beauty
Real Techniques Brushes - Duo Fiber Collection, Core Collection and Starter Set
July 11, 2013You may remember not so long ago I posted about the Real Technique brushes, and at the time I was contemplating buying them. A couple of weeks after I wrote that post, I got paid so I bit the bullet and bought them. I searched high and low for the best price online, from the UK (I am now aware that you can order them from iHerb for cheaper - I know, I was the last one to know). I ended up buying this package deal on eBay for £54.99, which is still a pretty big saving in comparison to buying them at Boots (£67.97). The seller I bought them from was brilliant, they dispatched them the next day and they arrived two days after that - so I was very pleased with my transaction. When they arrived I opened them up straight away and took some photos... well, you kind of have to when you're a beauty blogger don't you?
Duo Fiber Collection
L-R: Face Brush, Contour Brush and Eye Brush
This was the set I was most excited to receive, seeing as I've read so much about them! The Face Brush is lovely and soft, and the bristles incredibly light. I've already found that this works well for applying powder across my forehead and chin - places where I need the lightest application. It's too big and not dense enough for my nose area, but I knew it would be anyway. The Contour Brush I haven't used yet, and to be honest in comparison to the Face Brush it feels quite scratchy and stiff. I'm hoping that giving it a wash will soften the bristles a bit. I also haven't used the Eye Brush yet but again, this one is soft to the touch and will be perfect for blending eyeshadow into the crease - it's the perfect size.
L-R: Face Brush, Contour Brush and Eye Brush
This was the set I was most excited to receive, seeing as I've read so much about them! The Face Brush is lovely and soft, and the bristles incredibly light. I've already found that this works well for applying powder across my forehead and chin - places where I need the lightest application. It's too big and not dense enough for my nose area, but I knew it would be anyway. The Contour Brush I haven't used yet, and to be honest in comparison to the Face Brush it feels quite scratchy and stiff. I'm hoping that giving it a wash will soften the bristles a bit. I also haven't used the Eye Brush yet but again, this one is soft to the touch and will be perfect for blending eyeshadow into the crease - it's the perfect size.
Core Collection
L-R: Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Detailer Brush, Buffing Brush
To be honest I bought this set for the Buffing Brush, the other brushes were sort of neither here-nor-there with me - however, I am now pleased to own all of the brushes! The Contour Brush is much smaller than I was expecting, but it works quite well for its intended purpose. The soft bristles make easy work of blending the contour "lines". I also found it worked well for applying highlighter on my cheekbones, it deposits just the right amount. The Pointed Foundation Brush is impossible to use for foundation, you would be there for at least ten minutes applying it with a brush this small! I noticed however that it fits perfectly under my eye and doesn't scratch at all, so I've been using it to apply powder after I've applied concealer there and around my nose. The Detailer Brush is another one I've not used yet, and to be honest I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for at the moment - possibly as a lip brush? Finally, the Buffing Brush is the definite star of the show as I predicted. I use this to apply my foundation, and it really does give a seamless, airbrushed finish that I just can't get with any other brush.
L-R: Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Detailer Brush, Buffing Brush
To be honest I bought this set for the Buffing Brush, the other brushes were sort of neither here-nor-there with me - however, I am now pleased to own all of the brushes! The Contour Brush is much smaller than I was expecting, but it works quite well for its intended purpose. The soft bristles make easy work of blending the contour "lines". I also found it worked well for applying highlighter on my cheekbones, it deposits just the right amount. The Pointed Foundation Brush is impossible to use for foundation, you would be there for at least ten minutes applying it with a brush this small! I noticed however that it fits perfectly under my eye and doesn't scratch at all, so I've been using it to apply powder after I've applied concealer there and around my nose. The Detailer Brush is another one I've not used yet, and to be honest I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for at the moment - possibly as a lip brush? Finally, the Buffing Brush is the definite star of the show as I predicted. I use this to apply my foundation, and it really does give a seamless, airbrushed finish that I just can't get with any other brush.
Starter Set
L-R: Base Shadow Brush, Deluxe Crease Brush, Accent Brush, Pixel Point Eyeliner Brush, Brow Brush
I've not used any of these yet, but I can't wait to! This set offers a really good variety of brushes, that definitely all have a place in my collection. The Base Shadow Brush is the perfect size for applying eyeshadow, it covers a good portion of the eyelid without being too big to work with. The Deluxe Crease Brush is bigger than its Duo Fiber counterpart, and to be honest I don't need both. But seeing as I do, I will use this one for evening make up for creating dramatic smokey eyes. The accent brush for me is the perfect size for applying a highlighting product under the arch of my brow, and appears to blend well too. The Pixel Point Eyeliner Brush seems a bit big for its intended purpose, but should work well for a blended-out eyeliner look - nothing precise. The Brow Brush is too sharp for my liking but will be perfect for applying a setting eyeshadow over the top of my kohl eyeliner - which is a very specific role, I know!
L-R: Base Shadow Brush, Deluxe Crease Brush, Accent Brush, Pixel Point Eyeliner Brush, Brow Brush
I've not used any of these yet, but I can't wait to! This set offers a really good variety of brushes, that definitely all have a place in my collection. The Base Shadow Brush is the perfect size for applying eyeshadow, it covers a good portion of the eyelid without being too big to work with. The Deluxe Crease Brush is bigger than its Duo Fiber counterpart, and to be honest I don't need both. But seeing as I do, I will use this one for evening make up for creating dramatic smokey eyes. The accent brush for me is the perfect size for applying a highlighting product under the arch of my brow, and appears to blend well too. The Pixel Point Eyeliner Brush seems a bit big for its intended purpose, but should work well for a blended-out eyeliner look - nothing precise. The Brow Brush is too sharp for my liking but will be perfect for applying a setting eyeshadow over the top of my kohl eyeliner - which is a very specific role, I know!
All in all, I'm thrilled with my purchases and think they are definitely worth the money I paid. With all of the brushes, they are lightweight and have smooth handles with a grip on the end, which makes them very easy to hold and to use. The bristles all appear to be held in securely and I forsee no trouble with shedding further on down the line. I'm sure many of them will feature in "monthly favourites" posts of the future (Maybe even as soon as next month!) and I'm excited to incorporate them into my daily routine. I'm hopeful that by looking after them that they will last me for years to come, and judging by their quality I'm confident that they will. I'm now looking at adding the blush and stippling brushes to my collection as I own none of the "pink" range and it would be nice to own some from each... don't you agree?
2 comments
I honestly can't get enough of these brushes, I love them! No point spending an absolute fortune on the likes of MAC when these are equally as good!
ReplyDeleteJade | Beauty Butterfly Blog
I agree, and me too! I would never buy MAC brushes now when I know that these are cheaper and in some cases, better x
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