BEAUTY // Real Techniques retractable lip brush and miracle complexion sponge

Saturday 13 September 2014

Hello there!
It has been a little while since I have done a beauty post hasn't it?
Well, just before I left for Canada Boots had a buy one get one half price on real Techniques. I have never owned a real Techniques product before so I thought it was a great time to pick some up (I almost got the Core collection - why didn't I?!)



Firstly, the miracle complexion sponge really disappointed me. I mean really, really disappointed me. I used the Beauty Bay blending sponge for a good 2 months and absolutely loved it. I have heard so many bloggers raving about this sponge, I just had to try it. However, it feels really flimsy and unsubstantial to me in comparison to the quite firm sponge I was used to. I also found that it sucked up plenty of foundation but did not put any on my face. Nothing at all. I'm not going to lie - I swiftly stopped using it.

I may be being harsh on this sponge. I used a brand new foundation the first time I used it which was the complete opposite of my old foundation. I have gone from a super thick, long lasting coverage foundation to a super thin, feels like you are wearing nothing foundation which applies much better with my fingers. Maybe it's a thing that these sponges are only to be used with thick foundations and if so it should be said on the packaging!

Secondly, I picked up the retractable lip brush. I have had so many cheap brushes in the past but they get all dirty so I love the fact this one is retractable and has a lid. It is super pretty and looks so cute in my make up bag. It's quite a firm brush but means you get lots of control with it. Considering I only paid about £4 I am a very, very happy girl!

Have you tried any of the Real Techniques brushes? Did you have an issue with the sponge or is it just me? Let me know!

27 comments :

  1. I've never tried any of them but I really want to, I like the look of the lip brush!

    Zara x
    zarakate.blogspot.com

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    1. I put it off for so long because they are quite pricey! I'm glad I got them at a reduced price though - I doubt I'd have tried them otherwise!

      :)

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  2. The lip brush was one of the ones I've had my eye on lately - it's good to now you enjoy it :)
    Megan x
    London Callings

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    1. It was a little pricey but it is something I need with bright red/pink lipstick! I quite like having the little mini disposable (kind of disposable) brushes though - it's much cheaper!

      :)

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  3. I've tried a few of the RT brushes and love them, sounds like I need to try the lip brush next! x

    The Belle Narrative

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    1. It's definitely worth a try! I usually just get the bamboo semi-disposable brushes but this one looks much sleeker in my make up bag.

      :)

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  4. I have most of their brushes, and love them. Use nothing else. I tried the sponge a while back, and its so quick and easy to use that I have rebought a few times. I do love it, I use it with a medium to heavy coverage foundation and have no problems, however I do agree it soaks up so much product. Only downside for me. Id recommend the stippling brush and their blusher brush - its the perfect size for my apples ;') x


    charlierhiannedean.blogspot.com

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    1. Yeah, I think that may be the issue I have. This new foundation is a really light coverage so you save so much by just applying by hand. And don't tempt me! I do not need a reason to buy more haha!

      :)

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  5. Real Techniques are amazing, I have pretty much all of the brushes - although not the lip brush (yet!). I've also never tried the sponge, but I'm not big on sponge applicators anyway!

    Milly // Mini Adventures

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    1. Ah wow! The lip brush does seem like a strange one to start with but I have no clue where to start with the face brushes. There are so many!

      :)

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  6. I like that the lip brush is retractable! Keep it clean. I haven't tried anything from RT yet but I really want to get one of their starter kits soon! x

    Jasmin Charlotte | Palette Giveaway

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  7. I put it off for so long! I was tempted by the starter kit but I'm worried I won't use any of it. I am the laziest person when it comes to make up.

    :)

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  8. Never tried any makeup sponges because I always thought they would just suck up all the product! I prefer to apply makeup with a brush. I do love all of the real techniques brushes that I do own though!

    Owl Girl | A London lifestyle blog

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    1. They do but if you use a really thick foundation that is likely to go cakey they are a god send! Because you have to wet them first they almost dilute the foundation and give you lots of coverage but no thick layers. I hated the foundation and as soon as I started using the sponge I loved it again (although not the price). They work really well on a freshly moisturised face I found.

      :)

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  9. I do use my Beauty Blender sometimes, but am always hesitant to pick up other sponges just incase they aren't as good. Think i'll avoid this one!
    nlmorgan, lifestyle & beauty

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    1. I started from the bottom and worked up! I was so surprised at how small the Beauty Blender was - this one is a little bit bigger and my first even bigger. I think I'm going to find a thicker foundation and give it another go though!

      :)

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  10. Oh I can't believe you were disappointed with the sponge, I love it! But then again, I haven't tried any other sponges. I want to try the Beauty Bay one now that you've said it's better than RT!

    allthingsaleena.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I was so surprised! I thought it would be amazing - maybe it's just I expected too much?
      I'm going to give it another try with a thicker foundation and do another review -I do think it may be to do with the foundation I'm using.

      :)

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  11. I really want to try the sponge but I use quite a light foundation - maybe best to stay clear of that! The foundation brush by Real Techniques has always been good for me though.

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    1. Yeah, I'd definitely give it a miss! It did nothing for me at all. I might have to try the brush (or just buy a new foundation the sponge works for - either or!)

      :)

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  12. I have one of their sets, can't remember which one atm. But it came with the buffing brush. I use it for foundation, and though it's pretty much the only brush I use from that collection, it was worth it because I love it so much!

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    1. The collections are quite good value for money considering the price of the individual brushes. I'm so lazy when it comes to make up so getting an expensive brush scares me a little bit - and the cleaning! Oh, the cleaning.

      :)

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  13. The core collection are a good set of brushes but I love the sponge though, have you tried using it wet?! I think it works better like that. I also apply dabs of the foundation all over my face and then press the damp sponge on my face.

    http://www.beekle.blogspot.co.uk - would love for you to come visit my blog at some point x

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    1. Yeah, I used it wet! It just washed away my foundation because it was such a liquid foundation (it has absolutely no substance but an amazing colour!). I pretty much dabbed foundation all over my face and it was all just absorbed by the sponge! It's definitely not meant to be used on runny foundations haha

      :)

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  14. I watched loads of Youtube reviews comparing this sponge with the Beauty Blender and went for this one. I too am disappointed, but I've never used the other one so I might just not get on with sponges at all. Agree that it sucks up a hell of a lot of foundation. When I wet it for it to expand, it wouldn't dry so my make up was pretty much being washed off! Load of crap.

    TheWanderlustEntries.com

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    1. That sucks! At least I'm not the only one!
      I didn't particularly like the Real Techniques one but I really did like the Beauty Bay one which was just £5! I hate thick foundations so the fact it was watering the foundation down was a huge plus for me. It really made the thick foundation look much less cakey than it did just with a normal application. If you want a really thick covering base they are definitely not for you but it you want a basic colour correction with a thick foundation that doesn't look cakey then try the Beauty Bay one if you can. It's much more substantial than the RT one!

      :)

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Thank you so much for commenting! I appreciate every single one of them and will get back to them as soon as I can :)