Real Techniques Brushes

REAL TECHNIQUES BRUSH REVIEW 

 

So recently I bought some new Real Techniques brushes after hearing so many positive things about them. They are said to be soft, non-shredding and professional feeling. So I am going to test them out, try different looks and put them through their paces and let you know if all the fuss  is about after all they are a little pricey.

The brushes I bought were a variety of face and eye brushes so I will split the review up depending on which one you are more interested in.

FACE BRUSHES

 

 

I opened up the package I was immediately pleased. They are a huge range of brushes to fit your needs. The buffing brush has a dense bristle and really evenly spreads and blend foundation without shedding much like the rest of the brushes.. It's top is slightly flat which allows it to fit the side of you face and even though the brush is chunky it can go into all the contours of your face. The contour  brush is similar in texture with it being soft and relatively dense however has a tapered end. Personally I wouldn't use it as a contour brush as it is slightly chunky and when applying the highlights I want it to be relatively subtle and precise so I don't look streaky. Having said that I do love to brush but would use it more for blush, bronzer or powder. The foundation brush was a little bit of a surprise what with it being quite small and thin but it does the job of a Foundation brush and it equally tactile. the Detailer brush is very similar to the accent eyeshadow brush but more tapered. It is perfect for the day when you need to use that industrial strength cream concealer to cover those stubborn spots. It is so delicate and precise that is would also work perfectly with lipsticks to get a perfect shape and coverage. Over all the face brushes are great and are clearly of brilliant quality which makes the price really quite reasonable as they will last. 

 

If you would be interested in buying these brushes go to this link...

http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques-Core-Collection-1403_1252038/

 

 

EYE BRUSHES

 

 

 

 The eye brushes are equally as good as the face brushes in my opinion. I have never been the person who does overlay elaborate eye looks and only really use neutrals however when I'm feeling particularly adventurous I will do the odd smokey eye and strong brow. The base shadow brush is the perfect shape for the lid. It is quite dense and so it creates a good layer of colour on the lid smoothly as does the crease brush. The Crease brush is actually one of my favourite brushes despite the fact that I feel it is a little too dense and thick to do the crease line however it will do the job as well as being perfect for blending eyeshadow. My favourite use for this brush is actually for buffing in concealer as it is similar to the face buffing brush, equally dense and soft, however smaller. The Pixel Point Eyeliner brush is actually the only brush I don't see me using. It is, and I know I have said it for them all, very soft and thin however I don't use gel ever line and so I don't feel the need for it. Having said that if I ever did I would probably be more than happy to use it. Another one of the brushes is the accent brush which is perfect smudging under the eye so achieve that Olsen twin look which I am in love with. The brush is also perfect for highlighting under the eyebrow which really brings out your eyes and frames the face. When shaping and defining your eyebrows the Brow Brush is really perfect. The angle creates a very accurate shape to create natural shape and texture to your brows with this purple tinted and soft. I am over the moon with my purchase and providing I look after the brushes I hope to have them for a while. I really hope I encouraged you to consider the brushes as I truly do feel that they are great and couldn't much more highly of them.

 

If you like the look of these brushes the link is below...

http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques-Starter-Set-1406_1252040/

 

 

MONOCHROMATIC

MONOCHROMATIC

This spring/summer has brought this bold and beautiful trend. It brings back the mod, 60s rock and clean, classic glamour of the 50s. All the designers are taking this tend and creating their own take. Prada has taken a 60s approach, creating a bold flower print that is clearly inspired by retro patterns and Marc Jacobs has always been very bold and used block prints. It is the perfect transitional trend bring  the dark colours from winter into a new fresher look for the new season. 

High Street Steels

This dress from Topshop is so clean cut and expensive looking. Where it with a bold lip and you have a chic and put together outfit that fit the trend and dosn't break the budget (well, in comparison to Prada or Louis Vuitton).

This combination of the polka dot bustier and pencil skirt from Forever 21 is so cute and completely retro. I love this look and is a more toned down and sweet way to wear the trend.

Boohoo.com are killing the trend this year, they have hundreds of affordable and chic items for this trend. For example...

this vest is an easy way to style this trend if you don't feel entirely comfortable with the boldness of the black and white.

This dress is good for those of you who can embrace the trend going big and bold. 

A bold monochromatic blazer or coat is a great way to way the trend and a pattern with either a matching or plain blacks and white or a clashing pattern.

These shoes are bold and chunky yet look clean and classic. They are a perfect shoe to finish off the trend.



I hope you find some key pieces that you can wear through spring and summer and have beautiful weather to wear them in...enjoy!

About me...

40 FACTS ABOUT ME

I would describe myself as odd, a bit mad, chatty, fun and easygoing. Mabye after you read this you will have a different opinion.

1. I study fashion textiles
2. I talk to my blind cat Milly (little crazy)
3. I still run up the stairs as if someone is chasing me (very crazy)
4. I am a pescatarion
5. I have fajitas for Christmas tea every year (My family is odd)
6. I am scared of zombies more than anything else (totally legit)
7. I am incredibly small (but not like abnormally)
8. I have no favourite colour (I like black, red, green.......)
9. My natural hair colour is that annoying in between colour (It isn't quite blonde and isn't brown and sometimes I want to dye it pink!)
10. I have brown eye (normal)
11. I have been to very continent except America (I want to go so bad!)
12. My favourite drink is water (how boring)
13. I am addicted to Friends and would watch it constantly (sometimes I feel they are my friends)
14. I don't own a watch (someone will tell me the time)
15. I suck at doing anything with my hair (sometimes I don't even want to brush it)
16. I don't think I have ever bought a CD
17. I used to want to be a prima ballerina (damn my big legs and inflexibility)
18. I have been buried alive....by a wave (not as dramatic as it sounds)
19. I would listen to Best of Blondie all the time (don't need to say a thing)
20. I have always wanted to write a book (it would be terrible)
21. I think Family Guy can be the funny funniest thing (As immature as it is)
22. I have the focus of a goldfish (I think a goldfish would be offended)
23. I only like cherries when they are raw (?raw?)
24. I am a savoury person not a sweet person (crisps are my downfall)
25. I always wanted to have to wear glasses (they suit my geeky personality)
26. I can't eat salad without my dressing (don't want brag, but it's awesome)
27. I have never seen Mary Poppins fully (stop singing woman)
28. I am Scottish, Irish and German (which means I am angry yet perky whilst being domineering and a drunk)
29. I have run since I was ten and have always wanted to run a marathon (that's never going to happen)
30. I cry whenever an animal dies in movies, books or real life (humans can die horribly and I'm fine)
31. I used to play blind date almost everyday in Primary School and always played Cilla Black because I didn't want to be rejected (I miss you Blind Date!)
32. I am probably the most self conscious person you will ever meet
33. My hair is naturally curly and wavy (and frizzy, messy and matted)
34. I hate all boy bands (wouldn't however say no to Louis Tomlinson)
35. I really, really want a tattoo (or lots)
36. I want to speak French (mais je suis tres mal!)
37. I am very skint at the minute (but I will still spend money on clothes, fabric and food that I don't need)
38. The only sport I watch is Tennis and Rugby (still get confused)
39. I don't own a single designer thing (that makes  me sad)
40. I am in total and complete love with Will Smith (Fresh Prince of Bel Air I miss you everyday!)

I hope you now know me a bit better as embaressing as some of the facts are, but thats me.

MOVIES I WATCH AGAIN AND AGAIN

Midnight in Paris is another wonderful film by Woody Allen with a star studded and hugely talented cast. Owen Wilson plays a Hollywood screen writer who is striving to write his first serious novel while on holiday with his materialistic fiance, played by Rachel McAdams, and her parent. He has a fascination with the city and falls more and more in love with. As his relationship falls apart he discovers a magical land in the peak of Paris's existence in the 20th Century through a taxi ride at midnight. By exploring the city at this time and meeting his heroes such as Dali, Picasso and other people he has idealises gains a pool of inspiration that helps his writing flow. The fashion, culture and lifestyle that fill this film is charming, engrossing and magical. I could watch this film a hundred times and still be completely inspired to learn more about the beauty and the people in the 20s.

An Education is set in the 1960s and is about a schoolgirl, Carey Mulligan, who is on the brink of womanhood, scared of a tedious adulthood and the suppression of ordinary life and education. She is whisked away into a life of art, culture, literature and sex by a middle aged man. She meets new people and experiences new things escaping from her conservative all girl school and dull but loving parents. She throws away her education, life and future in order to live this magical life however soon realises that it is actually full of deception and sadness. Because of this she gains the most valuable and life affirming education their is where she can rebuild her life again from. Again, and you can probably sense a theme and love of mine, I love the style of this era and the costumes and style are again charming and beautiful.

Vicky Christina Barcelona is romantic, funny and sexy film, made this way because of probably the most beautiful cast in any film ever. Javier Bardem plays a gorgeous and charismatic artist and Penelope Cruz is his volatile, passionate lover who's art is dark and emotional. Scarlett Johansson along with Rebbecca Hall play two very different girls who come to Barcelona over the summer. Scarlett Johansson is romantic and compulsive woman and Rebbecca Hall is a realist who is engaged to an ordinary and successful man. Both spend the summer having affairs, experimenting with art and lovers and experiencing the culture. It isn't a serious or intense film but it's beauty and culture make it a great film to watch.

Freedom Writers staring Hilary Swank is a brilliant and inspirational film based on a true film. It is filled with sadness, anger and uplifting moments. In America where gang violence is ripe a school is forced to combine the students and a new teacher is thrown into the middle of the hatred and separation. However as she spends more time with them she gives them the power, confidence and means to turn their lives around. Through a journal they express their horrible experiences and hatred which allows them the share and bond. The book of their journals was released and their lives improved. It is such a life affirming film and is so inspirational.

Moonrise Kingdom, directed by Wes Anderson, is a story about two 12 year old outcast children who make a secret pact through letters to run away together into the wilderness leaving behind their scout camp and crumbling family. As a Storm brews the whole island is turned upside down while the two children fall i love. It is all about the two children needing to find love, family, sanity and freedom. The superb cast, including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray and more make this film talented yet quirky and funny.

I hope you maybe find a new favourite in my top 5 or at least find an enjoyable film. These are all my absolute favourite, at least for the moment, although having said that I am partial to a good chick flick....who isn't. 

sourced from google images

 

I would never claim to be a make up artist or own a lot of it but I thought I would show you what I would wear on a more daily basis so if you are like me you might find some new products that meet your budget.

 



1. Rimmel London- Wake me up Foundation
2.  Benefit- You Rebel tinted moisturiser
3. Nivea Soft moisturiser
4. Botanics Face Scrub
5. Collection 2000 Concealer
6. Boots Stippling brush
7. Aloe Vera Vaseline
8. Clique foundation brush
9. Barbara Daily make up brush
10. L'oreal Super Liner
11. Sleek Contour Kit
12. Maybelline Colossal Volume express
13. Maybelline Falsies Volume express
14. Superdrug Eyelash Curlers
15. Body Shop Strawberry Lip Balm

One of my projects is in a millinery class and has the title Dangerous Dames. These man eating, sexy, elusive and evil woman were around in the 40 and 50s in film noir movies. We were given the task of researching the characters and the movies to later create bold and conceptual hats inspired by this theme.



Sketchbook research
Images sourced from Google images and own drawings

After the research I created these 12 designs which I feel fit the brief, are bold, unique and interesting.

I took the inspiration for this hat from the blinds that the vilins often  looked through to conceal their identity while combining it with the glamour of the pearls.

 The wire structure here is inspired by the lamp shades that very suttley lit the dark streets.

 Here I used the lustful rose as the ispiration while covering the eye to add misery adding to the sensual nation of the hat.

 Here I looked at diamonds and created an art  deco inspired hat that incorporates the diamonds lines and colours.

 Here I covered the eyes to again create mystery while the band is taken from the guns revolver.

 I wanted here to create a dramatic and elegant hat that used the pearls to create beautiful and elegant lines.

 This dramatic feather hat was inspired by the feathers which often embellished the Femme Fatale's clothes and were considered expensive and luxurious.

I again used the diamond as inspiration however I deconstructed it more create a bold and dangerous hat that mirrored the character's charasmatic and evil side. 

 I wanted here to use fur and elegance to show the Femme Fatale's wealth and glamour, combined with the rich velvet this hat is elegant and a true sign of status.

 This hat was inspired by th eold brick walls in the dark alleys where it is mysterious which is mirrored in the covered eyes.

 I wanted to created a design that has detail and is more intracate using a baroque pattern which is an old and elegant style.

 This hat is obviously inspired by the romantic rose and the dark and sexy lace. It is hugely bold and is the hat I have chosen to make for my final piece as I feel it will be dramatic on a runway and and has bold colours within it.

After creating the designs I developed them creating samples and considering the final piece. I choose the Red rose hat in which I will place the rose onto a black cap with sinamy petals and stiffened lace leaves.

Lace that will make up the leaves

Sinamy Petal dyed red that will make up the rose

I'll keep you up to date...



BLOGS TO WATCH

I have always loved to browse through the thousands of blogs that are all over the Internet worldwide getting inspired and lusting after the beautiful clothes and styles. It always fascinates me how people can be so different in their lifestyle and fashion sense. I thought I would maybe give you guys a few names of people I love and admire. I will put the names of my favoui bloggers in the next 5 posts.

RACHEL-MARIE.L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JULIA.K
 
Poland

TESS.P

New York

FAITH.P

New Zealand

BEAUTYCRUSH

 

 

 

ENJOY BROWSING.....