Real Techniques Nic's Picks

When it comes to brushes, Real Techniques have been getting it right since their first release in 2011. The notably affordable and chic looking make-up accessories have intrigued almost every girl around the world and have somehow overtaken MAC and Sigma Brushes in the space of nearly three years. The brushes do not shed after washes, they are unimaginably soft to touch and blend any product to a T. This set comes with a generous (for the price) but yet standard five brushes. The packaging is beyond professional; perfect for anyone with a kit and look pretty fabulous on my make-up table. The contrast of metallic silver with a matte black grip area work brilliantly- let's break it down shall we.

Cheek Brush (Set Exclusive):

My new holy grail foundation and powder brush, although it would work just as fab for contouring and applying cream products. It has not only become a staple in my personal make-up bag, but also in my kit- this brush is the reason I bought two of these sets; don't judge me. The synthetic hairs are incredibly soft but firm, allowing fluid and cream products to blend deliciously. I don't even know the whereabouts of my beloved Beauty Blender anymore- that's how in love I am with this tool! It's a fluffy dream that puts any other foundation brush to shame. 

Duo-Fiber Face Brush:

This baby fits perfectly in the make-up category of anything cheeks. Contouring, blush and even highlighting are made more natural when using this brush; it distributes product evenly and again- blends like nobodies business. This whole duo-fiber bollocks doesn't usually tickle my fancy but when using this brush for powder based products, it genuinely does affect the blending and application. An effortless face is easily accomplished with this tool- bravo!

Base Shadow Brush & Angled Shadow Brush (Set Exclusive):

So, when it comes to the best blending brushes, these are pretty much on par with our all time fave MAC 2'17. The quality is splendid and this shows when working with both eyeshadow and concealer. The Base Shadow Brush in this kit is your standard dome shaped blending brush, it is somewhere between the MAC 2'17 and 2'24. It gives an airbrush finish when used in conjunction with concealer, and blends eyeshadow beautifully in the crease. The Angled Shadow Brush in this set was simply made for applying and blending colour into the outer-v. It is again, soft and can be used for anything; concealer under the eyes, brow bone highlighting, crease blending and as I said, outer-v application. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the infamous MAC 2'17 then look no further. 

Eyeliner Brush (Set Exclusive):

One thing that almost always seems to disappear is my eyebrow brush, so before I found this amazing set I was on the hunt for an affordable one. The hairs are short and firm which results in precise distribution of colour, and really helps to feather out and blend those areas of the brow that you don't want to be as harsh. I am yet to try this brush with eyeliner but I have applied eyeshadow to the lower lash line with and it works fabulously! 

Did anyone else get this December bargain? Does anyone not like it? Overall I am so beyond pleased with these brushes that I as I said before, I actually bought two! One for myself, and one for my kit. Real Techniques are actually just coming out with their 'Bold Metals' Brush Collection as I write this- if anyone has them yet, what are they like? I love the shape of them!

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Makeup Recipe: Sad to Sassy

So, undertaking transformation sassy can apply to anyone whom is looking to jazz up their make-up every so slightly- without looking like Lady Gaga on a bad day. We've gone with a very natural look that embraces winter with a warm mauve lip and still maintains that glamour with a soft shimmer on the lid, and pop of white on the waterline.

INGREDIENTS:

Larger than pea-size amount of moisturiser

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1 to 2 pumps of chosen foundation

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Real Techniques Nic's Picks 'Cheek Brush'

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Even application of concealer 

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Translucent/ Coloured powder

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pea-size amount of Too Faced 'Shadow Insurance'

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MAC 'Phloof' eyeshadow

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MAC 'Soft Brown' eyeshadow

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MAC 'Expresso' eyeshadow 

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MAC 'Fascinating' Kohl Liner 

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MAC 'Cork' eyeshadow 

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MAC 'Twig' Lipstick 

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MAC Zoom Lash 'Black'

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NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder 'Sunny'

• Begin by taking a slightly larger than pea-sized amount of your chosen moisturiser, here I used the very affordable Superdrug's own brand Natural Radiance Balm. It smells like christmas and leaves the skin looking perky in preparation for these cold winter mornings!

• Once your emollient moisturiser of choice has sunk into the skin- it's operation flawless! Your foundation of choice should leave space for a build able coverage and create natural looking skin with immaculate coverage. The secret to a good base is not only the artist herself but her tools. My brush of a life time is the Real Techniques Nic's Picks 'Cheek Brush'.

• Concealer and powder are now the only things getting in between you and creating those sassy eyes. A large part of this look is based on the brightness under the eyes, this creates a very awake effect. I'm usually all about that dewy skin, but for this look I powered this soon-to-be sassy bitch to create a matte effect that would photograph beautifully. I usually try to use a lighter powder colour under the eyes to emphasise the effort we made with the concealer.

• Now, whilst your face is sassy, your eyes aren't... yet. Start by priming the eye using a very small amount of Shadow Insurance by Too Faced then begin to apply the shadow. The design calls for shadow to be applied from light to dark so begin with some beautiful shimmer, subtle and never glittery. I used MAC 'Phloof' all over the lid, then grab your favourite transition colour (mine is 'Soft Brown' by MAC) and apply it gently to the crease using a window wiping motion . Take it as high as you wish but leave some room for brow bone highlight. To deepen and add dimension to this look, I took MAC 'Expresso' and added this to the outer-v of the eye and smoked it out ever so slightly on the lower lash line. 

• White Eyeliner- a simple and effective single product that will help to brighten the eyes and make them appear larger. Apply this naughty number to your waterline, blink a few times and apply lightly again. Avoid getting the pencil in your eye or all over your lashes- if you do, no worries that's what Mascara's for!

• Moving on to the brows. I simply used MAC 'Cork' eyeshadow again to replicate the hairs of my models natural brows and voila!

• For the lips, just make sure they're moisturised and lipstick friendly. The fabulous colour used in this design is MAC 'Twig'. It compliments every skin tone and adds a lovely warmth to the face.

• The final touches are applying mascara. My mascara of the moment would have to be MAC Zoom Lash- a product that is great in the lengthening department. To really finish this look add a complimentary matter mauve blush, maybe even something with a little brown in it. I used a very old school product, Sally Hansen's little pocket palette from god knows what decade in the colour 'pink'. Before I forget, it's key to use a bronzer in this look to really compliment those neutral tones in the eyes, warm up the face and even add some definition with contouring. 

There you have it guys and gals. You could share this recipe with all your friends and family and they could become sassy too! Massive thanks to Meg Wills from Club Sass for approving and modelling this look! Let me know what you think guys!