Make Up Brush Collection + Reviews

The key to a flawless make up application is not solely reliant on the products you use, but also the brushes you use to apply them.  I've always been interested in make up from an early age, but up until recently, I either used my fingers or the applicators that came with make up.  I've been building up a decent brush collection for a few months now and I am finally ready to show you what I use and also if they work or not.  

I have a mixture of brushes from Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman, Sigma and Topshop.  I got my brush organiser from Muji, for around £2-£3.  Here are the brushes I use on a daily basis, as well as some that are a little bit rubbish. 

FACE

(L-R) Real Techniques Blush Brush, Real Techniques Powder Brush, Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush, Real Techniques Contour Brush and Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki

Real Techniques Blush Brush - Before I picked this brush up, I used to use an Eco Tools blush brush for everything (contour, bronzing, blush and powder).  Now I have a separate brush for each I will never go back.  This brush is tapered allowing for precision when it comes to blusher.  It's extremely soft and like all the other RT brushes I use, washes extremely well.  

Real Techniques Powder Brush  - This brush is big, flexible and fluffy.  Perfect for all over powder application.  It hasn't shed at all, unlike my Eco Tools brush used to and like the Blush brush is extremely soft.  

Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection - I've heard this brush is excellent for a quick and easy foundation application but I have yet to try it for that purpose.  At the moment I use it after applying foundation and concealer to ensure that I have a flawless base with no lines or patchiness.  

Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush from the Starter Set - I use this for under eye concealer and around my nose, rather than eyeshadow which is was the Pixiwoo girls do.  It's a ruddy fantastic brush and blends concealer seamlessly.  I wish all the brushes were sold separately as I'd love another for eyeshadow.  

Real Techniques Contour Brush from the Core Collection - Another brilliant brush.  I feel I can sculpt and highlight my face so much easier with this brush.  

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki - I absolutely adore this brush and it's probably the only reason I haven't tried the RT buffing brush with foundation yet.  I've never been able to apply my foundation as flawlessly than I have with this brush.  It's dense but has enough flexibility to move around the nooks and crannies of the face.  The bristles are soft and wash up lovely without loosing shape.  

EYES

(Top - Bottom) Sigma Tapered Blending E40, Sigma Small Tapered Blending E45, Real Techniques Base Shadow, Real Techniques Accent and No.7 Eyeshadow Blending

Sigma Tapered Blending E40 - A brilliant brush for blending.  It's big and fluffy allowing to blur harsh lines quickly.  When I first got it, it shed a little but after using and washing it's now fine.  

Sigma Small Tapered Blending E45 - This brush is brilliant for crease work and precision eyeshadow application.  It's also good for the outer V and a brush I pick up most days when applying eyeshadow.  

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush from the Starter Set - A does the job brush.  Great for packing on eyeshadow.  

Real Techniques Accent Brush from the Starter Set - I use this brush to highlight the inner corner of my eye.  It's also good for applying eyeshadow underneath the bottom lash line.  

No.7 Eyeshadow Blending - I'm going to be honest.  This brush is rubbish and I no longer use it since getting my Sigma brushes.  In comparison the brush is tiny and doesn't blend well at all.  It's also extremely scratchy and irritates my eye area.  Whoever told me this was a dupe for the MAC 217 lied! 

MISCELLANEOUS

(Top - Bottom) Topshop Foundation Brush, Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush and Real Techniques Detailer Brush

Topshop Foundation Brush - I used to use this on a daily basis but found it didn't blend my foundation all that well.  It works well with some foundations, with others though it can be streaky.  

Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush from the Core Collection - I haven't used this brush yet, but I've been told it works well with concealer so I will give it a go soon.  

Real Techniques Detailer Brush from the Core Collection - I use this for applying bold lippie.  It works really well and gives me a precise application.  

So those are the brushes I use pretty much everyday.  I wash them in Johnsons Baby Shampoo and it works just as well as expensive brush cleaners for a smidgen of the price (plus they then smell gorgeous)!  It's also easily found in supermarkets and high street stores too.  

Have you got any of the Real Techniques or Sigma brushes or have any recommendations for other brushes to add to my collection?