Real Techniques Travel Essentials

There is nothing I like more these days than my Real Technique Brushes.  I am building up quite a collection.  I think if I had to start again and build my brush collection from scratch, I would opt for RT's.  The Travel Essentials set containing three brushes was something I asked Santa for. Good old Santa did delivery.

Containing three brushes: a foundation, domed eye shadow and a multitasking powder brush.  These as some good brushes... my personal favourite is the multitasking powder brush which I've been using for literally everything from blush, bronzer and powdering my face.  My least favourite is the foundation brush as I don't generally use a pointed brush these days.  However it is still a excellent brush.

Made from synthetic taklon hairs, they are cruelty free to our fluffy animal friends and also when you give these babies a clean they dry super fast.

This is a great collection to own, as are any of the RT collections (the Core and Starter for example).  My only wish is that the foundation brush was more in the style of an expert or buffing brush - as they rock! 

So if I had to recommend this collection, I definitely would do - but it's not essential that you need to own it. The only down side to RT collections is that brushes are not sold individually. The Travel Essentials, Starter and Core collections are great, but there are certain brushes amongst each of the collections that prefer and would like more than one of!

Do you have a favourite RT brush?

Angela xox

How do you clean yours?

For me there is nothing more frustrating than cleaning makeup brushes. It is one of those tasks I dread and can put off.  However you shouldn't skip cleaning your makeup brushes ... Can you imagine Monet painting the Waterlillies with dirty brushes??? I think not!

Makeup brushes and tools are the key to perfect, flawless makeup.  If they are dirty, well who knows what grime and yucky stuff you are applying to your face.  Also, you dip you brushes into your eyeshadow for example... Your just spreading the germs around. It's not good.

I have found that once I started to take care of my brushes, my brushes then took care of me by not making me break out with blemishes. So my advice is clean clean clean!

I like to clean my brushes at least once a week using Johnson's Baby Shampoo.  Obviously this is super gentle for washing baby hair, so this is perfect for taking good care of your tools.

I have made a little video of how I like to clean mine, pretty simple all you need is a dirty brush, water and Johnson's. Once you start cleaning you won't stop!

How do you clean yours?

Angela xox

Get ready with me!

Want to see today's makeup?  This is the makeup I have been loving right now and I wore it today.  The products are listed below.

Products used (in order of use)

Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
MAC Nubile Paint Pot
Maybelline Fit Me foundation shade 120
Real Techniques stippling brush
Maybelline Fit Me Concealor shade 10
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder Shade 1
MAC 217 brush
Bourjois Blush shade Love Struck Rose
Sigma angled blush brush
Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Bone
Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Fawn
MAC 275 brush
Inglot eyeshadow number Double Sparkle 502
Sigma small tapered brush
Scandal Eyes Liner in Black
Shu Uemura Lash Curler
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara in Very Black
Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Rendezvous 

Hope you enjoyed
Angela xox

September Favourites

Yes I'm slightly late but hey, you don't mind do you?  I'm always fashionably late.  Looking back on my blog I feel like it's been forever since I did a favourites post.  I've been all about the empties - which I do have a post on route for you.  Go me!

Practically every item I mention here does have an individual review on, with the exception of some.

Clarins Ever Matte ~ I had to mention this really, it was a must.  Ever since I bought this I have felt the urge to ditch all my other foundations.  I think this is the best foundation I have ever come across.  It has become my new and only bestest friend.  I have a full review here.

TopShop Nail Polish in Pool Party ~ A fun, bright colour I don't think this is a just for summer colour.  For a £5 polish the application is amazing.  You could easily get away with my coat.  And the lasting power is exceptional too!  Swatches here!

Stila Eyeshadow in Sun ~  I've had this lurking around for sometime but never tend to reach for it.  But I felt like I needed an eye catching shadow and opposed to usually reaching for Kitten I opted for this instead. Very neutral ...it's perfect for an all over the lid look, especially on a lazy makeup day.

MeMeMe Boho Balm in Pink Rouge ~ I took to Jersey with me and used it everyday.  As you can see from the below picture it is getting a lot of attention as it's a bit yucky looking.  I love the pink for the cheeks.  It gives a beautiful flush almost like a natural glow.  I have used the red/coral on my lips too which looks stunning.  See my review and swatches here.

TopShop Cheek Duo Dessert Sun ~  Soon to become a favourite blush this is a subtle colour.  It looks big and bold in the pan but trust me when I say it's much more delicate than it looks. If you want to see swatches see my review here.

MeMeMe Pink Rouge, TopShop Dessert Sun and Stila's Sun 

I have a few more favourites which I like to call tools...

Caudalie Beauty Elixir ~ A cult favourite and I can see why.  This just makes me feel good when I spritz it on my face.  It refreshes and makes pores smaller and it's a small bottle which you can take anywhere!

Real Technique Buffing and Contour Brushes ~ Part of the Core set I don't think I've really put these down lately.  The buffing brush is perfect for applying my Clarins, it buffs it in perfectly with no streaking.  For flawless foundation application I'd buy the set just for the buffing brush.  Now the contour brush is what I've been using to apply my MeMeMe cream blush,  it's the perfect size and so soft it makes applying cream blush effortless.  I totally recommend the Core Set.

Shu Uemera Eye Lash Curlers ~  I never used to be that fussed about curling my lashes but now I own the cult favourite eye lash curler I just cannot stop myself from curling every morning.  My curl does fall out slightly but that's probably my lashes or maybe my mascara not helping.... I'm not sure.  I think I need some eye lash curling tips.

I hope you enjoyed my favourites.  Also I hope you're having a good October so far!

Angela xox

Friday Favourite # 2

I thought I show you one of my favourite foundation brushes for this Fridays 'Friday Favourites'.  It is the delightful Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush.  This synthetic brush is the quality of some high end brand brushes but it is literally half the price.

A great brush for buffing liquids into the skin and giving a flawless and even look to any foundation you apply.  It has very soft bristles which are very gentle on the face and do not irritate.  They are packed together tightly and are very dense - giving the flat top kabuki look to the brush.  I've had no shedding experiences with this brush so far and it still looks as good when I first bought it early last year.  If you wish to achieve an air brushed makeup look then this brush is something I definitely think is worth investing in.

Available from US company website here, they do international shipping on all their products however there are also online stores in the UK which sell the brush and other Sigma brushes.  I ordered mine through the Sigma site and luckily haven't had to pay any Royal Mail/Customs import fees . . . yet!

Do you have the F80?  What's your favourite foundation brush?

Angela xox

Ecotools verses MAC!

When it comes to my newly pruned eyebrows I am showering them with love.  I have always used my beloved MAC 266 to beautify my brows with either MAC's Smut eyeshadow or the HD Brows palette.  It was the only brush I used. . .until now!

Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush

Whilst walking around Boots a few weeks ago I was checking out the beauty accessories.  I have never ever used any Ecotools before, but when I noticed how much their angled eyeliner brush resembled the small angled 266 brush I thought I'd pick it up to see.

Main picture: MAC top and Ecotools bottom Inserted picture (L-R): Ecotools and MAC

MAC 266 Small Angle Brush: At a jaw dropping £16.00 it is a great multi purpose brush at a price.  I initially got this for eyeliner.  Unfortunately I found it a little difficult to work with when creating that fine line.  So instead of liner I opted to try it with my brows and haven't looked back.  The bristle are strong and make applying a powder to the brows so easy. The good thing about MAC is the brushes are made to last a life time if treated with TLC.

Ecotools Angled Liner Brush:  If you're all about the environment and saving the coins then this will be the brush for you.  At a sweet £5.49 (from Boots) you save a mighty £10.51 compared to the MAC.  The brush itself is made from synthetic taklon bristles which are 100% cruelty free. The handle and the furrule are also eco-friendly.  There isn't much difference at all when it comes to performance, they both look and feel the same. 

I'm always going to love my 266 but if you're just starting out with makeup I recommend the Ecotools simply because of the price.  If your obviously going to train to be a makeup artist then it'd be worth investing in brushes by MAC.  But if you're not a professional it might be worth sticking to high street brands like Ecotools and Real Techniques.

Have you ever tried any of these brushes?

Angela xox

Holy grail brush...? Yes I think so...

I think I may have found a holy grail brush thanks to Samantha Chapman and the Real Technique people.  Part of the Starter Brush Set the Accent brush is a teeny tiny brush with a whole lot a power.

The real beauty of this brush is the size and density of the bristles.  The brush is smaller than a pea and the bristles are so sturdy yet soft at the same time.  I predominately use this to help create smokey eyes.  It's fantastic for smudging liner on the upper lid from a harsh line to a subtle sexy smokey eye.  It's also excellent for the bottom lash line, due to the size of the brush head as it fits perfectly into the lower lash line area.  The soft synthetic straight edge of the brush with the slightly round of sides makes it comfortable to use on the delicate eye area.

You can also use it for inner corner highlight and precision delighting work.  I recommend the kit for this brush alone but the whole kit is amazing and worth every penny.

I salute you Real Techniques. . .have you tried Real Techniques?  What brushes do you recommend?

Happy May 1st!

Angela xox