Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush & Kabuki Brush Review

One of my favourite makeup brush brands; Real Techniques have just launched some new products to their range. The new releases include; Silicone Liner Brush, Retractable Lip Brush, Retractable Bronzer Brush and Retractable Kabuki Brush. The two brushes I was most excited about from the new launch are the Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush and Retractable Kabuki Brush as I’ve not come across good quality retractable brushes before. All the new Real Techniques brushes are available to buy now at Beauty Chamber.

Images of the makeup brushes inside their packaging

The Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush £12.95* is an addition to the ‘your base’ collection so is a bronze orange shade to match the other base brushes. Real Techniques claim that their Retractable Bronzer Brush is key for creating a natural finish by blending bronzer or finishing powder. Just like the whole Real Techniques brush collection, both the Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush and Kabuki Brush are synthetic Taklon bristles.

I was really surprised by how thick and heavy the Bronzer Brush is. A retractable product would suggest that it was created to be carried around, and protected with the retraction. I just didn’t expect the brush to be so weighty.. it’s really heavy, so I personally wouldn’t take it on a night out as it’d be too bulky for a clutch bag.

The base of both of the retractable brushes are metal, with a clear orange/pink plastic lid. As you pull the lid away from the base, a protective orange/pink metal sleeve emblazoned with Real Techniques pulls up to protect the bristles. To use the brush, the sleeve is simply pushed down to reveal the super soft bristles.

Once you’ve finished with the brush and want to replace the lid, you have to pull up the protective sleeve to hold the bristles together for the lid to slide back on effortlessly. I really like how smooth the sleeve moves within the base, and how it prevents the bristles from being damaged, or caught in the lid.

Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush

The Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush is a duo-fiber brush with bristles that have quite a bit of movement to them to aid with blending. The bristles are quite stiff, so you could use this brush as a stippling brush for cream blushes should you wish to. I don’t apply bronzer on the go, or with a brush like this.. I prefer to use this brush to apply powder.

My skin is dry and dehydrated so I don’t need to cake my foundation in powder to get it to stay put, I only use powder to blot any unwanted shine that may appear due to using intensive moisturisers. The duo fiber bristles pick up such a fine dusting of powder which is perfect to apply to any shiny patches, without leaving my skin looking cakey. I love how versatile this brush is, in that it could be used to apply cream blush, cream bronzer, powder products or even liquid.. so it’s the perfect handbag staple.

Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush

The Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush £11.95* is an addition to the ‘your finish’ collection and is pink in colour to match the finishing brush range. The design is identical to that of the Retractable Bronzer Brush, except it’s around a third smaller in diameter making it much lighter.

The bristles of this Retractable Kabuki Brush are so incredibly soft and silky and feel so lovely against the skin. Kabuki Brushes I’ve tried previously have had quite a large surface area, with densely packed bristles. I don’t think this looks or feels anything like a Kabuki Brush, I’d liken it to a slightly angled version of the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

The bristles are equally as stiff as the Expert Face Brush, but aren’t too densely packed that you’re able to buff powder and/or cream products into the skin with circular motions. If anything I’m actually pleased this brush isn’t comparable to a Kabuki Brush, and more of a travel-friendly version of the Expert Face Brush as I love this brush and use it regularly to apply my foundation.

The synthetic Taklon bristles mean you can use powder, cream and liquid products without the product seeping into the bristles, resulting in less product being used. I’ve used this Retractable Kabuki Brush to apply foundation, primer, powder, bronzer and blush.

The angled shape of the bristles make this brush ideal for contouring as it fits into the hollows of your cheeks perfectly. Equally, it works perfectly at placing and applying blush to the apples of the cheeks. I think this brush would be perfect to carry in your makeup bag for when you need to take your makeup from day to night as you could use it for applying various products.

Overall I really love the new additions to the Real Techniques range especially the Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush, and think they’re going to be very popular. The design of them make them ideal for carrying around in your handbag or makeup bag for touch-up’s or even for just taking on trips away.

I’d have liked them to be a touch lighter in weight as I think they’re too heavy but apart from that, they’re so useful to have. I also really like how no other brand has anything remotely similar with the retractable design.. and not forgetting they both really stand out should you need them if you have a bottomless handbag like mine.

All products featured on Gemma Etc. are PR samples or gifted items, unless otherwise indicated. This post may contain affiliate links. If you wish to find out more, please see my Disclaimer within my navigation bar.

Gemma Etc.

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the writer behind GemmaEtc.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty. In addition to Gemma Etc., I also own MakeupMuddle.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about beauty and lifestyle products.

Find me on: Web