Product Review: Bent Eyeliner Brush (Holy Grail!)

Product: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Price: $5 or $6 at Target, definite 5 out of 5!

What it is: It's an ergonomically shaped eyeliner brush (this one is from Sonia Kushuk) but many mineral makeup sites online sell this type of brush as well, it's bent at the ferrule (the metal part of the brush that holds the bristles), allowing you to apply eyeliner easier AND allowing you to see where you are lining without having your hand or the brush block your vision using regular eyeliner brushes.

PROS: I love how easier it is to put on eyeliner with this baby (and faster), I am able to see my lashline a lot better so I know where I am applying my eyeliner since the brush handle is pointed down and you just simply apply from the inner corner of your eyes, out. The bristles were soft and it was overall very fun and easy to use. The price is also awesome, I bought this at Target from the Sonia Kushuk line for about $5 or $6 I believe. Using traditional eyeliner brushes such as the flathead (where all the bristles are flat straight across) or the angled eyeliner brush that contours the natural shape of your lid, I had a hard time trying to really see where I was applying my eyeliner, causing me to take a bit longer at times to apply it as well as causing me to mess it up because I couldn't really see where I was lining, with this, all you see are the actual bristles of the brush and your lashline so you have a clear view of where you are putting your eyeliner. It's not blocked by the brush handle or your hand.

CONS: NONE! I love it! It's my holy grail brush!

Overall: I definitely love this brush, I saw a similar Sephora brand brush, but it was $20! No way Jose was I paying that much! So I am glad I found a cheaper one that works just as great!

How you use it:

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Which color lippie to match with your eye makeup?

I get this question a lot so thanks to reader Melissa for bringing it to my attention again since many of you probably have asked yourself the same question. I honestly have been so busy to even catch up with my posts but I DO remember your questions, I just hardly have time to get around to each and every one of them. I tell you, regardless of the fact that San Fran was just "right there" from Los Angeles, it's exhausting traveling; coming home late at night (my flight arrived at 10 PM) and still having to unpack all my makeup, clothes, and toiletries; it's really hard to catch up and get back in the groove of your normal routine. Mind you, I STILL had to be in the office today and answer all the emails and voicemails I missed from some of my clients while I was away. NOT FUN. I feel like I haven't had a moment to just relax and recuperate from working 10+ hours each day in San Fran. So please be understanding if I don't answer your questions right away, I am trying to answer all of them quickly! Erica is in training so those who have sent emails, she will be replying back to you shortly! :)

Sooooo, how to know which lippie to match with your eye makeup?

Well there's no real rule to this that I know of anyway, other than if you do heavy eyes (like a smokey look) then pair it with pale pink or neutral lips, or if you do light eye makeup, be daring and go with a bold lip, such as a bold bright or crimson red, or hot pink lips. You want only ONE FOCAL POINT of your face that people will most likely look at first, and NOT 10 FOCAL POINTS. So pick either your eyes or lips to be bold, but not both at the same time.

For me, I honestly mix and match and do whichever color I am feeling that day. I will honestly match colors that normally wouldn't go together (like green and pink or orange and red) just because I like experimenting with colors. But here is a list of what I normally come up with:

Blue Makeup: Blue is a hard color to pull off for some, so it's best to stick with a very pale pink to balance it out, a neutral lip will wash you out and make you look a bit weird, so you want some color on your lips, but not too much or too little. If a pale pink lip still looks a bit washed out, then add your favorite lipliner to add a little more color.

Gold Makeup: I like pairing gold eyes with a neutral, gold, taupe, or brown lip. This really brings out the brown undertones in gold to make your eyes the focal point.

Purple Eye Makeup: I like pairing it with either a purple-toned lipstick (like MAC's lipstick in "Up the Amp", or a light or medium pink (like MAC Slimshine in "Intimidate", MAC lipstick in "Scanty").

Example Photos of lippies paired with various eye makeup:







Green Eye Makeup: Neutral lip (like MAC Fleshpot or NYX Round Lipstick in Circe), medium pink lips (like MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Intimidate), or even go crazy with it and do a bolder pink lip (like MAC's Up the Amp lipstick or Show Orchid).

NYX Lipgloss in "Beige" (really pink but they named it "beige")


MAC's "Show Orchid"


Nude Lippie with green (MAC lipstick in "Masque" LE, and MAC Lipglass in "Underage")


Coral/Orange Eye Makeup: I usually like doing a taupe/brown or a toasted orange lip. (like Avon's "Nude Pink" lipstick which is like an orangey pink) paired with a sheer coral or orange lipgloss (like MAC's "Sockhop" or AVON's "Nude Peach").

AVON's "Nude Pink" and "Coral Cashmere" lipstick with AVON lipgloss in "Nude Peach".


Neutral Eyes with Bold Lips: Easy light makeup application on the eyes makes way for bold colored lips that anyone can pull off if done correctly. As you can see here, the first thing people would see are the lips because they are so bright and bold, but the eyes are subtle, and not overpowering the lips. The result? A well-balance face that doesn't look overdone!

NYC Lipstick in "Retro Red" and Avon's Lip Radiance Lipgloss in "Rich Red"






Pale or Bold Pink Eyes: Can be paired with a neutral lip, pale pink, or even bold pink!

MAC Lipstick in "Show Orchid" with Lancome's "Seashell" Lipgloss


(forgot the color of this one)


Brown/Natural Colored Makeup: I like rich browns and taupes, even a neutral lip.


Smokey or Dramatic Eye Makeup: Neutral or Pale Pink lips, anything more will be too much....


Hope that helped some of you!

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Reader Questions

I think I am done with traveling for awhile...I am a bit exhausted, but I am just glad to be home. We flew back in last night and I still have yet to unpack and do laundry.

We ate at Jollibee! Gotta love their chicken!


I have had a few reader questions while I was gone and I thought id make a post about them so I don't sound like a broken record (as people often ask me the same questions), and also for you ANONYMOUS readers who leave comments, PLEASE, PLEASE leave your email or somewhere where I can contact you because I don't know where to reply to since many of you have been leaving questions on older posts....THANKS!

Q:Your teeth are so white! What do you use?

A: I use Crest WhiteStrips, which I lovvvvve! They are better than the Aquafresh Trays in my opinion. I use them twice a week, 30 minutes each time.

Q: Do you know the expiration of mac shadesticks? I mean if its already 1 year,is it harder to apply or just the same?? Thanks

A: I don't really know the expiration of MAC Shadesticks, I know they last longer than most things especially because they have a cap to it and prevents any bacteria from really lingering onto it. As long as you constantly cap it and rub a few layers off before each use, they will last until you are just done with it and of course shouldn't be hard in texture to apply. I notice that when I use my shadesticks I rub a few layers on the top of my WARM hand which makes it a lot softer and easier to use.

Q: Hi Vanessa, have you ever done any reviews on the Loreal HIP due eyeshadows?

A: I haven't done a formal review, but I have tried them and they are okay, I just don't own any because I pretty much have all those colors already in other brands...but they are pigmented.


Q: Hi Vanessa! Love your site! Where do you get your Milani shadows??? I cannot find them anywhere near where I live...I did not hear good things about Best Beauty online.

A: It's hard for me to really say where I got it from to people who don't live in states that don't have a Target or a CVS simply because that's where I get all my Milani products from (both NEW AND OLD)as they are easily available here. The Target by my house sells both the old single Milani eyeshadows as well as the new wet/dry ones. Kmart also has them but the one by me only sells the new products and NOT the old ones. I have bought things from www.bestbeautyonline.com and I received all my items, although it took forever to be shipped.

Q: Vanessa, where do you generally put your depotted NYX single eye shadows? I really want to depot them, but need some ideas for where to put them in after I depoted them. Thanks!

A: I don't depot any of my NYX Single Eyeshadows, I keep them in the same pot (as they are square shaped), the NYX TRIO eyeshadows however you can depot, and you can find a tutorial of it I did awhile ago, by CLICKING HERE (INCLUDES PICTURES).

Q: Can you show us a look for senior prom please? =)

A: Haha, I never went to prom, so what kind of a look did you have in mind? Knowing me I would match my dress, so let me know what sorta look you are going for and I can see what I come up with! :)

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FOTD & Tutorial: Coral & Wild Mango

Brrr! It's windy in San Francisco! But I love it compared to hot sticky LA!

I am exhausted and I have a long two days ahead of me, so I will try and squeeze in as much as I can! Thanks to all of you wishing me a safe trip! You gals are so sweet, and speaking of sweet, all we've been eating is dessert and gummy bears. LOL.

Once I get back home I will do a review on the Milani Eye Pencils, as well as swatch Bio Green along side with UD "graffiti" and MAC's "wondergrass".

I did a look using Mad Minerals's "Wild Mango" and MMBB's "Deep Coral". It's a very simple, natural look in person, and really accentuates those with peachy undertones. I paired it with MAC's Lipglass in "Sockhop".







What I used:
Face:
- Monistat Chafing Gel as primer
- MAC StudioFinish Concealer NC30
- Silk Naturals Foundation

Cheeks:
- EDM "All Smiles"
- Mlani Blush in "Luminous"

Eyes:
- MUFE Flash Color Paint in White all over the lid
- MAC e/s in "Mylar" all over the lid over MUFE paint
- Mad Minerals e/s in "Wild Mango" on outer-v and contour
- MMBB "Deep Coral" on outer-V
- ULTA "Gold Leaf" and Milani "Beach Sand" as highlight
- MAC Fluidline in "Nightfish"
- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara
- False Eyelashes (old ones forgot which brand/style)

Lips:
- AVON "Nude Pink"
- MAC l/g in "Sockhop"



Then applied "Mylar" all over the base to set:




*Applied WET








Should like this:


Highlight:


Line and apply mascara

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Leaving for San Francisco....

Leaving (again) in a couple of hours to San Fran. I haven't slept since I was busy packing and making sure I didn't forget anything (cell phone charger, makeup!) so I am T-I-R-E-D...I guess I can steal a couple hours of sleep on the plane.

I will post again soon! Have a wonderful Monday y'all! :)

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FOTD: Parakeet Colors

I wanted to use my "Bio Green" eyeshadow from MAC (Pro Color), so I used it with "Eyepopping" and "Wondergrass" and lined my lower lashline using Milani's Color Brilliance Eye Pencil in "Aqua".

I liked how it was still subtle and wearable despite the fact that these were bright colors.







Natural Light:








What I used:
Face:
- Monistat Chafing Gel as Primer
- MAC StudioFinish Concealer NC30
- Meow Cosmetics Primer Powder
- Silk Naturals Foundation

Cheeks:
- EDM "All Smiles"

Eyes:
- MAC e/s in "Chrome Yellow" inner corners
- MAC e/s in "Eyepopping" in lower half of the lid
- MAC e/s in "Bio Green" on 3/4 of the lid and contour
- MAC e/s in "Wondergrass" on outer-half of the lid
- ULTA e/s in "Shell" as highlight
- MAC Fluidline in "Nightfish"
- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara
- Milani Color Brilliance Pencil in "Aqua" on lower lashline

Lips:
- MAC l/s in "Curtsy"
- MAC l/g in "Sockhop"

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Product Review: MAC Fix+ Spray

Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Price: $15, www.maccosmetics.com

Ingredients: Water, glycerin, butylene glycol, cucumber fruit extract, chamomilla, camellia leaf extract, tocophryl acetate, caffeine, panthenol, hydrogenated castor oil, fragrance

What it claims: An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!

I bought this spray because I heard a lot of great uses for it (thanks Enkore!), and thought it would be a great skin refresher with summer around the corner.

My experience: It feels really nice on your skin, and there's no bad smell, just a nice fresh smell. I made the mistake of spraying it TOO close to my face so my face was sticky from the glycerin, so at first I didn't like it; but the next day I tried spraying it at elbow's length and got better results! It wasn't sticky like before and it really did a great job and making my skin feel smoother and softer.

I heard some bad reviews on this on Makeup Alley, making some people look like a "grease ball" but I think it's because they made the same mistake I did the first time I used this, and that was spraying it too close to my face putting more of the product on my face making me look greasy and shiny. It has to be sprayed at elbow's length or arm's length for better results.

PROS: Great little moisturizer, just spritz all over your face and let it set in. No weird smell, great for applying BEFORE and AFTER makeup application, some people also use this to "set" their makeup, I merely use it before makeup application as I use Model in a Bottle to set my makeup. It also has an awesome "no-spill" nozzle great for traveling. Another great use? It's an awesome mixing medium too! I spray a little on my brush (with a napkin behind my brush to prevent mess) and my brush is ready for foiling!

CONS: Be careful not to spray too much of this product on your skin or on your brush for foiling, it can get really sticky because I think the concentration of glycerin is higher than there is water, and too much glycerin on your eyelid can sting. If you happened to put too much, just spray a little water to dissolute the glycerin.

Overall: I love this spray, it's really neat to just have. Lately it's been so hot so I just spritz this baby lightly over my face and let it set in, once it dries my skin feels a lot softer and supple. I also use it as a mixing medium and have had awesome results. The one thing about making your own mixing medium, is that your solution can be more water than glycerin which can be a good thing!

Slide cap to the left to close!

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Pure Luxe Swatches

Here are all the swatches I have up to date of Pure Luxe, I will be adding more as I go along (since I just put i another order recently!)

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Tutorial: Honey Brown FOTD

Here is the tutorial for the "Honey Brown" FOTD I did the other day by a reader's request. Enjoy! ;)



First apply your base, I used UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion):


Then take a bit of the UD "Honey" eyeshadow from the UD Palette....






Then take Milani's "Java Bean" and "Chocolate" (on the same brush, you're gonna mix these two colors together, "Chocolate" for the dark matte color, and "Java Bean" for the shimmer")








Contour:


Should look like this BEFORE blending:


Then BLEND any harsh lines:

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