Brush Week: 7 Brushes You Need

the basics.

My heart sinks when I see people use the cheap spongy applicators that sometimes come with shadows, powders, and foundation. Reason being - they apply your makeup horribly and are incredibly unsanitary. Most makeup enthusiasts would agree - your makeup brushes are arguably more important than your actual makeup products. 

the seven brushes you need:

stippling brush. 
Say hello to my little friend, the Mac 187. It's technically a stippling brush, but it does an awesome job of making skin look airbrushed and perfect. This is the kind of brush that can make your drugstore foundation look like a million bucks. Here's how to use a stippling brush. 

powder brush. 
Use a powder brush after applying water based foundation to lock and seal your makeup all day. I use this brush differently than most, and I learned the technique here (fast forward to 3:00). Instead of fluffing the brush around your face with powder on it, pack the product on the sides of the brush bristles, and pack it onto your face. This will keep your makeup to stay in place all day. After applying, lightly brush off excess from your face so it doesn't appear cakey. I also use a powder brush after contouring to blend any harsh lines. 

blush & bronzer brush.

Okay, so if this was "top 8" brushes, blush and bronzer brushes wouldn't be in the same category. However, in a pinch I can use the same brush for both without noticing any real difference. To illuminate your face and give it a glow, use a blush brush (say that five times fast) to swipe some blush or highlighter on your upper cheekbones. This brush applies a light and even layer and allows your to easy big pigments on top of each other. With bronzer, sweep into the hollows between your cheekbones and jaw. 

stiff eyeshadow brush.
Use this brush as your primary eyeshadow applicator for lid colors. 

crease brush.
Use this brush to apply colors into your crease. Crease colors are also known as a transition color, because it helps give your makeup more dimension. 

dome eyeshadow brush.
Use this brush to blend all your eyeshadows after they've been applied. This gives your eye-makeup a flawless finish, and will ensure no one is seeing weird eyeshadow lines or definitions that aren't supposed to be there.

eyeliner/brow brush.
One of my favorite brushes. This bad boy is amazing for lining your bottom rims, cutting your crease, and even applying a dark eyeshadow as a liner. I have several of these brushes because depending on the bristles, it can be used so differently!

so there you have it!
I hope you all enjoyed BRUSH WEEK as much as I did, and leave any questions below. Brushes are not best learned from reading a blog, but instead getting in front of a mirror and trying it all out. So go, have fun, because that's what this is all about. Till next time! 

TOP 7 :: Non Makeup Beauty Items

TOP 7 :: favorite non-makeup beauty items.

Cause makeup can't solve everything!

Sephora's Wide-Tooth Comb

1. Hair clips. Hairbands rip and tear your hair, leaving it damaged and frizzy. I always use a clip when possible to throw my hair up – it keeps my hair healthy and shiny. Bonus: you’ll have wavy hair when you take it down instead of the dreaded ponytail bump. Score.
2. Smooth wide-tooth comb. Another secret to shiny hair. Your hair is weak and more susceptible to damage when wet. Using a regular brush after a shower pulls, causes breakage, and creates a split end breeding ground. Instead, use a smooth wide tooth comb on wet hair, and work from the bottom.  If you regularly practice #1&2, I guarantee you’ll see the quality of your hair improve. These two practices keep my hair more soft and healthy than any other product. Lots of girls think that shiny healthy hair is all about the styling/ cleansing products you use. That can be true, but what really makes the difference is how you treat your hair when NOT styling/cleaning it – which is 90% of the time.
3. Moisturizer + sunscreen. Start sunscreen in your teens and 20s to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Moisturize right after the shower – all your pores are open from the heat and ready to drink it in. My favorite. 

Smith's Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm

4. Lip balm. It seems like either people use this a million times a day or never at all. I’m a hardcore user and can’t live without moisturizing lip balm. Give me lip balm and some gloss, and I’m a happy girl. (My favorites are this, this, and this.)  No mystery as to why I love it – it’s like sweatpants for your lips: so nice and soft, and feels amazing. 
5. YOUTUBE! Kind of a funny no.5, but it’s true. If there’s anything you want to learn about cosmetics or hair, you’re never more than a youtube search away. Youtube’s taught me everything from makeup tips, to formal hairstyles, and even cutting my own hair.
6. Cleansing facial wipes. Confession:  I never wash my makeup off at night. To compensate, I rely on these exfoliating Equate wipes. These do a great job of quickly removing stubborn eye makeup without irritating skin or eyes. I’ve tried several other (pricier) brands, but these are so gentle and powerful that I’ve stopped exploring. 

best beauty tip - just be happy!

7. Positive attitude. Okay, I know this is cheesy, but it’s true. A smile and positive attitude is what really makes you stand out. Now I’m by no means a master at this – but I try to make a point every day to make others laugh and smile. This usually calls for the “fake it till you make it” technique – there’s few people in the world who naturally exude pure happiness. The easiest and fastest way to build a positive attitude isn’t about focusing inward – but instead focusing outward. Compliment others. Help them accomplish a goal. Be excited for others’ success. Don’t be jealous and self-deprecating. Jealousy is the biggest symptom of low self-confidence, so just get over it! Additionally; if someone is acting jealous towards you, take it for what it is: they are sad. So cheer them up, or just feel bad for them. Don’t let it bring you down too! Try it for a day; you’ll love the infection of smiles you’re spreading, and you’ll start to see a deeper beauty in the mirror.