Real Techniques

Favorite Eye Brushes

I previously did a post on my favorite brushes for the face. Today I have for you my favorite brushes for the eyes. If you didn’t get a chance to read the first one, you can check it out here.

The majority of my eye brushes consist of Sigma. I purchased my first set over 5 years ago and they are still in great condition. I know there a lot more brands out there like Morphe. I’m sure they have a dupe for all of the brushes I’m going to list.

Sigma E40 Tapered Blending

E40

I’m starting off with my favorite brush of all time. I always start with this brush when doing my eyes. It’s perfect for blending the crease. I like to use this especially on days I don’t really feel like doing much. I like to use it with bronzer. All I do is dip it in the bronzer and go back and forth in the crease. It’s so easy to do! If I have more time I add a wing liner.

Real Techniques Setting

setting brush

I mentioned this brush in my other post, but I also like this brush for the eyes. I use it to set my primer and I also like it to use it to blend above my crease once I’m finished with my eyeshadow.

Sigma E35 Tapered Blending

E35

Another blending brush… This very similar to the E40 except it’s a little smaller. I like to use it to blend out darker colors.

Sigma E45 Small Tapered Blending

E45

This brush is great for adding depth to your look. It allows you to get very precise, but also blends at the same time.

Sigma F75 Concealer

F75

I love this brush because it serves many different purposes. It’s great to apply eye primer and cleaning up my winged liner. I also like to use this wet to apply glitters, loose shadow, or foiled eyeshadow (Makeup Geek).

Angled Liner Brush & Small Dense Brush

 

IMG_2939

These two brushes aren’t available but I wanted to give them a shoutout. I received these brushes in an Ipsy bag yearrrrrrrs ago. It was when the My Glam bags had just started out around 2012. I like the liner brush because it is very thin. I love using this to apply liner with eyeshadow.  The Sigma E06 looks like it would be great and it has pretty good reviews. The small dense brush is good to use to blend out the lower lash line. It’s also great to highlight the inner corner. The Morphe B16 looks very similar and it’s only $2!

I hope you’ve enjoyed. Thanks for reading!

XO, Diana

 

 

Favorite Face Brushes

Hello my beauties! Today I wanted to go over my favorite face brushes. These are all my go-to brushes I can’t live without.  

Tarte Airbrush Finish Foundation Brush ($34)

tarte.jpgThis is the brush I recommend the most. This brush is perfect for everyday use or full coverage. I mainly use this brush for everyday light foundation application. It’s super soft yet very dense. I love how big it is so it makes the application process super fast and easy. I normally apply the foundation on my face first. I dab a little bit on my forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. Then, I lightly buff the foundation in with brush using gentle circular motions. I don’t like to apply the foundation directly on the brush because I feel like it wastes too much product. This brush is on the pricier side, but it’s worth every penny in my opinion. Morphe brushes has a very similar brush. I haven’t tried their brushes so I can’t say anything as far as the quality goes, but if you are on a budget, you may wanna check it out.

Beauty Blender ($20)

beauty blenderThis may not be brush but it is the best tool to achieve a flawless look. It blends foundation and concealer perfectly. The only downfall is how long it takes to blend in. Not ideal for on the go. To save time I blend the foundation with a brush first and then I go in with the sponge. I also have the Real Techniques version. I think it’s a great dupe.

Bobbi Full Coverage Face Brush ($44)

bobbi brownThis is my go-to when I’m too lazy to use my beauty blender. This brush is perfect for traveling purposes because of the short handle. Its not as dense or big as the Tarte but it still applies a flawless application. This brush is great, but I’d recommend the two others above first.

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush ($10)

sculpting brush.jpgI think all Real Techniques brushes are amazing. They are super affordable! I’d say this one is my favorite. I use this brush to set my concealer. It works great with loose powder or the Kat Von D Shade & Light Palette (yellow shade). I press the powder under my eye with the brush. I do not blend or buff it, I just press it onto the skin. This is what gives the flawless application. You need this brush!

Real Techniques Contour Brush (set $18)

I use this brush to apply my concealer. Works great. It’s the perfect size to blend concealer. And because it’s tapered, it’s easy to get in the inner corner. I later go in with my beauty blender if I want more coverage. Be sure to wash these often. It tends to carry a lot of product so if you don’t wash it, it doesn’t blend as good. This brush is included in the Core Collection set. It’s a great set to start off with.

Real Techniques Setting Brush ($8)

setting brush.pngThis brush is great to set your concealer as well. I mainly use this for everyday purposes. I also like to use this brush to set my eye primer. Be sure to check out Ulta for these brushes. They often have them BOGO 50% off. Don’t forget the $3.50 off $10 coupon!

MUFE Large Powder Fan Brush ($48)

mufeI’ve mentioned this brush a couple times now. I can’t say enough good things about it! It is PERFECT for contouring and applying bronzer. It’s even great to apply brush and highlight. Morphe brushes has various similar brushes as well. Check them out here.  I’d say the Deluxe Fan or the the Jumbo Badger Fan are the closest. I know this one is pretty pricey.

If you haven’t checked out my post on my flawless foundation routine then check it out here. Stayed tuned for a post on my favorite eye brushes.

I hope this was helpful! Thanks for reading.

XO, Diana

Gym Beauty Bag

IMG_1219I go to the gym in the morning before work 3-4 days a week. Of course I am in a rush after every workout so I only have about 20 minutes to shower and get ready. Since I have less than ten minutes to do my makeup, I try to go with as minimal products as possible. This has been my go-to makeup bag for a couple months:

1. Origins GinZing Enery-Boosting Moisturizer– I don’t think this moisturizer is amazing by any means, but it gets the job done. It has an amazing citrus scent and absorbs into the skin quickly so I can apply my foundation right away.

2. Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream– Now this eye cream I do love. It does feel very refreshing and cool, and also absorbs quickly. It has a pink tint with tiny shimmer particles so it’s brightens up the eye. 

3. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation– I’ve had this foundation for a couple years and I always forget how much I love it. I prefer to apply this foundation with my fingertips. It’s very lightweight and gives a good medium coverage (perfect for everyday). This foundation is the perfect balance between dewy and matte. I prefer dewy foundations but this one still works well with my dry skin (also works great with oily skin). It has a great finish so it does not need to be set with powder. I am in the shade 30 Beige.

IMG_02134. NYX HD Photo Concealer– I picked this concealer up a couple months ago at Ulta. I’m really liking it so far because it gives pretty good coverage, blends easily, and has a nice consistency. It has a good lasting power even though it settles into creases a bit. Just like foundation, I blend this with my fingertips.

5. NARS Casino Bronzer– This bronzer was my go-to for a couple years but I slowly forgot about it since I purchased other bronzers. It’s a warm-brown powder with golden shimmers that give the skin a perfect bronzed natural look.

6. BECCA Mineral Blush– I have the shade Wild Honey which is described as a “peachy nude.” This color is perfect for an everyday natural look. These blushes are very easy to blend and have a good lasting power.

7. Real Techniques Blush Brush– This brush is perfect to use for bronzer and blush!

8. Anastasia Brow Powder Duo– I’m a huge fan of the ABH DipBrow Pomade but it’s not ideal when I’m on the go. I have the brow powder in the shade Medium Brown. I use it with a cheap eyebrow brush I purchased from Walmart years ago. I wouldn’t repurchase this product because I could easily use a matte brown shadow for same results. However, I would recommend if you are a beginner. I have been trying out a couple of L’Oreal brow products and will have a review for them soon!

9. Too Faced Shadow Insurance– I purchased a set that included this one and the Candlelight one for $10 a while back so that is why I’m using it. I prefer the Urban Decay Primer Potion but this one gets the job done too.

10. Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush– To give my eyes a little definition, I like to use this brush with my bronzer in the crease. It’s very easy to do and gives me a little bit of color.

11. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner– When I have a little bit more time on my hands I like to do a thin winged line. I love this eyeliner because it has an actual brush tip so it does not fray like regular felt tip liners. 

12. Dior Iconic Overcurl Mascara– This mascara replaced my ALL TIME favorite mascara, Buxom Lash Mascara. It gives my lashes good volume and curl without having to use an eyelash curler. It also doesn’t make me look like a raccoon at the end of the day. I have tried many mascaras including high-end and affordable and this is my favorite.

So there you have it! What are your favorite everyday products?

Happy Tuesday!

-Diana