Odd title for a post, isn't it? Although it's one phrase that I honestly uttered when I applied my foundation yesterday with my beloved Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.
Now, I was becoming quite a fan of Real Techniques by the Chapman sisters, after buying this and the Miracle Complexion Sponge. I actually wrote a positive review of this brush a couple of months ago, which you can read by clicking here.
Not long after I wrote that, however, I started to experience problems with the brush. The bristles seem hard on one side and a bit 'matted'. It seems to scratch my face so badly, which is sensitive enough at the best of times. I've washed it countless times, used gentle shampoos, soaps and even conditioner, soaked it, let it dry naturally, dried it with my hairdryer... Just basically tried all I can think of to make it usable again, but everything I've tried has sadly been in vain.
It does feel so frustrating to know that I spent around £10 on a brush that was only usable for a matter of weeks. I've tried to look after it as best as I could, but it's obviously not really worked.
This brush is made from synthetic fibres and it's for applying foundation, powder and even blusher with. The fact that it's multi-use was one of the aspects that attracted me to it in the first place.
I'm honestly so disappointed, especially because it was such a great brush to begin with. I've Googled the problem and haven't managed to find anyone else who's also encountered this. I could just buy a new one, couldn't I? But that seems like a waste of money.
Have you had this problem with your makeup brushes? If so, comment below and tell me!
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Surely you've heard of this? I've been meaning to mention this in my monthly favourites for ages, but keep on forgetting! So, here is a proper post all about it...
Real Techniques are a brand that I am really beginning to love and trust. I've already mentioned the sponge in my June Favourites. Which, if you've not already read, you can find here.
I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that this makes your foundation look amazing. Products which you'd usually apply with your fingers look ten times better when applied with this brush. According to Sam Chapman, one of those behind Real Techniques, you can use this to apply powder and blusher too.
The brush is made from synethic bristles, which are 100% cruelty-free, just in case you were worried about having animal testing on your conscience. The bristles are also firm and broad, which makes it perfect for applying both liquid and cream foundations. It seems to be really soft and gentle too, which ensures that it doesn't aggravate any dry or sensitive skin patches.
The handle's quite chunky so it's relatively easy to grip; and it's made of Aluminium, so isn't heavy at all. Just in case you were previously struggling under the extreme weight of your old makeup brushes...
You can really buff the product into your skin without it looking 'cakey' by the time you've finished. (I don't want the nickname 'Cakey Katie'...) This brush is absolutely great for preventing over-application of foundation, which is so easy to do with your fingers. The finish it leaves is beautiful and this is the only foundation brush I've ever used that doesn't leave streaks!
Back in the day, before I discovered Real Techniques, I applied foundation with my fingers... A sin, I know... However, I've used this pretty much every day since I picked it up in July. I wash it weekly and it's still in perfect condition. Bristles aren't falling out (which is one of my pet hates) and it's not deteriorating in any other way.
Brushes from the Real Techniques range are colour-coded too, which is really handy!
Gold = Base brushes.
The brush costs £9.99 in Boots, which I know is quite pricey; and that's what initially dissuaded me from buying it, but... Once you've tried it, you realise it's genuinely worth the price!
So, June's now ended and it's time for me to take you through some of my favourites of the month!
PG Tips Green Tea - Mandarin Orange Flavour
Firstly, I'm going to start off with a bit of an unorthodox choice here. It's not a cosmetic product; it's tea! This is a new tea from PG Tips that I've only seen in the shops recently. I stumbled across this in Sainsbury's a couple of weeks ago. You get 20 bags for around £1.20, which is quite good value. Mine are nearly all gone now, because I really like this tea! It's a pyramid bag and it comes complete with the monkey on the label... If a picture of a cartoon monkey doesn't tempt you to buy tea, I don't know what will.
I'm not going to preach to you about the potential health benefits of drinking green tea, but I will tell you that it's supposed to be really good for your skin.
If you're not really a fan of drinking tea, you can boil green tea, let the bag cool and smear it over your face (yes, really... LET IT COOL FIRST THOUGH) to make a face mask. It seems to make my skin feel softer after leaving it for around 10 mins. (Yes, I really have smeared a teabag all over my face a couple of times in the vain hope of getting softer skin...)
Barry M Lipstick
I really like this lipstick. I don't wear it too regularly, but I tend to find if I'm feeling a bit down one day, applying a little lipstick cheers me up a bit.
My favourite is Barry M Lipstick in 53 Coral. The colour is beautiful; it isn't too obvious, but not subtle enough to be completely unnoticeable either. For some reason, in these pictures that I've taken it seems to look quite a bit darker than it actually is; it's a bit paler 'in real life'.
It seems to last for a long time without an additional product like Lipcote over the top and the finish is quite a matte one, rather than a glossy or shimmery effect.
I always ensure that I wear a good lip balm underneath, otherwise my lips tend to dry out. It's not exactly the most moisturising of lipsticks.
I bought this a few months ago in Boots when they had a 2 for £7 deal on Tresemme products. This product is normally around £5. I often use their shampoos and conditioners, so I thought I'd try out a couple of their styling products to compliment these. I really like this; it genuinely makes my hair look straighter. My hair always flicks out at the ends, then starts to go wavy and this product stops that. Yes, it's quite expensive, but it's lasted me months, with sporadic use.
The bottle has a spray dispenser and contains 250ml. It has the usual TRESemmé scent to it, which is quite hard to describe... Just generic shampoo-y smell?
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who has quite a lot of trouble ensuring that their hair is kink-free.
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser
This is definitely a firm favourite of mine. I started buying this last summer and I'm still hooked. It's £5.99, but is frequently on sale for £2.99. Inside the box is a tube of face cleanser and underneath that is a folded muslin cloth.
Real Techniques Make Up Sponge
Surely you've heard of this? I stumbled across this on YouTube; but I was initially reluctant to spend £5.99 on a sponge.
I've had mine for months and it's still in good condition. I wash it out every week or so and it's as good as new. It does take a while to dry though; so sometimes I have to get my hairdryer out to speed things up a bit!
I wasn't really a fan of applying make-up with a sponge before I discovered this. Now I think I've been converted! I know they always say that sponges waste make-up, but I honestly think that the finish the this sponge offers is worth a bit of 'wastage'.
It just makes foundation sit on my skin more effectively. It ensures that you're not going to end up looking cakey and that you end up with a more natural finish.
The foundation that I've been using recently is Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation and I can honestly say that this sponge makes this foundation look a whole lot better on my skin than it does when applied with fingers or even a brush. It stops it from looking overly shiny and seems to really work it into my skin to make sure it stays on for longer.
The sponge has three different 'sides'. A rounded body for using on your cheeks, chin and forehead. A slanted edge for using around your nose and eyes. And a pointed edge for covering blemishes with. To begin with, it can be a bit of a juggling act; but it's something you easily get used to.
I would honestly recommend this to anyone and everyone. It's a must-have.
Thanks for reading!
Katie
x
PG Tips Green Tea - Mandarin Orange Flavour
I'm not going to preach to you about the potential health benefits of drinking green tea, but I will tell you that it's supposed to be really good for your skin.
If you're not really a fan of drinking tea, you can boil green tea, let the bag cool and smear it over your face (yes, really... LET IT COOL FIRST THOUGH) to make a face mask. It seems to make my skin feel softer after leaving it for around 10 mins. (Yes, I really have smeared a teabag all over my face a couple of times in the vain hope of getting softer skin...)
Barry M Lipstick
My favourite is Barry M Lipstick in 53 Coral. The colour is beautiful; it isn't too obvious, but not subtle enough to be completely unnoticeable either. For some reason, in these pictures that I've taken it seems to look quite a bit darker than it actually is; it's a bit paler 'in real life'.
It seems to last for a long time without an additional product like Lipcote over the top and the finish is quite a matte one, rather than a glossy or shimmery effect.
 |
| 53 - Coral - (Complete with Pale Arm) |
TRESemmé Argan Oil Salon Sleek Straightening Spray
The bottle has a spray dispenser and contains 250ml. It has the usual TRESemmé scent to it, which is quite hard to describe... Just generic shampoo-y smell?
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who has quite a lot of trouble ensuring that their hair is kink-free.
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser
 |
| The Cleanser Comes Complete with a Muslin Cloth |
Using this improves the appearance and feel of my skin and I think that it is a serious competitor for its more expensive counterparts (which I'm too much of a cheapskate to buy).
The scent of this face wash is really subtle, it's nice, but not overbearing; which I believe makes it suitable for even sensitive skin.
This product claims to 'Awaken skin's natural glow' and that it also 'cleanses and gently exfoliates'. It certainly lives up to what it claims, in my opinion. My skin also feels much softer and noticeably smoother after I've used this.
Real Techniques Make Up Sponge
 |
| Excuse the chipped nail varnish... |
Surely you've heard of this? I stumbled across this on YouTube; but I was initially reluctant to spend £5.99 on a sponge.
I've had mine for months and it's still in good condition. I wash it out every week or so and it's as good as new. It does take a while to dry though; so sometimes I have to get my hairdryer out to speed things up a bit!
I wasn't really a fan of applying make-up with a sponge before I discovered this. Now I think I've been converted! I know they always say that sponges waste make-up, but I honestly think that the finish the this sponge offers is worth a bit of 'wastage'.
It just makes foundation sit on my skin more effectively. It ensures that you're not going to end up looking cakey and that you end up with a more natural finish.
The foundation that I've been using recently is Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation and I can honestly say that this sponge makes this foundation look a whole lot better on my skin than it does when applied with fingers or even a brush. It stops it from looking overly shiny and seems to really work it into my skin to make sure it stays on for longer.
The sponge has three different 'sides'. A rounded body for using on your cheeks, chin and forehead. A slanted edge for using around your nose and eyes. And a pointed edge for covering blemishes with. To begin with, it can be a bit of a juggling act; but it's something you easily get used to.
I would honestly recommend this to anyone and everyone. It's a must-have.
Thanks for reading!
Katie
x
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