My Brushes: Real Techniques

So obviously I use the Real Techniques line of brushes. You know how much I am in love with them if you watch my videos. They are by far the best brushes I have ever used/owned! Keep reading to find out why!!

So just to get the basics out of the way, you can purchase these brushes for $5.99 to $9.99 at:

Ulta or Ulta.com

Walmart.com (they might be in some stores to but they are not in my area!)

I mean can good brushes have a better price point? The kits of brushes are $17.99 to $19.99. So for a group of brushes, you can't really beat under $20. 

These brushes are 100% synthetic even though they look like duo fiber. They are super soft and when you wash them they don't lose their shape but go right back to they way they looked when you first bought them. They are all hand cut so that they have a perfect and precise shape to every brush. Since they are completely synthetic, they can be used with any product you can think of, cream or powder. 

This line of brushes could not be easier to use! All of the handles are color coded based on the collection that they go in and all of the names of the brushes are on the handles! The brushes that are sold on their own have flared handle ends so that you can stand them up on your counter or vanity.

The first collection of brushes is the Flawless Base and they have orange handles. This collection of brushes are going to be what you need to perfect your skin before you do anything else.

These are the brushes in this collection:

This collection has the Core Collection Kit in it which includes a:

Buffing Brush - this is a really soft brush that just makes applying and blending foundation super easy. 

Contour Brush - this brush is tapered and fits perfectly into the hollows of your cheeks and is also designed to apply and blend seamlessly. 

Pointed Foundation Brush - personally this brush is to small for me to apply foundation with. I use it mainly when I am applying a highlight on the tops of my cheek bones or a setting powder under my eyes. For me it would just take to long to apply foundation with this brush.

Detailer Brush - this brush is what I use for my lip brush. It is just the perfect size for my lips. It would also be good for concealing blemishes and pin point concealing. 

There are also four brushes that are sold on their own in this collection. They are:

Expert Face Brush - this is the brush that I use when I really want a flawless face. It applies a more full coverage layer of foundation and just make your foundation look amazing. 

Essential Foundation Brush - this is a bigger pointed foundation brush. It is pretty much a traditional foundation brush. (This brush comes in the Travel Collection Kit of brushes)

Angled Foundation Brush - it is exactly what it says. Just a regular flat foundation brush.

Powder Brush - this brush is huge! It is a amazing brush. It is a fairly loosely packed brush and is perfect for applying all over powder. 

For this collection I prefer to use the expert face brush or the buffing brush for foundation. I think that they are the best two foundation brushes because they blend as they apply to where I don't feel like the angled, essential and pointed foundation brushes don't blend as well.

Then there is the Perfect Finish Collection which has pink handles. These are the brushes that you will use to apply your powders and blushes or highlighters. 

This collection includes:

Multi-Task Brush- this one is a more dense powder blush that I think is great for an all over application of powder or applying a mineral foundation. (This brush comes in the Travel Collection Kit.)

Blush Brush - this brush is tapered so that it makes it easier not to apply to much blush. The idea behind this brush is that you apply the product on the very tip of the brush, then as you press it against your face and the bristles flare out, where the product it will apply and then the ones with no product will blend the blush out and around.

Stippling Brush - this is a really cool stippling brush. I feel like the white bristles that stick up father are not as long as a traditional stippling brush. They are shorter and closer to the black bristles. I feel like this helps to blend the product you apply with it. 

Setting Brush - this is a brush that I use every day for multiple things. I use it to apply highlight and setting powder under my eyes. I have seen other people use it to blend out their concealer to. So it is very much a multi purpose brush, just like all of them. I think that this brush is really the perfect size to fit under your eyes.

Kabuki Brush - I don't really feel like there is anything special about this one. It looks like any other kabuki brush. It is a little thinner than some and I think it might be a little denser than some but if you have it and you love it...kudos!

Next there are the eye brushes or the Enhanced Eyes Collection that has purple handles. 

In this collection is the Starter Kit:

Base Shadow Brush - this is my favorite blending brush. One side is flat and the other is fluffy so you can apply a base of color and then blend out any sharp edges that you may have after application. 

Deluxe Crease Brush - this brush is just to big for my crease. It really doesn't fit but I find that it is great for applying foundation under the eyes and on blemishes.

Accent Brush - I love this brush for the lower lash line. It just applies the color really close to the lash line and blends it between the lashes as well so you don't get that gap between the shadow and skin.

Pixel Point Eyeliner Brush - I use this to apply cream bases on the lower lash line. I think that for me it is to big to apply line and I prefer to use a angled brush to apply my gel liner anyway.

Brow Brush - this is great for doing your brows in a rush. It is a larger brush and apples color quickly and easily. I use this brush and an eyeshadow when I need to do my brows in a hurry.

The brushes that are sold alone are:

Shading Brush - this is a great brush for packing on the color. It picks up a decent amount of product and packs it on right where you press the brush. It also is slightly fluffy so it can also be used to blend colors together. 

Lash Brow Groomer - I don't actually own this one because I prefer to use a spoolie to brush through my brows and lashes. But I am sure it is good!

Fine Liner Brush - again I have not purchased this brush because I don't like fine liner brushes to apply gel or cream line. I very mush prefer and angled liner brush.

Domed Shadow Brush (actually comes in the Travel Collection Kit) - again I feel like this brush is to big for my eyes. So I mainly use it to apply concealer around my face and under my eyes. It is good if you are going to just apply a wash of color over the eyes or want to apply a cream base before other shadows. 

Then lastly there is the Limited Edition Duo Fiber Brush Set. I really love these brushes. They are all made and look like stippling brushes. The idea behind them is for them to pick up product on the white bristles and blend the product with the black bristles. They also belong in the other collections, even though the handles are white. The name on the handles is color coated to show where it belongs.

There are three brushes in this collection:

Face Brush - this is a great powder brush. I love it so much. It really just applies a light layer of powder to just give that little bit of extra coverage you might need and it helps not to make your face cakey by helping not to apply to much. 

Contour Brush - this is the brush that I have been loving for contouring as of late. I use it every day and it has replaced my other orange handled contour brush. I just like this one much better and feel it applies and blends color better than the other one from Real Techniques. 

Eye Brush - this is a small tapered eye brush. It fits perfect in the socket of my eye and I am in love with this. It is really good for building color as are all of the duo fiber collection. 

Whew!! I know that was a lot and was really hard to not blast through in the video post that I did. So I feel like I went into more detail here and if you missed anything from the video here is all of the info that I had in the video!! I hope you all enjoyed and it gave you some insight if you were thinking of buying these brushes!!

Carol's Daughter Hair Care Round Two!

So I know this was supposed to be up forever ago but I got busy. Such is life anyway this blog has a video to go with it so go check that out because that will go much more in depth about the products. 

I can say that after using these products for at least a month now, I am in love. I mean these are so good. I can't believe how good my hair feels! I have honestly never used products that work so well in my hair. 

Sometimes I feel like shampoo can really damage your hair because you get the super crunchy, dry feeling after the first time you wash it and I was my hair twice! Sometimes it just feels like you are washing the health out of your hair and a lot of the time the conditioner that goes with it does nothing to help. The conditioners can either leave your hair just as dry or super greasy. I can't believe I didn't look into Carol's Daughter sooner! Like I had said before I have been using the Monoi Split End Sealer for over a year and it never occurred to me to try their shampoo and conditioner lines! 

After I shampoo my hair doesn't have that straw like feel to it. I can actually run my fingers through my hair after I shampoo it! I have never been able to do that my entire life! I have such thick hair that it is near impossible for me to run my finger through it while it is wet, especially right after a shampooing.

Now I know that three conditioners Is kind of over kill. Not to mention ridiculous but seriously...I need them. The regular one you leave on for three to five minutes and let all the goodness soak in then, you just rinse it off and BAM! Soft, silky hair. Since my hair is so thick I really need to use a detangler or a leave in conditioner but for the life of me I can not find one that doesn't leave my hair super nasty and greasy. This one however is amazing! I think the trick to it is the fact that it is a spray bottle. You just mist it on your hair and brush it through. So for me there is no chance of using to much or being pissed that I didn't use enough and trying to use more and then using to much. This one just makes me happy because I don't have to worry about doing any of that! The the deep conditioner is amazing as well! I highly recommend it for color treated hair or over processed hair. All the Shea butter goodness soaks up into you dry, crunchy processed hair and ho-lee crap, my hair always comes away feeling better than it did and it really just works to get your hair back healthy. With this one I find that I don't have a problem with it leaving my hair greasy and I have that problem with deep conditioners.

So I am super happy to say that I thinks everyone should go out and buy this stuff!  Especially if you have dry or color treated/over processed hair! This stuff just works wonders and is amazing. I love it and for sure will repurchase this line and for sure try the other lines that they have available.

Back To School: Tips and Tricks

The best advice that anyone ever gave me when I was getting into make up and really learning how to use everything properly was KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. Not that they were saying I was stupid, nut to remind me that less is more. Especially when you are a young girl and don't need a ton of make up anyway. And from me to you, when you are just learning, you don't want to be throwing it all on your face. If you were like me then you probably think that you look really good under those light bulbs in your bathroom or bedroom. Wrong. They will always lie to you and tell you that you look awesome. So here are my tips and tricks for make up for going to school (but really for always!).

1. KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid - This is a rule of thumb for basic make up in my life. Throwing on piles of make up everyday just really isn't practical. Even for me, as an adult, I try to keep my day to day looks fairly simple.

2. Lightbulbs are not your friends - Your bedroom lights, vanity lights and your bathroom lights are not your friends! They lie to you and tell you that you look awesome! The problem is that any lighting that is from a normal, house hold bulb is going to cast a light on all of your skin that makes it look all even and one color. The biggest problem with this is you can't see the true color of the make up that you are putting on your face. I am pretty sure that is how the girls in my school ended up looking like oompa loompas... The best way to go is to find yourself a window and do your make up with natural lighting. This really is the best way to see how make up is going to show up on your face. You can see the true colors in the light of day and see if they are properly blended or not!
                    *I know that sme of you probably have to be up before the sun so here is an idea! On the weekends, PRACTICE! Take a little time if you are going somewhere and sit down infront of your window and take the time to look at how things show up on your face. This way you can see how much product to apply, when to stop blending and when you need to keep blending, and it will just make you a better make up applier. Once you have that down and you know how much and where, you can do your make up in your room or bathroom because you now know your face and the products you are putting on it.

So those are my top two tips. Now I am going to get into tips for specific products. Always remembering to KISS.

Primer: There are tons of these out there and I reccomend wearing one even if you aren't going to put anything on over it. If you do were something over your primer it will just grab onto those products and help to hold them in place. Some primers that are out there have SPF in them which will protect your face from the sun and some help control oil and shine. Smashbox has an amazing range of primers for evey skin type and problem under the sun.

Foundations: This is not a product that I would really reccomened wearing to school on a regular basis. For special occasions like picture day or a dance, yes. Everyday while having to take gym, no. Especially when you are middle school aged this really is not needed. Your skin really hasn't got to much going on blemish wise anyway and a lot of make up can just ruin that and clog your pores and make you break out before you need to. Then there is just no way to look cute while you are in gym, runnung the mile and sweating off all of your foundation. It just can't happen. Then you spend the rest of the day in school with blotchy, uneven looking skin. Take it from someone who has done that and regretted it, there is just no way to look cute with ugly make up.

Concealer: In all honesty, I think this is the way to go. Especially when you find one that matches your skin really well and if its not a perfect match you can usually fake that with good blending and a little bit of powder. I say this is the way to go because there are hundreds of concealers out there and many of them are water proof. I have recently found one by Yaby Cosmetics that is "tear proof". So if your boo breaks up with you and  you need a good cry, your concealer will stay in place. They are also good for covering the odd blemish that you might get and there is less wear and tear if you are in gym. Another plus is if you do have gym and sweat off your make up, concealer is really easy to touch up when its all you are wearing. So this way you don't run the risk of having ugly make up.

Powders: Another product that does not come highly recommended by me for school. Yes you should use it to set your concealer to make it last longer. No you schould not pack it on your face like its going out of style. Powders are what make your face look cake like. Which is not cute. More is for sure less with any face or setteing powder. Its meant to help make you make up last and help to control oil and shine, not cover everything up that you don't want seen. If your skin is more oily, dust a little in your problem areas but avoid covering your entire face in it.

Bronzer: No. There is no need for contouring while at school. There is not need to add that bronzed glow at school. Oompa Loompas live with Willy Wonka not in middle schools and high schools. Really though, these just get a bad wrap on young girls. Many of which don't know how to apply them. We all know the Snooki look is out, even for Snooki who has actually classed it up a bit. Your face has natural variations in the skin that "highlight and contour" it all by itself.

Highlighters: If you have dry skin and want a little bit of a dewy glow maybe. If you have oily skin that already has a "dewy glow" beware. There really is no need for this if you don't have on a full face of make up anyway, same for bronzers or contour powders. Your face has natural variations in the skin that "highlight and contour" it all by itself. There is no need to have that if you haven't covered it with foundation.

Blush: Again not super reccomended by me. Maybe a little but of a cream blusher to give a the slightest bit of a natural fluch to the skin but if you are like me and had (and I still do) naturally rosy, flushed cheeks, you really do not need bluch.

Eyeshadows: Here is where KISS really comes into play. You want light, natural colors that bring out your eyes and make them look bigger and brighter. Keep with your nudes and brown tones. Shades that will just enhance this feature of you face. The original Naked Palette by Urban Decay is perfect for this. I would avoid blacks and bright colors for school. Unless it is a theme day or a special day, go easy on the eyeshadows.

Eyeliner: If someone calls you Ricky Raccoon, its probably not a compliment. You really want to avoid ringing your entire eye with black eyeliner, especially if your eyes are smaller in size. By doing that you just make them look smaller. I would reccomend the thinnest line possible on the top lash like just to enhance your lashes and lining your top water line again, to enhance your lashes. By doing those two steps, it makes the roots of you lashes look thicker and makes your lashes as a whole unit look thicker.

Mascara: This is a must. It will instantly make you eyes look more open and make you look more awake. Even if I wear no other make up, I wear mascara. Beware piling it on however. If you don't take your time and you are applying more than one coat, it may go clumpy on you. The eay fix for that is to comb them out with a lash comb or a spoolie.

Lipstick: I would say stick to colors that are your lips only better. These are colors that add a little but of shine but are mainly there to enhace what you already have. Even though red looks cute with played down eyes and light skin, its a bad word to keep on and inplace all day. Remember you do have to eat at some point while at school, so keep it basic when it comes to color and when in doubt, a little bit of clear gloss can do a lady good.

Lipliner: Not a product that is really needed if you are keeping it simple. Most colors that are "your lips only better" colors won't require a lip liner. This is really somethig you can avoid all together. Its really only needed for red adn darker colors that can bleed into the fine lines around your lips.

So sorry this was kind off long but I wanted to make sure I covered eveything and hit all the highs and lows of school make up. If it seems a little harsh, its only becasue I was remembering myself or girls I went to school with that thought they were oh so cute when they really just had red lipstick all over their face.

And really you don't need to wear make up to be pretty. Make up is about en hancing what is already there, finding your best feature and makeing it pop. But really make up can't fix an ugly personality. So make sure you are kind to all of your other class mates and make them feel welcomed and accepted when they are around you. That is one thing I learned in school and still hold to in life today, "Make up can make your face pretty but it can never fix the ugly when you are mean to people for no reason"