This is the follow up post for all the ladies who LOVE makeup and are beyond the needs of someone who requires a basic brush set. This is for the ladies who glam it up with the WORKS. Think ALL OF THE contour, highlight, ALL OF THE COLOURS!!!
Face brushes:
* A powder brush:
This is a necessity for those who either do a lot of powdering or bronzing. You want something quite large so blending (especially for bronzing) is seamless. You don't want harsh lines, just the jealousy of those who think you've just gone on holiday!
* A fan brush:
For those who highlight, everyone needs one. It is perfect for all places. Cheekbones, down the nose, the cupids bow, above the eyebrow. You especially need this brush if you own The Balm's Mary Lou-Manizer. Any other brush is too much for Mary-Lou, that baby is INTENSE!!
* A contour brush:
This is really for those who are really into their contouring (obviously). There are many choices and preferences out there so I think this is a trial for yourself thing. I've heard mixed reviews on the NARS Ita brush. Some like a fluffy, large angled brush. I have the MAC 109, however, I'm not much of a contourer unless I've got the time or a special occasion.
TOP TIP: Highlight first as this will naturally shadow you so you know the right place to apply your contour.
* A concealer brush:
This is just perfect for those who LOVE their bold lips. This is the perfect tool for cleaning up those lip mistakes that sometimes happen, or to clean up the edges on your brows. I personally don't actually use a concealer brush for under eyes as I find they don't blend out under eye concealer nicely.
Eye brushes:
* A larger shader brush:
I like to have a back up shader brush that is larger for any additional work I might wanna do involving packing on colour.
* A small, synthetic shader brush:
This is perfect for creamy products like paint pots, or any stickier bases for priming the eyelids, and still keeping it all compact on the lid. My fave is the MAC 242.
* A smudger brush:
This is a great brush for detail work and highlighting the inner corner and brow bone.
BONUS JUST FOR FUN BRUSH:
* A mascara fan brush:
Save money on coloured mascaras by investing in one of these. You can use these with gel eyeliners to create a fun mascara (which are notorious for drying up quickly).
Brush lines I Recommend:
MAC
Available: MAC stores, counters and online
RRP: from $37AUD
Zoeva
Available: beautybay.com
RRP: from $11.30AUD
Zoeva also do really affordable sets of brushes too, if you're looking to get a few at once.
Bdellium Tools
Available: bdelliumtools.com
RRP: from $9USD
Bdellium also do affordable sets of brushes. They also come in cool colours like pink, purple, yellow and green.
Disclaimer: To be clear, all of these are "nice to haves", of course no one actually NEEDS anything more than the basics. Take from this what you will, but they are still very handy brushes to have, and brushes I reach for daily/ semi-daily.
Red powder/ makeup brush photo created and taken by Love Lanner - lovelanner.com
Another round up of some first impressions/ mini reviews of products I've recently bought, tried or been given samples of!
Stila Coming Clean Revitalising cleanser: (sample)
I loved this from the first go at this. It's freshly scented and feels like a good clean without feeling like you're stripping the skin. It's not tightening and feels quite light. You also only need a small amount to lather. The only thing i dislike is the fact I don't believe you can get this in Australia.
Re-purchase: Yes, if I can get my hands on it.
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Mist: (full size)
I really tried to love this. I'm always looking for a good, deep, fast developing tan. Well, this is definitely deep, fast... well, that's where my problem lies. When you apply it (I use the Bondi Sands mitt to go with the tan), it dries faster than I have time to rub it in, leaving lines on my skin. Now, my skin is exfoliated and moisturised. I only do one limb at a time (well lower half leg, upper half leg, you get my point...), it dries TOO FAST. I'm pretty experienced with tanning myself but I just don't get this one. I definitely still love Vani-T tans as my fave. After using this, I really don't get the hype. This is definitely not for novices!
Re-purchase: Nope. I wanna try Loving Tan next. If that is sub-par, I'm back to Vani-T haha.
GHD Heat Protectant spray: (full size)
I LOVE this, but it's definitely a splurge buy. It's no better or worse than the Tresemme spray, which my partner likes. They're the only 2 that I have tried, but I got the Lee Stafford one today as part of the Priceline hair goodie bag they came out with. The smell is inoffensive and subtle, no strong overtones of anything, just like a hair product scent. I also like the sleek stylish bottle because yup, I'm a sucker for packaging (and may or may not have been the reason I bought it *shifty eyes*).
Re-purchase: Yes, once I'm out of Lee Stafford Heat Protectant spray.
Batiste "Cherry" Dry Shampoo: (full size)
This is delish! I love that fake cherry smell, so this was right up my alley. I've tried a few different dry shampoos, and this is my favourite and I keep coming back to it (the brand and the scent). The scent is definitely fake but not overpowering or super sickly. The product itself is fantastic, works very well and slightly volumises as well as take that greasy look away. I feel like you can't spray "too much" and it doesn't "clump" up in your hair like some can. It also doesn't leave a residue on your fingers, again, like some can. I highly recommend you try one of the Batiste dry shampoos. They have loads of different ones to try, like this cherry scented one, tropical (coconut and pineapple I believe), wild, ones with colour (like for brunettes so you don't get that white cast). There is literally no reason you shouldn't at least give this product a try (they also have minis if you feel like you can't commit to a full sized can).
Re-purchase: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Glam Glow Power Mud Dual Cleanse treatment: (sample)
Eh, I used this a few times, and I'm not wowed by it. I didn't see much of a difference at all. I did like the fact it was a mud mask that when you add water, it turns into a cleanser, but I'm a sucker for novelty things like that. I don't see the hype, or maybe the hype is on the black one maybe? I'm not sure. It didn't make my skin any drier, oilier, tight, red etc etc. No change on my skin. For as expensive as this is, I would definitely obtain a sample of this before purchasing full price to see what it does for your skin. I do have really good skin so maybe that's also why. I guess the jury's still out on this one for me!
Re-purchase: No.
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara: (sample)
I got this as a sample with my dearly beloved "Everything Nice" xmas palette. I think this is a pretty nice mascara. Not the best I've had (we'll leave that spot for Lancome's Hypnose), and certainly not the worst. It doesn't bode well for lower lashes as the brush is quite thick and dispenses a lot of product on the brush from the tube, which is probably the only thing I dislike about it. It doesn't curl my lashes, but does give them volume and coats them nicely without looking too spidery, again, due to how thick the mascara is, so it's a good balance. My lashes are difficult to work this, so something with curl probably would be better but eh, this does the job for now. The formula is perfect too. Not watery, not dry, so if either of those things do concern you, this is worth a check, as it's nicely balanced in the middle.
Re-purchase: Probably not, only because I have other loves that are around the same price.
If you have any requests, then please let me know and I'll give it a go!
