YouTube Quick Tips: Makeup Brushes

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:

http://youtu.be/nWtPx99L-zg

 

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:

http://youtu.be/jltoL58UlE8

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:

http://youtu.be/tKPYexZtHCw

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!

YouTube Quick Tips: Liquid Eyeliners

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 the post, I’ve chosen 2 videos that kind of give you the basics of doing a winged liner. Because of my eye shape, it’s been a process trying to figure out the best way to do them. I have hooded, almond shaped eyes which water easily so even when I get the wing, it washes away. Here are some videos that helped me figure things out a little more. 

The first video is by Michelle Phan. She explains different liquid liners and tips that are available so you know the difference. Also, she shows you more than one technique so it really doesn’t force you into doing it one way, considering my eyes NEVER follow conventional “rules of application”. One thing she doesn’t really emphasize but you might want to pay attention to is how she holds the liner. When I first started using liquid liners, I was using them like a pen, pointing them straight at my eyes and using the tip to color. Use the edge of the brush/tip and drag. That has to be the best tip I could pass on about getting eyeliner looking right. With that said, here’s the video:

http://youtu.be/Rc0vliuLm28

The second video comes from Jaclyn Hill. In this demo, she’s not using liquid but GEL Liner which is easily attainable at your local drugstores. It gives you the look of liquid without the hassle and, from my experience, has more staying power. Downside to it is that it really does depend on the kind of brush you use… whereas liquid liners are just use it and go. I have a gel liner and a crappy brush and I NEVER used it. Then I happened upon a brush that I have no idea what to do with, used it in the gel liner and POW! It’s my favorite. Still, Jaclyn gives you techniques to using the product and how to get a dramatic cat/winged eyeliner look. Here’s her video:

http://youtu.be/irIABAPb_fo

Hope these helped! 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!

First Impression: Bare Minerals Bareskin Serum Foundation

This weekend I spent time with family from out of town and my cousin and I went makeup shopping. We hit up the obvious Sephora and then she wanted a compact version of her Bare Minerals. We went into the store, the clerk was very nice, she color matched her and we were all set. She did, however, mention that they had a new product called “Bare Minerals Bareskin” which was a new mineralized liquid foundation. First impression when you pick up the bottle is “Dang this is super liquidy” to which the clerk explained that the product had no emulsifiers or sulfates so it separated. When you use it, you need to shake it to mix the product. She also mentioned it had lilac plant stem cells and rose hips, vitamin C and was a very unique formula like nothing out on the market. I got a couple samples to review. So here is the information they have provided on their website about the product… 

 

The sample packets contain about enough to cover a little more than half of MY face. I got 2 colors, Bare Linen 03 and Bare Natural 07 (The samples were prepackaged and limited to certain colors). When opening the product, it definitely had a smell to it, it’s not TERRIBLE or perfume based, it’s almost stale smelling, like an office building. It might be from the SPF. I used 03 without a primer on the right side of my face using a Kirkland flat top, duel fibered, synthetic haired foundation brush. Initial application was nice; light weight, full coverage, blended easily, a little went a long way. Unfortunately, the color was too light for me. On the left side of my face, I used 07 with a primer (Benefits POREfessional) and applied the same. This color wasn’t exactly right but better suited to my skin. This was at about 11am, I was staying home so I didn’t care that my face was 2 different shades. After about 2 hours, I looked up close at the makeup. It seemed to sit in every crease on the skin around my mouth and under eye (keep in mind, I have a magnified mirror) on both sides, with and without primer. The smell faded almost immediately after application. The finish is odd though. I have combination skin, oily t-zone, patches of flaky dryness on my cheeks. Even after 2 hours, my foundation still does not feel set. It has a moisturizing feeling to it but instead of feeling hydrated, I feel like my foundation is moving. I applied it to my entire face including eyelids and lips (which I usually don’t) but I wanted to see how it reacted to more oily and highly mobile areas of my face. I would have to say not well. My eyelids creased after a half hour but that doesn’t necessarily deter me, I wouldn’t use it on my eyelids. However, it does tell me it doesn’t react well to natural oils. Also, I did NOT set with a powder, per the instructions of the clerk who said it would dry to a powder like finish. 

 

Pic 1: 03 vs No makeup

Pic 2: Full face (03 and 07)

Pic 3: Not sure if you can tell the texture and finish but I didn't like it. 

Pros:

Full coverage, Light weight, hydrating, contains natural components that help skin in the longrun, concealed imperfections and blemishes, contains sunscreen, easily buildable if needed, blends well

Cons:

Not ideal for oily skin, does not set quickly, highlights texture, smell, not ideal for pictures (because of the SPF), settles into fine lines and creases, staying power only as good as how often you touch your face, difficult to “Touch up”, lays cakey on the skin (does not provide the “no makeup” look as promoted), could definitely feel it on my skin

Overall Review:

2 out of 5 stars.

Great coverage, it was quick and easy but after initial application, there was really nothing else I liked about it. Might work for some, but unfortunately, not me.

First Impression: MAKEUP Forever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow

Hey Guys... So this is gonna be my first impression review of the MAKEUP Forever Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow. The shade I purchased was in Black and I applied it with a MAC small angel brush #263. The liner costs $23 at Sephora and is available at Sephora stores, Sephora.com, Makeupforever.com and various makeup stores. The brush I used was $19 at MAC stores, MAC counters and MACcosmetics.com. I do, however, not like this brush for eyeliners, it's just what I used for this application.

My experience with eyeliners is what I would consider a love/hate relationship. I love the look of super black, defined eyeliner but I have eyes that hate it. My natural eyes are almond shaped, hooded and very watery. I've tried waterproof, long lasting, latex, gel, powder, pencil, liquid and even sharpie (yes, I know... I was young!) to do my eyeliner hoping it would stay and no such luck. The issue is my eyes water and pool. I try to keep a tissue with me but after a while, my makeup suffers. I get circles in the outer corners of my lid, almost like a bald spot of in my eyeshadow. Naturally, my perfectly placed and expertly drawn wing is gone within an hour of applying. 

There's a part of me that has no desire to pay $20 for a "damn liner". I happened to be at Sephora and talked to one of the makeup girls, voiced my concerns in hopes she would have a suggestion. She pointed me towards this liner/cream shadow but it's not the first time I'd heard of it. Various YT-ers have talked about it but I'd never recalled specifically hearing my issues and how it held up against them. She also pointed me towards the Kat Von D liquid eyeliner pen. She said it was easy to use for my small eyes but the waterproof aspect was kinda iffy. I chose the Makeup Forever one. 

On to the use. I used a Mac angled brush and honestly, I hate the brush for eyeliner. I actually have 2 (I was convinced that the first one wasn't working cuz of something I had done in the cleaning process but no, it wasn't me, it was the brush!). I tried it in 2 different ways:

1. As eyeliner. I used the angled brush, dipped a bit and applied along the lash line, winged it out to extend the eye and used what was left on the brush under my lower lashes. I had heard it was effective on the waterline but last thing I needed was (Worst case scenario) it to mix with my watery eyes and give my eyes a grey tint. I applied it for the first time at about 9am and went all day, literally till 11pm.

2. As eyeshadow base. I used the same angled brush and later the same day, decided to try it out as a lid color. The consistency was like gel liner so I was a bit afraid of how it would blend but it worked splendidly. VERY pigmented and easy to blend into my crease color. I did set it with a black powder but that was more out of habit than necessity. It dried easily, wasn't sticky like some bases. I applied it at about 4pm till 11pm. 

My opinion overall? New favorite eyeliner!! No creasing as a base, no "pooling". Definite must have for my makeup. Only downside? I need a new eyeliner brush but I have my eye on a sigma one... maybe that will be my next review/first impression.

Hope this helped! Lemme know what you think if you end up purchasing!!

Nail Candy: Gradient Nails

Hey! So, I wanted to do something with my nails this time. I've seen this on Pinterest a couple times more than I'd expect to so I took is as a omen that I should try it. I really like how it came out, considering it was my first time.

So, for the  most part, I'm a naked nails kind of girl. I don't know if it's that my nail beds are oily or what but nail polish NEVER lasts. It literally peels off within a day or two and for as much waiting around as I do for them to dry and what not, I just don't have the patience to keep them up.

I love nail art, though. So when you see my nails painted, there's usually some kind of design, character or just slightly about average "something" on them. I get it from my Mother. She used to get her nails done by this lady named Laura who was a champion nail artist (literally had trophies and medals at her station). She would do all kinds of nail art from roses to orca whales in under water scenes that spanned the length of all 10 nails to Garfield... you name it, she did it. If I remember correctly, she even painted Marilyn Monroe and Elvis on some nails for a competition. POINT IS, I grew up seeing this kind of stuff and, I guess, from there began my appreciation for the time and art it took to have these elaborate nails.

By no stretch of the imagination would I be able to do 1/10th of the kind of work she did (and continues to do but I have no idea where her shop is now) but I do what I can with what I have. With these nails, i think the hardest part was making sure all 3 colors came through and that wasn't hard at all. They're honestly really easy, mildly time consuming (in comparison with other nail tecniques) and gives you the look of airbrushing with out the price. Here's how I did it...

Hope you like them, hope you try them and maybe I'll do some more nail stuff (it usually comes up around the holidays. I'm super cheesy/themey like that)

Ciao! xoxo

First Impression: HOURGLASS Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation

Hey Guys... So this is gonna be my first impression review of the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Foundation. It's sold for $55 at Sephora stores, Sephora.com and HOURGLASS.com. The shade I used was Natural - Fair to Light with Pink undertones. I took pictures but I couldn't bring myself to post them... instead, I'll just describe my experience. Here's what the foundation looks like...

I've been using the same foundation for about a year or two. I've been watching other YouTube videos and wanted to try some other foundations. For whatever reason, it never occurred to me that I could ask for a sample. While at the mall, I asked the sales girl at Sephora for some foundation advice. This was at about... 11am.


My skin used to be overall oily but has turned into this weird combination skin. I have flaky dry cheeks and an oily T-zone. She suggested the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation. She put it on me and the color seemed a little light but she went in with a bronzer (NARS Laguna) and blush (NARS Orgasm) and I liked it. I got the sample so I could try it on my own with my products to see if it worked for me before I spent that much money on a foundation.

Here's where my issue starts. Once I walked out into the sun, my sister said my makeup looked cakey. I checked it out in the mirror and AHH! I don't usually have wrinkles or laugh lines and this makeup seemed to give them to me, but in the weirdest way. Best way I can describe it would be like when you were in elementary school and you rubbed glue on your hand, then you'd try to move your hand and it would have all these tiny ripples. It gave me a similar crinkle texture around my mouth which was WAY unattractive. I went about my day (kids, errands, being lazy) and didn't really spot check my face.

Then, 9pm rolls around and I'm starting to think about washing the face, maybe practicing a makeup look for a video so I check out my magnified, lighted mirror and...

DUN - DUN - DUUUUUUUUUN!!!

CATASTROPHE!!! The makeup was NOT cute! My skin was flaking on my dry areas and the makeup had separated and was blotchy on the my t-zone. I have not gasped so loud looking at my face in a long time. It was almost like the makeup was starting to break me out too. You know when you feel the beginning of little bumps. Needless to say I removed it, washed my face and toned and I'm hoping I don't have a reaction.

My first impression was not good to say the least. I can't say it's a bad foundation but it just didn't seem to work for me. Also, keep in mind I had "bed face"... I just woke up and went to the mall, hadn't cleaned, toned, moisturized or primed my face. Keeping that in mind and considering I do have a fairly large sample... I'm gonna try it again but as for my first experience? Not worth the $55.

Makeup Look: Luck of the Irish

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

I wanted to do a super green look but DOH! I forgot I gave away my 120 Palette so all the greens i have lean more towards the olivey/army green tones. SO, keeping that in mind, this is what I came up with... 

I used a green cream base and packed an olive green on top. I used a dark green on the outer corners but it started looking muddy. I then took a navy blue and smoked out the outer "v" and and used a brighter dark blue under the eye and lined it with a glittery emerald green (which you can't really see).  Here's a list of the products I used... 

     NYX Jumbo Pencil in Lemon (its green, I swear)

     Wet n Wild ColorIcon Palette in Comfort Zone

     Wet n Wild ColorIcon Palette in Blue Had me at Hello

     Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Liner in Sabbath

     Femme Couture Eye Drama Glitter Eye Pencil in Green 827492

     Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara in Blackest Black

     Red Cherry Lashes #1

*For the clover, I drew the shape with the Green glitter pencil and filled with the dark dark green shadow. For the dots, I pressed the liner and twisted, using more pressure for the larger dots, less for the smaller. 

Hope you like the look!! Catch you next time :D