The ultra-dense brush head makes easy work of blending cream and stick foundation – which is no easy feat – as well as traditional liquid formulas. The brush gives a soft, streak-free finish that’s ideal for layering medium-to-full coverage foundation; it’s easy to build a little more foundation over areas of redness or hyperpigmentation that may need more coverage, and it also effortlessly blends your favourite foundation over concealer or colour corrector. The makeup brush kit includes the 402 Mini Setting Brush, 307 Mini Shading Brush, 407 Mini Multitask Brush, and 200 Mini Expert Face Brush.

Choosing the right foundation for your skin is the first step to achieving a flawless complexion, but there’s no disguising a badly applied base.We start by confirming the materials from which a brush is made, the shape of each brush’s bristles and the recommended use for each tool. As well as assessing how the bristles feel on the skin and any issues with shedding, we consider how balanced and comfortable the brush handle feels in the hand, and how easy it is to achieve precise coverage around tricky areas such as the nose. The crimped bristles pick up just the right amount of powder for custom coverage and it’s easy to keep a firm grip when blending thanks to the tool’s chunky handle.

Use a stippling, or duo-fibre brush, to achieve a sheer coverage – they’re perfect for working with dewy foundation formulas. Our advice is to consider the coverage you want, as well as the product you’ll be using, and pick the type of tool that suits best.

With a beauty community of over five million, Real Techniques ® strives to inspire, educate, and empower our fans to make the most of their favourite products. Our sponges optimise your beauty routine with our versatile make-up sponges, designed with a revolutionary latex-free foam technology to evenly blend make-up for a smooth, enhanced finish.

The MAC 159S works best with dewy formulas – particularly tinted moisturiser, BB and CC creams – to create a sheer-to-medium coverage that looks natural and polished. Comparatively, a flat foundation brush is ideal for precise application, and angled brushes are superb for blending around trickier areas. The M439 can be used with liquid, cream or cream-to-powder foundations, and will leave your skin looking like you, but better. Whether you’re striving for your best no-make-up look or about to make your runway debut, Real Techniques® has the perfect tool for you. Our favourite is the bareMinerals Original Powder Foundation Brush because its unique convex centre and silky soft brush head both help to provide an even and smooth finish.

The Real Techniques High Shine Mini Brush Set brings you the gift of maximum glow with 4 mini-sized makeup brushes that are perfect for taking on the go.

Not only will it rid your tools of the nasties that cause acne, blackheads and skin irritations to appear, but it’ll help keep your foundation brush in tip-top condition, too.Next, we apply foundation to the whole face, working from the centre of the face outwards, and note the coverage and finish delivered by each brush. While the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush looks similar to a buffing brush, be sure to use the tool in a sweeping motion to keep its shape intact.