Tutorial: Create Natural, Defined Brows with a Creme Product! (I'm using MUFE Brow Corrector)

Today I will be showing you how I use the Make Up Forever Brow Corrector. I know many people are interested in trying the product but don't know how to use it. You can obviously improvise if you don't have the MUFE Brow Corrector and use any brow pencil or creme liner. I have read that some people use MAC Dipdown Fluidline or MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot as a brow filler. It may seem odd to you that creme liners can be used for your brows, but applied sparingly with a light hand you can end up with beautiful brows that are natural looking and won't budge all day. Pencils that work well are ones that you can sharpen to a good point that aren't too soft or retractable "crayon" liners such as MAC Brows or Maybelline's Define-a-Brow. These brow pencils work very well because they don't smudge as easily as pencils, the formula is pigmented (but not overpowering) and the consistency is dryer than regular eye pencils, which is essential for creating natural looking brows.

Products used in this tutorial:

Coastal Scents Precision Angled Liner Brush
E.L.F Studio Eyebrow Treat & Tame
MAKE UP FOREVER Brow Corrector #3

I am using a small eyeliner brush that is bent so you it's easier to apply liner and make precise lines. I prefer this particular brush for the brows because the tip is short, dense and comes to a point. I can make very precise lines with it. If you don't have a specific liner brush, an angled brow brush can work too. The thinner the tip is, the better. I am using the ELF Treat & Tame to set my brows. It is a tinted brow gel that adds a tiny bit of color to your brows so your natural brows will blend in with the parts you filled in. It also will keep your brows in place so the hairs are all going in the same direction. MAC has a similar product called Brow Set, which is a product I love as well.

• If necessary, tweeze & trim your brows and/or stray hairs as you normally would. 
  

• It's your preference if you like to apply foundation before or after your brows, but I usually do my brows last. It's much easier in my opinion. If you have oily skin or tend to get an oily t-zone. Set the area with powder so your brows won't get shiny or smear throughout the day. 

Step 1: (If you are using MUFE Brow Corrector) Dab a tiny bit of product onto a clean surface. If you are using a potted creme liner, you can dip your brush directly into the product. Make sure to dab it off on a clean surface or the inside of the lid so you don't apply too much product in an area at once.

Step 2: Line the underside of your brow. Follow the shape of your brow. This area should be the most precise as it is where your brows would normally be waxed, tweezed or threaded. The top of your brow is where it's supposed to look the most natural.

Step 3: Dip your brush in the product again. Wipe off any excess. You don't want your brush to be very coated in product. Look at your brows in the mirror and decide where you would like to begin. I typically fill my brows in starting at the beginning. With the tip of the brush, you want to create small, thin lines to give the illusion of brow hair. Whatever spots you wish you had more hair in, draw small lines in the same direction as your hair. Don't use very much pressure - you want the tip just touching/grazing your skin. You want thin lines that aren't too dark. You want it to blend in well with your actual brow hairs. You can practice on your hand first.

Step 4: After you've followed the top line of your natural brow, you want to accentuate your arch. Draw a small line above your natural arch in the direction of your hair growth, and connect your brows (still using the same technique) from where you left off in Step 3 to the highest point of your arch. It should look very natural.

Step 5: With any excess brown pigment from the product left over on your brush, go over your brows to darken any areas that need it. The end of your brow should be the lightest as you have the least hairs there. If it needs to be extended, do this with the residue on your brush.

Step 6: Comb your brows in place with a spoolie, clear mascara or tinted brow mascara to set your brows.

My brow looks very arched in this photo because of the angle I took the picture. Don't worry they aren't that triangular.. LOL

• If necessary, take a small concealer brush with your favorite concealer and outline your brow and then blend it into your skin to cover up any mistakes, or if you made your brows too thick.

• Add a shimmery highlight under your arch to make your brows look even more polished!

I hope your found this post helpful, and if you have any questions.. make sure to post them below!

The Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the brand.. Sonia Kashuk is a line of beauty products (created by Makeup Artist & Entrepreneur Sonia Kashuk) that are sold exclusively at Target stores. Sonia Kashuk products are supposedly of high end quality for an affordable price. One thing Sonia Kashuk is really known for is their wonderful brushes. Often times Sonia Kashuk comes out with limited edition brush sets for the whole face that range from $10-$20.. often times you can snag a great set for a great price since they go Clearance when the next new items come out. If you have, Kudos to you! I unfortunately don't have a very large selection of brushes and don't happen to own any myself.

It wasn't until lately that I was feeling a little dissatisfied with my selection of foundation brushes (I lost my MAC 131 somehow.. I gave my full size MAC 187 to my Mom and my MAC 187SE got ruined when my eyelash glue leaked into all of the bristles). Currently, I only have my ELF Studio Stipple brush.. which works wonderfully and a few basic foundation brushes (MAC 109, Ecotools Foundation Brush, ELF Studio Angled Foundation Brush) which I don't find practical for every foundation I own. I've been really wanting to try the Sigma Synthetic Face Kit, but as of the moment I can't dish out $50 on brushes. So, I finally decided to purchase the Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush that I've see every time I'm at Target and have read raves for among Beauty Blogs.

The Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush is a synthetic fiber brush with relatively short bristles (maybe a little under an inch long?) and is very silky soft to the touch. It is very dense and sturdy, and because of the small size - it is ideal for applying foundation and working it into small areas as well as creme and powder blush. The brush retails for $14.99.

I compared it to my other flat top brushes...

From Left to Right: Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush, ELF Studio Powder Brush & Gotta B' Urban Finishing Brush. 

The Sonia Kashuk brush is the smallest of the three and it is the most dense. My ELF Studio Powder Brush is almost just as dense and a little bit larger. The ELF brush works well for foundation.. but I found it very difficult to clean when I used liquid foundation, so I just stick with using powder products with it. The Gotta B' Urban brush (purchased at Marshall's) is the least dense, as the fibers are very long and is ideal for setting powder.

The first time using the brush was today and I really liked the result. It smoothed on my foundation so quick and easy. I didn't have to spend extra time buffing it in like I usually do. 

Overall, I think it's a very good brush. The price seems a lot for a brush that isn't high end, but it works extremely well and is comparable to a brush you'd buy from MAC or Sephora. 

I'll keep you updated to let you know how I like this brush as I use it more and more.

Do you own this brush? How do you like it?

NOTD: OPI Miami Beet!

 I had planned to do my nails today with Wet n Wild's "Grey Anatomy" Nail Polish that I purchased last month, but I couldn't find the bottle for the life of me. So, I just grabbed any polish from my drawer and quickly polished my nails before leaving out with my mom for the day!

Miami Beet is a cream formula polish that is a deep red purple, the true color of ripened beets. In artificial lighting (indoors) it appears to be a deep red, but in the sunlight or florescent lighting it's a deep fuchsia. Miami Beet is an older polish from OPI's South Beach Collection from the Spring/Summer of 2009.. I got a hold of this polish last summer in a swap, and this is probably only my second time wearing it. 

Two (2) coats of OPI Miami Beet & One (1) coat of Rimmel Lasting Finish Top Coat.

Lighting: Sunlight; in the shade. No flash. (The red tone is very visible)

Lighting: In Bright Sunlight. No flash. (You can see the purple tone well here)

Whats on your nails?

False Eyelashes 101. (Where to purchase, Styles & brands I like, etc.)

It was requested to do a post on how to apply false lashes and which lashes in particular are my favorite. Once I started to write about false lashes, I realized that this post was going to be very, very long. So I decided to break it up into three different posts. This post is basic information & common questions regarding false lashes (strip lashes), my second post will be a picture tutorial of how to apply false lashes and my third post will be regarding individual lashes. If you have any questions that you think should be added to this post, comment and I will add your question along with my answer.

Check back later for my tutorial! :)

Where to Purchase False Lashes in-store:

There are several different places you can purchase false eyelashes. You can purchase them at your local drugstore (CVS Pharmacy, Walgreen's, Etc), Target, Walmart, Beauty Supply Stores (Sally Beauty Supply, ULTA, Etc.) and more.

Walgreen's & CVS Pharmacy typically carry Modlash by Andrea, Ardell Fashion Lashes, Revlon Fantasy Lengths & Maybelline Lash Expert Lashes. I've also spotted new "Kiss" brand lashes at my local Walgreen's. Most lashes range from $3.49 to $6 a pair. I usually find them cheaper at Walgreen's opposed to CVS and Walgreen's often has sales on them.

Target carries limited styles of Ardell Fashion Lashes, a couple styles of N.Y.C false eye lashes and a few styles of Sonia Kashuk Lashes. It depends on your location as well. Larger Target stores will carry a larger selection. My nearest locations sell Ardell's for around $3.69 or so a pair.

As far I recall, Walmart carries a range of Salon Perfect lashes, which I believe are Ardell/Andrea lashes with a different name sold exclusively at Walmart. I like purchasing Salon Perfect lashes because they are the same as Ardell's but cheaper! The regular price for a pair is $3 at my nearest location. They also carry Revlon Fantasy Lengths.

You will find the largest selection of lashes at your Beauty Supply stores. Sally's Beauty Supply carries all styles of Ardell and Andrea false lashes, whereas your local drugstores only carry limited styles. Depending on how large your ULTA store is, they may have a decent selection. The ULTA stores near me carry Ardell, and don't have many styles. Often times they don't have the style I am looking for.

You may be lucky enough to find decent lashes at your local Dollar Store.. I found some great Fashion Lashes at my local Dollar Tree. But, every location is different and certain items sell out quick. So, it can't be guaranteed that you'll find them. (You can view my post here about them for reference)

Where to purchase False Lashes online:

http://www.cherryculture.com. Cherryculture stocks NYX lashes & Sassi Lashes for $4.00 a pair. Although I've ordered from Cherry Culture, I've never purchased their lashes.

http://www.eyeslipsface.com. If you're on a budget, ELF has a few different styles of false lashes for $1.00 each. 

http://www.madamemadeline.com. The ultimate online store to purchase various brands of false eye lashes. They carry Ardell, Andrea, Red Cherry, Revlon, Sherani, Gypsy Lashes, Elise & more. Make sure to check out their specials as they have monthly sales.

http://www.nonpareilboutique.com. They have a large variety of their own "Nonpariel Boutique" lashes for $3 a pair as well as other brands (NYX, Red Cherry, Etc.)

You can also find eyelashes on ebay, your local drugstores website and more. If you want to share any of your favorite places to purchase eyelashes, post in the comments at the bottom of this post!

Brands of False Lashes I like:

I usually purchase Ardell and Andrea brand lashes. Since I wear false lashes often, I try and wait for a sale and I will purchase several to have on hand. I purchase Salon Perfect lashes from Walmart often, as they are less expensive. I have never tried Maybelline or Revlon lashes. I've tried N.Y.C lashes, but they only have two styles that I don't care for.. so I don't purchase them. My favorite styles are Salon Perfect #26, #23 & #28 (A longer version of #26). With all three of those styles, I always cut them in half for a less dramatic look. My favorite styles in Ardell are #105, #111 (very long & dramatic) #119, #107 & Lacies. Sometimes I purchase #103's. My favorite style in Andrea are #23, #26 (Same as Salon Perfect) & #45.

Synthetic or Human Hair? Ultimately, it's up to you to choose which you prefer. I like both, but I prefer human hair eye lashes for a few different reasons. Real human hair false lashes are made to better blend in with your lashes and give a more natural appearance. They have more "give" to them than synthetic lashes and can be bent to the shape of your eye to be worn for comfortably. They are also lightweight and should feel comfortable on your lashes. But, these are more fragile than synthetic lashes and you will typically get less uses out of them. Synthetic lashes can be made of various different fibers to best resemble real lashes. They are more stiff and you have to bend them quite a bit to fit to the shape of your eye. Depending on the brand, the band may be very stiff and it may lift off the ends, which would require frequent touch ups. Because they aren't real human hair, they hold a curl very well and are ideal if you want sky high glamour lashes. Synthetic lashes are typically shiny and can sometimes look unnatural, but once you apply a coat of mascara on them, they will blend in better with your lashes and appear less glossy. The reason many choose Synthetic lashes is because they are less expensive & they are more durable - which means that they will usually last longer.

What to look for when purchasing: It really depends on what "look" you are going for. Lashes that are very dark and thick are very noticeable and dramatic. They tend to appear less natural because of the thickness & can sometimes feel slightly heavy on your eyes. Nevertheless, they are beautiful for photo shoots or a night out. I recommend real human lashes if you want thick, because synthetic thick lashes (if they are long as well) appear very shiny, tend to curl very high and unnatural and can sometimes look "drag-ish". Steer more towards thick lashes with a natural length to add a lot of definition to your eyes.

This particular style of N.Y.C lashes are very thick and dark. You can tell that they are synthetic because they are very shiny. They are dramatic, but they aren't very long - So, they will enhance your eyes and make your eyes look darker and sultry. (Image source: www.superdrug.com)

Lashes that are natural in length and volume (refer to the "Ardell" photo above and look at #123 for example) are ideal for those with very short and fine lashes for a natural appearance. 

Lashes that are natural in volume and long in length are ideal for those with short to average lashes and average volume. (refer to Ardell #121)

Lashes that are long in length with added volume are ideal for those with average length & volume who would like added length and a darker look to their lashes. (refer to Ardell #105)

The possibilities are endless. You just want to make sure to pick lashes that are longer than your own. I've purchased lashes before that were actually shorter than my lashes - but much thicker and once I applied mascara to my lashes, they looked very unnatural. If you can't decide which to purchase, steer more towards lashes that are more natural in appearance. Then, you will get an idea of if you need more length or volume, so you'll know what to purchase next time!

Lash Adhesive/Glue: There are two basic brands of Lash Glue most that most locations carry. It is Ardell LashGrip Adhesive & DUO Eyelash Adhesive. I prefer DUO over Ardell because DUO is a stronger glue. I find that when I use Ardell lash glue, my lashes are falling off by the end of the night. That doesn't happen when I use DUO. DUO comes in two shades of glue, Dark or Clear. The dark glue is gray colored when wet, and dries to black. This is ideal if you are wearing black eyeliner or a black/dark smokey eye. The clear glue is white/off white when wet and will dry clear. Don't be alarmed by the scent of the glue if it's your first time applying false lashes. It has a offensive fishy smell, but goes away once it has dried. You may also see Ardell Lashtight Adhesive for Individual Lashes.. but don't purchase that one. It is not for strip lashes. It's for eyelash extensions. I've bought it before on accident thinking I was purchasing regular adhesive. Also, you may find the Ardell glue in a different colored box.. such as yellow, blue, black or pink. It is all the same exact product.

How to Clean False Lashes: There are several ways to clean your lashes. If you have real human hair lashes, they require a very delicate touch to clean. Apply a few drops of water to them and comb them through with a lash comb to get rid of any dust, dirt or mascara. It should also soften the glue so you can pull it off easily. Let them dry flat overnight. If they are drenched in water and you let them sit, the lashes can get clumped together and will stay that way. Synthetic lashes are easy to wash. You can run them under lukewarm water and with your fingers lightly rub the lashes so any mascara or dirt runs free. Lay them on a flat surface to dry.

How long False Lashes will last: It mainly depends on how well you take care of them. If you don't apply mascara to them or curl them with a lash curler, it will extend the life of your lashes. Make sure to always take them off at the end of the night and don't sleep with them. If you sleep with them, you may wake up to your lashes being pressed in different directions and you won't be able to wear them again. Gently peel them off at the end of the night and store them in the plastic container you purchased them in. It's important to keep them in a closed place because if you put them on your nightstand, they will collect dust and particles over night. I typically get 3 or 4 uses out of them. Sometimes I can get 5-7 uses out of them if I take extra care of them or if they are synthetic.