My must have makeup brushes

The single most important factor in how your makeup looks is the tools you use to apply it with.  Now, I'm not saying you can't apply your makeup with your good ol' fashioned hands, I'm just saying that sometimes crappy makeup can look incredible when applied with great brushes! Although I've got a drawer full of brushes, there are a few that really stand out above the rest, and I find myself reaching for them pretty much every day. Here are my go-to, can't live without (okay, I can live without them, I just don't want to), holy grail brushes...

For applying my foundation, there are three brushes that I rotate between, depending on which one is dirty, what kind of coverage I want, etc.

1. Tarte Buffer Airbrush finish brush ($32) : This is a bit expensive, but totally worth it.  The bristles are very thick and dense, and it really distributes liquid foundation evenly to give it a flawless finish.  You can purchase one here.

2. Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki ($21):  This brush is huge in the YouTube community.  This is similar to the tarte brush, but instead of a rounded top, this one is flat.  It's also quite a bit smaller, so for those of you who are like me and have a narrow forehead, this is easier to use, and doesn't get any foundation in the hairline. You can order one here. Also, if you enter 'WELCOME10OFF' at checkout, you will receive 10% off your order!

3. Real Techniques Buffing Brush ($18 set): This is the first buffing brush I ever used, and it still holds a special place in my heart! What I love about this brush is that it is just as high quality as the other two, but for a much smaller price tag.  I would say this brush, and the Sigma F80 are almost identical, aside from one being slightly flatter. This gives liquid foundation an airbrushed look after you've buffed it in.  This brush does come as part of a set, but can probably be purchased on its own.  I would recommend spending the $18 to get the whole set, because the other three brushes are great as well. In fact, I will be mentioning another one from the set in just a minute! Buy it here.

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For an all over face powder, or when I want to do a heavy bronzer, I use this brush

Real Techniques Powder Brush ($10):  I don't even know what to say about this brush other than how amazing it is.  It applies powder products so evenly, and the bristles are soft and flexible. I typically use this for bronzer when I'm not contouring. Purchase one here.

When highlighting, my favorite brush to use is this one

Real Techniques Contour Brush ($18 Set): Although this would be great for contouring with a bronzer, I find that I like it most for applying a powder highlight on top of the cheekbones, down the nose, and above the cupid's bow. This brush is included in the four brush set with the buffing brush I mentioned earlier.  Purchase the set here. I truly can't say enough great things about the Real Techniques brand.  They are such high quality brushes, but at much more affordable prices! If you are someone who doesn't really have any brushes, and want to start a collection, I recommend anything from this brand!

For applying my powder blush, I ALWAYS use this brush

 

Elf Powder Brush ($3): Although this is marketed as a powder brush, and I'm sure it's great for that, I like it best for applying my blush.  I use this to stipple the color on my cheeks, which gives it a more sheered out look, and less of an over powering 'rouge' look. You can buy this in stores like K-Mart, Target, Walmart, or here. 

 

For contouring my cheekbones and hairline, I use this brush

 

Elf Angled Blush brush ($3): The angle on this brush makes it great for applying bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks to give a chiseled, contoured look. Can be found at Walmart, K-Mart, Target and here.

 

 

For eye shadow, these are my four favorite brushes...



 

1. Sonia Kashuk pointed blending brush ($4) : I just recently bought this brush, and I have been using it almost every day to apply my transition shade above my crease. It's fluffy and great for blending out color. Sonia Kashuk brushes are available exclusively at Target.

 

2. TIGI blending brush:  I bought this brush a couple years ago from my beauty supply store, so I honestly have no idea how much it sells for, but it's my favorite brush for blending out my completed look.  Once I've done all of my shadow, I use this brush to go back through and blend out any harsh lines. Purchase one here.

 

3. ELF Essential shadow brush ($1): Yes, this brush is only a dollar! This applies color to my lids better than any of my expensive brushes.  This is flat and dense, which is perfect for patting color on the lids. At only $1, I have about five of these in my makeup drawer! Purchase one here.

 

4. ELF Essential Smudge brush ($1):  I use this brush to apply my brow highlight.  The bristles are very short, so it picks up very little product.  I usually dip it into my brow highlight color, and lightly tap it under my brow bone. Purchase one here.

 

When using my gel eyeliner, my favorite brush to apply it with is this one

Elf Small Angled Brush ($3): the angled bristles are perfect for doing a wing with gel liner. Purchase one here.

 

Although this is not technically a brush, it is a tool that's on my must have list for applying concealer

 



 

 Ulta Super Blender Sponge ($5):  I use the pointed end of this sponge to apply my under eye concealer every day.  Aside from my finger tips, this is the best way to blend in concealer without just pushing it around the eye. Any brand of beauty sponge will work, I just happened to pick mine up at Ulta. The other end is great for blending foundation, or applying cream blush!   Purchase this exact one here.

 

Last but not least, and I forgot to take a picture of my own personal brush, is my favorite translucent under eye setting powder brush from Elf.  It applies my setting powder perfectly, and I don't know how I ever lived without it. For $3, it's a steal!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by the A List!  Have a beautiful day.

 



Tips for a great consultation with your stylist

The single most important part of any hair appointment is the consultation. Many stylists, myself included, are guilty of rushing through this part of the appointment, and that can sometimes lead to disastrous results. Since I've been on both sides of the chair, I thought I'd share with you some tips that help make a consultation successful.

First things first, bring pictures!  I've heard a few stylists say they hate pictures, because they're always unattainable goals, but I beg to differ. I LOVE when a client sits down in my chair and says 'I have a few pictures'. The reason being, I can actually visualize what they're trying to tell me. I've had clients say, 'I want a chocolate brown, but not too dark'. Now in my head, I've got an idea of what I think that means, however, it could be completely different from what the client is imagining. Pictures are also great when you've got a new cut in mind.  Describing a cut is difficult for me as a professional, so I can't imagine it would be easy as a client, unless you're simply asking for long layers with face framing. Now your stylist may take one look at the picture and tell you it's not possible in one appointment, or that it would not flatter your face shape, so be prepared to hear some feedback.  I also love when clients bring picture examples of what they DON'T want.  Sometimes that's even more helpful than a picture of what they do want. Be sure to tell your stylist what it is you like about the picture, and if there's anything you don't like about it (i.e., the bangs are too short, too long, etc) be sure to mention that too.

Secondly, don't be shy.  If you have a stylist who is suggesting something totally crazy, and out of your comfort zone, and you know you really don't want to do it, speak up! Chances are, your stylist will be happy you said something before he or she starts the process.  Let me tell you, I'd much rather hear a 'no, I don't think I'd like that', than a 'I hate it', at the end of the appointment.  At the end of the day, you are the client who is paying for the service, so don't agree to anything you don't feel good about! Also, if your stylist says 'are we just doing the same thing as last time?', don't be afraid to say no if you want a change!

Third, if you are someone who sits down in the chair and says 'Do whatever you want!', then be prepared for anything! On one hand, we as stylists love this, because it gives us total freedom, but on the other hand, it's terrifying, because sometimes those same people say things like 'well, I didn't really want it to have red in it' once you've finished the color service. If you are truly up for anything, thats awesome, but if by anything, you just mean any shade of brown, then be specific with your stylist and let him or her know that.

Another great topic to discuss during the consultation is how much time and effort you're planning to put into styling your hair on a daily basis. While that super edgy sasymmetrical bob looks adorable in the picture, it may require more styling time than you're willing to put in.  I hear from a lot of clients that they want a style where they can 'just wash and go', so that tells me right off that they're not going to be up at 6 a.m every morning giving themselves a round brush blow out! Telling your stylist these things helps them decide what kind of cut would be best for you. 

If you feel like no matter what you tell your stylist, you always end up with the same old thing, then maybe it's time to give another stylist a try!  Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes sees things totally different, and a different stylist might be able to better understand what your vision is. If you're wanting to switch stylists, but stay loyal to one salon, ask your hair guy or girl how they would feel if you tried one of their fellow stylists for a change.  Most stylists would be totally fine with that, and while asking is not necessary, it stops you from having to have that awkward moment where they see your name on someone else's schedule!


One last little tidbit...being on time for your appointment is key for having a great consultation! The first five to ten minutes are usually when the consultation takes place, so if you show up a few minutes late, that tends to get bypassed so the stylist can stay on time.

Like everyone says, 'its just hair', but wouldn't we all like to leave the salon with 'just GOOD hair'?

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a beautiful day!

Reviews of my recent makeup purchases

At least once a month, I tell myself  'no more makeup for a while', and then within a few days, I find myself buying more.  I realize I have a problem, but at least I'm not gambling, or buying expensive jewelry, right? Anything to justify it ;) So I thought I'd do something a little different for this post.  I'm going to show you a few of the things I purchased over the past month or so, and then tell you whether I loved them, hated them, etc.  So, lets get right into it...

Face Products

Milani Baked Bronzer:  I bought this after reading a makeup artist's blog (I'll attach the link below).  She was saying how much she loved them, and that they were a great product for the price. So, of course, I went to CVS within two days to get my hands on one.  I chose the medium toned bronzer with flecks of gold in the color 'soleil'.  Although this is beautiful in the packaging, I felt it was way too shimmery for me.  I tend to gravitate towards matte bronzers, because I feel like shimmer can draw the wrong kind of attention to our fine lines and wrinkles. If you're someone who likes a bit of sparkle, you might love this product.  As far as pigment and quality goes, it's great for the price (around $9), but I just didn't love the shimmer. I don't see myself repurchasing this one.

Milani Baked Blush in 'Luminoso' :  LOVE LOVE LOVE! I can't say enough about this blush.  It's the perfect shade of peachy pink! The color payoff is great, and it just gives the prettiest pop of color without being too much.  This was around $8, and I have a feeling it will become an every day staple in my makeup routine.  I find Milani makeup at CVS, or you can order it here. 

Left:Milani baked blush in luminoso  Right: Milani baked bronzer in soleil

 

 

Eye Products

 

Maybelline Eye Studio Limited Edition Quad in 'Violet Femmes' : I picked this up because I've been really into purples lately.  I love an eye shadow palette that comes with all the colors you need to create a look. It comes with a light champaigny pink, a purplish taupe, a deep maroon purple, and an even deeper brownish purple.  After getting home and swatching the colors, I was even more excited, because they seemed so soft and pigmented.  I have to say, I'm a bit disappointed.  They don't blend out as well as some of my higher end, or Wet n' Wild shadows do.  I've noticed they also crease horribly! I use an eye primer every day, and it's very rare that I see any creasing, even after twelve hours of wear, so maybe this was a total fluke, but either way, I'm not 100% in love with these shadows. 

 



Rimmel ScandalEyes Eye Kohl:  I love these eye pencils! I've had the black one for quite a while, so recently I decided to pick one up in the color 'nude' for when I want to give my eyes that bright and awake look. I use these on my water line, and they are so rich and pigmented.  You barely have to use any pressure when applying these, because they just glide on so easily.  The only thing I will say is that because they are SO creamy, if you wear contacts, you may experience a little bit of transfer, so go easy with them at first.  The black pencil is easily the blackest black I've ever used, so if you like an intense, dark smokey eye, you will love it! These were under $5 from the drugstore.

 

 NYX HD Photogenic Concealer: If you've never heard of NYX products, you are missing out! This is a brand that I normally purchase at Ulta, but now, Target has started to carry it.  I would say the best way to describe this brand is high end quality at drugstore prices.  They have a HUGE variety of products, so if you'd like to browse, go to their website.  I bought this concealer in the shade 'porcelain' for my under eye area.  This is the lightest shade in the line, but I love it for highlighting my undereye area.  If you like the Kardashian look with very bold highlight and contouring, this concealer is a must.  A little bit goes a long way, and it blends out easily.  The formula is a bit drying to me, so make sure you've used a moisturizer prior to applying it. I bought this for around $9 at Ulta.

 

 

Red Cherry Lashes in #43: I'm a huge fan of false lashes, especially now that I know how to put them on correctly.  My favorite YouTuber, Jaclyn Hill, raves about these lashes, and of course they look stunning on her, so I ordered a pack of 8 pair from Amazon.  They've just been sitting in my makeup station waiting to be worn for the right occasion. I went out Saturday night, so I thought, now's the time! I was super bummed because although they are great quality, and very easy to apply, they were way too big for my eyes! I noticed in the packaging that they looked a little large, but I thought maybe once they were on my eyes, they would look okay.  Don't get me wrong, these lashes are incredible, but if you're someone with small eyes, or someone who likes a modest false lash, these are not the ones for you! I'm planning to do a post all about false lashes, so I'll tell you a few of my favorites when that time comes :)



 

 Lip Products

Wet n' Wild Lipstick in 'Dollhouse pink': This was another product I was prompted to buy from reading my favorite makeup blog.  This lipstick was $1.98, so I really had no reason not to try it.  This lipstick is matte, which scared me a bit, because matte tends to mean 'drying' on my lips.  To my pleasant surprise, this wasn't drying at all, and the color lasted all day, even after eating and drinking.  The color I chose is a bit bold, but I was in the mood to live on the edge ;)  There are several shades that are much more toned down, but for under $2, I recommend you all go out and buy a few different shades!

 

MAC Cream Sheen lipstick in Creme Cup: This was definitely a splurge for me! A $15 lipstick is not something I normally even consider, but again, I had heard so many great things about this particular color that I couldn't resist.  It truly lives up to all the hype.  It's the perfect mix of baby pink and nude.  This is a great lip color to pair with a smokey eye, because it gives just enough color, but not so much that it looks like your lips are trying to compete with your eyes. As odd as it sounds, this lipstick SMELLS awesome.  I don't know if it's a vanilla scent, or what, but everytime i take the cap off, I have to smell it ;) This is definitely my favorite lip color of the moment, and I think everyone should have this, or one like it, in their collection.

 

 

 

NYX Butter Gloss in 'Eclair': This is the best lip gloss I've used in a long time. Not only is it not sticky, but it also gives the lips moisture.  I wear this alone, or, most often, over the top of my MAC creme cup.  They are a perfect pair! These sell for around $5, and come in several different shades.

 

 



 Brushes

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki: I've been wanting to order this brush for at least six months, but I kept telling myself I didn't need it. Well, I had some cashback bonus just sitting on my Discover card, so I bit the bullet, and ordered it.  It has been a love affair every since.  I use this to apply my liquid foundation.  It gives the skin an airbrushed, flawless effect. Sigma is a relatively new brand, and from what I read and see on YouTube, their brushes are a cheaper alternative to MAC. So far, this is the only brush in their collection that I own, but there are  few others I've been itching to get.  This brush is $18, which is on the pricy side of things, but when you consider buying one from MAC or Bobbi Brown in the $40 range, $18 really isn't so bad! You can order the brush here. Also, if you enter WELCOME10OFF at checkout, you'll receive 10% off your order!

 

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed these reviews, and once again, thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Have a beautiful day! 

 





My favorite haircolor trends for fall

So here we are, a third of the way through September already, and I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting fall fever! I've slowly begun dragging out my fall decor, lighting pumpkin scented candles, and of course, looking for my perfect fall haircolor!  Although I don't think it's necessary to go darker, or do a complete 180 on your hair color during these next few months, I do think fall is a great time to experiment with different tones, and maybe steer away from the cool colors we see during the spring and summer. Just like anyone who's not living under a rock, I see tons of beautiful hair color inspiration on Pinterest, so I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite looks for fall...

1)Red Browns/Red Violets :  I've noticed several of my normally neutral brown clients are starting to take the plunge and adding a little bit of red to their hue.  Most color lines have several shades of red to choose from, and my personal favorites are the Red browns and the red violets.  These look beautiful alone, or when mixed together.  This is a great way to feel like a redhead, without the full commitment of upkeep.

One of my clients recently brought in this picture, and I fell in love! This is a gorgeous version of  deep red brown. 

I've been seeing this quite a bit on pinterest and I think it's also a beautiful shade for fall.  This appears to be a multidimensional red violet, with bright red pops throughout. This would be great for those of you who are a bit more daring!

 



 

 2) Warm light browns:  Whether you're the lightest brown, or the darkest blonde, fall is a great time to add a little bit more warmth throughout, in the form of light 'caramel' pieces, or shades of copper.

 

 This is a beautiful mix of light golden blonde, and warm medium browns.  If you're blonde, and are thinking you'd like to go darker for fall, this would be a great way to ease into it, and still hang on to some of those blonde pieces you love!

 

 

3)Deep Chocolatey browns with face framing highlights: If you're someone who is already in the dark brown family (level 4 and under), you can spice things up by adding just a few face framing highlights. Trying to lighten hair this dark can be complicated, so the trick is to only lighten it a couple shades. Tone on tone highlights are gorgeous, especially on brunettes. Here's an example...

 

 

 

 

4)Multi-tonal blondes:  If you're like me, and you love your blonde hair, but want something a little different for fall, a great way spice things up is by adding shades of gold, and beige. Gold can be a very scary word to a blonde, but when woven in very delicately, gold can really brighten up the white blonde pieces throughout. Beige is also a great tonal addition to blonde hair, especially for those who don't want to see any warmth (gold) at all.  



 

This is a beautiful golden base, with light blonde pieces framing the face.

 

I love this look! I'm not one for 'chunks' of color, but this is an example of heavily sliced highlights done right.  The light brown pieces really make the white blonde pop! I'm actually doing this look on my sister tomorrow, and I can't wait to see the results!

 

While this is still a very light blonde look, you can see finely woven golds throughout, which is a great option for someone who is a solid platinum blonde all over and wants a bit more color.

 



Just remember, when it comes to hair, there are no rules, and you should do what you're comfortable with!  Just because the seasons change, doesn't mean you have to totally reinvent your look. Never let your colorist talk you into something you're not comfortable with, and on the flip side, be open to ideas your colorist may have.  Sometimes it just takes another pair of eyes to see the potential of our hair.  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and have a beautiful day!   



Building your makeup collection; drugstore edition

For those of you who maybe have been too intimidated to shop for makeup, or have found yourself buying the same things over and over, I've put together a list of what I think are some of the most important products to have in your collection. I thought I would start with some budget-friendly, drugstore items that are must haves in my life. 

Face
Foundation is the key to achieving a healthy, even glow to the skin.  Picking a foundation can be very daunting, but I've found that you don't have to spend lots of money to find something great. One that I really love is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup.  This gives medium coverage, and does not feel heavy on the skin.  For those who are dry, this will give a bit of a dewy finish.  This is also known for being a 'dupe' (duplicate) for Nars Sheer Glow foundation, which retails for $44. There are several shades to choose from, and you can find this in your local drugstore for around $12

 

 

 

 

Highlighting and countouring have really become an important part of makeup over the past couple years (mostly thanks to the Kardashians), and although I knew nothing about either of these techniques until recently, I've grown to really love the effect they give.  Highlighting should be a subtle glow on top of the cheekbones, or right above the lips.  Picking a highlighter that is not too gold, and not too pink is very important.  My favorite drugstore highlighter is by Hard Candy. It's actually marketed as a baked bronzer in the shade tiki. It's a beautiful in between shade, and is said to be a dupe for Mac's soft and gentle. This shade looks great on almost any skin tone, and retails for around $10.

Eyes
Eyeshadows are most definitely my weakness.  I've tried so many brands, from high end Urban Decay Palettes, to $1 E.l.f shadows.  The one drugstore brand that I believe stands above the rest is Wet n' Wild .  I know most of you are probably thinking I'm insane, but I'm telling you, Wet n' Wild shadows are incredible! They are so pigmented, and so soft.  Many of the shadows from Wet n Wild are exact dupes for Mac shadows.   My favorite palette in the Wet n' Wild collection is called 'vanity'.  It's the perfect neutral palette for fall (or really any season, for that matter).  I find myself reaching for this often when I want to create a bronzy, smokey look. The colors in this palette really make blue eyes pop, but would look great on any eye color! This palette retails for around $5, and can be found at almost any drugstore. 

I've recently started using gel eyeliner, and I love it!  It definitely takes some practice, but it is so long-wearing.  There are nights when I'm a bad girl, and don't wash my makeup off before I go to sleep, and when I wake up the next morning, my gel eyeliner is still in place. My favorite gel liner is by Maybelline.  I use the liner in blackest black, and it is just that, VERY black.  It really adds drama when I'm going for a smokey eye. This liner comes with a brush, and retails for around $8. 

I know that I said in one of my previous blog posts that I would never buy another mascara after using Mary Kay's lash love, but, I lied! I was at Walgreen's one day, and I saw a new mascara with really cute packaging, and it got me!  Turns out, the packaging wasn't the only thing to love about it.  The mascara I'm talking about is Revlon lash Potion.  The formula is great, and it really adds both length and volume to my lashes.  The brush is a bit large, but all in all, it's a great product.  This retails for around $8, and comes in a regular and waterproof formula.

 

 

Lips
I've only recently started buying lip products, because in past years, I've been too afraid to try anything out of the box, a.k.a. anything that wasn't a pale pink lip gloss. Now that I've started to test the waters, there are a few drugstore lip goodies that I love.  My favorite right now are the colorburst lip butters by Revlon.  They are so conditioning, and give a great amount of color.  It seems like when I use actual 'lipsticks' from the drugstore, they dry out my lips, and make them look gross. These feel more like using a lip balm, but with the added benefit of color.  I've got several shades, but lollipop and cupcake are two of my favorites.  These retail for around $7.

 

I could go on and on about all the great makeup you can find in the drugstore, but this blog would be ten pages long, so, for now, I hope this has been helpful.  If you have any questions, I'm always glad to (try) to answer them!  Have a beautiful day!

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