Makeup Brushes - Best Brushes on a Budget

I can't believe it is eventually Spring! I m so excited that I have cracked open the the coral nail polishes and the inappropriate footwear already.

I thought I would try photograph my brushes outside for a change, so please excuse the bizarre choice of backdrop, but I couldn't help myself.

Here are my favourites.  As you know I love a bargain so a lot of them are the best quality you can get a reasonable price point.  I consider £6-8 per brush to be my sweet spot but I will spend extra for a specific brush if needed.

Please excuse the slight snipped away bits on some of my brushes, this was not an attempt to hone each brush to perfection, rather my son just got busy with my hairdressing scissors one day, Thanks Little Man!

Face

Ecotools Powder Brush - I got this in TK Maxx for £5,  It is really soft and great for applying a dusting of powder to set your foundation.  This stops you getting that cakey look that powder puffs give you.

Real Techniques Blush Brush - £7.19 Amazon - I just got this as a gift for my birthday I like the size of it and that it is great at giving me a soft blush or bronzer finish, I wouldn't recommend it for contouring though as the head it just too big for me, but then I'm hopeless at contouring so I'm not sure I should be doling out advice on that!

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I paid about £10 for this but they are cheaper on Amazon at the moment - I bought this to apply foundation with, as everyone was raving about it, but it sucks up all your foundation and leaves a streaky finish...not good.  However, I love it as a smoother after I have applied my foundation with my fingertips.  I just buff this in circles over my face and it gives it a very even streak free finish, it is ideal to ensure there are no lines or uneven patches.

Eyes

Sephora Pro Crease - I bought this in Vegas and it cost about £16 after conversion from USD.  This is an amazing brush, you can use it to blend all the different shadows together at the end of application and it leaves such a professional finish.  I also like using it to apply face powder in small areas like to set concealer.  Now that Sephora ships to the UK there's no need to wait till a friend goes there.

Laura Mercier Smudge - Another splurge brush, this cost me £20 from Space NK (UK equivalent of Sephora) - this is my all time favourite brush because it is such a specific tool but it works perfectly.  I love the smoky eye look and this brush is ideal to push a dark eye shadow into your lash line and then you can blend it out.  I have had this a few years now and it was well worth the money.

MAC 213 SE Fluff Brush - Free in a palette - currently 10% off at Debenhams - My brother kindly bought me a gorgeous MAC eyeshadow palette when he visited New York and this was in it, I have had it for about 10 years and I use it everyday unfortunately this brush suffered the brunt of the scissor attack and so I have had to replace it, it is still usable but nowhere near as good :(

Real Techniques Shading Brush - I paid about £6 for this - I have only had this about a week and was bought to replace my beloved MAC brush.  I like it so far, it applies your eyeshadow with more precision than the MAC but only by about 20% more.  I like that it is really soft and it blends much better than my old brush.

Ruby and Millie Eye Brushes - I have 2 of these both came free in makeup sets I was bought as Christmas gifts - I really like these brushes.  I use one for shading my eyebrows (it has a navy band round it in the picture, which I did with nail varnish.)  The other I use for eyeliner, it is so good at getting right into the lash line but still sift enough to use on your waterline.  The brand has been sadly discontinued but this is supposed to be very similar and at $10 (about £7) I would say is surprisingly good value.

Maybelline Liner Brush - this came free with their gel liner that was only about £8 - It is great for detail work but I wish it had a longer handle.  I use this on the waterline and for cats eye liner.

Body Shop Blending Brush - I have had this since University so about 15 years it cost about £6 - They no longer make it (God knows why?) but it is a really good brush for putting on your base colour of eyeshadow as it is so broad it is really quick.  Here is something similar though the price is nowhere near as good.

Concealing

Body Shop Eyeshadow Brush - Again it cost about £6 and I have had it for years - It is a truly terrible eyeshadow brush as it is too thin and the bristles are too firm BUT.. it is a very good concealer brush for applying concealer over blemishes (spots.) It is great at depositing cream concealers without taking it back off again. This has now been discontinued as well.

Body Shop Lip Brush - ditto cost, age and discontinuege (not a real word) - I never use lip brushes so I have no idea whether this is good as a lip brush but like it's sister above, it is great at concealing.  I use this for detail concealer work.  This has now been discontinued and not replaced by anything remotely similar.

Last but not least

Disposable Mascara Wand - I got these on Ebay they were about £1 for 10 - I use these to brush through my brows after applying my foundation to ensure there is none hanging around there waiting to look all grubby.

Hopefully this gives a good overview of my prices, I have a couple of kabuki's that I occasionally crack out for blush but other than that this pretty much sums up my everyday tools.

Is there anything else I'm missing?  What are your Must-Have brushes?

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MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter Review

When something costs just £3 you have to give it a try, right?

I have had a couple of successful purchases from this line, namely the blushers, so I thought I would give it a whirl.

This compact looks like cheap horrid plastic (which it is) but it has a swirly pattern reminiscent of so many high end brands, we're looking at you MAC.  When you apply this, it is not easy to see due to a lack of pigmentation, but it brings light to wherever you put it on your face and gives a pretty effect if used sparingly.  I apply it with a big soft powder brush to the top of my (non-existent) cheekbones, and it is actually pretty effective. It is quite pink toned so may not be suitable for those with warmer skin tones but it does a good job on those of us who definitely lean to the pink side.

This is not a top class highlighter but... it does the job.  It doesn't have the chic packaging or the silky texture of a high-end product but it does highlight your face. For £3 it's worth a go if your new to contouring and want to give it a go.

For a cheap dupe for Benefits High Beam here's the link 

FOTD - super natural look

Just a quick post, with the return of the sun, I thought I put up what I used for a super natural look today.

Skin evened out with - Revlon Colorstay in Nude 101 (US version)
Set on t-zone with - Rimmel Stay Matte in Transparent
Cheekbones picked out with - MUA Highlighting powder
Countoured with -Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzer
Blush provided by - MAC Pinch of Peach (nearly finished arrgghh!)
Lips improved with - Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie
Eyes defined by - MAC Shale and Embark
Lashes Lengthened by - Maybelline The Falsies Flared (US version)
Eyebrows defined with - Browzing by Benefit

As usual not showing up anywhere as much as it does in real life.

My Top 3 Affordable Foundations

I don't know about you, but I alternate between 3 foundations based on the needs of my skin and the length of time I will be needing to wear it for without touch ups. These are the three I swap between and regularly repurchase.

Bourjois Healthy Mix. Foundation - No SPF £9.99 here 

This is recommended by Lisa Eldridge and is a great everyday foundation.  It gives medium coverage and a lovely glow.  I need to set this foundation on the t-zone though to avoid greasy looking skin within the hour, but this is not a deal breaker.  It has a pump (that can fail if the product isn't stored upright) It smells delicious and is smooth to apply, it stays liquid for a decent time giving you time to work it in. It apparently has no SPF so should not give you a greyish colour but the ingredients contain titanium dioxide which a common ingredient used to give sun protection.  This a great foundation for days when your skin feels dry and you want to look more radiant. On normal to dry skin (instead of my oily face) I imagine it is an amazing foundation apart from the lack of SPF. I looks incredibly natural. Note - it has changed it packaging recently.

Revlon Colorstay Oily/Combination foundation - SPF 6 - £12.49 here

I use this when my makeup has to stay all day , so lazy days or for "events". It dries quickly and so you have to work fast to blend this.  You need to do one area at a time so that the first blob hasn't dried before you have chance to blend.  It has a feeble SPF of 6 and no pump on the bottle but it is still a "must have" due to the fact I can go all day without a hint of oil. This foundation is great if you like the flawless look for your skin, I feel it can look a bit unnatural in it's perfection as it is full coverage, but sometimes it is nice to have a completely even base, particularly for statement make up. It doesn't feel heavy on at all and if I could only have one foundation this would be the one. It comes in a great range of colours and is good it toning down pinkish skin. It is also good at masking redness if blushing is a problem for you. I solve the pump problem by repurposing an old Lancome foundation bottle.

Rimmel Match Perfection - SPF 18 - £6.99 on offer here for £5
This is an easy to apply foundation with medium coverage and staying power it, stays longer than the Healthy Mix yet is more dewy than the Revlon, it is a good in-between and regularly can be picked up for just £6 a bottle. Other plus points are that it has an spf of 18 which is highly appreciated when on holiday and even better it has a pump, though I doubt whether anyone would need a whole pump to cover their face. I bought this as a cheapy foundation to cover me for the month or so in summer where my skin is most tanned, but it has ended up being a foundation i like to have on hand at all times. Again I would set this over the t-zone with powder is it has a "wet" finish.

Honourable Mention

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation SPF 15 - £8.99 here 
This is recommended by Tanya Burr and. I think it gives good coverage and a really natural looking finish.  the price is good and it smells lovely.  it has an SPF of 15 and a pump top.  The only issue i have is that the colour is slightly orange on, though this can be corrected with powder.  I wish this was stocked in a wider variety of shades as it is a good foundation.  It doesn't wear as well as the others, but can blended more easily, This is my least favourite of the 4 but I would still buy it if my usual colour was not available in the others as it does the job.

NB.  apply all my foundations with my finger tips, as i don't find that you can get such an even finish with a brush or sponge, they always seem to leave streaks.  I also prefer my fingers for hygiene reasons as i don't have to keep washing brushes, just my hands which I always do before applying my make up anyway. Another reason for using my hands is that brushes and sponges waste at least 50% of the product, so I have to re-buy more regularly and waste money.

Bourjois Shine Addict Review

I have been running low on my beloved Lip Butters recently so I went down to my local (woefully stocked) Boots to see what I could find.  They only have 6 make up lines on sale there,  3 of which I have never bought a good item from.  The remaining 3 lines had either a grubby looking sample product and no actual product or the opposite, eventually I found this;

Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick in the imaginatively named "02"

This is a very similar formulation to the Revlon Lip Butters of which I am a fan, but the most exciting part is the colour is absolutely great.  It looks pretty shocking in the tube but when applied is a perfect blend of warming coral and fresh rose.  Also the packaging is beautiful. What is not to like at 5.99

I have photographed it against my two favourite lip butters so you can see the formulation.

How to keep your makeup looking good all day

I really enjoy doing my make up each morning, it's something I always look forward to as it has such instant results, unlike parenting.  However... I don't have the time for constant touch ups. I trawled the internet for ages before my wedding to get the best ideas and Lisa Eldridge has a great Youtube video on this.  This is what I have managed to learn so far...

The best tip I have learnt for make up that lasts all day is layering

• I use a lip stain and balm, not a lipstick.  The lip stain does what it says and the lip balm provides the moisture.  There are so many of these on the market now you can just take your pick.  You also get to pick the finish, whether glossy, matte, or with a slight sheen.
• I apply my foundation and then set it by pushing a loose powder into the T-zone area with a powder puff (very 50's), This is not a great idea for around the eyes, as powder accentuates fine lines. I always sweep over my face with a big brush so I don't look chalky.
• I use eyeliner everyday as my eyes look undefined without it.  My favourite is MAC Fluidline, it stays put all day, swatch a sample on the back of your hand next time your in a beauty hall and see how long it lasts, you will really have to rub it off. You apply it with a slanted eyeliner brush as this is far easier to control and you can really get in between the eyelashes, so no white gaps. I then apply a brown matte eyeshadow over the top to "set" it and  also use it to blend to make the line look less harsh. I use the Laura Mercier Smudge Brush for this.

My absolute favourite long lasting products are;

• Revlon Colorstay foundation (for oily skin) this stuff is great, Bobbi Brownesque colours and finish, with a Revlon price tag.  I have this in my Summer and Winter shades, and I just mix the two to get the right colour. Only downside for me is no pump, so you have to be very careful about hygeine when getting the product from the bottle) 
• Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush - I love that this gives you such a healthy looking flush.  You need to use this before powder as it is a liquid formula but you only need a drop or two and it lasts for ages.  I have had mine for over a year, I use it daily, there is still at least half left.  I used to use MAC blushes but I very rarely bother with them now.

There are a couple of Urban Decay products I use if I am going to wedding or something that my look needs to last all day and night.  They are De-slick (sold as Skindinavia No More Shine Make Up Finish in the US and Australia) and Eyeshadow Primer.  I am still in two minds about their efficacy.  My makeup does last but I'm not sure whether it would have anyway, I have read so many positive reviews about them so I will leave it to you.

Some products no matter how great or innovative never last longer than a few hours, the most obvious being lip gloss, don't waste your money trying to find one that does.

What works for you?

Any suggestions that will help my reach my Nirvana of makeup-that-stays-put-all-day will be gratefully received x

What's in Celebrities Makeup Kits

I don't know about you but I love seeing what is in my friends make up bag, it's a chance to learn and also a real window into their personality. If you can read a man by his shoes, then you can read a woman by her make up bag.

I always read the celeb "what's in your bag" type articles in magazines, even though I know it's a load of balls.


Picture courtesy of Colin Ross

Liv tyler uses Pantene, yeah right!
Cheryl Cole dyes her hair with Casting Creme Gloss, B******s.

Well regardless of me having to suspend all disbelief here is a collection of the best, and most realistic, Make Up Bag articles

Kourtney Kardashian me thinks a little more than this
Jemma Kidd sounds good
Lisa Eldridge seems honest based on viewing her youtube videos
Lauren Conrad view the slideshow
TOWIE girls again, i feel there is a little more than this!
Nicki Minaj total honesty
Amber Le Bon my kind of girl

And here's an example of product placement at it's best
Sharon Stone for Dior this obviously has nothing to do do with her being the face of Dior
Jessica Alba yeah, no coincidence she likes Revlon

Have you seen any great and honest make up bag articles or even some real howlers!

GMU x

Long Lasting Lip Colour

As much as I love make up, I also love having time to do other things... like eating breakfast, reminding my kids to flush the loo, emptying the dishwasher (oh the glamour!)

So for me the quality I seek most in any lip colour product is longevity. I like anything that stains my lips so all I need to do is apply some balm or gloss during the day to keep them moisturised.
I used to use Benetint when I was younger but it was always rather patchy on application, so I left it to the strippers and their nipples.

I then graduated to all over lip liners. My favoutites were, and still are No7 and Rimmel. These give you the benefit of a larger range of colour but again they are a pain in the butt to blend. My favourites are Tiramisu, Addiction and Spice.

My latest find are Maybelline's Colorstay 24 hr (bit if an exaggeration) lip colour. They have two ends, one for the stain and one for the balm and they really do work. The stain glides on beautifully and then you wait a few minutes (I usually get on with the rest of my make up) then apply the balm or whatever gloss you fancy. I use the Rose Dust Heather something or another and Absolute Plum. I usually get around 8 hours from them which for me is pretty good going.

Which products do you find really give good staying power? any suggestions gratefully received