Real Techniques Stippling Brush

 Real Techniques have been recommended to me for ages and now I know completely why - they are amazing! I have been using the 'Expert Face Brush' and 'Buffing Brush' for a while and my newest addition to the RT collection I'm growing is this 'Stippling Brush.' This brush has been really useful in completing the most airbrushed foundation look because I limit it to just finishing off, banishing brush streaks and evening out the tone all over. It gives a really polished look and I use it with my Wake Me Up liquid foundation.
It is relatively cheap for its incredible quality (£10.99) and created by the Pixi Woo beauty guru Sam Chapman whose videos have inspired me for ages. All RT brushes are created with synthetic taklon bristles which are so easy to clean, and it doesn't soak up all the product; my foundation lasts so much longer with these brushes than my previous set of Bobbi Brown's. Believe the rave reviews, these brushes are essential to any make up bag.

17 Blemish Balm - Light

When I saw this Blemish Balm in Boots, the first thing that grabbed me was 'Helps Improve Skin Condition' because let's be honest no girl will ever stop searching for a high street miracle product that does that. Sadly, as with most cheaper products that promise this, the quality of my skin did not improve by using this for a couple of weeks, in that it did not 'minimise pores' or noticeably stop breakouts. I didn't have incredibly bad breakouts as my skin isn't normally prone to that anyway but it didn't do anything to budge the normal small clusters of spots.
The other criticism I have of this is that it only comes in three shades, Light being the palest of them and it's still so dark; I had to stop using it purely because of its orangeness! This was even after holiday with a tan and I'm certainly not the palest person so I was slightly disappointed with that. While I'm on a roll, it didn't have great coverage and any spots were still very clear through it, so concealer was required anyway even though this is supposed to be the only summer skin makeup necessity.
Not my favourite product but nowhere near as heavy as foundation with powder so for a bit of colour I would recommend for a good-skin-day but don't even bother if you are pale, might as well just wear only cover up if you are looking for lighter makeup for your skin.