Affordable Makeup Brushes 101

 

Makeup brushes ey.

 

They're probably my biggest addiction. There's something so satisfying and cute about a neat and expanding collection of makeup brushes.

But golly aren't they expensive. I don't like to complain but £20 for a teeny tiny eyebrow brush seems a bit extortionate. (I don't really know why I said I don't like to complain... I love to complain. I fact, it's one of my favourite past time.)

 

So today I thought I'd run through some of the brushes I've got. The most expensive brand I've got it Real Techniques (which I adore) so I'm not exactly breaking the bank. But sometimes you can tell it would be worth it to pay just a lil bit more. More about that later though, lets get straight into the brushes.

 

 

My first reaction when I see this picture is to say yummmm. (Don't ask.) So these are my Real Techniques face brushes, don't they look adorable.

 

(From left to right)

 

Real Techniques Blush Brush

£9.99

 

I think this was the first brush I ever bought and it was a pretty good choice. (A rather odd one as I don't actually wear blush but oh well..) It's very soft and doesn't malt at all. I apply my powder with this brush as the soft bristles gives my face a lighter look rather than a powdery look which you normally get from using a kabuki.

 

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush

£9.99

 

On the other end of the spectrum, this is one of my newest brushes in my ever growing brush collection. I never knew how to apply bronzer until I got this brush. It's a bit too big and dense to contour with- you'll end up looking like you just fell face first into a muddy puddle. However for larger areas of face that need powdering or blending, this is great. It is dense enough to use with both powder and liquid but works great with cream products.

 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

£9.99

 

I feel like everyone has this brush, and for good reason. If you're out to get just one brush, this is the brush for you. It can be used for almost anything- foundation, powder, bronzer, highlight, concealer. It's just really great at blending as it's sooo dense and small enough to do things that take a bit more precision.

However. And this is a big however... this brush kind of becomes redundant when you start buying specific brushes for different roles. So now I have a foundation brush AND a bronzer brush AND a highlight brush AND a concealer brush, I use the Expert Face Brush less and less. So if you've already got a big collection, it's a nice brush but not vital. If you haven't got any/many brushes, this is the brush I recommend you go out and buy right now.

 

Real Techniques Setting Brush

£8.99

 

I guess this is meant to be for setting powder on more delicate places like under your eyes. I have used it for that a couple of times but even better, try contouring with it. It literally fits into the hollow of my cheeks perfectly. So that's mainly what I use it for. It's also pretty great at highlighting your cheek bones and bridge of your nose as its fairly small and pretty delicate.

 

 

£11.99 (mini size)

 

This is a mini brush set by Eco Tools. The problemo: they no longer sell it. Don't panic though, if you like the idea of this set, they do a newer version that's pretty much the same idea but with slightly different brushes. Have a look at that one here...

 

This is a really cute set a great value for the price. I absolutely love the flat concealer brush (far right) and is one that has made it's way into my everyday brush routine. The second right brush with the blue handle is fab at blending eye shadows as well.

 

In general, Eco Tools brushes are sweet and work well but you can kind of tell they're slightly cheaper. Especially with face and powder brushes. They're generally not dense enough and a bit more scratchy than Real Techniques.

 

If you do a lot of travelling or staying away for the night, a set like this may be a good purchase. It covers the basics and is a  great size for carrying around. However if you're looking for a brush set that's just as good quality as individual brushes, this isn't something I'd recommend for you.

 

I thought I'd do a quick one on one comparison between these 2 brushes (Real Techniques vs Eco Tools.) Eco Tools is considerably cheaper but it is clear in this picture as to why. It is less dense which makes it hard to work with liquids and the bristles aren't soft enough to provide a flawless powder cover. Even the aesthetic of the Real Techniques brush is superior to the Eco Tools brush. It is glossy and professional rather than wood and young looking.

 

By the way, this isn't an Eco Tools bashing session- some of their brushes are great (which you're about to see.) However as they are the main 2 affordable yet good quality brush brands available at Boots and Superdrug, it seemed right to compare them.

 

 

Eco Tools Bamboo Foundation Brush

 

Now this is more like it. In contrast to their sets, Eco Tools' individual brushes are a lot better quality and still great value. This is my current go to foundation brush and works perfectly adequately for me. Generally, I prefer using a beauty blender to apply foundation but when I use my Clinique foundation and concealer 2 in 1, it works a lot better with a brush so I whip this one out.

 

Obviously you could probably get a better foundation brush that's a little softer (you can kind of see one of the bristles malting out in this picture,) But you'd pay a lot for it. This brush is £7.99 and I don't see any reason to spend £40 on a brush when this one is just fine. (Don't kill me if I buy a new foundation brush in the future once I've got the money!!) If you're looking for a basic, possibly your first, foundation brush, this is a good one at a great price. What else could you need?

 

 

Real Techniques Special Edition Eye Set

Normal edition alternative

£21.99

 

Look how beaut these brushes look.

 

They're small, precise, neat and glossy... what more could you ask for? A smaller price tag possibly?

 

So this is a limited edition eye liner set I got around July time, I'm sure you could still find it in some stores but I couldn't see it online so I linked the normal Real Techniques Eye Set.

 

Again, these brushes are great quality. I guess they're all supposed to be used to do eyeliner but I kind of adapt them to my own makeup routine.

 

Sorry about the red, I did my sisters demon makeup!

 

The middle right is obviously a great eyebrow brush. It's small and light which gives the eyebrow powder a more natural finish. I use the middle left one for smudging eye shadow and eyeliner. I've got medium/small eyelids so it's a great size and not too bulky to try and blend quite precisely.

 

Overall, the Real Techniques eye brushes are faultless. I kind really see any flaws on them. I know I complained about the price tag but actually £21.99 for a 5 brush set (not the limited edition) makes it only £4.40 ish per brush which is hard to argue with.

 

 

Again, I thought I'd do a quick brush comparison.

 

This is the Superdrug Smokey Eye Brush for £2.99

vs

A Real Techniques angled eyeliner brush 

 

So the immediate thing is the tape. I'm not sure whether it's the quality of the product or the one I picked up, but the top of the brush kept falling off the middle. I could easily glue it but I'm much too lazy for that.

 

The second thing to notice is the fact that the Superdrug brush is a duo (with a small blending brush on the other end.) I love both of the brushes on the one brush so it's very useful when trying to minimise the amount you buy/pack.

 

As someone that appreciates a good looking brush, you would think I'd chose the Real Techniques brush over the Superdrug one every day of the week and twice on Sunday. But no. I use both of these to do my eyebrows and do not see a big enough difference in results to justify dismissing the cheap brush in favour of the Real Techniques one. Both do the job very well, both are easy to use. I guess it's different when it's on eyebrows because it doesn't really matter how soft they are. But density definitely does matter and they are equally matched on that front.

 

It's a shame about the tape but honestly, if I was going to recommend either of these brushes, it would be the Superdrug one. Spend more money on face brushes. But for £2.99 you get two great brushes that work just as well as any more expensive brushes. Fab!

 

Lastly, here is a paint brush. (Drops mic.)

 

Okay, hear me out here. You can get paint brushes for 100% cheaper than most makeup brushes and some can work great in your makeup routine. I'm not saying go out and buy a 100 pack of paint brushes rather than any makeup brushes because you will regret it. But next time you're somewhere that tells paint brushes, take a lil look and just see if you can imagine using any of them in your makeup routine.

 

I use this makeup brush as a lip brush. It's small, soft, smooth and flexible which makes it fantastic for applying lipsticks precisely and quickly. Just saying.

 

As I've been talking about brushes for so long I thought I'd do a quick list of affordable brushes I want to buy. Partly for my benefit so if you've tried any of these, leave a comment letting me know how they are!

 

• Any of the Real Techniques metal brushes purely for the look!!
• Tweezerman flat top foundation brush
• Smashbox Fan Brush
• Mur Ultra Flat Contour F304

*Hint hint if any friends or family are reading and starting to think about Christmas ay ay*

-

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed today's blog post. I guess there are a couple of things to bare in mind when it comes to makeup brushes. Firstly, sometimes money really does buy better quality. Sometimes, it really doesn't. (I'm helpful, I know.) Secondly, don't be restricted by the labels, names and price tags. If there's a brush that says blending brush, don't be afraid to try it with different products to see how you like it best. And finally, don't forget to use your fingers!!

 

Thanks for reading, I hope this helped some of you out there looking to buy makeup brushes.

See you next time,

 

Laura Stone x

 



 

Keep reading...

Budget Makeup Haul

October Catch Up

Let's talk about... makeup

 

 

So you're off to uni (top tips)

As September gets closer and closer, the prospect of actually leaving for Uni is becoming a reality for a lot of people. I was not going to do this post as I'm still in sixth form so cannot give my 'top tips' for uni quite yet. However it's such an important topic for a student blog, I thought I had to include it. But instead of just using tips from online, I talked to people I know that are either at uni, going this year or have finished uni, to put together a post with all their best tips for those of you starting university this Septemmber. Without futher ado, here are top tips for freshers starting university...

 

-Sort out your finances before you go. Make sure you know your weekly/monthly allowance and have a plan to start making an income. Whether that's a job or a summer internship.

 

 

-Try checking your university on social media sites before you leave. Sometimes they have groups set up specifically for freshers so you can start meeting new people before you even get there. At the very least, join the groups so people have an idea of who you are if they happen to see you.

 

 

-As well as making sure you have all the right gadgets, it is a good idea to insure the expensive ones (phones, laptops, tablets) against theft particularly or damage. 

-You do not need to go out and buy all the books on your reading list as soon as you get in. Have a look around because you'll normally be able to borrow them or buy them for cheap from another student or third party website.

 

 

-If you're looking for a job in your university city, go on a day out about 3 weeks before university starts. Hand out your CV to shops and cafe's in the city. If you wait to do this in September, it's a mad rush as all students are trying to get jobs so they all go very quickly.

 

 

-Budgeting is hard as a student so you have to learn to save on the little things. Buy your own beers rather than going out, make your own coffee each morning rather than spending £3 each day on a Starbucks... In the long term, this will add up so you'll be more likely to be able to splurge on the bigger stuff.

 

 

-If you're not a big TV watcher, rather than spending loads on modern cable, try just buying Netflix for £10 per month and use catch up online to watch newer shows.

 

 

 

-Throughout freshers week, infact throughout your whole first year, try to go out and get involved as much as possible. It will help you make friends and build a strong social life. Also, you will have less time to go out in later years due to work overload so make the most of it now.

 

 

-During freshers week, make sure you take the time to get to know your room mates and neighbours. A great tip is to leave your rooms door open whilst you're in so people can come in and chat. (But be sure to close your door when you're out and sleeping of course!)

 

 

-Take plenty of alcohol for freshers week, even if you go out a lot, it can always be stored for when you're running low on money.

 

 

-If you are not a massive drinker/partier, do not be worried or nervous. Just go out with people you meet and get along with, have fun and go with it. You probably won't be best friends with these people forever so just have a good time.

 

 

-Bringing a laptop to uni is a real advantage. It means you can take notes during class and write your work up anywhere rather than relying on computers in the library.

 

 

-Take outs are great but make sure you're not being done over by the price. For example, getting take out curry when it's on offer is good for your budget but don't buy the expensive small portions of rice. Instead, buy a supermarket own brand rice (bread, pasta ect...) which you can keep to use throughout the week/month.

 

 

-Clothes wise, do not stress about your wardrobe too much. Just wear clothes that are comfortable, look decent and kind of reflect who you are. For example, if you are sporty, there's nothing wrong with wearing sports type clothes around campus (to an extent.)

 

 

 

-Take full advantage of student discounts and charity shops because you won't be able to afford full priced high street clothes for very long!

 

 

-At most universities, a humble bike will be your best friend throughout the 3/4 years you are there. Cars are expensive and bad for the environment (plus there's almost no where to park) so are often discouraged by universities. However, don't buy a £1 000 bike, a normal priced bike (even second hand) will do the job. Make sure to invest in some lights as it's a legal requirement to have both front and back lights in the dark; safety wise you might also want to look for a helmet and some kind of fluorescent material that can be attached to either you or the bike. It may not look cool but could save you from some pretty nasty accidents.

 

 

 

I hope some of these tips helped, I'm sorry they're such a random bunch of tips, I just wrote what I was told ;) Anyway, for those of you starting university in September, good luck! I'm sure it will be amazing. Just remember that you're paying a lot to be there so make the most of it as much as possible.

 

Thanks for reading and see you next time

Laura Stone x

 

Jeans Jeans Jeans (#2)

Hello everyone,

 

As you may (or may not) remember, "Jeans Jeans Jeans #1" was one of my first ever blog posts. I've always wanted to do a second post and now is a good as time as any so here we go!

 

Today I'm going to be talking about lighter coloured jeans. Whilst I was doing my research for the first jeans post, I realised how big the topic of jeans actually is! It's so varied. So I'm planning on doing yet another follow up in which I will talk about different shaped jeans and maybe another one on styles such as rips? I don't know, tell me what you think!

Lets jump right in...

 

So I said I was talking about light jeans, where's a better place to start than white jeans? White jeans can take you anywhere and are super in style, especially during the spring and summer, but sometimes it's hard to know how to wear them. Here are some ideas:

 

Most importantly, you have to realise that unlike some other jeans, white jeans are a statement piece in themselves. Therefore, what you wear with them becomes even more crucial.

 

Contrasting black or dark colours on top whilst wearing white jeans is always a head turner. It's perfect for spring and autumn when it's not quite summer but wearing white jeans is still acceptable.

 

Another way to wear white jeans is with a light top. For spring and summer, this is a look that will bring out your inner goddess. If you're not feeling all white, break it up with accessories. Coloured shoes, bags, plaid shirts, different textures, belts. Anything you like to break up the look.

 

 

When wearing white jeans, there is one thing you need to remember...

UNDIES

Now is not the time to wear your new frilly lace or novelty Disney underwear. Stick with a seamless nude knicker that blends into your own skin colour. M&S do some good no VPL underwear and New Look do seamless nude thongs if you think you'd prefer them.

 

 

Light blue is the classic light jean and is so easy to wear. Unlike white jeans, they're not a statement in themselves which gives you a bit of freedom to go a lil' crazy when it comes to accessorizing. Whether that means crazy coloured/textured tops, or styles that you have never tried before, the blue jean lets you unleash your inner fashionista.

 

 

Light blue is generally very casual but can be dressed up nicely with a posh top. It's crazy how much of a difference a pair of shoes can make. Pair light blue jeans with trainers and you have an outfit causal enough for the park. Pair them with some nude stilettos and you have a great outfit for the city in the summer.

 

If you're into denim on denim, which is making a comeback, light blue is the most obvious denim style to go for. If you went for black denim on denim it might just look like leggings. By going with blue jeans and a denim top of some kind, its a look that shouts "I'm wearing double denim. What are you going to do about it?!" And I love that.

 

 

Grey skinnies truly are staples, second to the classic blue jean and/or black denim; they are pants of versatility. Though grey is grouped with the likes of black and white as a classic color, in denim it possesses edgy unconventionalism.

 

If you're part of a fandom and are not hopping on the black ripped skinny jeans trend, grey skinny jeans look great with a band or logo top. Alternatively, pair them with a white blouse, black blazer and black stilettos and you have got yourself a classy evening outfit.

 

 

Just as an added idea, grey looks really classy with nudes (I'm thinking nude stilettos!!) and is perfect for the spring summer time- when the weather isn't quite what it should be.

 

If you're feeling very brave, there are some other options jean wise this summer...

 

 

Paired with a plain top and some summery wedges, light coloured jeans can work. I don't wear them personally but of you can pull them off and style them correctly, they can look stunning in the summer.

 

That leads me to the end of light jeans. I think it's important to always wear you. Don't just go for the style and colour that everyone has, wear what you like. Have you ever worn bootleg or boyfriend jeans? If not, try them. What've you got to lose?

 

In general, light jeans are amazing for the summer and can easily transfer from casual picnic to classy dinner in a couple of changes. If you're wondering where to get jeans from, I do a whole section on it in Jeans Jeans Jeans #1. Also check that out if you're interested in dark jeans.

 

I hope you enjoyed this post today and good luck building your summer wardrobes :)

Please share, like and comment and look out for the next post in the jeans series: different shapes.

 

Thanks for reading,

Laura Stone x

 

Best Budget Concealers

For me, concealing is the most important step (face wise). It's not for everyone, but if any of you suffer from break outs, discoloration or under eye circles then you will understand me.

 

I'm happy to pay good money but sometimes when I'm short on cash, I prefer to spend it elsewhere. That's why today I'm doing best concealers under £5 because there are definitely some fab ones out there if you know where to look. (And trust me, I've looked!)

Lets get right into it :)

 

1. Collection 2000 lasting perfection 

 

This might be the obvious & cliché but seriously 'Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer' is the bomb. You would laugh if you saw how many empty tubes of this I have in my draw.

 

It's an incredibly thick concealer for it's small price of £4.19 which is why I like it so much. Personally, I struggle with under eye circles badly so I use it under my eyes- for most people it might be a bit thick on such sensitive skin though. It works great on any real problem areas, spots and all.

If you don't have that bad 'imperfections', it might be a bit thick for you. But if you're looking for an affordable concealer that covers just about everything- this is the one for you.

(I'm in shade 1 or 2.)

 

 

2. MUA Hide and Conceal

 

I really like this concealer. It's soft and creamy which is perfect for a stick concealer. It has regular coverage: not too light or too thick. Sometimes I like to buy the lighter one and use it as a brightener as well. Can I just mention that it is £1. Convinced yet?

 

Generally, I use my finger to pat this in because else it's a bit dry. It sounds weird but the heat helps blend it in smoothly.

 

 

 

 3. Rimmel Wake me up

So far, the 2 I've talked about have been very thick and high coverage. I thought I'd include a good lighter coverage so here you go! Although I don't really use light coverage, I've tried this one and its really nice. It's creamy and brightening; perfect for under eyes that aren't verging on purple.

Talking about brightening....

Collection Illuminating touch

 



If foundation or BB cream is enough coverage for you, try the collection illuminating concealer. It's like a highlighter/concealer mixed into one. Great for brightening under your eyes but also illuminating the bridge of your nose and cheek bones.

It's very blendable but I do feel sometimes it can vanish into your skin without making enough of a difference. To avoid this, try using a dense stippling brush instead of rubbing it with your finger.

Only just under £5, at £4.99- it's still an affordable price.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helped some of you out there. Remember, high end expensive makeup is great but if you're on a budget then there are always alternatives!

 

See you next time,

 

Laura Stone xx