Editing the Makeup that Goes Into Your Bathroom

There's a fun article by "Into The Gloss" in which the reader gets to look into NARS National makeup artist Francelle Daly's intimate at home makeup behaviour.
One thing that caught my eye is how Francelle edits what makeup goes into her bathroom.  Many bloggers have huge collections that surround them at a makeup table or area and in contrast I like how Francelle selected a few items and laid them out in a simple tray in the bathroom; keeping the bulk of the makeup elsewhere.  I also really liked the look of the clear glass brush container that she used round stones to hold the brushes in - tidy, earthy, serene, and stylish.

Full article: http://intothegloss.com/2011/06/francelle-daly-nars-national-makeup-artist/

MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush versus NARS Number 2 Push Eyeliner brush

As a second follow-up to my earlier post on makeup brushes.

The NARS Number 2 brush  (NARS Push Eyeliner brush) was the other brush recommended to me by James, International NARS makeup artist, for placing shadow between my eyelashes.  I already owned the MAC 212 brush but wanted to try the recommendation.

I did a quick look comparison of the two brushes:

First the NARS brush handle, as mentioned in my last post below, is substantial but a little more elegant and longer than my comparable MAC 212 brush.  The brush/hair on the NARS #2 is much more tightly packed and the hairs are rigid or stiff on the NARS Push Eyeliner (NARS #2) brush than on the MAC 212.  On closer inspection, the MAC 212 brush doesn't appear to actually use the metal collar to hold the brush hairs, and I suspect glue is used to hold the brush hairs together instead.  Again the costs are comparable (27.00CAD versus 26.00USD for NARS).

My quick performance test was simple:

Lightly wiggle the tips of each brush in a black matte shadow (NARS Pandora).  Touch and wiggle lightly the brush on my arm creating 3 touching (brush-long) line segments. _ _ _

RESULT:  The NARS #2 does an unquestionable better job.  The black line is deep black and fine using the NARS Push Eyeliner (NARS #2) brush versus the wider more diffuse (comparatively grey) line using the MAC 212 brush.  A fantastic purchase!!

... Joan made me do it.

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

It's very important to keep makeup brushes clean.  The consequences of not looking after your makeup brushes are costly: destroying your brushes, causing eye infections, causing skin breakouts, and contributing to dirty makeup that is hazardous and needs to be replaced.    By keeping your makeup tools clean your makeup will stay clean; and you can safely keep and use the products longer.

I clean my brushes at least once a week and always use them on clean skin.

Cleaning makeup brushes is quite easy.  You can use your everyday hair shampoo and conditioner to wash the brushes which is arguably a better than using a commercial makeup brush cleaner that may be an irritant to your skin and may contain alcohol which will dry out your brushes.

How to quickly clean your makeup brushes:

1. Lay a clean towel down on a flat surface.
2. Put a glob of shampoo in one hand.
3. With the other hand grab each makeup brush one at a time and dip into a bit of the shampoo and lay them in a line beside the sink.
4. Then turn the tap on low at a luke warm-cool temperature.
5. Use the hand that previously had shampoo in it as a wash puddle: cup water in the palm and gently swirl the soapy makeup brushes in it to clean, rinse under the water, swirl in palm, and rinse until all the soap is out of the brush.  Squeeze the water out of the brush, shape the brush bristles and then lay the makeup brush flat on the towel.  Repeat for each makeup brush.

Important:
      6.  Be careful to keep the water and soap on only the hair and or synthetic bristles of the makeup brush and do not soak the wood handles or you will ruin your makeup brushes.
      7.  Lay your makeup brushes flat to dry in order to keep the wood handles dry and maintain the shape of your makeup brushes.

It works best for me to clean my brushes after washing all my makeup off (NARS Cleansing Oil Review) and before going to sleep so that they are ready in the morning.  I clean my makeup brushes at least once a week but I have read that it is advised to wash your makeup brushes once every 2-3 days.

For more information about makeup brushes see my earlier blog on Makeup Supplies.

... Joan made me do it.

Supplies: MakeUp Brushes

I think buying cheap makeup brushes is a waste.  They are something that you will re-use and can last a lifetime if cared for properly (how to: Cleaning Makeup Brushes blog).  And the proper tool in any job can make a world of difference.
I started my makeup brush collection with a set of 5 short-handled brushes from MAC that came with a nice case for storage and travel.  MAC Cosmetics generally releases several brush sets once year with limited quantities for ~$55 CAD (very reasonable given the cost of individual brushes).  And a really nice way to get some pretty makeup tools to play with.

My first MAC Short-handled Travel Makeup Brush Set (baby blue):

1. 242 SE (concealer or creamy product brush),
2. 224 SE (blending brush)
3. 316 SE (316 lip brush)
4. ~ 208 angled brow brush
5. 129 SE (powder/blush brush)

MAC Single Makeup Brush purchases and deemed essentials:

1. 239 eye shader brush
2. 219 eye pencil brush (small domed brush; I wonder how this compares to the NARS #14 brush)
3. 212 flat definer brush (I wonder how this compares to the NARS Push Eyeliner brush .. on my want but don't need list)
4. 217 (eye blending)
5. 187 (for light-weight powder application ....not really an essential, but a good idea at the time - purchased on a trip to New York City)

... I found myself needing a second domed brush for a second lighter colour some mornings when cleaning the brush in the moment would not work...
So, I waited for the MAC travel brush sets to come out and picked up a travel bag with a domed brush and some other great tools:

1. 187 SE (light application powder brush)
2. 168 SE (large angled contour brush - love this!)
3. 252 SE (large shader brush)
4. 219 SE (small domed brush)
5. 209 SE (eyeliner brush)

If I could do it again I would get only these makeup brushes:

2 x small domes brushes (consider NARS #14 small domed eye brush)

1 x angled eyebrow brush

1 x standard blush brush

1 x powder brush (I don't have one ... maybe NARS Botan brush or Bronzing brush - I will have to inquire further  .... update I got the NARS Yachiyo brush)

1 x NARS Push Eyeliner brush

1 x shader brush (239)

1 x eye-blending brush (217)

So, 8 makeup brushes I think is absolutely needed ... I have 15; I guess that's not so bad ... we learn through mistakes and "waste", which in essence is not a waste because something is learnt :-)