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Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection

7 May

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Real Techniques says: Create buildable color and add texture to look pixel perfect for any occasion and in any light with this first and only duo-fiber set. Duo-fiber face brush: for lightweight application. Duo-fiber contour brush: for controlled contouring and sculpting. Duo-fiber eye brush: for finishing touches to the eye. A true multi-tasker – duo-fiber bristles work with cream, liquid or powder for an unbelievably air-brushed finish. Ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free. Extended aluminum handles are light and easy to use.

Real Techniques makes some real good brushes, for real.   Created by the beautiful and ever so talented Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo, these brushes are high quality for an exceptionally affordable price.

Duo fiber face brush:  I’ve been using this with powders, loose and pressed.  It does a nice job of picking up just enough powder to set my foundation .  While it wouldn’t be my choice if I wanted to apply a fuller coverage powder foundation, it’s ideal for setting powders.  You could also use this for a light application of blush (cream or powder), however it is a little large for my taste.  It also wouldn’t be my first choice for applying liquid foundation.  Because the brush is so soft and the duo fibers are sparse, application is slightly streaky.

Duo fiber contour brush:  The shape is similar to their original contour brush.  The large dome shape fits perfectly into the hallow of the cheek.  The duo fibers build soft layers onto the skin.  This wouldn’t be my first choice if I wanted to do a strong contour.  However, it would be ideal for every day use.  This also works really well with cream blush.  I tap the flat side along my cheek to dispense the product, then use the pointed end to blend out.  That’s my personal favorite use for it!

Duo fiber eye brush:  This one is a bit stiff.  Like the other brushes, it allows you to create soft layers.  The shape fits nicely into the orbital bone, creating the perfect crease.  This can lightly apply color or you can use it to blend.  I like to use it with a dark color on the outer V of my eye to create a soft natural contour.  I used it to apply concealer under my eye and it’s a bit pokey.  Meaning… it hurts!  I mentioned before that the fibers are a bit stiff.  While the shape was ideal for a great concealer brush, the white fibers poked my under eye area too much for my comfort.

I also compared these to MAC duo fiber brushes, pics are in the post.

Overall
The face brush works with both loose and pressed powders for a light application (like setting foundation).  The contour brush is great for applying a soft layer of bronzer into the hallow of the cheek, but my personal favorite use is to apply cream blush.  The eye brush lightly applies color, allowing you to create soft layers.  However, it’s a bit stiff for under eye concealer application.  This set would be great for anyone who loves multitasking brushes!

Where: Ulta, Real Techniques, Amazon. Price: $20.00
For additional pics, (more…)

Friday Favorite: Sephora Pro Precision Crease Brush

8 Mar

“An artist is only as good as his (or her) tools.”

A true statement, and if you are an artist (or craftsman) of any sort, you can relate.  Today’s FF is my favorite crease brush, but don’t let your eyes deceive you this is no ordinary crease brush.

It’s the Sephora Collection Pro Precision Crease Brush #17

Sephora says: Add depth and make your eyes appear larger with this brush designed to apply deeper shadows into the eye crease. This brush can also be used to apply allover shadow with an even finish. The mix of natural pony and goat bristles ensures proper blending and the round shape provides perfect placement of powder and cream formulas. $20, Sephora, Amazon.

I have about 10 crease brushes, and while they work just fine I felt like I needed something a bit smaller to really fit right into my crease (right inside the orbital bone).  I don’t have a lot of space between my crease and brow so all of my other brushes made it difficult to layer colors and do some detail work.  Oh, the agony.  Luckily, the Precision Crease brush came to the rescue.

Here it is compared to a “more traditional” crease brush:

As you can see, the Sephora brush is more tapered and a bit longer than the cult favorite MAC 217.
For additional info and pics, (more…)

2013 Beauty Resolutions

7 Jan

Well, hello there!  I’ve missed you, blogosphere!  This past holiday season kicked my butt, with school coming to an end (2 weeks left, eek!) and holiday hours at work, it unfortunately cut into my blogging time.  Now that things are calming down a bit, I’m ready to be back!

I’m going to kick off this years first blog post with my . . .

1) Regularly deep clean my makeup brushes.

 

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This is such a hard one!  I’m pretty diligent with my daily cleaning, using the Sephora daily brush cleaner.  When it comes to a good deep cleaning (I like to use baby shampoo and a sponge), I should be doing it once a week.  In reality… it doesn’t happen near that often.  Which, I know, is gross.  Don’t judge me.

2) Never sport chipped nail polish.

 

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A huge pet peeve, but I’m so guilty of rocking the chipped mani on many occasions.  It can usually be blamed on my laziness and not wanting to take a short 3 minutes out of my day to remove it.  What can I say, I enjoy my uninterrupted “me” time.  So much that I’ll let my nails suffer for it.  However, now that I’m becoming a “professional” in the beauty industry, I touch people’s faces a lot.  And no one wants to have a skuzzy hand on their money-maker.  I’m already off to a good start with this resolution though, I’ve started to do my own gel manicures.  More about that later.  (more…)

Friday Favorite: Real Techniques Buffing Brush

5 Oct

I’ve seen Pixiwoo use this brush numerous times, I finally had to go pick it up to see why she loved it so much.  I picked up 9 Real Techniques brushes, and let tell you, they are amazing.  The low price tag is just a bonus!

The product description says it’s intended for “full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation.”  While it does work for powders, my favorite use for it is with liquid foundation.  The brush has a slightly rounded top, much different that my previous go-to foundation brush, the Makeup Geek Stippling Brush (which is flat).  I use the buffing brush in circular motions all around my face, starting in the center and moving out.  The fibres are velvety soft, it makes the foundation flow right onto the skin.  With the right foundation, I get that flawless airbrushed finish.

That being said, it also works great with powder.  The synthetic fibres pick up a good amount of product, tap off the excess, and pat powder onto the skin.  And guess what, you can also use this brush for blush!  The rounded head fits perfectly onto the apple of the cheeks.  It’s not my go-to blush brush, but if I’m in a hurry it gets the job done.

For additional pics , (more…)

September Glam Bag, 2012

19 Sep

I am always happy to come home to this hot pink surprise in my mailbox.  This months bag is legit, I really like all of the product they sent me.  Check it out!

For additional pics, (more…)

Makeup for Beginners, Vol. 3: Concealer

5 Sep

Concealer:  What exactly does it conceal?  Your deepest darkest secrets?  That you accidentally ate a whole row of Oreos?  That you’re sitting at work with the first button of your pants unbuttoned?  Or, the fact that you are running on 4 hours of sleep and three cups of coffee?  All of the above?

What is it?:  Concealer is a flesh-colored paste-like cosmetic that comes in a stick, tube, pot or pencil form.

*This is not to be confused with a corrector, which is the opposite color to even out discoloration.  Example: Green reverses red, pink compliments yellow, etc.*

What does it do?:  It is used to cover under eye circles, cover blemishes, and hide any discoloration on the face.

How do I use it?:  The most common area where concealer is applied is the under the eyes.  Start on the inner corner of the eye and blend along your orbital bone (make a C shape).  That is where the dark circle is most prominent.  Blend the product up to the lower lash line (continuing that “C” motion).  There is also usually a bit of redness on outer corners of the nose, right outside the nostrils.  You can apply on that area (also in a C shape), and continue to blend out as needed.  It can also be applied to the outer corners of the lips, further defining them and hiding any discoloration.  Apply to blemishes and hyperpigmentation as needed.

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Makeup for Beginners, Vol. 2: Foundation

15 Aug

There are thousands upon thousands of makeup foundations out on the market.  Some claiming to “brighten and tighten” the skin.  Some even claim to take 10 years off of your appearance!

Can one product really do all that?  Well, it comes down to the age-old saying, “if it sounds too good to be true, than it probably is.”  Foundation can’t do the same thing that surgery can.  However, that’s not to say it doesn’t serve a purpose.  It can improve your appearance and even help protect your skin.   (more…)

MAC 167SH Brush, Review

13 Aug

Makeup trends come and go, but a good brush always has a place in your collection.

I picked up this little guy (no seriously, it’s little) on a whim.  I knew I didn’t need another powder brush, but the limited edition siren was going off in my head.  I didn’t want to miss out on something that could potentially be wonderful!  So, did they little guy disappoint? (more…)

How To Layer Blush for Longer Wear Time

2 Aug

Depending on your makeup and lifestyle, blush can sometimes rub off during the day, leaving your once-flushed cheeks looking pale and sallow. Summertime can make this problem worse, with high temperatures cause makeup to melt off the face.

Follow these steps in layering blush to lengthen its wear time. (more…)

Getting Fresh on the Road

26 Jun

Hey guys! I’m still traveling, but that’s not keeping me from sharing my latest beauty endeavours!
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Check it!

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