Thursday November 05, 2015   

I had Labor Day off and I took the time to catch up on sorting through my current lot of brushes while giving them all a full clean. I decided to part with some while others I realized how happy I’ve been with them and wanted to share.

First up this elf cosmetics complexion brush. I bought it while visiting family this summer to go with a bronzer I picked up while there. I just needed something to hold me over until I could use my IT Cosmetics face brush. Well, to my surprise, I found myself reaching for this a lot even after getting home. It’s really nice for applying bronzer, highlight, face powder, anything. I hadn’t planned on keeping it but I really like it for travel and for using when I want to apply a heavy bronzer look.

I posted on Instagram when I ordered a bunch of Morphe brushes after finding recommendations on YouTube. These 3 were instant stand-outs.
G14 – OVAL SHADOW
G17 – ROUND BLENDER
M500 – DELUXE POINTED BLENDER

The G14 oval shadow brush is fantastic. I use it mostly as my eyeshadow base brush or if I’m only applying a single color. It’s large and soft and does a good job of both aplying color and blending out the edges a bit while you apply. It was my immediate favorite.

The G17 blender brush I like for blending my concealer. It didn’t do much on my eyes. My lids are very plump and textured hoods. I need something harder for blending eyeshadow. But for concealer this has been fantastic for airbrushing over zits and blending out around the under eyes and nose.

Lastly the M500 is a nice versatile face brush. I got it because the shape reminded me of my Paul and Joe travel blush brush which I love. It’s a bit softer and thinner than that though. It does a great job with bronzer when you want to slowly build up color (office look) and I use it for highlighter and blush as well. It’s for soft application. I use it every day I do makeup now. It works really well for me as winter approaches and I’m grower ever paler. I can easily apply too much color as I transition to vampire pale…

This thing is what I use for contouring. Sephora’s Classic Mini Multitasker. I went through so many brushes looking for one to do my contour just right and this has been it ever since I ordered it on sale months ago. Contouring on pale skin leaves very little room for mistakes. Angle brushes often cut “outside the lines” when I used them (I had to be too precise.) The soft medium stiff round brush here was perfect. It runs $14 full price but I got it for $6.99. Hopefully it goes on sale often.

That’s it for now. I have a few others that I only sort of like or am still experimenting with. A few eco tools brushes and a new elf mini blender brush for eyeshadow.

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Tags: makeup, review
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Tuesday November 03, 2015   

Sometimes I put together some writings and photos into a Google Doc for myself; much like a mood board. I’ve been doing it since summer. Usually when I’m either struck with inspiration or completely lacking it. Rarely while in between.

I saw this one I put together in early October. I had forgotten about it but looking back now I LOVE IT. I need it. I need some extra joy in my life to outweigh the current stress (I’ve been sick and overworked.) So here is that “mood” from October 5th.

“ I had a vision last night (for all intents and purposes) of my autumn “look.” Straight line smokey eyeshadow. Bright lips. Straight chin length hair. I also purchased some clear frames off ebay today similar to Mackenzie Davis’ in Martian to pair with my CK one lipstick and sweatshirt. Black skinnies, and thick glasses a lot. I want some more rounded but it’s hard to find. Maybe I should order a those ones off UO. They had these black petite round ones. But my own thick glasses would be good and give my eyes a break from everyday contacts for a while.“

Images from xoVain, Ena Matsumoto Blog, The Martian movie.

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