Makeup Brush Chat

I'll use any excuse to post a picture of freshly washed makeup brushes. It's such a big task, forever on my to do list, that when it finally gets done I go crazy with the camera so I can look back and remember that one day they were like new. Its quite sad really, but anyone who uses makeup brushes will understand the struggle. I don't use any kind of specialist brush cleaning products (if you do and would recommend it, let me know) but instead I just use hot water and the mini shampoo or soaps you get from hotels. In my opinion, as long as they lather up and are rinsed thoroughly, they do the job totally fine. The only downside is my hand is really wrinkled after spending more than half an hour under running water.
It was quite a few years ago now that I saw the idea of using old candle jars as brush holders and I've been doing it ever since. These are the perfect size and make finding the brush I want much easier than if I were to search around the bottom of a makeup bag. 
The brushes I'm really loving at the moment are my MAC 217 blending brush, my RT eyeliner brush and my RT expert face brush.You have probably heard enough about the cult 217 brush to know that its super soft and one of the best brushes for blending out there. I only have one MAC makeup brush and I'm so glad that I went for this one. I'm a RT loyal overall though, as you can see from the photo. I've never used angled brushes and they've always been neglected in my collection. However, I've found a love for the eyeliner brush since I started filling my eyebrows in with eyeshadow. Its really precise, dense and picks up just the right amount of product. I've also been using the RT expert face brush a lot lately for applying both foundation and concealer. It blends both products so easily into the skin and has a really high density too. I'd say its as near to a sponge as a brush is going to get while maintaining precision. Its an ideal size for applying base products too. Some of my RT brushes I've had for upwards of 3 years and still they never shed a single hair. I've also got to give a special mention to my rose gold eyelash curlers which came in a Ted Baker set. They're so pretty!
What's your favourite makeup brush?

Most Used Makeup Brushes

Hey Everyone!
Today, with my makeup brushes freshly washed (a task which had become way overdue), I thought I'd talk a bit about which ones I use most frequently and what for. I don't see many, if any, of these kinds of posts around but I would be really interested to read other peoples as often makeup brushes can be used for a variety of applications outside of what they're designed for. 
I have 3 main brands of make up brushes that I use: Real Techniques (love these!), Elf and Scarlett & Crimson (bought in the Boots January sale a couple of years ago). I've yet to invest in any high end makeup brushes: I've had my eye on MAC ones for ages but to be honest I'm scared they won't live up to their price and I'll be disappointed. 

From left to right: Real Techniques Stippling Brush: This is my HG makeup brush (if that is a thing). I've used it everyday since I bought it and I find it is best to apply foundation although also works well for cream blush. I think it might be time to buy a new one though as because the bristles are so dense and I use it so often, it is stained and doesn't wash up as well as the others. Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush: I'm not at all into this kind of brush for foundation as I think its hopeless at blending, especially from the face to the neck, but recently I've been using it to apply concealer and it works a treat. Its just the right size and shape. S&C Powder Brush: While this brush does tend to shed the odd hair, it applies bronzer and blush really nicely and picks up just the right amount of product. Its also really soft after a wash. Real Techniques Contour Brush: This is one of the brushes I use as it is supposed to be used: for contouring the hollows of the cheeks and hairline etc. It works perfectly with Benefit Hoola bronzer and again is the perfect size and shape. It also applies highlighter really well. Real Techniques Buffing Brush: It took me a while to get to grips with this brush: I used it for a while for foundation but found it didn't provide as good coverage as the stippling brush. I also used it for powder but it was just too dense. I've settled using it as a base blender- taking away any harsh lines, and I think this is how it works best. Elf Professional Bronzing Brush: I don't think the angle of this brush makes it the best for bronzing but it is great for blush, or as I use it, for highlight. It applies my MAC MSF beautifully and really quickly.  Elf Professional Eyelash & Brow Wand: I use this for running through my brows before I fill them in to take away any foundation or concealer that are sitting from base application. This is also a really handy tool for plucking my eyebrows. S&C Sponge Brush and Blender Brush: I'm improvising with the names of the S&C brushes because they don't actually have any. I have 3 eye brushes that I use religiously: these two and the next. I know most people hate sponge eyeshadow brushes but I find them really easy to use and they don't waste any product. I use the blender brush continuously as I apply each shade which I find to increase the lasting power of the eyeshadow. Elf Professional Lip Defining Brush: I've never been one to use lip brushes, and since this is pretty soft and fluffy, I use it to apply darker eyeshadows to the crease, outer corner and lower lashline. Its a really good size and density for each of these jobs. Powder Brush: I've had this for so long that the brand name has actually rubbed off but its pretty much a standard, super soft powder brush that applies powder liberally. Elf Professional Eyeshadow Brush & Wilko Eyeshadow Brush: I don't use these brushes very frequently but they've been included because they're in my makeup brush holder. These aren't as good as the eyeshadow brushes I've already mentioned, but are alright to apply a bit of matte brown to the crease on top of my Maybelline Color Tattoo. 
I didn't realise I would go into quite so much detail in this post- well done if you got through it! I like that most makeup brushes will last a good few years as long as you look after them. I was recently treated to the Real Techniques Starter Set (eye brushes) for my birthday. I've had my eye on them for the longest time but its taking me a while to integrate them into my everyday routine. When I'm more familiar I'll maybe do a full review.
What are your favourite makeup brushes? Which ones should I try?

Current Beauty Wishlist

Having submerged myself back in the blogging community, it was only a matter of time before the length of my wishlist started to increase. This, combined with the fact I'm trying to save money, has meant that I've began to crave major makeup shopping (and a winning lottery ticket). I've been obsessed with Real Techniques makeup brushes for such a long time now and my absolute favourite, the stippling brush, should definitely be duplicated in my collection. Really, that's the only item of the following I can actually justify buying as my makeup collection is a little excessive already. I definitely don't need any more, but that doesn't stop me wanting it.

YSL Shocking Mascara

NARS At First Sight Eye & Cheek Palette

Sleek Face Form in Light

Lush BIG Shampoo

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer

MAC Lipstick Kelly Yum Yum

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick

RT Stippling Brush

RT Blush Brush

Have you tried any of these products? What are your current makeup covets?

Real Techniques 'The Core Collection' Review

Hey Everyone!

Ever since buying my Real Techniques Stippling Brush over a year ago I have been determined to get my hands on more. After psyching myself up to part with the £21.99 that they cost, I bought The Core Collection a few months ago. It has actually taken me ages to get around to reviewing these but it means I've given them a proper road test and I am certain of my views.

The Core Collection comprises of 4 brushes: the pointed foundation brush, the contour brush, the detailer brush and the buffing brush. They claim to be all the tools you need to create a flawless canvas. Like other Real Techniques brushes, the ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty free.

They also come with a carry case and stand as well as a guide to using each of the brushes on the back.

All of the brushes are sturdy, soft and tick the oh-so-essential box of no bristles falling out. They all wash very nicely too. I don't personally use the case as I find it a bit tricky getting the brushes in and out of it and I use a glass jar to hold my brushes for easy access.

The Buffing Brush

I was originally drawn to the Core Collection purely because it contained this brush and it wasn't sold separately. It didn't disappoint. The Buffing Brush is second to none for its multi-tasking qualities. I started off using it for foundation which worked well but I found it gave a slightly lighter coverage than I wanted so switched back to my Stippling Brush. I then one day (actually by accident!) discovered that this is amazing for applying powder. Because of the density of its bristles, it picks up the perfect amount of powder and spreads it evenly across the face. I personally think that this brush is the reason for the staying power of my powder. The brush is lightweight, stands on a surface (which I always like!) and is big enough to cover the entirety of your face with product in a few seconds so is great if your in a rush. Its also a great blender.

The Contour Brush

This is a lovely brush for powder bronzer, blusher or highlight. I am currently using it for bronzer as a contour as it is the perfect size to get into the hollows of the cheeks and the different length bristles ensure the product blends well. I'm thinking of giving this a wash and trying it with my MAC MSF as I think the precision it offers would make the skinfinish look even better. 

The Pointed Foundation Brush

Its weird that in the picture above this looks round- I can assure you it is infact pointed (especially when there is product on it!). I've never been a fan of these kinds of foundation brushes so when I bought this collection I expected this to be put in a drawer and forgotten. How wrong I was. I have been using this every single day for- wait for it- concealer! I have never found the right brush for concealer and used to just use my fingers and go over it with my foundation brush. Now, I use this as it is the perfect size, shape and density for under my eyes and covering spots. It blends out Collection Illuminating Touch under my eyes so well and even works with the thicker Lasting Perfection Concealer. Win win! Albeit I still go over the concealer after with my Stippling Brush but that's just to blend out the slightly different shades of concealer and foundation.

The Detailer Brush

Last, and sadly, least, is the detailer brush. After this hanging around doing nothing with my 'everyday brushes' since I bought the collection, it has been demoted to 'spare brushes'. I tried to use it with concealer but found it didn't blend very well. I think it would work well in applying lipstick but since I don't wear lipstick very often (and when I do I don't tend to apply with a brush), I'm not using this at the moment. The one plus is that it washes up the best of all the brushes-a little bit of shampoo removes all traces of product. 

I totally love these brushes and definitely think they're worth the money (and probably more!) even though I only use 3/4 on an everyday basis. I think they will last me years and I couldn't be happier that I bought these over cheaper, lower quality ones. Although the Stippling Brush is still my No.1- these are right behind in the best brushes list! I would highly recommend these to anyone who doesn't want to pay high end prices but is looking for great quality brushes. I now want all of my brushes to be Real Techniques!
Have you tried these? 

Jumping on the Real Techniques Bandwagon: Stippling Brush

Hey Everyone!

Let me start off by apologizing for my neglect of the blogging scene lately- my exams are in full swing but thankfully I have two weeks to my next one so I can do a bit of posting yay :) Also, hello to my new followers! I can hardly believe I'm up to 69, I'm so proud and thankful for each one of you- ok enough of the cheese already.

So after seeing countless raves about the Real Techniques brushes by Samantha Chapman, I decided to buy the stippling brush as I am in need of a new foundation brush.

Claims: This brush boasts to be "the trade secret for creating airbrushed, high definition results with all types of makeup." 

Brush: The "ultra plush taklon bristles" are super soft and the brush hasn't shed a single hair yet. It smooths foundation onto my skin gently. Also, the unusually thick handle (I think handle is the right word!) allows the brush to stand up right on a flat surface which I love as its a cute addition to my chest of drawers. I have also found that the brush doesn't swallow up foundation unlike my old one so I am actually using less which is fab.

Results: I have to say I am really impressed! The brush blends foundation in really well and using the buffing technique I can achieve a natural look with fair coverage. I definitely think it gives an airbrushed look and can be used to apply foundation, powder, blush and much more. Basically it is the perfect multitasking brush.

Me wearing Bourjois Flower Perfection foundation applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush 

Rating: 10/10 - For me, this brush is all it claimed to be and more, and deserves all the praise it has received.

You can buy this brush for £11.99 in Boots and online.

This has really made me want to buy more Real Techniques brushes, though I need to stop myself as I have a brand new set by Ruby Hammer and Millie Kendall called Scarlet & Crimson that I bought in the Boots January sale so I have to make use of them.

I'm off to watch Celebrity Juice- so excited as Caroline Flack is on it and I love love love her! Can't wait to see what she is wearing :)

Have you got any Real Techniques brushes? Which are your favourite?

PS- would anyone be interested in a JulzObsessions channel on YouTube? I'm considering the idea, though I'm not sure as I think my accent would stick out terribly :P