Friday 11 July 2014

Favourite Face Brushes

best makeup brushes elf real techniques ecotools
I believe the base to your makeup is the most important. How flawless and seamless your foundation is can make or break your whole look. That's why it is so important to have good quality makeup brushes who will become your best friends. Sure, fingers and a sponge may be the preferable method for certain foundations but when in doubt, I always go back to my brushes. My makeup routine has been totally revolutionized by the introduction of some good brushes and are still to this day permanent in my routine, with a few new favorites.
I will only be talking about face brushes as they are what I use on an everyday basis, where I usually have no need for eye brushes.


In order of application, the Real Techniques Buffing Brush is my first call and is definitely my favourite brush out of the bunch. I honestly do not know how I was coping before I finally ordered the Real Techniques Starter Set just for this particular brush. It makes blending and buffing foundation a dream due to its density and rounded shape that makes it easy to get even into the crevices of the face like the sides of the nose and around the chin. It has not shed once and I can't say enough good things about my beloved buffing brush.

best makeup brushes elf real techniques ecotools
If I ever want to concentrate my foundation around a certain area (usually the chin which is my problem area), I have been reaching for the BornPrettyStore Flat Foundation Brush* available here. Its sheer density and compact size makes it great in patting the foundation in layers to cover any spots. Because it's smaller and so dense, I have found that it is not as good as buffing and blending as the Buffing Brush, which is why I reserve it for a different purpose.

As someone with acne-prone skin, sometimes foundation just doesn't do the job in covering up those pesky pimples, which is why I like to go in with the Real Techniques Detailer Brush. I know some find it an unnecessary brush in the Starter Set but it does a great job at precisely applying concealer to a small area. I then use it to blend out the sides around the pimple and it instantly becomes less noticeable.

Moving onto powder, I just can't get enough of the Elf Powder Brush. Its flat, dense surface makes it easy to pick up and place powder all over the face. The only danger is that sometimes it can pick up a bit too much powder but nothing a little tap of the brush can't solve. It's affordable price point is another huge plus.

If my under-eyes decided to adopt the panda look one day and some concealing is needed, I prefer to use a smaller brush such as the Real Techniques Contour Brush to set it with some loose powder. I only ever contour once in a blue moon so it is nice to get an alternative use out of the Contour Brush and it is the perfect size to fit under my eyes.

Finally, for cheeks, the Ecotools Blush Brush is an old favourite. It was one of my first ever makeup brushes and is still much loved. It is a thin, yet wide brush so it is a breeze to apply colour to my cheeks just by placing it flat on my (non-existent) cheekbones and blending upwards.

best makeup brushes
RT Detailer Brush || Ecotools Blush Brush || RT Contour Brush || BornPrettyStore Foundation Brush || RT Buffing Brush || ELF Powder Brush
In terms of cleaning and drying, I don't find a problem with any of these brushes. At most, it takes the Buffing Brush and the Elf Powder Brush 24 hours to dry. I clean my brushes every 3 weeks, which could be improved, but I actually enjoy washing my brushes. It feels like I'm giving my children a well-deserved bath (please don't judge). And as you can tell, Real Techniques is one of my top brands for makeup brushes.

What are your favorite brushes?

*Provided for consideration. All my opinions are 100% honest.

23 comments:

  1. Lovely picks! I would love to own that flat top from the bornprettystore! I totally need another flat top like that! I like using my complexion perfection from RT, my very loved stippling brush from them has fallen apart after 2 years! I would include my small rounded blush brushes, my favorite shape for blush!

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    1. Oh I am in need of a stipling brush, I've been eyeing the RT one!

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  2. Hahaha 'giving my children a well deserved bath' - I know exactly how you feel! Real techniques are one of my favourites too. I desperately want that buffing brush but it's so inconvenient having to buy the whole set for it. I think I'm going to have to just take the plunge (especially after reading your review!) xx

    Angela | The Sunday Chapter

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    1. Yeah I wish they sold it separately but it's still so worth it even if you have to buy the whole lot! x

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  3. Ahaha I loled at the cleaning my children bit, I feel ya ;) Great picks though! Absolutely love the RT Core collection, of course. The pointed foundation brush is a bit useless though!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. Yeah I know right? I tried using it for foundation and it was so streaky and too small to blend foundation properly.

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  4. I absolutely adore the RT brushes as well! If you are ever looking for more I think you might enjoy the Ecotools buffing brush (although its very similar in shape to your ELF powder brush)!

    ♥ M&L twoplicates

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    1. Oh I've seen that one and it looks really good!

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  5. Hahaha, a "well deserved bath (don't judge)" - tears.

    Jacquelyn xx | heytherejacquelyn

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  6. I love applying my powders with the ELF Complexion Brush - it is huge and incredibly soft and cheap! I also use it to apply blush and bronzer. It's amazing.

    And the RT Expert Face Brush has replaced all my foundation brushes.

    Great brushes!

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    1. Oh that brush sounds lovely! The Expert Face Brush looks similar to the Buffing Brush but slightly different shape right? RT is awesome!

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    2. Yup! The buffing brush is a little rounder and the hairs flare out more but they do look similar :)

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  7. Ooh the BPS Foundation Brush looks interesting... looks like something I'd use. I love the RT face brushes that you mentioned here, especially the Detailer Brush. I don't find it unnecessary at all and it makes applying concealer much easier! Great post Sheri :)

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  8. They look and sound amazing! I've been ''on the hunt' for a good new pair of face brushes and did post definitely helped me out a bit!

    My Makeup Mémoire

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  9. Those brushes sound so good! Are RealTechnique brushes only sold online?

    Evi // Beneath The Glitter // http://evithefashionista.blogspot.ca/

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    1. In US stores or iherb.com. Iherb sells them for a very reasonable price and there are discount codes everywhere.
      In Australia, they're also sold at the drugstore Priceline!

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  10. really want to have those RT brushes heard a lot of great things about them !

    http://amourpixie.blogspot.com/

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  11. I have a couple of these brushes as well! I love the Elf brush...so good for such a good price. I really want to get the Real Techniques Contour Brush too. It's on my to-buy list!
    Meghan
    Today's Beauty Obsession

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Thanks so much for reading! Your comments make my day.