Thursday, May 26, 2011

Mini Sephora Haul

As I mention in my last blog I was really wanting the Sephora Pro Airbrush concealer brush, so I talked my mom into making a stop at Sephora.
This is the brush I have been wanting. Its number is 57 and is basically a mini version of the foundation brush. I had a hard time finding the right technique for this. I had tried the concealer below with it and found out that it just wasn't working. I switched my concealer to Revlon PhotoReady and found that it worked so much better. It works well with hiding blemishes that are fading away. I would definitely recommend this brush. It's going to become a permanent brush in my bag.
Benefit never skips on presentation and packaging.

I had been wanting to try these for a while and when I saw the mini set for $12 I thought what the heck. I used the Total Moisture cream the night I bought it and it made my face feel too oily to the point where I had to remove it after an hour. I read the little slip of paper that came with it and this is for dry skin, so I don't know what I am going to do with it. It also made the skin around my eyes burn and I had a red patch on my under eye the next day. I have also tried the polisher and I don't feel like it exfoliates enough to my liking. I haven't tried the day moisturizer because I have been sick the last week and haven't been out of the house for more than an hour.
But I love love love the the bottles. I am such a sucker for antiques and vintage items and this channels bottles from the 40s-50s. On the full size bottles the lids are faux cork. I love that they didn't skimp on the packaging for the travel/sample size.

Umm.. I am not to sure how I feel about this. It's pretty much like Hard Candy's Glamoflauge, but this is more liquidy so a little goes a super long way. It's not horrible, but I don't think I will repurchase this.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Most Used Brushes

I have a hodge podge of brushes, but there are a select few that I always reach for and they stay in my bag. My brands are all over the place. I know many people prefer to be strictly one brand like MAC or Sigma, but I'm all over the place with mine. Some other favorites that aren't mentioned are from ELF, Revlon and Target's Sonia Kashuk which are all super affordable and good quality.
This is the Handi Buki from Bare Essentials. It's great for buffing in powders for a flawless look.

This was my first MAC brush. I used to use it for my foundation, but now I use it to apply my Tarte PM 20 Amazonian Clay powder. I switch out my foundation brushes quite often.

This is the closest to brand new this brush has been since I bought it.This is the Airbrush 55 from the Sephora Pro line. I love the finish this gives, but it has draw backs too. 1) it is extremely hard to clean. To clean mine I actually use dish soap. I know the people at Sephora would probably cring at that statement, but I feel it breaks down the oils and synthetics better than baby shampoo. I soak the very tip for a few minutes then I have to swirl it in a rounded cup (this probably sounds super weird, but this method works so good) then wash it literally 7-8 times in the palm of my hand. 2) if too much product is used it makes your foundation streaky. But I love it so much I want the matching concealer brush.

I have had this brush for years! It's a basic blush brush from Clinique that I got in a bonus. I wish they still gave out full size brushes in bonuses :( but I have been good to it and it had been kind back :)
This is an angled brush also from Clinique. I use this for eye liner and for filling in my brows. I've had this for probably 5 years and its still good as new.

I love spoolies! I only use them on my eye brows. but if I find a perfect mascara wand I will literally take the time to clean it and use it when the mascara has run out. Plus it saves money which is never a bad thing.

This packing brush is from Bare Essentials. I have a million of basic brushes but this one is the perfect size.
This is a dual ended liner brush from Tarte. I love this end for smudging.


This poor little brush needs a deep conditioning treatment. This is the other end of the previous brush. It makes the smallest line ever.

Have a great day! :D