Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Daily Brushes


Good quality brushes are essential for almost any makeup look. This time last year, pre-beauty blogging, I was a total novice when it came to makeup brushes. I think I owned about four brushes from the likes of Bodycare, Avon or discount makeup stands. Good quality brushes were so expensive I just couldn't justify buying from the likes of MAC or Bobbi Brown. Then Real Techniques hit the UK, offering amazing quality, cruelty-free brushes for extremely affordable prices.
All of the face brushes that I use on a daily basis are from Real Techniques, starting with the Buffing Brush from the Core Collection (£21.99). This flat-topped brush totally transformed the way I applied foundation. The bristles are densely-packed but soft and it buffs in cream or liquid base products to create a flawless finish. Also from the Core Collection, the Contour Brush is a great multi-use brush. I use this small tapered brush every single day to blend in my concealer. Paired with my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, this brush helps to cover any and all of my blemishes, without looking heavy or caked-on. The Contour Brush can also be used for precision application of highlighter, blush or to define the cheekbones. The Core Collection is a great starting point if you're yet to try Real Techniques - it also contains a lip brush (which I sometimes use) and a pointed foundation brush (which I never use) - but for the Buffing Brush and Contour Brush alone, the £21.99 is so worth it.
I also use the Real Techniques Powder Brush (£12.99) every day for a light dusting of setting powder. This brush is huge and the bristles are so soft and fluffy that powder never looks overdone or cakey. Though I used to think that the Real Techniques Blush Brush (£9.99) was too big to be used for it's assigned purpose, I've actually started using it every day to lightly dust powder blush onto the cheeks. It's slightly tapered and again very soft and fluffy so you need to build up the colour if you like stand-out cheeks, but for an everyday subtle flush of colour, this brush works perfectly. Some people also use this brush for contouring, but since I have quite a small face, I prefer to use a smaller, more precise brush for that purpose. If I'm using cream blush products, I swap the Blush brush for the Stippling Brush (£11.99), which works amazingly well with cream/liquid products, but for Autumn/Winter I've rediscovered my love of powder blush.

If you're going to pick up a few of the Real Techniques brushes, can I make a suggestion? Don't buy them from Boots/Superdrug. There's an American website called iHerb - link, where I picked up most of my RT brushes and more recently a huge order of EcoTools brushes, for A LOT less than they cost in the UK. For example, the Core Collection (which retails for £21.99 in the UK) costs only $17.99 on iHerb - that's £11.26! And the Powder Brush (£12.99 at Boots) is only $9.99 - which is £6.25! Even the shipping from America costs only $4, so you end up saving a lot of money. Also you can use this code 'QCG185' to save either $5 or $10 off your first order, depending on how much you spend. (This isn't sponsored content by the way, I genuinely shop on iHerb and have saved myself a huge amount of money so wanted to share that with you) :) 

For eye makeup, the two essentials necessary to create a basic or smoky eye look are a base shadow brush and a fluffy blending brush. For applying my base eyeshadow, I use the Crown Chisel Pointed Fluff C209 (only £3.09) which is great for packing on colour. The slim shape also makes it easy to get right into the corners and crease of the eye. This brush is dense enough that it doesn't take several layers to build up colour and the sleek matte black handle and silver ferule are reminiscent of MAC's brushes which are about £15.00 more expensive. Finally, the one MAC brush that I couldn't be without is the famous 217 Blending Brush (£18.00). This is THE brush for creating the perfect smoky eye. It's fluffy, dense bristles make blending shadow into the crease and outer corner of the eye completely fool-proof. I can create so many different eye looks with these two brushes alone. 

*Use code 'FINNO2013' and follow this link: http://www.crownbrush.co.uk/?acc=1afa34a7f984eeabdbb0a7d494132ee5 for 10% off at Crown Brushes throughout November - I'm just full of discount codes today aren't I!*

All of these brushes are staples in my collection. They wash really nicely, hold their shape and do their individual jobs perfectly. 

What are your top three must-have brushes?

Holly xo

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32 comments :

  1. I haven't tried these brushes yet :) but I heard so many good things about them :)
    xx Stephanie

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  2. Love these posts, I did a similar one a while back! My top three are definitely the Real Techniques Buffing Brush, and the MAC 239 and 217.. But I couldn't live without the rest of my RT brushes :) xx

    Rachael | overdosedemaquillage.blogspot.com ♥

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  3. I have never tried crown brushes, I love the RT brushes though x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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  4. I recently bought the real techniques starter set and wow I love it they are so soft :') x

    www.krystelcouture.com

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  5. Real Techniques brushes sound so amazing! I would love some Mac brushes!
    AlexRocksXO

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  6. It looks good...i have another ones but I should buy a new one :)

    www.andie-chambers.blogspot.cz

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  7. Wow I want all the brushes.. love all of them! Plus you look super gorgeous hun~ I've just followed you on GFC, looking forward to your next post love!!

    xoxo, Mango ❤
    MangoRabbitRabbit's Blog | Holiday Party Outfit: Little White Dress

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  8. Those brushes look really soft and fluffy!! My brushes aren't very good, I need to stock up haha. Just found your blog and I love it, you're also soooo pretty! I'm a new follower!

    If you're interested, follow me back!

    aclassystateofgrace.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Aw thank you hun :) Ill check out your blog too xx

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  9. Very envious of that brush collection, I need to add some RT brushes to my Christmas list I think. Lovely blog too, new follower :)

    Belle x
    Mascara & Maltesers

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  10. I love real techniques brushes i've owned them for a while now and they're going strong! so happy I found your blog would make my day if you could check mine out too!

    Emily x
    http://lilemilyjane.blogspot.co.uk/

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  11. Hey, I'm having a day of following new blogs and getting some inspiration and I am very thankful for coming across your blog. I would really appreciate it if you followed me back if you like the content of my blog: http://itslolll.blogspot.co.uk/

    Thank you :)

    xxxx

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  12. Awesome post! I have nominated you for the Leibster Award! For entry details etc the post is on my page: www.smackbangbeauty.com
    Keep up the awesome work!!

    Steph xx

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  13. These brushes are lovely, my favourite is MACs square foundation brush which you can use for a really dramatic effect when applying eve shadow for a night out. It's so versatile!


    http://abigailalicex.blogspot.com

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  14. lovely post ! I love all my MAC brushes :) would you like to follow each other dear :) xx
    www.ambifashion.com

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  15. I love them!! They are so soft and fluffy!! I only have one from the whole collection though i thinking to stock up during the sales!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Justsoapril.blogspot.com

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  16. Thanks for posting this I've been after some new brushes and now I know exactly what I need! x

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  17. Hey just came across your blog! Love the real techniques brushes too!

    swing by my blog too check it out!
    tzeyien89.blogspot.co.uk xxx

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  18. Hey! I love this post it's so inspirational ! i'm just starting out blogging and would love for you to take a look!
    fashionandfiona.blogspot.co.uk/
    Much Love
    Fiona xo

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  19. amazing blog:)
    I follow back!
    have a nice day :)
    http://ninalavitaebella.blogspot.com/

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  20. such useful items !!!!!!
    thank you for sharing this,love so much
    happy everyday and have a pretty time
    hope you can check my new post and share beauty:
    http://me-poppy.blogspot.com/2014/01/beautiful-coats-come-again.html#comment-form

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  21. Guess I have to change my make-up brushes...thanx for interesting post!
    I’d love for us to keep in touch via bloglovin’, GFC, or Instagram! Let me know on my blog, I’ll be sure to follow you back!

    xoxo
    LiliS

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  22. The majority of these are my favourites as well! I'm now following you :) I'm having a giveaway on my blog if you want to check it out xx

    http://lookbranche.blogspot.co.uk

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  23. Ehh i need new brushes :( Great post btw!
    If you want check out my blog, I'm a beginning fashion blogger: www.shawsy.blogspot.com

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  24. Your blog is super sweet. I really like the brush display!

    xo,
    Mariamma

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  25. Love the real techniques brushes as good as MAC!
    Just followed you would love for you to follow me back.

    Lucilla X
    http://beautybylucilla.blogspot.co.uk/

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  26. يجعلبدلةأنيقةيمكنكأنتصبحأكثرنضجاوجاذبية,إذاأردت,ثمانقرهنا

    معطف الفرو الاصطناعي

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  27. Looks great!! My sister has new ones too, but I forgot the brand. I always bought those cheap ones but they just don't work as good as professional ones like these.

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  28. nice, love the brushes :)

    http://sbr-fashion-fashion.blogspot.com/

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  29. Hey!
    Il be buying one of those MAC brushes soon! :)
    Just stumbled across your blog! Followed you as well!! Love the stuff you post here! Please do stop by my fashion blog & follow it too! :)
    -Love, Madhumita

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for commenting, I read and appreciate every single one of them xo