I Love Shopping

Look what I got on sale.

Lucky Jeans at 75% off.

And bronze Melissa Campana Favelas at 30% off.

I also bought some nice stuff this afternoon.

Another electric oil burner from Giga.

And some kikay stuff from Suesh.

What can I say?  I'm addicted to the store  =D

Watch out for my reviews.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Good quality makeup brushes can last for many years if properly cared for.  I wash my brushes at least once a month and spot-clean them as the need arises.

For spot-cleaning I use Parian Spirit Pro Makeup Brush Cleaner.

It comes with a foldable spout, but I find that transferring small amounts in an atomizer and spraying it on the brush is easier and more economical.

Here's my MAC eyeshadow brush before spot-cleaning:

Here it is after I spray it with Parian Spirit.  See the makeup coming off the brush?

Wipe the brush with a tissue until all the makeup comes off.

Here's the brush after spot-cleaning.

You can buy Parian Spirit from Suesh Makeup Toolkit.

When washing your makeup brushes use baby shampoo or a mild liquid soap like Ivory.  Pour this on the palm of your hand, add a little water, and swirl the brush on it until clean.  Rinse well, squeeze gently and re-shape the brushes to their original form.  Lay them on a towel in this position:

Note that the bristles are hanging over the edge.  This would ensure they are completely air-dried.

Be careful not to submerge your brushes in water.  Doing this will make the bristles come off as they are only held together by glue.

Hope you learned something new  =D

The Best Foundation Brush

I use Guerlain Parure Gold liquid foundation on weekdays when I have work, and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer on weekends. 

Some people use their fingers to apply these.  Others prefer to use a sponge.

Me?  I like to brush them on my face.

I've been on a quest for the perfect foundation brush for the longest time.  So here's a review of brushes I actually bought and which I have been using regularly.

My first foundation brush was the regular paddle-shaped synthetic type that is chiseled at the tip.  It's best for liquid foundations and can also be used for cream blushes and skincare cream products.

This foundation brush is from the Suesh 10-pc. brush set.

It's used like a paint brush.  You dip it into the liquid foundation and spread the product in your face using broad, downward strokes.

Use the chiseled tip to blend foundation into hard-to-reach areas such as the nose, hairline and around the lips and mouth.  I use this brush when I'm in a hurry, because foundation can be applied with it FAST.  The only downside is that it leaves streaks on the face, but these are easy to blend with your fingertips.  I also find that pressing the foundation into your face with the palm of your hands after brushing it on helps set the product.

My second brush?

The flat top foundation brush.

According to Suesh, this brush is made from a combination of natural goat hair and synthetic hair for the 'precise application of emollient cream or liquid foundation and cheek color.'  To use just dip the brush in the foundation and spread the product in small circular motions to blend into the skin.

This brush actually applies and blends foundation very well.  The only downside is that you tend to use more product than usual.

I find that it makes the application of  my  VMV Big O'Glow on my cheek really easy.  This product has a very pretty, sheer dewy effect but its sticky consistency makes it difficult and tricky to apply.

I also tried the brush on my cream and powder blushes.  Same verdict.  It blends very well but uses up a lot of the product.

Now let's talk about my third and newest brush.  The stippling brush (similar to the MAC 187 brush) is also made of synthetic and goat hairs and can be used for both powder and liquid makeup.

You don't 'brush' on the foundation with a stippling brush, you STIPPLE it.  And how exactly is this done?  The best demonstration I've seen on the internet is by Koren Zander of EnKoreMakeup.  Watch this video and see for yourself.

What Koren said about this brush having an airbrushed effect on the face while using less foundation than usual are ALL TRUE!

When I stipple my foundation and tinted moisturizer on my face, the coverage is sooo good!

I have one observation though.  You've got to put the foundation on a palette or any flat surface that won't absorb it.  Stippling foundation from the back of your hand is harder because of the uneven surface.  The skin on your hand also absorbs the product which results in wastage.

The stippling brush is a great applicator for my pressed powder.  It distributes the product evenly on my face and I find it easy to use.

My pressed powder actually came with a nice sponge applicator . . .

But I just prefer brushes.  Even when I'm on the go.

I use this retractable travel powder/blush brush.

I chose it over the kabuki because I have a lot of powder brushes, and it's not so wide you can still use it as a blush brush.  Plus it's retractable, so just throw it in your purse.  No need to worry it'll get squashed.

Genius!

Anyway, let's go back to the stippling brush.  I find that it works very well with my Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, which I use for highlighting my cheekbones.

It's also the best brush for my Bobbi Brown pot rouge.  If you use this product you know how tricky it is to apply it.  But the end results are great.  It makes you look dewy and fresh.  I tried using the regular foundation brush with this but it's quite difficult.  So for the longest time I've been using my fingers.  I'm really thankful for the stippling brush. 

It's also great for applying powder blushes.  

Before I used to dip my blush brush into the product and blow or tap the excess off so the blush wouldn't look too concentrated on my face.  With the stippling brush I can apply the blush directly to my face, minus the tapping and blowing.

My friend Ann, who has just learned to appreciate makeup, has a hard time applying blush evenly with the regular blush brush.  But she swears applying powder blush with her stippling brush is a breeze.

I also use it for my MUFE HD powder and my Guerlain Meteorites.

I love the stippling brush so much I got the mini version, also from Suesh.  Here it is with the regular stippling brush, so you'll have an idea of its size.

A closer view.

Which foundation brush is best for me? Obviously I'd go for the stippling brush.  It has the BEST blending ability and it's a multi-tasker, plus it minimizes product wastage.  If you're someone who invests in makeup this is definitely a must buy. 

Glam Ponytail

I don't have time to blow-dry my hair everyday, so I just tie it up in a ponytail.  But I love stuff that can transform my ponytail from boring to pretty.  Here are a few of them:

This headband doubles up as a ponytail holder, and I use it over Goody no-slip bands.  My six year old daughter uses it as a necklace to complement her boho-inspired maxi dresses.

This chunky ponytail holder is perfect for jeans and summer dresses.  It can also be used as a bracelet for that beachy feel.

These double combs are great for ponytails, half-ponytails and even french twists.  They have rhinestones and crystals, so they're perfect for the office or for dressier occasions.

All accessories mentioned are from Evita Peroni.  I bought them years ago, and I must say the quality is good, because the pictures above are recent ones.  My one complaint is that when the rhinestone of one of the double combs went off, the Evita Peroni store in Rockwell where I bought it couldn't replace the small piece that was missing.  I just feel that if you're selling hair accessories for P1,750 a pop (or around $38 at the current exchange rate), at least have some good post-purchase service.

A few weeks ago I bought this comb set from Suesh Makeup Toolkit.

I threw away the box, so I couldn't show you.  But all the characters were in Korean.  Sheryll, the owner of Suesh, patiently taught me how to use it.

My friend Sheila purchased these combs but couldn't quite figure it out, so I asked Jason (the pretty guy in white) to help me with the picture demo.

So here's a step by step guide for Sheila and for all of you out there who'd be interested:

First section your hair as shown below.  Then insert the bigger brown comb, longer teeth facing forward, to your hair close to the scalp.

Make sure the comb settles snugly in your hair, right below the sectioned area.

Next pull back the sectioned hair so that the brown comb is completely covered.  The resulting effect should have volume similar to teased hair (like Imelda Marcos' hair but a lot more casual).

Next use the smaller comb to secure the sectioned hair as you would a half-ponytail.  Again make sure it settles snugly in your hair.  This will hold the whole day.

You can leave this as is and wear your hair down.

Or tie it in a ponytail like I usually do, because it's so hot these days.  Notice the volume on top.  Makes your everyday look more interesting. 

Just a little makeup and you're good to go.

No need to put hair products, and the combs hold up all day.

Do you have tips on how to make simple hairstyles more interesting?  I'd love to know.  Please leave a comment or two  =D