This is something I like to do for people who don’t have
the time to sift through all kinds of “gurus” on YouTube trying to find
something useful that they can apply to their daily makeup routine. I watch all
kinds of videos online and I know how hard it can be to come across something
that isn't too specific to the look, but rather educational. I'm going to
highlight videos that deal with an issue I’ve come across or been asked about
that are more "How to".
For this installment, I’m tackling brushes. I think it’s
the questions I get asked the most because when you start getting into makeup,
you assume that buying the expensive products gives you that flawless look. I want to emphasize that it’s not always the makeup but the way
you apply it and not only eyeshadows but with your full face of makeup. I know
because that was the route I took.
I walked into a department store, saw
SMASHBOX and was amazed. They did my sisters makeup and I
thought, OMG! I have to go back and buy it all. Well, I never did but much
later, I ended up in a Macys with my friend who introduced me to MAC. I went
NUTS. I remember my first eyeshadow was Electric Eel (bright turquoise blue)
and when I got home, I have no idea what to do with it. I went back to MAC and
they saw that look in my eyes and POW! Four hundred dollars later, I got
my first 10 eyeshadows, foundation, powder, Fix+ and brushes. All of a sudden,
makeup was attainable because these brushes made it so much easier to apply and
blend and look like these girls I’d see pictures of online. Had I known then,
what I know now, I might have still spent the money on the brushes but EH…
maybe not so many eyeshadows.
Either way, knowing
what brushes do and what to look for when shopping for your makeup bag REALLY
makes a difference. Here are 2 videos I found that explain what brushes are,
where they are best used, the brands these girls like and in some cases,
cheaper alternatives to MAC.
First video is by Marlena – Makeup Geek. She is a
self-made makeup guru who owns a company that offers great products at great
prices. Her company “MakeupGeek.com” offers quality eyeshadows and brushes. In
this video, she goes over each brushes functionality, compares it to a higher
priced option and gives you her opinion on which is a better buy. This should help you out when looking at brushes online wondering which to buy and why you would pick one over the other, which she explains in detail. Here’s the
link to that video:
Next video is by Jaclyn Hill. She is a professional
makeup artist. She gives you the rundown of what brushes she uses, what she
uses them for and why they are better for certain uses. She also goes over brush hair, which can sway your decision on brushes. Prior to this video, I had never really considered that. She gives you
insite, being that she’s worked for MAC and now collaborates with Sigma
Brushes, which in most cases is a cheaper alternative. Keep in mind, this video
is a little long but VERY informative. Here’s her video:
Another topic that comes up with concern to brushes is
how to clean them. There are all kinds of liquid brush cleaners ranging from $5
to $30, some better than others. Jacyln Hill touches on how she cleans her
brushes at the beginning of her video but I wanted to provide another option
that uses household items or at least products that are easily attainable. Here
is a video by Nicole Guerriero that’s short and sweet showcasing how she
cleans, conditions, disinfects and dries her brushes. Here’s the link to that video:
As for myself, most of my brushes are from MAC, Urban
Decay, Stila and I have some random ones from Sonia Kashuk, Real techniques and
so forth. When I clean my brushes, I use the MAC Brush cleaner in a little $1
squirt bottle with half water and spray them, rub them on a paper towel and set
them flat to try. When I’m deep cleaning them (which is not SUPER often, being
that I don’t do my makeup all the time), I use sensitive formula baby shampoo,
run them under warm water, then dip them in the MAC cleaner to get any stains
the makeup might have left on the brush out and let them dry flat overnight. I
don’t really have input on the types of brushes I have, being that I have quite
a few and a version of most of the brushes mentioned. I think I have a pretty
well rounded collection.
Hope these videos helped with any and all questions you
have about makeup brushes. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and I
will do my best to answer to the best of my knowledge. I might even research it
and use your question as my next YouTube Tip. Thanks for checking in!
