Clean your frickin' brushes!

I'm so ashamed of the state that my makeup brushes get into. I'm such a filthy urchin when it comes to washing makeup brushes, which makes NO sense, because I like to think I take really good care of my skin. Here's a newsflash for (me and) you! If you're rubbing dirty sponges and brushes all over your face, you're depositing so much more than just makeup into your pores.
If you're randomly breaking out and blaming your foundation, or that you've been "wearing too much makeup", maybe it's just that your trusty tools need a bit of attention. This is certainly almost always the case for me. I'm not showing you, it's too gross.

It's not even hard or time consuming to do (though you do need to give them some time to really dry out properly).

Here's how I do it:

Products: I absolutely swear by Daiso's puff and sponge cleaner. It's AMAZING, and its cheap (because Daiso!) and I've never used anything that leaned brushes and sponges quite as effectively and efficiently as this does.They also have a brush cleaner product, but I have't tried that yet. I'm almost out of the 5 bottles I bought the last time I went to Daiso, so I'll see if I can get both this time and do a bit of a review for you.

Then it's simple, warm running water (don't leave your brushes soaking in water, it's not going to do anything extra except make the hairs fall out of them), a squirt of cleaners into the palm of your hand and off you go! Run the brush under the tap until it's wet through, then swirl it into the cleanser in your hand, really working the product into the brush hairs. Repeat as necessary until the water runs clear, then give the brush a gentle squeeze and set aside on a towel of in a drying rack. Don't pull at the hairs as you're squeezing out the water. Leave them to dry, give them a swirl on the towel when they're half dry to fluff the hairs up, and then once you've got them completely dry again, they're ready to use!

I don't know if it's my cleaning method, or the fact that they're just amazing brushes, but my set is mostly comprised of Real Techniques brushes (both old school and the gorgeous metal ones) and they come back to near-new when I clean them. I say near-new because 2 of my eyeshadow brushes are stained from intense pigment shades, and I'm ok with that.
The handles are looking 5 years old, let's be honest. They're worn and a bit discoloured at the ends, but the bristles/hairs are still beautiful and soft, and they bounce back to their original shape every single time. I'm thoroughly impressed, both with my brushes and the cleaning process.

Go grab your brushes and sponges now, have a look, if they're gross or you just haven't cleaned them in a while, get to it! Your skin will thank you!

MAKEUP SKILLZ: APPLYING FOUNDATION WITH A BRUSH

This time, I've made you guys an awesome tutorial video about how I apply foundation with a brush.


Tomorrow, I'll show you the rest of the look, using my Models Prefer Sweet Kisses tin!

Monday How-to: Applying cream/liquid foundations with brushes.

My favourite kind of foundation is the liquid/creamy kind. I've always applied it with sponges because every time I tried with brushes, I failed miserably. I couldn't figure out why I had streak marks all over, and cakey-looking base.

As it turns out, I was using way, way WAY too much product, hence the streaky cakiness. It also helps that I have a really great kabuki brush now, from my January Lust Have It box.

So... the key to perfecting that airbrushed, perfect base look is in the application. Start with a tiny (and I mean TINY) amount of product on the back of your hand (or in the lid of your colour supplement pot, if you happen to use lush foundation) and build it up. You can use your kabuki brush dry or slightly damp, but don't get it really wet. Using small, circular motions, sweep the product onto your face, working all over to create an even base. You can build up the coverage by allowing the product to dry, then applying another coat.

Then simply set it with your powder, use blush, highlighter and bronzer for contouring and continue with your makeup look. Simple!

Video tutorial: Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Yesterday I reviewed the brush, now I'm going to show you how to use it.

This brush is awesome for any kind of base product; highlighter, foundation, blush, etc.

I've shown you how to use powder products, because I just never got the hang of applying cream products with a brush, but you can totally use it for liquids, creams or powders.





Here's the tutorial: (let me know what you think of the new recording space and setup of my videos, I think they are much more professional.)

Review Thursday: Samantha Chapman Real Techniques stippling brush

I picked up this brush when I went into my local beauty supply store for nail polish remover and files. I just really liked the aesthetic of it.

For those of you who don't know what it is, a stippling brush is awesome for application of pretty much any base product; foundations, blushes, highlighters, whether they are cream or powder.

This one is a duo-fibre brush, with a really dense head of shorter bristles, and the perfect amount of longer, finer, softer bristles.

I don't ever apply cream products with a brush because I just never got the hang of it, so I have had lots of success with powders using this brush. It really buffs the powder on beautifully and gives you a perfect finish.

The last two benefits of this brush are simple, yet unusual for a brush of this quality. First, it has a flat end, so you can load it up with powder and sit it up on the counter so that you don't lose any product if you need to put the brush down for any reason.

Last of all is the price. You won't find a better brush for ten bucks anywhere.
You can find it here: http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-finish-perfected/stippling-brush

What's your favourite cosmetics brush?

Review Thursday: Ecotools 5 piece brush set.

I've found an amazing company who make amazing makeup brushes...

• They are amazing quality
• They are amazingly affordable
• They are vegan friendly and cruelty-free
• Their spokesperson is Alicia Silverstone

Ecotools make all of their brushes from bamboo and recycled aluminium, with beautiful, soft synthetic bristles.

I recently bought their 5 piece brush set with a cute little carry bag and they are just divine. My makeup goes on smoother and with less hassle, and I had the added peace of mind that the brushes I was using hadn't had the massive impact on the environment that other products have.

At $25.95 for the 5 piece set, I can certainly say I've well and truly got my money's worth, and I'll be buying more in the very near future. These little kits will make lovely christmas gifts for the makeup loving members of my family (ssshhhh... don't tell them!).

Ecotools brushes are available at (02) 9526 0777 & Priceline stores nationally