Real Techniques Blush Brush : What’s in a name that I may use it for something else besides blush

Have you ever bought a makeup brush for one purpose only to find yourself using it for another instead? I don’t do it too often as most brushes I do buy do work as advertised for me. However, now and again, I come across one that doesn’t and then I have to find another use for it or let it rot.

This was the problem I faced with the very popular Real Techniques Blush Brush. I bought this because blush is my crack and I naturally gravitate towards blush brushes as well. However, as you can probably tell, this brush is quite a whopper of a size. Like all other Real Techniques brushes, the bristles are synthetic and very very soft. The brush head is also very thick but it isn’t very dense, so you get some give as you brush it against your face dreamily, regaling in the cottony softness against your cheek.

But try as I might, I couldn’t use this to apply blush.

As you might be able to tell, the brush head is quite large. Ok, not “quite” large, but large. It’s slightly tapered, although you can’t quite tell from the photo, and it spreads out somewhat to a fluffy head.

Here’s an approximation of size of the brush head to my hand. It’s large and as large as my face is, and as chubby as my cheeks are, I found that this blush brush just applied too much product to my cheeks and didn’t define them as nicely as they should.

When I got this a while ago, and after experimenting with it, I just left it aside. I have read many reviews on the Blush Brush that make this comment, but everyone seems to be able to work with it one way or another. Unfortunately, I’m not everyone, so I couldn’t make it work for blush. I didn’t have to. I have lots of other blush brushes that do a better job.

So, what was I do to with this monster? I found the solution in using it as a powder brush instead! :D

It says “blush brush” but it’s too big for my face!

The size of the brush head, being so large, and the thick, compact brush head that isn’t too dense applies loose or setting powder very nicely. Being dense, it picks up more product and applies more on skin than a fluffy face powder brush, but this still works for me.

But what I really like using it for these days, is for applying the Guerlain Meteorites Pearls. I was using the Trish McEvoy Bronzer Brush 37 before this, but when I put it to wash one day, I picked up this Real Techniques brush instead and I haven’t looked back since.

This brush picks up sufficient product, and the density and thickness of the brush head allows for more of the magical powder to be applied to skin, which means that the diffused glow is a little more noticeable. Also, the lovely softness of the brush head means that you can apply and buff product into your skin without it feeling scratchy or pokey. Guerlain sells brushes which they say are for Meteorites, but the quality of their brushes is abysmal. They’re scratchy and pokey and are nothing except cute, with their coloured bristles (I don’t find them cute, but most people do :P )

The Meteorites are expensive products, but the brush you use them doesn’t have to be :) So, if you haven’t yet found a good brush for applying Meteorites or loose powder, try the Real Techniques Blush Brush. After all, what is in a name, eh? :D

In a nutshell

The Real Techniques Blush Brush is a synthetic brush that is supposed to be used for applying blush or bronzer. The brush boasts a thick and relatively dense head, that tapers slightly. I find it too large to use to apply blush and I don’t use bronzer, so I use this brush instead for applying loose powder and it works especially well for applying the Guerlain Meteorites Light Reflecting Pearls. The bristles are super soft on skin and it dries quite quickly after washing. It isn’t expensive and works very well and the pink aluminium body will appeal to many. It’s a good brush. If you can use it for blush, good for you but if you find it too large, don’t fret, there are other uses for it too!

Brush Hair: Synthetic, Taklon

Pros: Affordable, Dries quickly, Multi-tasker brush can be used for blush, bronzer or powder, Works very well for applying Guerlain Meteorites for a more visible, diffused effect

Cons:  Too big for blush application

Who will like this: Anyone who prefers using synthetic brushes, Anyone who hasn’t found a brush to use for their Guerlain Meteorites powders

Real Techniques Blush Brush vs Lunasol Cheek Brush N

The only reason I’m showing you both these brushes is for size comparison. I love the Lunasol Cheek Brush N and I use it almost daily. As a blush brush, the size is perfect for me as it isn’t too large and fits my cheeks. I then blend product out and the super soft squirrel hair blends product very nicely. I know I’ve said that it’s a brush I can’t live without but I have found another brush from Hakuhodo that works even more impressively, if I want a more sculpted cheek look. I’ll share that another time :)

As you can see, as the Lunasol Cheek Brush is the perfect size for me (for my preference) it is no wonder I find the Real Techniques Blush Brush too large. But as I’ve said above, it does perform a different function for me, and it works well so I’m not complaining :D

Do you own the Real Techniques Blush Brush? Do you use it for blush or do you too, find it too large?

It’s far too large for me, but I’m glad I found another use for it. I honestly am not sure how people use it for blush. Maybe it’s because I prefer a smaller brush head for applying blush, so I have more precise placement? Or maybe I’m just not very good at it LOL! :D Apparently this works very well for applying bronzer too so give it a go, if you haven’t yet found a bronzer or loose powder or Meteorites brush :D

Paris B

Real Techniques Blush Brush Price: US$9 | RM78 (!!) Availability: Shins stores locally but the price mark up is incredible. Various other websites have them also at very inflated prices. Instead, buy it from iherb.com for just US$9 (Code MPW213 gets you 5% off your order)