Gem and Jo's First Impressions: Real Techniques Nic's Picks.

Aaaaannd we're back! Those university exams killed us, we are just empty shells of people after them. Exams = despicable torture. Perhaps some new makeup products will cheer us up. Of course it will!!
What new makeup did we get? Only some of the most notable makeup brushes on the market: Real Techniques! Plus, we managed to get our hands on the Limited Edition Nic's Picks brush set which means excellent brushes and they're silver and dual-fiber!! What more can a girl ask for? (maybe some of their new Bold Metals collection...hint hint.)

First off, the packaging. You guys we didn't even want to open them! It's sleek and cute and neat and just so pretty. Alas we had to open it at some stage and we were pleasantly surprised that the brushes are encased in a soft, protective foam material thing, almost memory foam-y. No risk of brush damage here!

Practically everyone knows that real techniques are one of the top ranges of brushes out there today, and the quality of these beauties does not disappoint. They are soo soft and thanks to their dual-fiber-ness they pick up the minimal amount of product which means no waste and no risk of over-doing it on the powder front. Despite being a 'professional' brush range, they really help ordinary folk such as ourselves to get the best look possible.
Take a look at each brush in the set below!

Duo-fiber Face Brush. 

This brush is for lightweight application and blending of face powder!

Cheek Brush - Exclusive cut. 

This brush evenly applies makeup across cheekbones for a more dramatic look.

 Angled Shadow Brush - Exclusive cut.

This is perfect for layering eye shadow in the crease of your eye

Base Shadow Brush

This brush applies a smooth and flawless foundation of colour to your eyelid. 

 Eyeliner Brush - Exclusive cut

This is a firm, angled brush which is optimal for applying product along the lash line!

(We're planning on using it for our eyebrows though!)

Do you have any Real Techniques brushes? What do you love/hate about them? 

Check out their website here

Buy Nic's Picks here

Shop the Bold Metals Collection here

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's On the Go Makeup Bags

Today we shall be opening the pandora's box known as our travel makeup bags. We carry these bags with us everywhere and they contain everything we need to touch up our makeup during the day! You should probably note that our bags usually have way more crap in them, we cleaned them out just for you guys! No empty sweet wrappers shall be seen here! Carry on.

Gem's Bag: 

Esteé Lauder Bag, part of gift set. 

                                                                                    1. 17's Blusher Brush.

2. Eyes Lips Face (E.L.F.) Stipple Foundation brush. 

3. Esteé Lauder Sumptuous Extreme (Lash multiplying volume mascara) in 01 Extreme Black

4. Esteé Lauder Pure Color Lip Laquer in 01 Peach Glass. 

5. Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm.

6. Wrigleys Extra Ice chewing gum. (A girls gotta be fresh!)

7. Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Neutral 

8. Primark Powder brush. 

9. Wet n Wild's H2O Proof liquid eyeliner in E881 Ultra Black 

10. Esteé Lauder Pure Color lipstick in 26 Nectarine Shimmer 

11. Esteé Lauder Pure lipstick in 19 Rose Tea

12. Seventeen Lip brush
13. Esteé Lauder Pure Color eyeshadow palette. 

                                

Jo's Bag: 

Dolland and Devaux makeup bag from Tesco.

1. Hawaiian Tropic Island berry Sunkissed Moisturizing Lip gloss with SPF 25
2. Bobby pins and a hair tie (My hair has a life of it's own)
3. Real Techniques fine liner brush
4. Garnier Roll on anti dark circles under eye concealer
5. B. cosmetics sheer conditioning lipstick in Raspberry Jam
6. Zara Femme roller ball perfume (gotsta be smelling good)
7.  17 lip crayon in pink
8. Wet n Wild  Cover all pressed powder in medium
9. Primark kabuki brush
10. Benefit Boi-ing travel concealer
11. Elastoplast plaster (because this is seriously needed if you are as accident prone as me)
12. Rimmel London Scandaleyes retro glam mascara
13. Polo mints  (cause you gotta stay fresh).
14. Essence  Liquid eye liner

Thanks for reading guys and as usual, let us know your thoughts and what you like to keep in your bag in the comments section below!
Until Next Time
XO Gem and Jo.