Monthly Faves

Hey There!

It's almost difficult to pull together monthly favorites when you've been using the same trio for several weeks. Half of the reason is that I'm lazy and it's easier to just use the blush and bronzer that are on the counter. The other reason is that the look that I've been getting from this trio is on point. I've been loving it.

Let's back up. Several months ago I began pulling makeup for the week on Sunday and just rotating between the same 2 blushes, same 2 bronzers and the same few lippie combos for the week. It makes getting ready in the morning a little bit easier. Even though I said 2 blushes and 2 bronzers, I've actually been using the same 1 blush and bronzer for about 3 weeks now. Along with my MAC Studio Fix pressed powder (NC42), I've been using my Milani Tea Rose Powder Blush and my e.l.f. Contouring Blush in St. Lucia.

I've told you about my love for the MAC Studio Fix pressed powder (link is here) but let me tell you about my love for my e.l.f. Contouring Bronzer in St. Lucia. This was one of my first bronzers. I fell in love with it and even though I have purchased several others (high end and drugstore), I always return back to this one. The blush is barely touched. It doesn't show up on my face and it doesn't last very long but the bronzer is amazing.

The Milani Tea Rose Powder Blush was an impulse buy. I told myself that I wasn't going to get it and I resisted for a few months. Then it (like everything else) jumped into my shopping cart and ended up at my house. And, I am soooo glad that I bought it! It brings my cheeks to life! It's perfect for a natural look.

And, I have to add my 2 favorite brushes. I've been loving my Claire's kabuki brush and my Ecotools blush brush. They are used "evry" day -- I mean "evry" day.

This is the winning trio (plus makeup brushes) that I have been using. Day look, night look, polished look, natural look -- it doesn't matter. These babies have been doing the damned thing! It's going to hurt my feeling a little bit to put them away and pull out some new products for the new week. But it will be okay.

Then I'll have a new favorite for next month!

Brush Up On It!! - My 4 Current Faves

Hey there!

I had three teeth pulled. I was fortunate to be put to sleep while it happened. You should be put to sleep before all dental work in my opinion. Anywho, I was on the good stuff for pain so today is my first coherent day in a while. 

Kinda. 

When I cared about makeup and looking pretty, I took a look at which brushes I was using to apply my makeup. I showed my most recent e.l.f. Studio Brush Purchases and while they are good, I still have my 4 top used brushes and yes, 2 of them are e.l.f. brand brushes. 

I haven't been highlighting a lot lately but when I do, my e.l.f. blush brush kicks butt! The bristles are light and fluffy and put the highlight exactly where you want it. It works beautifully with my bareMinerals READY Luminizer. I just swirl my e.l.f. blush brush into both colors (The Live Affair and The Shinning Moment) and sweep magic above my cheeks. I think angels sing when it happens. 

I liked the contour brush that I just ordered but it doesn't beat my Eco Tools brush. I love that brush for contouring. It puts my bronzer in the correct places and blends like a dream. Right now I've been using my 

e.l.f. Contouring Bronzer from the St. Lucia kit. My tan is going away so this shade is perfect for a natural look. 

Everyone knows how I feel about my Claire's kabuki brush. I use my powder foundation as my all over foundation instead of liquid and this brush works well to spread the color evenly. I've tried other brushes but so far this is my number one. This one does a great job. 

My e.l.f. Concealer Brush is perfect for under eye powders. It is the best shape and distributes the powder thinly but evenly. I use my e.l.f. Eye Brightener and then my e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder to finish. Tada! It looks like I got 8 hours of sleep instead of 4 or 5. 

I won't need my eye powders for a while right now. My after procedure drugs are perfect for putting a girl to sleep. I stayed up long enough to write this post. When I wake up I'll review it. 

Cause all we need are too many drug induced mistakes!

What brushes are you loving right now? Are they high end, drugstore or dollar store? I'm currently looking for a better blush brush. What are your suggestions?

Ulta.com Product Review

Hey there!!

Folks, we've been hauling so much stuff, I thought it was time to review some of that stuff. I try to use things at least 2 weeks before I give my opinion. These are items that I've had for about that time so I feel confident that my opinion is safe.

These are items that I picked up from Ulta.com. I knew that I was going to try out some new brushes because in my head (ain't that a scary place to be?!) I need more. So, I ordered two of the Eco Tools brushes-- the Tapered Blush Brush and the Custom Coverage Buffing Brush. I haven't used the buffing brush yet (see how much I needed it) but I have tried the blush brush and I love it! The width is nice, the taper is nice, it's just a great brush. I have used this every day, washed it several times and not one hair has shed. Oh, and it's super soft. Gotta love that.

I also picked up an Essence lip liner in Red Blush. This was a price filler. I need to spend $10 and this liner helped me do it. I'm glad I didn't expect much from this liner because I didn't get much. It doesn't last on the lips and once you put on your lipstick, it moves. I mean moves! I was not a fan. I am soooo glad that this was just a filler. I'd have been very disappointed if I were expecting more.

The reason I needed a filler was because I purchased the NYX Illuminator in Chaotic. I had heard really good things about this product and was very excited to get it. When you see this pretty peachy pink color, you honestly think it's going to warm your cheeks and add a glow. It doesn't do that. In fact, it doesn't do anything for me. No warmth, no glow, no nuthin! The only saving grace for the Illuminator and the lip liner was that I got them for right at $5 total (Cyber Monday sale). I will be able to pass the Illuminator to a friend (a paler friend) that might be able to get some color from this. We'll see.

So my Ulta purchases were 50/50. Considering I only paid $13 for everything, I'll take it. The makeup brushes are worth that.

This has taught me that Ulta.com is probably not a good place for me. I definitely need to go into that store and try before I buy.