Makeup By Kim Porter
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Review: See Which Real Techniques Brushes I Can’t Stop Using

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I know I am late to jump on this bandwagon, but, I purchased four Real Techniques brushes after seeing and hearing rave reviews from fellow bloggers, makeup artists, and enthusiasts across social networks like Facebook, twitter and Instagram.   I wound up purchasing one Expert Face Brush, one Makeup Setting Brush, and Two Eyeshadow Shader brushes.  Of all of the Real Techniques brushes I purchased, all of them are my favorite for different reasons, which I will explain below.

About Real Techniques Brushes

Real Techniques brushes, which are manufactured by Eco Tools were created by makeup artist and youtube beauty guru, Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo. These brushes are synthetic, and 100% cruelty free.  Through creating these brushes, Samantha Chapman kept all beauty enthusiasts in mind, from novice to intermediate making them easy to use and affordable.  Her color-coded system, gold for a flawless base, purple for eye makeup application, and pink for applying finishing touches, are just one of the great features of Real Techniques brushes.

Expert Face Brush -($9.00 US)

The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush has to be my #1 favorite brush to apply foundation.  I’m obsessed with this brush! I purchased one, and I regret not buying more.  The Real Techniques Expert Face brush is a dense, firm brush with soft bristles. The Expert Face Brush is perfect for stippling on liquid or cream foundation, as well as for blending and buffing in those same products. Personally, I like applying my tinted moisturizer with it.  It picks up just the right amount of product off of the back of my hand, and applies it flawlessly.

This brush is light-weight and easy to maneuver.  There’s no shedding, which means no stray hairs on your face like some other brushes leave behind. I like that the brush is also easy to clean; there’s no staining from products.

 

Real Techniques Setting Brush – ($8.00 US)

The Real Techniques Setting Brush is a soft, fluffy brush.  For me, it has been good for blending and applying powder to small areas of the face, such as the corners of the nose and under the eyes, and applying highlighter.  I’ve also found it useful in removing flecks of glitter (fallout) from the face.

Again, this brush is light-weight, easy to maneuver, and clean.

 

 

Real Techniques Shading Brush – ($6.00)

The Real Techniques Shading brush is a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush.  Personally, I use it to blend eyeshadow on my brown bone, or upward from my crease to my brow bone.  I use it to apply concealer to small areas, such as under my eyes, and for blemishes.  This brush is also great for contouring the sides of the nose.

 

 

Would I recommend?

I would definitely recommend these brushes.  They are amazing!!! They are at the perfect price point, especially for those just beginning their makeup journey, but still want quality brushes that give flawless results.  The price also makes them easy to collect , which is bad for beauty hoarders like myself.  The only thing I do not like is that there are other brushes I wish to try, but, they are only sold in sets.  Hopefully, in the future Real Techniques will sell individually, those brushes that are available in sets only.  I’m definitely purchasing more! I’ve already recommended them to friends & family.

 

Have you tried Real Techniques Brushes?  If so, what are your thoughts?

 

Disclosure:  Products mentioned in this post were purchased by me from drugstore.com with my own money.  All opinions/views are my own.

Review: OFRA Cosmetics Pro Palette – An Alternative to Urban Decay’s Naked Palette

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Finally,  I am reviewing the OFRA Cosmetics Pro Palette I purchased from The Makeup Show New York City back in May.  What made me purchase the palette was the fact that it was so similar to the Urban Decay Naked palette everyone has raved over that I didn’t have, except this palette came in z-palette form, except with more colors.  The OFRA Cosmetics Pro Palette has 15 eyeshadows, one of which is matte.   It also  has a bronzer, highlighter and a light rose blusher.  Aside from the additional items, and minus the brush and mirror, this is a great, and affordable dupe for the Naked Palette.

 

 

The OFRA Cosmetics Pro Palette features nude eyeshadow shades, as well as some nice colors like fuchsia, teal and blue that will help you create a array of nude, daytime, evening and bold looks.  Since 13 of the eyeshadows are shimmer (there’s one matte and one glitter),  you must be a fan of shimmery eyeshadows to love this palette.  Honestly, I was never a real fan of shimmer, but, surprisingly this palette has allowed me to create some gorgeous looks.

The bronzer is too light for my dark skin, so I mostly use it for blending out eyeshadow in my crease.  The highlighter is gorgeous! I  love the glow it gives.  I honesty have only used the blush once.  You’d think it would look ashy on my dark skin, however, it actually gives a nice natural-looking pop of color to my cheeks.

 

 

I’ve said the palette is a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked palette, and here’s how.  The OFRA Cosmetics Pro Palette has numerous similar shades to the Urban Decay Naked Palette.  If you look closely, you will see shades similar to Urban Decay’s “Virgin”, “Sin”, “Sidecar”, “Half Baked” “Smug”, “Darkhorse”, “Toasted”, and “Hustle” eyeshadows.  The finish is similar, if not the same as well. The color pay-off is amazing.  The colors are bold, and blend easily.  These eyeshadows are well-pigmented with and without a base, and last throughout the day without a primer.  Needless to say, I was impressed with this palette, which is why I used it religiously.

 

Another aspect of this palette  that I love is it is similarity to the z-palette.  This feature allows you to move around and switch out products in this palette and replace it with other items that you use most.  Also, this palette is lightweight, and makes it easy for me to carry around in my purse.  I totally regret not buying more than one; one for myself and another for my kit.  There’s next time, right?

The only downsides, are the lack of matte and satin finishes, and a darker bronzer or blush for darker skin tones.

 

 Would I recommend?

I would definitely recommend purchasing this palette, especially, if you love neutral, shimmery shades.  It was super affordable, too! I think I paid $10-$12 for it.  Aside from the additional items, and minus the brush and mirror, this is a great, and affordable dupe for the Naked Palette. I don’t care to have mirrors in my palettes anyway.

 Find OFRA Cosmetics online

Web: http://ofracosmetics.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ofracosmetics

Twitter: @OfraCosmetics

 

Disclosure:  The product mentioned in this post was purchased by me with my own money.  I am in no way affiliated with the brand mentioned.  All opinions are my own.  I was not compensated for this post.

Sponsored Post: Sunglasses aren’t just for summer! Check my favorite style of this all-season accessory.

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I will admit to being  one of those people who would laugh at people who I caught wearing sunglasses in the winter time.  I honestly thought that people who wore sunglasses passed the summer were just full of themselves and were trying too hard to be fashionable.  Silly me! Sunglasses are not just for summer, they are made to protect your eyes from UV rays, dust particles in the air, and bright lights.  Basically, they’re an all-season accessory that will not only protect your eyes, but keep you fashionable, too.

My favorite style of sunglasses would have to be Aviators.  I’ve been rocking a pair of Chloe Aviators all summer.  Now, I have a pair of Le Spec Baron Aviators ($79 US) in Gold & Black from Sunglasses Shop to alternate between, and give my Chloe shades a break.  Best of all, these aviators pair well with chunky scarves and hats, which are cold weather staples.

Now that I am digging sunglasses for any time of the year, I came across these cool pair of Prada 27NS ($337.20 US) seen on Kourtney Kardashian that I am DYING to get! Unfortunately, they’re sold out.  I can picture myself going incognito, especially on days where I am sans makeup, and still pull-off looking fly with these!

 

If you’re into high-end sunglasses, Sunglasses Shop has everything from Ray-Ban to Gucci to Prada and Carrera, and at discounted prices!

 

Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by Sunglasses Shop and features product links and photos from Sunglasses Shop.  Product was provided to me for review consideration; however, this did not influence any of the thoughts and opinions in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kim Porter’s October Favorites for Skincare & Makeup

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This is the first time I am doing a monthly “favorites” post.  I’m actually excited about sharing the products I use personally with you.  This will allow you to see that I do really use the products I post about.  Hopefully, some of you will be able to share your experience with these same products if you use them.  Also, this may entice you to try something new!

Here goes, my October Favorites!

 

October Favorites – Skincare

Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser

Algenist Triple Action Micropolish & Peel

Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum

Algenist  Complete Eye Renewal Balm

Cerave AM Facial Moisturizer

Clarisonic MIA

Tria Skin Perfecting Blue Light Treatment (Review Here)

 

 

October Favorites – Makeup

OFRA Cosmetics Pro Palette (Review & Swatches coming this month!)

OCC  Tint – Y5

Tart Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder

Physicians Formula Eye BOOSTER 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Felt-Tip Eyeliner Serum

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (Review Here)

Laura Geller WOW Factor Mascara

Ruby Kisses Eyeshadow Magic Primer

Kissable Couture “Hyacinth”

Stila Lip Glaze

 

 

October Favorites – Brushes

Real Techniques Brushes(Review Coming November 14, 2012):

-Expert Face Brush

-Setting Brush

-Shading Brush

Bdellium Tools 714 Brush

Sigma Makeup SS224 Brush  – It is now the E40 brush

Sigma SS219 (Pencil Brush) – It is now the E30 brush

Sigma SS316

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Heavenly Luxe Dual Eyeshadow Brush

 

 

What were your October Favorites?