Browsing Category: Make-Up

Make-Up Brush Cleaners

One of my biggest struggles in life is definitely cleaning my make-up brushes. #TheStruggleIsReal

In my opinion, cleaning my make-up brushes is on the same level as cleaning my bathroom and getting my car maintenance: It’s a horrible chore, but I’m relieved when it’s all over.

Still, depending on the number of make-up brushes you have and how often you use them, this simple task can become very tedious. Also, you should take in mind your skin. If you have sensitive and/or prone to breakout, you might be more mindful of how clean your brushes are to use.

So, let’s begin at the basics of make-up brush cleaning.

How Often?

I have seen some “experts” say that you clean your make-up brushes at least once a month. Like I mentioned before, this is not the case for all and shouldn’t be, to be honest. When you use your make-up brushes, the intention is to apply make-up to your face. However, in the process, you are also transferring oils from your skin onto your brush..the same brush you will more than likely use the next day. This is very prevalent in brushes to apply face powders and powder brushes. The leftover powder on your brush can absorb the oils from your face and/or foundation and reside on your brush until you clean it. Kind of gross when you actually think about it, huh?

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So, it would be awesome to was your brushes everyday. However, if your life is like mine, then everyday is not ideal or realistic. Therefore, you should look into spray brush cleaners. One of my favorites is Japonesque Makeup Brush Cleaner, which is very gentle on the brushes while also cleaning, conditioning, and disinfecting. Once you’re done using your brush, spray a couple of pumps of the cleanser on the bristles, twirl it on clean napkin or tissue and let it air dry and ready to use again the next day and or stretch you until you are ready to deep cleanse it.

How To Deep Cleanse Make-Up Brushes

There are a lot of products, tools, and methods out there to help you deep clean your brushes. Since I don’t use that much make-up nor wear it everyday and use the Japonesque spray, I tend to deep clean my make-up brushes every other week.

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When I do deep clean my brushes, the first thing I do is use a product to help break up all the make-up and oils deep within the brush. You can easily do this by massaging your brushes with a little olive oil, which works just as fine as most brush cleaners while also conditioning the bristles. However, to make sure my brushes are thoroughly clean, I’ve been using the solid blendercleanser by beautyblender. Not only only is it awesome at cleaning your beautyblender and other make-up sponges, but also your make-up brushes. All you have to do is wet your brush/sponge, swirl it a couple of times on the soap to create a lather, rinse, squeeze, and let air dry on the grid that comes with the cleaner. You can also use the drying grid to deep by placing it on top of the soap first and then swiping your brush back and forth to create a super lather. Definitely has been one of my favorite purchases in the past couple of months.

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Although I do love the blendercleanser, I mostly use it for my sponges and the Japonesque spray cleaner to prepare them for the next time I apply make-up. However, there are times when I forget or use a brush for multiple uses or heavy product (i.e. foundation) and feel like the spray cleaner isn’t enough. So, I breakout the big gun: Cinema Secrets Make-Up Brush Cleaner.

This brush cleaner is a professional grade cleaner that I first heard about from make-up artist Priscilla Ono on her Snapchat. What is so awesome about this cleanser is not only does it clean the crap out of your brushes, conditions, and deodorizes, but it is a quick dry formula. Depending on the brush and how much cleanser you use, your brush will be dry in a matter of minutes. MINUTES!

If I could only buy and use one make-up brush cleanser for the rest of my life, this would be it. No doubt.

How often do you clean your make-up brushes and what products and tips do you use? Share below!

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Lip Products for Chapped Lips

Since it’s winter, it’s also chapped lips season. Pardon me as I let a deep felt ‘Eh!” at just the thought of chapped lips. Although people with chapped lips is one of my pet peeves, it’s also one of the things that I obsessed with not having myself. I’m so paranoid about having chapped lips that I feel like I’ve used every imaginable product for chapped lips.

Despite the tens (maybe triple digits) of number of moisturizing lip products I’ve tried, there have been a quite a few that made lasting and positive impressions on me and my lips. Keep reading to see some classic (and cult) favorites.

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  • Fresh Sugar Lip Polish – It’s still hard to believe that some people don’t understand the importance of exfoliating your lips. One of the easiest ways to do it is with a little Vaseline and toothbrush. However, Fresh’s Sugar Lip Polish is nicer way to gently buff way dry skin while softening and conditioning your lips.
  • Vaseline Lip Therapy – Speaking of Vaseline, their lip therapy products not only help to soften lips, but also lock in moisture to prevent the chapped lips from happening. This also comes in the classic Vaseline formula and cocoa butter. However, I recommend the rosy lip for formula for a hint of pink.
  • Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm – The latest addition to my makeup bag is also a really great compact that includes scrub and lip balm. It’s available in various colors, but I’m all about any and everything in Clinique ‘Black Honey’.
  • Josie Maran Argan Lip Treatment – Josie Maran Argan products are some of my favorite products, including the lip treatment. It’s very light and perfect everyday balm for those who don’t necessarily have chapped lips, but want to keep it that way.
  • Korres Lip Butter – If you want a moisturizing lip balm that moisturizes, conditions, and gives the same consistency of  color as a lip gloss, then Korres classic lip butter is for you. Very smooth application and very absorbing. Lives in my make-up bag.
  • Carmex Lip Balm – I’ve been addicted to Carmex lip balm since sophomore year of high school when a friend of mine would pull out her jar from her jacket and apply it throughout the day. The heavy menthol smell is what drew me, which can be a little too strong for some. It’s a heavy balm that instantly melts into your skin, but the is very moisturizing. Some people even use this cult fav as cuticle cream, me included. Carmex lip balm is available in a various containers and a different “flavors/scent”. However, I always get the original scent in the tin jar. Nostalgia for life.

 

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The LUXURY Products You Need NOW

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Like I’ve mentioned previously, I’m back into buying and trying new beauty and skincare products. However, I also love spoiling myself and my beauty and skin regimen is the usual the beneficiary of these moods of indulgence. So, I’ve gathered a nice list of luxury products you need that are worthy of use to spoil yourself.

  • Sunday Riley Sleeping Night Oil – I’ve heard so many awesome things about this nightime oil. A lot of people have even claimed to see results over night, which is nice to know considering the $100+ price tag. This oil is packed with skin loving ingredients, including retinol.
  • YSL Volupte Tint-In-Oil – I tried this lip tint and was instantly in love. It lasts for a really long time, high pigmentation for a lip tint, and it’s very moisturizing, which is also very much appreciated.
  • MUFE Step 1 Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer – Now that the warm weather is here and not going anywhere for awhile, primer is your friend and Make Up Forever  primers are your BFF. They have a mattifying one that is beyond amazing and this smoothing formula is just as amazing and perfect for a flawless face.
  • R+Co DEATH VALLEY Dry Shampoo – Can you every have too many dry shampoos? Well, the answer is probably ‘yes’, but never hurts to have options. However, this dry shampoo is hands down, the most refreshing and volumizing dry shampoo I’ve ever used with a hefty price tag to boot, but a little goes a long way. A couple of puffs is all it takes to make your hair look and feel fresh.

Stay Stylish!

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RECENT EMPTIES: February 2015

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Last month, I was able to use up a few products that I was I’d meaning to use up and/or replace. As usual, there were some favorites and regrets, but all appreciated.

So, keep reading to see what beauty items I recently used up and quick reviews for this month’s recent empties.

  • TRESemme Dry Shampoo – This is my favorite dry shampoo It smells amazing, plus this formula is to add more volume. Repurchasing.
  • Carol’s Daughter Marula Mask – This mask didn’t really do much for me that I haven’t found in other hair masks that I’ve used. So, I doubt I repurchase this mask, but it was pretty good.
  • Maybelline Pumped Up Mascara – I will say this is one of the better drugstore mascaras that I’ve used. This mascara did amp up my lashes without clumping or flaking. I would repurchase this one.
  • InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum – Vitamin C serum is my latest obsession thanks to this product. You might remember me talking about this serum a couple of months ago, but it helped clear up my complexion and soften the texture of my skin. This is another repurchase.
  • Wet n Wild Bronzer (Bikini Contest) – My favorite drugstore bronzer, because it was dark, matte, buildable, and very affordable for less than $5. Plus, it lasted forever, because you get a so much for your buck. I’m buying this one, again.
  • Lippman Collection – I’ve had this polish for too long and finally had to let it go after using numerous polish thinners. This shade was the perfect milky nude polish and worked all year long. Loved this polish!
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Multiple Purpose Makeup

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Last week, I took on the daunting, yet fulfilling task of downsizing my makeup collection. It was something that was long overdue, because I can honestly say that I’ve only worn about 5% of the items in it.. in the past 2 years.

This downsizing was another task in my aspirations to lead a minimalist life, which is going pretty awesome.

While sorting through years of collected makeup, I realized that a lot of the products that I keep and use are products that have multiple uses and that’s why Paula Dorf’s Perfect Color stick in Ectasy made the final cut and pretty much lives in my makeup bag.

This creamy color stick can be used on your lips, cheeks, and eyes and creates the softest and illuminating looks in a pinch. The shade I have, Ecstasy, gives me just the right amount of natural pink to create the look of flushed cheeks and softly bitten lips with a sheer and luminous glow.

I need more of these sticks!

FYI – If you make a purchase, you will receive the gift of  a Paula Dorff mini No Color Glimmer, which is a gorgeously soft, lightweight powder to complete your look! The perfect accent to Ecstasy. USE CODE: ECSTASY

Also, Paula Dorf is giving away a makeup kit full of some of our favorite products! Have your readers can enter for a chance to win this Paula Dorf makeup kit ($125 value) here: https://promosimple.com/ps/66b5

Free makeup makes the world feel like a better place!

Stay Stylish!

*Product provided for review consideration. All words are my honest opinion.

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