Now the world has opened up a bit, it’s nice to be able to go out and shop for the things I want. One of my usual stops on a shopping trip is TK Maxx, which I love to visit to look for new makeup and beauty products.
TK Maxx often does proper branded items for not much money. I get all my Nip & Fab items here now, because they’re far cheaper than any other stockist. And now they’ve started stocking Real Techniques tools, again far cheaper than any other stockist. Our local branch is quite big, so it’s a great place for a browse.
On my last visit about three weeks ago, I picked up an RT Brush Crush blush brush (number 302) for blush and powder and a Nanshy Marble Blender. I’ve been testing them out whenever I’ve had cause to wear makeup.
Nanshy Marble Blender
I’ve used Nanshy sponges before and they’re a good substitute when my favourite Real Techniques ones are out of stock (and I’ve forgotten to buy any as backup. It happens).
The marble sponge is new to me, however. And my first impression is that this thing is soft. You can feel that through the packaging, which is what drew me to it in the first place. It gets even softer when you wet it. I like a soft sponge.
The flat side and sharp tip make this a perfect under-eye concealer sponge. I tried to apply foundation with it but I found it took too long. I’m used to the bigger surfaces of my Real Techniques sponges, and I admit I got impatient and switched to one of those halfway through. The Nanshy sponge is definitely one for concealer application, in my makeup bag at least.
The sponge cost me £2.49 and worked pretty well, but I have to admit that the itty bitty mini RT sponges are better for concealer. It seems a bit of a waste to buy a full size sponge just for using for my under-eyes. I won’t be repurchasing this.
Real Techniques Brush Crush blush brush
Well, that header was a strange one to type! Lots of very similar words.
I admit freely that I was drawn to this brush because of the pretty packaging, the handle and the colour of the bristles. Talk about shelf appeal – just look at it:
And it was only £3.49!
Lush, huh? I’m a sucker for shiny things. But that doesn’t mean that they’re any good, does it? Many a shiny pretty thing at a reasonable price has ended up being disappointing.
Not so this brush. It’s now my favourite brush for putting on highlighter. It’s just the right size and shape for that. It’s not so good for blush or bronzer. I’m too used to angled brushes for applying those and while I did try with this one, I found I was actually having to change the technique I use to apply it because I didn’t have the same surface area, which is why I like the angled brushes (my go-to is a the Spectrum Collections A05, and I haven’t found one that I like more).
It’s the big squared off handle on this RT brush which makes me like it for highlighter application. I can get a better grip on it really close to the head and that makes it feel more secure. I feel like I have more control now! I’m glad I fell for the shiny packaging and the handle. This is going to be a long term resident of my makeup bag.
oOo
It’s so good to be able to amble into TK Maxx and buy things I’ve never tried before again. Lockdown has made me appreciate my shopping more, and rest assured there will be more finds from TK Maxx that I’ll be testing over the next few months!
(All opinions in this post are my own and are not an endorsement of any product or service. I have not been paid for this review.)
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