My make up brush collection

So I picked up a couple of new brushes today whilst in Boots; they more impulse buys than anything else really (I had a 25% off coupon). When I got home and added them to my brush pot (an old Starbuck's Frappucino cup) I realised that I owned quite a selection. Plus they were all freshly cleaned. And so this post was born!

So of course I'm going to start with Real Techniques. I only have the Core Collection, and I'm not sure if I need any of the others. My most used by far is the buffing brush. It's just perfect for blending in foundation to give that flawless finish. I'd highly recommend! It's very similar to the Expert Face Brush - it's so similar that I feel like I can't justify buying the latter. My next favourite is the contour brush. Now I don't actually contour, I use it for blush. And for a subtle hint of colour, it's perfect. The other two brushes, I'm not so sure on. The pointed foundation brush is very small, I actually use it to blend concealer. The detailer brush isn't bad, I just rarely use it. I feel like it'd be good as a lip brush, or for adding small details of eye make up. This set is a value for money in terms of what you get, but I think I mostly bought it for the two bigger brushes.

From top to bottom: Eye Enhancing Duo Blend & Smudge; Shade & Define; Foundation Brush; Airbrush Concealer Brush; Skin Perfecting Brush

Onto EcoTools, a brand that seems to get the most of my love. The first ever brush that I purchased myself was the EcoTools foundation brush - it's one that is well loved, even though it's not my favourite method of applying foundation. The Eye Enhancing Duo brushes are an amazing addition to my collection - 4 brushes for the price of two! They're just quick and easy to use, and lovely quality. 

The bottom two brushes are my newest purchases. The Airbrush Concealer Brush is actually quite large for concealer. I think I may try it out in other areas of my face. It's a similar size and shape to the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease brush, found in the Starter Set, although a lot more firm. I'm very intrigued to see how this one works out...

Finally is the Skin Perfecting Brush, which I couldn't stop looking at when I saw it in Boots. It's got a tapered edge and the texture of a due fibre brush. It's created for BB and CC creams, but I feel like it would work for liquid foundation too. The shape of it is perfect for bending under the eyes and around the nose. To me it has the feel of a stippling brush, and I can't wait to use it!

And now we're onto the weirder items; ones that were given as gifts. The white brushes belonged to a set (the others mysteriously ended up in my sister's room whilst I was away at university...) and I have absolutely no idea where they're from. I think my aunt said she picked them up in Costco. They have no branding, so I suppose I'll never know. Which is a shame because they're pretty good brushes. Theres a blush/powder brush, a blending brush (think MAC 217) and a base shadow brush. The latter two were my default eye brushes, before my EcoTools ones came along.
The black brushes are from a 'Daisy de Villeneuve' set from Boots. These ones I don't like as much, because they shed. The smallest one is good, however, for tiny details. For example, I like to use it with Barry M Dazzle Dust, so that you don't end up with glitter everywhere!

The rest of my brushes are smaller so I keep them in this case. It's Ted Baker and it's the most beautiful print that I've ever seen. I love Ted Baker, and am immediately drawn to anything with this pattern on it. Plus the metalwork is rose gold. It's just the epitome of the heart eyes emoji.

The set that goes with the case looks like this, and I've actually never used any of them (got it for Christmas 2014) The left brushes look like they could shed, but the other two are quite promising (a shadow brush and a lip brush). It also comes with a nail art tool, which is exciting, even though I'm rubbish with nails!

The other brushes I store in here aren't that exciting, if I'm quite honest. There's a couple of brow tools and the remnants of another Ted Baker brush set (which was awful!). The only good one in this lot is my old No7 Essential Lip Brush, which I'm pretty sure has been discontinued. I think the design of lip brushes has really improved in recent years, so maybe it's time to invest in a new one? However, I do still tend to just apply most of my lipsticks straight from the stick...


And so that's my make up brush collection! It's not very extensive if I'm quite honest. Maybe there are more that I need to buy? I have been lusting after the MAC 217 and the Urban Decay Good Karma Brushes, but they are a little bit pricey. If you have any that you'd recommend, I'd love to hear from you! x