A Makeup Must Have... Brushes!

I have quickly learned that makeup brushes are an essential beauty tool! Gone are the days when I used those old sponge-tip applicators. I cringe when I think back to a few months ago when that was my only type of eyeshadow applicator! Ever since discovering the benefits of brushes, my collection has been growing and growing! I have a few favorites that I thought I would share with you all. I'm thinking about trying out Sigma brushes next, I've read a lot of good reviews. Do you have any favorites or any suggestions? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Onto my favorites...





1. KABUKI BRUSH
I looove this brush. I use it daily to apply my bronzer all over. I have had it for so long that the name has worn off, and I can't remember where I purchased it (I'm thinking it's an off brand one from Target). However, it's a great quality brush. It's dense enough that it really packs on the color for full coverage and better yet, no shedding!

2. STUDIO TOOLS DUAL FINISH BRUSH
I bought this brush at Target and I love it! I use it to apply blush. It's really great quality, especially for the price (only $6.99)!

3. MAC 217 BLENDING BRUSH
This is my absolute favorite MAC brush! I use it for putting color in my crease/outer V. It's fine, dense fibers really hold the color well. I use it lightly, slowly deepening the eyeshadow color. It's really soft too.. a definite must-have!!

4. MAC 219 PENCIL BRUSH
This is a great brush. I use it mainly to blend around my upper and lower lash lines; it really creates a perfect smoky look. The tip is really soft, but very precise too.

5. SEPHORA BRAND SHADER BRUSH (from the Sephora Brand Smoky Eye Brush Set)
I use this brush almost daily. It's great for putting color all over the lid. It packs the color on very fast and I love the rounded tip.

6. SONIA KASHUK BLENDING BRUSH
This is an awesome blending brush! I never put eyeshadow on it, just use it bare. It's the perfect size and shape and it's really soft and fluffy too. I use a light, swirling motion and it blends seamlessly!

7. LOEW-CORNELL 2044 MOP 1/4" BRUSH
I use this brush for my brow highlight. I was picking up some MAC art brush dupes at Michael's and got this one in a pack. I don't think it's a dupe for anything, I just like the shape of it for my browline and it packs on just enough color!

8. SONIA KASHUK ANGLED BRUSH
This brush is the perfect size for my brows, I use it to apply eyeshadow to them. It holds the perfect amount of color and is very precise.

9. SMASHBOX ARCED LINER BRUSH #21
In the past I have always shied away from using liquid eyeliner or gel liners until I finally got brave and tried them out a few months ago. I've used a few different types of brushes for gel liner, but this one is definitely my favorite! The shape makes it's really precise and super easy to use. I highly recommend it!

June Favorites

It's that time again! I am expanding my favorites list this month to include fashion and accessories as well.. I just have too many loves to limit it to hair & makeup, haha! So, here are my favorite makeup & hair products, fashion accessories, etc. during the last month!!

MAKEUP
Ulta Professional Eye Primer (love the texture!)
MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow
MAC Brulle Eyeshadow (perfect brow highlight!)
Mineral Magic Cosmetics Mineral Glitters in Pink Sugar (gorgeous color!)
Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette (I love this entire palette, I find myself using atleast one color daily!)
Stila Smudge Pots in Black
CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara in Very Black
MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush (awesome for a cheek highlight!)
Sephora Brand Nano Lipliner in Cute Caramel
Victoria's Secret Lipstick in Whisper (I bought this a while ago and I LOVE it!! It gives me the perfect nude/pink pout.. I'm so sad though because I think it's discontinued!)
Victoria's Secret PINK Lip Butter in Bare
Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21
MAC 217 Brush
Loew Cornell 270 Maxine's Mop 1/4 Brush (MAC 228 Brush Dupe)

HAIR
Matrix Essentials Color XL Shampoo
Matrix Essentials Color XL Conditioner
Garnier Fructis Style Brilliante Shine Glossing Spray

NAILS
OPI Nail Lacquer in Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not
OPI Nail Lacquer in OPI Ink.

CLOTHES, SHOES & ACCESSORIES
Forever 21 Polished Gold Headband
Forever 21 Edith Plaid Ruffle Top (click here)
Urban Outfitters Carved Rose Post Earrings in Black (click here)
Fossil 3 Stacked Pave Rings (click here)
Steve Madden Crazzy Wedges in Beige (click here)

May Favorites

These are some of my current favorite products! This changes often so I'll try to do this monthly. :)

Bronzer:
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder, Shade: Bronzer. I have been using this bronzer for years and I love it! It has a matte finish, which is what I really like in an all-over bronzer.

Primer:
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
Ulta Professional Eye Primer

Eye Shadows:
Victoria's Secret Radiant Shimmer Eye Palette - Amazon Rainforest. I bought this a few weeks ago and fell in love with it! I'm not a huge fan of Victoria's Secret make-up line, but this palette is gorgeous. It's great for everyday fun looks.
MAC Bronze (Frost)
MAC Steamy (Frost)
Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio - Smashbox.com
Maybelline Cool Effect Cooling Shadow/Liner - Snow Bunny

Eyeliners:
Stila Kajal Eye Liner - Onyx
Sephora Brand Long Lasting Eye Liner - Taupe
Kat Von D Autograph Eyeliner - Black Metal Love

Mascara:
Cover Girl Lash Blast - Very Black. This was the first drug store mascara I have used in years and I LOVE it! I think it's the best I've ever used to be honest. I love the brush and it really makes my lashes longer and fuller!

Blush:
MAC Sheertone Blush - Pink Swoon
MAC Cream Colour Base - Hush (Frost)
Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush - Peach Stain

Lipstick:
MAC Pretty Please (Lustre)
Revlon Nude Attitude (Matte)

Lipgloss:
MAC Dazzleglass Goldyrocks
NARS Orgasm
Maybelline Shinylicious Golden Peck

Brushes:
MAC 217 Blending Brush. This is the best brush I have ever used on my eyes.. definitely worth the price!!
Kabuki Brush
Sephora All Over Shadow
Sephora Shader

Make-Up Remover:
ALMAY Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Hair Products:
ALFAPARF Cristalli Liquidi. The salon I used to go referred to this as "hair crack", haha. I LOVE this stuff. I've been using it for years and it makes my hair super shiny!
KENRA Platinum Silkening Gloss
Garnier Fructis Style Brilliante Shine Glossing Spray