October 10, 2017

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush Review

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

I purchased the new Real Techniques Blend + Blur Foundation Brush, Blend + Blur All Over Brush, Blend + Blur Contour Brush, Blend + Blur Crease Brush, and Blend + Blur Cheek Brush recently during an early launch for Ulta Platinum Members and I don’t regret the purchase in the least! But I’ll tell you about them more in a second….

As you can easily see these are a lot like the much more expensive Artis Makeup Brushes which range is prices from $60 and upward. Over the course of the last two years many, many brands have duplicated the Artis line of brushes. Just recently, Ulta released an Oval Brush Set for the Holiday season that look quite like the Artis line and of course, many Korean brands such as Etude House and Missha have added brushes like these to their permanent collection.

Is it any wonder? The Artis line is quite a unique line of brushes with soft, densely packed bristles that buff color into cheeks to a flawless, airbrushed appearance. Artis even created a selection of their brushes exclusively for MAC a few years ago.

The new Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush Collection takes on Artis with their own selection of brushes!

Here’s my thoughts and review.

They do say imitation is the best form of flattery right? These are pretty make an fairly decent dupe for the Artis line of makeup brushes with some quirks and differences which I’ll get into shortly.

These are very, very well made brushes with soft, dense bristles and sturdy handles. The brushes take some getting used to and have a very slight learning curve as applying your brush with an oval, short-haired brush is considerably different than applying it with a long-haired bushier blush brush but after you get application down you’ll be super happy with the results. One of the main difference between these and the Artis Brush Line are the handles are much more sturdy and don’t bend as easily. This will either make you happy or disappointed. The Artis Brushes move with you and bend as you work however, I’ve always felt this was a slight fault with the design because I feel like I’m going to break them if I use a heavier hand. Real Techniques gave the handles a sturdy feel so they still bend a little as you move but they don’t feel like they are going to snap as you blend which I think gives them a design perk.

Unfortunately, one of the main quirks and disadvantages of the Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush Collection is the fact they absorb a good deal of product. Some of the larger brushes when used with cream or liquid foundations or blushes absorb product quickly. This can actually work in your favor if you use a heavier hand like I do. The fact it absorbs excess so quickly allows me to be much lighter with blush and foundation application which is fine by me as I get a much more natural finish. However, considering foundation and other makeup can be quite expensive this could present a problem. The good news is this only happens with the larger brushes. I experienced the issue with the Blend + Blur Foundation Brush and Blend + Blur All Over Brush only. The other brushes I had no such issues with.

These are a marvel with application. Truly they give miraculous results with an airbrushed, flawless finish. I used the larger Blend + Blur All Over Brush with some of my favorite powder foundations and it gives the lightest, natural finish. I dislike powder foundation on a whole but I do own some formulas I like which I rarely use. This larger breaks breaks down the powder, sheers it out, and gives a natural, even, smooth finish so the powder isn’t adhering to drier areas on my face. By the way, this brush is quite large and will work for body work as well such as bronzer application on chest or arms, etc…! I put the All Over Brush beside one of the smaller brushes below so you can see the size difference between the two!

All of the brushes act to break down thicker products and give them a silkier, thinner consistency which allows for more natural coverage. The bristles are dense yet soft and buff product into your skin in such a way that it gives the smoothest of finishes which results in that airbrushed finish. You’ll be amazed at how easily highlighter applies when using brushes like this as you can get that Instagram glow without looking like a discoball.

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Crease Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Crease Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Foundation Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Foundation Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Contour Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Contour Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur All Over Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur All Over Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Cheek Brush

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Cheek Brush

The key to application is the gently swirl the brush on your skin and if you like you can also sweet it across skin when applying foundation. If you want to sheer a certain foundation or brighter blush out I would recommend buffing gently and it’ll break down the color easily for a more natural look and finish.

I noticed the brushes are interchangeable as I didn’t feel the sizes quite fit with my needs so I ended up using them for different parts of my face than they suggested. For example, the cheek brush I used for concealer and or highlighter and the contour brush was a much nicer size blush application.

I do wish they released more eye brushes as right now they only have one available but I imagine if these do well they will continue to release more in the line.

All in all, the Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brush is worth exploring. I really like these brushes for foundation, concealer, blush, and highlighter application. They give a beautiful, airbrushed finish that gives skin a smooth, even appearance.

I’d highly suggest trying at least one but I’m doubtful you’ll be able to stop at a single one.

Muse Approved.

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Brushes are available now at ulta.com and soon at amazon.com.

Tried them?

Do share!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Christina

    Hmm, if price wasn’t a factor, which brand would you recommend for performance all around, or are they just too different?

    • Isabella Muse

      Artis 🙂 if $$ is no option! Not to say the RT brushes aren’t great, they are, but the Artis line has more variety and the brushes are a little less bulky!

  • Linda Whitener

    Couldn’t agree more, Muse! I got the foundation and cheek brushes when Ulta gave platinum members first crack at this line. Never having used an oval brush before, I wasn’t sure what to expect – but I tried them with a cream foundation and a cream blush, and loved the results. Now to see what happens with liquids and powders…

    When Ulta rolled these out, I’d been considering a Royal & Langnickel set at Wally World – but some reviewers said they felt flimsy and likely to break (which surprised me, because I use R&L brushes in my acrylic painting and they’re indestructible: best value out there). Now I’m glad I waited for RT to launch their line.

    • Isabella Muse

      YAY! glad you’re enjoying them! I have a few oval brushes so I knew what to expect but wasn’t sure if RT would measure up to brushes I had tried like this and was quite happy they were great 😀 They were def worth it. I got the BOGO at the time of launch (hopefully you did too!) and don’t regret the purchase. They work great with powders! Liquids they do absorb quite a bit of product but none the less great if you are as heavy-handed as I am!

  • Wendy Sue

    These brushes are REALLY dense, and give a flawless finish. However, on mature skin, I feel like they tug too much. I find I don’t reach for them because of it.

  • Claire

    I just recently broke my Artis Oval 7 from too much pressure. Good thing
    Artis will replace these for free! These RT brushes are definitely sturdier, but I feel that the brush heads are a bit more bulky and harder to get an even application. But I’ll have to play with them some more. I like them so far!

    • Isabella Muse

      Yeah they bend really easily which works great for blending but I’m always scared I’m going to snap my brush! Can’t believe you did! Oh no! but thank god for their excellent CS! The brush heads are def a little larger but all in all so far had a fairly great experience with them 😀

  • mkdallas

    Which one can be used for concealer and does it rival the epic Sephora #57 in performance???

    • Isabella Muse

      naa I love my 57 hehe ;-D But the cheek is nice for concealer application but just a smidge too big for the under eye area but if you contour around this area it works a treat!