{mirror, mirror on the wall}

I never used a vanity mirror until I traveled to Las Vegas many, many years ago and since that faithful meeting I had decided I was going to install a wall mirror vanity in my bathroom when I purchased a home.   Well, I now have the home, however, we are in the planning stages of remodeling the master bath, hence, still no wall vanity mirror.  Since purchasing a make-up vanity, I bought a table vanity mirror for it and I adore using it.  I'm most obsessed with the magnified side of the mirror and the back-lit.  The magnified side is great for detailed applications such as: eye shadow, eye liner, mascara,  and false lashes.  I think everyone should own one!  Go!  Now!

{teach back : organized make-up brushes}

What You Need: 

• Glass/plastic vase(s)
• Vase fillers (I like small vase fillers)

How To: 

• Fill each vase 2/3 to 1/2 way with filler (thicker brush handles tend to need more filler to stand up)
• Organize brushes by functionality 

Optional: 

• Place a ribbon of your liking around the vase/glue gems around the vase w/ a hot glue gun.

{true happy place}

I've been eyeing this since last winter when I spotted it at a friend's house.  I've been faithfully waiting for it to go on sale and finally it did!  I am now a proud owner of a mirrored vanity where I can spend hours upon hours dolling myself up.  Honestly, a dream come true.  ;)  

{foundation : airbrushed}

I think I've finally found the way of creating an airbrushed, natural look with foundation!  The main tool?  

Sigma Beauty's Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki brush (F80)

This brush works best with liquid foundation in a stippling motion.  My prior foundation tool was a wet beauty blender, however, that tended to apply a thick application and I could tell I was wearing make-up.  The F80 brush gives plenty of coverage while also looking natural... AND... your make-up still looks airbrushed 10 hours later!  (At least for me it does.)  At the end of a work day I had a co-worker comment, "it (my foundation) still looks airburshed!".  Definitely a keeper and a tool I will be recommending!  I also bought the Round Top Synthetic Kabuki brush (F82) (couldn't decide between the two so I did what I usually do... GET BOTH!)  but haven't used it yet.  Once I do I'll make sure to post my review.  

{october's make-up haul}

Lately I've been on a make-up binge.  I've been watching a ton of make-up tutorials/blogs (Kandee Johnson, From Head to Toe to name a few) which in turn inspires me to purchase all different sorts of make-up (horrible for the wallet :().  I've also been a huge fan of the work Mario Dedivanovic does on Kim Kardashian, and that has also inspired me.  Her face always looks immaculate. 

{Crown make-up brushes (other brands are displayed here) & 15 brush holder, 
MAC Cosmetics lipsticks, MAC Cosmetics blush, St. Tropez Wash Off Face Bronzer, 
Dr. Jart+ BB Cream, BH Cosmetics 120 Palette 3rd Edition}

{BH Cosmetics 120 Palette, 3rd Edition}

 I love a smokey eye and this palette gives you smokey eye options in almost any shade possible.  This palette is easy on the wallet ($23) and the pigmentation is great.  The texture is similar to MAC Cosmetics.  I wouldn't describe it as velvety.  I do admit, all these color options have overwhelmed me.  

{MAC Blush in Pink Swoon, UD Naked Palette}

You must be thinking it took me long enough to get the UD Naked palette!  I recently spied one of my gf using it and her eye make-up looked real good.  I don't often sport the "natural" warm tones but I'm always up for trying new things!  The colors are very pigmented, texture is velvety, and you can actually create beautiful brown smokey eyes with this palette.  I love the MAC Pink Swoon blush.  Don't let the hot pink-ness of it scare you!  It actually goes on a bit sheer.  It gives a natural baby doll, youthful look.  It's Kim Kardashian's favorite blush, which I didn't find out about until after I purchased it!  Well, what do you know?  :)

{MAC Cosmetic lipsticks: Fabby, Pink Plaid, Please Me}

{from bottom to top: Fabby, Pink Plaid, Please Me}

I went to MAC Cosmetics on a mission to find a pink-nude lipstick and left with these three colors.  (A terrible habit of mine: if you can't decide on one, get all!).  These actually have more color than a typical nude lipstick.  Please Me is great with smokey eyes and Pink Plaid is great for a playful, youthful look.  Fabby reminds me of my favorite Love Child lip gloss so I had to get it.  

{St. Tropez Wash Off Face Bronzer, Dr. Jart+ BB Cream}

Kandee Johnson inspired me to get the St. Tropez bronzer.  I initially purchased the wash off moose all-over bronzer but I think it was the culprit of my breakouts.  I did a bit of research and discovered St. Tropez makes one especially for the face (the one pictured above).  I love this bronzer.  It gives a nice non-orange instant bronze color.  I put it on over Make Up Forever's HD Primer #7.  Dr. Jart+ is the first BB cream I've tried.  I originally received a small sample from Sephora and I liked it so I purchased the full size.  I like that it's a 4-in-1 (make up, SPF 45, anti-aging, and brightener) and after I wash my face, it feels softer.  

{Crown 15 make up brush holder & some Crown brushes}

Crown offers good make up brushes at a great price.  I picked up a flat head bronzer brush, crease brushes, pencil brush, slanted bronzer/blush brush, and a small slanted brush.  

Hope you've been inspired.  xoxo, jules