Real Techniques Blush Brush Review

     Alright! Finally reviewing the last Real Techniques Brush I picked up last month - the Blush Brush! When I first looked at the collection, I didn't think this was going to be one of the brushes I would choose, but after a little research on all of them I thought that this one would make the most sense in my collection.  Which turned out to be an awesome choice!              Like always, if you haven't checked out my review of the Real Techniques Core Collection, click the link and AT LEAST read the first half because I talk about the ENTIRE Real Techniques line in that post.

     Anyway!  Upon first glance of this brush I thought that it WAS a powder brush - and when I read "blush brush" I was like "Did somebody stick this in the wrong box?! What's going on here . . . "  So I was really interested to try this brush out.  I was slightly convinced it wouldn't work well for me because of the size - I tend to prefer smaller, angled blush brushes because of the size and shape of my cheeks.  I love this thing!  The taklon bristles are perfectly cut to a soft dome shape on top - and it applies blush incredibly.  Without hardly any effort, you get blush perfectly concentrated in the center with a very soft focus effect fading out - WITHOUT A LOT OF BLENDING.  The brush practically does it for you! Seriously, seriously, more and more amazed with Real Techniques all the time.  I almost feel like I'm not putting in any effort into applying my make up anymore; these brushes are becoming the artist (not sure if that's good or bad)!  I just can't get over how in a couple swipes this brush makes blush look NATURAL - no harsh lines, a nice oval, gently fading out in all directions.  You would think the size takes away from the precision, but it doesn't at all! It is cut perfectly.  Perfection in every sense of the word. 

     The blush brush is also extremely versatile (are you tired of hearing me say that about Real Techniques brushes, yet?)  I've used this as an all-over powder brush and it applies powder so softly and naturally and it's so light and soft it FEELS great on the face.  You can also use it for applying subtle all-over bronzer, highlighter, and just about anything!  If I were traveling and needed to pack lightly, this would definitely be a multi-tasking brush I would use. I think all of the choices for that trip would probably be Real Techniques. So what?!

Reviews of Other Real Techniques Brushes:

Core Collection Duo Fiber Limited Edition Collection Expert Face Brush

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush Review

     I've got more Real Techniques Brushes to review! The Real Techniques Brush Line by Samantha Chapman were on sale at Ulta last month and after trying out the Core Collection I decided I needed to go back and take full advantage of the sale.  I knew I had to get the Expert Face Brush because so many people have had such good things to say about it - and they're all true! This is a really amazing brush.        Again, if you haven't seen my Core Collection Review, definitely do so because I review the entire line as a whole - which is very impressive.

     The back of the box describes the Expert Face Brush as "ultra firm and broad for application and blending of cream or liquid foundation" - which is all true but doesn't do the brush justice.  This brush is perfect because it is firm and a little broad, but the bristles are slightly tapered - making foundation a breeze.  It has the perfect amount of "give" and the tapering makes it goof-proof - you just have to whip this thing around your face and next thing you know you're looking perfect.  This brush makes things so quick and easy!

     When I'm working with liquid products I find that the Expert Face Brush blends everything in seamlessly, quickly, and insanely easily.  It tends to give medium coverage with first application, but it's just as quick to build up more coverage - and you won't have a "cake face" because it layers and blends so smoothly.  When I'm in a hurry I like to use a cream foundation and the Expert Face Brush will blend it out much quicker than anything else, giving light natural looking coverage.  If I'm wanting my cream product to be more full coverage I will use the brush wet - yes, I run the brush under water and squeeze the excess out really well!  This works so perfectly because the cream products glide on the face with more coverage but still maintain a natural finish - creating a seriously airbrushed effect!  I haven't used it wet with a liquid foundation yet, but I'm willing to bet that it will make the already wonderful application THAT much better! As I have found with all of the Real Techniques brushes, this is extremely versatile.  The Taklon bristles makes it able to use with liquids, creams, and powders.  If you want full coverage out of your powder foundation - try this brush!  If you want a heavy and defined contour with liquid/powder/cream - try this brush!       This is by far my favorite brush from Real Techniques and I think everyone should try this one out!  The versatility and overall performance of this brush makes it a necessity for any make up brush collection.  Let me know if you've used this brush or if you have other favorites from Real Techniques! Expect a review of the Blush brush next!

Reviews of Other Real Techniques Brushes:

Core Collection Duo Fiber Limited Edition Collection Blush Brush

Real Techniques Duo Fiber Limited Edition Collection Review

     I said that I would be reviewing the Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection soon and it's high time I got that done!  If you haven't seen my review of the Real Techniques Core Collection then definitely click on the link and be sure to read the first half because I talk about the Real Techniques line as a whole - which is an INCREDIBLE line of affordable, quality make up brushes by Samantha Chapman (if you weren't aware). Go! Read that first.

     Duo-Fiber Face Brush: This brush was featured this in my last September Favorites post!  I've been loving using this with my loose powder because it picks up the perfect amount of product - other powder brushes pick up WAY too much when you're using a loose powder.  This brush is absolutely perfect for a light dusting of any powder product.  But like most Duo-Fiber brushes it works with cream, liquid, or powder.

     Duo-Fiber Contour Brush: The contour brush in this collection is very versatile for me.  I love the size of it and the barrel is pinched at the end giving it an oval shape - along with the tapering of the fibers make it perfect for a precise but light contour, subtle highlighting, or perfectly blended blush! I've been using it with powder and even cream products.

     Duo-Fiber Eye Brush: I also featured this brush in my September Favorites because it has made my eye looks effortless. It takes all of the work out of blending!  I find that it isn't great for applying powder eyeshadow because it can create a lot of fall out, but it is the most amazing brush for blending out the edges of eyeshadow you've already placed on the lid. Also great at blending cream shadow!      The Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection is Limited Edition and I'm not sure how much longer it will be out - but they definitely make a great addition to any brush collection.  I've been using all 3 of these brushes on a daily basis - love them!  I think these would be great travel brushes, especially the face and contour brushes because they could nearly do all of your face make up on their own.  Continually impressed by Real Techniques.

Reviews of Other Real Techniques Brushes:

Core Collection Expert Face Brush Blush Brush

Real Techniques Brushes: Core Collection Review

     I'm sure all of you have heard about Samantha Chapman's wonder brushes, Real Techniques.  Everyone has been going on and on about these brushes in the blogging world.  At first I wasn't sure if it was because a fellow beauty blogger and youtuber had come out with her own line, or if it was because there was some little dash of magic in the bristles.  When I realized Ulta has them on sale this month, I jumped on it. (September 2013 All Real Techniques brushes are on buy one, get on 50% off.)  After trying out the Core Collection, I'm here to tell you it's a little bit of both.  It's so awesome that Samantha Chapman launched her own line of make up brushes that are obviously SELLING really well - starting as a make up artist and eventual blogger she's now launched a line that I know has completely changed her career.       Now back to the magic part - upon first use I got a little bit of the magic dust stuck in my eye. It didn't really hurt at all, I just have a little pain in my wallet a few days later (as I now want to go and purchase ALL of her brushes).  These brushes really are incredible. 

Here's why I'm already in love with the Real Techniques Line:

1. Price point. They are a heckuva lot cheaper than MAC brushes or even Sigma brushes. If you buy them separately, most are around 10 bucks each (or the sets are $17.99). When you can buy them at a place like ULTA where you have coupons and member rewards GALORE - that's even more amazing on the price.
2. Care and Quality. Oh yes! Just looking at and playing with these brushes you know that care was put into them. They're amazing quality and I haven't experienced any shedding! She did it the old-fashioned way: hard work and quality pay off before prestige.
3. Versatility. Extreme. All of the brushes can be used for many, many jobs. Of course the box tells you what each one was created for and she mentions other uses in her online tutorials, but these are some of the most versatile brushes ever. (I'll definitely explain the uses when I review each brush, hold on.) All of the brushes are synthetic, meaning you can use them with liquid OR powder, without giving up any of the softness.
4. The online tutorials definitely get their own gold star. At first I thought "I don't need tutorials", but for this review's sake I thought I'd see what was up. And they're great! Quick and to the point, but definitely simple enough that a beginner can understand - for free! 
5. Availability! Now, Real Techniques are popping up at Walgreens, Target, and even WALMART. Easy price and easy access in addition to amazing quality?! yup.

     Now that I've raved about the line in general and how obsessed I am let's get right into the Core Collection review:

     Detailer Brush: meant to be used for concealer or lipstick. 
     I wasn't expecting much out of this brush, but I was pleasantly surprised. The shape, cut, and flexibility of this concealer brush makes blending concealer effortless. In the past I've found that very small concealer brushes either don't blend out well or take a lot of work on your part. This is so stinkin' tiny, but precise and quick. Impressive.

     Pointed Foundation Brush: meant to be used with liquid foundation. 

     This brush is a lot like the concealer brush - it has a lot of flexibility but still gives precision. Those two usually don't come from one brush, but that's exactly why these brushes are so incredible. It creates a really smooth application of liquid without diminishing the coverage. My only complaint about this brush is the size - unlike the concealer brush this one doesn't magically make up for its size. I'd like something a little larger if I am using it for my whole face. I love using this brush  for under eye concealer or to blend out the edges of concealer on my face.

     Buffing Brush: meant for full coverage application of powder.
     Versatility. Yup, this one seriously can be used for almost anything. It is so dense and soft it can be used for powder foundation, setting powder after liquid foundation, blending, applying blush, bronzer, the list really goes on forever. My favorite use is for blending out bronzer or blush because it makes it look that much more seamless and natural without spending a good minute blending with a specialized brush. I also use this to blend bronzer down my neck (which has been coming in handy a lot since I haven't been self-tanning lately).

     Contour Brush: meant to apply contour and highlight precisely, but softly.

     This is one of my favorites because it is dense enough to really blend bronzer and highlight, but the tapering of the bristles gives a very soft effect. No harsh contour lines. I also like to use this one with blush because it is a little smaller and more precise than the buffing brush.

I'm really loving all of these so much; you can't beat the price, quality, and versatility of these brushes! Let me know what brushes you have from Real Techniques and watch out for my review of the Limited Edition Duo Fiber Collection coming up!

                                 Seriously obsessed, 

Reviews of Other Real Techniques Brushes:

Duo Fiber Limited Edition Collection Expert Face Brush Blush Brush

Top Ten ELF Brushes: Review and Photos

I absolutely ADORE e.l.f.'s brushes. I didn't include any of them in my Top 10 e.l.f. Products because I think they deserve an entire category all on their own.  E.l.f.'s brushes are by far my favorite things from e.l.f. There is no other company that provides the type of quality that e.l.f. does at this price point. Let's just be honest, these brushes are dirt cheap but they hold up next to high-end companies' makeup brushes. E.l.f. : you have changed my life with your makeup brushes. I never thought I could have "a brush for everything"; I always used major multi-taskers because I never wanted to spend the money to have specialized brushes, but ELF-- I freakin' love you. I can finally have all the brushes that do exactly what they're supposed to. Having more specialized brushes allows you to get more control, precision, definition, blending, gorgeousness, and stinkin' happiness! Yeah, some of their brushes are copycats of a few Sigma and MAC brushes--BUT I LOVE THAT!
Any brushes I've found at the drugstore, with the exception of EcoTools, are typically very scratchy, itchy, sparse, flimsy, face-tearing, makeup-eating, pieces of garbage. E.l.f. is the total opposite. There are hardly any of their brushes I've come across that I do not love.  If you're familiar with Sigma or MAC brushes you will spot the dupes immediately. If not, I'm here to help because they have their brushes named less-than-optimally in my opinion. But that's okay! Maybe to differentiate? I'm not sure. But I almost use exclusively e.l.f. brushes for everyday makeup. Granted, most of my brushes are from the more expensive studio line, but it's just a couple bucks. And because I'm a dirty, lazy person the e.l.f. price point makes it easy to have duplicates of my favorites on hand so that I can use them with a different color or product without having to  deep clean brushes ALL THE TIME.

My Favorites:

1. E.L.F. Studio Powder Brush, $3.00

It's called a powder brush, do I use it for powder? Not necesarily. It's definitely not a stereotypical powder brush - but it blends anything and everything wonderfully. It's flat-topped and very dense. Most of the time I use this to make sure I do not have any harsh contouring lines. But it is so dense I have also used it as a flat-top foundation brush - even wet to sheer out cream foundations. This was my first real lovebrush from e.l.f.

2. E.L.F. Studio Small Stipple Brush, $3.00

This is a newer one for e.l.f. They had tried a stipple brush in the past that is one of the only brushes I'm not a fan of. But this one is definitely an actual stipple brush. The shorter fibers are dense enough to do light blending while the longer fibers softly stipple and blur on cream products. LOVE this for cream blush and cream bronzer.

3. E.L.F. Studio Mineral Powder Brush, $3.00

Mineral powder? Makes me think buffing. Yeah, I use it to buff, but not all over. It is a smaller face brush and very round and concentrated. This is very similar to other brands "contouring" brushes which is exactly what I use it for. It places the right amount of powdered contour in the perfect place below my cheek bones while making blending easy.

4. E.L.F. Studio Pointed Foundation Brush, $3.00

Another newer one that I enjoy very much. It isn't very large like Sigma's but this works for me because I usually use it for smaller projects rather than all over foundation.  My favorite purpose for this is applying highlighting concealers or even liquid highlighter on the high points of my face or concealing around my nose and under eye area.

5. E.L.F. Studio Angled Contour Brush, $3.00

I think small should be in the name for this. It is the size of a large eye brush. With it's flat, angled top it is perfect for contouring smaller areas of the face (nose) and the density makes it perfect to blend out the edges of an eyeshadow look.

6. E.L.F. Studio Small Tapered Brush, $3.00

Another copycat that I love. This fits perfectly underneath my eye; it picks up powder lightly to set my under eye concealer while being gentle, smooth, and the perfect shape.

7. E.L.F. Essential Blending Eye Brush, $1.00

I like this blending brush because it's fibers are not very long but not as short as a smudging brush. It is the perfect medium length to create a really defined crease while still keeping it natural and blending well. Perfection.

8. E.L.F. Essential Eye Shadow Brush, $1.00

This one is a no-brainer. Everyone has to have the standard "C" shadow brush. Although I tend to use a fluffier shadow brush for lid color, I like this one for applying a highlight to the inner corner of my eye and underneath my brow. It may just be my eyes, but this brush fits perfectly in that area for me and makes it super quick and easy.

9. E.L.F. Studio Complexion Brush, $3.00

THIS is my version of a powder brush. It is dense, but soft and light with longer bristles. Applies powder lightly without disturbing other makeup.

10. E.L.F. Studio Kabuki Face Brush, $6.00

I really don't use Kabuki Face brushes anymore. (Back in the day they used to be my all-in-one face brush multi-tasker - seriously, powder, bronzer, blush, yeah.) But whenever I do feel the need for a kabuki, it is this one. I don't even own any other kabuki brushes anymore. I could pet this brush all day it is so soft and furry.