real Techniques expert face brush

The hype was high... my expectations were low... my mind was blown (and face left looking fuh-lawless). 

If you watched my Best & Worst of Beauty video last month then you already know my basic feelings on the real Techniques expert face brush. However, now that I've been using it for more than a week (like was the case in that video), I can add my thorough review into the already overwhelming sea of "AH-MAAAAAZING" proclamations that exist on this brush; basically, just expect a bit more literacy than the beauty community is typically known for.

The first thing I noticed about the expert face brush was something I coulda-shoulda-woulda noticed but for some reason failed to: this thing is tiny! I don't know why I was expecting something bigger when I've seen it used and held before but I think it's because I was using my e.l.f. studio powder brush for foundation (which is probably 4 or 5x the circumference of this brush).

I mention it because, when thinking about using something so small for a full face of foundation, it seems a little... well, wrong. But somehow this little guy manages to buff foundation into the skin like I've never experienced; truly, it leaves you with an airbrushed finish and an ego boost to keep your head high throughout the day. No streaks or foundation lines on the jaw with this! Just smooth, flawless looking skin. It's fun for me as well because you use this brush like a paint brush rather than in the usual circular motions many other foundation brushes require.

The expert face brush is also, as many people scream and drool about, extremely dense and soft. Though honestly, if you're used to using e.l.f. studio brushes then the softness won't blow you away. It's comparable but I'd say e.l.f. still takes home the gold in terms of texture. Don't let that deter you though; this is still a very soft brush that feels wonderful on the face. When it comes to density though, the claims are all spot on. The expert face brush is so deliciously dense and has yet to shed a hair on me so I expect it to stay fat and phat for a long time to come.

My one gripe about the expert face brush is that it soaks up a ton of foundation. What that means is that you need to put a little more foundation on your face for regular coverage (the brush sheers it out compared to using a different brush or your fingers) and it also makes it so you have to actually keep up on washing your brush(es). I am terrible at washing my brushes, getting around to it about once a month (yeah yeah, I know... throw rocks at me later, okay?), but I definitely have to wash the expert face brush once a week. If I don't, all of the excess foundation clumps up the bristles and makes your subsequent applications streaky.

Aside from my one problem with this brush (which comes down to my own laziness, but I know I'm not alone so I feel it's something worth mentioning) I am, like the rest of the beauty community, absolutely smitten with the real Techniques expert face brush. The hype had me absolutely terrified of this line of brushes but I'm so happy I snagged this one on sale at Ulta last month; I'm eager to get more the next time there's a sale!! The brushes are worth every penny of their retail price but since Ulta seems to do a BOGO 50% off of the line once a month there's no reason for me to pay full price o(≧∇≦o)

What are your feelings on the real Techniques brushes?

Worth the hype or overhyped?

What are your favorite brushes (from this line or otherwise)?

Do share!!

xoxo - Cassie