Samantha and Nicola (Sam + Nic) Chapman are a sister duo who stumbled into YouTube fame just as the social platform was getting its start. In 2008, Sam uploaded a smoky-eye tutorial video, and shocked and exhilarated by the positive response, Sam and Nic’s collaboration led them to create Pixiwoo, a YouTube channel dedicated to makeup tutorials. They got their start in their native country, the U.K., but word quickly spread across the pond, and two years and 30,000 subscribers later, the sisters are proudly promoting their new brush collection, Real Techniques.
Sam + Nic | Image credit: Real Techniques
Sam + Nic: The Girls Behind the Brand
Despite their extensive knowledge and experience with makeup, the sisters prefer a more natural look. When we had the chance to meet the girls face-to-face on a recent media tour promoting their new brush brand, Nic had on a casual jean shorts/t-shirt combo with a red lip to pull the look together. But, red lipstick can be intimidating, so how do you find the right match for your skin tone? “Confidence is all you need to wear a red lip,” Nic assures us.
The sisters don’t even lug around makeup to touch up throughout the day unless they are rocking a red lip. In fact, Sam rarely carries a wallet (as proof, she pulled her cards and I.D. out of the back pocket of her jeans).
We found Sam and Nic extremely approachable, and their videos feel as if you are learning tips from a dear friend. While the duo dreams of doing the makeup for Kate Moss (Sam’s choice) and Emma Stone (Nic’s choice), they are excited they get to continue to share their techniques and love of makeup with their audience.
Real Techniques: The New Brush Brand
While Sam loves to splurge on anything Tom Form, she also acts as an advocate for drugstore products, believing that the lip/eye section at drugstores holds a candle to higher-end brands. Real Techniques, the sisters’ new brush collection, holds court on the shelves around stores such as Walmart, Walgreen’s and Ulta. The collection offers high-quality products at an approachable price point. The brushes are crafted with synthetic taklon bristles that are hand-cut and cruelty-free, and they help even the most novice of makeup users achieve a professional-grade look.
The original Real Techniques collection includes face brushes (designed for powder, foundation, sculpting and bronzer), eye brushes and a great lip brush. The collection is color-coded to designate which category they fall under–orange for base brushes, purple for eye brushes, and pink for brushes to finish your look. This system makes application easy, while also adding a pop of color among among typically black-cased makeup products. We adore the Original Collection but, due to the weighted handle and cloud-like softness of the bristles, we fell in love with the Bold Metals Collection, which includes brushes for applying powder, foundation, shadow and liner as well as a pointed crease brush and a flat contour brush. The weighted handles make these brushes one-of-a-kind, and the weight distribution offers control and comfort during application. Added bonus? The design prevents them from rolling of the counter.
Image credit: Real Techniques
Sam + Nic’s 7 Easy Tips for Professional-Looking Makeup
- Want to wear red but worried about your teeth looking yellow? The sisters suggest a lipstick with a bluer tone to balance it out.
- For summer, a red/orange lip looks fresh and updated.
- If you only have five minutes, they suggest applying moisturizer and mascara.
- If you want to take this natural look from day to night, Sam suggests added black eyeliner.
- Nic believes a red lip can dress up any outfit.
- In the heat of the summer, they suggest you apply moisturizer and keep things light.
- Prior to applying your makeup, spray on some Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray.
We had fun meeting you both Sam and Nic (note we forgot to wear makeup when we met these makeup gurus!)
Stop by Sam + Nic’s YouTube page for lessons on everything from basics to a soft-smokey how-to, and if you are willing to try a red lip this summer, shop our picks below.
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