Posts tagged makeup
Basic Makeup Brushes for your collection
14 years ago
In my previous post Makeup Brushes: Which Fiber is Best, I explained the different types of fibers in the market. You can choose from Natural, Synthetic or Taklon fibers. Now that we have that covered I want to suggest which brushes should be the essentials for your makeup collection. My goal is to give you all-in-one, so for each brush I explain why they are used, which fiber is best and how to use it. The pictures below are from mostly from Origins, which offers a collection of cruelty-free brushes. So, let’s start:
Concealer Brush
This is a small brush with broad and flat bristles. Synthetic is the best type of bristle for this brush since they don’t absorb too much product and are ideal for blending liquid and cream makeup. Dab a few spots in the areas with imperfections, for example under the eyes or directly on blemishes, and keep on dabbing until the concealer is blended on your skin.
Foundation Brush
This brush is to be used for liquid or cream foundation. Similar to the Concealer Brush, but bigger with flat and long bristles. Synthetic bristles are also better for this type of brush. To use it, dot your face with liquid foundation and use the brush to spread it in even outward and upward motions being careful to apply some foundation below your jawline to make it look more natural.
Blush Brush or Blusher
This brush is to be used to apply powder blush on your cheeks. The bristles are packed very close together and should be preferably Natural or Taklon. The rounded shape allows a better distribution of the product on your cheeks. The goal with the blush is to give a natural flushed color to the face. This can be accomplished by smiling and starting from the apple of the cheeks upwards to the hairline, apply the product with a soft motion to avoid excess.
Powder Brush
This is the big and fluffy brush used to apply the final loose powder that will set your makeup. It can also be used to apply shimmer, mineral powder or bronzer. The Powder Brush is similar to the Blusher, but bigger with fluffy Natural or Taklon bristles. The powder is to be placed directly on the brush and apply it using small circular motions all over the face for a better coverage.
For eyes and lips we have a few basic brushes. If you’re like me, all you do is apply one eyeshadow color at a time on special occasions. If you’re like my sister, then you like to blend, smudge, contour and create unique looks. I will cover those brushes in the Advanced Makeup Brushes post.
Eyeshadow Brush
Used to apply powder eyeshadow, this should be flat and wide preferably from Natural or Taklon fibers. There are too many ways to apply eyeshadows depending on your preference and comfort level. Whether its applying only on the lower lid and crease or the whole lid, the eyeshadow brush will help you get a great look.
Eyeliner Brush
Used to apply or blend cream eyeliners. This is a thin and fine brush, preferably made from synthetic fibers. There is no wrong or right way in using this brush, it all depends on how natural or dramatic you want your makeup to look. Some cream eyeliners come in a stick, in this case the brush can help you soften the lines after you apply it.
Eyebrow Brush
This is a small flat brush with a slight angle, also should be made from synthetic fibers. It gives definition and shape to the eyebrows. Apply the eyebrow pencil directly on the areas that need some color with a very soft motion in order to avoid streaks and blend it with the brush. The effect will be eyes that pop even more.
Eyelash Brush and Comb
This is the double sided tool with a stiff brush on one side and a small comb on the other. This one is used to help the application of the mascara on your eyelashes. You will first use the brush in order to clean up your eyelashes and prepare them for the mascara application. Once you applied the mascara, use the comb side to separate and lengthen before the product dries and becomes stiff.
Lip Brush
This is a fine, soft and tapered brush usually found as retractable and because it is used with cream based product, it should be synthetic. They help to blend in the lip liner with the lipstick and just give a better way to fill in the creases and outline the lips.
So there you have it. This guide will help you select the makeup brushes for your basic application needs. You will be amazed at how much better your face will look once you apply your makeup with the right tools.
Makeup Brushes: Which Fiber is Best
14 years ago
Thanks to my posts on Style Bust, I’ve been learning more and more about quality cosmetics and have been slowly substituting my old drug store brands with better ones like Nars, Smashbox, L’ancome and others. Of course, I do have some favorite brands like Avon and Almay that will continue to be included in my makeup case. And as my makeup case evolves, so do my makeup brushes.
Once upon a time, I either used whichever brush came with the makeup or had some cheap ones lying in the bottom of my case. A couple of years ago, I gave my sister a set of Sable Hair brushes for her birthday. My sister became a makeup application expert ever since she spent her nights trying out different techniques as a teen. She is the go-to makeup girl in my family for parties and special events, and she enjoys doing it.
When she saw the set of brushes, she was speechless and even though we were in the middle of having cake, she could not resist it and started applying makeup on my face in order to try them out; of course, I didn’t complain.
The point of my long winded introduction is to emphasize the importance of having the right makeup brush for your needs. As I’ve been researching for this article, I find there is too much information to add in one post. I decided to divide it in three parts:
- A summary of the types of fibers available
- Basic makeup brushes and how to use them
- Advanced makeup brushes and how to use them
And now, let’s talk about makeup brush fibers.
Makeup brush fibers can be either natural made from animal hair or synthetic. Both of them have a place in makeup collections, depending on what type of cosmetic is being applied.
Goat Hair is the most common fiber used for makeup brushes. They are good at holding large amounts of powder and are a good choice for blush, bronzer and face powder since the makeup won’t get trapped in the brush and you’ll get an even application.
Sable Hair is soft and fine and makeup brushes made of this hair typically have pointy tips. The pointy shape and softness of sable hair makes it an ideal choice for eyeshadow and eyeliners.
Pony Hair is strong and durable. It tends to have a cylindrical shape where there is a consistent thickness from root to tip. Pony hair is a versatile fiber and is good for powder, blush and eyeshadow makeup brushes.
Camel Hair is a generic term used to described makeup brushes that are made with a mix of squirrel, goat or pony hair.
Squirrel Hair is the softest natural hair type and also the most expensive brushes. Similar to sable hair, the brushes are wide in the middle and have a pointed tip, which makes the ideal as blending brushes and for use on eye creases.
Synthetic makeup brushes are made of nylon, which is less absorbent than natural hair fibers. Because they are less absorbent, synthetic brushes are typically used for applying liquid-based products. Synthetic brushes typically do not last as long as natural fiber brushes.
A mix of natural and synthetic fibers is typically referred to as duo fiber brushes. This mix of fibers increases the durability, stiffness and liquid handling ability of the makeup brush.
I understand that after making it a point to buy cruelty-free cosmetics, the option of using animal hair in order to apply them is not appealing. Thankfully there is a synthetic fiber called Taklon which is designed to have anti-bacterial qualities, as well as softness, versatility and durability. Companies like Branded J, Origins, Sevi Cosmetics and many others offer these brushes.
If you are purchasing the brushes online, I’ve noticed that natural hair brushes don’t specify which hair it is. Regardless of which type of brush you decide on, I suggest to go to the store and feel them against your hand. There is nothing better than to feel that gentle touch on your skin, it’ll make Monday mornings a little bit nicer.
My Quest for Great Eyelashes
14 years ago
Because of my recently acquired eyelashes, thanks to the use of a lash enhancement serum, I’ve been trying every mascara in front of me. The following is a review of some of the mascaras I’ve tried lately. My Sephora consultant tells me the mascara formula is one thing, but the trick is in the brush and how it applies the mascara into the eyelashes. The mascaras I’ve tried are all great, and yes, they all have very different brushes.
To start off I used Clinique’s High Lengths Mascara.
This is one of my favorites and carry it in my bag for quick touch-ups. The cool thing about the mascara is the brush, although it looks nothing like a brush. The tiny bristles are actually flexible and thanks to the shape, the mascara doesn’t clump in the brush or my eyelashes. The application can be awkward at first since the brush needs to be very close to the eyelid, but once you get it the results are great.
Next, also by Clinique, is their High Impact Mascara.
This formula has a deeper pigment which is aimed to give your eyes the extra kick. The brush in this case is the standard one which applies the formula evenly and gives your lashes a thicker feel to them. It delivers what it promises, but I felt it heavy on my lashes.
Finally, I tried a mascara from Benefit Cosmetics called Bad Gal (love the name!).
This mascara has one of the thickest brush in the market. It felt a little too thick to add the mascara on my lashes, but it didn’t clump and the end result were very nice and noticeable eyelashes.
Overall I recommend all the mascaras, it just depends on what you like. I’m still looking for the perfect one that will curl my eyelashes and keep them curled all day. This is a quest for me, I’ll keep you informed of the results
Got Pores? Not Anymore!
14 years ago
The little known secret for getting a natural-looking flawless complexion is to put on tons of stuff in your face. I have enormous crater-deep pores and it’s hard for me to get the smooth look, so I’m constantly checking on pore minimizers and decided to compare several brands.
My test consisted on using different brands of pore minimizers, then applying Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear 18 hour shine-free makeup and a dab of Nars Powder Foundation, the end result I’m looking for is a smooth complexion with a clean matte finish so I can pretend I was born that way.
The first product I tried on was Raw Skincare Andiroba Botanical Face Primer.
This primer is a light cream that gives you a fresh feeling when applied. The makeup just glides on and from a foot away my skin looks smooth, but I could still see medium size pores when I take a close look. I give it a rating of 8.5 out of 10.
The next one I tried was Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Primer.
The cool thing about this primer is that its made to give heavy duty coverage for huge pores in the nose area as well cover fine lines. The product itself is a very heavy cream and I could immediately see the coverage on my pores. What I didn’t like was how hard it was to apply the foundation; because of the texture of the primer the foundation looked uneven, although the powder foundation worked well. My pores were greatly minimized but it took more effort to get the flawless look, I shudder to think how I would look if I was in a hurry. My rating is 8 out of 10.
Next it was Tarte Clean Slate
This one comes as a clear gel; when you first put it on you can’t see a difference on your face, but as soon as you glide on the foundation you can really tell. The final result is a very smooth finish that feels very light, I really like using this product. My rating is 9 out of 10.
Finally, I used Clinique Pore Minimizer t-zone shine control.
This is a light and fluffy cream and the first time I applied it, I almost gasped. My pores were almost gone and with the application of makeup I looked amazing. This pore minimizer is designed to be applied under or over makeup in order to prevent shine. My favorite thing about this product is that you don’t have to add foundation to see a difference. If you need to go out for a quick errand, just add some pore minimizer, lip gloss, quick dash of mascara and you’re off. Clinique is the clear winner with a 9.5 out of 10.
Cheek stains for tartelettes
14 years ago
One of my favorite items in my makeup case is tarte’s cheek stains, strike that, actually that is my second favorite item. My favorite one is tarte’s clean slate natural face primer but I’ll tell you more about it next week.
I’ve been using tarte’s blushing bride cheek stain and I’m very happy with the results, it may not make me literally feel like a blushing bride, but it does give the perfect amount of color to my cheeks. And I do like the name.
Tarte has a great collection of cheek stain colors for you to choose from in pink, orange, red and brown hues; perfect for any skin tone.
Cheek stains are free of alcohol so they won’t dry out your skin and oil so they won’t clog your pores. They are infused with the tarte t5 super fruit complex™ for a healthy dose of natural antioxidants.
I’ve always been used to use blush in powder form, so I was skeptical when I tried the cheek stain. The stain is in a solid lipstick-like form, when you open the cap you see a small amount of it in an oily form, you are supposed to wipe that off. Then you can apply it using a brush or sponge, I apply it directly on my skin and with my fingers smudge it. Because the color is so concentrated, you might think you’re going to look like a clown; but the color blends perfectly and you end up with natural color on your cheeks. It also has a very subtle fragrance that I just love.
Tarte has a very big Hollywood following, with stars such as Julianne Moore, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and many others. You can see more pictures of Stars wearing tarte on their website.
Tarte is a company that not only cares about helping you look even better, but also cares about the environment and is commited to quality. Also its really fun to use. You can find tarte cheek stains at Sephora and directly on tarte’s site.
“PAINT IT RED” – Lips for Fall 2010
14 years ago
Makeup is a bit of a balancing act. It requires symmetry. It also requires knowing what looks good on you. To a large degree “Fashion trends dictate the Beauty trends.” This fall season we are seeing FULL POUTS. Matte lips are “in” and the BIGGER the better so if you need to rely on that LIP infusion wand, go head — pull it out!
If you’re shopping for a new plumper, try out LIPfusion by FUSION BEAUTY; boy is this baby packed with a punch for your lips! Your lips will be perfectly plump for well over 24 hours – the company promises plump lips for up to 48 hours, but I’d rather under promise and over deliver…;-). Lipfusion comes in a clear formula as well as a variety of shades, like the ones shown below.
The texture of your LIPSTICKS & LIP STAINS also matter. For Fall 2010, MATTE is the chosen one and RED is its’ partner.
“Everyone can wear red so throw that out of your head”, the trick is…knowing what tone of red works for your complexion.
Here are my Top Six Red Lipsticks to try this fall!
- Bourjois So Rouge Lipstick in Trendy Rouge
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cha Cha Cherry
- Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick in Allure Extrait de Gloss
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lipstick in Stay Starlet
- Nars Lipstick in First Bite
- Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Cool Watermelon
Let me know if you have other fall favorites for lips!
Buxom – Fun and Quality Cosmetics
14 years ago
Sometimes I like to put on Rocker Chick makeup with lots of dark and intense colors in my eyes, lips and nails. In order to achieve the look I want, I put on eyeliner inside my eyelids. The only problem is that an eyeliner that does the job is not easy to find anymore. I had an Almay pencil eyeliner, which is now discontinued, and I used it until it didn’t fit in the sharpener anymore. Since then I’ve been looking for a substitute and finally found one with Buxom cosmetics, I’m talking about Buxom Insider Eyeliner.
Now with the inside eyeliner you get the same quality, it’s very smooth and creamy and stays on for a long time without smudging. Because of my look I got the color Onyx (jet black), but they also have Emerald (evergreen), Amethyst (deep violet), Pearl (tru white) and many more.
Another very cool product is a cream eyeshadow called Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow which just glides on your lids and the different colors are very easy to combine. The names are very cute like Chihuahua (bright silver), Pug (smoky pewter), Bull Dog (intense royal blue) and many more.
Not long ago, I wrote about Buxom’s plumpling lip polishes. They work great and you do get a little addicted to that plumping fresh and tingly feeling on your lips. As as exclusive for Sephora, Buxom is offering the Buxom Chronicles: Four of a Kind collection with Dolly (muted plum), Katie (pale pink), Trixie (shimmering golden rose) and Violetta (shimmering fuschia berry).
These are very fun and quality products!
BEAUTY REPEAT!!!
14 years ago
As they say in the music game, “put that on repeat”, once you try these beauties – you will repeat application time &; time again…
SCOTT BARNES BODY BLING – famous for giving J Lo her “glow”. Scott Barnes products are OOOOH so flossy! Let’s get real, “every boss loves to floss”. Once you slather this richness on your body you will see why it’s #1 to celeb’s, beauty editors, makeup artist and cosmetic junkies alike. I have this in my arsenal to add a sexy glow to my clients year round – not just summer months. The packaging alone gets their attention, OMigosh… what a beaute, all sleek, metallic-like. Think of this as a tinted moisturizer with a gold pop for your body, hence the name “BODY BLING”. If you have OCD like me, you might be bothered by the residue that’s left on your hands but hey instead of washing it off [waste not want not] rub it on your decollete or where ever you want to see a healthy glow.
Honey, this is a new fave, pick it up to see why!
BLINC – the “it” mascara, period. For many of us, we dwell in the mecca of Silicon Valley if not near it; we all think we’re tech savvy right? Well don’t sleep or better yet “blink” on this tech savvy brand; BLINC cosmetics has a mascara that will get heads turning. Its’ not conventional, no no this baby wraps each lash. Once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes and will not – I repeat – will not run, smudge, clump or flake. It’s a must have for anyone, especially for the “emotional wedding entourage”. Like I said…you will be putting this on repeatedly.
RMS Beauty “un” cover-up is also worth repeating. You might just faint the first time you dab it, slide it, smooth it …but hey, at least if you faint you’ll look good! We all know how hard it is to find a creamy yet solid concealer that won’t run or breakdown on you in 30-minutes after application. RMS Beauty has figured it out, they give you an organic product that can effectively covers blemishes and camouflage to perfection.
It retails for $36 but remember —–you get what you pay for!!
