My Real Techniques Brushes

I was never really bothered about what brushes I used to use to apply my makeup before I started reading beauty blogs. I even used to use those delightful foam applicators you get in cheap eye shadow kits. I know, I know, it's shocking.

Then, I discovered the hype surrounding the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. This was before they were readily available in the UK, so I managed to hunt one down on eBay and eagerly awaited it's arrival. I used this to apply my foundation, as the flat foundation brushes I had weren't doing it for me and left me with streaky foundation.

I then went on to get the Powder Blush and the Blush Brush for my birthday last year and recently added the Expert Face Brush to my collection. 

As you can see by my increasing purchases, I'm quite the fan of the Real Techniques range. I've tried their eye kit as well as my sister owns it, but already having my trusty MAC brushes for my eye shadow, I won't be investing in that any time soon.

First up, the Stippling brush. As I said before, I initially bought this for applying my foundation. However, I wasn't all that blown away by using it for that purpose, even though I had less brush marks than before, it wasn't quite the "airbrushed" finish everyone was talking about. I set it aside for a while until I purchased a cream blush and that's when this brush really comes into it's own. It blends in cream blush like a dream, I can't say what it's like with other cream based products as I only have blushes but I just love the smooth, seamless finish that you get when you buff cream blush in with this brush. I have had extremely minimal fall out from this brush, literally maybe 2/3 bristles over the 2 years or so I've had it.

The Powder brush is a really large brush that is as it's name suggests, great for applying powder. I don't really bother with powder in my every day routine at the moment but I do enjoy applying bronzer for an all over glow with this brush. It is super fluffy and soft on your skin and distributes product evenly across your face. It's also really handy for blending in blush/bronzer/highlighter if you're contouring to give you a smoother, more natural finish. Since I got it, it has lost it's shape slightly but I don't think that affects the application that the brush gives. I don't think that I've had any fall out bristles with this brush at all!

Next up, the Blush brush. I was so excited to get this as I was previously using an Eco Tools blush brush which just seemed to splodge the blush across my cheeks unevenly. This brush again is super soft and fluffy and applies powder blush beautifully. I've got to say I've never tried applying cream blush with it, so I'm not sure how well it would work with that but it's also great for applying my Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick if I'm using it as a blush rather than a highlight. Due to the brush being slightly on the large side, it can occasionally distribute blush a little outside of where you want it but I find a quick blend with the Powder brush resolves any clown cheeks. I've had a little fall out from this brush, but again nothing to be bothered about.

Last, but certainly not least, my beloved Expert Face brush. This is probably my favourite out of all of them. This featured in my August Favourites and it just applies my foundation to perfection. Long gone are the annoying brush streaks across my face, this just gives a perfectly smooth application of my foundation that looks completely blended and seamless. I just love it. It also works quite nicely for blending in under eye concealer or just concealer in general. I've not had any fall out from this brush so far but I have only had it a month.

Overall, the Real Techniques brushes I currently own I am totally impressed with. They are reasonably priced (ranging from £7.99 to £12.99 for individual brushes or about £20 for a kit) lightweight and have lovely fluffy bristles. Even though I store them in a pot, it's great when I take them away as they are self standing so I don't have to worry about storage or the bristles getting dirty as they can take care of themselves! I think I'd like to add the Setting brush and the Finer Liner brush to my collection soon and then I'll be happy (for now...)

You can buy Real Techniques brushes at Boots and Superdrug and a few other online places if you have a quick Google. Although, I've found that Superdrug sell the Expert Face brush cheaper than everywhere else? 

Do you have any Real Techniques Brushes? Which one's your favourite?