Brush Obsessed...

I found myself strolling the cosmetics aisle at Target over the holidays and I came face to face with e.l.f.’s “C” Brush (A flat, dense eyeshadow brush perfect for applying shadow to the lid)…  Now before I go into my fascination with the “C” Brush let me tell you about my experience with e.l.f brushes.   When I was on my back recovering from foot surgery I just had to get a few brushes from e.l.f. I figured they were cheap as hell, so why not give them a try?  Well, first and foremost you know how the saying goes, “you get what you pay for” and I paid all of $1.00 or $2.00 for the brushes and they were some crap.  2 of the 3 were broken (not a good look e.l.f.)!  So I was turned off by my first experience with e.l.f. and then came the stroll down Target’s cosmetic aisle and I don’t know what drew me to the e.l.f section but it was as if the makeup gods shined there light on the “C” brush, and I got this tingly feeling in my eyeballs and fingertips, and the next thing I know I’m whipping out the visa bankcard… what can I say, I HAD TO HAVE IT!  Lol

 

So I get it home and I start playing with the brush with my finger tips…  OMG, it’s so soft, so fluffy, so inviting…   I bathed her, cuz she was funky, and once she dried (it took forever), I broke her in and boy was I happy with the results…  The “C” Brush makes for one helluva smokey eye, now I’m one of these chicks that prefers a natural bristle brush, I mean really, what in the hell is “Taklon”?  lol but I must admit  I was hooked…  the “C” Brush has my FULL attention.

(My glitterific "C" Brush)

I figured that the “C” Brush was so awesome that the other brushes in e.l.f.’s Studio line must be awesome too… so I carry my happy tail to the e.l.f. website and I find myself perusing the Studio brush line and we all know what happened next! I ordered a few (no control AT ALL… this makeup thang got a sista in full OCD mode), not only did I order a few but I ordered the complete set…  I figured at 50% off it was  a cheap purchase…  so I got 11 Studio brushes for $15.00 now out of the 11 brushes only a few gave me that tingly feeling, but who cares I’m a self confessed makeup brush hoarder -  looking for brushes that work for me!

 (The complete "Studio" Brush set...  did I mention that the handles are "glitterific?  [I made that up])

A detailed review of ALL the brushes is on its way to computer near you…

 (The 3 I'm dying to experience one of them being another "C" Brush!  lol We have the "Contour" brush for detail work, the "Powder"  brush which will become my foundation brush and if I LIKE it, I'll purchase a better quality one from MAC.)

But before I go, have I mentioned that I have a ton of MAC brushes that I dug up and the brushes are in excellent condition?  Why I feel the need to purchase more brushes is beyond me!  lol 

Who needs MAC, when you got NYX?!?!?!?

I must admit...  I was a dedicated MAC Whore.  I would sell my soul to the devil for some MAC makeup...  but then the recession hit, and I lost my GOOD PAYING JOB, and I had to learn to DO WITHOUT...  and it's been years since I have been able to do a hard core MAC splurge (thank God for a good friend who is a MAC PRO,  and extends her generous discount whenever she visits the MAC store)...

So back to the topic at hand...

Have my Makeup Mavens heard of NYX?!?!?!?  

OMG?!?!?!?  can you say crack in a palette?   crack in a palette at meth prices!   Yooooooooo, NYX is the business...  

So you all know my story...  major surgery, sitting on my ass, bored to pieces, and poof here comes you tube with all this makeup awesomeness and although there are many a Maven who are dedicated MAC pushers, you will also find several girls who are down with NYX...  so after hearing about NYX, I just had to peep NYX and low and behold they sell it at my local beauty supply store.  Now let me be honest and tell you that when I saw NYX products at the beauty supply, I was like HELL TO DA NAWL.  But, after so  much positive feedback I decided to give it a try....

Now, before you read this review, I need you to remember a few things...  I am new to this makeup blogging thing  (noticed I said NEW to  makeup blogs), so I am not up to speed with the lingo!  so don't go to hard on a old girl...  

I have obsessive compulsive tendencies... when I try something, I go HARD...  and that statement holds true with NYX...   first and foremost the Jumbo Eye Pencils are the business, they can make any color pop, and they also do well standing alone....

The lip-liners could easily give MAC a run for there money and at $1.49 a pop they are well worth a try...

I have more...  but motherhood calls!  stay tuned...

...The Journey Begins!

Intro: After 6 weeks spent incapacitated I found myself on you tube perusing makeup blogs... so I owe my current obsession (MAKEUP) to you tube and to the lack of women (of color) over 40 doing the makeup thing on you tube! lol So, I'm representing for the 40 and over crew...

Now on to the blog that I wrote weeks ago that never made it to the net:

During my 6 weeks off I found myself perusing You Tube in search of an easy smokey eye - during this journey I found myself learning a great deal about the latest and greatest makeup trends and now I’m obsessed with makeup. So I’m thinking about starting a makeup blog, and possibly a vlog… I’m testing the waters on facebook! My goal is simple --- easy, sexy makeup for the 40 and up crowd (ME!)…

A little history:

I have ALWAYS worn makeup. Since John (son extraordinaire) has been in my life I have really cut back on my day to day makeup looks - let’s face it no single mom has time to beat a face when you have a newborn baby. With that said, once little man got a little older I started to increase my usage but I learned to keep my makeup very simple and I have always stayed in the same color family which for me is your warmer hues. I am a licensed esthetician and I know the ins and out of good skin care - I sold cosmetics in my twenties (Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Prescriptives), I worked at May Co stories and learned to appreciate the high end goods while working at Neiman Marcus (boy do I miss THAT DISCOUNT). So I know a few things about makeup but I was never a makeup junkie. My preference has always been MAC but now that I’m making much less than I was a few years ago I can’t splurge on MAC the way I’d like to…. I guess you could say that I have always had an on again off again love affair with makeup, and all things beauty. (I die for a good body souffle!) 

Today:

With all of that said, here I am 43 years old and I’m trying to reinvent myself! I have a desire to experiment with more vibrant colors for a more dramatic evening look, and I’m seeking a more natural/nude look for the 9 to 5… So join me as I check out some of the newer products on the scene… My plan is to share my finds - that will include sharing other blogs and vlogs that I find interesting as well lower price makeup lines, and other hidden makeup treasures from accessories to primer… Oh, and once I find some good lighting (outside of my bathroom) I will start posting looks that I have created --- in the meantime check out some of my inexpensive finds from Coastal Scents and NYX! lol 

Ok - so my initial plan was to show you my "hauls" - but hell, you all don't know me, so I'm sure you could care less about my hauls... so I won't go to crazy with the hauls (at least not yet)... but let me show you my latest and greatest find... and that is...

***drum-roll****

My Crown Brushes!

I was perusing you tube videos and I came across a video from "kandeethemakeupartist" - she had this awesome deal from Crown Brush and I said "hey, why not" - well, it took me 7 days to make a decision but I found myself giving in, the deal was $29.00 for 15 professional brushes, and dammit I was sitting here convalescing and I needed some professional brushes, so I went with Crown! I guess the 15+ MAC brushes my mom sent me weren't good enough! lol So, I received my Crown Bushes, and I must say that for the most part I love them... hell, I treat them well... the brushes have become my man! lol I use them, I love them up, and then I bathe them (maybe more like a baby... but you get where I'm coming from).... so yes, I love them! lol And yes, I labeled each and every brush... I'm serious about my makeup game ---- or maybe I have way too much time on my hands?!?!? either way, until I master the art of the brushes, the labels will stay where they are...

Aight, so I can't give you a great deal of feedback on the brushes - but I do know this, they are soft! the flat liner brush is the business... the Chisel Powder, Chisel blush, and Blending Fluff brush make me want to do unimaginable things with them! lol and the flat angled liner brush is the bomb.com when it comes to eyebrows... I mean seriously the flat angled liner brush has turned me into a brow queen... Overall for the price, I think this was a decent deal... now keep in mind that I purchased the following set for $29.00 and this set is is listed at $43.00 so I got a steal for $29.00 ---- now if I'm going to be perfectly honest I know there's a better quality brush out there... I'm actually feeling Crown, and I one of these days I'll try the "Italian Badger" line from Crown Brush because they look like luxury and well ummmmm I'm a sucker for some luxury.

(Set 621 - 15 Piece Professional Set w/ Designer Case)

So tell me Makeup Mavens what brushes do you use? What would you suggest for a girl like me -one who is some what knowledgeable, but who wants to learn MORE? Have any of you tired Sigma Brushes, if so what's the scoop?