Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes Review

REAL TECHNIQUES CORE COLLECTION BRUSHES

If you haven't heard of the Real Techniques brushes you've been living under a rock. Created by the very talented Samantha Chapman from Pixiwoo on youtube, her collection of makeup brushes have become a hot commodity within the beauty community. At an affordable price accompanied with great quality, why wouldn't these brushes be so popular?!

Contour brush, pointed foundation brush, detailer brush, buffing brush

The Core Collection was my very first Real Techniques purchase. It comes with (4) essential brushes and (1) carrying case:

• Detailer Brush: precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition. I use the detailer brush when I need to apply concealer on smaller sections of my face; to clean up my eyebrow makeup and to keep my bold lip colors from bleeding out.

Detailer Brush



• Pointed Foundation Brush: use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage. I don't reach for this brush as much as the other but when I tend to mix my foundations with it or use it to apply cream highlights on the top apple of my cheeks. It can also be used to apply a highlight to the bridge of your nose and your cupids bow.

Pointed Foundation Brush



• Buffing Brush: ideal for full coverage application of powder or mineral foundation. This is an amazing brush for buffing in your foundation. I only use liquid foundations so this is what I apply them with when I'm not using my beauty blender or Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush.

Buffing Brush



• Contour Brush: delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish. This brush is my go-to brush for contouring the hallows of my cheeks. I then go over it with a slanted contour brush and bronzer and continue with bronzing the rest of my face like the temples of my forehead, jawline and neck. 

Contour Brush



• Panaromic Brush Case: 2-in-2 case + stand This stand/case was pretty much useless to me. It got tossed away in a makeup draw the second I removed the brushes from it. It's only worth using as a carrying case when traveling but even then I don't use it. It is way too small for all the brushes I carry. And yes, the brushes do look pretty in it when being used as a stand but it is impractical and inconvenient to me. The brushes get stuck within the bands and when applying makeup, I like to be able to switch back and forth with my brushes without the hassle.

Compared to other makeup brushes these are super lightweight and easy to deep wash since they have these sleek aluminum handles, meaning no worrying about getting water in the ferrule of your brushes here. Best yet, they are very easy to wash as far as getting product out of the hairs. If there is one thing I can't stand is trying to get my Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush 100% clean. It takes me many so long to get that brush clean and getting the foundation out of the Real Techniques Buffing Brush is a breeze compared to the Sigma brush. Each brush has its name imprinted on the side of the handle. To ensure that it doesn't get rubbed off through wear-and-tear I applied a bit of clear nail polish over the names of them.

Soft dense synthetic bristles

All of the brushes made by Real Techniques have very soft, dense synthetic taklon bristles that have been hand-cut and are 100% cruelty-free. If you are vegan or just choose to not use animal hair products then these brushes are perfect for you. When choosing makeup brushes regardless of the brand I opt for synthetic bristles above all else. Choosing synthetic bristles over other options, like animal hair, comes with its benefits. But, if you prefer to choose otherwise that is fine, it all depends on what the person is looking for in a makeup brush. For me the following benefits aid in my choice..

• synthetic brushes are easier to maintain clean since they don't absorb pigments as much as other brushes-meaning less cleaning time.
• synthetic brushes create a more airbrushed look on the skin-offering a more natural makeup look.
• synthetic brushes are less prone to being damaged by makeup products you use or brush cleansers.
• if you have allergies to certain animal hairs, synthetic brushes are your best friend. I have sensitive skin and am known to having allergies to certain animal hair so al around I just try to stay away from brushes made of animal hairs.

Description of brushes located on back of the box

Beauty lovers will be happy to know that Real Techniques brushes are very affordable. Makeup brushes can get very expensive especially when looking for good quality brushes. At $18 for the set, that's $4.50 a brush. I got my set about a year ago from Ulta and used their usual $3.50/$10 coupon making the set under $15. I've been very happy wit my Real Techniques brushes and have yet to experience any shedding from any of them. Go get yours today!

Price: $18

Availability: RealTechniques / Ulta / Walmart

HAVE YOU TRIED REAL TECHNIQUES BRUSHES? WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Philosophy Amazing Grace Spray Fragrance

philosophy: how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light.

Ever try to explain to someone what the scent of a crisp clean woman smells like? Well, Philosophy's Amazing Grace Spray Fragrance is just that. Amazing Grace is a fragrance I've always had on my want list  but I never picked it up until a few months back when I used my reward certificate from Ulta. I got it for $4 (woot woot)

I love the clean simplistic design of the bottle, it pairs well with the scent of the fragrance.  If you love light floral feminine scents then Amazing Grace is the scent for you. It is a scent that I like to wear on an everyday basis since it's not overpowering. The only downfall is that it doesn't linger throughout the day and that's something that I look for in any fragrance whether it be a strong, sweet or light smell. 

Just because of the lasting power and the price I don't think I would repurchase it. I would probably stick to stocking up on one of my favorite light scents, Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Availability:Nordstrom
Pricing: $44 60ml/2 fl.oz.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE PHILOSOPHY FRAGRANCE?

L’Oréal Colour Riche 'Royalty Reinvented' Polish

LOREAL COULOR RICHE 'ROYALTY REINVENTED'

COMPANY'S DESCRIPTION:
"Your dream color is now at your fingertips with Colour Riche^® Nail Color, a unique formula that delivers intense color, luxurious shine and 10-day wear*. Available in a delicious spectrum of must-have shades, the collection is divided into 4 unique color stories curated by L’Oréal’s exclusive Color Designer Orrea Light. There’s a perfect hue to match your personality, style and mood. Rich, trendy colors exclusively curated by our international Color Designer. Patented brush for ultimate control and precise application Find your shade(s) in one of 4 color collections. *When used with Colour Riche^® One Stop Base base coat and Top of the Line top coat."

L’Oréal has released the 'Le Nouveau Riche TRENDsetter' spring 2013 collection containing (6) gorgeous creme polishes perfect for the spring time along with (3) metallic shades. I picked up this polish while wandering around CVS. The display for the collection was almost wiped clean with the exception of 'royalty invented' and 'new money.' I already own a polish by wet n' wild similar to 'new money' so I opted for the purple. If I find the other colors in stock I plan on picking up 'not a cloud in the sky.'

Royalty Reinvented is a gorgeous true lavender creme polish. It doesn't contain any shimmer, metallic or glitter. With one coat of the polish my nails still looked a bit sheer. (See pic below) With two coats the color was completely opaque. You may be able to get away with doing one coat but the brush would have to be loaded with a good amount of polish. That's not something I like to do personally, I rather apply separate coats to build up the opacity to ensure that I get an even application.

One coat application

For today's manicure I used OPI Nail Envy Original Strengthener as a base coat, added 2 coats of L’Oréal Royalty Reinvented and topped if all off with Seche Vite Top Coat.

Two coat application

As per the company's description, the color intensity is spot on! As for the lasting power, I'm still testing that. Although I didn't use L’Oréal base coat and top coat, I'm going to put the polish to the challenge. For an update on how long it lasted, follow me on facebook, twitter and instagram. 

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The brush is a perfect size for my nails. I didn't have to do any touch ups with acetone around my nail beds. The one problem I did notice with the brush is that it can cause brush drag on the nails; meaning it can leave the look of brush strokes. The only solution to that is to try to apply a bit more polish onto the brush before applying on your nails and adding a top coat with a thick consistency like Seche Vite top coat. For some reason I love the packaging of these polish bottles. They are simple but sleek and the gold caps make them unique.

Overall, I'm in love with this color and the formula in general. I don't know if all the colors have the same opacity but I think the creme finishes are alike. I bought two other colors from the Colour Riche line recently so make sure to keep an eye out for reviews on them ;)

Until next time my beautiful people!

Pricing & Availability: ranges from $5-$7 depending on drugstore

HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF THE LOREAL COLOUR RICHE POLISHES? WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?

Sephora 12HR Wear Waterproof Jumbo Liner Set - Review, Photos & Swatches

SEPHORA COLLECTION WATERPROOF JUMBO LINER SET

Company's Description:

"These jumbo pencils create a range of effects, from bold lines and blended effects to thin, defined lines. Resistant to water, heat, and humidity, their creamy, high-pigment formulas apply smoothly. From deep blacks to rich and shimmery shades, each is formulated with exclusive waxes and pigments to assure maximum color intensity that stays put for 12-hours."

CLICK PICS FOR LARGER VIEW!

After watching one of my favorite YT beauty gurus, GlamLifeGuru mention this set one day I just knew I had to get my hands on it. I love purchasing value sets when they are released, getting more bang for my buck is always the best in my book!

The Sephora Collection Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Waterproof Set ($30) contains 5 pencils. Two of which are glitter pencils: Purple Glitter & White Glitter, two shimmery pencils: Kaki & Taupe and a matte color: Black. The glittery colors take a bit of work to apply evenly because of the glitter particles. White glitter in particular applies patchy, as seen on the swatch. I prefer to use it in the inner corner of the eye to give it a frosty highlight. The shimmery and matte colors go on very opaque with a smooth creamy application. Use them on the waterline for a lasting, non-smudging liner or pack some product on a eyeliner brush for a winged liner look.

Left to Right: white glitter, kaki, black, taupe, purple glitter

Sephora 12HR Wear Waterproof Jumbo Liners are available in 28 colors: 01 white, 03 grey, 04 taupe, 05 beige, 07 brown, 08 gold, 09 kaki, 10 green, 11 turquoise, 13 marine, 14 violet, 15 purple, 16 glitter, 17 black, 18 silver glitter, 19 gray glitter, 20 beige glitter, 21 pink glitter, 22 dark taupe shimmer, 23 brown glitter, 24 dark brown matte, 25 green shimmer, 26 peacock blue shimmer, 27 electric blue matte, 28 mauve shimmer, 29 purple glitter, 30 purple matte and 31 lilac shimmer.

You can get individual colors at Sephora for $14 each.

The Sephora jumbo liners (0.10oz) are very reminiscent of the NYX jumbo eye pencils (0.18oz) as far as packaging goes; with the exception of quality in materials. I prefer the caps on the Sephora liners over the NYX ones because all the clear caps have cracked on all my NYX pencils. As far as the quality in formulas, the Sephora liners win without a doubt. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the NYX pencils but I use them more as a base color for some of my eyeshadows. They don't tend to work too well as a shadow because they will crease quickly. These pencils have to be sharpened just like the NYX jumbo eye pencils so you will need a sharpener that is big enough to fit them.

SWATCHES

Left to right: purple glitter, taupe, black, kaki, white glitter (No flash) 

Left to right: purple glitter, taupe, black, kaki, white glitter (Flash)

The Sephora liners work very well not just as liners and bases, but as eyeshadows also. They don't tug or pull of your lid and can be blended out within a few seconds after being applied. The liners are very pigmented, enough so that they can be used as saturated shadows. They are especially great for a quick eye look without having to spend too much time creating a look. 

I applied the Sephora pencil in Taupe over Urban Decay's Primer Potion and experienced no creasing or fading over a period of 10 hours. The claims of being waterproof also stand correct. I applied a great amount of water onto the dried swatches, rubbed them over a few times and dried with a paper towel; proving in fact that they are indeed waterproof. The black liner is great for rimming the waterline. I always have issues with black liners smudging or fading on me because my eyes get irritated due to wearing contacts and eye makeup at the same time. With the black liner I don't have to worry about any of that.

Water applied and rubbed on swatches

Dried and rubbed over again swatches

I'd like to collect a few more colors but am hoping that another value set is released. They may be a bit pricey for some but compared to the Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows at $20 and with a small color selection. I really want to get my hands on marine. I think it would look very pretty on the bottom lashline.

Pricing & Availability: $30 (set), $14 individual pencils available at Sephora