Real Techniques | Starter Set (Eye) & Silicone Liner Brush

The range of Real Techniques® makeup brushes are all about affordability and a well-made product, and if you are just starting to build a beauty brush collection, I can’t recommend these tools enough. Ever since being introduced to this brand’s face brushes (previously reviewed here and here), I find myself reaching for them all the time, so it stood to reason that the Starter Set (Eyes) and Silicone Liner Brush would be equally impressive; I am happy to say that these eye brushes have definitely come through and with equally excellent results.

Designed with the help of beauty YouTube gurus Sam & Nic Chapman, the following is a quick breakdown:

Taklon bristles are ultra-plush and smoother than the hair you’ll find in other brushes. Since taklon is synthetic, it’s 100% cruelty-free. The soft fibers help create a flawless, high-definition finish in any type of light – from sunlight to harsh indoor lighting
The color-coded system corresponds to the key steps of makeup application so you can create a flawless base, enhanced eyes,, and the perfect finish like a pro
Each brush head is hand-cut to the perfect shape, allowing for precise application from dense coverage to a soft, delicate finish
The collection is suitable for a wide range of products and every makeup need – from powders, creams, and liquids to mineral makeup, highlighter, and shimmer
Brush names on the handles make for easy reference

The Starter Set (CAN $19.99) comes with a panoramic travel case and is available at London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Brunet, Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, People’s Drug Mart and Pharmasave Value Drug Mart – more detailed information can also be found by visiting farleyco.ca

The Silicone Liner Brush (CAN $8.99) is sold separately and available at London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, and Pharmasave

Real Techniques® | Eye Starter Set with included travel case

Deluxe Crease Brush is a round and fairly densely headed brush that at first glance may seem a little too large for work in the crease area, but works amazing in that capacity – especially for buffing out any harsh lines – which it does beautifully with its plushly soft bristles that never feel scratchy along the skin. The larger size of this brush makes it impractical for precision work; that being said, it can also be used to deposit a broad sweep of colour along the mobile lid of the eye and can even work well for highlighter application in the smaller/trickier areas of the face (bridge of the nose, cupids bow).

Base Shadow Brush is a flat paddle-style eye brush with a relatively dense tip that bears a good balance of density/rigidity and softness to the bristles. Used along its broader side, this brush works well at applying product to the mobile lid while the tip and/or the side can be used for adding eyeshadow along the lower lash line which can then be easily diffused and buffed out for a seamless connection to other eye makeup.

Shading Brush is a small domed brush with densely packed yet exceptionally soft & smoothly formed bristles. Designed for precision work, this brush can be used a number of ways – from helping to define the crease, along the lower lash line, for adding accent spots of colour, and even to buff in liner to shadow. Also perfect for those with narrower eyes to help deposit and apply broader sweeps of colour along the lids. Extremely versatile, this is a brush that most people won’t realize how much they need until they start using it.

Brow Brush is an angled brush of dense yet soft bristles that are rigid enough for precise application yet soft enough to not scratch or pull along the skin. I find that the softness of this brush makes it a touch impractical for applying powder colour to the brows, but I do love using it for fusing powder and pencil products smoothly into my brows. My personal favourite way of using this brush is actually in creating a defined or ‘cut’ crease, as well as for lining purposes – in particular along the lower lash line (that’s where the softness of the bristles works perfectly to add product without any tugging of the skin in that sensitive area).

Accent Brush is a a tiny domed brush especially created for the most precise work around the eye. Absolutely ideal for adding shimmer/highlighter in the tear duct area, this brush can also be used for applying liner to the lower lash line, or for buffing any liner along the upper lash line – especially useful in fusing powder eyeshadow over liquid/gel liner.

Fine Liner Brush is a narrow brush that is meant to be used in liner application; the softness of the bristles is excellent in preventing any tugging along the sensitive and thinner skin around the eyes, but not as effective for precision work – unless used damp. Nevertheless, I prefer to use a more rigid brush for precise liner work, as I found the bristles here a touch too floppy and slightly splayed out for that purpose.

Silicone Liner Brush is absolutely unique in my brush collection, made so in fact by virtue of its material; the rigid yet flexible pointed shape of the silicone head makes this brush excellent for applying a precise line of product along either the upper or lower lash line, but it also has a tendency to stick slightly to the skin which can subsequently cause a bit of tugging (and resulting in patchy application). Best when used in tandem with cream or liquid based products – that’s when this brush then really comes into its own, as the silicone head really helps to facilitate application.

Overall, I give these brushes a thumbs up; considering the price point, these are not only an excellent addition to one’s already existing makeup brush collection, but worth picking up for their quality and usefulness as well. The Silicone Liner Brush is one I’m ambivalent about, as I don’t find myself reaching for it often, but I do like how unique it it amongst my eye brushes and like the ease with which it helps apply creamier eye products (but still odd to work with – maybe it’s just me). If there’s anything missing here, I would have to say it’s the lack of a larger fluffier brush for blending, something that would have fit in quite well with this set, and a point Real Techniques® might want to look into. Just a thought …