A Steal of a Deal

Brushes are a must, but sometimes it's very pricey to buy all the necessities. Lucky for us, Nordstrom is having their fabulously delicious anniversary sale right now and they always have a ton of wonderful deals. One in particular that I took advantage of was a MAC brush set, exclusively sold at Nordstrom. For only $49.50, I got some of the most important brushes you'll need to add to your makeup repertoire.

Five brushes come in this collection, as well as a makeup bag and a wallet-style brush holder. I bought the purple one, pictured here, but the same set also comes in green. The red set is a set of five different brushes, but the one I purchased seemed the most appropriate for my makeup routine.

Brush 1: 187 SE - This brush I'll use with my bronzer. It's for lightweight application and it really smoothes your face out to evenly apply makeup. Purchased separately, it'll cost you $42.

Brush 2: 168 SE - This white brush (don't get scared, because you'll be washing your brushes frequently, right?) is perfect for your cheeks. I use it with my blush and get the perfect amount of color to exaggerate my cheekbones. Alone, it runs for $32.

Brush 3: 275 SE - Perfect for blending your shadow, this small angled brush works well after you've applied your colors. Smokey eyes will be a piece of cake with this brush. You can even apply your shadow with this brush, making it multi-functional. Retail price is $24.50.

Brush 4: 219 SE - For some added exaggeration in your crease or on your lash line, use this pencil brush for precision. Since it's still flexible and completely stiff, you'll be able to get some nice blending with the rest of your lid. It's normally $23.

Brush 5: 212 SE - This flat brush is great for lining the eye. I like to use it under my bottom lashes with a shadow that I may not have a liner for. It makes not having to buy more pencils a nice money-saving plus. Buy it out of the set and it's $21.

Now, if you add up all those brushes, you'll be brought to the grand total of $142.50 and you won't get the nice purple cases! But hurry because they're only there as long as supplies last at Nordstrom - it's the one limited edition I really couldn't live without!

-A

False Lash Impressions

JW complemented me on my eyes the other night. I hadn't seen her since my birthday weekend when I first tried out my fake eyelashes. I was completely sold on Sephora's brand of fakeys, especially since I kept getting so many complements. JW loved them and she gave me some of her recommendations on the lashes.

The other night she asked S if I was wearing the fake lashes and S told her that I was not. JW later told me that she had been fooled by my eyes that looked so full and lengthy. My secret? Primer, three good mascaras, and shu uemura.

Now, three mascaras seems completely ludicrous. Who has that kind of time? But after a while you just kind of become used to using them and it seriously lasts all day long. Here's my process (and don't be discouraged by the length because it really doesn't take that long!!):

1. Use your eyelash curler (shu uemura = love) to prep your lashes.
2. Prime your lashes with a white base, like Prescriptives Lash Builder.
3. I like to start my mascaras with a thinner, professional type brush, like Clinique's High Definition lashes.
4. A thicker brush is next. I use Sephora's Lash Plumper.
5. Use the shu uemura again.
6. Finish it off with a thin brush, like Cover Girl Lash Exact or Maybelline Define-A-Lash.

Yes, I have had many trials and tribulations with mascara, but through trial and error I have found the best options that work for me. And with my very own lashes I can give off the false impression that they are too good to be true. But they're all mine!

-A

Photo: shuuemura-usa.com

Making Up an Appointment

A makeup appointment is something that can really help you understand what you should be using daily. For my cousin's engagement party last year, we went to Smashbox to get our makeup done and that was my chance to really talk to the makeup artist about what I needed for my face or her suggestions on what to use if I was unsure. In fact it was there that she told me I should be using a moisturizer daily despite the fact that I had such oily skin!

Of course I walked out of the makeup appointment with a lip gloss (which I liked at the time) and the Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer (which I actually don't use anymore because after a while I didn't think it did much). But it's really good to get a sense of what a professional thinks of your face and the products you use.

It's a great opportunity because although they tend to coax you into buying products, you'll learn more about yourself and you'll get a nice makeup face out of it - so make sure you've got somewhere to go afterwards!

Some common places* to get your makeup done:
- Sephora only does half your face, as a consultation, but you'll still get some expert tips and tricks
- MAC in Macy's does your whole face, as long as you buy $50 worth of products (but that's also totally worth it)
- Smashbox in Nordstrom did my face for free and I bought a few products

*You usually do need to buy a product or two to get your makeup done. Also, check with your local store to see what they do because they may or may not have the same stipulations. These were just a few examples.

-A

Photo: TooFaced.com

LOOK: My friend SEV

Angelina Jolie just had her twins, a boy and a girl, but that doesn't mean that she should let her beauty fall by the wayside. A little tinted moisturizer, colored eyeliner, eyelash primer, mascara, and some blush or bronzer and BAM she's ready to feed the twins! OK, let's be honest, Angelina probably won't be having to feed the twins on her own or worrying about running out of her fave beauty products. But there are lots of us that can use a quick refresher course on how to look natural and get out the door in the morning.

SEV tells us that it only takes her 10 minutes to completely prepare her face in the morning and that includes face washing and moisturizing. Take that out of the equation and you can practically prep your face in the car in about only five minutes (after you've already washed and moisturized of course). And the combo of products she uses are pretty simple:

Neutrogena Summer Glow Moisturizer
Clean and Clear Salicylic Acid Gel
Neutrogena Eye Brightening Cream
Prescriptives Camoflauge Cream
Bobbi Brown's Cream Pot Rouge Blush
Nars Bronzer
shu uemura Eyelash Curler

Sometimes, SEV uses a little eyeshadow, but she says she does this very rarely. In addition she makes it known that it's very important to brush your teeth. We agree.

In addition, SEV uses Blistex LipBalm, mainly because she hates chapped lips. In fact, they actually freak her out a little bit. To counter this problem, she'll use the Blistex or for a little extra the Clinique Lip Balm, which has a sheer color to it. Lips are always good to condition (I'm sure Angelina treats hers well!).

So whether you have a little time, a lot of time, newborn twins, or just don't like to spend a lot of time on your makeup, then find the right routine for you to create your natural face. It may take some time but be sure to try out different products and samples. Remember, products work differently from person to person.

Makeup doesn't have to be time consuming - you can look natural and have fun with your friends and family, while looking great!

-A

Store Brand

I want to tell you about one of my favorite lines of makeup: Sephora brand! Now I know you have seen previous posts where we have reviewed some Sephora brand products. I am here to say that we have only positive things to say about the entire line - once again proving you do not have to break the bank to look beautiful! Sephora even makes a great replica of one of my favorite products (Benefit's Eye Bright). In the Sephora line it's only $5, which is absolutely amazing! They also have tons of colored mascaras and colored eyeliners, which, like A, is my current obsession. Basically whatever it is that you are looking for you can find in this line. Some of your favorite products from other lines may already be available in Sephora's line - all you have to do is look!

-S

Lusting for Eyeliners

You'll find my summer obsession within my eyes. To bring out my baby blues I've resorted to using some funky colored eyeliners. Just like S, I like to use these colors when I'm running out and don't have much else on. However, they are also great to funk up a dramatic night look. A bright liner is great for the smoky eye to take away from the completely dark and dreary. Among my faves are Lust by Urban Decay and Hyacinth by MAC.

Lust (pictured, left) is a bright purple (a shade that tends to deepen the blue), while Hyacinth is a bright shade of blue. The thinner you make the line, the more subtle the look of course. I tend to only put these liners on the top lid just because I really like to use a thin brush with a shadow as a bottom liner. And, depending on the day, you may not want to use these bright liners on the top and the bottom because we don't want overkill either.

Try thinking out of the box and don't be afraid to use color. Black and brown are great but a bright color can brighten up your face, especially for the summer. There's always a shade that suits each person just right so take your fave color and take a look at the liners by both Urban Decay and MAC.

-A

Photo: Sephora.com

Bye Bye Raccoon Eyes

I may put on three different mascaras plus a primer every day, but how do I get that stuff off my eyes at night without scrubbing my lashes off? The answer is simple and not very pricey at all. Sephora's FACE Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover.

This product (priced from $6-10, depending on the size you buy) will certainly remove anything. You just put maybe a penny-sized amount on a cotton ball and wipe off each lid. Then wash your face. I should also note that you need to shake the liquid up well first before using it.

Who knew it was as simple as finding a Sephora brand product?! Never underestimate these kinds of products, as they tend to be some that will fly under the radar from time to time. But we've already told you about so many of Sephora's products that we use (Daily Brush Cleanser, Mascara, and Eye Liner to name a few).

My mom likes waterproof mascara and I've had her use this eye makeup remover before so I know that it works on this, as well as longwearing mascara. In addition, this product is solely an eye makeup remover, instead of just a regular makeup remover you'd use for all of your face. So this is specifically made to take hard to remove eye makeup off your eyes.

Sephora's FACE Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover is so easy to use, safe, and the best way to not have those raccoon eyes or white towels that end up looking like Dalmatians!

-A

Photo: Sephora.com