Hey guys! If you read my previous posts, you'll notice that I already reviewed the Core Collection and Travel Essentials of Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman. Now I'm back to review the Limited Edition Duo-fiber Collection. 

My first and only duo-fiber brush is the powder/blush also known as the F15 brush from Sigma included in the Premium Travel Kit. It's my least used brush in the kit since I prefer using chunky and dense brushes when applying liquid-based makeup.

I have to admit being a bit disappointed that this set doesn't come with a panoramic case unlike the Core Collection and Travel Essentials. 

Although the brushes are securely packed in a thick foam-like holder, I would've loved this set even more if they included a brush holder. Maybe it's just me but I feel like coming up with a limited edition brush set without the case is quite incomplete. 

The duo-fiber face brush isn't as dense as the other large brushes of Real Techniques. Come to think of it, duo-fiber brushes are meant to be less dense than regular brushes because they're intended for lightweight application and blending. I find this really nice when using powders with shimmer like my Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Powder. It can pick up just the right amount of product and evenly distribute it on your face achieving a natural glow instead of a glittery finish. 

The duo-fiber contour brush is meant for precise contouring and sculpting but I mainly use it to apply my blush. I love how it makes my cheeks look lightly stained rather than flushed. Again, you will notice the bristles to be sparse yet it effectively diffuses and buffs your makeup. 

This duo-fiber eye brush is probably my most favorite in this set. I love how this brush can add that much needed umf after using it to apply highlight on your lid, crease and brow bone. You can also use it to blend your eye shadow. 

Luckily my two other brush sets offer additional slots to accommodate extra ones so I was able to put these brushes with them. 

Notice how they look nice with the other brush sets? Maybe that's why they didn't bother to include a case for the duo-fiber collection but still, having a limited edition case would've been great! Just saying. 

 

 

Overall these duo-fiber brushes are a good addition to my slowly growing number of tools. I love the soft bristles, the shiny white ferrules and of course the rubber handle. You can tell that these are of good quality after several times of deep cleaning them without literally shedding a strand which is actually a major turn-off with my Sigma F15 duo-fiber brush. The price ($19.99) is a bit higher than the other Real Techniques brush sets ($17.99) so this might be a concern for some of you but don't fret because having these may be a good addition to your makeup tools but not at all a must-have in my opinion especially when you already have duo-fiber brushes of your own.

 

 



Image courtesy of  Real Techniques

 

Now that I'm done reviewing all three brush sets from Real Techniques, I'm thinking of doing an entry to show you the brushes I use daily including those from the core collection, travel essentials and duo-fiber collection so do please check back in for that.

 

 

 

If you're interested in getting your own Real Techniques brushes, I invite you to check out my online shop Beauty Rx or my Instagram beauty_rx and you might just see something you'll like. Any questions? Please leave them on the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and have a happy holiday!

 

 

 

♥♥♥

 

REAL TECHNIQUES: Travel Essentials

Hey guys! This post is my 2nd in a series of reviews about Real Techniques brushes. I initially reviewed the Core Collection and now I'm back to give you my thoughts on the Travel Essentials. 

 

This set is housed in a transparent hard plastic so you can see the brushes right away without having to tear the box open. At the back you can find a description of each brush and how to use them. 

 

Like the Core Collection, this set also comes with a panoramic case that functions as a dual carrier and stand to keep your brushes organized whether at home or on the go. 

As the name implies, this brush is for applying your foundation but you may also use this to apply concealer. Although this brush is densely packed with soft bristles, I still prefer applying liquid-based makeup with either a flat top brush or a dome shaped one like the buffing brush included in the core collection.

The domed shadow brush is intended to smoothly apply your eye shadow or to give your eyes definition. It reminds me so much of my large fluff brush from Sigma, also known as the E50 brush but a little smaller. Although both brushes appear similar, I prefer using the Sigma E50 because it can pick up and pack more eye shadow. But hey, that's just me. Others may find this brush better than the E50 especially those
with smaller lids.

 

This multi-task brush is my most favorite tool in this kit because aside from the lovely pink ferrule, it's also the most versatile among the three. I love that the size is perfect for applying your face powder, not too large nor too small. Just pinch the bristles over the base near the ferrule and you can use it to apply your blush and bronzer.

 

Of course I love the extra slots to fit in two more brushes you may want

to bring with you.

 

Although adding big brushes may give you a hard time closing the panoramic case, still it locks into an inch thick carrier which is better than having your brushes mixed with other stuff in your bag or vanity kit making them more prone to contamination and early damage.

 

Overall, the Real Techniques Travel Essentials kit is my 2nd most favorite set in the collection. I think I can do away with other brushes and achieve a full look with just three tools in this kit. Like all the other Real Techniques brushes, these have soft and densely packed bristles with very minimal shedding. I love the dual purpose case with the extra elastic bands to accommodate more tools you may want to add. Need I mention the overall look of each brush? The matte metal ferrules and rubber handles are a delight to have and make these brushes very unique and eye-catching. This set, like the core collection, retails for $17.99 at Ulta which I think may be a bit steep for just a 3-piece brush set but the versatility and quality of these brushes are worth it.

 

 

Image courtesy of Real Techniques

 

Still haven't joined the Real Techniques band wagon? You really have to get at least a set to fall in love with every single one of them. If you ask me, the Travel Essentials is a good way to start. You may purchase one at a very affordable and competitive price from my online shop Beauty Rx or via Instagram beauty_rx. Any thoughts on Real Techniques? Do share them on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful holiday!

 

 

♥♥♥

REAL TECHNIQUES: Core Collection

Hey guys! I've been drooling over Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman for the longest time but I can't seem to decide which one to get. Luckily, Real Techniques brushes were on sale at Ulta a few months ago so my fiance was able to spoil me with not just one but three brush sets.

The first set I'm reviewing for this post is probably Real Tecniques' best selling brushes, the Core Collection. 

This set is housed in a transparent plastic case so keeping the brushes in good shape while shipping won't be a problem. 

The brushes are securely placed in a black case that conveniently doubles as a stand. All you have to do is fold the case backwards, tighten the string found along the middle and you have an instant brush stand which you can use everyday or when you travel. 

I also love that this case has two more slots to accommodate extra brushes you may want to bring with you.

I use this pointed foundation brush to evenly apply BB Cream on my face. The bristles are so soft and dense with just the perfect size to reach the sides of your nose and under your eyes. 

The label says that the buffing brush is meant to be used for applying powder or mineral foundation but I think this is best used in applying cream or liquid based makeup. The bristles are densely packed that a few circular strokes can evenly distribute any chosen product all over your face. 

This contour brush is nothing I've never had or tried before which is why I really wanted to get the core collection in the first place. The tapered bristles allow you to apply your blush or highlight with precision.  

The detailer brush is probably my least favorite in the core collection. It can be used with your concealer to hide spots and imperfections or to apply your lipstick. I was hoping for an eyeshadow brush to be included in this set but I guess you can also work with this detailer brush when you have no other choice. 

Overall, I really like the core collection because each brush is multi-functional. I also love that they are designed very uniquely with longer ferrules so you can easily tell them apart from other brushes. With the exception of the detailer brush, each tool can steadily stand on its own to allow less contact on any surface hence less contamination. Little details like the extra brush holders, label etched on each brush as well as the matte gold metal and black rubber handle made me want the core collection even more. Although the price is quite steep for just a 4-piece brush set ($18), the quality and versatility of these brushes more than make up for the price. 

Image courtesy of Real Techniques

Want to own Real Techniques brushes? You may purchase them from my online shop Beauty Rx or visit my Instagram beauty_rx. Any thoughts on the core collection? Do share them on the comments section below. Please do check back in for more reviews on other Real Techniques brushes in my next posts. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

♥♥♥

On Drying Your Brushes

Hello everyone! Last weekend I finally had the time to clean my makeup brushes. I used St. Ive's moisturizing olive cleanser which I haven't been using lately to wash my face. I figured I can use it to clean my brushes instead of the usual antibacterial soap mixed with olive oil. I also used my current hair conditioner, Dove Colour Radiance, to keep the bristles soft and silky.



After accomplishing my long overdue assignment, I thought of making a comparison between my old practice of air drying the brushes while laid flat on a dry paper towel versus drying them with bristles pointed downward using brush guards.

The results? Drying was a little faster for those without brush guards but didn't differ much. The unguarded brushes air dried for approximately 36 hours while those with brush guards weren't completely dry until 40 hours. The 4 hour difference may be due to the fact that air flow inside the jar wasn't as good as in an open 

space hence the slight delay.

The shape of each brush, regardless of brush guard use, was appropriately maintained except for my sigma eye shadow brush. I was actually annoyed that the bristles were slightly out of place despite using the brush guard. The brush might have slipped downward causing some of the bristles to flare out but good thing it was reshaped after fixing it in place and leaving it overnight.

Fall out of bristles wasn't an issue for both methods contrary to beliefs that drying your brushes horizontally allows water to reach the ferrule and damage the bristles earlier. I've been horizontally drying my kabuki and face brushes from The Body Shop for 5 years now and I haven't seen any significant amount of strands fall off. I think what matters more is how you wash your brushes. If you avoid soaking the ferrule while cleaning your brush and dry it properly in room temperature, you'll do just fine. 

Overall, the brush guard isn't that bad but it's also not that difficult to live without. If you're on a budget and still considering to get them for your brushes, I tell you now that they're not a must for everyone. If you're the kind who travels much or wants to protect your brushes in storage then getting this may satisfy you. In the end it all boils down to how you prefer to take care of your stuff. Just remember that not everything being offered is necessary.

♥ ♥ ♥    

Angled Brush

Hey guys! The summer heat is really drawing people to the malls. Yesterday I was meeting up with a few friends in Trinoma and since I got there early I had a chance to look around. Of course I saw some things that I want to buy and though I'm abstaining from impulse buying in the past days, I couldn't help but get this generic angled brush.

This brush among a lot of others was on display at the beauty section of Landmark. Although there were more than a few types to choose from, this immediately got my attention because it looks a lot like my recently acquired flat brush from Ellana.

The bristles are surprisingly soft and well packed that it feels really good on your face yet priced reasonably at Php 149. I used it this morning to apply my BB cream and it worked well. It glides on smoothly and effortlessly. Although my Ellana flat brush is still my go to brush for BB cream application, this can still be an effective alternative. 

Overall, this brush truly delivers and feels amazing. What's even better is it's being sold at a fraction of the cost of high end brushes. I plan to check out their other brushes and find out if they're as awesome as this angled brush. I do recommend this to those of you who are on a budget yet want quality brushes. Yes, they do exist and are on display in the beauty section of Landmark in Trinoma. So what are you waiting for ladies and gents? Go now and experience for yourself how this brush made me go gaga over it.

♥ ♥ ♥ 

CHARM ESSENTIALS: Luxe Mini Kabuki

Hello friends, I just want to share with you my ultimate favorite makeup tool, Charm Essentials luxe mini kabuki brush.

I've seen this tool receiving great reviews from many bloggers and I've been meaning to buy one because my kabuki brush from The Body Shop is too big and doesn't have a pouch anymore (misplaced somewhere). Good thing I didn't have to buy one thanks to Shen's Addiction 4th Anniversary giveaway.

The box says that this Charm Essentials Kabuki Brush is made from the softest vegan hair and can be used to apply powder, blush, bronzer, even creamy and wet makeup. Good thing they included washing instructions so you'd know how to clean it properly.

I love that the brush has its own sturdy pouch and it can fit even the smallest kikay kit. The bristles are densely packed and feel so soft on your skin. The versatility of the brush is another good factor because you don't have to bring several other brushes. This small wonder can already serve as a foundation, powder and blush brush. The color is just an added bonus since I love everything pink. The price is also something to look forward to because it only retails for Php 336. This is definitely a great buy for a good quality multitasking brush.

Overall, I love this brush and I do recommend it to those of you who want value for your money. This is actually my very first brush from Charm Essentials and I am definitely buying their other brushes when I need to replace my older ones. 

Hello Kitty Brush Set

          No matter how old you get, there will always be a child within you. In my case, the child within me never fails to show up at the sight of Sanrio's most loved character, Hello Kitty. Though Hello Kitty's style and looks evolved in the past years, it still managed to maintain its charisma not only on little girls but big girls as well.

          In the past, Hello Kitty products are limited to stuffed toys, stationery and school accessories, but now, you wouldn't be surprised to find jewelries, cosmetics, apparels, gadgets, appliances, even food, bearing the famous Hello Kitty logo. 

        Of course, being an avid follower, I have accumulated a few HK stuff as well but none of them compares to what I got as a gift from my fiance. 

Seriously, what could be more adorable than this? I love it just the way it is, a 3D image of my favorite character in a shiny white pearl finish.

It actually took me a while to unbox this because I was still admiring the packaging. It was securely placed in a sturdy transparent box with its base snugly tucked into place. 

The texture is comparable to a perfectly applied nail polish and the head can be turned freely towards both directions. If you're an avid fan too, I know what you're probably thinking.. Could this get any better?.. YES!!!

Inside is a 5-piece brush set in travel size. The brush handles come in light blue and silver, not the typical pink color that you expect from Hello Kitty, but they look cute just the same. 

The set has one face brush, 3 eye brushes and a lip brush. I also love the way each brush is labeled with Hello Kitty on one side and their specific function on the opposite side.

This one's obviously a  face brush which can be used as a powder brush and blush brush. You can also use it for contouring or highlighting. The fibers are so densely packed that you wouldn't believe it's in travel size.

The eyeshadow brush has the right volume and thickness that can easily pick the color from your palette and effectively pack your lids with it in just a few strokes. This also doubles as a blending brush when used upright in a circular motion. 

This brush works well with blending but I find it more useful in applying a contrast highlight on your lid's crease line because of the bristles' tapered edge. I use this to accentuate the color on my lids.

I am not a fan of eye liners but for the sake of doing this review, I tried using this several times and I must say I am impressed with how soft this brush is. Judging by the way the angled brush looks like, I thought the bristles were stiff but they weren't. It did a precise job when used to apply color on the lower lash line.

This lip brush became an instant favorite because it really looks cute in its silver cap. The brush also looks stiff but is really very soft and glides on smoothly when used with lip balms. I also tried using this with lipstick and the color applies evenly with each stroke. What surprised me was the minimal color stain on the bristles which comes off entirely after cleaning with a cleansing towel.   

This product is almost too good to be true for an avid HK fan like me because aside from looking really cute, it also functions exceptionally well. All the brushes are densely packed with soft bristles that glide smoothly on your skin. If you're familiar with make up brushes from The Body Shop, these brushes feel almost exactly the same. This set is also good in terms of brush selection because you can have a complete look with this set alone. Although an extra face brush for applying blush would've made this set all the more complete, over all, I think this set DELIVERS great function with superior quality.

NOTES:

• All products mentioned in this blog are personal preferences and purchases and are in no way intended for advertisement.