A few years ago, aside from the odd eyeshadow brush I didn't really have any makeup brushes at all. I would just use my fingers to apply my foundation and concealer. This was at a time when I didn't really understand what powder would be used for and had no interest in blush. Fast forward a few years and blush is one of my favourite makeup products! Its funny how much you can change in such a short space of time! Now, I have a nice little collection I thought I'd share with you my brushes in case you were looking at expanding your collection. Also, apologies that the brushes aren't clean in the pictures! I'm currently on my way to Southampton to stay with one of my best friends and I wanted to have this post scheduled before I left.
From looking at the pictures it may be apparent that I have a slight passion for Real Techniques. I'm not ashamed though because they really are amazing brushes! Brilliant quality for a great price too!
1. Real Techniques Powder Brush (£12.99)
This brush is amazing for bronzer, setting powder and even blush if you really wanted to! It's a really great size, and like all the Real Techniques brushes the synthetic bristles are so soft and fluffy.
2. Louise Gray for Topshop Limited Edition Powder Brush
The Louise Gray brushes all came in a Limited Edition set, which I won't lie I bought mainly for the pretty mint green handles! They have come in so useful though, and are super soft on the skin. I use this brush mainly for bronzer or setting powder.
The Buffing Brush is literally my favourite brush ever to put on foundation with. I wouldn't use anything else now! It literally buffs the foundation into the skin giving a really flawless base.
4. Louise Gray for Topshop Limited Edition Blush Brush
This brush is really similar to the Louise Gray Powder Brush aside from being slightly smaller and having a more tapered shape. It works well with powder highlighter as you can be more defined in where you place the powder.
This is a really great short tapered brush, that can be used for highlighting specific areas. I personally use it to blend in my under-eye concealer - not exactly its intended use but it works for me!
6. Louise Gray for Topshop Limited Edition Pointed Foundation Brush
I actually don't like flat foundation brushes at all, but as this came within the Louise Gray set I thought I'd give it a try. Needless to say my opinion didn't change after using it, and although its a perfectly well made brush it just doesn't work for me at all.
7. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (£9.99)
This brush is loved by many many people, me included. Once again however I don't use it for its intended purpose! Although its firm and broad shape has been designed for cream or liquid foundation, I like to use it for cream blushes. The firm bristles pick up the cream product really well, and buff it really well into the skin giving a really natural finish.
8. Real Techniques Stippling Brush (£11.99)
The Stippling Brush's effect provides a flawless base when using foundation. I also love using it for powder blush as it gives a really natural flush to your cheeks. The bristles are unbelievably soft too!
Like the Louise Gray flat foundation brush , this also came in a set and is a brush that I just don't get on with. Its quite a bit smaller than the Louise Gray brush, so would probably be better for more detailed and precise work.
This is a really great tapered shadow brush that is really great for using across the lid. Its soft and fluffy making it really easy to blend with too.
11. MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush (£20.00)
This is quite a dense brush, with a rounded tapered top. Its super soft and is a real multi-tasker! You can use it to apply the base shade, blend shades or take shadows through the crease. It may be a little pricier but for the quality it's definitely worth it.
This is the biggest eye brush in my collection, and a favourite because of it. It blends really well and covers the whole lid nicely. Obviously, going with the name it also blends really well through the crease too.
13. MAC 217 Blending Brush (£18.00)
The 217 is my go-to blending brush without a doubt. I love how soft and fluffy the brush is, even though it is a densely packed. The tapered oval shape fits really nicely across the lid too. Again, a pricier option but worth it in my eyes.
Obviously although this is a brow brush, I actually bought this with eyeliner in mind. I'd seen a similar Illamasqua angled brush that was perfect paired with their Eyeliner Cake which I'd bought in the New Years Sale. So I thought I'd try out the Real Techniques version first before I splashed out on the Illamasqua brush. As the bristles are so tightly packed it creates a really great line and as you can use it with such precision it's great for brows too.
15. Louise Gray for Topshop Limited Edition Eyeshadow Brush
This is almost a shorter version of the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush, making it perfect for applying a wash of colour onto the lid. As its quite a dense brush it also works well going through the crease.
This is definitely a brush that I don't get much use out of. Its very thin, tightly packed and flexible making it really easy to create a thin line. I prefer to use eyeliner pens rather than using a brush to apply though.
17. Louise Gray for Topshop Limited Edition Liner Brush
I actually really love this brush, and use it often when I'm using an eyeshadow as an eyeliner. It creates a really thin sharp line that is easy to apply.
This is a tiny brush, that is great for detailed eyeshadow work or for highlighting the inner corner of your eyes. The bristles are very tightly packed, but it's still soft and fluffy on the skin.
This is really similar to the Accent Brush in that it can be used for detailed eyeshadow work or for highlighting the inner corner of your eyes. It is slightly larger than the Accent Brush however, making it easier for me to use for highlighting.
So there we have it, all the brushes in my collection! I hope this proved interesting for you. Are there any brushes you think I need to add?? :)
Aimée
Xxxxx
