Review 2016: Real Techniques brushes - REAL vs FAKE

Two years ago I was into buying make-up brushes after realizing that for a girl who loves make-up, I don't have any! I had a mini travel set from The Body Shop but I lost that after someone stole my bag. Anyway, so I bought an Avon set and some Ecotools brushes but now I am trying Real Techniques.

Okay, so it was also in 2015 that I just couldn't afford Real Techniques. It is not affordable here where I live. (Philippines)
You cannot even grab one and go in stores because it is exclusively distributed by only one distributor -- Kalm Cosmetics and they don't cater to all stores - either you buy it online from their website or buy from an eBay or online seller.

But there are risks buying online from eBay or from any online seller. Here's what I found out, there are A LOT of fakes out there! When I saw these fakes, I admit I was tempted. They are half a price cheaper than the original ones! I had to see them for myself so I bought a couple of sets online and these brushes are so good its just ridiculous!

Let me tell you first that I did not write this to promote fake products. I just wanted to share some helpful information about fake brushes versus the real or authentic ones. There are sellers out there who would claim that what they are selling are authentic when actually they're not. We consumers suffer because we are not getting value for our money. Also, I wanted to let you realize that you have a choice - always. You have money? Of course go for the original! Frugal and practical? Then its up for you to decide to try the knockoffs.


I will compare the original vs the fake ones. I will share what I know about the differences of the fake to the original ones.  Ready? I will be posting a lot of pictures!

First, I bought the powder brush. Again, the following brushes are knock-offs.

Powder brush - bought at Shopee for Php250, original costs about Php550 - 600

Looks authentic isn't it? How do you tell its fake?

Label on the handle is off center

This brush looks so perfect. It is very dense and soft and perfectly shaped. Quality looks very good.

Some smear paints on the handle - a sign it is fake

Next, I bought this set because they look EXACTLY like the original ones - from the actual packaging to the brushes.

Limited Edition Cheek and Lip Set

I had to sell this set because I already have too many brushes. But they are lovely!

out of the box - again, these are fakes

The blush brush, so lovely isn't it?

The labels on these are perfect!

It's dense and soft it could pass as an original

This is the duo fiber contour brush

The lip brush also looks good

The next set I bought is the famous Core Collection. Again, because I felt that I have purchased a lot of brushes in one go - I sold this one too but photographed it ---  after a few months I bought the original version.

Now that I have the original version I can say, this one is good I wish I didn't sell it!

This is the new packaging for the Core collection though this one's a fake - but look how clear and smooth the box is!

Out of the box

A turn off for me: rubbed off label

The brushes though are soft and dense!

The buffing brush and contour brush (smaller one) side by side

Detailer and pointed foundation brush

Even the tag on the case looks and feels original - I have the original brow set and they are exactly the same!

Same look with the original one in new packaging

Smooth case - no imperfections here

The inside part - imperfect portion

Now, I will be posting pictures of the original ones side by side to the fake ones.

Original Core Collection brushes I bought from Kalm Cosmetics the official distributor of Real Techniques in the Philippines

The brush holder of the original set is soft and smooth to the touch

This is original

That embossed small S on the rubber handle (bottom part) is proof that this is authentic

Pointed foundation brush - original

The original is on top, the bottom is the knock off - its a bit wider and it does not have that pointy shape

Handle comparison - top original, bottom fake

Fake RT Core Collection set, I got this for Php250 - the original ones I bought for Php1200

fake

Top brush - fake / Bottom brush - original

Left - fake, right authentic - color of the original is a darker gold

That S embossed at the bottom of the brush is proof that its original

Top - fake / Bottom - original

Which one's the real thing here? Yes the one on the right!

They all look the same to me, but the one on the right is the original

The brush on the right is the original

S embossed on the original

The fake (bottom) is fluffier

Original (left) pointier, handle color is lighter

As of this writing (August 2017), I still use my Real techniques brushes - - fake or not, and they perform well and are almost the same, all of them are still in working condition even after several washings- some of my fake brushes, like the big powder brush and blush brush I haven't used, so I gave them to my cousin but my RT collection (old packaging, fake and real) and Sam's pick (fake) I still use and love.


It's still better to purchase authentic products, but as of this point, I feel almost all the brushes in the market perform the same fake or real. I am probably saying this because I have been using mine and they are almost the same sans the imperfections like fading label, label misprint or the bad shape of brush hairs.

I have to say this too, that my authentic pointed foundation brush label has faded without me using it that much - I was so disappointed. I bought it from the official distributor and it costs so much and yet...even the other Core Collection brushes labels, the original ones -has faded. At this point brush buying is not a big deal for me anymore. But a year or two ago I cannot find any article that would confirm/inform me if the RT brush I bought was authentic or not. Hope this one helps!

Label of my pointed foundation brush (authentic) it just faded on its own without me using it that much