What you use to put your makeup on is just as important as what kind of makeup you are using. When you apply makeup with the wrong brush, or one of poor quality, it can ruin your entire beauty queen look. Whether you’re preparing a rockstar look for a night out, a daytime look for class, or just trying to cover up your hangover, your brush’s shape, texture and quality is vital. Here are a few types of brushes that should be on every girl’s vanity (or wish list, hint-hint).

Kabuki Face Brush: Kabuki brushes are huge and perfect for all over face coverage, whether you are applying foundation or bronzer. This kabuki brush is from Too Faced and is made with “teddy bear hair bristles” so it’s soft on sensitive faces. Yes, it’s a little pricey but the texture and longevity make it worth the splurge. If your’re looking for something a little cheaper but still quality you can check out The Balm’s mini version of the kabuki brush.

Concealer Brush: When applying concealer to cover up your blemishes or under eye marks, it can be tempting to skip the brush. But by getting a concealer brush like this one from Bare Escentuals you are keeping your skin clean and getting a fully blended look.

Angled Blush Brush: Using round brushes for blush can create a Bozo-like look, but angled brushes make the cheek color look more natural. A soft angled blush brush like this one from Benefit works best when applied on the apples of the cheeks in an upward sweeping motion. Read More »

[Make-up is wonderful, but it can also be confusing. There are so many shades and colors and sheens and reasons to wear it, that a girl can get completely lost attempting to find what fits her face best. What’s the best blush color for a redhead? How do you really put on lip-liner? Is there such a thing as too much eyeshadow?

In this weekly series, makeup expert Ali will use her makeup know-how to teach us all how to look flawless in class, out at a party, or grabbing coffee with that cutie from Psych 101.]

In order for makeup to keep you looking fresh and beautiful you need to keep up with fresh products. Yes, it can be a sad day to throw out your favorite MAC eyeshadow because its time has expired, but it is necessary for your skin and your overall look (and feel). Below is some important information about how long your makeup should last, and how to stretch out its shelf life. And don’t worry - we won’t judge you if you hold a moment of silence for your favorite products whose time has come.

Mascara: With such close contact to your eyes, mascara is likely to acquire bacteria and, as a result, should be thrown out after 3 months. Don’t believe me? Smell it. Go on, do it. If the mascara is ready to go you’ll notice a different smell, not to mention the mascara will likely not go on as well. Throw it out!
Foundation: Liquid and condensed powder foundations will likely become cakey or cracked after 6 months to a year and then it’s time to toss em. Loose powder foundation will likely last a little longer. Similar rules apply to blush. Read More »

Maybe she’s born with it, but for me, it’s definitely Maybelline. Like most women, I don’t even think about how many beauty products, from face wash to perfume, I layer on every day. Something I’ve given even less thought to is what’s in my products—until I found Kaia House.

Jumping on the organic bandwagon a little late, I just discovered Kaia House, the foremost source for organic skin and beauty care. Kaia House focuses on banishing the use over of harmful petrochemicals, parabens and other skin offenders, and offers 20 lines of premium organic and natural products including celeb-trendy Osea, Perfect Organics, Red Flower, and Biotique.

But when it comes to beauty products, is going out of your way to buy organic really worth it? Absolutely, according to Kaia House. And after reading their extensive list of un-safe (and common) chemicals that should be avoided when purchasing beauty products, I think I’m a convert.

Read up on the dangers lurking in your makeup bag and then head to KaiaHouse.com for a more comprehensive list. Your skin will thank you! Read More »

I am in love, truly, madly, and of course deeply. Does it really matter that the object of my affection just happens to be my new foundation? I didn’t think so.

Face & Body Liquid Makeup from Make Up For Ever is like heaven for your face. I happened across this wonderful stuff when I was rushing through Sephora, desperately searching for the perfect foundation to accompany me to a record release party.

My old Clinique stuff was better suited to my pasty winter complexion not my sunny spring tone, hence it had to go. As much as I love Superfit make-up, I felt I needed to see other foundations, just to test the waters.

It was like speed-dating as I rushed from counter-to-counter, always a little disappointed. My skin is sort of a cappaccino hue, so finding something that works with my golden undertones and doesn’t make me look ashy it always a challenge. Bare Escentuals just wasn’t working for me, even though the whole mineral foundation thing is fabulous if you can find the right shade. I just looked a little off. Read More »