Review: Real Technique Brushes by Samantha Chapman

I'd like to introduce you to my favorite face brushes at the moment - Real Technique Brushes by United Kingdom Makeup Artist Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo. These brushes are made of ultra plush taklon bristles, hand cut to the perfect shape, and are labeled by name on their handles for easy use reference.

What does it mean that the bristles are made from taklon?  It means they're synthetic brushes as opposed to natural brushes.  What's the difference, you ask?  Synthetic brushes are man made, animal/cruelty free, more hygienic, and are more affordable.  They generally are better for the application of cream products (i.e. foundation, concealer, cream blush, cream shadow, etc) and for blending.  Natural brushes are made from different types of animal hair and are generally better for application of powder products as they pick up more product than their synthetic counterparts.  The down side is that they cost more.

Think the handle colors are just for aesthetics?  Not entirely.  A yellow colored handle corresponds to base applications.  A pink colored handle corresponds to the finishing application.  A purple colored handle corresponds to eye makeup application.  Nifty, huh?

It is no surprise that these brushes almost instantaneously replaced all other brushes and or sponges I had been using to apply my base and to finish my makeup.

Above from left to right: stippling brush, contour brush, buffing brush, domed shadow brush, essential foundation brush, blush brush, and powder brush.  Here's a break down of how I use each brush:

1. Stippling brush = BB creams, tinted moisturizer
2. Contour brush = contour and highlight
3. Buffing brush = medium coverage foundation application AND to buff in heavy coverage foundation
4. domed shadow brush = concealer (aside from the obvious eye shadow application)
5. essential foundation brush = stipple concealer to under eye circles
6. blush brush = blush
7. powder brush = powder

Visit the website for more tips and information on these brushes.  MUA Samantha Chapman also has some great video tutorials worth checking out.  Aside from the Real Techniques website, you can also purchase these brushes online at Ulta and Amazon.  (At Ulta, if you're lucky, they'll have their buy 1 and get the 2nd 50% off sale.)  Sephora currently does not carry this line.

Verdict: Tres bon!