TIP OF THE WEEK - LATE!!!!!! I KNOW!!!!

Hello Glamazons!

So all newbies in make-up had to start with sponge applicators. You know those double ended things that came in a cover girl eyeshadow?

If you still use them, I implore you. Please buy a set of Make-up Brushes!

HERE IS WHY!

Better Application - with different brushes you can do different techniques (lining, blending, shading, etc.). With sponges you have very heavy and limited application techniques.
Easy to Clean - Anyone that has ever tried to wash a sponge applicator knows that the minute it hits any water/cleaner, the glue holding the sponge on will let go and it becomes useless.

No Waste - You could buy disposables or even use q-tips, but that is a waste of material and you are still really no better off.

Not A Germ Factory - I can pretty much guarantee, that 9 out of 10 people that still use the sponge in their eyeshadow case, don't wash or replace it until it is falling apart. This is incredibly unsanitary. Not to mention the sponge can soak up any oil of the surface of your eye and transfer it to the eyeshadow where it gets soaked in, dries, and then renders your eyeshadow into a useless brick.

BASIC BRUSHES TO OWN!
Now I am not saying you have to go out and buy MAC brushes for yourself as I know they are incredibly expensive. I have them on here as examples so you can see the basic shape of the brushes.

BRUSH FOR LIPS : Having a lip brush is essential. It gives you better control over your lip product and it fills in any lip lines much better than just straight from the tube application. A lip brush allows you to have a crisp line around your lips with more ease.

BRUSHES FOR EYES:

FLAT ANGLED LINER BRUSH: This brush can be used to line your eyes with cream, liquid, or powder. It can also be used to fill in your eyebrows!

CONCEALER BRUSH: This brush makes concealer application closer to the eye and over the face a lot easier. It can also be used to apply an eyeshadow base to the lid.

PENCIL BRUSH: For precise Eyeshadow application. This brush is fantastic for smudging eyeliner above and below the eye. Plus it is really good for contouring the eye and placing shimmer in the inner most corners of the eye.

SHADER BRUSH: This brush is amazing for patting eye color onto the lid, and for blending colors into one another. It also helps when smudging out an eyeshadow base to get rid of any harsh lines.

BRUSHES FOR THE FACE:

KABUKI BRUSH: This brush is amazing for buffing powder foundation or translucent (colorless) setting powder into the skin. Using this brush in small circular motions gets rid of excess product and keeps the skin from looking too cakey. ALSO it is fantastic for buffing grease paint color onto the skin and gives an airbrushed effect.

ANGLED CONTOUR BRUSH: This is one of my all time favorite brushes! It is incredibly versatile! You can use it to contour the face creating more depth and dimension, you can use it to apply blush and highlight to the cheekbones, AND you can use it to apply bronzer on key areas on your face. By far the best of all my brushes!

FOUNDATION BRUSH: This brush is also multi-purpose. You do not have to just use it for foundation! You can use it to apply a foundation base to the skin, and any color of aqua color and it gives really good application. Plus you don't waste as much product since the brush does not soak up product like a sponge.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THESE BRUSHES IN THIS WAY, NOR ARE THEY THE ONLY BRUSHES YOU SHOULD BUY. I AM USING THE MAC BRUSHES AS EXAMPLES SO YOU CAN SEE THE SHAPES.

Now with brushes, whether you use them on yourself or someone else, they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. If you don't they become a bacteria breeding ground and can cause a whole mess of problems including infections on your face. I find that buying brush cleaner just does not cut it anymore. It is too expensive to keep buying so I have a formula for my brush cleaner that works amazing and is WAY CHEAPER!

Courtney's Spot Cleaner
*1 part Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo or a deep conditioning shampoo
1 part Dish soap (Unscented)
6 parts distilled water
1 part isopropyl alcohol

*Depending on your brushes, if you have Synthetic Hair brushes, use the Neutrogena. If you have natural hair brushes, use a deep conditioning shampoo. If you are unsure, use the deep conditioning shampoo. It keeps the bristles from becoming brittle and breaking in natural hair brushes.

I hope this has been helpful and until next time Glamazons,

Stay Sexy!