Sunday, 5 May 2013

RealTechnique Core Collection Review and Alternative Routine

I'm a big beauty blog addict and so I read a lot of reviews about the same thing. One thing that come up in almost every haul, make-up tutorial and ootd blog (or vlog) was Sam Chapmans RealTechnique makeup brushes. Me being me I had to buy some. I went into Superdrug and saw that the Core Collection was only £20.99. I didn't think this was too bad as brushes are normally about £3-£6 anyway. I didn't buy them then and there, I decided I would read a few more reviews first. After posting an advise plea on Instagram (@katieberrycrush) I was convinced that these brushes were the Goddess of all brushes and so went online and got 20% off on feelunique.co.uk, I had found them for the same price on eBay but thought this would be a safer option. I think I drove my friends mad everyday saying that they would be arriving anyday now. The day they arrived I was at work so had to wait even longer before trying them out. At this point I was oddly hyped about using these 'incredible' brushes.




I got in and stripped the makeup off my face as quick as I could and threw my hair up into a bun ready to test them out! Hmm.

It wasn't that I didn't like them but something wasn't right. At first I honestly thought maybe they were fakes. Then I remembered I hadn't bought them off eBay and they were from FeelUnique so had to be the real deal. I felt really down about it as I thought the powder brush was to small, the foundation brush didn't blend it to my skin and the concealer brush was too.. too.. I'm not sure but it wasn't what I was expecting. I went to work and noticed that my skin didn't have the same texture or coverage I usually get from my Mac make-up. Its a shame because the brushes look so cute in their little carrier case/stand. 

I went home and decided that i wasn't going to give up as so many people had used them and loved them so maybe I just wasn't using them right. I decided not to follow Sams instructions for use and use the ones I thought would do a better job.

I use my old concealer brush (which is actually a eye shadow brush) that I 
picked up from Asda for about £2. I just find its much softer and spreads the concealer much easier. ---->

The 'pointed foundation brush' I actually use to blend my concealer with (meant to be for foundation, obviously). If once using my concealer brush i still have an uneven look, i will use this to get a better blend. It works really well. (<---below)

The 'detailed brush'  I use to blob my foundation onto my face (meant to be fore concealer). I use the Mac Studio Fix Fluid and hate the way the texture changes through a pump so I scoop it out with this brush and dab it over the areas I want to cover. ------------------->


The 'contour brush' I use as my foundation brush (meant to be for blushers and highlighters). It gives a much much much much much better blend and coverage and its softer and smoother to get a really natural look. <---------

Since having ordered the starter pack of brushes I went out and bought the powder brush and the blusher brush. These two were a million times better. They were softer, lighter and far better quality on my opinion. (Below ------->)

Finally I use the 'buffing brush' to apply my TopShop blusher cream (meant to be used for all over powder coverage). It works great as its just the right size to highlight check bones.<--------




Would I recommend this to anyone? Maybe. I think for those who aren't that into make up, stick to what you know. Those who like to have a collection of brand and change your routine every week (like me) I would say yes. You may have to find what works best for you but overall they weren't too expensive and it's quite a nice little treat for your self.