Makeup Brushes, Pt. 3-Eye Brushes: pt. 1

Disclaimer: The following may sound like a tutorial but really isn't, just my opinion on how something works. You may disagree so don't throw any stones. If you don't like what you are reading don't read it, and void where prohibited by law.

Hair Shapes and Hair Types
Oh my! So many shapes and hair types! As you can see from the previous makeup brush posts, the hair shape and size is what really determines the application. This being said, it appears that most of the makeup brushes out there are for the eye area to make that perfect eye look. You see one that says smoky eye brush and you want it because you think it will give you a smoky eye automatically. It doesn't. Or you buy that eyeliner brush and find it just doesn't give you the line you want. What gives? The brush shape, brush size, brush hair, and application technique are what you should take into consideration when shopping for an eyeshadow brush.

Makeup Brushes, Pt. 2-Concealer (highlight and contour)

Disclaimer: The following may sound like a tutorial but really isn't, just my opinion on how something works. You may disagree so don't throw any stones. If you don't like what you are reading don't read it, and void where prohibited by law.

As I mentioned in part 1, foundation brushes come in many shapes and sizes concealers do too. Concealer brushes are the smaller head version of foundation brushes. Usually they are synthetic since a cream texture is involved. Again, sable brushes are the best animal hair for creams and liquids since they are firm enough to spread and blend with precision. In the following pictures, I will show what brushes I use for concealing, highlighting, and contour. The brushes may repeat in other posts because they aren't restricted for that application of makeup. I will say this over and over just because a brush is labeled as such, it doesn't mean it has to be used that way. It doesn't know that.

Makeup Brushes, Pt. 1-Foundation

Disclaimer: The following may sound like a tutorial but really isn't, just my opinion on how something works. You may disagree so don't throw any stones. If you don't like what you are reading don't read it, and void where prohibited by law.

I recently had a request to do a post on brushes. I had been thinking about doing one but postponed it until I got somewhat of a rhythm to my blog. Not yet musical but carries a faint tune I guess, I will do a couple of posts on makeup brushes. I will state that I won't do the usual review of "this is soft and great, worth the money to spend." No, I won't do that because personally I have done enough of those on Makeupalley. I think I will go on to show how brushes really are.

Vroom Vroom Vroom!

So, I pondered about my blog and realized that I would be canceled (well, I would bore myself) if I didn't do something else with my blog. Yes, I can review things and say how fantastic things are which I will still probably do, but will that make me happy when I read my blog too? Not really, I hate to listen to the chirpy side of me all the time. Yet, I won't let you cult members listen to the mysterious side of me either because that is something left for others to know! LOL

I think from now on I will write about stuff that I know. People won't have to agree with the methods and such. It will just be a guideline to all the color and neutrals that is out there. And boy, there is so much. So, if I have long pauses, don't think I have forgotten my blog, I am just trying to organize my thoughts for you readers so you can understand. I am probably not making any sense right now, but you will see soon. Just get ready! :-)

Yaby Dabba Doo!

Yaby Cosmetics was developed by Toronto makeup artist Liz Yu. This is a line that caters to makeup artists with its customizable palettes and pans of color. Just because it is a makeup artist line that doesn't mean a regular civilian can't try and use this. I ended up getting some cake eyeliners and one eyeshadow. I know, "what a small haul." Believe me, I really don't need to add more makeup to my collection. I just buy what I want need.

Blah Blah Blah Blah

Yeah, I know my posts have slowed down. It isn't because I have nothing to write about, it is because I have too much to write about and not enough time. So, do not think I am becoming unblogged. I just need to organize what I am going to write. In the meantime, take a look at how makeup used to be applied during the black and white tv/film era!


Picture courtesy of blog.modernmechanix.com

It's Prime Time

Ever feel like your face is melting off like butter on a hot Danish pastry? And then, the colors turn this weird orange (oxidize) because it is reacting with the PH level secretions from your pores! The colors that looked good on you when you applied them in the morning, now look like they have been squeezed out of a container of rancid oil in a fast food restaurant! Why could this be? Well, many factors can affect the wear of your makeup. The weather definitely can determine its endurance. Heat and humidity will make the ingredients that aren't heat resistant melt. Medication will affect the application too, what was once a great foundation can apply roughly due to a change in medication or even antibiotics will make it slide off the face. And, that night long drinking binge with that oh-so-famous celebrity can make your foundation slimy like algae on a wet rock the next day. Let's not forget that time of the month, pregnancy, stress, bad plumbing; it all affects makeup! So, what can you do to have your makeup last longer? Besides a good skin care regimen, a good primer helps too.

Crickets Chirping

My blog is 3 weeks old today! Wow, time flies by! I have 6 followers (at the time I was typing this), a little cult that I am so proud of. Unlike Conan O'Brien who had his followers from the Late Show to the Tonight Show, I didn't expect anyone to read my blog from Makeupalley since I liked (like) obscure lines. In fact, if I were a TV show, I would be canceled by now. I understand that my blog doesn't contain the products like MAC, Chantecaille, Shiseido, Bobbi Brown, Guerlain, etc. I can't thrill readers with the latest collection of colors. Some people might get annoyed that I don't suggest the usual brands on Makeupalley. "I can't get the brands you suggest readily," they might think. Yeah, you're right, I found it frustrating in my time too because I had no internet to buy from an etailer. I actually did it the old fashioned way and called up via a landline, a makeup supply store or theatrical supply store, and I had to drive or take public transportation to that store and hand them cash! What started all this obscurity exploration? It started way back in the 1980's with a friend.

Dribble, Dribble, Drool

For those of you who have bought the OCC Lip Tars, you may have noticed that the tubes dribble and drool color in the caps, unless you were lucky enough to get the doe foot tip which leaves a clean cap. I am not really complaining but I know this can be bothersome. The tubes contain an ample amount for the non-makeup artist, finishing one tube would take awhile since they are so pigmented. In fact, you could split a tube with a friend.

Hakansson The Color Palettes

As I get my walker out, I mean as I get older, I realize that I love makeup but I have become lazier in applying sometimes. Summers especially are a killer since I always think I am in Hell. Have I done anything wrong during the Fall, Winter, and Spring to bring this much habanero heat under my feet? (Hey, that rhymed!) Anyway, I sometimes want products that provide color yet looks like my skin with an easy application technique. What comes to mind? My Hakansson The Color palettes. Yes, I know I reviewed this on Makeupalley, but sometimes great stuff hardly gets any love on there since it gets lost in the shuffle of reviews. So, I am resurrecting my love for these products!

OCC Loose Colour Concentrates Swatch Descriptions

I decided to put up some descriptions of the OCC LCC that I have. Remember, these powders can be mixed with anything OCC makes, also can be mixed with anything you have in your makeup stash.

Platonic-looks almost lavender silver in the pot but actually when applied has a champagne base to it with the flicker of silver and lavender.

Clove-a slightly muted medium brown with multi colored specks that cool it down a bit for an amazingly wearable and beautiful neutral.

Tesoro-pink copper with some gold flecks. Think of a shiny copper penny.

Copperwire-shimmery copper, has a tinge of the reddish undertone but the gold shimmer counteracts that and makes it wearable for any skintone.

Brasstacks-a medium to dark shimmery brassy brown, depending on how much is applied, with gold glints.

Lafayette-a olive green that can a look a bit muted but really isn't since the gold is so harmoniously intertwined.

Burning-a burn-my-retinas coral. Scary yes but oh so pretty with that soft whisper of violet.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Loose Colour Concentrates

Are still on sale until July 20th! No code they are marked down already!
So here is a pic of the neutral ones and one burn-my-retinas color. (The colors will be reviewed in a future posting.) Sale only on the OCC website.

Obsessive Compulsive Coupon Code

Now, until July 13th Monday you can get 30% off the Loose Colour Concentrates!
Just type LSC07 in "special instruction" section at checkout. For Credit Card orders only.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Part 3-wise behavior

I really didn't need to post a part 3 but I had more thoughts about OCC that I had to get off my mind. Besides, I had to post more pictures of my lips in different colors since
the Lip Tars are so much fun.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Part 2-erratic behavior

OCC is a fun and friendly line when it comes to playing with the products. The sky is the limit and that is what I love. I don't have to think of color that won't show up because of unnecessary fillers. If I find the color is too saturated, I can always dilute. I won't have to worry about colors turning murky or oxidizing. And, I won't have to guess if what I see in the container will be like that on my face. It is all pure pigment.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Part 1-obsessive behavior

I had trouble writing a review about Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics because I couldn't put into words what I felt about this line. I think I have imprinted my footprints deeply into my carpet from pacing so much, trying to think up paragraphs and not just words like: WOW! Once-in-blue-moon! The-next-generation! The cosmetics of the HD! etc. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is the pro line of HD technology what Max Factor was to the birth of film.

Joe Blasco Powder Blushes, Pt. 2

Another reason why I like Joe Blasco blushes is because I can experiment. There are several ways I can use these blushes; dry, wet, mixed with other products.

Joe Blasco Powder Blushes, Pt. 1

I love blush and it is too bad that I only have two cheeks to put it on. Well, really four but I don’t want my blush to finish that quickly. I recently got my hands on some Joe Blasco powder blushes. Since, I have a fondness for his foundations, the blushes were bound to find there way into my stash.

Joe Blasco makes blushes for every depth of skin tone, from the lightest to the darkest. He also makes colors that are wearable and natural in any light whether it be for streetwear or digital photography. The colors may look unexciting, yet then again Joe Blasco isn't a fashion makeup line. Don't underestimate these blushes because once on the skin, they become one with your skin tone. The blushes come in a metal pan encased in a screw top plastic container. Once depotted, the pans are the usual 36mm round pans which fit in the palettes that allow the large round ones or any freestyle palette like the Z Palettes.