My Real Techniques Brushes Collection

L-R Top to Bottom | Powder Brush - £12.99 / Blush Brush - £9.99 / Stippling Brush - £9.99 / Buffing Brush (Core Collection - £21.99) / Contour Brush (Core Collection - £21.99) / Expert Face Brush - £9.99 / Foundation Brush (Core Collection - £21.99) / Shading Brush - £7.99

Okay..first off, please do excuse the fact I haven't washed my brushes for the sole purpose of this post. I know. Slap my wrist and call me a bad blogger but I cleaned them just the other day and I really didn't want to go through the whole process again unnecessarily! Those of you who use brushes on a regular basis will know that cleaning them once a week is a chore enough! Anyway, shoddy excuses aside - when Real Techniques were first launched, I was like a fat kid in a sweet shop around Boot's 'brush' aisle, let me tell you! I bought myself the Stippling Brush quicker than you can say the word 'hype' - since that very moment, my collection has grown quite a bit - at such an affordable price, they have fulfilled that gap in the market for affordable, quality makeup brushes. I thought I'd give you a run through of my collection, give you a little information on each and what I use them for, and hopefully inspire some of you to give them a whirl (if you haven't already!)...

Powder Brush - The most recent addition to my collection, the Powder Brush can be used for loose or pressed powders, bronzers, and mineral foundations. I use it with Mac's Mineralise Skinfinish Natural to set my makeup, and I also use it for dusting a light coverage of bronzer onto my face and neck if I ever feel as if I need more colour!

Blush Brush - This has to be one of my favourite brushes I own by Real Techniques. I use it with all of my powder blushes, and it's the softest brush I've ever used (you can read a little more in about this one in a recent favourites post here) - it picks up just the right amount of product and applies it perfectly.

Stippling Brush - Another firm favourite and I'm sure a lot of Real-Technique-aholics started with this little gem like myself! I find this one perfect for applying my tinted moisturisers, BB Creams and lighter foundations for a flawless look - the bristles are very soft and the shape of the brush means a sheer application of product. To get the product applied evenly I first apply a small amount to the face in circular motions, before using a 'stippling' motion to finish off. It provides a really lovely finish and your make-up doesn't look heavily applied. I also use it with cream blushes to apply colour into the cheeks after I've applied my base, as it won't disturb the finish of your freshly applied makeup underneath.

Buffing Brush -  I use this with powders to set my makeup and to 'buff' product into the skin.  I've also used it with my BB Creams for a slightly heavier coverage than the Stippling Brush. It's just a nice little all rounder to have in my collection. I find it works best for foundation when you want a really smooth, even coverage and it gives high definition results for your base (the YSL Touche Eclat foundation works perfectly with this)!

Contour Brush - Another one of my favourites. I use this every day without fail. I use this to apply my Sleek Contour Kit to my cheekbones and along my jawline. It's changed the way I contour my face and allows for precision in application.

Expert Face Brush - I LOVE this brush. I've been wanting a slightly heavier coverage now that winter has crept around the corner and I use this to apply my foundation. I use it in strokes from the centre of my face working outwards, and I find it provides such a flawless finish to the skin. I use this when I want to achieve a more 'perfected' look as it allows for a slightly heavier, more controlled coverage. I've also used it to contour using my Chanel Bronze Universal (seen here) - it's a great little multi-purpose brush.

Shading Brush (eyes) - I use this with all of my eyeshadows and it's fabulous for applying product to the crease of the eye, and also for blending and general application. It works exceptionally well with my Nars 'Mekong' eyeshadow (seen here), and just the tiniest touch picks up so much pigment. 

Flat Foundation Brush - I've only used this brush a few times. I think I just personally prefer a bigger brush for applying my foundations. I did speak with a girl at the Chanel counter a while back, and she suggested I could use something like this for applying my Bronze Universal and it works a treat. It's also fabulous for precision application of foundation around the nose and under the eyes and working it into any 'tricky bits'.

All Real Techniques brushes are cruelty free, and have 'ultra-plush taklon bristles for high definition results'. They really are some of the softest brushes I've used, and I use them every day. The Core Collection is a fabulous kit to start out with (it also comes with a Detailer Brush and a travel case which I forgot to photograph) and the case is muchos handy for holidays and preventing your brushes from damage. If you're after one to start with - then i'd recommend the Expert Face Brush - as it is such a great all rounder! They're pretty chunky, which I personally like as they stand on my dressing table with ease. Each one is colour coded and has it's name written on the side, which goes down a treat with the beauty blogger in me (don't we all just love stuff with names?...) In my opinion they are worth every penny.

You can find the Real Techniques brushes at Boots, or you can read more about them and watch a few online tutorials here.

What are you favourite brushes to use right now? Have you also got a few Real Techniques faves like me?

 ♥