Apply Thyself: Or How I Discovered the Joy of Airbrushed Skin

A couple of weeks ago I did a major ELF haul and bought a number of items, including brushes. I noted at the time that I was pleased with the Studio Line of brushes, and thought that they were beyond excellent value at $3 a piece. I hadn't really had a chance to use the Powder Brush as much as I would have liked, and haven't gotten around to it until this week. Instead of taking home tried and true products, I actually took home a whole bunch of things I hadn't used or tried to test them all out, including this brush.



The brush has a large, flat top, and although it's not got skunk bristles, the shape reminded me of the MAC 187, which I haven't tried, so cannot compare to. Anyway, that got me thinking that this brush might work for liquid foundation. I tried it my MAC Studio Sculpt, which I quite like but find it can go on a little heavy or cakey. I used the brush damp, and put a teeny pea sized amount on my face, and used the brush in circular motions to buff out the color. Wow. I got this amazing, smooth, buffed, coverage, light but effective. Really, the best that I've had from this foundation. I was so amazed and impressed. The brush did give up a few bristles, but nothing serious so far. It does seem to "grab" foundation, so I do think that I am having to use more, and it's ending up on my brush instead of on my face, but it's worth it for the amazing finish. Plus, the finish lasts for a long time. Today, one of my co-workers today said I looked really pretty - I'm putting it down to the gorgeous finish this gives.

Two lessons learned here: experiment with your kit beyond what the label says (maybe not with things that say don't put near eyes!), and products can be rescued with good tools.

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Elf Haul Part 1: The Brushes

 My Elf haul arrived almost a week ago, and I've been so busy recently with family and work and other general home style stuff that I didn't get a chance to try it out until yesterday, and that's only the brushes. Everything else is still in my box from Cherry Culture along with my lovely big NYX haul. You can see why I don't feel an urge to buy anything else right now! I'll review the make-up in another post, but in this one, I'm just going to talk about the brushes. Elf Cosmetics has an extremely low price point (most of the standard Elf line retails for just a $1), and has managed to generate significant buzz over the last couple of years. It looks like a great line to try out for a cheapie haul, but to me, if something doesn't work, it doesn't matter if it's just $1, it's a dollar wasted.

I ordered 6 brushes in total: 2 from the standard Elf line, and two from their studio line.

1.  Eye Shadow Brush ($1) I didn't love this brush at all. I guess you get what you pay for, and this is a case of springing the extra $2 would have been worth it. The bristles are stiff, and when I used it this morning it hurt my eye a little. I think that maybe the bristles are a little short or something as well, which makes them stiff. Anyway, not a whole lot of love for me. I'll use it for a random back up brush, but it definitely won't make it into my day to day collection.

2. Blending Eye Brush ($1) When I first took a look at this I was disappointed. If you look closely at the picture, you can see that there are a couple of stray bristles, which already made it look poorly put together. Whenever I played around with it, it wasn't too stiff. It is similar to my Sephora Rounded Smudge Brush, but actually, not as stiff. It felt softer on my skin than the Eyeshadow Brush, which was nice. Ironically enough, I could have done with this brush being a bit stiffer. When I'm blending I want to feel like I have a lot of control, and the fact that these brushes were a little longer meant that I felt like I didn't quite have that spot control. However, this would be good for smoking or blending colors around the crease. If you don't have a blending brush already, this is good value for money for sure.

3. Small Smudge Brush ($3) This was recommended by we heart this a couple of weeks ago, so I threw it in my basket. When it arrived, I was surprised by how small it is. It is actually pretty much the same size as my Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush. The Elf brush is slightly stiffer. I like how it feels though, and it is good for lining eyes and applying a touch of shadow to the lower lid. I could also see myself using this for getting color right in the crease. Where the Eye Shadow Brush felt like a waste of a buck, this definitely feels like a good deal for $3.



4.  Complexion Brush ($3) Woah, now we're talking bargain. This is a pretty nice powder brush. I'm not going to lie and say it's as soft as a MAC or anything like that, but it is definitely comparable to the Sephora one I was playing with earlier today. And it's a full $30 cheaper. Like many synthetic brushes, it is made from Taklon. I gave it a couple of tugs to see whether any of the hairs came out - nope. It gave a nice even finish when I used it with a powder. So yes, definitely a score here. Oooh, yeah, sorry the picture doesn't have more detail. My camera was having a hard time dealing with all that black.

5. Blush Brush ($3) Yes, this is pretty nice too. Like the Complexion Brush, it is made from Taklon. It is fairly soft, the bristles are nicely in place, and it picks up a good amount of blush. It has a taper, which is okay, but I prefer my blush brush to have more of an asymmetric finish rather than than a taper like this. That's the only thing I would do to make this better. But yes, I'm happy I dropped 3 bucks on this bad boy.

6. Powder Brush ($3) This brush seems huge!! I can't believe this was $3! It's a flat-headed powder brush that can also be used with wet products. I haven't had a chance to test this out properly yet. I think that the shape is actually too flat for a powder finish, but this would work nicely with mineral powder foundations. It can also be used with wet products so I'm going to try it stippling my foundation tomorrow. Like the other brushes, it's soft and the bristles seem decently in place. Actually, I like the soft feeling on my face of this one and have been randomly stroking it on my face as a "test" while I have been writing this post. Freak that I am!


So, what's the verdict? The Studio Line are nice brushes, and I'll definitely think about scoring a few more from that line. Even though the standard line are only $1, it seems silly not to spring the full $3 for something that is infinitely better in quality. I get that there is a time, a place, and a market for $1 brushes, but the stretch to $3 is worth it. These brushes do compete with more established brands like Sephora's standard line, and are definitely worth a look.


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Christmas Present Haul Post

Santa, aka my lovely husband, was very good to me this year. I got some great gifts like Frye boots, amazing, amazing books, and he made a stocking trip into Sephora. This, to me, was the cutest ever. He took a list I had sent him, handed it to a girl, and then she found everything for him in 10 minutes. So sweet! And she managed to throw in an awesome surprise!!

So, what's the haul:

• Fresh! Sugar Cubes. Oh, I'm so mad excited about these!!! Plus they were completely unexpected. Recently, I've been thinking I want to take more baths (I do shower, really), but haven't had anything nice or fun to throw in. I was debating heading to Lush! for their bath bombs, but these look uh-mazing. Fresh! are one of my favorite brands, but a wee bit pricey for me, so what a treat!
• Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick. Remember about 10 years ago this was THE lipstick to wear. Well, I gots me to thinking about 6 months ago that I wanted to try it again, and I couldn't find it anywhere. I put it on the list, and wow - thar she be! (I don't know why that came out as pirate speak). I think I may have to dedicate a whole post to it later. 
• NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick. Karen at Make Up and Beauty Blog posted about this a couple of weeks ago, so I decided it was a must have. I do love it, but weirdly, if you want to know what color my lips are, they are exactly the same. No difference when I put it on. Is that a good thing? Can't quite decide yet.
• NARS Lip Velvet Matte Pencil in Cruella. I heart these pencils so bad. I actually asked for Dragon Red, but it was sold out, and she said it was exactly the same. They aren't. Dragon Red is more blushy berry red, this is a cooler, bluer, stronger red. I've tried it once, I think I like it. Plus, lovely husband lost the receipt so I think I'm stuck with it. 
• Philosophy Bath & Shower Gel in Caramel Apple. I heard these were good, but at $16 they seemed pricey. Then I saw the size of the bottle. Hey ho! I wouldn't necessarily have picked this scent, but do you know what? I love it. Awesomeness. 
• Sephora Powder Brush. I actually asked for a blusher brush. I'm going to try and exchange it. That's kind of annoying that the girl got the wrong brush to be honest. They are different! 
• Essie Lollipop. What a gorgeous bright red! Maybe my pedicure color for West Palm Beach. 

Did Santa bring you any nice presents for Christmas?

Favorite Products of the Year

So, for my first post instead of looking forward to the all the great places I'm going to go with this blog, I take a look at the past year and the great and the good products that made 2009 a little better for me.


1. Benefit's Posietint ($28)
Everyone raved about Benefit's Benetint, the sweet little liquid blush that started out as nipple tint (what, you didn't know that? Yes, of course you did!). But who knew that Posietint would take the basic concept and make it prettier, more natural, more "wow, you look really healthy, happy, and glowing" than the original? This blush is the perfect natural color, with no shimmer, and super easy application (three daps from the brush, a quick rub and you're done), that it literally goes with every look you can do. It's you, but a little better.

2. The Miracle Worker ($85)
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. $85? Really? Do you think I'm made of money, that I can go dropping that kind of cash on skincare? But I swear, I can convince you. Firstly, it's good value - the whole kit is valued at $156, and you get a bunch of full sized products in the kit. Secondly, it is the best skin I've had in my life. No joke, The Miracle Worker truly lives up to it's name. The first time I used the microdelivery peel, I had the most amazingly baby soft skin I actually asked random people to feel my face because it was so smooth. And I'm a shy British person - we don't do that! The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash helps keep that skin silky smooth all week, and Hope in a Jar is a great balanced moisteriser - easily absorbed but rich enough to look after my skin even in the cold weather. I'm already considering getting a back up of this kit in case it truly is limited edition as Sephora says.

3. Kiehls Soy Milk and Honey Body Scrub ($27.50)
This product has been around for decades, I'm sure, but I only discovered this last year, hence it making my hits of the year list. It has a thick, gritty paste consistency, and smells absolutely heavenly - milk and honey. I use this once a week with Kiehls's Creme de Corps and it makes my skin feel so amazingly silky smooth. I actually look forward to "scrub day" (Saturday mornings, since you asked), when I get to rub myself all over with this yummy paste.




4. MAC's Style Black Collection
I have to admit that this MAC collection had me counting down the days until it launched, and I actually went to two different MAC stores during NY's Fashion Night Out so I could preview the products. I'm a sucker for black smokey make up anyway, with messy black eyeliner being my default night time look, and this collection took that to the next level. The Greasepaint product made a rocking black base product, but actually I like it best for a thick, messy, smokey eyeliner. For an amazing look that requires frequent checking, add some gloss (MAC have a gloss product, but I also like Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream) for a slick, rock chick eye. I picked up three out of the four shadows - Young Punk, Blue Flame, and Cinderfella which were black with purple glitter, blue glitter, and gold respectively. Yes, the mineral factor meant that they had major fallout issues, but mixed with water, oooooh, the black, the glitter, the intensity. Swoon. Angry teenager all the time. And, maybe even most surprisingly, the black lipgloss proved to be surprisingly wearable, adding a neutral darkness to your natural lipcolor. Two products let me down though - though the rest of the beauty world adored the two Volcanic Ash skin products (a thermal mask and scrub), they kind of left me cold (boom boom!)

5. Essie Chinchilly ($8)
Wow. It's not often a nail varnish really captures my attention. Until I came across Chinchilly, I had worn navy or dark red almost consistently for the last year. Chinchilly is concrete gray, and makes for a perfect edgy neutral. I know, neutrals aren't really edgy by default, but this is awesome - it demands a second glance without dominating or detracting. I can wear this confidently to the office or or a glam night out, certain that my nails are both appropriate and memorable at each.



6. Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel ($21)
Since we're new here, I guess I shouldn't give away too much about myself just yet, but let's just say that my eyebrows and my attention to brows is not my strong suite. In fact, this year was also my first visit to a brow salon. But this product has taken my terrible, patchy, weird bush brows, and made them look sleek and strong. For that, I am ever thankful.




7. Sephora Double-Ended Winged Brush ($18)
I am not talented at that gorgeous sleek cat eyes winged liner. But somehow, this brush takes over my hand and makes it happen for me. And the thick end is great for smoking out your liner, or, as I frequently use it for, drawing thick shadow liner on my upper and lower lashline.





8. MAC Limited Edition Eye Shadows in Smoke and Diamonds, Silverthorn, and Style Snob ($14 each)
I bought a lot of eye shadows this year, but I'm picking these three out as my favorite limited edition picks (Style Black aside). Smoke and Diamonds is this amazing grey taupey color which is super rich and pigmented. It can used to darken the crease on a neutral work safe eye, or to make a super glam dark eye. Such a sophisticated color. Silverthorn, from what I remember, didn't get a lot of attention when it was released as part of the Rose Romance collection, but I just adore the greeny sheen to this mid tone grey - it just makes it look a little different to your standard grey shadow. I picked it up on a random impulse the day before my wedding when I had no idea what make up to do (I know, don't ask!), and though I didn't use it on my wedding, I use it a lot with Satin Taupe (everyone needs this shadow) as a gorgeous simple but stunning eye. My last limited edition pick shadow is Style Snob, which is a light taupe from the Starflash collection. Like Smoke and Diamonds (same collection), it is super rich, super dense, and a lot of fun to play with. It is a lighter taupe than Satin Taupe, and makes a great memorable neutral eye. It has a slight pink tone to it, and so I haven't done this yet, but I'm sure it could work well with a pink eye to make something rosey and fun.

So there you have it, my top 8 of this year. I'm sure you have some favorites too, some things you've discovered which you absolutely cannot live without, and I'd love to hear about them. Add them in the comments, and I'll be sure to check them out.