Real Techniques

You may or may not have heard the Twitter explosion when people caught sight of the Real Techniques brushes at Walmart/Shoppers/London Drugs (the Canadian trifecta of drug store makeup).  It's here, people, and it's real.  We have full access to the entire collection!

I've never properly reviewed these before, because I haven't actually collected all the ones I want (ahem, see claim at the end of yesterday's post).  The five I've picked to wax poetic about all come from different sets or are sold individually.  I have yet to try the Travel Essentials collection or the Core Collection, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the ones I have.

Deluxe Crease Brush:  I caved and bought a second one of these.  They are just so perfect for concealer -- under the eye and anywhere else.  The densely packed brushes are arranged in a cylinder, so it's almost like using your finger to blend out product, if your fingers could give you an airbrushed finish.

Expert Face Brush:  I also recently acquired the Sephora #45, and the two are almost interchangeable.  This brush is very dense, but not at all difficult to clean -- a complaint I've heard more than a few times about the Sigma Sigmax kabukis.  This doles out primer and foundation like nobody's business -- it literally goes swirl, swirl, swirl and your entire face is done.  I also use mine for extremely sheer cream blushes like the ones from Fusion.

Stippling Brush:  I featured this in my drug store favourites, and a reader commented that I'd gotten her all excited about it then broke the news that they weren't available in Canada.  No longer!  I love this brush even more than my MAC 187 and 130 combined.  Where the 187 is too large and loosely packed and the 130 is a little too dense and small, Goldilocks would be more than happy to take on the RT Stippling brush.

Blush Brush:  I like to picture this as the synthetic version of the Suqqu Face Brush.  I've never actually tried that one before, but after seeing Lisa Eldridge use it in almost every single video, I can tell that it's a full, tapered powder brush.  I use this brush interchangeably for blush, bronzer, powder and occasionally highlight -- the pointed shape makes one of the most versatile brushes I own.  This is also a nice alternative to the NARS Yachiyo, especially if you prefer synthetic brushes.

Setting Brush:  Warning, this brush is way smaller than you would picture.  Even after all the reviews that mention its miniscule size, I was still surprised when I unwrapped it.  It's actually the perfect size for blending out the edges of your eye makeup, for sweeping powder under the eye, highlighting your cheekbone or contouring your nose.

These brushes feel like they were made for people who aren't necessarily makeup artists -- I admire that quality about them.  The taklon bristles are also incredibly soft and easy to wash.  If you've never thought about purchasing brushes before, this is an amazing line to go with.  The effects of their application are right on par with several of my more expensive brushes, and there are definitely shapes in this line that are reminiscent of speciality brush lines.

Let me know if you try them, and which ones are your favourites!