Real Techniques is one of my favorite brands for affordable, quality makeup brushes. When I spotted this new Limited Edition Nic's Picks set I got understandably excited. It contains 5 brushes for face and eyes that cover all of the basics necessary for starting out your brush collection!
The Real Techniques Nic's Picks includes five brushes, three of which are exclusive to this set. There's the duo-fiber face brush, which provides lightweight application of cream, liquid or powder pigments to the face. The cheek brush (set exclusive), which is perfect for applying blushes or bronzers. An angled shadow brush (another set exclusive), who's shape perfectly hugs the crease of your eye. The base shadow brush, which is your eyeshadow staple for applying color to the lid and browbone. And the eyeliner brush (the last set exclusive), which lets you apply cream or powdered pigments with precision along the lash line.
All of these brushes have synthetic bristles, so while not only being cruelty free, they'll also hold up well with repeated washing (they're also super soft!). I love the look of the reflective metal handles, which feels very sleek and stylish. The only downside is that they tend to show fingerprints easily. The handles are also extremely lightweight. I think I prefer the slightly more hefty feel of the brushes in the permanent line, which my brain interprets as being more durable (whether or not that's actually true), but it's nice to not have extra bulk, especially if you're traveling with the set.
At a $30 price point, you're also getting your money's worth. Individual Real Techniques brushes retail between $6 and $10, so you're definitely saving a few dollars by buying them as a set. Real Techniques are also available at many retailers that often have coupons and discounts, so it's very easy to save on the set, too!
There are a few other popular collections available by Real Techniques, but what I particularly like about this one is that it contains brushes for both face and eyes, rather than just one or the other. It's the perfect gift for someone who hasn't built up a brush collection yet, as this set has all of the necessary basics to do a full face of makeup. You can easily apply powders, blushes, and bronzers with your Cheek Brush and Duo-Fiber Face Brush. The three eye brushes are truly all you need to create both simple and complex looks, from a daytime wash of color to a smokey eye. The only possible addition I could recommend would the be Expert Face Brush ($9.00), which I love for applying liquid and cream foundations. Technically you could use your duo fiber face brush for this, but I personally think it works best for adding a light dusting of powder to set your makeup.
So if you or someone you know is in the market for some new brushes, I highly recommend checking this set out! It is Limited Edition for the holidays, so make sure that you snatch one up before they're gone for good.
Are you a fan of Real Techniques brushes? What is your favorite from the line?
