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Real Techniques Bold Metals Brushes | Worth the Hype? (+ Get 25% Off!)


Since these beauties were released back at the start of the year I've been engaged in a 'Should I?/Shouldn't I?' I pretty much decided that I was going to leave them after reading some mixed reviews and given the fact that for about £5 more I could get MAC or Bobbi Brown brushes. That was until last week when I wandered into Boots and saw a 25% off tag dangling over them! This brought them down to between £12 and £19, which is the sort of price range I thought these should have been to begin with so I took the plunge. I decided on the Bold Metals Tapered 300 Blush Brush (usually £24, currently £18) and the Bold Metals 100 Arched Powder Brush (usually £25, currently £18.75). I was tempted by the contour brush but felt I'd get more everyday use from these two.

There's no denying that the finish is stunning. They're longer than the standard Real Techniques brushes with the handles tapering to a point. The eye brushes have silver hands, base brushes have gold and finish brushes rose gold. The bristles are white with a slight hint of the handle colour, so you can easily see how much product you've picked up. The bristles are soft but not exceptionally more so than the standard line. As always with Real Techniques, the bristles are synthetic, making them easy to wash. Personally I prefer natural hairs for eye brushes and synthetic for the face, as I feel synthetic works best with my combination skin. This also means the brushes work well with both powder and cream products. Like most of their brushes, these can be used for multiple tasks, not just what the name suggests.

The Arched Powder Brush is large and fluffy, so I find it perfect for bronzer, especially with the tapered shape. It fits into the hollows of my cheeks without being too precise. It's also nice for blending out any harsh edges with your blusher or if you've applied a bit too much and want to soften the look by going over it with powder. I personally find it a bit bulky for face powder or setting powder but I like it for what I use it as. I'd also heard of people using this to apply foundation and I can confirm it applies it amazingly! I do have other foundation brushes though and in the interests of keeping this looking as pristine as possible, I will probably stick to bronzer with this.

The Tapered Blush Brush is a small, fairly precise brush. Though I've tried it with blusher, I found the bristles a little too firm for that. I actually much prefer it for applying highlighter as I find it picks up the perfect amount of product and is exactly the right shape and size for highlighting.

All in all I'm pleased with these brushes but they haven't blown me away or changed my life. I don't have anything like the Arched Powder and it's definitely my favourite of the two but I do feel that if you're after the contour brush, I really like the Zoeva Face Paint, which is £11.50 and can be bought with natural mix or vegan bristles. On closer reflection the Tapered Blush is very similar to my Zoeva Face Focus, which also comes in at £11.50 too.

I don't feel you're getting quality above and beyond the standard Real Techniques line. The standard line is amazing and sets the bar high! I wouldn't pay full price for these but with 25% off I'm reasonably happy with my purchases. If you, like me, just have to try these for yourself, I'd recommend getting them whilst they're still reduced!


Were they worth the hype?: Although I really like the powder brush, ultimately the quality isn't that much better than the standard line so you're essentially paying for the aesthetic. I'm pretty happy for what I paid but I think the full price is way too high for what they are. On this basis, I'm going to say no!


Did you cave into the Bold Metals hype? Did you think they were worth the fuss?

 


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53 comments

  1. They do look gorgeous! I am the same I couldn't decide if I should or not! It seems some are worth the hype and some aren't x
    Emma | Emmys Beauty Cave

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    1. The powder brush is the one I've heard the most positive buzz around and I would say it's worth it with the discount xx

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  2. I have the Tapered Blush Brush and think it's rubbish for blush - nowhere near as good as the original! Like you I use it a lot for highlighting. Must admit I still want to try the eye brushes though! Great post, I feel like you weighed up the pros and cons really fairly.
    Rebecca | The Two Twenty Somethings
    Xx

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  3. You definitely got a good deal and these brushes are just gorgeous! I would love to replace mine with a set like these, but I just can't justify throwing out my current ones in place of new ones as they still work just fine. However, if I were to have found such a good sale like you did, I would jump at the chance to purchase them.

    Rae | Love from Berlin

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  4. I only allowed myself to buy the Blush brush and haven't liked it one bit. It really put me off getting the rest of the line. It looks pretty in pictures though!

    Elina xx | luxamundi.co.uk

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    1. Considering it's called a blush brush I don't like it for blusher much at all :( xx

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  5. Beautiful brushes indeed but I have always been put off by the pricing. In addition, I find them way too big in size and it would be difficult to take them travelling. No doubt that the price reduction makes it better but I think I probably will be giving it a miss. I prefer my zoeva brushes :)

    Thanks for reviewing~ Have a lovely day ♥

    Ying | * Y i n g c b e a u t y *

    X x X x X

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  6. These brushes look stunning but, even with the offer, I feel like they're a bit too expensive. I love my Zoeva brushes too much to justify spending more money on others :) x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    1. Yeah you can get a full Rose Gold set for about the same as 2 full-priced Bold Metals! Although unfortunately the handles of some of mine have rusted a bit :( xx

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  7. Thank you very much for this post I have been thinking for a while if I should buy them or not and this helped me a lot!
    Vee //veespetitstresors.com

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  8. They look gorgeous, I've heard so many mixed reviews though.

    Sara - She Who Is Short

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  9. These are so pretty! But I think I'll stick with the regular ones as they're just so much more reasonable.

    I got these brushes from IMATS...
    http://www.lifewithoutafunsponge.com/2015/07/imats-2015-haul.html

    x

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    Replies
    1. Yeah I really don't think they're especially better quality than the original line xx

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  10. ooh I love all these colors and how beautiful are these brushes!

    www.thefashionfraction.com

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  11. I agree with your post! I think people paid the price for the brushes simply because they look lovely. Overall, they are nothing special in terms of quality.

    Great blog post! xx

    Lauren | shynature.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. I only picked up the crease brush from this range because I had been eyeing it for ages. I have not tried the other face brushes because I totally agree with you that there are a little on the pricey side (but this discount make them much more affordable). Lovely review as always and I was busy looking at the blushes which look stunning...xx

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  13. I'm so glad I read this - what a fantastic review! I was the same, just couldn't bring myself to spend so much for brushes even if they are beautiful - plus I feel like Zoeva have also set the bar high for amazing yet affordable brushes y'know? ^_^
    Iqra |The Blushing Giraffe x

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    Replies
    1. I agree, the Zoeva Rose Gold sets are a better option if you want something a bit prettier than the standard RT or Zoeva lines xx

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  14. They're gorgeous and I would probably pick one up with the 25% off, but I don't know whether they'd be anything special x

    www.pintsizedbeauty.com

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  15. I have one of the eye ones but I don't really use it that much. It is a shame as the brushes are beautiful but I just don't reach for it as much as the others that I have.

    Pams Stuff and Things

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  16. Have yet to cave, I really want them but I think 95% of the reason is because they are Rose Golden. x

    Jordan | Keep Dreaming ♡

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  17. I don't like that these prices rival Mac brushes, they seem very overpriced, especially because you can always buy the amazing regular Real Techniques brushes.

    RachelShuchatMakeup

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    Replies
    1. I think MAC is more expensive over here as they're still a good £5-10 cheaper than their's full price but it still seems excessive! I'd rather have paid slightly more for a high-end brush that full price on these xx

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  18. The brushes look beautiful! I am fan of the real techniques brushes :)

    Thanks for sharing!

    x Arwa
    http://cremerose.blogspot.com

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  19. They're definitely the prettiest brushes I've seen!!! But the super long handles seem to put me off a bit.And the price, but 25% off is good!

    Pippa | LittleLifestyle

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  20. I have to agree, the quality isn't that different to the standard line, the only difference really is the luxe looking packaging!
    Jodie xo // Jodie Loue

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  21. I'd be almost reluctant to use these and dirty them up as they look so beautiful! I've not tried them yet myself but I've heard so many people say that they don't really warrant such a huge price difference in comparison to their original brushes... so I guess essentially you are just paying extra for the appearance!

    Katya | The Beauty Harbour

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  22. I literally almost picked these brushes up the other day, but didn't buy them in the end! They do look gorgeous though. http://coffeeatmidnight13.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. Just like you I never gave into the hype as I thought they were too pricey and hated the fact that I couldn't get a feel of them considering the price tag. If there was one brush I had my eye one it was actually the Powder one so now that it's reduced maybe I will pick it up as it sounds like a good one x

    Beauty with charm

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    1. The powder is the one I think is maybe worth it at the reduced price :) xx

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  24. these are such pretty brushes and look like they should be really high quality, given the price tag of them! they were actually featured in my newest beauty wishlist post today and i've heard so many different reviews, i'm sure i'll eventually cave in anyway! x

    http://lovejordanashley.blogspot.co.uk/

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  25. I prefer the original range myself but still a good offering overall. xx

    franklyflawless.com

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  26. I've been lusting over these brushes for a while now and i'm still undecided whether or not to take the plunge xx
    http://beauty-hype.blogspot.co.uk/

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  27. I really like the original RT brushes & I was tempted by these when they were released, but purely for aesthetic reasons! I haven't read any amazingly positive reviews so think I'll give them a miss - although they would make great props for photos! xx

    Beautylymin

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    1. Yeah I can see why they got a bit of a mixed reception xx

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  28. These look so pretty but even with 25% off I don't think I can justify the price - I say this but no doubt one will end up in my collection eventually! I just love the colour of the handles!

     Photo-Jenn-ic 

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  29. I caved and got the 101 Triangle Foundation Brush back in March with some of my birthday money. I've used it once!!! I was so disappointed as I love the standard RT brushes so much and with the standard of them being so high like you say, I expected the Bold Metals range to blow me away! Haven't picked up any other brushes from the range as I was a little wary of spending so much on them incase I didn't like them either. I just found the 101 Triangle Foundation Brush to be really rigid, not soft at all and left lines in my foundation. It seems impossible to blend with! I could probably use it for applying face masks but nothing else :(

    Amy | Get Glam

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    1. Yeah having felt the bristles of the blush brush and having seen the shape of the foundation brush it ors seem like you'd be caking it on :( xx

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  30. Fab post hun, I’ve only got the 301 brush so have wondered what other brushes from the range were like. I know what you mean though I do think for £5 more I could have MAC and I think that is what has stopped my buying more. Though seeing this 25% I am tempted by the blush brush. I did want the powder but think it will be a bit too big for powder as I am loving smaller powder brushes at the moment.

    Charlee XO | CharmedCharlee

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  31. Lovely review! I love how honest you were - I totally agree its a bit extortinate! I am tempted now it's reduced, we shall see! x

    www.beckieeschle.com

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  32. There are a few of the brushes that I think are worth it and a few that I think are a bit of a waste. I would love if they would bring out sets. Such as a eye set and a face set like they have with the standard RT Brushes.
    http://www.lipstickisalife.com/

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  33. Your photographs are always so gorgeous! These brushes sound nice but not worth the high price tag, even though they're pretty! Great review, thanks for sharing!
    xo Kiki
    http://colormekiki.com/

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  34. I was pretty interested in trying the brushes but the prices have put me off! And you're right - I'd rather invest on MAC or Bobbi Brown (or in this case, Zoeva) because they're so pricey! x

    www.angerawrs.co.uk

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    1. That's how I felt when these came out - why spend £25 on RT when I can get Bobbi Brown for £30?! xx

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  35. I was the same as you - I only brought the brushes when they were 25% off. They are beautiful brushes but like you say, are they that much better than the lower-end RT brushes?

    Great post and I adore your blog! :)

    www.musingsandmore.co.uk

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  36. Blimey. When I first saw these brushes, I was like "YES!" But at that price for a brush to be purchased from boots, it was definitely a "nuh uh" for me. Even at the discounted price, I am still turned off. I have a few of the RT brushes, but almost never reach for them as Zoeva is my love. As for these bold metals; i think I will wait for the gorgeous MUR dupes to come out.

    Angie x | Chocolate & Lipstick || UK Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

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  37. I got these brushes just for their gorgeous packaging, thanks to the 25% off haha.

    Sam || Beautydetour

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  38. Wow, the brushes look so nice and they're so photogenic! Great post :)

    Tayla | Daisychains16

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  39. I also think these are very pretty but ultimately very overpriced. I have the face paint from Zoeva and love it. I think their brushes are much better value for money. x

    Speaking Beauty UK | Naked Smoky Palette or Anastasia Contour Kit GIVEAWAY

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    1. Yes from what I hear the contour brush really isn't all that so I will be sticking to my face paint brush too! xx

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  40. Thank you for your comments! I'm glad this post was helpful to some of you making up your mind :) xx

    ReplyDelete

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