Sunday, June 16, 2013

Real Techniques Core Collection and Stippling Brush & my thoughts on iHerb

Everyone knows about Real Techniques brushes. I don't think I have ever seen one negative review about any of them. Naturally I had to get my hands on them, but I wasn't willing to pay full price for them in Priceline as they cost $67.98. So, I went to iHerb and picked up the same ones for $21.38 (there was a sale on the brushes at the time and I had a discount code too). Pretty good deal in my opinion.

I wasn't really sure what I wanted to get as there seemed to be so many to choose from, but in the end I decided to get the Core Collection set as it seemed like a versatile little set of brushes that could be used to create an entire face look. I also picked up the stippling brush because I was getting fed up with applying cream blushes with my fingers and thought it might be handy to try out a stippling brush.

I selected the cheapest postage, the Global Priority Mail by DHL for a flat rate of $4. The average delivery time was listed as 13 days but it took 15 to get to me. Though I did run out of patience towards the end there, I am really impressed that I was able to get postage so cheap without any difficulties with lost or damaged parcels.

When they first arrived they were even better than I had expected. I was impressed with their sturdy handles, soft bristles and densely packed hairs, however the stippling brush didn't seem to be too great as it seemed to contain very few bristles and I feared it would be too flimsy to be of any use. All the brushes were synthetic and were lighter in colour on the top.

I didn't really take much notice of their intended purposes, rather allocating them according to my needs and what I wanted to get out of each of the brushes.

Buffing Brush - 9/10
"Ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation"
I use this to apply any liquid bases that have a medium to high coverage. I find that this method, in comparison to using my fingers, uses up considerably more product but the finish is absolutely flawless and almost leaves my skin looking airbrushed. Funnily enough, I don't love this look for everyday as it can be a little too fake, but when I'm having a particularly bad skin day or I am going somewhere special I use this brush.

Detailer Brush - 2/10
"Precision cut to effortlessly concealer problem areas; or use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition"
I'm not into this brush. It just seems like a bit of a waste of space to me as it is almost too tiny to do anything with. I do use a brush for concealer but it is a lot bigger and flatter than this one and to be honest seems to work a lot better too. Until I find a use for this it is just going to sit around collecting dust.

Pointed Foundation Brush - 3/10
"Use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage"
I feel like the only blogger to have ever criticised the Real Techniques brushes, but the shape and design of what is supposed to be a foundation brush is just ridiculous. It is way, way too small to be used for foundation (it would take years to apply a full face of it with this tool!) and it is too pointed for my liking. I was considering using it for concealer under my eyes but the bristles are so scratchy that it just didn't work out. Not impressed with this one...

Contour Brush - 9/10
"Delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish"
I use this to apply both bronzer and highlighter, though it is best suited to highlighter as it is quite small and compact. I love this rounded little brush - it is dense, soft and a perfect shape to fit in the hollows of your cheeks or on the tops of your cheekbones. It's wonderful! The only improvement I could make is the slightest bit bigger.

Stippling Brush - 9/10
"Is the trade secret for creating airbrushed, high definition results with all types of makeup"
I haven't used this brush for anything other than cream blush yet, but I LOVE it. Though my initial concerns of it not being dense enough and too flimsy are true to an extent, it works magically to disperse the colour evenly across my cheeks giving me the most natural, even looking flush of colour. All my forgotten cream blushes have been rediscovered!

I am so pleased that I picked these brushes up. I haven't had them for long and therefore can make no judgement on their lasting power, whether they shed or how they respond to being washed but they are such good quality (except for the pointed foundation brush!). Even though two out of five I was not happy with, the three that I do love I love so much and it was absolutely worth every cent!

If you were like me and are not too keen on the prices for these brushes, jump on to iHerb and pick up a couple because they are so worth it. You can use the discount code JTJ998 for up to $10 off too!

Do you own any Real Techniques brushes? Do you have any other ways I could use them?



28 comments:

  1. I really want to get the stippling brush.
    I HATE the pointed foundation brush, it applies foundation in the most streaky way. And is too small and weirdly shaped to be of use.
    I like using the detailer brush for really precise concealing.

    iHerb is fantastic, and I think it must get a lot of business from Australian customers because of the ridiculous prices here -.-

    ReplyDelete
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    1. The stippling brush is so worth it!
      I don't even know why they bothered with the pointed foundation brush, it is just so useless! Thanks for the tip about the detailer brush!
      I am so impressed with iHerb and their incredible prices. I agree about their Aussie customers - basically everyone I know who has RT brushes has picked them up from iHerb.
      x

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  2. I wasn't impressed with the detailer brush either. I use the pointed foundation brush to blend congealer under my eyes. Fortunately for me, I don't find the bristles irritate my skin. I find the stippling brush is also really good for foundation. I really want another one of those!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oooh, I hadn't really thought much about using the stippling brush for foundation, though I think it would be really good. Lucky that you can use the foundation brush for something!
      x

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  3. The bristles are really soft and it gives a neat finish :) nicee review :)

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  4. I have this set at home! (not the buffing brush) but i haven't gotten around to using it yet!
    I highly recommend checking out their blush brush! (if you're thinking of adding more RT brushes to your collection!)
    :)

    great post btw!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the recommendation, I am absolutely sure that I will end up with more RT brushes at some stage!
      x

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  5. I absolutely love core collection. Here are my tips which may come handy :)
    1: I use the small detailer brush to add highlight shades under the brows and in the tear duct area.
    2: The too small pointed foundation brush works wonderfully again to add highlight ( I use it with benefits high beam and wattsup also powder highlighters) to the tops of my cheek bones, the pointed tip helps in highlighting the bridge of my nose, chin and above my lips ( cupids bow)
    3: here's my favorite tip: if like me u find the contouring brush a bit on the smaller size, maximise it by using it sideways to add bronzer to ur jawline. I find it works and blends beautifully when used this way. Hope this helps :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so so much! I am going to try out all of your suggestions! Thanks!
      xx

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  6. Would you say you think getting the Core Collection set is still worth it? I've been thinking of getting it for a while, but I don't know if I'm not going to bother with half the brushes!

    http://talisbury.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a tricky one to say because on one hand, like you said, 2 out of the 4 brushes are absolutely hopeless but on the other hand the remaining two are just brilliant. I don't know if you can buy the Buffing brush on its own but if you can, what I would do is purchase the buffing brush and Stippling brush because they are absolute stand outs and I could live without all the others if I needed to.
      Maybe if you can get them really cheaply off of iHerb like I was able to then I would but if not, perhaps wait and think about it a little more.
      x

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  7. Omg I completely agree with you. The buffing, stippling and contour brushes are my favourites too when I bought those 2 packages! ;D I still dont understand the detailer brush at all and I've tried it for everything, even cream eyeshadow. Also, why would you need a pointed foundation brush when the buffing brush is just amazing?! LOL.
    Loved the post :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That silly little detailer brush! It is just so darn tiny! I agree, the buffing brush basically eliminates the need for anything else! Haha :)
      xx

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  8. Thanks for this post!! Heard so much about these!
    Penny Rose
    http://pinkandpetals.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love these brushes, I really want to get the flat top foundation brush (I don't know if that's the EXACT name) but it has RAVE reviews!

    Hugkissmakeup.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know if I have heard of that one, but if it is anything like the others then I am sure I shall end up purchasing it one day! :)
      x

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  10. I use the detailed brush for eyes haha! I use the pointed foundation brush for liquid illuminator, because you're right, it's too small!
    I ended up picking a slightly better shipping option but it took WAY longer than it said it would.. but when I received it, it had been ripped open and sealed back up (badly, I might add) by Aussie customs... and there was a pamphlet inside about why they've chosen my parcel to open... sadly it was because iHerb listed the contents as "pills/tablets" even though I didn't actually buy any hahaha! I got another parcel from them recently that came a lot quicker, and they didn't listen tablets/pills so maybe they got complaints haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, that's so frustrating! Thanks for the advice on what to use the brushes for, I shall try it out.
      x

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  11. Oh man I love the brushes!!! I think that they are great. I have purchased at least 2 of the sets and a few of the single brushes. I love when Ulta has them on sale.

    Emily
    eageremily.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are so so so good! I think every beauty blogger likes these!
      x

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  12. Great review, I have the Core Collection kit & love it... I use the buffing brush for my foundation, the contour brush I started using for cream blush which I thought it was really good for, and I was using the pointed foundation brush underneath my eyes for liquid products which I didn't think it was too bad for. I use the precision brush every now & then to define my eyebrows if needed or to correct my lip line if I make a bit of a mess with my lipstick :P
    I also want the stippling brush & the expert face brush. xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Why thank you :) Hmmmm I hadn't though of using the contour brush for cream blush! I think I might try using the precision brush for eyebrows - that is a wonderful idea :)
      xx

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  13. I love most of the RT brushes. Really nice review, very helpful! Have a nice day. xx

    beautyandwater.blogspot.com

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  14. Thank you! The RT brushes are so good :)

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  15. The Wake me up foundation is awesome- try it with the buffing brush and you get such a flawless finish, it is my favourite makeup brush to use! Aww what a shame you didn't like the detailer brush- you could try using it as a lip brush which is what I do! I find it too small for concealer use too :( The pointed foundation brush was also a disappointment to me but it seems to be the general consensus!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is an absolutely brilliant foundation, I am so impressed with it! I am so annoyed with the pointed foundation brush...what a waste of time it is!
      x

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