Makeup in a Hurry

Written on Friday, January 14th, 2011

The key to applying makeup when you’re pressed for time is to find products and tools that will multitask, that way you can cut down your time and the amount of products you use.

The main thing that you’re going to want to do is to even out your skin tone with either a tinted moisturizer or foundation (liquid or powder) depending on your preference. I find that the best tool for this is your fingers (for liquid foundations) and if needed, you can use a brush (or a sponge) to blend the foundation into the hair line and down your neck.

Cream blushes are also great because you can use your fingers to apply; I find that you get a better application when you use your fingers vs. using a brush. Cream blush will add a subtle colour and make you look fresh. Don’t forget to apply concealer under your eyes. For this I recommend choosing a concealer with warmth to it to brighten up under your eyes and make you look more awake. Buff a light coating of a translucent powder to set liquid foundation, if you’re more on the dry side, you could skip this step or just powder lightly down the t-zone to combat the shine.

My new favourite things are cream eye shadows. Not only can you find them in an assortment of colours but they last all day and some are even waterproof. To apply, you can either use your fingers or a dense but fluffy brush. If you have a bit more time, add a matte eye shadow shade a few tones deeper than your skin tone into your crease for added definition. Skip the liner and add a few coats of a volumizing or lengthening mascara depending on your preference.

Since the rest of the face is fairly subtle, add a medium toned lip gloss or lipstick to the lips to finish off the look.

The tools you choose are just as important as the products. The M.A.C 217 is great for placing and blending both powder and cream eye shadows and blending concealer under the eyes due to the dense yet fluffy bristles.  M.A.C 187 is great for applying liquid and powder foundations and cream and powder blushes.

*pictures courtesy of MAC.com & Sephora.com

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New Favourite Eye Liner Brush

Written on Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Let me introduce you to the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush.  I was recently introduced to this brush after finding one from a brush set that I had; to tell you the truth, I was using this as a concealer brush. This brush is AMAZING!  I find it to be (in some ways) a cross between an angled liner and a fine precision eye liner brush. A while back I did a post about precision eye liners for comparison.

It has a slight pointed tip and larger edges making it easy to get a thin or thick line with this brush and it makes light work of doing winged liner. To clean it, be use to use a bit of oil (cleansing oils work well) to remove the product before washing with shampoo or soap.

I can’t believe that it took me this long to discover this brush. Have you tried it? I’d love to know what your thoughts are.

*picture courtesy of BobbiBrown.com

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I’m so over it: Traditional Foundation Brushes

Written on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

I’ve never been a fan of the traditional foundation brush, especially since I’ve found a few other types of brushes that I find do a better job of applying foundation.
I find that this type of brush applies a heavy coating of foundation and I really dislike the overly made up look. What it is good for is applying moisturizer and primer. I also like it for applying my eye primer; sometimes I find that using my finger tends to overwork the product and then your end up with an eye ensemble that creases by mid day.
So, what am I using to apply my foundation? Either the MAC 109 or my Crown Brushes duo-fibre brush because I feel like I have more control over how much or how little I apply. I also like it because you don’t get any brush strokes left on your face like you do with a flat foundation brush.

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Quo Professional Makeup Brushes

Written on Monday, February 1st, 2010


Last week I picked up the powder and angled liner/brow brush from the Quo Professional brush range because some of the brushes were on sale for 40% off. For the most part, I really don’t like the regular line of Quo brushes because I find that they are so scratchy; no amount of conditioner will ever get them soft.
I have so say that so far I am really impressed. I can’t get over how soft and silky the powder brush is. I’ve been reaching for it everyday since I got it. It great for diffusing blush and it applies my MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation effortlessly; this brush gives me the lightest application.
These brushes are exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques and Murale.

Have any of you ladies tried these brushes yet? What are your thoughts?

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My Most Used Brushes

Written on Thursday, January 21st, 2010


I have so many brushes that sometimes I forget that I have them. Pictured above are the ones that I reach for on a daily basis; as you can tell they are in need of a wash. Recently I rediscovered my MAC 242 brush and I am absolutely loving it for applying my lid colour. I also love it for applying my paint pots and eye primer. I think that out of all of my brushes, my duo-fibre brush is among some of my favourites. It is the BK5 (Luna Series) from crown brush and I have to say that it is a lot better then the one that QUO makes.
What are some of your favourite brushes that you can’t live without?

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