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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

All About Makeup Brushes

Any good artist will tell you that the brushes are as important as applying the same trick. Brushes create a perfect finish, that move the makeup for the face of a smooth surface that helps and gives control to the whole. Brushes should be used for any part of your routine application of the composition of its base, and emphasized the use of eye makeup.

Before I knew about makeup applications, I was just using sponge tip applicators for eye shadows. Not that's not anything wrong with it, it's still a popular application method among Asian countries. But the more I learned about makeup brushes, the more I became fascinated with them.

The are so many brands out there, one of the most popular brush brands is MAC. It's individual brushes averages about $40 per brush. I can't imagine if you want to have a complete face to eyes brush set, how much that's going to cost you. They are good quality indeed and will probably last you a while.

MAC Brushes

The are other high-end makeup brushes out there other than MAC. And one of them is a Japanese brand called Hakuhodo (白鳳堂)here is a description of who they are:

Hakuhodo is one of the leading makeup brush manufacturers in Kumano, producing 500,000 brushes monthly.  It also has been producing and providing high quality makeup brushes for many leading cosmetic companies and makeup artist brands worldwide as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufaturer) supplier. Through these collaborations, we continue to make the ultimate fude, the perfect tool.

They are crazy expensive though, just take a look here:

8 pcs vermilion handle set - $369.00


Close-up of the 8 piece set

Basic 17 pieces brush set $509.00


Close-up of the 17 piece set

So.... what are some alternatives if you want to start building up your makeup brush kit? In fact, in my research, I found some brands that's cheap and very good in quality also.

1. Sigma - they are a fairly new online company. I found about this through watching Youtube beauty videos. And a lot of people are comparing these brushes to MAC. They offer many duplicate MAC brushes for a fraction of the price.  I own the 3 piece synthetic brush set ($42) and it makes your liquid foundation look flawless. And the brushes are very soft. They have great customer service and they always include a free gift with your purchase. I got a travel sized blending brush with my 3 piece kit.

Since not everyone of us can afford a Hakuhodo or MAC set, this will be your best choice to buy a complete set without spending couple hundred dollars.

Complete Kit without Brush Roll - Black -$79

Synthetic Face Kit - $42


2.  Ecotools - I love love love this brand. They are sold in drugstores like Ulta, Walgreens & Target. And they are so affordable.

Here is what they say:
Getting gorgeous, going green, and giving back is what we are all about! EcoTools is a brand from Paris Presents Incorporated and a leader in eco-conscious beauty products, most notably known for its incredibly soft cosmetic brushes. We take pride in offering a collection of cosmetic accessories and bath products that feature innovative, earth-friendly materials. In a continued effort to give back, 1% of EcoTools annual sales is donated to 1% For The Planet®, an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet.

How I found out about this brand, is through a forum thread that mentioned their recycle program.
If you own a bunch of old make-brushes, sponges, etc. now is the time to do something with them! You can send them off to EcoTools for their Look Gorgeous, Love Green Campaign.

EcoTools will collect used cosmetic brushes and bath + body care products and swap them for an EcoTools alternative AND a sample pack. Examples of items to swap include:
* makeup brushes
* body washes and scrubs
* body lotions/butters
* hand creams
* body mists
* bath sponges

For each item turned in, participants will receive a coupon for a FREE EcoTools alternative (up to $7.99 value; limit 2 coupons per person). The EcoTools coupon(s) will be sent to participants within a month of receiving the swapped product(s). The items collected will be recycled.

I've participated in this for 2 years now and slowly build up my Ecotools collection. I love these so much that I send a couple off to my cousin-in-law and my sister-in-law to share with them. I swear these are the softest brush you will ever feel! I could just feel them on my skin all day. My favorite ones are the Retractable Kabuki (in the silver tube below), you can just put some powder on there and put it in your purse for touch ups during the day. And the Bronzer brush (the two toned one below). I don't have many of them because they are very hard to track down, the stores only carry a limited selection or it's always out of stock. But definitely check out these brushes if you haven't yet. They are so affordable (under $12 and you can find them on sale often at Ulta).

3. Sonia Kashuk Brushes - Exclusively at Target

Sonia Kashuk offers affordable and great quality brushes too. And at Target they have testers out so you can feel the brushes before you buy it. Sonia Kashuk comes out with limited edtion brush sets and designs for Target all the time, so check it out next time you are in a Target.

Here are some of her collections:






Last but not least. Make sure you wash your brushes once a week with a cleanser like my favorite Dr. Bronner's Soap (also available at Target) and spot clean them with makeup wipes or brush cleanser spray after each use. This way they will stay sanitized and won't irritate and cause break outs of your skin!

Monday, September 19, 2011

My Drugstore Makeup Recommendations

I love drugstore makeup, you can experiment with lots of products without denting your wallet. Some of the drugstore now offers hassle free returns on makeup products, no questions asked, even if you used the product and just didn't work for you (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens).

I know you are probably thinking why return a cheap product back to the drugstore?
First, most of the US drugstores, does not offer testers. So there's no way you can judge the color of the foundation with out opening it and test it out. And most drugstores have the horrible florescent lighting, so it's not accurate to judge a color without standing in natural light.

Secondly, this has happened to me, I picked up a new mascara that I wanted to try, and when I got home, open the package, it was empty.... with nothing inside, they forgot to fill the tube with the mascara. Imagine my disappointment.... so make sure you buy cosmetics from a store that let you return and save your receipts!

Ok, now on to my list of recommendations.
I read a lot of beauty forums and watch makeup videos to pick up the latest trend on makeup items. Here is what I have gathered the best of the best from each drugstore brand. There is no one brand that is good at everything they make. Some might have good foundations and horrible eyeshadows.
I have not tried all these out myself but have heard numerous raves on these products from fellow makeup addicts like me.

CoverGirl 

CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara, Very Black

CoverGirl Natureluxe Foundation, light to medium coverage that feels like second skin.

L'Oreal


L'Oreal True Match Liquid Makeup - lots of good color range.
L'Oreal Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara - one of my favorites


Maybelline
Mayblline is a queen of mascara in drugstore world. They offer great mascaras that's comparable to high-end and you can often find them on sale every week at drugstores. When you have to toss a mascara every 3 months, for sanitation purposes, there's no reason to spend $20 on a high-end mascara, in my opinion.
Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies
Maybelline Volum'Express One by One WP Mascara
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder Compact - a dupe for MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural
Physician's Forumla
Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush Glow & Mood Boosting Blush - people were going crazy for these. They smell good for sure, but does it make me happy when I wear this? Not necessarily.... but the design is cute though and color is great!

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum, Ultra Black - my HG liquid liner.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Gel Cream Liner

Neutrogena
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20 - dupe for Nars Sheer Glow

Rimmel
Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail Lacquer - I like their color selection and unique flat brush.
Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil, Hazel - my favorite eyebrow pencil that I use daily

Rimmel Foundation Primer

Revlon
OK, Revlon is probably my favorite drugstore brand if I had to pick one because they have lots of great products.

Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss Lip Shine

Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick - these are very moisturizing and have great color selection and pigmentation.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss
 
in Coreal Reef - beautiful coral color you definately need for the summer!

Revlon Colorstay for Combo/Oily Skin Makeup - long lasting, good color matching range, definitely a favorite!

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup

Hard Candy
Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer that covers everything, can be found at Wal-Mart.
Milani
MILANI LIQUIF EYE Metallic Eye Liner Pencil - if you read my old beauty blog, you will know this is my HG pencil eyeliner.

MILANI Baked Blush - these are new, beautiful highly pigmented blushes that you will love!
NYX
This brand is hard to track down, it is not carried in your normal Rite Aid or Walgreens. It can be found at Ulta or I always get my from CherryCulture.com because they have a larger selection online  and they have a great sale right now on NYX products. 

NYX Girls Round Lip Gloss

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - these are great base for eyeshadows if you are playing with colors. It just makes your eyeshadows pop.

NYX Round Lipstick  - moisturizing and wide range of colors!

NYX The Runway Collection 10 Color Eyeshadow Palette - The one called Champagne & Caviar is similiar to the Urban Decay Naked Palette, but this is less than $10 where UD one is $48.

NYX Single Eyeshadow - great quality and pigmentation, these have been compare to MAC eyeshadows

NYX Slide On Pencil - waterproof & long lasting
E.L.F eyes lips face
OK, this brand is known for its $1 makeup. They have a lot of selections for $1, and a Studio Line for $3. And some other things for a little bit more. It can be found in some Targets or online at http://www.eyeslipsface.com/ I was skeptical at first on this makeup because it's so cheap, but there are definately some quality items from this line. I love their flat top brush for liquid foundation application.

Studio Powder Brush $3

Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder $3 - Dupe for Nars Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer

High Definition Powder $6 - comparable to the Make Up Forever HD Powder.

I forgot to add these two items in after I post this blog.
Since I have a big round face, I contour my face when I have more time to do makeup in the mornings.  Here is a helpful video link on how to contour your face if you want to know.




NYX Blush in Taupe - So cheap and perfect color for contour.

NYC Bronzer in Sunny, it's a matte bronzer, which is hard to find, best $3 you will ever spend!

Hopefully this post will give you some ideas on what to try out, some cheap thrills you can pick up next time at the drugstore. :)

Sunday, September 18, 2011

ROTM: Egg Works

Egg Works

 9355 W Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89147
Neighborhood: Spring Valley

www.theeggworks.com


Great breakfast place. The food and service have been consistently good. Prices are very reasonable and portions are huge. If you go make sure you go earlier or later. If you go during rush hours, it could be a long wait. They have 4 locations in town, with a new one opening soon at 215 & Rainbow.

You flip the egg sing over when you want service. It turns to a frowning egg face.



Biscuits & Gravy with their specialty hash browns

Loco moco - Hawaiian style with Country Gravy