Hair Styling Tools

I was cleaning out my makeup drawer the other day and didn’t realize how long it had been since I had actually looked under things and behind things to see what all had been stored in there.  What I found was an overload of hidden makeup brushes that had found there way to the back of the drawer.  And, there were brushes there that I had long since replaced, thinking that I had lost the brush or misplaced it.  As I’m inspecting them to see if they are still any good, I realized that in fact some of them were still in excellent shape, but just plain dirty.  I have decided I need to be very conscious of my spending habits so anything I can do to save money, I will now do.  Thus, cleaning the old makeup brushes and ongoing maintenance to my new brushes is now essential.

Why is it important to keep makeup brushes clean?  For starters, dirty makeup brushes carry bacteria.  If you want to minimize any skin problems due to accumulated oils, or eye infections from mascara brushes, keeping your brushes clean is a sound and healthy thing to do.  Eye shadow colors start changing their color due to the residue left on a brush.  Liquid makeup colors can also change to oxidation and using a makeup brush over and over and it mixing with your skin oils or dust.  This can make for a very unhappy makeup application experience.

Washing your makeup brushes is a simple process.  Just take some warm soapy water using either shampoo, an antibacterial soap, or a hand sanitizer.  Let the brushes soak for about 15 minutes and then wash them gently.  Do not scrub the brushes.  If any of your brushes came with cleaning instructions you should follow those for any special requirements.  Once you have rinsed the soapy mixture from the brush, shape it while wet and lay out the brushes on a paper towel to air dry so that their smoothness is preserved.  There are also some inexpensive brush cleaners in the marketplace that will also revitalize and renew your brushes.  If your lipstick brushes are needing to be cleaned you may need extra care because of the extra emollients in lip colors.  This makes them sticky and hard to wash.  If you use a gentle oil on your skin, this might be the ideal solution to work out the lipstick from the brush bristles.

Let’s face it, eventually you are going to have to replace a makeup brush or two, but by cleaning them at a minimum once a week or every ten days, you will definitely extend the life of your brushes and avoid any unnecessary breakouts or other complications when the makeup brush is not functioning at its highest level.

As we all know, applying makeup has become an artistic creation.   Keeping this in mind, it is important to know that with so many types of blush to choose from, it might be helpful  to know exactly what is out there.  Also, what type of blush will work better for you based on your skin type and the affect you are hoping to achieve.  Not only that, but where you place it on your face is also important.  Lastly, using the right makeup brushes can be key in how blush is applied.

BLUSH TYPES

Bronzers: If you are looking to create a tanned look, then this is the way to go.  However, if you have a darker skin, a bronzer will provide a natural blush look.   Naturally, the lighter your skin tone is, the lighter the shade should be used.  How and/or where to apply:

Cream Blush: Do you have dry skin?  Cream blush may be the answer.  The reason is that most cream blushes are made with rich moisturizing ingredients that will help provide texture and a luminous glow.  How and/or where to apply: Cream blushes are applied over your foundation before you apply your face powder.

Gel or Liquid Blush: Gel or liquid blushes are great for those of us who have oily to normal skin.  This is because these blushes are long lasting and are usually oil free and water resistant. If you have mature skin gel blush is ideal for that subtle look.  Gel or liquid blushes can also be used by those of us who have dry skin due to their ability to be absorbed into the skin.  Liquid is easier to smear while gel is thicker and more controlled. It’s also less likely to smear during the day.  How and/or where to apply:   These blushes should be applied over your foundation or bare skin to get a soft, fresh scrubbed look.

Powder blush: Actually powder blush can be used on all types of skin, however, it is considered one of the best blushes to use on oily skin because it helps to reduce the shine.  It is also the easiest of the blushes to apply and blend, however, it is also messy and can wear off easily.  How and/or where to apply: Apply powder blush after your face powder to achieve a translucent glow. Apply the blush in a round shape in your cheek area and blend stroking the brush outward towards your ears but only brush in one direction.  You may want to apply small dabs of the powder on your chin as well as your forehead with a slight blend to make the color appear more naturally on your face.

Shimmers: Shimmers are considered the best choice to use for night time wear.  The reason for this is that a shimmer produces a natural shine and gives your complexion that beautiful glow.  How and/or where to apply: Apply the shimmer carefully on the bones of your cheeks near your eyes. The shimmer can also be applied on the forehead, upper lips and inner corners of eyes to get that  intense glow on your face.

Tint Blush: Tint blush is a type of makeup product that is spread onto the cheeks to give you that natural glow. Tint blushes typically are available in a light red or pink and comes in powder, liquid, and gel forms. When properly applied, a cheek tint will result in you having that healthy, natural colored flush on your cheeks.    How and/or where to apply: Always wash your face to rid it of any dirt or grime. After washing and rinsing your face, apply a facial moisturizer to prevent dry skin. Next, apply your  normal foundation if that is what you use, and then you can move on to applying the tint.  For just a hint of color, dab a small dot onto the end of your finger.  Then smile and find the apples of your cheeks (the round part that looks puffy when you smile).  Next dab the tint onto the apple of one of your cheeks and use a makeup brush or sponge to spread it up and back toward your hairline.  Blend it into your skin with a makeup sponge or the tips of your fingers after washing them off.

For a more prominent look, use a thin streak of tint rather than the dot.  Spread the thin line from the apple of your cheek up toward the hairline at an angle.  Next blend the tint into your skin with a makeup sponge or brush.

As for what color to choose for your skin tones, you might want to consider the following:

Fair: Cotton candy colored pink, mauve, or a reddish pink.  If the shade is bright be sure to blend it well.

Medium: Peach, russet, and brick are the more flattering shades especially if you have olive or caramel complexions.

Dark: Sheer berry, red, and wine.

If you haven’t been using blush for a while, go for it.  Don’t be afraid to give it a try and go easy at first.  Blush can actually help your skin to look more alive and draw more attention to your eyes in a positive sparkling way.

It is always helpful when I read in magazines or online those little nifty tips that people share regarding the application of their makeup, hair styling, and actually just about anything that pertains to our daily lives.  So, from time to time I will share ones that I have been collecting along the way.  These come from a variety of sources and although some you may already know, they always are worth repeating.

LIPS AND LIPSTICK TIPS:

• Want fuller lips? Apply white eyeliner to the center of both your top and bottom lip over your lipstick color.  Next apply a clear lipgloss on top and this will mix the two shades very nicely.
• Tired of wearing your lipstick on your teeth? Before applying your lipstick, stick a tiny bit of Vaseline on your front teeth as it will keep the color off of  your teeth.

MAKEUP BRUSHES TIPS:

• Want your bronzer to look more natural? Using a fluffy makeup brush, dip the brush into your bronzer and draw or outline the number three (3) on your face.  Start at your temple, swoop some on your cheek, and then down to your chin.  Reverse and repeat on the other side of your face.
• Would you like your skin to look luminous? Use a foundation liquid cream brush and dab some creamy highlighter on your cheekbones.

Do you often wake up to raccoon eyes and yesterday’s makeup? You allot ample time to go to work with your makeup brush, and you should do the same when it comes time to remove the makeup. From now on, make your number one skincare priority a commitment to cleanse the face each night before bed – no matter how tired you are.

Start with a gentle, non-irritating eye makeup remover. To cleanse the eye area thoroughly, soak a cotton pad with a small amount of eye makeup remover, and then hold it gently over the closed eyelid and lashes to loosen eye shadow and mascara. To remove mascara completely, soak one end of a cotton-swab in the product and gently rub the lash line to eliminate any leftover pigment. Next, wash the rest of the face with a cleanser specifically tailored to your skin type. Got oily skin? Try a formula designed to help normalize the skin and reduce shine.

Massage a small amount of skin cleansing product between wet hands until foamy and then rub the cleanser carefully onto the skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse well with warm water, pat dry and follow with appropriate skincare treatments and moisturizer.

Have you really looked closely in the mirror lately and noticed that your chin has started to expand?  For many of us whether we like it or not, the double chin has finally surfaced and we are not liking it one bit.  Aside from dieting, there has got to be a way to do something about it in the meantime.

Well, using makeup does have its advantages.  So, what do you need?  First you will need to buy a powder bronzer or foundation that is a few shades darker than your natural complexion.  Secondly, you will need to check your makeup brushes to see if you have a powder foundation bronzer brush.  I personally like the Spornette Marche Powder Foundation Bronzer brush because it helps apply powder on all skin types as well as give a finished professionally applied appearance.  It can also be used to brush off excess powder, thus reducing a “caked on” look.

Now that you have the makeup and the brush, you will want to apply a small amount to the brush and brush where the jaw meets the neck.  Blend downward to create a shadowing effect.   If you didn’t get enough powder on the first time, repeat the process.  This really does work!!

Yes, sun exposure can be harmful to your health but why do so many of us continually want to soak up the sun?  Well for starters, most of us think that a tan or extra color to our skin makes us look better, more attractive, and we don’t have that washed out look.   How many blondes or fair-haired individuals shy away from wearing pastels simply because it makes our skin tones look even paler?

There are alternatives to having that healthy look of having color and it all boils down to applying just the right makeup that can give you that natural-looking glow.  So, what does every woman need to be able to achieve this affect?  The first step is to select a bronzer that is the right shade for their skin tones.  Next, you will need the right makeup brush to achieve the proper application of the bronzer.  According to makeup artist Mally Roncal (artist for Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey), you need to be very careful to not select a bronzer that is too dark for your skin as well as don’t blend a bronzer all over your face.  Ms. Roncal says “Pick a shade that’ golden–not brown–on your skin, and wear it with a rosy blush for a more realistic finish.”  Ms. Roncal goes on to say that “Another common mistake is applying most of the bronzer on your cheeks.  The darkest color should be on the perimeter of your face, so start by brushing the color there.”

Step 1:  Look for a bronzer that is slightly yellow in color.  If you are fair skinned you need to pick the lightest shade in what is available in that range.  If you have medium toned skin then go middle of the road.  If you are dark skinned the deepest shade is probably the one you should select.  The important thing for everyone is to try the shade out by applying it to your jawline.  If it looks golden then it is the right shade.

Step 2:  Before applying bronzer you will apply whatever foundation you typically use.  If you use concealer apply that as well.  For those of us who have oily skin, we should dust some translucent powder on our shiny areas so that the bronzer won’t look too dark in those particular areas.

Step 3:  This step is where you want to use a good powder brush.  I like the Spornette Marche Powder Foundation Bronzer makeup brush.  Take the bronzer brush and dip it into the bronzer and tap off any excess.  With small circular motions dust your jawline and hairline.  Take the brush and dip it in the bronzer again and retap off any excess.  This time sweep the brush on your cheekbones, the chin, the bridge of your nose, and your forehead.

Step 4:  There should be some residual bronzer left on your brush.  Take the brush and dust all over your neck.  Then tap the brush to get rid of any powder that remains on the brush.  Now you will repeat going back over all of the bronzed areas by swirling the bronzer brush over any visible edges of color so that they will blend right into your skin.

Step 5:  The finishing touch will be to apply a rosy looking powder blush on the apples of your cheeks.  This application helps to keep the bronzer from looking dull or flat.  

When you go to apply the rest of your makeup, be sure that you don’t overdo it.  Try to be subtle by using a brown eyeliner, a bronze eye shadow, and either a sheer nude or light pink lipstick.  Now that you have applied all of the steps, you will see that your natural look is much more realistic looking and that’s what we all want.

Isn’t it wonderful that we live in a time where all of the modern conveniences are right at our fingertips.  Some of these smaller modern conveniences include makeup brushes and for most of us women, we have a nice supply of make-up brushes in our drawer or make-up bags that are collecting  make-up, dust, germs, bacteria, and whatever else can latch itself onto these wonderful little instruments of beauty.

Makeup brushes are aplenty in the marketplace and can range anywhere from under $5.00 (yes there are some that cheap out there) to over $100.  So, if you are like some of us, when a particular make-up brush looks like it has bit the dust, we simply throw it away and buy a new one.  At least that is what most of us do if we didn’t spend that much for the brush in the first place.  Obviously, if you have spent a great deal more for your brushes, one can only hope that you are taking care of them.  Well, why not take care of all of your brushes no matter what the cost?  Let’s face it, in this uncertain economy now, we all need to be a little more serious about spending money.  Right???

So what exactly is proper maintenance for your make-up brushes?  There are several ways that you can clean your brushes.  Let’s start off with the most economical way.

SHAMPOO:    What  better way to save money than to use something you already have on hand.   If your brushes are natural brushes then this is the route to go.  Once a month, mix some warm water with a little shampoo.  Just swish the brushes around in the soapy water and then rinse well.  Pat dry with a towel  and then lay them out flat to air dry.  If your makeup brush is synthetic, use dish soap rather than shampoo and go through the same process.

VINEGAR & WATER:   Most households have vinegar on hand.  Use one part vinegar to two parts water.  Dip your brush into the mixture and swirl around.  Rinse with warm water, pat dry with a paper towel and then lay the brush flat on the towel to air dry.  Did you know that this concoction will also disenfect your brushes and that is great.

FACIAL CLEANSER:   Many of us have this already on hand as well.  If you do, take the cleanser and whatever instructions you follow for cleaning your face, apply to the brush.  Typically, you are rinsing your face with warm water so do the same for the makeup brush.  Again, pat dry and lay flat on a paper towel to air dry.

MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER:   Last but not least is the Makeup Brush Cleaner which you can probably find in the marketplace at your favorite department store or beauty supply store.  There are all types and brands and price ranges.  Just follow the instructions on the bottle and you are good to go.

BABY WIPES:    Yes, you read it correctly, baby wipes.  This method is usually used just to do a quick daily swipe of the makeup brush to help reduce build-up of make-up residue and oils.   While I would not recommend this to be the only way you clean your makeup brushes, at least it is an interim measure to take before using the other recommended methods.

Of course there are many other methods one can use and perhaps there are some homemade concoctions you have already tried that work for you.  If so, PLEASE SHARE!! 

Lastly, how often should you clean your makeup brushes?  Alot depends on which brush you are referring to.  And, cleaning your makeup brushes becomes a personal preference.  At a minimum, every two weeks to a month is adequate, however, going back to that subject of saving money on buying brushes means being diligent at this process.  Therefore, I recommend with the liquid/cream makeup to do weekly, if not daily.  Powders of any type can go longer but every two weeks is probably best.  Just remember that if the buildup is not coming out of the brush and the shape of the brush is not returning back to its original shape, it just might be time to buy a new brush.

Growing up I never paid that much attention to how much time my mother would take to get ready to go out anywhere.  I remember just looking at her and seeing what I thought was one of the most beautiful women around.  A bit biased I know, but truly I don’t recall ever seeing her spending all that much time in the bathroom getting ready. 

Now, fast forward to today and trust me, if it takes me anything less than an hour to get ready to leave the house, then I’ve left something off or undone.  Perhaps it is the makeup that I wear that adds on that extra time, but let me tell you, I won’t leave home without it.

Thank goodness for makeup brushes.  I remember a time when I would use cotton swabs to put on my eye shadow because the flimsy little applicator that came with the shadow fell apart after a couple of uses or the eye shadow didn’t come with any type of applicator.  A makeup brush is a must have in my household.  I use various types and many of them I wash out to reuse and they are as good as new.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Have you ever thought about your eyebrows as an attraction feature?  I never really did until I started noticing that as some people age, their eyebrows start thinning out and actually start losing color.  By that I mean that they don’t automatically turn gray or silver just because their hair does, but that the actual color just seems to fade away.  So where am I going with all of this? 

So, what does one do to get that eyebrow color back to what you were once accustomed to?  The first response would be to ask your hair stylist to put some dye on them the next time you go in for color on your hair.  I’ve done that, but it didn’t last as long as I would have liked for it to.  So, what is the backup plan?   How about checking out makeup brushes online or in  your favorite beauty supply location?  Let’s face it, everyone’s brows need some TLC and it might be that they need more than just color.  Shaping of the eyebrows as well as filling is a very important aspect of brow beauty care. 

If you don’t want to dye your eyebrows, I suggest that you purchase some eyebrow powder.  There are many types and colors available so you can have some fun choosing one to try.  Allure magazine suggests that if you are a blonde or redhead, you should use a color that’s one shade darker than your brows.  And, if you are a brunette, you should go with one shade lighter.  The key to applying the powder to the brow is to use an angled brush.  Once applied you should then run a spooly brush through the eyebrow to soften the use of the powder.  Just as an FYI, many of the eyebrow brushes available in the marketplace have dual usage.  On one end is the slanted brush to apply the powder and on the other end sis the spooly brush that can be used on your eyelashes and/or the brow.