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Beauty Talk: My Favorite Makeup Brushes

March 5, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Beauty Talk: My Favorite Makeup Brushes

I’ve been thinking a lot about my favorite makeup brushes recently, because I tried a set from a brand that many people rave about and I was not impressed. Maybe it’s because I’ve used my favorite brushes for so long, but they’re definitely my tried and true, so I thought I’d share them with you in case any of you are on the lookout for new brushes. I do believe that a quality brush will make all the difference in makeup application and will last you for years.

Just as a side note: I also use my fingers a lot for makeup application, especially for foundations, concealers and anything that isn’t a powder.

Face Brushes

1. Real Techniques Powder Brush. I use this for powder after I apply foundation. This is the only powder brush that I use.

2. Real Techniques Stippling Brush. This is great for a light application of powder products. I use this for contouring and blush.

3. Real Techniques Contour Brush. I have never actually used this for contouring, but I love it for blending in concealer and applying highlight.

4. MAC 116. This brush is so comfortable to hold and use. It’s my newest brush and I’ve only used it for blush, but I have also thought that it would work well for highlighting.

5. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. This is a great brush for
applying foundation. Lately I’ve been using it for a lighter blush
and it also works well for concealer.

6. Real Techniques Setting Brush. I use this to apply concealer and to use a setting powder under my eyes. It’s the perfect size for that task.

7. Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush. I like to use this for contouring and to apply blush, as it provides a very light application. There’s another duo-fiber brush in this set that I like to use for applying more pigmented highlighters, but I misplaced it.

8. Real Techniques Buffing Brush. This is tied with the powder brush as my favorite Real Techniques brushes. I use this for foundation. It’s perfect for buffing foundation into your skin.

9. Real Techniques Blush Brush. I haven’t actually used this for blush, but I like to use it for contouring.

10. MAC 187. I used this brush for applying foundation before I purchased the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Now, I love using this brush for contouring and blush because it provides a light application.

11. MAC 168. This is a beautiful brush. It’s another brush that’s easy to hold and is so comfortable. I have used this for powder, but regularly use it for contouring and blush.

Eyes

12. MAC 217. This is the best eye brush in the history of eye brushes ever and there will never, ever be one that compares. In case you couldn’t tell by my subtle proclamation of love, I really heart this brush. It’s perfect for blending eyeshadow and for putting eyeshadow into the crease of your eyes. When I’m feeling lazy I’ll use this for the lid. Oh, and it’s great for applying a highlight shade along the brow bone. It’s wonderful. This is my only 217, although I have been meaning to purchase another one (or two) and I might be doing that soon because of a couple of eye looks that I have planned to work on this year. I’ve been using this brush almost every day for years and it’s proof that a quality brush will last you a long time.

13. MAC 239. This is a wonderful brush for applying shadow to the eyelid.

14. MAC 219. I use this brush for applying color to my lower lash line as well as for running it through the crease if I really want to have a precise application. It’s also great for applying a highlight shade to the inner corner of the eye and the brow bone.

15. Eco Tools Angled Brush. I also have a MAC one that I love, but I can’t find it right now. I use this to apply shadows as an eyeliner and to fill in my brows. I never actually touched my brows with any sort of product until I started to color my hair red. I just like to make them a little bit darker and add a hint of red. This brush (and especially the MAC brush, which is a little thinner) is perfect for that.

As you can see, two brands dominate my brushes. I absolutely love the Real Techniques face brushes. They’re perfection and they’re incredibly affordable. However, as much as I love their face brushes, I don’t like their eyeshadow brushes. Of course I don’t really think any eyeshadow brushes can compare to MAC.

And then there are the MAC brushes. The prices for these range from a little lower to quite a bit higher. They have a couple of brushes that I would like, but haven’t been willing to spend the money on because of how expensive they are. MAC does create quality brushes, though. I never question whether a brush from MAC will serve me well when I pick one up.

What are your favorite makeup brushes?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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