Tag: makeuptips

The Best Makeup Brush Sets (Approved By Makeup Artists)

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Sometimes buying a one-off makeup brush makes sense – like a replacement for one of your old brushes or one that fits a specific need, like a kabuki brush. That said, it’s usually way more time (and cost) efficient to throw your bread at a full set of cosmetic brushes. That way you’ve got everything you need, and it all matches perfectly. (Let’s not discount the shelfie potential here.) To help you find the best makeup brush sets for whatever your makeup needs and wants, we asked MUAs to share their faves.

1. For the Newbie: Real Techniques Sparkle and Shine Set, $50

Best Makeup Brush Sets

If your makeup brush collection is practically non-existent, this set serves as a one-and-done deal that covers everything you need for not a ton of cash down. “Real Techniques offers well-made, vegan brushes at a really great price,” says global makeup artist Bryan Cantor. “This set comes with 11 brushes that perform a wide variety of makeup tasks, plus a sponge with its own carrying case.” Real Techniques has long been a fave brand for us, and we couldn’t agree more!

2. For the Aspiring Pro: Morphe Babe Faves Face Brush Set, $68

Best Makeup Brush Sets

“I personally love to use Morphe brushes. Not only are they ridiculously affordable, but they are really great quality. When I first started getting into makeup, I was able to afford every single brush they offered, and I’m still using the same brushes I bought,” says Kimberly Culbertson, a permanent makeup artist and owner of Beauty Babe Club in San Diego, California. This comprehensive set includes nine natural and synthetic brushes plus a blender.

3. For the Legit Professional: Glo Skin Beauty Filled Brush Belt, $190

Best Makeup Brush Sets

Not only does a professional makeup artist need a full set of cosmetic brushes, but she needs an easy way to carry them. “This particular set includes a professional brush belt with 28 pockets that are already stuffed with 12 professional-quality vegan brushes. This gives you all the brushes you need to create a complete look, plus room for any other brushes that you care to carry,” says Cantor.

4. For the Wanderlust: It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe On The Go 6-Piece Brush Set + Case, $50

Best Makeup Brush Sets

“This is the absolute best travel-friendly makeup brush set. It’s only $50, has a value of almost $160, and comes in a sleek traveling case,” says Culbertson. The set includes six full-size brushes, including the multi-powder, foundation, eyeshadow, concealer, crease, and eyeliner/brow brushes.

5. For the Minimalist: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials, $20

Best Makeup Brush Sets

Culbertson agrees that Real Techniques is the place to go if you’re seeking quality brushes for a low price. She says their Everyday Essentials set is especially great for those who don’t need a whole slew of brushes but could benefit from owning, well, the essentials. It comes with a makeup sponge and four brushes, including a blending, crease, setting, and face brush.

6. For the Ultimate Makeup Enthusiast: Sigma Beauty The Ultimate Chrome Brush Set, $153

Best Makeup Brush Sets

Serious makeup enthusiasts, aspiring influencers, and anyone else who’s all about trying a wide range of makeup looks: this set is for you. “With a whopping 16 full-size brushes, this brush set has almost every brush a makeup enthusiast could ever need,” says Cantor. “All of the brushes are created with ultra-soft SigmaTech® and Sigmax® fibers, both of which are vegan and cruelty-free. If that wasn’t enough, the makeup brush set also comes with a free two-year warranty.” Now that’s quality we can get on board with!

7. For the Disney Fan: Spectrum Ariel Shell Brush Set, $110

Best Makeup Brush Sets

Sometimes you want a brush set that fits your aesthetic, and if you’re a Disney fan (umm, isn’t that #allofus?) then that’s a very specific niche. Spectrum makes a handful of Disney-themed brush sets, including this one inspired by our favorite red-headed mermaid. Not only does the set include 10 brushes with sea blue glitter handles, aquamarine ferrules, and splashy coral bristles, it’s all packaged in a gorgeous clam shell case you can use as either storage for your brushes or a legit purse.

8. For the Luxe Lover: Wayne Goss The Face Set, $250

Best Makeup Brush Sets

If you’ve got money to spend on brushes, you really can’t go wrong with a set created by makeup hero Wayne Goss. “If you’re really into makeup and contouring, this is the best brush set. It’s pricey at $250, but these are luxury brushes that will last you a lifetime,” says Culbertson.

9. For the Busy Body: Marc Jacobs Beauty Your Place Or Mine? 5-Piece Petites Brush, $139

Best Makeup Brush Sets

Whether you always find yourself on your way to happy hour straight after work, feel like you live out of your car, or are forever traveling, this set of petite makeup brushes by Marc Jacobs is a must. Cantor says, “The five travel-size brushes it contains are perfect for creating your look for a night out or getting yourself ready for work wherever you happen to wake up the next morning. Plus, I love that it comes with a gorgeous emerald green vegan patent leather case.”

Have you guys got any of these brush sets? Let us know your fave brush sets in the comments below.

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5 PLACES YOU NEVER THOUGHT TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR FACE

Published on by Lee4 Comments

In our eternal quest for radiant, illuminated skin, we’ve decided that just highlighting our cheekbones simply isn’t enough on the days when we want to look a little more glam. Luckily, we’ve spent some serious quality time with our (extensive) highlighter stash and have discovered a few unsuspecting places to pop on shimmer. Ahead, find the four spots that can up your highlighter game and give your face a major glow up. 

Highlighter Placement #1: Top of the Forehead

Highlighting the top of your forehead prevents the face from looking flat (a common beauty blunder associated with too much bronzer) and brightens up the entire face. Application here should be very sheer and look natural rather than powdery. One of our favorite techniques is to mix in some liquid highlighter with foundation and tap it on with a makeup sponge. NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator our go-to pick for some lit-from-within shimmer.

Highlighter Placement #2: Below Your Brow Bone 

While you may not have racked up eight hours of sleep last night, popping some highlight below your brow bone and above your eyebrow arch will make you look wide-eyed and well rested. Focusing highlighter around your eyebrow can give the appearance of a mini eye-lift. We love Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener. It’s an easy-to-use pencil with a creamy consistency and amazing glow. 

Highlighter Placement #3: Center of the Eyelid 

Whether you did a full-on smoky eye or are going the more neutral route, the eyelid is an unsuspected spot to highlight — but it makes a big difference. We recommend a powder for this step, like the YSL Couture Highlighter. Use a flat brush to pack product on the center of your lid and in the inner corner of your eye. This trick will make your eyes twinkle — no joke. (Primp tip: If you want a foiled look, spray setting spray on your highlighter and then apply.) 

Highlighter Placement #4: The Cupid’s Bow 

The ‘V’ of your cupid’s bow is also a great spot to pop on some highlighter; it creates the appearance of fuller lips. Apply it with your finger and use a soft touch. When the light catches, your pout will look especially plumped.  

Highlighter Placement #5: All Over Glow 

A bronzer-highlighter duo? Count us in. IT Cosmetics CC Radiance Ombre Bronzer is an easy and natural way to amp up your overall illumination. It’ll give you warmth and sparkle around your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Use a buffing or blending brush to diffuse the product and achieve subtle radiance. 

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BETTER TOGETHER: LANCÔME TEINT IDOLE FOUNDATION AND OIL-IN-GEL CLEANSER

Published on by Lee2 Comments

We all want our makeup to help us achieve flawless, imperfection-free skin. That’s why we’re constantly searching for the best foundations on the market and practicing the best application methods for our base products. But a common mistake is assuming an even, smooth complexion starts with makeup when it really starts with your skincare. It’s important to have not only a great foundation in your stash but also a top-rated cleanser — and Lancôme has a solution for both. 

lancome-teint-idole-foundation-and-oil-in-gel-cleanser-review

The Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation is one of the best long-wear foundations on the market. With 50 medium- to full-coverage shades available, it’s earned a spot in many beauty lovers’ makeup routines, including our editors. It offers long-lasting, velvety-smooth coverage for hours after application without the risk of transferring, melting or smudging. Thanks to its oil-free liquid formula, even those with oily skin can benefit from its skin-blurring effects. When it comes time to remove it after a long day of wear, look no further than the Lancôme Absolue Nurturing & Brightening Oil-in-Gel Cleanser with Grand Rose Extracts to get the job done. 

lancome-teint-idole-foundation-and-oil-in-gel-cleanser-review

The unique transforming oil, gel, and milky cleanser melts away makeup with ease. It contains a rich blend of oils that simultaneously lift away dirt and reveal refreshed skin. As you work it into your complexion, you can visibly see even waterproof makeup products wipe away. What’s left behind is silky, hydrated skin that feels soft to the touch — and ready for your next round of makeup application.

When you treat your skin on both ends of your beauty routine — during the skin-care phase and the makeup phase — you’ll be able to see a real difference in your complexion.

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WHY YOU SHOULD MIX HIGHLIGHTER WITH FOUNDATION

Published on by Lee4 Comments

The search for perfect-looking skin has our constant attention — we invest in fancy foundations, skin-smoothing primers and magical blending sponges. But little did we know that creating a flawless makeup base has less to do with these methods and a whole lot more to do with what we mix our foundation with. Ahead, we broke down exactly how to achieve the look by mixing highlighter with our favorite foundation formula, and we can guarantee that the results are better than any other method out there. 

STEP 1: Pick the Right Liquid-Based Highlighter

Picking the right illuminating product is key to making this makeup mix a success. First and foremost, choose a highlighter that has more of a sheer finish, as opposed to a glittery, shimmery one. You’ll need a lightweight formula like the Dermablend Glow Creator Highlighting Drops that will blend seamlessly with your foundation to leave a natural, subtle glow.

STEP 2: Mix It Up

Mix equal parts foundation (our current favorite is the YSL All Hours Longwear Foundation) and highlighter on the back of your hand. The total combination should equal a dime-sized amount. If needed, add more to make sure you have the right amount of coverage. Just be careful that you don’t end up with thick, cakey makeup.

STEP 3: Blend, Blend, Blend

Dot the mixture on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin and smooth it all over the face (we recommend working from the center and blending outward) with a blending sponge or foundation brush, until your makeup is evenly distributed around your face and neck. Make sure to blend well, so that there are no streaks or splotching. Your makeup should look like second skin. For a next-level glow, feel free to add more strategically placed highlighter on the high points of your face when you’re finished with the rest of your makeup.

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