If you’ve ever tried to apply OCC’s Lip Tars, it can be tricky and it’s just plain easier if you use a Lip Brush. But not just anyone will do. I’ve tried a lot of brands and the best one out there has to be the Retractable Lip Brush from NARS. For some reason, most of the ones I come across have long bristles that are tricky to maneuver but this one’s measure about .5cm long and is perfect! Totally worth the $26 @ narscosmetics.com.
The Sephora brand always has such great holiday items that it’s hard to just pick one and they are reasonably priced. So here are a few I’m recommending from them this season.
What it is: SEPHORA Set of 5 Eye Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear
Why I like it: I love jumbo eye pencils because they are so easy and quick to apply and each of these shades are basic must-haves: Taupe, Kaki, Black, Purple Glitter, White Glitter
Price: $30 @ sephora.com.
Click after the pic to see more from the Sephora brand!
What it is: NAPOLEON PERDIS Magical Owl Brush Collection (12/6 email)
Why I like it: I can’t stress enough what a great gift a nice set of makeup brushes make. I think it is a part of beauty that is often overlooked and gets an afterthought, when it comes down to it. This set’s brushes are all made of natural (hmm, wonder what that means exactly…) and synthetic hairs. Brushes include: Powder/Blush Brush, Foundation/Primer Brush, Foundation/Buffing Brush, Angled Eye/Brow Liner Brush, Sponge Eye Shadow Brush, and Crease Eye Shadow/Lip Brush. And they come in the cool black owl-embellished wristlette. So cute!
Price: $59 @ napoleonperdis.com.
Need more suggestions for the beauty lover on your list but don’t know their colors or what they like to wear? You totally can’t go wrong with a set of makeup brushes as a girl can always use some new ones.
What
it is: SEPHORA + Pantone Universe Enchanting Dual-Sided Brush Set
Why I like it: A first of its kind – half of the brush’s bristles are for liquids like foundations and the other side is for powders. Ingenious! Included along with the cool pearly clutch is a powder brush, blush brush, foundation brush and an eye shadow brush. And the price … the price is quite nice. Pick up a couple of sets for hostess gifts.
Price: $21 @ sephora.com.
Cheeks are big this season, as in defining them, so make sure you have the latest shades and technology on your side. And like I’ve said before, get one that’s multi-purpose or double-duty like IT COSMETICS’ new Vitality Cheek Flush ($24), though I’m not quite sold on the whole “infusing anti-aging ingredients inside makeup.” I mean, does the average person wear enough of it to reap the rewards? Or is this just a cosmetics trend. Things that make you go hmmm…
Anyway, in addition to these containing some major anti-aging ingredients, they are also a first ever, powder blush stain.
So how do they perform? Click after the jump to find out and to see more photos and swatches.
Eyebrows are becoming scientific! Most lines have an eyebrow pencil in their line and most of them look and have the performance of an eyeliner, except for my beloved, but never have I seen a mechanism like this for the average consumer.
I used to have my brows waxed and shaped every 2 ½ to 3 weeks but my girl kept moving further and further up the 101 highway so a 30 to 45 minute drive was quickly just not convenient. Sadness. So now, I go to see a professional brow groomer to have them shaped every few months and then maintain them myself in the meantime.
So
when a product comes along made just for brows, I investigate fully. Enter
BILLION DOLLAR BROWS’ The Brow Buddy Tool ($19.95). If you choose to see a
professional or just do them yourself, this tool will help. You’ve probably
heard all the tips of how they are supposed to look like, the outer edge of
your brow should fall here and the arch should start here. Oy, confusing! This
tool comes with a white pencil to helps use the symmetry of your face to help
you shape your own brows perfectly.
Read about this and their other products @ billiondollarbrows.com.
I wonder what the BARE ESCENTUALS stats are like when it comes to their signature foundation. Like 1 in 10 women wear bareMinerals Foundation. I’m sure they have done studies but now they’ve upped the anti with their new READY SPF 20 Foundation. It’s their first foray into a solid mineral foundation and I’m liking it so far. And obviously this one is sooo much easier to tote around in your purse!
The powder contains a SeaNutritive Mineral Complex, which is made up of major antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E as well as rose hip see oil. It also has a unique time-released hydration system so it won’t settle into lines and creases like some foundations can, and extra moisture is good for the skin, right?
Available
in 20 shades for $29/14grams.
And I love, love, love (as they say on QVC) their Precision Face Brush ($28). It’s a dense brush head and comprised of synthetic bristles. I’m not sure if it’s the flat head or the width of it but it’s just perfect with this foundation. And it also comes in a travel-friendly version called the Retractable Precision Face Brush ($22).So get your travel on!
All @ bareescentuals.com.
Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.
I will sing this until I’m blue in the face. Makeup brushes make a great gift! I don’t think it’s something we normally buy ourselves as some can be an investment but good ones are a must for great application. And it’s nice to know that the user will think of you every time they use one. One set I am really loving right now is SIGMA’s Synthetic Precision Kit. Each of these is an essential when it comes to getting the most of your eye look. It includes the following: Precision Flat, Precision Round, Precision Angled, Precision Tapered. Big recommendation. $49 @ sigmabeauty.com.
And also be sure to check out their Synthetic Kabuki Kit for essentials for the face.
Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.
If you’re looking to get something extra special for that someone in your life, this MINI COUTURE case might be your answer. From the outside, it looks like a fancy cosmetics case but it is oh, so much more.
