Which Brush Do I Use?

There are so many out there and so many that are great. A lot of them look the same too with only little differences...so WHICH ONES ARE USED FOR WHAT? Here I show you some of the ones I have and which ones I use for what. Remember that there are NO rules to makeup and that includes application. These are just my lil opinions and how I use my brushes. That being said, ENJOY!!! =)

SO Stinking CUTE!!!!!

Do you browse the web? Do you sometimes start at a baking blog with the purpose of grabbing a quick recipe only to find yourself, after browsing her fav sites, then that girl's fav sites, at a sewing blog (I don't sew) that is making the CuTeSt accessory bags EVER??? You may have gathered already that this indeed happened to me and I am SO glad! Meet Anngela from Anngela's Pretty Little Things. This girl can do it all! She is super crafty and a great seamstress. I drool over any images for Halloween and whadda ya know she's got that too =). Here she shares a brush roll up case that she made at a recent party. Take it away Anngela!!!

The task at hand for this party--a roll-up accessories case! After a few snacks and conversation, we got to sewing. House Party supplied the directions, fabric and thread as well as some freebies while Katie hosted and gave step-by-step directions. Here are a few photos from Sew Woodsy's house party re-cap post.

I'm diligently sewing my pockets :)

Vanessa and I getting our sew on

The roll-up accessory case was meant to be a fairly simple project--and that it was! This is a PERFECT project for any beginner sewer. I planned to use mine for my make-up brushes but the versatility and customizations for this project are endless. This has been a project on my "craft to do" list for quite some time--so this allowed for one more project to be checked off as complete!

:Supplies:

Two pieces of fabric

(we used 12"x14" but you can use any rectangular size--

step 3 explains how you may want to determine your size)

Coordinating Ribbon (approximately 20"-24" in length; longer if you make a larger case)

Sewing basics (machine, thread, pins, iron, etc.)

Step 1. Pin your fabric right sides facing together along the edges. Sew along the edge of the fabric with a small seam allowance. Be sure to leave a 4" gap in the center of one of your your longest edges for turning.

Step 2. Turn the fabric right side out, poke out corners and press.

Step 3. To make the pocket: Lay your fabric so that the long side that has the 4" opening is on the right. Decide how "long" of pockets you want and fold your rectangle from the bottom up. The folded part will be your pocket. Press your fold.

The long white line is where the top of my pocket is folded to--a little less than half-way up

Step 4. Open your fold and topstich the top of your pocket for a finished look. (Be sure to not stitch your pocket to the case--this is just a decorative step)
Step 5. Re-fold your flap. Now it's time to sew your individual pocket channels: Determine the channel widths depending on what you're going to hold in your case. I did mine a variety of 1/2"-2" inch pockets for my various sized make-up brushes. Use either a straight stitch or a decorative stitch to give it flair! You may sew only to the top of the pocket, or you may sew up the entire case--I chose to stop at the top of the pocket. Sew your channels by starting at the bottom of the pocket and working towards the top edge, reinforcing at the beginning and end or your stitch. (see photo below) *Do not sew shut your end pockets*

Notice end pocket is not sewn shut

Step 6. Final step! Fold your ribbin in half and insert the folded end into the 4" opening. This should be directly to the right of your pocket. (see photo below)

Stitch around your entire perimeter of your case--closing the gap and securing the open pocket ends--and you're done!

The various cases made by the girls at the party

Holding my make-up brushes and necessities

Enjoy your new case!

How To Wash Your Makeup Brushes

 I know a lot of you have asked for it and I was finally able to settle down and do it =). Enjoy!!!

My February Favorites

It's cool to be fashionably late right??? Well, good cuz here I am on the 5th of March telling you what I loved in February. I keep wanting to do a live video for these but this time around I never found myself to be wearing makeup...go figure. I didn't want you to completely lose faith in me so I have opted for the pen (keyboard) instead.

First and foremost I wanted to go back to last month's post where Brook talked about the EOS Lip balm. I am now in LOVE as well!!! I got mine in February and it hasn't left my side! I can't wait to try the lemon one! I did get an email from a follower saying that she has something even BeTtEr!!! Get this ladies, it's called Sex Wax...yup, you heard those words from cute little innocent me. I'm going to let Corey explain it to you since she is the guru on the stuff =):

 "Let me introduce you to Sex Wax chap-stick. You see, I'm a beach girl and I use to work at a surf shop. One day at work I forgot my chap-stick and so I bought one we sold there. Sex Wax is actually a brand of surfboard wax but they branched out and decided to make chap stick (with SPF might I add)! Upon first applying I was not impressed. It was hard and difficult to spread on my lips. It also seemed waxy (go figure!) Anyway, I kept using it (I'm too cheap not to), and within a week it was my new favorite. Once you use it a few times it softens up and you get use to the thicker, waxy texture. I know what you're thinking, why do I want to use something I have to "get use to." Let me explain why I love it. I LOVE it because it stays on your lips WAYYYY longer than any others I've tried, it conditions and leaves your lips feeling super smooth, and sun protection is a plus! Most times I have to reapply chap-stick every 10 min. This one stays on and give me a piece of mind I guess you can say."
What do you guys think??? Could be a "March Madness" Fav!!!
Corey also shares another of her favs with us:

"I use something called "Balms Away (second picture)." BIG FAVORITE! It's a Vaseline type substance that you rub on and then wipe off. It moisturizes, and while you're rubbing it in you see the makeup breaking up and smearing so  you look like a scary spooky monster. (insert Jen laughing at this point) =) It's good stuff I tell you! "

 Next product I have fallen for and have seen results with is the Olay Regenerist eye lifting serum. Annie, you asked me in a comment about under eye products and I am really impressed with this one. I have only tried three others since I am new to caring about skin care (GaSp!) but this is my favorite of the three. I use it twice a day and I have noticed a difference when I put my makeup on. It just looks so much smoother and more hydrated. It was $19.99 at my local drug store and was listed as one of the 9 best eye serums by totalbeauty.com. Here is what some of their readers said:

"I can't believe how much I like this serum! It's moisturizing, but non-greasy and it really firmed up the skin around my eyes. My fine lines are barely detectable. I also like its slight tint and shimmer -- most days I can skip concealer." Another reviewer says, "I'm a senior woman and at this stage of my life I am always interested in anti-aging products. I have been using this serum for a long time ... actually, since its conception. I know it has made the area around my eyes look a little younger; however, what I really like about this product is the refreshing feeling it gives my eyes every morning. I look forward to this step in my morning ritual because it is such a pleasant product to use. Thanks, Olay!" Another says, "I've tried many other products for my fifty-ish, drooping upper eyelids and nothing really had done much. But after about four weeks of using this product, people started telling me I looked younger, and there was a definite improvement in my lids." 


I was very flattered when I had a reader ask if she could interview me for a project she was working on. She then proceeded to ask me questions about the blog on of them being how much do I make from it. That one made me stop and think...was I supposed to be? Oh dear, am I missing out on something? I have companies now and then send me things for review but I have never been paid for it. I thought to myself, "Self, you could have more giveaways at your blog that you personally "back" if you had some revenue coming in. I signed up for a program with Sigma and now when you go through the Classy Blog by clicking my link I get a small commission...I am very proud of my $5 thank you. Having done that I am saving up for some ReAlLy cool giveaways but also, I have come to love Sigma brushes! Long story to get to the fav but ya know, just wanted to be integrous about what happens when you click on my button =).

These two have been my favs this month. The E40 (top) and E25 are SO well priced!!! These two at MAC would be $51.50 (not including tax) but at Sigma they are $18. This is also not including tax or shipping but HoLy CoW!!!!! Plus every time, and I DO mean every time you spend $30 you get sent a trial of the E25 for free. I think it's a good deal! I am using these brushes like a maniac!
So that's it for February Favs. What were yours this month?

Good Question...

Becky asks:

 "As for your cleaner recipe, I loooooove it and it's all I use now. I'm sure you've mentioned this like 5 million times but do you deep clean your brushes every day? I've been doing that and am wondering what you do. I've tried just spraying on like a washcloth and wiping back and forth but I don't feel like my brush is totally free of shadow since I use a lot of dark or bold colors. It seems to work okay for face brushes though for a couple of days."

 Okay Becks, here's the lowdown. I wash my brushes at LeAsT once a week, as in deep clean. I don't do it everyday. My process? Use olive oil to treat the brushes that have remnants of gel or wax based products i.e. lipstick or gel liner brushes. Just dip them in and wipe back and forth on a rag. Then disinfect all brushes with the homemade brush cleanser. Then to get my brushes SuPeR white (for the ones that are) I clean them again with Clearasil and warm water. After cleansing them all I put the brush guard on them so they look like new and don't fray everywhere. If I need a brush super quickly, sometimes I'll just use the Clearasil and dry it with the blow dryer. Don't recommend that like crazy but sometimes a girl's gotta do ya know?

Sigma Brush Review

I had someone ask about Sigma brushes but I had never used them and couldn't give my opinion....until now. Sigma was kind enough to send me a few to review for you. I chose ones that I would use the most and therefore recommend the most.

New Bargain Brush Find!!!

MAC #188 = $34.00

MAC # 130 = $38.00

Sonja Kashuk Flat Brush = $14.99

My video review = priceless
You do the math...

The Brush Gaurd

I know sometimes after washing my brushes they fray out and don't dry as well as I would like them to. How many of you throw yours into the depths of your makeup bag alone, scared and without protection? =) Well, check THIS out!!!!!

The Brush Guard is a stretchable, breathable tube which slides over brush handles onto the bristles to protect bristles from damage when not in use. The Brush Guard allows makeup artists and others to safely store these valuable tools in a roll or a bag without a worry.

The Brush Guard also offers a unique new benefit that has never been available before: it allows brushes to be dried with the bristles pointing down! When brushes are laid down to dry, moisture wicks into the ferrule, ruining the glue and causing the handle to swell - eventually spoiling the join.

By keeping The Brush Guard slipped over brush handles during a makeup session, artists keep oil and wetness off brush handles and improve the grip.
How COOL is that??? Click here to check it out and see what others are saying!!!

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

When I said that the brush handle would mold eventually, I meant rot. Boy I am making lots of oops today =).

Sponge vs Brush

Monica's question: When to use a sponge and when to use a brush?
It all depends on what type of coverage you are going for. A sponge will give you more of a full coverage whereas a brush will, most of the time, be less. If I really want to pack color on my lid I will use the applicator instead of a brush. If I want a more natural look, not only will I use a brush but I won't use a base either. For foundations it is the same but you can still get great coverage with the 187 brush if you put on more. I hope that helps!!!

Most Used and Needed Brushes

Nicole is building up her brush collection and asked which ones I use the most. Here they are =).
From left to right they are:
- MAC 129 for blush and bronzer
- Loew-Cornell (LC) 7450 Chisel Blender for liquid liner (Michael's Craft Store)
- MAC 239 OR the one above it is the same and cheaper at Michael's. It is LC 3/8" Maxine's Mop.
- MAC 272 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For crease work
- MAC 217 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For all blending and some crease work
- MAC 187 For foundation (1000x better than the 190!!!)
- Nicole Miller Powder brush and MAC has the 150
The Green handled brushes are the MAC travel sizes. They are the same #'s as the regular brushes just shorter and a different color. They are great starter brushes but I am building up my regular sized ones now. Also you can go to coastalscents.com and see their brush selection. I have heard great reviews on them and you can get up to 13 brushes for only $16.95 plus shipping. Check it out!!!

Makeup Brushes Can Be Cheap!!!!!

Well, let me clarify. They need to be made well but you don't have to spend your (or in my case) your husband's whole paycheck to get those quality bristles. These are paint brushes that I picked up at Michael's. They are Loew-Cornell brand and are made from the same fibers as MAC brushes. No, you cannot find a duplicate for every brush that MAC offers but here are some of the basics offered there. To see the details of exactly which ones you can get, visit the link on the side of the blog entitled Paint Brushes vs MAC Brushes. It will take you to EnKore. He is very gifted and teaches many things. I even made my own brush cleanser so that I didn't have to pay $10 at MAC. I love these brushes and use them soooo much. There is no fall out with the bristles and the handles are basically the same too!!!!