little white truths

I've recently reviewed the three brushes from this set individually, so I thought I may as well keep going and review the whole thing.

Real Techniques brushes are available in Australia at Priceline, but you can also find them more cheaply online (eg iherb), so it's worth shopping around if you're interested in picking up a few products.


This set contains a duo-fiber face brush, a contour brush and an eye brush. I don't use the eye brush much but I reach for the other two at least a few times a week.

If I could choose one brush from the set, it would be the contour brush. The face brush is a close second.

Real Techniques claims/product details:

• Create buildable color and add texture to look pixel perfect for any occasion and in any light 
• Includes three limited edition brushes 
• Duo-fiber face brush: for lightweight application 
• Duo-fiber contour brush: for controlled contouring and sculpting 
• Duo-fiber eye brush: for finishing touches to the eye 
• A true multitasker – duo-fiber bristles work with cream, liquid or powder for an unbelievably air-brushed finish 
• Ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free 
• Extended aluminum handles are light and easy to use 
• RRP $55 AUD for the set, but do shop around (I paid around $30) 

Each brush comes with shorter bristles that are more densely packed (the black ones), and longer bristles that are more sparse (the paler ones).

The brushes are designed this way so you pick up less product each time, meaning they're good to use with more pigmented powders and for adding the last finishing touches to your makeup.

I'll now look briefly at each brush in turn.


Duo Fibre Contour Brush

Full review here. As mentioned in that review, this brush has been great for me because I often pick up too much of my sculpting shade when it comes to contouring (it's pretty hard not to), so I've been using this for that purpose and it's saved me many errors.

Another thing it's good for is setting my under-eye concealer: I have dry skin so I need to use the least amount of powder that I can, otherwise I risk exacerbating that dryness and giving myself lines I never knew I had.


I also use it to apply the finishing touches to my makeup, and it makes an ok blush brush if my usual one is due to be washed, or if the blush is extra pigmented.

I've also been known to use it in place of a fan brush when it comes to adding highlighter to my cheekbones, to avoid adding too much and looking like a discoball.

A good little brush.


Duo Fibre Eye Brush

Full review here. This is the brush I use least from this set, and I really only use it because it's there. While it's good for picking up only a little of your more pigmented shadows in theory, it's also too thick/wide for me to use on my short eyelids and puffy-eyed crease. It may be fine for some, but it's not good for me when it comes to those purposes.


What I do use it for is adding finishing touches to my eyes, if for example I need to even things out because one eye is darker than the other or I need to cover any harsh lines with a neutral shadow or smoke things out a bit.

This isn't a great brush for me unfortunately, but I can see it working better for those with a different eye shape.


Duo Fibre Face Brush

Last up is the face brush, which is great for adding a very fine dusting of setting powder or mineral foundation. Full review here. With my dry skin, I prefer to keep any powders to a minimum because they can exacerbate the fine lines on my forehead and around my mouth. This brush helps me keep the powder levels nice and low, and I do use it for the finishing touches to my makeup.


Because it has a wider side and also a thinner one, you can play around with how you use it. For example, I use the thinner side to apply my pigmented blushes when my normal blush brush is due for a wash, and it's great for that purpose.

In sum

While I do use this set, it's by no means essential and I reckon you're better off buying something from Real Techniques' core range, unless you already have an armoury of brushes in your collection.

What I can't comment on is whether these are good for applying creams and liquids because I only ever use them for powders. I don't think they'd work for fluids because they're too sparsely packed, but I can't say for sure.

Also, don't expect these to pack on colour: they're not designed for that. I also can't use them for loose powders because they pick up too much product (it gets trapped between the bristles), but they are great for adding the finishing touches to your face.