Holiday Gift Guide #1: Real Techniques Brush Sets Review

Move over diamonds because tools are a girl's best friend! I'm talking about beauty tools here, specifically beauty brushes! My personal brush collection started with ELF eyeshadow brushes when I started this blog and eventually grew with other brushes from various companies. The key to great brushes are it's super soft quality so every stroke is soft when it's touching your face. Who wants scratchy brushes right?

This summer, I have been obsessively using my Real Technique brushes from their Core Collection for my face and their Starter Set for my eyes. I've been using them non-stop which is why this is the first of my 2011 Holiday gift guide. Gift these great sets for your makeup besties!

Here's a little more about the sets..First the Core Collection:

It contains these 4 brushes: (according to the website here.)

• detailer brush: precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition
• pointed foundation brush: Use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage
• buffing brush: ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation
• contour brush: delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish

My favorite is the contour brush- it's a rounded- not too thick or thin-brush that I can use for contouring with a highlighter or even bronzer. The pointed foundation brush is also great for applying a quick sweep of powder under my eyes when I'm in a hurry!

The Starter Set collection is also great if you're really starting out. Creating nice eyelooks are essential and you have to have the right tools when layering on different shades. I already had a few eyeshadow brushes but this quickly became my go-to set. These 5 brushes can help you achieve any eye look you want! According to the website, these brushes will do the following:

• base shadow brush: applies a smooth, flawless foundation of color
• deluxe crease brush: soft, oversized design for effortless contouring
• accent brush: designed for precision detailing, spotlighting, highlighting, and smudging
• pixel-point eyeliner brush: tapered cut is ideal for dense or fine eyeliner application
• brow brush: distinctive shape easily defines eyebrows

I can easily use at least 4 out of these 5 brushes to achieve my fave smokey eye look. The eyeliner brush has become an instant favorite for applying eyeliner from my dark eyeshadows or gels. I usually skip the brow brush since I already have another brush for that.

As you can see here, these sets come in a cute case you can use for travel or you can use this as a stand! If you're using these at home, I would recommend doing away with the stand b/c I found it difficult to get the brush out. The elastic kept tugging on the rubbery end of the brushes. Instead, I just place all 9 brushes in a cupholder. :)


(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

Check out more blogs @ TotalBeauty.com