Showing posts with label aDesign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aDesign. Show all posts

June 30, 2010

BRUSHES 101!!!

This is a comprehensive list of the various types of makeup brushes (both natural hair and synthetic) available for purchase.  I have included a picture and description of what each brush is used for. This post is for all the women who didn’t know what brush to buy or for those who have received a brush set but didn’t have a clue what all the brushes were used for. Hopefully this article will clear up the confusion and put you on the road to a more beautiful and blended face! 

Foundation Brush
A synthetic brush that allows you to create a flawless finish in either spot application or total coverage using cream or liquid foundation.

Stipling Brush
The synthetic Taklon hairs allow you to use it with wet and creamy or dry products like compact foundation or bronzer for flawless complexion.The two levels of bristles let you layer product and determine how sheer or heavy you want your coverage to be.

Concealer Brush
A small synthetic brush that you use to apply and blend cream concealer, eyeshadow base, and/or cream eye color.

Mineral Powder Brush
Ideal for buffing and blending loose and/or pressed mineral powders to achieve a smooth and flawless finish to the skin.

Powder Brush
A large rounded and soft brush that distributes loose powder for a flawless, finished look.

Kabuki/Bronzer
Designed to apply an even dusting of bronzer, powder or blush with a single sweep.  Also ideal for using with mineral makeup.

Fan Brush
Used to “finish” the face - for dusting excess powder from the face and/or for adding powder highlighter.

Blush Brush
A slightly domed, mid-sized brush that accentuate the apples of your cheeks with a soft wash of color.  Can also be used to apply bronzer.

Angled Blush Brush
Perfect for contouring (use color 2 shades darker) and highlighting (use color 2 shades lighter) the face.

Brow/Lash Comb
Use comb to separate lashes after applying mascara. Either side can be used to shape and define the brow line.
Angled Brow Brush
Use with brow powder or pencil to soften, shape and define the brows.
Crease Eye Shadow Brush
Use to build depth to the eye. Apply color in crease area using a windshield wiper (back-and-forth) motion to achieve depth and definition. Tapered shape allows you to easily add darker shadow colors in the crease.  Lays shadow on and blends it at the same.
Large Fluff Eye Shadow Brush
One of the most basic brushes.  Use it to set concealer under eyes and around the contours of the face with loose powder. Can also be used to apply a wash of color to eyelids. 

Medium Fluff Eye Shadow Brush
Shade lid and brow area with powder color and highlighter. Use it to sweep a basic neutral shade across the eyelid.
Smudger Brush
Soften liner color for a smoky effect. You can use with either powder shadow, cake liner or pencil and then use a fluff brush to swipe off excess to create the smoky look desired.
Flat Eyeliner Brush
Place against lash line and tap across eyelid to easily line eye without drawing.
Medium Eye Detailer Brush
Designed for smudging and softening liner or placing color on lid and outer corner of the eye.
 
Mini Eye Detailer Brush
Apply shadow along lower lash line or smudge pencil liner for a softer look. Ideal for applying precise color to outer corner of the lid.
Lip Brush
Synthetic brush for smooth and precise application of all lip products (lipstick, lipgloss, lip balm, etc.). It’s best to use a retractable lip brush for your handbag so it doesn't dirty your makeup bag or other cosmetics.



Brush Recommendations:
 ADesign – great resource for synthetic brushes in a range of styles and shapes, especially for professional Makeup Artists.
Japonesque – high quality brushes at slightly discounted prices from department stores.
Sephora – wide selection of brushes from a variety of cosmetic companies.
M.A.C. Cosmetics – huge array of brushes for the professional and the consumer.

Discount Makeup Brushes:
Essence of Beauty at CVS
Sonia Kashuk at Target


Please feel free to drop me a note if you still have any questions regarding makeup brushes.

November 16, 2009

DAY/NEUTRAL EYE LOOK TUTORIAL


Lots of women have questions about how to use eyeshadow, especially when it comes in those kits with 3 or 4 colors so I created this tutorial to show you the basics. In this makeup tutorial I demonstrate how to use 3 coordinating eyeshadow colors to create a natural eye look for daytime. I hope this clears up the mystery about how to use multi-color eyeshadow palettes.



PRODUCTS USED:
Face:
Cinema Secrets - Ultimate Foundation Palette in "Kit #8"

Cheek:
M.A.C. -  Powder Blush in "Style" - Coral-peach with gold pearl (Frost)
M.A.C. -  Powder Blush in "Trace Gold" - Gold with shimmer (Sheertone Shimmer) used as Highlighter

Eyes:
M.A.C. - Eye Shadow in "Orb" - soft peachy-beige (Satin), "Samoa Silk" - Polynesian peach (Velux), and "Saddle" - Golden orange brown (Matte)
M.A.C. - Eye Pencil in "Coffee" - muted brown

Lancome - Définicils High Definition Mascara in "Deep Black"

Lip:
Sleek MakeUp - Pout Polish in "Electro Peach"

BRUSHES:
aDesign Brushes: Eye 1 - unique shaped brush with pointed tip that can be used as crease brush or as blender brush, Eye 3 - flat liner brush, Eye 4 - small detailed brush to line, define & smudge, and Lip - small, compact & firm lip brush
M.A.C. - #244 Tapered Blending Brush


* For all you beautiful Recessionista's here's some bargain-priced brushes:
Essence of Beauty - Dome Eye Shadow Brush
Essence Of Beauty - Crease Brush Duo Eyes
Sonia Kashuk - Essential Eye 6-pc. Kit with Case


Model: Shauna Blaize
Videographer: Amanda Taylor Duncan

September 22, 2009

"BRIGHT LIP" MAKEUP TUTORIAL



This makeup look features a Fall beauty trend from the "Moschino Cheap and Chic" runway. Lead Makeup Artist Charlotte Tilbury used MAC products to create fluorescent pink and orange lips on the models.  The idea was to "portray a young girl who knows how to have a bit of fun.  Bold hues are innocent but make a strong statement." Tilbury kept the rest of the face clean except for soft gold color on the cheek. 

This beauty look can definitely be done in "real life" but note it is a bit intense. Personally I find it to be absolutely gorgeous! What do you think?



PRODUCTS USED:  
Lips:  MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in "Impassioned" - Amped-up fuchsia ($14)

MAC Pigment in "Fuchsia" - Bright fuchsia-pink [Frost] ($19.50)
This product was used on top of the lipstick to matte and intensify the color. The bright pigment creates a super bright lip color that pops off the face.

Cheeks: MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in "Gold Deposit" - Soft reflective golden-bronze. ($27)

aDESIGN Lip brush ($16)


Model: Shauna Blaize
Videographer: Amanda Taylor Duncan

July 12, 2009

BE A BEACH BABE

Ok, I will admit it. I'm one of those women that wears makeup at the beach. I definitely don't think that you should wear your normal makeup to the beach...it looks a bit ridiculous if you're sporting a fully made-up face. However I feel naked without wearing some products. I've discovered the perfect mix of products to give me a soft, natural look that doesn't scream MAKEUP.


These products give my skin protection from the sun while making me look gorgeous but not too "made up" for the beach. The zinc sunscreen dries clear without leaving a white cast to my brown skin unlike some other sunscreens I've tried. The mineral powder foundation provides additional coverage from the sun while allowing my skin to breathe. I love how the Lip Tars gives my lips and cheeks a flush of color that lasts. The mascara just finishes off the look - my eyes just disappear without mascara. Even though this isn't a waterproof formula mascara I had no smudging or running but I have to admit I didn't go swimming.

Me lounging in my beach chair at Long Beach in Long Island wearing my "natural" makeup look.

At home, 6 hours post-beach and my makeup is still looking pretty good. Only reapplied my lip color after drinking water and eating ices from Ralphs.

I'm curious to know if there are other women out there who also wear makeup to the beach...what are your favorite products?