Monthly Archives: October 2010

***Pink Diamond’s ‘Steals and Deals’ Alert***

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Sephora’s Friends and Family Sale 2010 begins tomorrow and will end on November 3rd, 2010.

 
 
 

Sephora

 

 20% Off it is!!! Unfortunately, this discount will only be honored online (not in stores). The code is FF2010. I am excited because I have a few things I have to pick up and discounts are always fun!!!

Thots,

Tiwa

 

My Favorite Brushes

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You can use any brand of makeup you want (from the cheapest dollar store makeup to the most expensive makeup in the world) it really doesn’t matter. But without the right tools to apply the products, the finish look won’t look half as great as someone who uses the same makeup but with amazing brushes. Today, I am going to share my favorite brushes. I have soo many, so to prevent this from going on forever, I narrowed them down to my top 3 or 4, for each part of the face. I also noted the reason I love each brush.  

Face: 

Ecotools Bamboo Bronzer Brush 

This brush is by far one of the most effective and efficient brushes I have used to apply my powder. It is great for pressed or loose powders and bronzers. I use it to apply my MAC Minerialize Skin Finish Natural, and I love how it buffs the product into my skin and give me a great glow.

Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki -F80

I use this to apply my liquid or cream foundations. Mehnnnn…this stuff is great. The website says“…was designed to deliver a flawless makeup application…The short and dense bristles make it easy to buff your liquid foundation. The long handle adds comfort to your makeup application. The synthetic fibers are ideal to be used with liquid products and can be easily cleaned“. I totally agree with their claims because it does all that and more. It does not shed and the finish of my foundation is flawless after each application. The closest to an airbrush finish that I have found.

MAC 109 Small Contour Brush

I love using this brush when I contour my cheeks. The rounded dome tip blends powders and blush with ease. Apart from using it to apply blush, I also use the 109 to apply highlight colors to my face. I have to admit this brush does sheds sometimes, but the bluffing “power” of the brush overshadows the shedding “issues” in my opinion.

 

Left to Right: Ecotools Bronzer Brush, Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki, MAC 109

Eyes:

Sephora Platinum Lash & Eyebrow Comb #21

When we talk about lash grooming brushes, this has got to be one of the best, if not the best out on the market. The website claims “The metal lash comb separates each hair to remove mascara clumps and create uniformity. The lash comb has tapered metal teeth, which divides and defines individual lashes easier than plastic combs.” That to me is what I love most about the brush. It is also great after I apply fasle lashes. I comb through my lashes  to blend my natural lashes to the falsies. The other side of the comb is for the eyebrow. It has very firm bristles which is great for putting very single hair in place.

MAC 266 Small Angel Brush

I love how precise this brush is. I use it to apply gel eyeliners, but I also use it to apply concealer under eyebrows to give a finished look after applying eyebrow pencil. The fibers are thin enough to use when doing detailed work around the eyes, but sturdy enough to make perfect lines.  

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

By far my favorite eyebrow brush…It is great for packing on color but it is also flat enough to apply color on the lower lash line (when used at a angle). The close runner up is the Sonia Kashuk, Small Eyeshadow Brush. 

MAC 217 Blending Brush

So, I use this brush for many things. I use it to apply creamy products like paintpots, paints and eye primers, but I also use it to blend and shading around my eye crease. It is smaller than the MAC 224 brush, so it really gets into the corners of the eye.

 

Left to Right: Sephora Lash & Eyebrow Comb, MAC 266 , MAC 239, MAC 217, MAC 224

Miscellaneous:

 MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

This brush is meant for blending eyeshadow in the eye crease, and I do use it for those purposes, but mainly use it under my eyes to blend my concealer and for setting power. I found that it give a great airbrushed finish and it helps to prevents creasing, especially under my eye.

MAC 184 Duo Fibre Fan Brush

I use this to apply highlighter under my eyes (just on top of my cheeks). I also use it to remove any eyeshadow “fall out” or excess powder from any areas of my face.

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Also, check out my previous post about the ecotool brush set. This is a great option for someone who is just beginning with makeup and needs some affordable brushes. 

If you have specific questions that I didn’t cover, please leave me a comment or send me an email and we can talk about it 🙂

Thots,
Tiwa

Beauty Tips for your Wedding day: Part 2

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Bridal Beauty Tip of the Day:  
 
Don’t be afraid of a little bit of color on your wedding day. You don’t have to stick to a neutral palette…venture out. Try playing up one feature.  Go “bold” with a deep pink, magenta or coral lipstick, but make the look modern by keeping the rest of your makeup minimal. For example, if you go with bold eyes, choose a nude lip. If you go with bold lips, then tone down the eyes.  
 
To continue with the bridal series, I would like to showcase another bride I worked with this bridal season. Sara is an amazingly charming bride and I enjoyed being part of her special day.  Very trusting and beautiful, she and her bridal party were a dream to work with. She and her husband are genuinely nice people and I wish them a wonderful life together.   
 
At this wedding, I met Hooman of Vesic Photography. His great attention to detail caught my eye. From that moment, I knew I would be recommending his services to anyone inquiring about a Photojournalist in my area. I love his style of capturing images. He was kind enough to provide me with some images which I will share below:   
 

Sara…The Lovely Bride

Makeup by Tiwa Lawrence

Makeup by Tiwa Lawrence

Thots,  
Tiwa