December 31, 2011

Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Brush Set


i found something GREAT!
this brush set by Sonia Kashuk, available at Target or Target.com, is perfect for someone who is in need of a few basic brushes. it is also good for someone like me, who has many brushes but is looking for some unique shapes and extra staples.


Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Set


silver ferrules with brand imprint
lovely design

 
the Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture set holds 5 brushes and retails for $15.

why is this seemingly average brush so great, you ask?

ALL 5 brushes are AMAZE. 

this is not one of those sets you are compromising on- it has 3 you want and the other 2 you could take or leave. all 5 of the brushes in this set are either A) staples, B) multi-use, and/or C) uncommon shapes. 

on to the brushes!




starting from the left- 

"eye shadow brush": this is a basic full flat shader brush. this is an incredibly versatile brush, as its dense enough to pack shadow onto the lid, but has a fluffy enough edge to be a great blending brush as well. a do-it-all eye shadow brush, if there is one you need, this is it.





 "foundation/concealer brush": this is a domed concealer brush. this is what is meant by 'uncommon shapes' stated above- i have been looking for a brush exactly like this forever. this is great for blending and buffing in under-eye concealer, as well as concealing or blending foundation in tight areas like around the nose. 

 





 "smudge brush": a tiny smudger- another brush that is somewhat hard to find, it is the tiniest one i have come across. this is great to have for detail work: it can be used for applying shadow/liner to the top and bottom lashlines, it can be used with a cream liner in the waterline, precise highlighting like under the brows and on the cupid's bow, and of course for smudging.






 "powder/blusher brush":  this is a domed shape powder brush- it does have a slightly unique shape to it, its more tapered than normal powder brushes, making it a great contouring brush. this is also a big multi-tasker, as it can be used for powder application, blush, bronzer, even blending in liquid foundations.





  



"crease brush": a standard fluffy, tapered crease brush. a non-negotiable must have for blending purposes. this type of brush is also great for buffing in under eye concealer. 










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December 29, 2011

FOTD with UD Naked Palette


FOTD:













face:
Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer in Halo and Bodyguard
thebalm Time Balm concealer in light/medium






cheeks:
ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzer Palette (just the bronzer)
NARS Madly Blush
Benefit High Beam Highlighter





eyes:
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Brunette
UD Naked Palette-
virgin, smog, creep, half baked
Milani Liquif'eye in Black and Brown
Maybelline Falsies Black Drama  
ELF Lashes in Natural









lips:
Rimmel Airy Fairy








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TOP 11 OF 2011!


the 11 products in 2011 that i could not live without!


1. Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube Mattifying Gel



i do not know what i did before discovering this product- oh yes, i do remember, my face would be a patchy, oily mess by the end of a long day. no primer i tried would keep my foundation from fading off my combo/oily skin. i use this mattifying gel as a primer all over my face before foundation, and it keeps everything looking fresh for no less than 12 hours. 

2. MAC Creme Cup lipstick




my favorite pinky-nude lip. this color is gorgeous.



3. Dior Lip Glow



this is a pink glossy balm that is literally on my lips AT. ALL. TIMES. it moisturizing, smells good, and gives a gorgeous flush of pink color to my lips that can be built up into a more intense pink. it is incredibly long lasting as well- when the glossyness fades off, a stain of color is left.


4. Milani Baked Blushes


Luminoso
Fantastico Mauve
Bellissimo Bronze
 

these blushes are super pigmented and apply so smooth. each has a gorgeous luminosity running through them that give my cheeks a highlighted glow. i use the bronze shade in the summer, the plum shade for the perfect winter flush, and luminoso all year round, as it gives a nice peach color.


5. Urban Decay Naked Palette 

these are by far my most used eyeshadows- i am a neutrals girl so it doesnt get any better for me than this palette. (except of course the naked2!) a few of my favorite colors from this palette are: naked, buck, darkhorse, smog, toasted, and hustle. 

6. Ardell 120 Demi Wispies






2011 will forever be the year that i learned how to apply false lashes, and once i started, i could not stop! these are my everyday lashes- full but natural. 


7. Nars Laguna Bronzer


my favorite bronzer- perfect color, perfect satiny finish. 



8. Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation in Natural Beige



i use this powder everyday to set my makeup for a perfect, airbrushed finish. because it is a powder foundation, i also use it over concealer on days i dont wear liquid foundation. it gives the perfect natural-looking coverage and lasting powder, never looks cakey or powdery, and lets my skin show through. 


9. Benefit Erase Paste in NO.2



i have almost nothing left in this pot of salmon-toned, creamy, correcting concealer, and it is a MUST-re-purchase-immediately product. it brightens, smooths, and conceals the under eye area like nothing i have ever tried before...and i have tried every concealer that exists.



10. L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara






this is my all time favorite mascara. i have not been without a tube of this for the entire year! it is the most thickening, volumizing, and darkening mascara i have found yet.



11. Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Liner in 0L



this is my favorite black pencil. its creamy, but not too creamy- the perfect consistency.






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December 24, 2011

Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipsticks



i recently came across a display that i have only heard of, never seen, in the drugstore. it is the Kate Moss for Rimmel London lipstick collection, dubbed "The Kate Collection." i do not know whether the collection is limited edition, or if it will be a part of their permanent line. seeing how i LOVE Kate Moss, and LOVE Rimmel, i had to get one. or two. 



 
 






the lipstick formulation is the same as their moisture renew lipsticks, which are in the purple tube. the scent is the same as well, which is a bit strong and bubblegummy. i picked up the two nudest colors in the display- 08 is a basic nude, and 14 is a pink/mauve nuetral. both colors have great pigmentation. i love the sleek black packaging with kate's signature in red.




















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