Tool time

Ten brushes that will give you any look you want!

Large Foundation brush- Sonia Kashuk

1. When it comes to basic face makeup, you want to start on areas that need the most attention and blend. Start with a maximum-coverage concealer brush on areas that need the most concentration of makeup. I use the one that was included in my bare minerals starter kit and I love it!

2. If you are having a good skin day or you are just that lucky that you don't have blemishes to cover, you can start with this brush! It is basically a larger version of brush #1. It is great to use on any areas with unwanted redness or to conceal dark under-eye circles. I love flat brushes! They have impeccable coverage because the hairs are sown tightly together. This allows the brush to hold a lot of makeup, but still blend easily.

3. After brush #2, I use my handy buki face brush to blend my powder foundation for a completely natural look. Use it to blend up into your hairline and down your neck. Remember: the idea is to look flawless without looking like you are wearing any makeup. It's possible, I promise!

Flat blusher brush-Sonia Kashuk

4. Next I use a flat topped, or an angled brush with my Hoola bronzer to contour under my cheekbones, around my forehead, and down my neck. Contouring can slim your face and give you incredible cheekbones in seconds!



5. After contouring, use a fluffy blusher brush to apply your favorite blush to the apples of your cheeks.

6. Once your basic face is done, use an eye shadow that is close you your hair color and fill in your eyebrows with an angled brow brush. This step can really make your eyes pop!

Lash and brow groomer-Sonia Kashuk

7. This brush is perfect because you can use it for your eyebrows and your eyelashes. So functional! Use it after applying eyebrow color to blend and smooth out your brows. You can also use it after your mascara to separate lashes.

8. After you are done with your eyebrows, you can start with your eye shadow. Brushes 8,9, and 10 are my favorite brushes for eye shadow and eyeliner. When applying my eyeshadow, I always start with a large fluffy eyeshadow brush to dust neutral color from my lash line up to my brow bone. 

Smudge brush-Sonia Kashuk

9. Next, I use a smudge brush to apply any darker eye shadow I am using. This brush is great for contouring your eyelids to give the illusion of bigger eyes. Go back and forth between brushes 8 and 9 to blend and get the eye shadow look you want before applying any eye liner.

Get bent liner brush-Benefit

 10. This brush is great because its 'bent' design allows you to apply your eye liner and still see what you are doing! It works best with gel liners but can also be used with liquid. The 'get bent' liner brush works great with Benefit's babe cake eye lining kit! Once your eye liner is dry, apply mascara and you're done!

>>Tip: Use a smudge brush like brush number 9 to go over your liquid or gel eye liner with a black eye shadow so it stays put all day (and night!)

Enjoy and thanks for reading!

-Morgan

Primality

Many people think using makeup primer is unnecessary. Well, unless those people have flawless skin without the assistance of makeup, they are wrong! Not only does makeup primer ensure that your makeup will stay put, it also helps your makeup go on much smoother and more evenly.

Would you paint a black wall light green without using a primer first? I think not. 

For sensitive skin: Bare Escentuals has a natural primer that works really well with their mineral powder foundation.  It has vitamins that are good for your skin and it will smooth out any rough patches and fine lines. Bare vitamins Prime Time has sephora's natural seal so it is perfect for all skin types, especially aged or sensitive skin.

For dull skin: Right now I am using this Benefit primer 'That Gal'. This pink-tinted, raspberry scented primer has amazing brightening power. It works great pre-foundation, but can be used throughout the day to re-brighten. I like to mix it with my posietint or benetint for a brightening cheek color!

For picture perfection: I think everyone who has used this primer can agree that it is top-notch. Smashbox photo finish foundation primer has a silky texture that can smooth out anything that would hinder you from having utter complexion perfection.

>>Tip: For smooth makeup application, apply moisturizer to a clean face and allow  it to dry. Then, apply the primer of your choice and allow it to soak into your skin for a few minutes. Then, apply your makeup!

Thanks for reading!

-Morgan

Bare necessities

Hello readers! I have had a very productive day, ending in a little relaxation by the pool. Who could ask for more? After lugging my big bag of several different sunscreens and tanning lotions (my obsession knows no bounds) I started thinking about how much I appreciate this next product. Not only does it make my skin look flawless, but it also protects me from the suns harmful rays.

Bare minerals is something in my make-up bag that will never need replacing. I tried it my freshman year of college and have been using it every day since. I will never go back. It is very lightweight, it blends perfectly and is SPF 15! I use Bare minerals as a full coverage foundation and as a setting powder after my concealer, erase paste. (Don't forget: every cream needs to be followed with a powder to stay in place!) When applied using the handy kabuki brush bare minerals covers any flaws or imperfections and is lightweight enough for all of your poolside endeavors! It comes in many different shades, but adapts to skin so well that even if you don't get the perfect color for you it will still look good. (I typically use fair in the Winter and fairly light in the Summer.) I know everyone has seen the late night infomercials and thought, "Hm, I should try that.." Well, you should!

>>Tip: Bare escentuals has a new matte foundation that I have not yet had the pleasure of using. If you have oily skin, this may be a better option for you. It soaks up excess oil and has ingredients in it that promote cell turnover and minimize pores. Cell turnover is when your dead skin cells are shed and replaced with younger cells, making your skin feel smoother and looking younger.

Thanks for stopping by!
-Morgan