MAKEUP BRUSHES 101

I had a request from Kelly about brushes - which ones I use, their purposes, and how/when to clean them.  So, here goes!

These are the brushes I use regularly and what I use them for...  They are not expensive brushes - I opt for drugstore brands most of the time.  I just can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on a brush set when I can get virtually the same thing for so much less.

1. Real Techniques Blending Brush - for my foundation
2. Mark All-Over Powder Brush - for my loose powder
3. Elf Foundation Brush - for my concealer
4. Elf Powder Brush - for my blush
5. Mark Blush/Bronzer Brush - also for blush
6. Elf Fan Brush - for brushing off excess eyeshadow, or for powder highlighting
7. Angled Brow Brush (unsure of the brand) - for my eyebrows
8. Eco Tools Fluffy Brush - for base color eye shadows
9. Eyeshadow Brush (unsure of the brand) - for blending
10. Eyeshadow Brush (unsure of the brand) - for basic eyeshadow application
11. Blending Brush (unsure of the brand) - for applying shadow in the eye crease
12. Elf Eyeshadow Brush - for eye highlighting on the brow bone and also smudging
13. and 14 are both angled drugstore brushes that I use for applying/blending eyeshadow under my eyes (for the smokey eye look)

So as you can see, I don't always use my brushes for the purpose in which they were intended.  I think everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to their makeup looks and applying it, so I say experiment and see what works the best for you!

Now, I'll go ahead and admit that I commit a serious beauty crime by not regularly cleansing my brushes.  Up until recently, I mostly only used brushes for my cheeks and eyes, so I'd often just throw them out and buy new ones. But, now that I'm using brushes for my foundation and concealer, I thought I better get serious about ensuring they are bacteria-free!

Brushes, especially foundation brushes, should be cleaned weekly with a mild shampoo or liquid hand soap. You can also purchase cleansers that are specifically for makeup brushes.  I think Mac, Bare Escentuals, and elf all make their own cleansers.  Also, a neat tip... during the week, you can use a baby wipe for a quick daily brush cleaning!

Onto my weekly cleaning routine...

First I just run them under the water for a minute or so, rinsing away any loose makeup.

Then I add about a nickel-sized squirt of shampoo to my hand and start rubbing it into the brush.

I continue rubbing the brush onto my hand for a few minutes.  You'll be amazed at how much product comes out of foundation and concealer brushes!

Then, once more, I run the brush under the water to rinse. Do this until the water runs clear.  If your brushes are really dirty, you may want to repeat the shampoo/rinse process.

Once the brush is clean, use your fingers to gently squeeze out any excess water.  Also, re-shape the bristles (if they're looking a little wild!).

Next I just use a dry paper towel to kind of blot the brush and absorb any remaining water.

And finally, lay the brushes flat or pointing down and allow them to air dry for a few hours.  Don't store them standing up or the water will travel downward and weaken the glue that holds the bristles onto the brush.

That's it!  I know it can be a pain, but it really is important to keep your brushes as clean as possible.  You don't want bacteria and dead skin cells being re-applied to your skin and causing breakouts.  I hope this helped any of you who may be new to the brush maintenance world :)

MAYBELLINE COLOR TATTOO

I'm most likely one of the last women in the world to try Maybelline's Color Tattoo eyeshadows.  Everyone and their sister has blogged and vlogged about them, so I finally gave in and picked up a few on my last trip to Ulta. Cream eyeshadow normally isn't my thing, so I just bought a few colors in case I didn't like them - Tough as Taupe and Audacious Asphalt.

I tried out Audacious Asphalt (a dark gray color) over the weekend and here is my quick review :)

Pros:

• Nicely pigmented color
• Definitely long-lasting, as the name "tattoo" suggests
• The gray color is perfect for creating a smokey eye look

Cons:

• A little difficult to get an even application (maybe it was just my inexperience with cream shadows)
• Some extra eye makeup remover needed to get it off

Despite a few cons, I wasn't disappointed by these by any means!  I'm not sure that they would ever replace my powder shadows, but they're great, especially if you like cream shadows.  I haven't tried the taupe color yet, but will do that asap and report back :)

Follow me on Instagram, @NikkiLynn_BC

WINGED EYELINER

After practicing for weeks and weeks, I think I've finally mastered the winged eyeliner look!

I have two favorite eyeliner products that I use for this - either Loreal Lineur Intense or NYC High Definition eyeliner.  Both have a felt tip which I've found is easiest for me to create the winged effect.  It's super easy to apply and isn't as messy as a liquid eyeliner that has a regular applicator.

I normally apply 2 or 3 coats after my eyeshadow to make it really dark and defined.  I think it's a pretty look for day or night!

FACE OF THE DAY

If you don't own the Wet n' Wild "Drinking a Glass of Shine" palette, go out and get it! It has quickly become one of my favorites after I discovered it through Brandie (check out her videos!).

The brown colors are amazing and that's what I'm wearing in the pictures below.  But it also has some gorgeous other colors on the left side - green, blue, and purple.  It's just a great all-around palette to have on hand because you can create so many different looks with it.  It was sold out in my town, but I found it on eBay for a reasonable price.

Follow me on Instagram, @NikkiLynn_BC  :)

NAILS OF THE DAY

I discovered a new nail design technique on YouTube last week and couldn't wait to try it!  For a long time I've been wanting "chevron nails" but my hand isn't nearly steady enough to create straight lines, and using stripers can be kind of a pain in the butt!  So I found this YouTube video that shows how to use tape to create the look - and the best news, you don't have to remove the tape!

I forgot to take photos with my good camera, so excuse the copy from Instagram below.  By the way, follow me on IG, @NikkiLynn_BC :)  I tend to posts things there before I post them on my blog.

This was my first attempt, so it's far from perfect.  I think it just takes a little practice, but I can see this being my favorite nail technique of the spring/summer this year!

A couple tips:

• Make sure you clip the sides of the tape perfectly even to the edge of your nail (or even a tiny bit shorter) to prevent them from lifting.  That's been my biggest struggle.
• Give the polish on the tape plenty of time to dry (like an hour just to be safe).  If you start cutting before it's completely dry, you'll just have a big mess!
• You can try out different types of craft scissors.  Michael's has a lot of different designs, and they're only $1.99 each!

Colors I used: Recycle from China Glaze and Cotton Candy from Avon

PURPLEY

Today I used the purple shade from the mark pastel palette I blogged about earlier this week.  I used a wet applicator to give the color a little more pop, and it worked beautifully!

MARK ON THE DOT PASTEL PALETTE

As I'm sitting here tonight, preparing for 2-3 feet of expected snow, I figured why not focus on something a bit more Spring-like?!  I've been talking about mark's On the Dot Pastel Palette for weeks, and I finally got my hands on it, thanks to my good friend, Kelly! :)  

Just like the Bold and Neutral palettes from mark, this one also comes with 9 highly pigmented shades.  And they are to-die-for!  I swatched each color below in their dry form, but keep in mind they can also be applied wet for more intense color.

The palette is priced at $16 and you can get yours online at my eBoutique, www.mymarkstore.com/nikkichapman.  And you can use promo code WELCOME to get free shipping on your first order :)

Mark is all over the sorbet shade trend this season.  They also have some super pretty mini nail polishes in Cupcake and Creamsicle for just $7 for the set!

Bring on SPRING!

OLD HOLLYWOOD

I think I've spoken of my love of "old Hollywood" here before... I just get all style-inspired whenever I see pictures like this...

To me, women of that era were some of the most beautiful to ever walk this earth. They looked absolutely flawless and best of all - classy.  For a recent photoshoot, I decided to recreate the look...

The makeup is relatively simple - if you own red lipstick and have mastered winged eyeliner, you're pretty set!  You'll want to make sure you have a matte, flawless face so I suggest a full coverage foundation and matte powder.  I've included instructions and the entire list of makeup products I used below.

• For me, the first step to a flawless face is Benefit's Porefessional balm all over my cheeks, forehead and any other problem areas.
• I applied Revlon Colorstay Whipped (my new favorite!) in Warm Golden all over my face using the Real Techniques Blending Brush.
• I applied dots of Maybelline Fit Me concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes or dark spots.  I blended it in, once again using the Real Techniques Blending Brush.
• I used Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Silky Beige to set the foundation.  I focused on areas where I tend to get oily - my T-zone.
• Next, I did a little contouring with my Wet n Wild Color Icon bronzer in Ticket to Brazil.  I focused on my cheekbones and temples mostly.  I used a small kabuki brush from Bare Escentials to do this.
• I didn't want a lot of dramatic color on my cheeks, so I used my favorite, Avon Ideal Luminous in Heavenly Pink.  Using a brush blush, I applied a little to the apples of my cheeks and some along the area where I contoured.
• Onto eyes.  I covered my entire eyelid and brow bone with Bootycall from the Naked 2 palette.  This is a matte, flesh-tone color that I often use as my shadow base.  I used Tease from the same palette in my crease and blended well.
• Then I used wax from the elf Eyebrow Kit on my brows, and filled them in with the Blackout shadow shade from the Naked 2 palette.  I use an angled brow brush for this.
• I lined my top and bottom lash lines with Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in shade Zero (black).  It's a nice kohl liner, which I prefer, but I used Loreal's Lineur Intense Carbon Black felt-tip liner to create the "wing" on the outer corners of my eyes.  This method just works best for me.  
• On my bottom lash line, I used an angle brush to smudge the eyeliner just a bit.  
• Then I applied fake lashes - Ardell Wispies.  I used Loreal's Telescopic Carbon Black mascara on the bottom lashes.
• For lips, I mixed two shades together - first, Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Ruby, then went over it with Wet n Wild's Dark Wine.  I didn't use a lipliner because I didn't have a good red shade, but definitely use one if you have it.
• Almost done!  I applied just a little highlighter right above my cheek bones.  I used the golden shade from the elf Shimmer Palette.

The hairstyle was new for me.  It didn't turn out exactly as I envisioned it, but it was pretty close and looked great in the final photos I've seen.  Instructions and products are below :)

• I washed my hair and used a little Moroccan Argan Oil from Organix while it was still damp.  Just a squirt of oil in the palm of my hand, and worked it into my hair, mostly focusing on the ends.  Then blow-dried as normal.
• I combed my hair really well and put in clip-in extensions.
• Now, to get the old Hollywood look, you need a really far side-part - from the corner of your head (either side is fine - I always use part from the left side).
• Then I just sectioned my hair into 2-inch sections and started curling.  I used a 1-inch iron from Helen of Troy, Gold Series.  I would leave each section on the iron for about a minute, then I'd wiggle the clamp to release the hair, careful not to pull on it.  You want bouncy curls to start with.
• Once I had all of my hair curled, I sprayed a little Aussie Instant Freeze and waited about 15 minutes to let the hair fully cool.  (Instant freeze wasn't the best option, but it's all I had on-hand.  You're better off to use a spray that is more flexible.)
• When the hair was cooled down, I just used a paddle brush to gently brush the hair from top to bottom, all over.
• Then I just used my fingers to do a little styling and kind of pull the curls together and make it look more uniform.
• Then I applied a little more Moroccan Argan Oil to the curls, just to keep them shiny and smooth.
• On the left side of my head, I took the front pieces, smoothed them down really flat, and pinned them behind my ear with a bobby pin.
• One final mist of hairspray to set and ta-da!  1940's Hollywood starlet!

I only have a few pictures from the shoot to share so far, but as soon as the others are finished, I'll be sure to post! :)