Real Techniques: The Core Collection & Starter Set

 Groan, not another Real Techniques brush post... I don't consider myself a "beauty blogger" at all, nor am I a professional make-up artist. I am simply a teenage girl who just enjoys putting on make-up - easy as that! I recently sold my old mobile phone and with the money I received for it I could afford to treat myself on these brushes I've been coveting after for quite some time. The Pixiwoo girls (Samantha and Nicola Chapman), if you don't know are two professional make-up artists who also have their own YouTube channel where they provide easy to follow make-up looks. I've always lusted after the gorgeous brushes that Samantha created with Real Techniques so when they were launched in Boots earlier this year, I've been waiting for the day when I could finally pick them up! I initially purchased the Stippling Brush back in April and have been using it for my foundation. I've loved using it however recently have found it can leave faint streaks on my face so I tend to smooth them out with my fingers. So I felt it was time to purchase these new brushes to improve my complexion. At £21.99 each for these two kits, as a student this feels like an awful lot of money to spend on make-up brushes. I've never really been one for make-up brushes, simply using my fingers for foundation and cream blush and creamy based eye shadows. However these brushes are actually an excellent investment as each brush has multi-purposes and are also incredibly good quality.

The Core Collection is a set of four make-up brushes used primarily for your face. From left to right we have the Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Detailer Brush and Buffing Brush. Out of all four of these I doubt I'll find much use from the Pointed Foundation Brush, simply because instead for foundation I find the Buffing Brush is pretty fabulous. It's so incredibly soft and large enough to pick up the right amount of product to cover your entire face. I could maybe use the Pointed Foundation Brush for concealer but I'm not sure. I tried out the Detailer Brush for my concealer and found it blends it in like a dream and is great for any size blemish or for blending in any under eye concealer. Finally, the Contour Brush is something I've been really eager to try for some time. I've really wanted to get into using bronzer and as my mum kindly gave me a freebie bronzer from Clarins she got recently, put two and two together and you get a very happy Lucy! It fits perfectly into the contours of my cheeks and like all the their brushes in the collection is so incredibly soft so it feels heavenly to apply.
Overall, I'm pleased with this set of brushes and really feel I've got a great collection of brushes to achieve a flawless base for my make-up. My only quiver is the Pointed Foundation Brush because as a stingy student, I hate knowing I've not got my money's worth. However fingers crossed over time as I become more and more confident with make-up application, I'll find a use for it...

This set of brushes are known as the Starter Set, ideal for anyone who needs a couple of basic eye make-up brushes. I've never been one for eye shadow, occasionally using my BeneFit Smokin' Eyes set or a random creamy eye shadow that's lying around in my room, though if I'm honest I'm just an eyeliner and mascara kind of girl. However, I've been really keen to experiment a bit more with make-up, particularly for the eyes. From left to right we have the Deluxe Crease Brush, Base Shadow Brush, Accent Brush, Pixel-Point Eyeliner Brush and Brow Brush. As with all of Real Techniques' brushes, they are all incredibly soft and feel of excellent quality. I found some random Marks and Spencer and Next eye shadow sets from Christmas stockings a few years ago, both of which look like dupes for the NAKED palettes! I simply did an everyday brown smokey-ish eye look with the brushes and found them all incredibly easy to use and was impressed with the results. The only brush I didn't use was the Pixel-Point Eyeliner Brush simply because I wasn't really in the mood for eyeliner and it also seems quite thick - not exactly "Pixel-Pointed" like it claims.... however I'll definitely give it a try, I just think I'll get quite a thick line from it. There's really not much else to say about this set other than it really is great and if a total eye shadow novice like myself can use it, anyone can!

So I hope you found this post interesting and useful. I do whole-heartedly believe these are great investment purchases, especially if you're into make-up. Most kits like these would cost a fortune from other brands and the fact you're getting really good quality brushes for the price is fantastic.
Do you have any of the Real Techniques brushes? If so, which are your favourite? Or are you interested in purchasing any of the brushes? As always, leave your comments as I always love to hear from you!

Lucy xxx