DAILY MAKEUP BRUSHES

It's all very well owning brushes upon brushes of all different shapes and sizes in your collection, but when it comes to the daily makeup routine hunting around for a suitable brush begins to waste time, which is why I've narrowed it down to 8 brushes I use on a daily basis that seem to get me through the mornings.

FACE: When it comes to the face, only 3 brushes are really well loved. The first is the Real Techniques Contour Brush, which comes in handy for multiple uses, and for me, contouring, highlighting, and powdering (as well as cream and powder blush when I wear them) are the steps where I tend to reach for this brush. The Real Techniques Buffing Brush comes in handy for applying foundation and concealer, when I really want to spend time buffing in to create that photoshop finish on my skin. The Nanshy Round Buffer Brush is used for the same purposes, but as it's more dense and less flexible I find it quicker to slap on products using this offering when I'm in a rush.

EYES: Here's where things get a little bit more complex, with each brush doing something different. The Tiger Spoolie is used daily to comb and shape my brows, with this Ebay Fraulein angles brush to fill them in with my Elf Pebble Eyeshadow. The next brush along is the Nanshy Tapered Crease, which comes in handy when I'm applying and smudging shadow along the lower lashline for a sultry look. Then comes the Nanshy Blending Eyeshadow, which I tend to use for applying colour to the lid, and also working a warm matte into the crease. Finally, the No7 Blend and Contour Brush is one I always just to finish off any blending and make my eye shadow look seamless.

Now all I need is a good gel liner brush, perhaps a powder brush, and something a little smaller for precise concealer application. What brushes do you use daily?

BRUSHES FOR BASES

A day doesn't go by where I don't use a brush in some shape or form for my foundation/concealer. I'm not quite sure how I used to manage without, and even though a finger-applied base looks pretty and natural, I go for the brush option more often than not. I have three favourites, come and say hello...

The Real Techniques Buffing Brush really is the cult of the trio I have going on here, and I can certainly tell why. It isn't as dense as the likes of the Expert Face Brush, but it certainly blends just as well - a lot of people actually say even better. This makes makeup look like a part of your skin, rather than a thick layer sitting on top of it, and I love it. I can't quite believe that Megan doesn't have this one yet - come on girl.

For a more natural finish, I love the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. Sam Chapman really hits the nail on the head with her brush line, hence why I never stop rambling on about the darn things. This one is the one I love for lighter foundations or BB Creams/Tinted Moisturisers, because it's something about this brush and those kinds of bases that look the best together.

For a more dense brush we have the Nanshy Round Buffer Brush* which is becoming one that is used more and more regularly. It really blends foundation into the skin, and I love the way it looks. I don't think it quite rivals my Real Techniques Buffing Brush yet, because I find it slightly too dense to get everything as blended, but the finish is still great. This is one that I love for concealer more than foundation I guess.

3 Brushes, all of which my face appreciates. I wonder what brush I will be getting next from the Real Techniques range...

NANSHY MAKEUP BRUSHES

As you know, I am a huge fan of the Real Techniques makeup brushes, but sometimes, I am on the hunt to find new brands that are just as high quality. When some Nanshy Brushes* dropped through my letter box, I realised a new love could be kindled.

Face: The star of the show for me is most certainly the Round Buffer Brush*, which seems to me like it could be a very close match for the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I'll make it short. I love this. Like, love. It blends and buffs liquid foundation like a dream, pats in concealer beautifully, and even does a pretty darn good job with blush. Dare I say, this might become my new favourite brush.

Eyes: To begin with, the have the Blending Eyeshadow Brush*, which I find is a touch too stiff to fully blend out any crease colour, but does a brilliant job at applying it to the lid neatly, and feathering out the edges. The Eye Crease Brush* is a good'un for (as the name suggests), putting colour in the crease. Now, this does a tiny bit of the blending for you as you sweep it through the crease, but more so focuses on putting the product in place - and must I say, it does it well. Finally, is the Tapered Crease Brush*, which is a little smaller than I anticipated, but even so, works really well for taking the eyeshadow along the lower lashline, and slightly feathering the edges too.  Although it isn't originally what I thought it to be, I have found a well-fitted use to it.

Nanshy, I am impressed.