I have an unhealthy obsession with makeup brushes. Yes, I'm a makeup artist, but I'm not kidding when I tell you that everyone I've worked with comments on how many brushes I own.
In my opinion, makeup brushes are the most important component of your makeup kit. (Okay, obviously they're useless if you don't have anything to apply with them, but you know what I mean.) But they can get expensive. And for most women they're not the "fun" part. It's exciting to buy a new shade of lip gloss, but there's not a lot of instant gratification in buying a new brush if you're not a makeup artist.
Regardless, brushes are one of the best investments you can make. If cared for properly, they will last a lifetime. And it is literally impossible to get a polished look in photos without them. Aside from distributing product evenly, your brushes will give you that polished, blended look you may have thought only the pros can accomplish.
For new models, I strongly encourage purchasing a set of good brushes of your own. Even if you work with makeup artists frequently, there will be times that you will have to do your own makeup. As a professional, it is imperative that you can create a polished look on your own when necessary. In my kit, I have mixed and matched brushes from many different lines, but if you are starting from scratch, a brush kit will probably be more economical.
The most economical but quality brush kit that I know of on the market can be found on http://www.sigmamakeup.com/. Specifically I recommend the Professional Brushes Complete Set, which contains 12 versatile brushes that can achieve almost any makeup look that will ever be asked of you. To learn more about these brushes, check out this review by TiffanyD.
Personally, these brushes are not my all time favorites. I think Lancome, MAC, and Bobbi Brown have superior brush kits, but unfortunately they are only around at holiday. But these brushes work extremely well and are a great value.
My only complaint about them is that after repeated deep cleansing, some of mine have stained, shed, or slightly lost shape. But this is not something I think the average consumer will experience. Since I am a professional MUA, my brushes take quite a beating. They must be sanitized after every use and deep cleansed daily with an antibacterial shampoo and sprayed with alcohol before left to dry overnight. An individual using them for personal use will (hopefully) treat them a bit more gently.
Despite this criticism, check out the website. I think you'll be pleased with the results you can achieve with a good set of quality brushes.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
I worked for Victoria's Secret one summer in college, so I don't think I'm making assumptions when I say that women hate shopping for strapless bras. It makes sense. Women hate wearing strapless bras. So what fun is shopping for them?
Regardless, the fact is that a versatile strapless bra is a wardrobe staple that most young women can't do without. But if your strapless bra alters the way clothing lays on your body, it can seem like a wasted investment.
My biggest problem with strapless bras is that they always seem to stretch too high if they're not slipping down. And my second biggest problem is that they can distort the shape of your body--minimizing when you don't want it too or packing into the cup a pillow's worth of padding for some kind of cleavage substitute. If you too are tired of settling for sub par straplesses, I suggest checking out Calvin Klein's Perfectly Fit Petites Tailored Strapless Bra, available in black and nude for $44 at Macy's. It is quite honestly the only strapless bra I have ever owned that I don't consider a burden. It's seamless and provides light padding that shapes without adding any obvious bulk. But mostly what makes this bra so different for me is that it works perfectly on those of us with short torsos and smaller frames. Comparing it to another strapless by Calvin Klein in the store, there was absolutely no difference in band or cup size. However, you will see a difference in where the cup falls. It's cut maybe a third of an inch lower than a regular strapless. In my opinion, this makes a better fit. Since it stops on your bust--rather than above it--you won't have any puckering or gapping. And being cut lower, you can wear it with more clothing. What's not to love about that?
Regardless, the fact is that a versatile strapless bra is a wardrobe staple that most young women can't do without. But if your strapless bra alters the way clothing lays on your body, it can seem like a wasted investment.
My biggest problem with strapless bras is that they always seem to stretch too high if they're not slipping down. And my second biggest problem is that they can distort the shape of your body--minimizing when you don't want it too or packing into the cup a pillow's worth of padding for some kind of cleavage substitute. If you too are tired of settling for sub par straplesses, I suggest checking out Calvin Klein's Perfectly Fit Petites Tailored Strapless Bra, available in black and nude for $44 at Macy's. It is quite honestly the only strapless bra I have ever owned that I don't consider a burden. It's seamless and provides light padding that shapes without adding any obvious bulk. But mostly what makes this bra so different for me is that it works perfectly on those of us with short torsos and smaller frames. Comparing it to another strapless by Calvin Klein in the store, there was absolutely no difference in band or cup size. However, you will see a difference in where the cup falls. It's cut maybe a third of an inch lower than a regular strapless. In my opinion, this makes a better fit. Since it stops on your bust--rather than above it--you won't have any puckering or gapping. And being cut lower, you can wear it with more clothing. What's not to love about that?
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