Brow Business

happy memorial day everyone!!! i hope you're all doing something very fun and have enjoyed the 3-day weekend. today i'm going to be discussing one of the most important parts of getting your makeup right, and that's making sure your brows look fierce! i know that a LOT of people don't bother with their brows and that is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. for a very long time i didn't define my own brows, and i can't tell you what a HUGE positive difference it made when i learned how to do them correctly. if, like myself, you ever watch QVC, you'll see a lot of before and after pictures of the models with their brows done while they're demo-ing brow products, and i have yet to see a model that didn't look 50 times better in the after picture. not only does defining your brows frame your face and showcase your eyes, but it makes you look more polished and gives your face a noticeable life (especially important for anyone worried about looking a little bit older).

first off on the mission to get gorgeous brows is, of course, making sure they're the right shape and having them correctly groomed. if you've never plucked your brows and they're completely au naturale, i would strongly recommend going and getting them professionally shaped. it will only take a few minutes and cost under $20, and that way you will have a beautiful shape that you can easily maintain at home by plucking away the stray hairs. once you have a flattering shape, it's not hard to keep them up, it's getting the shape in the first place that can be very scary! the picture to the right shows a before and after of a well shaped brow. the lines that are going across the picture show you how to line up where your brow should be, and you can do this easily using a long eyeliner pencil or regular pencil, too. grab a white eyeliner pencil (Wet'n'Wild makes a cheapie one for under a dollar) and make a mark where your brow should be, then you can go back and tweeze away the strays that don't fall into the lines. some commonly made mistakes? plucking too far into the start of the brow, putting your arch in the wrong place, and just plucking too much overall. see this is why it's a good idea to get a professional to help you if you're starting off with brows that resemble Pai Mei from Kill Bill!


once you've gotten a beautiful brow shape, the best way to keep it up is with a pair of quality tweezers. now i must confess, for years and years i thought that it was incredibly foolish to pay more than 99 cents for a pair of cheapie Walgreen's tweezers. i mean, come on, tweezers are tweezers, right?! WRONG. i was SO wrong! and until i got my first pair of Tweezerman Animal Print Slant Tweezers, you couldn't have convinced me otherwise. but the difference is, with a pair of good tweezers, you can grab the teensiest of tiniest brow stubble and you never break the hair off mid-shaft, and they are just so precise and last forever! i highly recommend investing in a pair of Tweezerman tweezers, they have a million different kinds for every different plucker, and they even sharpen them for free anytime you'd like!

now that you have your brows shaped and the tools to keep them looking gorgeous, it's time to define them and fill them in. now don't let the thought of this scare you, i'm definitely not recommending that you paint on Joan Crawford-esque brows, i hate too dark brows and think they make a person look harsh and old, but accentuating your brows subtly can make the most beautiful difference! i flip-flop back and forth between loving pencils and powders with waxes, and i'd recommend them both, just pick the one you feel most comfortable using. and believe me, you don't have to spend a ton of money for a nice brow products, i have found fab ones for under $5 that i love just as much as the ones for $25! one of my favorite brow do-it-all kits is Benefit's Brow Zings, $28 (pictured to the left). it includes a brow powder, wax, two brushes and a pair of mini tweezers to keep in your purse! how cute is that?! it comes in 3 colors, Light, Medium, and Dark. the problem i've found with Brow Zings is that the Light version that i own seems to be on the warmer side, i know when i had my natural hair color of dark dishwater blonde i had to be very careful that my brows didn't come out too reddish looking. now that my hair is dyed dark auburn my Brow Zings is perfect, but i would definitely test this one out first if your have ashy blonde or cool brown hair. it might not work so well for you. if you're trying to save some of your hard-earned money, i would also highly recommend the Sephora Brand Eyebrow Palette, $12 (at right). it's basically a knock-off of Benefit Brow Zings, except it's missing the tiny tweezers. i had this one before Brow Zings and i have to say, i think it's just as good, and given the opportunity i might just buy this one and skip the Brow Zings because it's basically the same exact product for a whole hell of a lot less!

if pencils are more your thing, try out the Chanel Le Crayon Sourcils Precision Brow Definer, $28 (pictured at left). now i know that $28 is insanely expensive for an eyebrow pencil, but there's just something about this one that i can't exactly explain that makes it beyond fabulous! the taupe shade, which i own, would be perfect for anyone with hair ranging from platinum blonde to medium brown to red to gray. it stays on so well thanks to it's long-wearing, vitamin E enriched formula, and comes with a little mascara spoolie on one end so you can pencil in and then blend without searching through your stash for a separate eyebrow brush. the texture of the pencil is kind of on the harder side, but this is a positive thing, because i find that with some of the really soft eyebrow pencils it's easy to overdo it. with the Chanel pencil, you can really get in there and mess around without having to worry about coming out with crazily overdone brows. it also helps if you're a brow beginner since it's easy to use, and the fact that the pencil isn't super soft means that it will last a long, long time. a great cheaper alternative to the Chanel pencil is Prestige's Eyebrow Pencil, $3.45 (at right, available at drugstores). this is actually the very first brow product i tried and thankfully, i happened to pick a great one! the Taupe is a nice, natural color, the formula wears well and the brush on one end works nicely to blend the pencil into your brows for a perfect look.

a few tips i try to follow when doing my brows? use a light touch, you can always add more but it's much harder to take away excess product. but isn't that the golden rule of all makeup application? and when it comes to plucking and filling in your brows, stick with your God-given shape. a fuller, more natural brow not only always looks best but is very "in" right now! just get rid of the strays that grow under your natural browline and keep your arch looking clean. and never, no matter what, shave your eyebrows! i mean not even as a quick touch-up! yuck! step away from the mirror before things get close to that!

any favorite tips for doing eyebrows you'd like to share with me? what are you favorite brow products? let me know in the comments!

Tan Faker

happy Thursday readers! today i am going to be telling you about a fabulous bronzer i have discovered for faking the PERFECT sun-kissed glow, and the best brush to use with it. read on if you're ready to kick that ghostly pallor to the curb!

unfortunately for me, summer has arrived, and with summer comes the yearning for tanned skin. i especially crave the look of a tan because for my super pale self, nothing works better for hiding my dark circles, making me look healthy instead of anemic, and slimming down everything a pinch! it was extremely difficult, but 2 years ago i quit tanning for good and have stuck to it with amazing dedication. ever since i gave up the beds, i've been trying out self-tanners and bronzers and anything i could get my hands on to replicate a natural looking tan, and to tell you the truth, i haven't had that much luck. you know the trouble with bronzers, they're either too orange, too yellow, too muddy brown, too shimmery, too matte and dusty, etc etc etc. but this all changed when i tested out Benefit's HOOLA, $28! this bronzing powder is the most perfect natural tan color i have ever seen! i'm telling you, when i dusted this on my face, i was stunned by how completely genuine it looked! it made my skin look exactly the same way as a few hours in the sun would, not 'brown' per say but just warmed and so naturally tan looking! since it's completely matte, there are no tell-tale shimmers to give away the fact that you're wearing bronzer, and although i do love me some shimmer, i find this perfect because you can always add some sparkle if you'd like, or not if you want to look completely natural. i have to admit, i was hesitant to spend almost $30 on a bronzer, but it was well worth the cost. HOOLA comes in a cardboard box that is loaded with product, and the powder itself is super finely milled so you only need to tap your brush lightly onto it's surface to pick up enough bronzer to do your whole face. even if you used HOOLA everyday from now until September, you'd have boatloads left, and i'd say it will last me atleast a few years. so yes, $30 is a lot, but it will last and the quality is top of the heap!

now, when i first bought HOOLA, i tried using all the makeup brushes i had in my arsenal to get a perfect application and just couldn't manage to get it right (and as for the brush that comes with HOOLA? cute, but don't even think about actually using it, it won't work well enough for a precise application). even my trusty MAC 187 brush wasn't giving me the subtle wash of color i needed, so i went on a quest to find a brush that would get the job done. enter Posh's Purse Powder Brush, $16, which i have fallen head-over-heels in love with! if you've read my blog for a while now, you know i'm very faithful to MAC brushes, but this Posh brush is about 100 times softer and better than any MAC brush i've ever owned. i know, i know, i can hardly believe i'm saying it myself! the bristles are so thick and soooo soft, and the way they're cut and tapered is just phenomenal for dusting on and blending powders (and especially bronzer). using my Posh Purse Powder Brush, i was able to apply a very light layer of bronzer all over my whole face and then add a bit more to my cheeks, nose, and chin, blending it all together to create a seamless looking, natural, perfect tan! i know that Posh brushes aren't by any means inexpensive, but like i've said before, brushes are crucial to getting your best possible makeup application and are something that should be splurged on. i'm all for saving money where you can, but your tools are not a place to scrimp.

not only does this HOOLA + Posh Purse Powder brush combo work perfectly on your face, but i also successfully bronzed my neck, shoulders, and chest with it! i'm sure you could also do your legs, too, if you wanted. i give both these products my highest Pretty Kitty rating and hope you'll try them out, soon!

Posh Cosmetics brushes can be found at Fred Meyer grocery stores, Bed Bath 'N' Beyond, and their website. Benefit HOOLA can be found at Sephora and their website, as well.

UPDATES!

thank god it's Friday readers! today i've got the scoop on a few products i've mentioned previously in my blog, starting off with MAC's new Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation (check it out here). i finally got to a MAC counter Wednesday night to test this out and i'm very excited about my first impression! now we all know that sampling a product at the makeup counter is a lot different from actually using it at your convenience in your own bathroom, but usually you can get a fairly good idea of how the product will work for you. the foundation comes in 9 shades and i was matched to Light which seemed to work pretty well on my NC20 skin. the problem i'm anticipating with the shades is that someone with skin lighter than mine may have a hard time finding a good match because Light is the palest shade they have and it's not that light. the powder seemed to apply really smoothly considering i already had my Maybelline Mineral liquid foundation on, and for the first time since i started using mineral makeup i could see that 'soft focus glow' that Leslie Blodgett is always raving about with Bare Escentuals. however, i've never achieved that kind of glow until i tried MAC's mineral makeup. i couldn't get a great idea of the coverage since i already had makeup on but it did seem to mask the redness i had on my cheeks and didn't look cakey, powdery or pore-magnifying at all, a problem i've had with Bare Escentuals that really bothers me being that i have very small pores. i figure if something makes my pores look big it would be hellish for someone who had bigger pores already! what i really didn't like about the Mineralize Loose Foundation was the packaging; i can't see myself using that sponge to apply the powder as i far prefer a brush and even if i did like the sponge, i feel like it would get very dirty and bacteria-filled. i don't think washing it would be easy since it's attached to the plastic lid of the packaging. it also seems like it would be very messy to apply if you chose to use the sponge. don't get me wrong, this wouldn't stop me from purchasing, but i would probably transfer the powder to another jar and apply it the regular way (swirl, tap, buff my dears). value-wise the MAC mineral makeup costs $4 more than the same amount of Bare Escentuals, but i wouldn't mind spending the extra few dollars to get a product i liked much better. i will probably purchase this when i have a chance (and some cash!) and report back further on how it's working out for me.

i also finally got my very own pot of Erase Paste! yay! i'm still very excited about this product and loving it, so if things change i'll be sure to fill you in.

when i was stalking the MAC counter i happened to take another look at the Heatherette Collection and ended up falling in LOVE with the Bonus Beat lipglass! this annoyed me greatly because i feel so relieved when nothing from a collection appeals to me since that lets me save some money! i had also tried this particular lipglass on before and felt very 'meh' towards it, but now i'm thinking that's because i tried it on over the Fleshpot (aka hideous corpse-like concealer-looking) lipstick. anyways, it's a gorgeous golden-beige gloss that gives you the most perfect summer nude lip ever! i am obSESSED with nude lips as i'm sure you'll learn from future posts and this one is going to be the most gorgeous summery looking lip to go with a (faux) tan.

another item that shoved it's way onto my To Buy list was Shiseido's eyelash curler. i know, i know, it's all about the Shu lash curler says everyone i know and every magazine i read, but i'm telling you i had absolutely NO luck with the Shu at all! it didn't fit my eye correctly and so i couldn't grab my lashes at the root and it was a big disappointment after i'd dreamed about how great it would be for years. i've been using a Japonesque curler for quite a while now (and i do like it a lot) but since i'm always looking for the next best thing, i decided to try the Shiseido and it was fab! i really loved it and it even curled the very outer lashes on my top lids which i usually have a problem getting curled in one shot.

so that's what i've been up to, what new beauty discoveries have you made this week? have you tried out MAC's new Mineralize Loose Foundation and if so, do you love it or hate it? i'd love to hear what you think so don't be shy!

by the way, the photo above of the MAC Bonus Beat lipglass was borrowed from Ebay since i couldn't find another picture of it anywhere!

copy and paste!

ok readers, i know i promised you part two of Tool Time today but it's getting postponed because i am soooooo incredibly amped about this product! sunday i made a special voyage to the mall just to check out Benefit's new concealer, Erase Paste, $26, because of the amazingly positive reviews it's been getting on MUA, and i was not disappointed!

i guess i should do some background info on why i'm so thrilled by this find: since birth (not exaggerating), i have had horribly dark circles under my eyes. now i'm not talking about the 'i didn't get enough sleep last night so i have a slight darkness' circles, i'm talking about 'hey Kitten, did you get punched in the face, TWICE, last night?' circles. these are inherited (thanks Dad!), genetic circles, possibly exacerbated by allergies, that don't respond to sleep, change of diet or vitamin-intake. they go the whole way around my eyes and even darken the skintone on my eyelids. not fun! so i've been concealer searching since the age of 13 and when i find one that really performs, i tend to get overly excited.

there are a lot of good concealer options out there, some of my favorites being Bobbi Brown Correctors (what i have been currently using), which actually neutralize the color of your circles so they blend in with your skin, and then there's the Bobbi Brown Concealer, which you're supposed to use over top of the Corrector (but i just use the corrector and it works wonderfully). Laura Mercier Secret Concealer was one i used for a few years faithfully, and it is good, but i think the Bobbi Brown is better. Amazing Cosmetics makes an AMAZING concealer that is really heavy duty coverage and i like to use it on the very darkest bits of my circles that peak through even after using my regular concealer, etc etc etc. so yes, there are many good concealers out there, but usually if a concealer works really well for concealing dark undereye circles, it doesn't work for red spots, blemishes, discolorations, and other common face ailments. here's where Erase Paste is different! Benefit claims...

"Signs of stress & fatigue are a thing of the past with this innovative formula. This concentrated, creamy, blendable concealer instantly brightens & camouflages all-in-one. The three brightening neutral shades give every gal correction perfection."

to really test out this concealer and see if it was worth it's hefty price tag, i went to the mall completely bare-faced except for my eye makeup (eye shadow and mascara)! yes girls, this is what i will sacrifice in order to bring you the real 411 on new products! so when i got to the Benefit display and snatched up the Erase Paste in #1 (Fair), i had very dark circles PLUS several red spots and splotches to conceal. all i used to apply this concealer were my fingers and i was literally shocked by how well it covered everything i had to hide! it completely concealed my dark circles without looking cakey or mask-like and managed to brighten up the whole eye area, too. for the red spots on my face, only the tiniest dab was needed to even them out and make them pretty much invisible, plus the areas i had covered didn't stand out against the rest of my bare skin. it didn't look too shiny or moist like some concealers can, so in my opinion powder is not needed over the top to set the product. without the help of a powder, it managed to last until late that night when i washed my face and it still looked pretty good. the jar that it comes in contains a TON of product and since it's very concentrated, you only need the teensiest bit, making the price actually pretty reasonable. they also include a tiny spatula so that you don't have to stick your fingers into the jar if you don't want to. i am wow-ed by this concealer, and it is #1 on my Next To Buy list!

have you tried Erase Paste? if so, let me know in the comments and tell me what you thought of it! if not, what's your go-to concealer? i'm all ears!

Erase Paste is available in 3 colors and retails for $26. you can find it at Macy's, Sephora, or the Benefit website.

how to get that glow

doesn't everyone want to copy this gorgeous, healthy looking, glowing skin Lindsay Lohan is sporting? i know i always have! but if you don't have a clue how to get from dull, dry skin to this level of fabulousity, fear no more because i am here to help! i've been obsessing about this sort of glow for about a year or so now, and so i've found a few amazing products to give you the perfect sheeny look.

first of all, of course, you'll want to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturizer properly before you apply whatever your favorite foundation is. after that, the fun begins! my favorite pick for copying the exact look La Lohan has going on up above is MAC's Mineralized Skin Finish in Light Flush, $24.50. this super finely milled powder has the perfect amount of pinky-peach color and shimmery (but NOT glittery) finish. it looks gorgeous on top of blush or alone for a subtle wash of color.

already have a favorite blush and just want to turn it up a few notches with some shine? try MAC's MSF in Shimpagne, a neutral beige shimmer powder that gives you the gleam without the color. want the same look but can't afford to shell out $25 for it? then you'll want to go for one of my Holy Grail shimmer products, Wet'n'Wild's Silk Finish Blush Compact in All Over Shimmer 832D, $2.99.
this AMAZING and inexpensive product is probably my #1 vote for All Time Greatest Drugstore Treasure. it has the most perfect beigey-golden-silver color and is incredibly smooth, pigmented, and blendable. it gives everything from a very light, faint shine to over the top drag-queen shimmer! you can use this on your cheekbones, your browbones, your lip's cupid's bow, your inner eye corners, etc. it will last you ages, also, because only a tiny amount is needed. only problem is, these little suckers can be difficult to find, and lately they haven't been turning up at all of the usual Wet'n'Wild displays. my best bet? if you live on the west coast, like me, try KMart. they seem to carry them all of the time.

not a fan of power products? don't worry! Benefit makes two wonderful liquid highlighters called High Beam and Moon Beam, both $24. these light, lotion-like highlighters pack a powerful punch of shimmer, shine, and a non-drying, moist finish for skin that can't take powder. they're also packaged in a cute, nail polish-inspired bottle with a little brush applicator! since you only need a dab, they should also last you quite a few glowing faces.

now that you're armed with the info, go ahead lovelies and get glowin'!