Bronzing Brushes

Tis the season to bring out bronzer, and I thought I'd share with you my favourite tools for the job!

For the Heavy Handed : The RT Duo Fibre Face Brush. We've all been there (too many times) where we over apply and end up looking like we've rolled in wotsits; but not anymore. No matter how much your cake onto the brush, only a fine layer will make it to your face. Whether it be contouring or full on bronzing, this brush will be your best friend.

For the all over Bronze: The Sigma F20. To be honest, any large brush will do this job, but this one is my fave. Sweep it in the product, then sweep it all over the face in the usual spots. Simple really.

For the Precision Piece: The RT Multi Task Brush. If you want to be more precise with your bronzing, maybe more contouring, then this brush is your guy. It fits the hollow of my cheek perfectly, whilst still blending to give a bronzed glow.

What are your favourite bronzing brushes?

Laura xoxo

A Hidden Gem

You may not know this, but I used to subscribe to Glossybox. I never blogged about it, because let's face it, there is enough of them going around. Anyway, I cancelled my subscription as when I signed up I was hoping for make-up samples, but more often than not it was skin care, which I prefer choosing myself. Therefore a lot of products are still sitting in my cupboard, waiting for some attention. Enter this: Davies Authentic Cleansing Nectar.

Davines Authentic Cleansing Nectar Hair/Body. This really did not appeal to me, the smell wasn't exactly fresh, and I didn't want to put it on either my hair or body, but I have found a really good use for it. Brush Cleaner. Oh my goodness this cleans my make-up brushes so well. I place some in a bowl, swill my brushes round in it, then wash it off, my brushes are super clean and still amazingly soft. Love it.

(Before)

(After)

Now I wouldn't purchase this, as I think it's quite expensive, but it just shows that thinking outside the box (granted it wasn't a big box to think outside of) works. It also means I've used up this product and it hasn't gone to waste. Good job all round.

Do you do stuff like this?

Laura xoxo

Favourite Brushes

As the title suggests this post is all about the brushes in my collection that I rather luurve. Before blogging I hardly had any brushes, and the quality was rather poop, but since learning more about them, I think I've discovered a few gems, and thought I would share them with you.

First up, this Kabuki brush from Japonesque.* I only got this the other week but I absolutely love it. It's perfect for the Chanel Bronze Universal, and just applying bronzer in general. I used it on my friends when I did their make-up for our night out on Friday and they loved it too.

The MAC 217, I mentioned this in my August favourites, and I can see why so many people harp on about it. It really is amazing at putting colour in your crease.

Real Techiniques Blush brush. Firstly, Real Techniques can do no wrong in my opinion, I love all their brushes that I own. I use this brush for blush, powder, bronzer and highlighter. It is just so versatile, I actually have two of them.

Real Techniques Expert Face brush, I got this after my Buffing Brush bit the dust, and although it isn't the same, I love it for buffing in concealer, and use it daily.

Sigma F20, I used to use this solely for powder, but again I use it for blush, bronzer and highlighter too. This is great for really bronzing up the face.

Real Techniques Stippling brush, need I say more? 

Models Own Angled brush. I love using this to fill in my brows, I just find it to be perfect for that purpose.

The Real Techniques Starter Kit is one I recommend for anyone looking for an eye shadow brush kit, it is just perfect, I use every brush in the set. A lotta love for it.

So these are some of my favourite brushes, what are yours?

Laura xoxo

*sent to me for free, I am not being compensated for mentioning this product, I just think it is amazing.

Brush Off

Ever since I watched my first ever Youtube video, a MAC 217 has been high on my list, yet I could never bring myself to part with all the money it cost. So to pacify myself, I bought this 'Blending Brush' from No.17.

Both brushes look very similar, and kind of do the same job, which I was pretty amazed by. Now the No.17 brush is only around £3, so I have a few, which is great, as if I need a clean blending brush, I can just grab it,  whereas I couldn't afford to buy loads of 217's for the same purpose. The No.17 blending brush is slightly more flimsy and cheap compared to the 217 which I would suspect, but not horribly so.

I find that the 217 is great for placing colour in the crease and smoking out a smokey eye look, and have no regrets in buying it, which it may seem like this post is about! I then like using the No.17 brushes for blending out harsh lines.

So overall two very similar brushes for two very different prices. I would recommend starting with the No.17 one until you can feel like you can part your money with for the MAC one, but both are lovely.

Do you have either of these? Which do you prefer?

Laura xoxo

Sigma F20 Brush

I love my Real Techniques Brushes, but I've also heard so many good things about Sigma brushes, yet always thought they would've been hard to get in the UK, but then I found this site Love Beauty, was in need of a new powder brush, and the rest, as they say  was history.

The delivery was really quick, I ordered it on a Sunday and it had arrived on the Tuesday. It was packaged well and cost me £13.99 plus delivery. The brush is a paddle shape, which at first I didn't really like, but now I love. It still puffs out to help the powder blend it, and also if you turn it on the side it's really good for blending any harsh lines left from contouring.  

I'm seriously impressed with this brush and can see why Sigma carries such a good name. I definitely want to try more. I do have to say though that there have been instances of shedding, but nothing outrageous.

Do you use Sigma brushes? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Clean Brushes

I am by no means going to take credit for this post, but I wanted to share with you a great post I found about cleaning your brushes.

I used to clean mine just using either hand-soap or shampoo, but I was never really happy with it. I then came across Lisa's blog through HelloCotton, and think this is such a good way to clean your brushes.

So here is the post:
http://www.hellocotton.com/to/aj24#http://thegluegungirl.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-makeup-brush-cleaner.html

I can definitely tell that the oil is conditioning my brushes and they come back squeaky clean. I would say make sure you rinse all of the mixture off properly, as it can be easy to miss bits and your brushes won't be as soft. Also I find it best to clean my bigger brushes first.

Finally I thought I'd show you a before and after of my brushes to show you that it works:

My brushes aren't completely dry in the last photo, but this was the best time to get a picture, as I knew I wouldn't have enough time before I used them again.

I like to wash my brushes at night and leave them on the radiator to dry.

I never realised how important it is to wash your brushes, but it really is. It helps stop breakouts, and helps your brushes last longer too.

I wash my big brushes twice a week and my little brushes just the once.

Have you got any brush cleaning tips?

Laura xoxo

Real Techniques

I was just casually browsing round Boots, as you do, and noticed they are now selling the Real Techniques brushes. I got so excited, I have wanted one for ages but never got round to ordering them on line, and now, I can go and get them when I want. I've started off by getting the Stippling brush, after hearing such rave reviews about it and the Blush Brush, it just looked too good not to get.

I really like the packaging, it looks very smart and up market. The brushes themselves just look lovely. I love the pink handles.

I am actually excited to do my make-up tomorrow so that I can use these. They look so lovely and I've heard such good reviews. I just thought I'd tell you that they have now made it to Boots, so if, like me, you've always wanted them, you can now go and get them.
I think the Stippling brush was £11.99 and the Blush Brush was £9.99

Will you be getting these brushes?

Laura xoxo