! **❤ MakeupByJoyce ❤** !: February 2013

Pros:

synthetic bristles feel very soft
bristles are not flimsy at all
ideal for applying liquid/cream products
no shedding
affordable ($6-10 for the individual brushes and $18 for the set of 3, 4 & 5 brushes)
no funky smell
no dye bleeding
100% cruelty-free

Cons:

handles are too wide to fit in my brush holder

Packaging: The Travel Essentials set and Core Collection set ($17.99 each) both come with a travel case, which I rarely use because I tend to overpack and bring alot more brushes than the case can hold. ^_^

The handle of the face brushes is flat on the bottom, so they can be stored standing upright. However, they don't store well in my brush holders because the handles are too thick. Also, if you're a long-time follower of my blog, then you know that I prefer my brushes to have a black matte handle and a nickel ferrule. They just look so much more professional and classy. However, I can get past the unconventional funky design of the Real Techniques brushes because they work so darn well.

Real Techniques Blush Brush ($8.99) is made from synthetic material; therefore, it doesn't pack on powder products as well as natural bristles. When using it to apply setting powder, I find that I have to swirl the brush into the compact alot more than if I were to use a natural brush. However, it is a good brush for applying setting powder all over your face as long as you don't mind wasting product because it disperses product lightly and never leaves a cakey finish. That being said, It is also good for applying highly pigmented blushers, but don't apply too much pressure or else the brush will cover a huge portion of your face. Because the brush can be a little bit big for the cheek area if I'm not careful, I mostly reach for this brush when I'm applying bronzer to my decollete. (It measures 7.10 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush (comes in the Travel Essentials set $17.99) is ideal for applying setting powder and bronzer. The head of the brush is shorter than the RT blush brush and feels slightly denser, but it's still fluffy enough for applying setting powder all over your face without leaving a cakey finish. However, it is too big for the cheek area. The RT Blush brush is easier to control compared to the Multi-Task brush because it has a more tapered tip. However, I find other RT brushes to work better for blush application. (It measures 6.75 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Buffing Brush (comes in the Core Collection set $17.99) is ideal for applying liquid and cream products, including blush, bronzer and foundation. The bristles are not as dense as the Sigma F80 and F82, but this is the reason why I prefer it over the Sigma brushes. It's just easier to work the product into my skin and the brush doesn't tug my skin. I also love using it for applying my Chanel cream bronzer. I just use a tapping motion and the product blends into my skin effortlessly. (It measures 6.30 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush ($8.99) is ideal for applying liquid and cream products, including blush, bronzer and foundation. The bristles are the densest out of all the RT brushes pictured in this post, but it is still flexible and glides product onto my skin effortlessly without ever tugging my skin. Because the RT Expert Face brush is slightly smaller and denser than the Buffing brush, it offers more control and is easier to reach underneath the eye area and around the temples. It is also excellent for contouring because it fits nicely in the hollows of the cheeks. (It measures 6.20 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Stippling Brush ($9.99) is ideal for applying liquid and cream products, including blush, bronzer and foundation. It's just as dense as the MAC 130 and denser than the MAC 187. The size is perfect for buffing in foundation because it covers a good portion of the face at a time, while still being able to reach into the small crevices of the face. It gets the job done quicker than the MAC 130 and offers better control than the MAC 187. Also, I love using it to stipple cream bronzers and blushers because it fits on my cheek area really well. This brush has become a staple in my makeup collection and I highly recommend it. (It measures 6.05 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Contour Brush (comes in the Core Collection set $17.99) is ideal for contouring, highlighting and applying concealer and setting powder underneath the eye area. It has a tapered tip and fits nicely on the hollows of my cheeks. Also, the bristles are not as stiff as the Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Pointed Foundation brush; therefore, it's much easier to work with and blends product better. I also love using the brush to apply setting powder underneath my eye because the head of the brush is the perfect size and it never leaves a cakey finish. (It measures 6.30 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Setting Brush ($7.99) is ideal for highlighting and applying concealer + setting powder underneath the eye area + around the small crevices of the face. It's not as dense as the RT Contour brush and it's smaller. However, for this reason, it offers better control and it's easier to reach the small crevices of the face, especially around the nose area. The base is pinched flat, but the tip is still round and wide enough for buffing in product. I love using it to apply my Dior Amber Diamond highlighter because the head of the brush fits nicely on top of my cheekbones, bridge of my nose, cupid's bow and chin. (It measures 6.10 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Essential Foundation Brush (comes in the Travel Essentials set $17.99) is ideal for applying concealer underneath the eye area. Flat paddle synthetic brushes are meant for applying liquid foundation in a painting motion; however, I rarely use this type of brush for its intended purpose because I find that other brushes (RT Buffing brush and RT Stippling brush) get the job done quicker. I mainly use the RT Essential Foundation brush for applying concealer underneath the eye area because the head of the brush is the perfect size for that kind of application. The bristles are dense and firm and provides excellent coverage without streaking when I apply the product in a tapping motion. I have over 10 flat paddle "foundation" brushes from various brands and the RT one is the one that I reach for the most. The size and the thickness of the brush head is just perfect! (It measures 6.25 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush (comes in the Core Collection set $17.99) is ideal for applying concealer around the small crevices of the face. It's too small for applying foundation to the entire face. Also, the bristles are not as dense or as firm as the RT Essential Foundation brush, so it doesn't blend product into the skin as easily. I find that the RT Essential Foundation brush blends effortlessly when I just use it in a tapping motion. I have to be more careful with the RT Pointed Foundation brush and not over apply the product or else it'll take forever to blend out. However, it does offer more precision and reaches into the small crevices around the face, such as the nose and mouth area, a little bit easier. (It measures 6.10 inches in total length.)

RT Domed Shadow Brush ~ Sigma E55 ~ MAC 239 ~ Sigma F70 ~ RT Detailer Brush

Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush (comes in the Travel Essentials set $17.99) is ideal for applying and blending cream eyeshadows. The bristles are dense and firm and glides product onto the skin smoothly. The Sigma E55 and MAC 239 are smaller and thinner, while the RT brush is wider at the tip, which makes it excellent for blending. I use it all the time for blending out my base colors (Maybelline Color Tattoos). It's also great for highlighting underneath the brow bone. (It measures 5.65 inches in total length.)

Real Techniques Detailer Brush (comes in the Core Collection set $17.99) is ideal for spot concealing, applying lip products, highlighting the inner corner of the eye and for detail work. It's not too stiff or too flimsy and it offers great precision. The size of the brush is perfect for shaping the lips and concealing blemishes. (It measures 5.5 inches in total length.)

Bottom Line: Even if you have over 200 brushes in your collection, I still recommend checking out the Real Techniques collection because they're different from other synthetic brushes. They are flexible without being flimsy and glide product onto the skin effortlessly without ever tugging the skin or leaving a cakey finish. Also, the bristles feel as soft as a bunny's bottom and they do not shed!

Note: The Real Techniques brushes can be purchased individually ($6-10) and they also come in sets ($18) at Target, Ulta and Drugstore.com.

Which Real Techniques brush have you tried?

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None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Tarte Cosmetics Coupon Code 2013: Free Brush ($28 value) with Blush

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Too Faced Cosmetics Coupon Code 2013: 20% OFF Sale

Friday, February 1, 2013

DHC 2013 Coupon Code: $10 OFF All Orders

Review + Comparison: Real Techniques Brush Collection