Makeup brush recommendations, in a quickly thrown together format.

Brush companies mentioned:
www.sigmabeauty.com
www.eyeslipsface.com
www.realtechniques.com
and not shown but I like is www.crownbrush.us


When starting in makeup I suggest 5 basic brushes to get you going on this awesome vanity filled adventure!

First off is your Eyeliner Brush. Now most people stick with pencils but nothing can top a bit of drama with a flat definer brush pushing a bit of a dark color into the lash line.  It's a look that can still be wearable by day but with that pop of "Wow, you look great today!" ishness. I also like to use flat definer brushes to smudge out liner that is too harsh for a more demure effect!

Second is your powder application brush for eyes.Some brushes that I suggest are the flat shader from Sigma, the Up & Up Smudge brush from Target or any other brush that has a flat stiff brush that can pack color on. Dense bristles will pick up more of the product and patting it will lay that color on exactly where you want it to go.

Third, you need a blending brush. Never forget blending unless you are going for a cut crease, and if you are doing that... you don't need this Brush Primer (psst and email me because I never get it right!). Select a brush with fluffier bristles to impart a more diffused look with your shadows. I use a pointed blending brush for my deep set eyes, but most people can get away with a wider and thicker dome shaped head. If the head is a bit flatter but still fluffy, you can apply shadow and it will look a lot more diffused that if you would have used an application brush.

Four...th..uh ly?, You need a blush brush. I recommend a fluffy blush brush with a dome for people who are doing their makeup and aren't too experienced with them. It leaves a diffused finish and is great for the apples of your cheeks. Real Techniques makes an amazing couple of blush brushes and the price point is great. Sigma is pretty fantastic, too, if you prefer natural bristles but that's a personal choice.

and Fif...fth..screw it, and number 5, I recommend a big fluffity powder brush and powder puff for application of a setting powder. You apply the setting powder with a puff and then dust off the excess. I really love the Sigma line and the Real Techniques lines, again for those.

Cleanup, currently is Isopropol Alcohol 91% and a mesh puff to knock off the color, and then a conditioning spray for my natural brushes. I get mine from The Honest Company. When I wash them with shampoo, I use The Honest Company Shampoo and Body Wash. It's cleansing without being overly drying. The alcohol already dries them out enough!

There are more advanced brushes, if you want to know more about those, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone! Basically if you get 5 brushes, you will be golden, and can only go more expert from there.

If you are getting brushes, CONGRATULATIONS! I am so proud of you! This is a huge step! Great job! And thanks for sticking with me!


<3

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Ipsy Bag Review from the Bed September 2014

A review of my Ipsy bag and random commentary from the bed!




http://www.ipsy.com/r/1ovz?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general




Duet Crease Brush from Crown Brush

http://crownbrush.us/deluxe-infinity-shadowcrease-duet-p-904.html




Hikari Lipstick in Cabaret

http://www.hikaricosmetics.com/shop/lipstick/

Pacifica Waterproof Eyeliner in Fringe

http://www.pacificabeauty.com/makeup/eyes/natural-waterproof-eye-pencil?id=434?src=




Don't Despair, Repair

https://www.briogeohair.com/product/dont-despair-repair/




Leeanni Eco 3-in-1 Revolution Light

http://www.leeanni.com/3-in-1-revolution-light-2-0-fl-oz/

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Face of the Day- Mock Winging It

Makeup Used:

Face:

Half Rimmer Fix and Pro Perfect Primer 002 and Half Monistat Anti Chafing Gel (experiment)
Holika Holika Peach Girl BB Cream
Milani Baked Blush in Rose D' Oro
E.L.F Studio HD powder and NYC Loose Powder in Translucent mixed together equally

Eyes:
E.L.F Studio 3-in-1 Mascara
theBalm What's your type Body Builder Mascara
Etude House Proof 10 Primer
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero

Mica Beauty Cream Eyeliner
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette Silent Treatment
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Single in Creme Brulee
L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Iced Latte

Lips:
Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

Chanel LÈVRES-SCINTILLANTES Glossimer in Seashell
E.L.F Studio Lip liner and Lip brush in Natural




Tools Used:

Real Techniques Multi Tasking Brush (medium pink)
Sigma E45 Small Tapered Crease Brush
Sigma E25 Blending Brush
Sigma Travel Eyeliner brush
Velour Powder Pouf

Gourd Style Blending Sponge
Large Real Techniques Powder Brush (to brush away excess powder)
Crimp style lash curler (I use one from an old Color workshop palette)

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DIY: Brush Cleaning

One of the things I see a LOT is people not washing their brushes. Unclean applicators and brushes are one of the biggest culprits for promoting acne. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (aka P. acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph A) are the resilient bacteria that cause acne and whiteheads and often times what we are trying to cover it up with is what is aggravating it!  That's why it's important to clean our pillowcases and phone often, but I digress. Cleaning our applicators helps reduce one of the ways that acne persists.

And washing your brushes isn't all that complicated.


First you need to see if your brushes are natural or synthetic. Natural brushes are made with animal hair/fur and should be treated as such. You want to shampoo them and condition them. Properly cared for brushes will last a very long time, and will continue to perform well. If you aren't sure if your brushes are natural or synthetic, treat them as natural brushes.

Synthetic brushes can take things like antibacterial soap. Natural brushes get stripped too much, and need to be reconditioned. I prefer to wash my natural brushes and synthetic brushes in Garnier Fructis 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner and then spray them afterwards with a conditioning spot cleanser and reshape the bristles.

Weekly:
Rinse your brush heads in warm water, taking care not to get water down the 'ferrule' (metal part) because you don't want to weaken the glue that is holding the brush head on. Putting a bit of your liquid cleanser in your hand *a tiny amount* you'll want to swirl them gently in your hand and rinse them until the water runs clear. Place your brushes on a towel and 'roll' them trying to get as much water as possible from them. Let dry either upside down or on a ledge, so that water doesn't run back in to the ferrule causing damage. After they are dry, spray them gently with the conditioning cleanser and reshaping and smoothing the bristles, bringing them back to original form. You can use brush guards for this or you can use your hands. Either way works well.

Daily:
I spray them with this conditioning cleanser and wipe clean with either a microfiber or paper towel until no more product comes off of the brush.

*adding a few drops of Tea Tree Oil is optional but very helpful in the cases of persistent acne.

If you want to make up your own conditioning cleanser, I made up a little instructional card to print out and cut out to keep with your bottle so you don't forget what it is!

Conditioning Cleanser printable cards

Hope this helps!

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