Review: Real Techniques Brushes

This review is long overdue!  I have had these brushes for a very long time, but I just never got around to making this review.  Let's just say that I've really used these brushes and this is a really honest opinion!  Please click on these pictures for a larger  view.

Starter Set:  This set was somewhat disappointing for me.  But, one of my favorites from this set was the deluxe crease brush.  I actually think it's a bit big for my eyes, so I have been using this brush to buff in my under eye concealer. 

Core Collection:  I love the buffing brush as well as the contour brush!  These brushes have been very useful for both blush, bronzer and even setting powder. 

I really did not like the kabuki brush.  Let's be honest, I'm a hoarder.  I have many kabuki brushes and this one is just mediocre compared to my favorites.  Some of my favorite kabuki brushes include:  MAC, Sigma, Eco tools, and Everyday Minerals.

As you can see from the photos.  I apologize for the dark background.  These are old photos and I have since them developed a couple of more tricks to taking the perfect photo.  The fibers of this kabuki are "crinkled" and not straight.  I'm not sure if this was just the kabuki that I received, but I have not seen other of the real techniques brushes look like this.  The texture of these fibers make the brush stiff and uncomfortable as compared to the other brushes in her collection. 

Honestly, there are a couple of stand outs in this collection, but I don't love all of the brushes.

Quality

The actual quality of the brushes is great. The fibers are very soft and the handles are lightweight yet very sturdy.

Appearance

They are really unique brushes. I really like the way that she color coded the brushes according to their purpose.

Price

The price point is great. Not only can you find them on the website, but Ulta.com also carries this brushes both online and in store. They are affordable and are amazing quality for the price. 



Sigma: Sneak Peak!

According to Sigma:  

"The kit features 8 brand new brushes (listed left to right):

E11 Eye Liner
E16 Tightline Liner
E17 Waterline Liner
E21 Smudge Brush
E36 Blending
E46 Shader - Inner Corner
E56 Shader - Lid
E47 Shader - Crease

The brushes are perfect for detailed and defined makeup application. Essential for creating elaborate looks, the Performance Eyes Kit is a must for advanced makeup artistry!"

I'm kind of excited to try these!!!  

MAC + Naturally Collection

 Hey Everyone!  Got my hands on the MAC Naturally Collection...Yaaay!  I had been looking forward to the release of this collection, mainly for the mineralized blushes!  I am a blush fiend.  I can't help it.  Blushes are a major weakness of mine :)
So what do I think about the few items I purchased from this collection...
First, lets talk about the blushes.  I was impressed by the new formulation of the MAC mineralized blushes.  All 3 of the blushes were finely milled and smooth to the touch.  To add, they all had wonderful color payoff with just one swipe.  I absolutely love the blush in Subtle Breeze,  I am roughly a NC40 (MAC foundation) and this color looks extremely natural and lovely on my skin tone.  It is more of a blue based pink, but it translates as a  natural flush on the skin.  As for Early Morning, I personally felt as though it was a little too dark and coral/orange for my skin.  I can still use it, but I have to make sure not to use a heavy hand.  Otherwise, it can easily go from looking nice to making me look like a clown.  I will be keeping it, but it is not one of my favorites.  I opted out of getting the third blush in Fresh Honey.  I have too many apricot colors that mimic this blush that are already a part of my collection.  And I felt it wasn't something that stood out to me as original.
I also picked up one of the lipsticks in A Perfect Day.  This is a beige pink nude lipcolor, that has a amplified creme finish.  Y'all know how I feel about MAC's amplified creme lipsticks!  I love and can't get enough of them.  I really like the fact that with amplified creme's, what you see is what you get!  The color itself is a tad bit lighter than I normally like, but when paired with a complementing gloss it looks great.
All these goodies can be found at maccosmetics.com
Like always the swatches are below and you can click on the pic to enlarge.

What did y'all pick up from this collection and did the products live up to your expectations?

Have a Great Day!

Kreative Blogger Award!

This is so awesome!  I am so honored to receive this award.  Thank you Mayra from Blushing Beauty blog.  Please check out her blog, it's soooo cute!  It's hard to keep up this blog but I'm glad that people are noticing that I'm trying to make an extra effort.  Thanks again, Mayra! 

As much as I am aware, the steps I have to take now are:

1. Link back to the person that gave you this award

2. Answer the questions below

3. Award 10 other bloggers and let them know you nominated them

4. Share 7 random facts about yourself

Questions:

1. Name your favorite song.
This is constantly changing but right now I'm digging Adele's Turning Tables.   

2. Name your favorite dessert.

Ummm, anything!  Well, I guess red velvet cake.  Yuuum!

3. What ticks me off.

Not being able to count on people.  I hate people being flaky!

4. When I am upset I...

Either shop or eat.  It's such an unhealthy habit!

5. Favorite pets

DOGS! 

6. Black or white

Black!  It makes me look thinner, hehehe.

7. Biggest fear

Losing my loved ones in an accident.  I've always had a fear that my family would be taken away from me :(

8. Everyday attitude

Positivity with a sprinkle of hesitation :)

9. What is perfection?

Being completely happy with myself :)

10. Guilty pleasure.

Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia!  To die for!!!

7 Facts:

1.  I used to bite my nails for over 20 years!

2.  I'm addicted to makeup.  So much so, that I have a room dedicated to it :)

3.  I have two dogs and one cat. 

4.  I recently relocated to a different city for my career.  It was a huge change, but it brought me closer to my family.

5.  I've been married a little over two years.  <3

6.  I'm the youngest of three, and I'm the only girl.

7.  My dream would be to go to Makeup Designory (MUD) school in either L.A. or New York.  But, I have a solid career so I don't see that happening anytime soon!

NOMINATIONS!

 THE SUNDAY GIRL
BLUSH ME BEAUTY
POLISH GALORE
MISSBRITTANYBOO
TRAILERHOOD CHIC
ALL MADE UP
SPRINKLE OF GLITTER
AN AURA, CHIC, BEAUTY
BEAUTY SHADES
THE BRISTOL BEAUTY BLOG

Check out these awesome blogs!