Click on image to enlargeReal Techniques Core Collection Kit
Get best price at Amazon.co.ukReal Techniques Core Collection Kit
For months I've been scavenging various Walmart locations, multiple times a week, searching for the Actual Techniques Core Collection Brush Set. Ever since their appearance in Canada, Walmart has been either low on stock, or sold out. I was recently given the chance to check and review the Core Collection, and I cannot explain how happy I am to finally try them out!
Well they only recently were made available in Canada. The three collections: 'Core Group', 'Travel Essentials', and also the 'Eyes Starter Set' can be found at Walmart stores. Some individual brushes in addition to the three collections are available on the internet the Canadian distributor of Actual Techniques.
Then you definitely should be thinking, what exactly is Real Techniques? However, the image may have given away! Real Techniques is a brush line designed with expert makeup artist Samantha Chapman from Norwich, many of you may know her as pixiwoo on Youtube.
The brushes are created with taklon bristles which are ultra-plush, with soft fibers, and smoother than most synthetic brushes. They're 100% cruelty free.
The brushes are hand-cut to fit comfortably in your hand. They are really light, due to the majority of the handle being aluminum, and also the bases are flat so they like to be decorative, or can stand when you possess lots of countertop space on your own countertop, which is a plus! The smaller brushes don't stand up for me though. In this collection, just the buffing brush stands alone. Actually, all of the brushes in this collection are not very large.
I will let you know now... I'm totally in love with one of these brushes, and also the few other Real Techniques brushes that I possess! There are a decent amount of brushes in the group, and it is my goal to gather them all! .. seriously though.
Buffing Brush: "Use for cream to powder foundation, or a mineral foundation.
I find it to be somewhat compact, much like the expert face brush, also by RT. It does a good job of evening out the foundation on my face, so it looks natural, and less harsh /caked on. It does such a good job of combining out my base that I really don't have to use as much product because the bristles have quick contact with the foundation, and does not cling onto it. They work quite similarly, and that I find this brush to be a bit softer, although I do find the skilled face brush does a better job of not consuming too much foundation. This brush does work well for blush, highlighter, and bronzer should you want a program that is pigmented. I however, did not enjoy how powder, specially a loose powder was picked up by the brush, and with bronzer it definitely is not for the cheekbones, and more for all-over bronzer.
Pointed Foundation Brush: "For liquid foundation, and concealer beneath the eyes."
This brush is way too small for me to use with liquid foundation. It is truly my most unfavourable brush in the set because I really just have one use for it. I use it for under-eye concealer. My results were much better, and then a dabbing technique attempted and it gave me a lot more coverage. It is not hard and flexible but I wouldn't advocate this for all over base. Irrespective of concealing underneath the eyes, it is also great for concealing blemishes.
Detailer Brush: "Precision cut for concealer, under-eye concealer, or to define lips with lipstick."
This is the thinnest and most tiny brush ever! It is probably capable half the size of typical eyeshadow brushes. At first I thought, this can be so tiny what could I possibly use this for? It is too time consuming for concealing under the eyes, though it may not be bad for spot concealing. I found it to work corners of my eyes, and best for mending and concealing precise regions on the face, including the sides of the nose. For applying primer on my lower lashline I also really like it. Since the brush is not so large I do not have to worry about putting the primer too far below my lower lashline. For priming my lower lashline I generally use Nyx Jumbo Pencil in Milk, so the shadow goes on evenly and I could use this to blend outside it. For brightening the inner corners with eyeshadow too, it functions well, but I found a little fallout and do not love it.
Contour Brush: "With bronzer to define the cheekbone, contour the crease over the eyes, for highlighter."
I really like this brush and I almost regret buying Mac brush that is $40 for that goal! I find this one much more easy to contour with; it sets nicely underneath the cheekbone and combinations easily. I was frightened to work with this at first because of the shape, but it ended up being simpler than my Mac 109 (contour) brush because of the smaller size and skill to fit in the hollows of my cheek. Since trying this one out for defining my cheekbones I haven't used any other brush.
I did not actually say that all of the Brush Sets come with a panoramic case, which they fit into. Perhaps a little overly snug.. I chip nail polish while attempting to slide these brushes in!! It's a good accessory, and that I adore that it is rather innovative.. It's not essential for me, although significance you can fold/open the case to have it stand/lay flat. I am going to bring a lot more than what can fit in this case, if I am bringing brushes with me! EDIT: Over a year afterwards, and I see this post remains fairly popular. I'm still completely in love with these brushes and use the Buffing Brush quite often. Only wanted to update, I still feel they're worth it :)
