Hello everyone, Seasons greetings! Going to bet we have all finalised our Christmas plans and hope your day is treating you well?
Nigeria is great with plenty of sun. I am back to continue our makeup brush series and today featuring Real Techniques.
I have also discovered, this is the most popular brand for affordable makeup brushes in the drugstore with an almost cult following as well as an extensive array of brushes available under the brand not to mention brush cleaning products and sponges.
Lets's explore brushes...
Yes! Those are all the real techniques brushes I have. I admit to not getting them all in one go but have built them up over the course of 2 years. Always bought them on sale for nothing less than 50% off (thank you Ulta and Boots) and till date, they are still perfect.
They do not get extensive use from me but that is a personal preference not based on their quality. The brushes are soft (not the softest), do not sting or prickle the face. The bristles do not have the plasticky look to them as some other synthetic brushes (side eyeing you clionadh cosmetics). The handles are light weight and sturdy to hold, the base is sort of plastic but not noticed any bleeding of colour from the handles or breakage of the handles so far (2 years) with the exception of the eye brushes.
Real Techniques number their brushes and also label each one for their uses which is great and will assist a new beginner to makeup.
Reviews:
Brush 201 - Powder brush - this brush has a full, doomed head. Soft, no prickling of skin. I use this to set my face. I like that it picks up both pressed and loose powders well. Does not deposit too much on face and provides a smooth face not cakey. My only grip with this is, while it does pick up powder, and disburse it, there is always some left on the brush that I have to wipe off. Not a big deal but just a point to note.
Something else is , it does not give me that diffused natural look on application which I have found I get from using Fude but for the price I paid, it does an amazing job.
Heard about this brush being used for powder foundations, my opinion is, this does not work for powder foundation or at least provide you with any tangible coverage. It just does not. Tried it for that purpose and it did not work.
Brush 200 - expert face brush - This is a perfect foundation brush (for liquids and creams), although the brush head is quite small and will take more time to complete your foundation. This blends, buffs foundation into your skin with ease.
Had this brush going on 1 year and virtually no shedding or colour loss. It also leaves zero streaks on application of foundation.
Brush 400 - Blush brush - I really like this particular brush. its loosely bundled. For a more intense colour, use the side to apply blush and for a more diffused pigment, use the top. It can also have multiple functions. Can use this for bronzer as well as blush.
Brush 215 - Blending brush - This is a stippling brush and I don't like stippling brushes but this came as part of a set so no way to avoid it. However! This is a multifunctional brush. Can be used for setting powder and blush in my experience.
This does not get much use from me and will probably be decluttered out in my clear out.
Brush 241 - Seemless complexion - This is the worst brush of the lot! This is a foundation brush and should have been a great dupe for BK beauty 101. I understand the concept but the execution of this brush design leaves a lot to be desired.
It just does not work. Its too floppy and has no substance to it. Also too loosely bundled to be a foundation brush. The ferrule is also too pinched. It just does not work for anything. Tried it with foundation, bronzer (helmet head saying hello) and it just does not work. Decluttering out. Tried enough.
Brush 449 - Tapered cheek brush - Went hunting for this particular brush. Was looking for a synthetic brush that could blend cream blushes and bronzers. This works for that purpose. It is also multipurpose. Contour, cream bronzers, cream blushes...this will get the job done easily.
Brush 210 - Expert concealer brush - This is the one brush that shed a lot and has hairs sticking out of the bundling. Had to take the stray hairs out and they still keep popping up. Given that, this is not a brush I would recommend.
Despite the shedding, it is still soft and blend concealers like a dream. Not cakey. the shedding does leave you with hair going into your eyes. I avoid using it because of that. Decluttering out.
Brush 402 - Setting brush - This is a very small setting brush. Only use I have for this is setting my concealer. You can use your large setting brush for that, so this is not a must have.
Brush 207 - Detailer brush - This is a teeny tiny brush and I use this for spot concealing which I use very rarely. Only when I have a breakout. Again, this is another extremely unnecessary brush to have. Came as part of a set. Would not purposely get this brush.
The eye brush set - The eye brushes came as a set so going to review them as one rather than take one individually. The set comes with;
Brush 332 - smudge
Brush 312 - lash separator
Brush 311 - fine liner brush
Brush 307 - shading brush
Brush 308 - medium shadow brush
Brush 300 - deluxe crease brush
Brush 310 - essential crease brush
Brush 304 - defining crease brush.
This set of brushes are the most recent I have from this brand. They are only a few months old and the description given on the brushes are already vanishing. They shed like crazy, have stray hairs poking out of them.
Most importantly, they are not hooded eyes friendly.
Overall, this brand has a lot to offer. Great brushes at good prices and as with all things, the prices are steadily crawling upwards from very affordable.
Personally, I would not get any of these at full price and they would be a backup set for me. That is my opinion on these brushes.
Lets' sound off int he comments if you have any real techniques brushes.
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