Ever since Gem has discovered how beautiful these brushes are, I too unfortunately sucumbed to their spell and have been pulled into the Real Techniques obsession. Luckily for me, Gemma started my collection off by purchasing not one set, but three of these bad boys for my birthday.

Core Collection Kit

This set comes with a contour brush, pointed foundation brush, detailer brush and buffing brush.

From Left to Right:

Contour Brush – The first thing I noticed about this brush, is that it’s slightly domed towards the tip and I’ve been using this for contouring ever since getting my hands on this set. This brush is perfect for defining my cheeks with bronzer, the sides of my nose and also my jawline, although I don’t use this for highlight or blush. Although this is slightly domed, the brush itself is quite fluffy which is great for blending, ensuring I don’t end up looking like I’ve drawn a few brown lines from each ear to the corner of my mouth.

Pointed Foundation Brush – I’ve used quite a few foundation brushes in my time, but this one is so soft, and having used it a few times now, it isn’t congealed with foundation and is pretty easy to clean. I was worried at first that the brush wasn’t big enough for my face, but actually because it is pointed, it ensures an even coverage by getting into the hard to reach places (namely around piercings). Definitely not an every day brush, but I am favouring this over all my other foundation brushes.

Detailer Brush – This is mainly for “problem areas” or lipstick – I’ve been using it to apply my concealer and it seems to be working quite well. My only major issue with this brush is it’s not as fluffy as the others, but this is Okay because the last brush makes up for it! It didn’t wow me as much as the others but I’m still finding it hard to pick out any flaws.

Buffing Brush – Why haven’t I had the pleasure of using this before? This can be used to apply loose powder or mineral powder but I’ve been using it after my foundation and concealer to blend and buff my base to perfection. It’s such a simple thing but honestly, it’s done wonders for me.

Real Techniques Core Collection Kit – £20.99 from Feel Unique

Starter Set

This is by far my favourite set of the three. Predominantly for eyes, this literally has all the brushes a girl could ever need to perfect the simplest to the most dramatic eyes. With an amazing 5 brushes, it’s well worth the money to start any brush collection.

From Left to Right:

Deluxe Crease Brush – Although designed to fit in the crease of your eye socket, I’ve actually been using this as a base and blending brush. My eyes are quite little, but unfortunately if I blend my darker shadow too much, I end up looking like a drag queen – I just can’t pull it off! In my opinion, this definitely works better for applying my base colour, because it’s fluffier and bigger too, it blends like a dream.

Base Shadow Brush – This brush I’ve been using too add my middle colour and blending it into my darkest. It’s nice and fluffy but not as big as the crease brush, which means its perfect for my little eyes and means I don’t go overkill on the darker shadows. The best thing about this brush is that even if I only throw on some eye shadow in a few minutes before going out, it looks absolutely amazing!

Accent Brush – This definitely completes the look along with the two above. I’ve been using this mostly to add my darker colour to my crease, and the base shadow brush to then blend my darker shades together. It’s absolutely perfect and the best thing about it has got to be being able to use it under my eye to create a smoky look, since the brush is small and flat.

Pixel Point Eye-liner Brush – I haven’t actually used this brush yet, when applying gel eye-liner, I tend to use my Loreal Brush and I haven’t found anything that beats it yet. Having said that, I may give this one a go and see if it lives up to the other brushes in this set. If it doesn’t, it’s a perfect shape and feel for applying lipstick.

Brow Brush – I didn’t think I was going to use this brush. For my eyebrows, I use an old Gel eye-liner brush which has short and stiff bristles, perfect for defining my outline, and a smaller brush similar to an eye-liner brush to blend my brows. I tried this one just so I knew how it applied and since doing so, this has now replaced one of my other brushes and I’ve used it every day. It’s just the right shape to fill in my brows and blend the harsher outline to make them look more natural and is also brilliant for applying my clear gel top coat to keep my brows from straying here there and everywhere.

Real Techniques Starter Set – £20.99 from Feel Unique

Travel Essentials Kit

After watching some of the video reviews available on the Real Techniques website, apparently you can take this anywhere and not need any other brushes. I’m inclined to believe this and if I ended up stranded with no other tools except these, I could definitely get by with just these three.

From Left to Right:

Essential Foundation Brush – I love this brush for full face foundation coverage – the speed in which I can apply is brilliant with this brush and it doesn’t hold too much product either. It does mean that I can cover my face before my foundation begins to dry, teamed with the pointed foundation brush and it’s a match made in heaven.

Domed Shadow Brush – I have also been using this as a blending brush and it’s so so soft! This is also a brush I’ve been taking out with me to keep my eyeshadow in check or turn day makeup to almost stage ready makeup.

Multi-task Brush – Another firm favourite of mine – Kabuki brush move aside because you have been well and truly replaced. I absolutely thrive off using this to apply my powder – the bristles are far enough apart for them not to hold too much product and coverage is even and beautifully flawless. I’m not even sure I would go back to my Kabuki now that I’ve been using this.

Real Techniques Travel Essentials Kit – £20.99 from Feel Unique

It’s safe to say that I am absolutely smitten with these brushes – but one of the best things about all three is that they come in a case that also serves as a stand, whether you are applying make-up in a service station (as Gem and I often indulge in on the way to gigs) or just want them displaying nicely on your dressing table, they are a great extra. The cases also have space for additional brushes, although I fear I will never fit all of mine in them when I take them out and about! I honestly do not need any more brushes after finding these – although I’m sure I will find a way of talking myself into buying others down the line!

These are absolutely brilliant sets, perfect for those who want to invest in some brushes but arn’t sure what to buy and also not too pricey considering how wonderful they all are – not to mention the fact that the Real Techniques website has lots of tips and tricks for you to try out with your new brushes here.

Have you tried any of the Real Techniques brushes? If so I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can also view Gemma’s review of her Limited Edition Duo Fibre set here.

Totally hellbent for a purely effortless face thanks to brushes.

Pants