Real Techniques Brushes - Powder Brush (Photo Heavy)

I hauled some Real Techniques brushes from Fred Meyer (see my blab here), and this is my last brush post from it.  It's the Powder Brush and I got it for $9.99 USD.

The Real Techniques one (L) is much more dense and doesn't flop flat.

I use a powder brush to lightly dust Tarte smooth operator micronized clay finishing powder (in translucent white) all over my face after applying concealer and filling in my brows.  I don't wear foundation in any form but my T-zone tends to get oily as the day procedes, so I use finishing powder to absorb any excess oil on my face.

After using the Real Techniques powder brush for a little more than a week, I can say that I like it, but I may prefer my EcoTools one a teeny bit more.
Gaaaaaaaasp.


Even with my ginormous face, I feel like the Real Techniques one is too big and too dense.  Normally, I am a big advocate of super dense brushes but I think this one just might be tiptoeing around the threshold.  I am having a bit of trouble manoeuvring the brush around my face as the brush hairs don't seem to move around the curves of face very well.  They just stick straight up into the air, in a bunch.  I can barely fit it within the cap of the Tarte finishing powder, which sucks (I've always really enjoyed swishing my EcoTools powder brush in it).

Even though the EcoTools powder brush is floppy, I like it that way.  It is much, much less dense than the Real Techniques one, so, its hairs are more flexible and it is able move around my face well.  Also, because it is less dense, it is able to pick up loose powder more gently.  I find that my usual usage amount of finishing powder would disappear within my Real Techniques because it's so dense - I end up having to use a more generous amount.

What I do like about the Real Techniques brush over the EcoTools one is that it applies very evenly and smoothly.  Sometimes the EcoTools one can unevenly pick up the powder, so I end up having to tap the excess off and wasting it as it flies everywhere.

Have you tried either of these powder brushes?  Have you tried any other Real Techniques brushes?

In addition to this one, I've also tried the Core Face Kit and Blush Brush.

See my post on the Core Kit here.

See my post on the Blush Brush here.

- M

M's "Teeny" Weekend Haul

I did a little haul today, so I just wanted to show off my stash, teeheehee!

After weeks of research (through blogs, youtube videos, and the general internet), I've finally decided to buy one of the L'OREAL La Couleur Infaillible (27 Goldmine).

I bought it from London Drugs for $8.99 CAD

When you open it up, there's a black disc with a small peg/handle to keep the product compacted.

Gorgeous colour!

Flash and Without Flash swatches.

In both photos, I did a heavier swatch on the left side, and sort of dragged the shadow towards the right side to show a lighter swatch.  The pigmentation is spectacular!

I got oils, and need shit to soak it up.

TARTE Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder (Translucent White)

I bought it from Sephora for $36 CAD.  Looking at the price on the website, it's only $28 USD - WTF.

Here's me spilling some powder out.

Its packaging:

I bought a new ECO TOOLS Bamboo Powder Brush for the powder.

I got this one from London Drugs for $12.99 CAD.

Sandra raves about this acne/breakouts lifesaver brand, so I figured I'll give it a try:

LA ROCHE-POSAY Effaclar Duo.

I bought this from London Drugs for $25 CAD.

The ingredients:

A dab of the product:

and finally,

ESSIE Luxeffects Top Coat (As Gold As It Gets)

I bought this from London Drugs for $9.99 CAD.

It's absolutely gorg!

***

On a side note...
I was at London Drugs' cosmetics area for the longest time ever, so,
I got to test out the entire REVLON ColorBurst Lip Butter collection.

My verdict:  It's good quality (with respect to drug store lip products) and good value (under $10), but it is nowhere close to either Chanel's Coco Shine or YSL's Volupte Sheer Candy collections.  The Lip Butters are exponentially drier and less creamy than the latter.  I'm not trying to be snobby, but if I'm going to be paying a bit more than 1/3 of the price of a Coco Shine, I would rather just save up the other 2/3 for an actual Chanel lip product - especially, if it's nowhere close to a dupe.  Also, why call them such yummy names if you're not going to even make them scented?!  If I had to choose one of the Lip Butters (oh, poor me), Peach Parfait would be my pick - that scent would've been super noms!
Pffft, hype.



Anyway,
I hope you enjoyed the haul pornography!

xoxo, M.

***

Haul Update:  January 29

Over the weekend, I was gawking at the LUSH Valentine's products online, and I had to have the Magic Mushroom Bubble Bar.  They're scented as strawberries and cream - Yum!  Last night, I was polite as non-confrontational as possible to the sales associate, and was rewarded two mushrooms.  I got them for $5.95 CAD each.  Cannot wait to soak in them!!

The only valuable information I got from the sales associate was that they'll keep producing them until Valentine's Day (February 14); after which, they'll just be selling whatever they have left in stock.
Go get them now!

 (I put the bags in the background so you have an idea of the size)

Booourns, Monday tomorrow.