Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set!

Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set

I've been interested in trying makeup brushes from Costco for a while now, after repeatedly hearing about how awesome some of the sets have been over the past few years.

I don't have a membership to Costco, so as far as inventory goes, I'm not really sure how often the selection of brushes changes. The location near me only had this set available, and of course, it could differ from location. I really wanted to try a Borghese Brush set, and I didn't know until now that they aren't sold all year round. Apparently they are available around the holidays, and there is a new set each year. (Please correct me if I'm wrong, as I don't want to give out false information).

The Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set includes: Contour Kabuki Brush, Highlighting Fan Brush, Finishing Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Powder Brush, Cheek Brush, All Over Eye Brush, Angled Eye Brush, Crease Eye Brush, Liner Brush and Cosmetic Bag/Brush Roll.

Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set

 On the Costco website, the set retails for $29.99. But, at my local Costco, this set was only $13.97! (My amazing friend picked it up for me. Hi May!) I wouldn't necessarily purchase this set for $30, but $14 is an absolute bargain (A little over a dollar a brush + the brushroll/cosmetic bag!)

My favorite brushes include: The Finishing Brush and Pointed Foundation Brush. The finishing brush is one of the softest brushes in the set and feels wonderful on the face. The pointed foundation brush is also very soft and doesn't make the foundation application streaky. Also, because of the pointed shape, it applies the foundation well in small areas (around the the nose, brows and hairline) and it works well for applying concealer.

My least favorite brushes include: The Contour Kabuki Brush and Highlighting Fan Brush. These are my least favorite of the bunch and I probably won't use them often. They are incredibly soft, but almost too soft for my taste. They are synthetic, but the cheap synthetic, where the fibers are shiny and plasticy. I prefer natural bristles unless it's for foundation. I may use them for setting powder, though.

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MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick

MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick ($16) is described on the MAC website as a watermelon pink. It's a pretty accurate description. It's a vivid, reddened-fuchsia pink with very fine hot pink/purple shimmer. The shimmer is so fine that you don't feel the grit on your lips. If you were a MAC fanatic in the Fafi days (2008), you might remember a gorgeous little lipglass called Totally It, this lipstick reminds me a lot of that color.

It seems like all I have been posting about lately is bright lipstick - but I swear, I think this is the last one for a while. Maybe.

Insanely It has been on my wishlist for a while now, and I actually like it a lot more than I thought I would.

You don't hear too much about the MAC Sheen Supreme line of lipsticks, and I'm not sure why, because they are amazing formulated lipsticks.

MAC Sheen Supremes are a hybrid between a lipgloss and lipstick. They have the pigment of a lipstick, are ultra-buttery upon application and have a finish of a lipgloss. I only owned one prior (Bare Again) and I have to say they are incredibly comfortable on the lips and they keep any dryness at bay.

Guest Post: Eye Look featuring MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow.

Guest Post Written by Ashley

Today the lovely Ashley of Beauty-Twist shares us a gorgeous eye look focusing on MAC Star Violet, a pinky-brown plum veluxe pearl eyeshadow that will compliment all eye colors.

MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow

I'm really loving purple toned eyeshadows at the moment and as I was swatching shades during my latest trip to MAC, I spotted Star Violet, a gorgeous pinky-brown plum with a veluxe pearl finish. This purple-burgundy shade blends like a dream and pairs beautifully with golds and browns. Star Violet is highly pigmented, extremely smooth and velvety, and has a slightly metallic sheen. I find that it performs best when blended into the crease and on the outer-v of the eye.

I only recently began wearing purple on my lids and wish I would have started doing so much sooner! Shades within the purple family are a great compliment for all eye colors and really make the eyes pop!

*Follow these steps for a gorgeous eye featuring Star Violet*

1. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, apply Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadow in Bad to The Bronze onto the lids. Blend the shadow upwards and stop at the eye's crease. Use an eyeliner brush and apply to the lower lash line.

2. Apply a gold shadow to the inner corners and first 1/3 of the eyelid. (I used Urban Decay's Half Baked but you may use any gold shadow that you have on hand.)

3. Next, apply Star Violet to the outer-v of the eye and blend into the crease. Be sure to buff out and harsh edges for a soft, smoky effect.

4. Finish of the look with liquid liner and 2 coats of mascara.

Review: Hollywood Fashion Tape!

Hollywood Fashion Tape 

Hollywood Fashion Tape is a double-stick tape that can be used on the body and/or clothing. It's said to be gentle on the skin, hypoallergenic and will not leave a sticky residue behind.

When I was working in the office, safety pins were my best friend for covering up any cleavage that my dress shirts may expose. It was probably the most annoying thing in the world to be running out the door to work, realizing that my shirt may be too low-cut, or the slit in my skirt may come up too high. I'd be fumbling at each stop light, wishing to get stuck by a train - but it always seems like when you want a red light, you get nothing but green, right? Anyway, I'd be pricking myself with the pin all the way up the stairs before reaching the office, only to have a visible metal pin showing from my neckline. Whatever. It was better than being "Chesty McChesterson" at the front desk. I tried a couple of double-stick tapes, but they weren't sticky enough and didn't do the job - especially when I had a tight fitting shirt (I needed something more like crazy glue to keep them shut.)

The tape is pretty versatile and you can use it in so many different ways. Aside from your neckline, you can use it to cover up the gaps between buttons on a dress shirt, to hold your bra straps in place, to keep your loose fitting blouse from falling off your shoulders or to temporarily fold over/under your pants that are too long (temporary hem).

The tape is really easy to use. For a quick fixer like the images below, you won't need the full piece of tape. Just snip it in half and peel off the backing. Then, place it on the fabric that is hidden once your shirt is buttoned. *Try your best to place it in the correct spot without having the tape exposed, to avoid removing the tape and trying again, as it may lose some of it's stickiness and become less effective. Remove the remaining backing. Line up the fabric that will lay on top of the tape directly above the tape (so it's not touching) to make sure you're laying it straight. Holding the fabric taut, place it on the tape and press firmly.

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