Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes

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I have A LOT of makeup brushes. It is kind of an addiction and I tend to have multiples of the the ones that I love because I just don’t want to be without them when they are in the wash. Much of my collection are from one brand, so I thought that I’d highlight my favourites. Here are my Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes.

There are 2 types of Real Techniques brushes – the originals and then the Bold Metals collection. There are so many brushes to choose from that it can be pretty hard to work out which ones you need. In this post I’ll tell you which ones I use on a daily basis – the ones I’d cry about if I lost!

Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes

So I thought I’d make a list here of my must-haves with a bit of detail why I love them and how I use them. Then later I’ll tell you which sets include them.

• Buffing brush – applying, blending and buffing liquid & cream foundation – available in Sam’s Picks & Core Collection
• Setting brush – targeted power application, or blending cream products in small areas (Sam’s Picks & Sculpting Set
• Base shadow brush – flawlessly applies shadow to the lid (Nic’s Picks & Starter Set)
• Sculpting brush – great for cream contouring and buffing foundation (Sculpting Set & individual)
• Multi-task brush – bronzer, blush, powder and foundation (Sam’s Picks)
• Duo-fiber face brush – perfect for applying highly pigmented products lightly (Nic’s Picks or Duo Fiber Collection)
• Fan Brush – great for precise contouring, highlighter and light powder application (Sculpting Set)
• Bold Metals 200 Oval Shadow – all over shadow application and flawlessly blending concealer (Bold Metals Essentials or individual)
• Bold Metals 103 Angled powder brush – great for bronzing and soft contouring (Bold Metals Essentials ONLY)
• Bold Metals 300 Tapered blush – perfect for highlighting and strobing (Bold Metals Essentials or individual)

Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes – Foundation friends

What I really love about all these brushes is that pretty much all of them are multi-taskers. For example, I am equally happy buffing in my foundation with the buffing brush, the sculpting brush, the multi-task brush and even the Bold Metals 300. So basically, if any of these are in the wash, there always a back up waiting in the wings. They all give a flawless finish and each one is easy to clean.

The buffing brush and the sculpting brush do a similar job, although the sculpting one is angled so good for getting in around the eyes and nose, plus you can use it for cream contour too (more on that below).

Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes – Concealer Companions

I really enjoy using brushes to blend and buff in my concealer and illuminating products for flawless coverage. The Setting brush is my absolute favourite for blending out a highlighting concealer. It lightly polishes it into the skin for a flawless glow. It is also great for setting powder powder of course – I have 2 so that I can have one wet and and dry, if you know what I mean!

The Bold Metals 200, although an eyeshadow brush, is my fave for blending full coverage concealer. It fits perfectly into nooks and crannies and airbrushes over imperfections.

Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes – Sculpting Saviours

Highlighting is my ultimate obsession and I literally don’t go anywhere near my BECCA Champagne Pop or my Anastasia Glow Kit unless I have one of my Bold Metals 300 brushes with me. I have 2 of these (so?!) and not only are they gorgeous rose gold with soft pink ombre bristles, and therefore, amazing to look at, they are just perfect for really layering up the highlight. If you want to make sure that your glow can be seen from outer space, you need 300!

The Sculpting Brush is great for applying and blended cream contours (as well as buffing in foundation – see above), and it can also be used with powder products.

The Multi-Task brush is a brilliant bronzer, blusher and powder brush and is also one I use if a want a sheer coverage of liquid foundation. If need need a brush for applying really pigmented bronzers or blushes, and want to make sure you don’t pick up too much products, the Duo-Fiber face brush is your friend.

One of my most loved face brushes is a newbie and it’s just a beauty. The Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blush Brush is a big, fluffy super soft brush, cut to an angle for softly hugging the contour of your face. Apparently it’s the biggest head they have made and I love it for that alone. It really lovely for bronzing and soft focus contouring.

And I think everyone needs a fan brush. The Real Techniques Fan brush is lovely and light and it is amazing for applying powder contour right under the cheek bones for precision sculpting that you can layer up gently. It’s also brilliant for hitting right on the top of the cheekbones for highlight and also great if you want to super light layer of powder. Another true multi-tasker!

Top Ten Real Techniques Brushes – All Round Eye

I am not great with eyeshadow, but my one true recommendation that I can make work for most jobs is the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush. It flawlessly applies creams and powders over the lid, is also small enough to fit right into the crease and slim enough to work along the lower lash line too. If I am feeling really lazy, I can do a whole eye look with this one brush! I am sure makeup artists would cringe!

Best Ways to Buy

Now the thing is, not all these brushes are available individually, but depending what you’re after, it often makes a lot of sense to get a set. For example, Real Techniques Sam’s Picks contains so many of my faves – the Buffing Brush (also available in the Core Collection), the Setting Brush and the Multi-Task Brush. It also contains the Essential Crease Brush which I love nearly as much as my Base Shadow brush. It also contains a Fine Liner and a Pointed Foundation Brush, the later of which I often use for cream contour.

My three favourite Bold Metals brushes are rather handily available in the Bold Metals Essentials set which is a total bargain at £30 HERE (was £60). If you want a taster of the best of the new luxe range, this is the one to get!

If you are after the Sculpting Brush, Setting Brush and the Fan Brush, then you need the Real Techniques Sculpting Set. It’s brilliant value. The Sculpting Brush is also available as a single HERE.

You can pick up the Duo Fiber Face Brush and Base Shadow Brush in the Real Techniques Nic’s Picks set. It has 3 other brilliant brushes in there too and they are in the limited edition silver ferrules.

And that’s it – my guide to the Top Ten Real Techniques brushes and the best way to shop them. Let me know on Twitter if you have any questions.