Brushes 101: Cleaning/Do and Don’ts/Language

   There are all sorts of ways to clean your brushes and sponges. When I started playing with makeup brushes, I didn’t really understand the importance of cleaning them. The difference between deep cleaning and spot cleaning my brushes was a bit confusing. Fast forward to present day… if I talk to someone who isn’t into makeup or has never heard of cleaning their brushes (yes, it has happened), I get a confused look. Maybe it seems like a no-brainer to some but in reality there are some who don’t know the difference and that’s okay. I was there, we all were. 

Language…

Deep cleaning is really getting in those bristles and cleaning them with water. The drying time for this is usually an overnight waiting period.

Spot cleaning is what I call a ‘quick clean’. Cleaning the brush by whipping it on a tissue (cleaner optional) and re-using the brush.

Do and Don’ts

Do clean your brushes

Don’t let them sit too long with out cleaning them (makeup can stain them)

Do spot clean

Don’t forget to let them completely dry when washing them

Do take care of your brushes

Don’t get the barrel wet (the part where the bristles meet the handle)

Do invest in brush guards

Don’t not clean your brushes, you could catch and eye infection by not cleaning your brushes

Deep Cleaning…

Sponges: I use Sephora’s Dry Clean Solid Brush Cleaner ($14), which has a bit more product than the Beauty Blender Solid Cleaner. Wet the sponge and rub the sponge against the solid bar of soap. Rinse the sponge under water, ring it out and set aside to dry. 

Brushes: I have used all the methods below and I feel I end up with the same results with all of them. Here are a few I’ve used.

1.    Dish Washing Soap & Olive Oil… Pour half dishwashing soap like Dawn and half olive oil on small plate (I use a paper plate). The olive oil conditions the brush with the dishwashing soap takes out the entire gunk

2.    Koh Gen Do Brush Cleaner…This may be discontinued but I place a little on my hand and work the brush around in my hand.

Spot Cleaning…

I have used three different spot cleaners and I recommend them all. They all clean the brush really well. To spot clean, I spray two –three sprays on a brush and go back and forth motions on a towel (I use solely to wipe brushes) or a tissue.

1.    Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

2.    Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner

3.    Dante Makeup Brush Cleaner

Tools…

I can’t stand washing brushes in my hand. I bought Sigma’s Brush Glove. I heard a lot of bad reviews about it and a few good reviews… I LOVE IT. If you are like me and you don’t want the chemicals from brush cleaner on your hand then you’ll enjoy this. Not to mention I can clean more than one brush at a time. I also use brush guards to keep the shape of the brush intact. I’ve spent money on good brushes and would like to keep them for as long as I can. Places the brush guards on the brush right after washing. Also, when you’re drying your brushes make sure you have the brush at a downward angle. This will keep water from enter the area where the bristles meet the handle. The last thing you want is for the glue to because undone.

Hopefully this has helped you or reminded you to clean your brushes.

-Melissa

Primer for Oily Eyes

            Finding an eye primer can be difficult when you have oily lids. You try multiple brands that bloggers (such as myself) say they use but they don’t work. If you’re anything like me: makeup doesn’t last a full day with out a touch up, you’re eye shadow creases within hours and you’ve resorted to blotting you’re lids/face at least twice a day…there are three primers I’ve used that actually do the job. One of them I’m repurchasing for sure.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I’ve had the ladies at Sephora tell me ‘it doesn’t work’ with oily lids and to try Urban Decay. Urban Decay doesn’t work for me, this does. I place a good amount on my lids and I don’t really have to worry about eye shadow. It last about six to seven hours sometimes more depending on how much I place on my lids. I like the packaging because it’s easy to get the product out when you’re trying to get the last bit left. It’s also affordable for a luxury brand at $20 for 0.35 oz.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Every single blogger has raved about this and rightfully so. The only downside I see is that you have to use a good amount if you have really oily lids like myself. My shadow has lasted all day from eight to ten hours with this primer, which in itself is a good thing. My shadow doesn’t crease and it’s very smooth on the lids. It’s pretty expensive for $25 for .26 oz of this tube but it’s worth it. The only downside is the packaging of the product. I cannot tell how much I have and I’m unable to break the packaging to get the little that is left.

Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer

I have been using a sample sized of this primer for the last month or so.  I got it in a Sephora box of primers I bought a while back. Why haven’t I tried this sooner! Dare I say this is better then NARS? This helped my shadow last for ten hours + without it creasing. A little bit of this product goes a long way. The price for this primer is $20 for .41 oz, which isn’t bad at all compared to the other two primers I mentioned. The packaging of this product is the same of the Too Faced primer; it’s easy to cut into when you’re running low. This will be definitely be a repurchased of mine. 

-Melissa

July Ipsy Bag

      This month’s Ipsy bag wasn’t too bad. There were only two that I’m not a fan of and two that I like. First the dislikes- I’m not sure about you but most (okay all of the) perfumes I’ve received don’t smell very good and this was no exception. Jor’el Parker’s Classico’s smells like a watered down Estee Lauder perfume that I can’t quite put my finger on. It seems like every other month or so I receive a product from be a bombshell. This month’s product is a lip balm in the color ruby. This lip balm isn’t pigmented at all, maybe because it’s a lip balm but it really does nothing for me

     The likes- I love any products that have to do with the face. I have yet to try it but it’s an exfoliating cleanser by a brand called Vasanti, which I’ve never heard of before. I also received an eye shadow quad from a brand called Nickak New York. I think realistically I could wear three of the shades (all except the yellow). I think the green would be a perfect shadow for under the eye especially in the fall. I’ve always wanted to try Tarte’s bronzers. The one I received is called Park Ave Princes; it’s a warm brown with shimmer. It’s actually pretty nice bronzer, which only gives me a hint of color. In all this month’s Ipsy bag was a pretty decent bag.

Melissa

The Empties #3

     I know I did an empties not long ago but I didn’t want to wait. For me it’s pretty annoying keeping empty bottles of items when the trash can is right there, but how else would you know what I used up. This month was a mix of things for makeup to cleanup. Some i've mentioned before and a few iIve never spoken about. 

The Face

Givenchy Photo’Perfexion Fluid in SPF 20 in #5, the coverage of this foundation is sheer to medium. The lasting power does not last the entire day. It didn’t even last the workday! I wanted to try a new foundation and this would be a good one…I was wrong. If you have oily skin skip this one. 

Origins Eye Doctor™ Moisture Care For Skin Around Eyes, is one of those I have to repurchased. I place this around the eye (on the bone under the eye) and it helps hydrate my skin. It keeps from my eye brighter from creasing on my skin. 

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, this primer is great for sensitive skin. It doesn’t irate my skin or break me out. It keeps the foundation on all day and works well with the one’s I have used (Laura Mercier Smooth Flawless and NARS Sheer Glow).

Eye & Hair

Too Faced Shadow Insurance, is my go-to primer for eyes. It has taken me over a year to finish this. I use this nearly everyday! My eye shadow does not crease and it makes my shadow last all day long.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes, this is my go-to, everyday, Holy Grail liner. The pigment is amazing, it last all day. I actually did a post of this long ago, see here.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, this is quite expensive for an eye primer but it works. A little of this primer will last you all day. My shadow not only last all day but my eye shadow doesn’t crease. It’s really good for oily lids.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, this is another great product for my hair. Since using this I notice I haven’t had split ends in years. I find that it saves my hair from my hair dryer.

Clean-Up

Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes (Original), sometimes I’m a bit lazy or I want to clean my face quick I grab these. They don’t irritate my skin and they take off all my makeup.

Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks, these are great for removing makeup under the eyes when you liner smudges during the day. Did I mention they were great to carry Q-tips in when you travel!

Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover, is my favorite brand of polish. I find that this brand removes polish easily. It doesn’t make my nails weak and it’s not too expensive.

Note: Sorry for the really late post but i've been have technical issues with blogger and iPhoto. I think everything is working now. :)

-Melissa

What’s in my Weekend Bag?

     It’s the weekend! During the week I carry a pretty big bag to work but on the weekend it’s all about minimizing. I bought this Fossil purse in January for my birthday and I’ve been carrying it ever since. The best thing about this bag is that there is a divider. It makes it easier for me to grab my wallet or grab my mirror; I’m not hunting for items in my bag. I know where everything is or should be thanks to the dividers.

     On the weekend I like to keep it simple, I don’t need my iPod or book just the basics which include: My Fossil Wallet, Fossil sunglasses, mirror (in case), chap stick (you never know), eye makeup removers (for emergencies), lipstick (one of my favorite Make Up For Ever #9), Kleenex, hand sanitizer, my cell phone, a hair tie and a pen (you always need to carry a pen).

     It maybe pretty boring but it’s really all I need. I like to keep it simple and lightweight.

Melissa