ESSENTIAL BASIC MAKEUP BRUSHES
CYNDE TIP

Flawless makeup application can only be achieved with the proper tools. When shopping for makeup brushes it can get complicated. Below is my list of the essential makeup brushes.

1. Concealer Brush:  Look for a slim, soft, rounded, slightly pointed firm flat brush with tapered corners to allow covering large and small imperfections under the eye’s, dark spots and blemishes on the face.

2.  Foundation Brush: Look for a wide soft, tapered firm flat head brush, designed to create a flawless application of foundation to spot areas or all-over the face.  Using a foundation brush rather then a sponge is best because a brush won’t absorb a lot of the foundation.

3.  Powder Brush: Look for a large fluffy, round head brush; designed to dab or sweep loose or pressed powder on the face for a light even finish. For travel and touch ups, a retractable powder brush with a cap is a must. The fact that the brush is retractable keeps the shape of the brush and the cap keeps it clean.

4. Angled Blush Brush:  Look for a soft dense, medium angled head brush, designed to perfectly deposit blush or bronzer to cheeks and sculpted cheekbones.

 5. Eye shadow Brush:  Look for a small to medium round head brush with flat or fluffy bristle, the flat head is designed for sweeping and pressing dense color on the eye lids and the fluffy head is designed for blending color and applying sheer color to the eyelid and crease. 

6. Eyeliner Brush:  Look for a slim, narrow, angled flat head brush with soft but firm natural or synthetic bristles, designed to use with powder or cream eyeliner and create fine precise lines such as close to the lash line and also soft smoky edges. This brush can also be used applying powder to brows.

7. Lip Brush:  Look for a small, slim, rounded flat brush, designed to apply precise lip color to the lips and for blending lip liner.

 WHAT ARE MOST BRUSHES MADE OF?

Brushes are made of natural and synthetic fibers.   The most common natural hair used for makeup brushes:

Squirrel- Luxurious, very silky and soft. Usually used for powder brushes

Pony- Very soft but firm. Used for powder, eye shadow and blush brushes

Goat- Soft but very firm. Used for foundation, concealer, eyeliner and bronzer brushes

Synthetic hair brushes range from very soft to very firm and are now used to make eco friendly makeup brushes.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BRUSHES

Care for your brushes by washing them bi-weekly with brush cleanser or a quality gentle shampoo.  First, carefully wet the makeup brush hair. Place a small amount of shampoo or cleanser on the brush hair and gently wash the hair. Cleanse brushes in the direction of the hair.  Rinse them under warm running water, thoroughly. Make sure you don’t get the base of the brush wet and never saturate the brushes in water because this will loosen the head of the brush from the base. To dry, gently press water out of the brush hair and reshape, them lay them flat on a towel to dry.

WHEN SHOULD YOUR BRUSHES BE DISCARDED?

If you buy quality makeup brushes and care for them properly your brushes should last for several years.

XX
Cynde 

Be your best you!

Do you know your BEAUTY TEMPERATURE?

As we reach the age of 40 and over it’s more important then ever to understand our beauty temperature.

WHAT IS A BEAUTY TEMPERATURE?  It is the true tone of your skin.  You see, most skin tone shades are either warm or cool, and your skin tone is determined by your facial coloring or undertone – regardless of your natural hair color, eye color or nationality.

As we age, using the proper makeup shades, textures and tones are imperative to looking your most beautiful.  Most makeup mistakes can be avoided if you know whether cool or warm shades look best on you. Also, you will find that you will have less unused makeup if you know your skin tone and it will be easier to apply and shop for your makeup!

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE YOUR BEAUTY TEMPERATURE?

Use your mirror as your beauty thermometer - look closely in the mirror. What shade do you see?

Follow my simple guideline below to find which skintone category suits you best:

COOL Skintones

• You see pink/rosy/red tones when you look in the mirror.
• Jewel-tone colors look the most natural on you such as pink, cherry red, amethyst, cobalt, forest green, pearl, deep mahogany brown, pewter and platinum.

You have fair skin with pink tones

You have medium skin with ruddy tones

You have dark skin with rustic brown tones

WARM Skintones

• You see yellow/golden tones when you look in the mirror.
• Earth-tone colors look the most natural on you such as peach, brick red, plum, camel, olive green, bronze, gold, chocolate brown and cream.

You have fair skin with peachy tones

You have medium/tan with olive tones

You have dark skin with golden brown tones

How will you know if you’ve chosen the CORRECT skin tone category?

• Your skin tone will appear healthy and radiant.
• Your eyes will appear bright and awake.
• The natural highlights in your hair will appear more reflective.

How will you know if you’ve chosen the INCORRECT skin tone category?

• Your skin tone will appear unhealthy and dull; skin imperfections will appear more obvious.
• Your eyes will appear droopy and tired.
• Your teeth can appear slightly discolored.

The above guidelines works for most women. However, some skin tone shades fall in between warm and cool due to sun exposure, self-tanners or coloring of hair.

If this is the case for you, stay as true to your natural undertone as possible when selecting makeup shades.

Looking forward to hearing  your feedback.....