out.  It does a really good job of evening out the foundation, leaving a really natural, non caked look.  I find it quite a dense brush and because of this density I've struggled using it with bronzer or blush.  Having said that it is good to use if you want a highly pigmented look.

Detailer Brush | Precision cut for concealer, under eye concealer or to define lips with lipstick.

This is a teeny tiny brush. I've found it most useful for spot concealing such as in the corners of my eyes or round the sides of my nose where I can get some redness.  I find it too small for using concealer under the eyes as it's too time consuming and I ain't got time in the mornings to be messing around! I have recently been experimenting with it for highlighting my inner eye with shadow and also putting shadow on my lower lash line. 

Pointed Foundation Brush | for liquid foundation and under eye concealer

I have found this brush is way too small for my liking to use with liquid foundation so I've been using it to blend out concealer under the eye.  It's actually my least favourite brush from the set.  I just don't work well with this style of brush.  I found that by using a slight dabbing technique I achieved quite a good result although I have to say it's just not my style.  If you like this style of brush than this would definitely be good for you as it's very soft and flexible.

 

Overall, these brushes are fantastic.  They are very reasonably priced for the quality and have defiantly helped me in my make up application. 

If, like me, you're not hugely confident in using make up brushes you can head over to Real Techniques Channel where Samantha has tutorials on how to use each brush. 

Have you used the Real Techniques brushes? What do you think of this set?  Any other RT recommendations for me to try out?

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