


Next up in my ‘best of 2013’ series is makeup brushes! I feel like I gained a whole host of new makeup brushes in 2013 and I definitely discovered a few gems that I’d now consider ‘holy grail’ and part of my everyday makeup routine. I can’t believe there was a time when I used to apply all of my makeup with my fingers – well apart from powder as that would be quite impossible but even then, I used the rubbish little pad you find in cheap powders and smeared it over my face. Nice! Makeup brushes definitely make a huge difference to the appearance of my makeup and help give it a more polished and professional look. All of the brushes featured in this post are my ‘go-to' brushes and most of them get used every single day. Here's a bit more about each and why I love them so much ...

Real Techniques Powder Brush | Link
I couldn't write this post without featuring one RT brush (okay, three) as they're just so damn amazing and definitely my favourite brushes. When I first bought the Powder brush my first thought was 'oh my, its huge'. Seriously, this bad boy is almost the same size as my head. Okay, not quite but for a makeup brush, its pretty huge! I first thought this would pose a problem as it would be too bulky for my face but its actually perfect for setting my foundation as it gives my skin a light dusting of powder in one quick sweep. I also like this for applying bronzer if I want to pop it all over my face to get that glowy summer tan look.

Real Techniques Blush Brush | Link
Another of the RT's face brushes and this time its the blush brush (what a tounge twister) which I think could be my absolute favourite brush. I mean its Pink so that's already a winner but aside from the pretty appearance, this brush is perfect for applying bronzer with. I use this when I want to add my beloved NARS Laguna into the contours of my cheeks and it works perfectly - so soft and easy to blend with. Its quite a large brush so definitely not one for precise contouring but for an everyday wash of bronzer or blush, its perfect.

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush (from the eye starter kit) | Link
Another Real Techniques brush, what a surprise. The base shadow brush is definitely my favourite from the eye starter kit and surprisingly, I don't even use it on my eyes. I use this brush to blend concealer under my eyes or for really detailed contouring as its a great size and quite dense yet still great for blending. I can't comment on how it would work on the eyes as I have other favourites to use with eyeshadow (more about those below) but in terms of concealer blending, its bloomin great!

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush | Link
The MAC 239 has been one of my favourite makeup brushes, if not my all time favourite, since the first day I bought it. This flat little eye brush packs eyeshadow onto my eyelids like nothing else. Its brush fibres are firm and dense whilst still being soft and gentle on the eyelid. If I'm applying eyeshadow, particuarly for a night out, this is the brush I'll always reach for as like I said, it packs colour onto the lid exceptionally well and I find I can create really intense colour on my eye with complete ease.

Sigma E25 Blending Brush | Link
As a dupe for the famous MAC 217 blending brush, the Sigma E25 Blending Brush is the perfect companion for my MAC 239 and together they're all I need for flawless eyeshadow. I do have other detail eye brushes for applying shadow on the inner corner or lower lash line but in terms of adding a lid and a crease colour - the 239 and E25 are all I need. If you hadn't already guessed by the name, I use this brush to add shadow to my crease and it blends it exceptionally well. Its light and fluffy but still dense enough for blending - fabulous!

Crown Brush C160-1/8" Angle Liner Brush* | Link
I have to be honest when I say I wasn't blown away by the face brushes I tried from Crown Brush but their Angle Liner brush is an absolute gem and I use it every single day alongside my HD Brows palette to fill in my brows. The angled edge creates nice sharp lines and the brush fibres/hairs (what on earth are they called? someone please enlighten me) are fairly flexible and soft so after creating the shape of my brows, its also great for filling in any sparse areas too. For only £2.29, I'd highly recommend it.
Have you tried any of these makeup brushes? Which were your favourite makeup brushes to use last year? I'd love to try some new ones from new brands!
Lots of Love,
I love crown brushes! They are great value for money! I also love RT brushes and featured them in my 2013 top beauty buys! Hope you are well lovely! :)
ReplyDeletewww.britishbeautyaddict.com
I loveeeee the RT brushes, they're amazing. May need to try the others! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://chloesthoughtss.blogspot.co.uk/
Loved this post! I have so much love for the RT blush brush as well, it's amazing! I was sooo close to making a Crown order this afternoon for some brushes but then decided not to make the order in the end ..maybe i should have?? xxx
ReplyDeleteLove this kayleigh, real techniques are really the best brushes out there, they are so affordable and are such good quality, the price and quality and the easy application means the brushes are an all round winner. I am 17 so the brushes are in my price range, I hope to try at least one mac brush in the future just to own one and see what they are like and if they are worth the price. I cant believe how far you have come kayleigh you should be so proud of yourself, the content you produce and the followers that you have gained through the work you have put in one your blog. With every post the pictures are perfection and your writing just flows , I love in particular your reviews. I have been reading your blog for about a year now and enjoy every single post I read. I want to wish you and your readers a happy new year and all the success for your blog in the new year to come.
ReplyDeleteRianna
I'm a big fan of Real Techniques brushes too! So good for the price, but I haven't tried any of the Sigma brushes, although I want to :)xo
ReplyDeletehttp://901lovely.blogspot.co.uk/
I agree with all of these! I also love the Real Techniques buffing brush! X.
ReplyDeleteamylaurenxo.blogspot.co.uk
I love Real Techniques brushes!
ReplyDeleteBeth | BeautyBubbles♡
I have all the Real Techniques Brushes. My favorite is the Expert Face Brush. I love to put my Make Up Forever HD with that brush. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your choices barr Crown Brush. I haven't tried any of their stuff yet. Sigma are the main brushes in my collection.
ReplyDeleteVictoria
http://victoriaearls.blogspot.co.uk/
I have all 3 of the real technique brushes and love them :)
ReplyDeletewww.sophalou.blogspot.co.uk
Sophie xx
the mac 239 brush looks so good, definitely on my wish list :)
ReplyDeletereal techniques brushes are amazing, must try the others mentioned, especially the mac!
ReplyDeleteRachel x
Style Soup
For me, it was the RT Buffing brush, I couldn't be without it now! x
ReplyDeleteMaddy from UNSTITCHEDD
♥
Have the first two Real Technique brushes (powder and blush) and loving them. However, I have to update the rest of my brushes soon, so your blog post gave me quite some ideas!
ReplyDeletehttp://jeansandroses.blogspot.com/
I love Real Technique Brushes, they work perfectly for everything!
ReplyDeleteKrystal || Little Beauty Bug <3
agree with you 1000% about the real techniques brushes, love them!
ReplyDeleteJade x
Beauty Butterfly
I have those real technique brushes and they are really good and such good value! Xx
ReplyDeletewww.tillylions.blogspot.com
I have the same real techniques brushes as you and I love them! I will probably use them for a very long time
ReplyDeletepurple--flamingo.blogspot.com
Fjóla
Very nice brush selection.
ReplyDeleteOk so I need all of these, I can't believe I haven't got the RT powder or blush brush!! I want them!!!
ReplyDeleteLiza | Beauty & Fashion Blog Glambeautys | YouTube | Family & Lifestyle Blog Glambambini
I received the Real Techniques core collection for Christmas, and have NO idea where to start (I'm such a moron when it comes to makeup!) but it's great to see you rate them so highly :) Useful post, thank you!
ReplyDeleteJo xxx
www.shewearsburgundy.blogspot.co.uk
I love my RT blush brush, especially to apply Nars Laguna! I got the original Naked Palette for Christmas so I need to invest in the RT eye starter kit!X
ReplyDeleteGot to love the RT buffing brush! Also a fan of their blusher brush like you :-)
ReplyDeleteXx
http://sweatyourselfbeautiful.blogspot.co.uk
Real Techniques brushes are incredible. I don't know what I'd do without them now!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbethanyx.blogspot.co.uk/
<3
Real Technique's blush brush is one of my faves too! Great post (:
ReplyDeletewww.madeleineslittleblog.blogspot.co.uk
I love all three of the Real Technique brushes, especially the base shadow brush. I wish they would sell them individually because I would buy multiples of it!
ReplyDelete-Nita
xsimplynitax.blogspot.com
Loved this post I am always on the look out for new brushes need this RT blush brush
ReplyDeletehttp://lux-rose.blogspot.co.uk
I got the Real Techniques Sam's picks for Christmas which I am looking forward to using x
ReplyDeletehttp://instagram.com/beautyqueenuk
I'm definitely going to have to give the MAC one a try!
ReplyDeletehttp://itszeeb.blogspot.co.uk/
I really want to try the real techniques blush brush, I have another brush for blush at the moment but I think it's a bit too wide xxxx
ReplyDeleteVerity | Life of Verity
I recently got my first RT brush, the powder one intact and loved it so was trying to decide which to get next and the two you mentioned were what I was thinking, so glad to read good things and will def get them ones.
ReplyDeleteI love my MAC 239 too, one of my overall favourite brushes.
Belle x
Part of Belle's world
this is a good post actually. i love the real techniques brushes too!
ReplyDeletetzeyien89.blogspot.co.uk xxx
I'm on the hunt for a good blending brush for my eyes so I may have to try that Sigma brush!
ReplyDeleteI have just done a post on my favorite brushes from 2013 too! I have the RT Blush Brush; however, I don't quite like it because it gets the blush all over my face, and I have to use a ton of product to see something. The Sigma Blending Brush sounds like a good one though!
ReplyDeleteEmily
ahemitsemme.blogspot.com
I really love RT brushes too!
ReplyDeletehttp://chelsealeighbeauty.blogspot.ca/
I've also gotten a lot of use out of my RT Powder brush! And I just bought my Mac 239 and 217 this year and I have to say, I'm really glad I spent the money on them. I've also heard the Sephora pro range has some really great products.
ReplyDeleteAmber
Lovely Notions
I don't own any of the Real Techniques' brushes, but they sound awesome! I'll have to check it out! Great Post! :D
ReplyDeletexoxo, Lizzy
Amazon sell real technique brushes slightly cheaper than the highstreet shops! Worth checking out :) xx
ReplyDeletehttp://newgirl49.blogspot.co.uk
My RT brushes are pretty much all I ever use - their stippling brush is also a favourite for foundation and cream blusher, it is amazing, followed by the buffing brush for powder over the top - the base it gives you is just flawless!
ReplyDeleteBecs x
miscriant.blogspot.com
I've heard great things about Crown Brush recently and really want to try it out- Stefanie xx
ReplyDeletecasualllyawkward.blogspot.com
I love RT's contour brush, with the right contour kit it highlights the cheekbones amazingly!
ReplyDeleteReal Techniques brushes are my favourite brushes, they are so so soft and they have a brush that is perfect for each job! Weirdly enough H&M also do some good makeup brushes that are super soft too and a fraction of the price so I would recommend them. I recently purchased a double ended brush from H&M that I've found really handy especially whilst travelling.
ReplyDeleteHarriet | fashionpugs.blogspot.com
I really want to try the Real Techniques brushes. They will definitely be one of the next things I buy. xxx
ReplyDeleteThey look like really lovely brushes!
ReplyDeletei completely agree about the three real techniques brushes, i adore all of them!
ReplyDeletelillies and lipbalm
I love the Real Techniques brushes, especially the powder brush! I need to treat myself to a 239 this year :)
ReplyDeleteKate xo | ww.beautybabbles.com
I love real techniques they're one of my favourite brush brands!
ReplyDeleteThe Lipstick, The Girl and Her Wardrobe
I just ordered my first Real Techniques brushes online the other day! I'm so excited to receive them this post has just made me more excited! I've been using mainly Ecotools and Thin Lizzy brushes up until this point so Im excited to see what all the hype is about!
ReplyDeletehttp://pureheartbeauty.blogspot.com.au
I was going to get a new powder brush tomorrow and I originally was going to buy on for £16 but I may opt to try the Real Techniques Powder Brush since you have recommended it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love Real Techniques brushes and I never attempt to do eyeshadow without my 217! I'm keen to try some Bdellium brushes next as I've heard great things about them.
ReplyDeletepoppywithlove.blogspot.com
The RT Base Shadow is my favourite for applying eyeshadow! I love all their brushes. Definitely going to have to try a MAC brush soon!
ReplyDeleteAbby xo | http://teenagelovesxo.blogspot.co.uk/
Real Techniques are my absolute favourites; I have the base shadow brush too and I adore it!
ReplyDeletehttp://ciarapocket.blogspot.ie
I think 2013 was definitely the year of real techniques!
ReplyDeleteMegan x | MeganRoisinn
I have just ordered my first RT brush and reading your post has made me more excited for it to come!
ReplyDeletethank you for an amazing post... I am currently in love with my shoushoulang brushes. They are so so soft and really best of best. http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/makeup_brushes_and_more
ReplyDeleteVery nice brushes!
ReplyDeleteby : makeup artist philippines
amazing makeup brushes ...
ReplyDeleteprofessional makeup brush sets
Wow! Such a lovely and very nice Real Techniques brushes. Thanks for sharing! Such a very interesting and informative blog.
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