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My Essential Makeup Brushes



I definitely own more makeup brushes than I need but I feel like I’m always searching for something that bit better or sometimes I just buy a brush because it’s beautiful. This post is going to be about my Desert Island brushes. You know, if I was on the kind of Desert Island that had makeup, mirrors and a low enough threat level for beauty to be my primary concern…

My pick for applying powder has to be the Real   Fibre Face Brush (£23.99 for set). This one isn’t available individually and I got mine in the limited edition Nic’s Picks set, however you can get the same one in their duo-fibre set. It’s great as it really doesn’t pick up too much product so you’re never going to have the issue of your makeup going cake-y. It’s also really soft and washes so easily.

Foundation was a tricky one for me but I’ve picked the Nanshy Flawless Foundation Brush (£9.95) as it gives such an amazing, finish. It’s more something for a medium-to-full base but you get a perfect, flawless, brush-stroke-free finish so quickly and easily. This one is also synthetic so very easy to clean. I also really like the e.l.f. Studio Flat Powder Brush and the Zoeva Silk Finish Brush so it was a tough call!

My next favourite is for blusher and it’s the Real Techniques Blush Brush (£9.99). It doesn’t look like it should work, but trust me it does! I use the very tip, usually in circular motions, starting from the highest point of my cheekbone and moving inwards. You can then angle it to use the rest of the bristles to get everything blended in seamlessly. I almost always struggle with blushers but this one makes sure that no matter what formula I’m using, there’s no patchiness (when I apply it, anyway…)

The e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush (£3.95), I don’t actually use for blusher, however it works really well for highlighter. It’s a great shape and size as well as picking up a good amount of product; I never feel like I overload on highlighter when I apply it using this.

My next choice is also one of theirs: it’s the e.l.f. Studio Small Stipple Brush (£3.95). I really like the Studio line as whilst every single brush may not be great, there are some real gems that are so incredible I’d probably pay double the amount they actually cost! This is my cream blusher must-have. I do have the Real Techniques Stippling Brush, however I find the larger size works better for foundations, whereas this little on is perfect for dotting on your blusher. As a side note, although I've linked everything still, Elf just had their flash sale so basically everything is out of stock at the moment - sorry!

My go-to concealer brush is the Concealer Buffer (£7.50) from the Zoeva Rose Gold set. You can get this individually with a different handle, however. The Zoeva sets contain both natural and synthetic bristled brushes (this one is synthetic) with the white bristled brushes being natural and the brown and white bristled ones being synthetic. It does exactly what it claims to and seamlessly buffs in your concealer with minimal effort. This is my favourite because I think it works just as well for under eyes and for blemishes and redness.

Next is a bit of a new addition to my collection: the Makeup Revolution Pro Eyebrow Brush (£1.50). I haven’t posted on these before as some of the brushes I liked and some of them not so much (I also recommend the flat concealer brush). I think the size is great as well as the angle of the slant; it’s absolutely perfect for applying waxes or pomades.

For eyeshadow I have a few favourites. Firstly I love the Zoeva Petit Crease Brush (£6.50), again from the Rose Gold set and available with a different handle on its own. I love the point and think it fits perfectly into your socket to apply a crease colour and it applies it absolutely beautifully. The only thing I don’t like about this is that the natural bristles mean it’s never going to look quite as good as new.

Another love of mine is the MAC 217 (£19). I don’t know what I was doing before I got this but it makes even my application look 1000x better. Now, there’s a lot of hype over this blending brush and it’s really rather expensive. In my personal opinion Zoeva’s eye brushes are just as good quality, I got this as I was able to get it much cheaper from the US and I’m not aware that Zoeva do one this exact same shape. However don’t feel you NEED to spend £19 on a single brush, because you don’t. Also this has natural bristles so tends to look pretty knackered pretty quickly…

Finally is the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush (£6.99). I also got this in the Nic’s Picks set but you can get it in individually with a different handle. I think if you could only ever own one eyeshadow brush this kind of does it all! It’s big and fluffy so works brilliantly to lay down the base colour, however at the same time it’s really great for blending and the tapered angle also makes it very easy to apply a crease shade. It’s the perfect all-in-one.

You may have noticed I missed something...I've actually not got a contour brush that's the One, however I think since picking up the Zoeva Rose Gold Volume 2 Set I might have found it in the Face Paint Brush!

I have posts on all the brushes that come in sets and you can read about them here:


I think most of my picks are very affordable and they've done my makeup application a world of good so let me know what you think in the comments.

What makeup brushes can't you live without?


 


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35 comments

  1. Fab picks Jasmine! They are all so clean ;-) I think I love all of these too, especially Zoeva and the Real Techniques duo fibre line is fab.

    alice x | beautybyalicee | bloglovin'

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  2. Fab picks, I’m the same I own too many makeup brushes haha. I will have to dig out my Real Techniques Fibre Face brush as I haven’t used it for a while. I love the Zoeva Concealer brush, and have to agree it just works wonders I like that the brush is slightly bigger as it helps buff the concealer out really naturally :)

    Charlee XO | CharmedCharlee

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    1. I pretty much reach for these 2 9 times out of 10! xx

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  3. love your picks:) there are few that I love :) I will be making post very soon :) dying to get zoeva brushes :) Hugs!

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    1. Thank you :D hope you can get your hands on some! xx

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  4. I absolutely love the Real Techniques base shadow brush - I have the purple handle one and this one, they are my favourite eyeshadow brushes to use! Definitely need to check out the elf brushes! x

    http://jobrlw.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Completely agree - I use it basically every day! xx

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  5. I need the Real Techniques Duo Fibre set. One of the brushes is a dupe for a MAC brush I want that is £30! Added a few brushes to my wish list. Great post! x
    Speckled Beauty

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    1. I definitely recommend them as I use most of the set daily! xx

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  6. I love buying brushes, I counted the other day intact and I have 60 which is kind of embarrassing. However, I still need to buy the RT Blush Brush and some Nanshy and Zoeva brushes as they sound amazing!

    UK Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

    xx

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  7. The Zoeva Rose Gold Set looks gorgeous. I love my Real Techniques foundation and blush brushes. I use my beauty blender a lot too. Lovely collection! x

    Roxie ♥
    http://thebeautifulbluebird.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. I really want to try more make up brushes, great recommendations x

    pintsizedbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. I'm dying to but the zoeva rose gold sets! They just look incredible and so beautiful! http://dwyoul.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

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  10. Brushes are some of my favourite things to buy. I have a Nanshy set back at my parents that I haven't used yet but I'm so excited to get it when I go back for holiday! :)

    Sarah / Sarah Smiles

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    1. Mine too! Hope you enjoy them - I really think they're fab! xx

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  11. my mac 217 brush is my holy grail one! really want to get my hands on some zoeva brushes too x
    Hannah | Heyitshannaah

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    1. I think if you love the 217 you'll love Zoeva's too :) xx

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  12. I love the ELF Studio Blush Brush - I don't use it for blusher either (real techniques everytime) - I use it for my contour because it fits so snugly in the hollows of my cheeks! :)

    Hannah ♥ Hannah, Dolled Up

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  13. I need some more Zoeva brushes in my collection, i love them!
    xprincessjas | ♥

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  14. I love all the brushes listed above and I am seriously restraining myself from buying any more brushes. It's very hard for me to choose my favourite brushes but I think Real Techniques Brushes are one of my favourites particularly the Setting Brush and the Buffing Brush...xx

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    Replies
    1. I know what you mean, they're one of those things I can't stop buying! xx

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  15. Mac 217 and the RT Blush & Base Shadow brushes are all staples for me as well! Also couldn't be without my RT Buffing & Contour brushes :) want to try the Nanshy brushes they look good!

    Kat | www.kathorrocks.com

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    1. I need to re-purchase the Buffing Brush as mine started shedding and falling apart :( xx

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  16. Great pick of brushes :) I picked up a few elf brushes last year and have kinda fallen out of love with them as my collection has expanded. Might have to give your picks a go as they are so affordable so it's great to find the gems :) x

    Brenda BusyBee | Bella & Bear Professional 15 Piece Makeup Brush Set Giveaway

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    1. I know what you mean - they were my first proper brushes and so since my collection has grown I've moved away from them however these couple are still stapes for me :) xx

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  17. For me actually, the RT Blush Brush is the only Real Techniques brush I DESPISE. I keep wanting and trying to use it, but everytime, it just doesn't work for me.

    Not enough color, not a precise application, meh. I don't know why.

    I'm lusting over some Zoeva brushes to try now... : )

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    1. Aww what a shame! Definitely check out Zoeva they're amazing! xx

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  18. What a great lovely post! I love these few brushes that you attach on your blog. I found very informative and useful. Thanks for sharing this one!

    Makeup Brush Set

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