Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman – A Review

Real Techniques is a series of brushes developed by Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo fame.  Who is Pixiwoo?  Let’s review with my fav Pixiwoo tutorial.

Although I don’t shop at ULTA, I made the exception to order these brushes.  Honestly, I was very excited to hear about them, especially since they are cruelty free and synthetic (which makes them vegan, yo).  As much as I wanted to order ALL OF THEM I only got a few.  Ok, so I almost ordered all of them.

I ordered:

• Starter Kit
• Stippling Brush
• Core Collection
• Shading Brush

In general, the brushes are pretty unique.  Most of the handle is the actual ferrule, with only a small bit of rubberized ‘handle’ at the very end.  I find myself sort of partial to that because no matter what it seems like some of my other brushes just pull apart from the handle after a while (I’m looking at you Sigma).  Each brush is labeled with the brush ‘type’ which seems like a really handy sort of deal.  Instead of just saying Oh, this is a blahblah #222, you can see what exactly the brush is for instead of having to remember a series of companies numbers.

I also really love the length.  They have relatively short handles.  When I put my makeup on on the days I’m not in contacts (which is 75% of the time) I have to get RIGHT UP ON THE MIRROR to see what’s going on and with a long handled brush… well it’s tricky to not poke your eye out.  When the brush is too long, you just can’t fit it between your face and the mirror in order to be able to see what you’re doing.  Each Real Technique eye brush is less then 6 inches long.  The exception is the Stippling Brush, which is actually just over 6 inches.  A couple of the brushes from The Core Set are a TAD over 6 inches. However, in general, they are nice short little brushes.  They are also light and easy to hold and work with.

They don’t seem to shed.  I washed them all and sort of abused them a little and they stood up marvelously.  The one thing that I should mention is since they ARE synthetic they are all the same texture.  That is they are all super soft, so if you want a more firm blending or shading brush these probably won’t work.

Normally when I get a new set of brushes I actually toss or give away the case.  Even the nice travel sets from Sigma are pretty pointless to me and I bin them.  Same thing with the canvas messes from EcoTools.  These sets have an ingenious little case included with them that I adore.  Called a Panoramic Case, they flip and fold around the brushes like a traditional case would, complete with a velcro tab.  Along the spine is a cord and a toggle.  You can open the case and then flip the case back, making it into a stand.  You use the cord and tighten the toggle to hold the case erect.  The brushes are held in place by elastic.  The elastic goes the length of the case so you can slip in additional brushes in, not just the ones that came with the set.  That probably made no sense, but check it out.

The Starter Kit ($15.99)

Includes 5 full-size brushes + case:

• 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
• Panoramic brush case is a 2-in-1 case + stand
• Look pixel-perfect even in harsh light

Ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free
Extended aluminum handles are light and easy to use

The Base Shadow Brush reminds me a little of a concealer brush.  It’s a little long with a little point.  I’ve actually found it really useful for working with cream shadows and getting them even and blended.

You can tell that I’ve been loving the Deluxe Crease Brush, it’s still pink.  I love that thing hard.  It’s almost the perfect size, texture, density and everything for working with my crease.  I wish they sold it separately, it’s a brush that I would horde it’s also great for blending edges.

The tiny little Accent Brush is my new favorite smudger for under my eyes and for popping little contrast colors in the corner of my eyes.  It is, however, a ridiculously tiny little brush.

I wasn’t sure what to think of the Eyeliner Brush.  It’s sort of on the thick side and longer then I’m used to working with.  I can’t get it to work for the life of me to actually draw a fine line or to work my cat eyes. However, it’s almost obscene how much I love this to line my waterline with a gel liner.  I load it up and run it across the back of my hand to shape it flat and just use it exactly like I would a pencil, sort of squinting it through my eye and it’s AMAZING.

The Brow Brush is too thick for me to use on my brows.  It’s so soft and lovely though, it’s hard to dislike it.  You could possibly use it as an angled liner, but again, it’s a tad thick, but I used it to smudge shadow into my lashes to tightline and liked the results.

Core Collection ($15.99)

Great looks start with a flawless base. Create a perfect canvas with this collection of coverage essentials by Real Techniques.
Includes 4 full-size brushes + case:

• 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
• Panoramic brush case is a 2-in-1 case + stand

Look pixel-perfect even in harsh light
Ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free
Extended aluminum handles are light and easy to use

The Core Collection is a set of face brushes.  The handles on these are bronze, setting them apart from the purple handles of the eye brushes, a touch I really like.

The Detailer brush is tiny.  It’s very thin and while it’s soft, for some reason it’s a little firm.  It would probably make a great lip brush, but to be honest it’s a bit big for my lips.  It does work great for spotting on concealer.

I am not a fan of the Pointed Foundation Brush.  It’s far too small for me to use effectively and it’s pokey, meaning the bristles are scratchy when you run it across your face which is the primary reason that I don’t like using this sort of brush for foundation.  It would be suitable for maybe spotting on a bit of foundation to build up problem areas but I can’t use it as an actual foundation brush.

I do love the Buffing Brush.  It reminds me of the Sigmax brush I love for foundation from Sigma, however the RT brush isn’t as dense and it much softer.  I’ve been using it with a bit of cream blush and it blends it in perfectly.  I also use it after I’ve applied my foundation to blend the edges and fix little lines.

The Contour Brush had me on the fence.  It took me a bit of working with it to decide that I love it for… contouring.  I don’t wear bronzers all over or all that often, but I like to use a touch of them to emphasize the angles on my face (which is contouring, duh) and to warm up my temples now that I’m not wearing fringe anymore. This brush has pointed tip that helps me get the color where I want it and not all over, which a uberpale gal like me avoids.  It’s a very compact sized (ie small) brush that works great with both loose and pressed powders.

Stippling Brush ($9.99)

The final step is a perfect finish. This dual-fiber brush is the trade secret for creating airbrushed, high-definition results with all types of makeup:

• Look pixel-perfect even in harsh light
• Ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free
• Self-standing for easy storage
• Extended aluminum handle is light and easy to use

You know, I never got the Stippling Brush fad.  I honestly have no idea why I ordered this brush.  I have a couple that I never use, I… yeah.  I’m stumped on this purchase.  When I opened it I realized it’s a little different then the ones I already had.  It seems shorter and denser and I really do like the way it works with some of my thinner foundations (like my tinted moisturizers).  I’m going to give it a shot with my bronzers next.

I realize it’s a pointless thing, but I love that you can sit it up on it’s base, bristles up.

Shading Brush ($5.99)

Boost your look with effortlessly enhanced eyes. From subtle to dramatic, this brush is ideal for creating flawless high-definition results:

• Look pixel-perfect even in harsh light
• Ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free
• Extended aluminum handle is light and easy to use

This is a great little brush. So much so I’m ordering a couple more.  I have smaller eyes (smaller head too, I guess, I dunno) so this is the perfect size to do a variety of jobs.  I use it to apply color, to blend, on my brow, in the crease… I can actually use this one brush to do my entire eye makeup.  Well, this one brush cleaned off a couple of times, which is why I’ve ordered more.

Conclusion

Would I purchase Real Technique brushes again?  Yes

• They are vegan and cruelty free.
• They are VERY affordable.
• They are well made!

Would you like to try some out for yourself?  I’m giving away a Starter Kit as well as a Shader Brush!  To enter, comment below and tell me what brushes you are using now.

You may enter (comment) only once.

Giveaway is open to readers 18 or older only.

Giveaway ends May 4th.

For an extra entry you can tweet the following:

Win Real Technique brushes by @Pixiwoos  from @_grey  http://t.co/Hk5G9R1 !