May 9, 2014

Real Techniques Make-up brushes: Review

Real Techniques Brushes have been a cult product for amateur and professional beauty goers since they launched in 2011. Synthetic, colour-coded and cruelty-free, it’s obvious how these brushes have become such a staple item in make-up bags.

Once purchasing the Core Collection which includes the Detailer, Buffing, Pointed Foundation and Contour brushes, you can’t help but purchase the rest of the range. In the standard burnt gold colour, corresponding with the ‘flawless base’ collection, the brushes are made from aluminium for light and comfortable use and the synthetic bristles enable a smooth application to the face.

When using the brushes, the Buffing brush soon became the ideal and a multi-tasker brush for applying liquid, cream and powder foundations. Allowing you to blend the product in to your heart’s desire, it also proves itself to be the easiest brush to clean from the set.

The brush that disappointed the most was the Pointed Foundation brush, although the bristles do allow the use of liquid foundation easier than other fluffy brushes, the size and shape of it deems pointless. The Foundation brush wasn’t at all flexible in its movements, proving useless when adapting to the use of concealer and too flat when needing to blend make up into the skin.

The Detailer brush was practical when applying concealer under the eyes and other areas of redness and also for applying eye shadow, liquid eyeliner and eye brow products, perhaps showing itself to be the most multi-tasker brush from the whole set.

Contour brushes in the past have sometimes lacked quality in blending and application, resulting in an attractive brown zebra stripe across the cheek. However, this brush gives the flawless finish you would expect after blending, as well as not clinging on to the product too much. This can also be used for blush, although it doesn’t always give an even finish, it’s still useful for applying blush products. However, depending on what type of contouring product you use, I found that some can actually stain the bristles leaving a pale brown mark, even after a really deep clean.

As an alternative to the Pointed Foundation brush, make up users have been turning to the Expert Face brush which is sold separately. Similar in shape and style to the Buffing brush, the Expert Face brush gives an even finish and enables a smooth application. The bristles are far sturdier and more straightforward when it comes to blending, giving you a quick and easy foundation fix when applying.

With both the Core Collection and the Eye Starter set, a brush case is included to hold the brushes whilst also providing a stand. This is ideal for keeping brushes tidy and for travelling, as they do not lose their shape. Although the fabric isn’t easy to wipe if products are spilt, its sleek black material provides a professional look. When cleaning the brushes, the stand offers a frame where you can place the brushes upside down to stop water from getting into the bristle glue as well as allowing them to dry naturally.

These make-up brushes are everyone’s best friend and more, they can change the way your make-up looks. Hard to believe, but these little synthetic brushes produce make-up miracles, with each design element having been carefully chosen and altered to suit all your make-up needs. If you haven’t been converted yet, you know you have now.

Written by Rhiannon Pulling, 18, Student

Follow her on twitter: @RhiannonBlog