Real Techniques PowderBleu Brushes

I love make up, and I love navy blue. I also love Real Techniques make up brushes. So when they bought out their Powder Bleu brush range I knew I had to somehow find a way to add it into my collection. Thankfully I have very generous in-laws who bought me four of the brushes over my birthday and Christmas, so now I'm the proud owner of most of the set. So was it worth it?

Beauty | Jumping on the Sponge Bandwagon

I've seen a lot of people using beauty sponges over the last couple years of blogging, however after using one when I was a teen I was just put off jumping on that bandwagon. But when my trust Buffing Brush just wasn't seeming the blend as nicely as it used to, I started looking at ulterior methods of base applicators. 

The How To | Natural Contouring

I've always been a little bit scared at the idea of contouring - and scared when I've tried it as well. It's never looked quite right one me and I end up foregoing it in the end. However, falling in love with youtube again lately I stumbled across a video by the Real Techniques ladies here that changed all that. I would highly recommend watching it! Since this video I have contoured my cheeks every single day and loved the look it's give me. So, how to contour for me...

Before I used to suck my cheeks in like a fish - so attractive! Not a good move for me, I just looked like I had two brown lines down my face, not so good! Now I start from the middle of my ear and in circular movements move down in a straightish line to the corner of my mouth. I make sure to stay darker need the top of the cheek, up near my ear, and keep it light near the mouth. This creates a more natural contour. I use the Real Techniques Contour Brush to achieve this and my favourite bronzer, Bourjois Bronzing Powder. The circular movements keeps it blended and natural. 

Next, again in circular motions brush blusher over the apples of your cheeks and up your cheek bones. Add any highlighter as well. Then, I use my foundation brush (hello Real Techniques Buffing Brush). This blends it in nice and naturally. Voila! Nice and natural contouring. I am in love with this. 

 

This really helped with my contouring and is the only method I use now!

 

What's your contouring method?

The Top 5 | Used Brushes

Before said blog I was very much a meh kinda tool person. I used the brushes that came with the make up I bought and never really worried whether it worked or not. Then along came said blog and I have never been the same. You may have noticed all of these are Real Techniques numbers. O well, I am what you would call a little addicted. So I thought I would take you through my top five...

One | Buffing Brush

The one that everyone raves about and oh my god I would be lost without it. I use it to apply my foundation every morning. It's flawless for application, blends everything so nicely and is so much nicer to use then my old sponge.

Two | Contour Brush

I use this for both contour and blusher - as you can see where the end is quite pink! It's perfect for getting into the hollows of your cheeks for contour, but also pulling off a subtle flushed blush.

Three | Powder Brush

My newest edition and oh my gosh the softest brush I have ever used. It's an absolute dream. Fluffy and soft it pops the powder on with no favouring, it gives a very even finish and is just super easy to use.

Four | Base Shadow Brush
Literally changed the way I put my eyeshadow on. This is so easy to use and applies eyeshadow beautifully and evenly. It's super soft as well, again no favouring, just really nice brush to have.

Five | Deluxe Crease Brush
Although part of the eyeshadow brush set, after watching some of the youtube videos I've been using this as a concealer brush, especially for under the eyes. It just gives a really nice natural finish to the application.

I have my eye on some other Real Techniques brushes - including the blush and stippling brushes. I also want to give their miracle sponge a go, more out of curiosity than anything! Basically I want all of them!
I would recommend watching the tutorials on youtube here as they are amazing, some great looks but also some great techniques so you can really use your brushes to their full advantage.

What brushes would your recommend?

Real Techniques Core Collection

Real Techniques Core Collection £21.99 (from Boots)

I desperately needed some make up brushes. I've been using a sponge for my foundation and a very old blusher brush for bronze and blush, and I heard such great things about these I thought I'd give them a go.

I bought the Core Collection from Boots as I think it covers all areas of make up where I need brushes.

In this collection you get a contour brush, foundation brush, detailer and buffering brush (L to R in photo). So I used these this morning for the first time and I have to say I've fallen a little bit in love with them. 

Why I love them on a superficial basis....

1) I love the orange/gold on the brush, I think it's very attractive and even the lady at the counter went "o wow I like these" and stared at them for a while...

2) they are so SOFT, like stroke across your face like a pussy cat soft (not that I do that to my cats...)

3) It comes with it's own black case you can store them in which also acts as a stand - very handy! So onto the not so superficial reasons and each brush...

Detailer Brush

I used this to apply concealer and make up to any naughty spots, blemishes and dark circles under the eyes. It was really easy to use and apply to these areas, especially under the eyes to disguise dark circles. Was really pleased with this one. You can also use it to apply lip stick and lip colour as well if needed which makes it rather handy!

Foundation Brush

This is the first time I've used a brush to apply my foundation and I have to say I'm never going back to a sponge. At first I found it a slight adjustment and was a bit worried I was missing areas, however it just applied so easily and gave really great coverage. One thing I always found about using the sponge was it could sometimes look like I was wearing too much foundation, however the blush blends it in so well, I'm really pleased with it. It also gets into those little nooks around your nose etc which the sponge never did.

Buffering Brush

I used this brush to apply my bronzer all over my face. Again, much preferred to my old brush which had pretty much no shape to it at all. I found this went on so easily and gave much better coverage then I've ever really had before. The flat top of the brush helps with this I believe.

Contour Brush

I know you're meant to use this to contour and highlight, however I used it for my blusher and it worked really well with it, giving a natural blush rather then a painted on look and even coverage.

All in all, I'd say I'm really pleased with the brushes and will definitely be buying more of the collection as and when I need it. I think it's quite a good price for four key brushes, which I'll be using every day so I'm more then happy to pay this and they are good quality as well, so no qualms there!

Have you tried Real Techniques? Thoughts and advice please!