How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Many clients of mine have asked me how to clean your makeup brushes and how often. I know many of you out there probably have cleaned them once maybe or not at all.

It is a bit of a chore to do, but your face will definitely thank you when you are using germ free brushes on your skin. 

This is especially necessary for brushes used with liquid products such as foundation brushes. Just imagine how much product stays behind after each use, day after day. Not a pretty thought. 

The best way to keep your brushes clean and so they have a longer life is to clean them every two weeks. If you use foundation everyday it wouldn’t hurt to clean your foundation and concealer brush every week. 

If you are a makeup artist and use your brushes on a different person everyday or multiple people in a day; your brushes should be cleaned after each face. The best way is to have brush cleaner or alcohol in a spray bottle for in between each use. Then that night give all your brushes a thorough cleaning.  

When using brush cleaner or alcohol to clean your brushes, spray some of the liquid on a paper towel and then rub the brush in it and repeat until there is no product that comes off on the paper. A great brush cleaner is Cinema Secrets Professional Brush cleaner or you can just bye straight up Isopropyl Alcohol (which is cheaper). 

I would not use the alcohol approach on the reg. because it will eventually damage your natural hair brushes over time. 

For a thorough cleaning you can use one of the following: Dawn Dish washing soap (I prefer the Dawn with Olay the Hand Renewal), Baby Shampoo or regular Shampoo (I like the Tresemme Split Remedy version). 

How I start is by twirling my brushes in a bit of the soap in my palm. Then I take one brush at a time (with the bristles facing down in my palm) with the faucet running, I swirl the brush in circular motions until the water runs clear. Then repeat until all the brushes are finished. Do not submerge your brushes completely in water because that may cause the glue to loosen the bristles therefore leading to shedding (one thing I hate and can’t stand). 

When you are done, re-form your brushes and then place them so the brush is hanging off the edge of a counter so the air can circulate around them and dry them completely. 

And there you go! Nice clean brushes and happy skin! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

Images from:
Carolyn Thombs (mine)
thechalkboardmag.com
examiner.com
greenmakeup.wordpress.com
girlyeverafter.com
5wives.com
http://www.walmart.com/ip/TREsemme-Split-Remedy-Split-End-Shampoo-25-oz/20461318

Makeup Magic: pH Balanced Products

pH Balanced Products from Physicians Formula

Recently I was shopping as Target and came across some interesting products. I always like to peruse the cosmetic aisles to see if there are any products worth trying, Physicians Formula happened to have some eye catching products!

What caught my eye first was the fact that the compact actually lights up! This is perfect for touch-ups when you are out in the evenings.

The product was a bronzer and not just any old bronzer but one that reacts to light and your pH to create your perfect bronzed glow! I got the light bronzer and use it every day to add a nice warm glow to my skin. 

Technology behind it:

Fluorescein based dye: it senses the pH level of your skin and adjusts within 60 seconds to create your perfect bronze glow. 

Photochromic powders: light adjusting pigments adapt to your environment so color looks the same indoors and outside.

They included the same technology in a beautiful lip gloss  It changes to become your perfect shade of pink and even after the gloss texture fades you still have the color on your lips for up to 14 hours. 

If you are looking for something that is easy and doesn't involve knowing which color to pick, then these products are perfect for you! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

www.target.com

http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/default.html

Great Gifts for the Makeup Lover Part II

Another great place to find wonderful sets for that special person who absolutely loves makeup is Nordstrom. Each brand in the cosmetic department has beautiful sets including skincare, makeup and bath sets.


This is always the best time to try a new skincare regimen that you have been thinking about, a new fragrance, or even get a beautiful eye shadow palette.


I couldn't pass up getting the Laura Mercier ‘Smoky Effects’ Mini Kohl Eye Pencil Collection ($48) with shades including: Jet Black, Antique Jade, Black Violet, Brown Copper, Black Gold, Black Navy, Black Turquoise, and Stormy Grey.

I also got the Laura Mercier ‘Soft Nudes’ Mini Lip Glace Collection ($48); which was great for stocking stuffers as well as some perfect shades for Weddings!

Click here to check out the other great gifts Laura Mercier has to offer!

Other great brands that have gifts as well:
Dior:
Skincare
Fragrance
Brush Set

Holiday Sets from Nordstrom


Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

(Photos from Nordstrom.com)

Gifts for the Makeup Lover Part I

Stockings hung above the fireplace

The holidays are the absolute best time for buying amazing beauty sets! So for all of you who are makeup lovers or have some on your Christmas list, Sephora has many sets to make their (or your) Christmas colorful and beautiful!

I had to pick up as few of their sets because they were just too good to pass up:
The Kat Von D Star Kissed Lipstick Set, which included 6 beautiful lipsticks for only $28.00! These are great additions to someone’s present or can be used as stocking stuffers; or you can of course gift the whole set to someone who loves to try new lipsticks ( I gifted a few to myself :)).

The other fabulous set I got was the Laura Mercier Artist’s palette for eyes($48). This is perfect for anyone who likes having multiple eyeshadows, but wants them in one palette and likes to have the option of matte or shimmer colors. I love it because it is comprised of the perfect shades for doing everyday makeup as well as bridal, which I do quite often. So whether this palette is for your kit or a friend in need of an amazing versatile palette, it truly is an amazing buy!

So armed with this knowledge, go out and knock out those last presents you need to complete your holiday shopping and pick up something special for yourself as well!
Check out the other sets Sephora has to offer:
click here!


Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

Dior's National Artist Joel Marriott Event

Join Dior tomorrow, December 4th, at the National Event with Joel Marriott at Pentagon City's Nordstrom from 11-6pm 

Learn some great ways to spruce up your makeup wardrobe and fall in love with the magic that Dior cosmetics and skincare has to offer!

Make sure you don't forget to stop by the counter! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

www.dior.com

www.nordstrom.com