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Makeup Tip: The Importance of Brushes

When I did my little makeup class for my MIL and SIL last week, one of the things we discussed was the importance of good brushes. Usually, the brush that comes with your product is just not adequate and you won't get good application using those low-quality brushes. And you'll notice that most high-quality products don't even come with brushes.....

Makeup brushes by sasha2599 on Polyvore.com

Makeup and Cosmetics Shop Eyes Lips Face
$3 - eyeslipsface.com

Makeup and Cosmetics Shop Eyes Lips Face
$3 - eyeslipsface.com

Makeup and Cosmetics Shop Eyes Lips Face
$5 - eyeslipsface.com

Studio Contour Brush for Professional Makeup Artists
$3 - eyeslipsface.com

So I have a few suggestions if you are up for re-vamping or adding to your makeup brush arsenal. Today I am suggesting some brushes from e.l.f..... note that I am not compensated in any way for my recommendations- these are just personal opinions based on products I have purchased myself.

1. Foundation brush. It's probably a sensory thing, but I cannot apply foundation with my fingers... I get all shivery just thinking about it. I use a foundation brush that I wash each morning with foam soap, then I use it damp to apply my liquid foundation. I suggest e.l.f.'s Mineral Foundation Brush ($5).

2. Powder brush. After I apply my foundation, I do a dusting of e.l.f.'s High Definition Powder with a fluffy brush like e.l.f.'s Studio Complexion Brush ($3).

HD Powder is a translucent, versatile loose powder that creates a flawless, "soft focus"
effect to the skin. Masks fine lines and imperfections for a glowing, radiant
complexion. This incredibly soft and invisible powder is ideal for everyday
wear, either alone or over your favorite e.l.f. foundation. Our HD Powder is a
makeup artist and e.l.f. fan favorite, and at only $6, it can be yours at a
fraction of the cost of the competition!

3. Bronzer/Blush brush. I love to use stipple brushes to apply my bronzer and blush, especially if they are very pigmented. A stipple brush gives a nice sheer application that can be built in layers. I suggest getting 2 of e.l.f.'s Studio Stipple Brushes ($3) and using one just for bronzer, and one just for blush.

4. Eye shadow brushes. I use mainly use two brushes- one to apply my all-over base color (typically a shimmery champagne color) and a crease brush to apply my darker color in my crease. I would suggest getting a e.l.f. Studio Eyeshadow "C" Brush ($3) to apply the base color, and a e.l.f. Studio Contour Brush ($3) for your crease shade.

As a side note, e.l.f. does participate in Ebates, so if you do place an order from e.l.f., you can get 5.5% back. (ebates link is a referral link)

Gameday Style

I met the sweetest girl this weekend who writes a great new blog about Gameday! It's called Gameday Style and she's got recipes, explanations about football rules, apparel ideas, and just all sorts of fun stuff related to football. Go check her out and say hello!

The One Where Everyone Stares at Me

As I picked WC up off the ground at school pickup yesterday and carried her to the car, like a limp (but kicking) noodle, I felt eyes on me.

As we carried WC to the van, kicking and screaming, last Saturday night, after she repeatedly hurt another child, I felt eyes on me.

As we left a friend's house earlier than planned the weekend before, after she was mean to their daughter, I felt eyes on me.

I need to print a tshirt.

Yes, I know.

I promise we are working on it.

I promise we are in therapy.

I promise I am trying.....

I Can't Do It

I was pondering the premise of SJP's newest movie, I Don't Know How She Does It, and the answer is really easy.

She doesn't. Or at least, I don't.

I don't do it at. As a mom with a lot on her plate, I just can't.

I have friendships that have been neglected, baby books that haven't been filled, 25 pounds that haven't been lost, baseboards that haven't been re-stained after we re-floored the whole house, flower beds that haven't been tended to, pictures that haven't been uploaded or printed, books that haven't been read..... the list goes on and on.

What's the answer? How do I find that balance I am so desperately looking for? I'm not sure, but I'm mulling it over and hope to sort it out soon.

Makeup Fun

I am so excited for tonight! My mother-in-law and sister-in-law have asked me to bring all my beauty products and tools over for a girls night so that I can show them how I do my makeup! I don't know that they are especially impressed with my abilities, most likely it's just that they know the sheer amount of products I have and figure I must have some info to share!


One of the first things I want to show them is my Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection from e.l.f. (Eyes Lips Face).



The Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection Includes:
Sleek, Water-Resistant Case
Eyeshadow "C" Brush
Complexion Brush
Small Angled Brush
Small Smudge Brush
Fan Brush
Powder Brush
Angled Foundation Brush
Concealer Brush
Small Precision Brush
Blush Brush
Contouring Brush




This set basically has every brush you'll need to create your look. Good brushes make such a different in makeup application. And trust me, these are nice, high-quality brushes! Although it retails for $30, using the code CAROLINA takes $7.50 off your order, making these very well priced. (And note: you can get 5.5% back from ebates for e.l.f. purchases!)







I also use (and LOVE) the High Definition Powder. This is basically identical to Make Up Forever's HD Powder, and at $6, it's quite a savings over MUFE's $30 price tag.



Emily at Beauty Broadcast has an entire video dedicated to her e.l.f. favorites, and it's worth a watch if you are considering placing an order.



They offer free shipping on orders over $25, so if you are looking for other products to try, a few of Emily's favorite are: Studio Blush ($3), Mineral Lipstick ($5), and Super Glossy Lip Shine ($1).



Disclosure: I have no relationship with e.l.f. at all- they don't even know who I am! I purchased the products pictured above myself. The ebates link in the text above is a referral link, and we both get $5 if you sign up using my referral link.

Today

I am ordering Lady's Antebellum's new CD, which is released today. Amazon has it for only $8, no tax, no shipping if you have Prime.

Speaking of Prime, mine expires today!

P has vision therapy today after school, then I'll be attending K and 2nd grade curriculum meetings at our elementary school this evening.

Since our evening will be a bit crazy, I plan on tossing some chicken in the crock pot along with some Archer Farms Hawaiian Style BBQ Sauce when we get home. It just needs to cook on high for 2-3 hours, and that will be just in time for me to grab a quick bit before heading to the school.

In other news, P had his first two fall baseball games last night, and they went great! I am SO glad he has found a sport he enjoys, and bonus! It just so happens to be my favorite sport too.

What are you up to today?

New Fall TV Shows: What Will You Be Watching?

Last night I was reading my most favorite TV Guide issue of the year- the fall preview issue. I am such a dork! I've been religiously reading TV Guide cover to cover since the whole Who Shot JR? debacle.

I think I've got my must-sees narrowed down to two.

The Playboy Club

Pan Am


What new shows do you plan on checking out?

Favorite Things Party- You MUST Have One!

Thanks to my obsession with Pinterest, I have ideas for fun stuff just spilling out of my head!

I found a fabulous idea for a party that I just had to follow through with. My Sunday school class was scheduling a Girls Night, so I suggested we do a Favorite Things Party, and offered to host at my house last Friday Night. It was such a hit! We had a total of 15 people there, and I asked everyone to bring an appetizer or dessert to share, and also bring whatever they'd like to drink.



Here's the original instructions from the Pin:

Each person brings their favorite thing (anything you like.. your favorite lip gloss, favorite kitchen tool, favorite gift wrapping supply, a gift card for your favorite frozen yogurt, etc.). It can't cost more than $6, and each person brings five of the same thing. When you arrive at the party, you write your name on five slips of paper and throw them in a big bowl. The bowl is passed around, and each person takes five names (making sure you don't pick your own.. or two of the same name). One at a time each person introduces their favorite thing and then reads the five names they picked from the bowl, passing out their gift to those five guests. After everyone at the party has presented their favorite thing, each person should end up with five gifts to take home. It's always interesting to see what people choose, and some guests have started to bring a notepad and pen to jot down what people love.

We chose to modify a bit- we went with three $10 gifts.

I bet you can wager a guess as to what I picked up for my three gifts..... nail polish! I got Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat because it seems like people don't know about it, and it's life changing! (well, as life changing as a beauty product can be!)

And here's what I received: a market basket from Kirkland's to use when I go shopping (rather than use Target or Wal-Mart's nasty little baskets, a silicon spoon/spatula from Williams Sonoma, and the book Heaven is for Real.

We had a wonderful time and there was a lot of "Ohhh..... I've never seen that before!" and "I have to get that!". Have you hosted a party like this before?