Brushes + bags: The perfect holiday gift for anyone

BRUSH TITLE

So you’re looking for a great gift for a friend or family member.  Sure, a lip gloss set, moisturizer, eyeshadow palette, etc. all make wonderful gifts, but sometimes I like just keeping it basic.

I give my friends makeup all the time.  In fact, I single-handedly built up a few of my friend’s makeup collections.  Great makeup is always good to have on hand, but it takes the proper tools to actually make the stuff work. You know those sponge applicators that always come with eyeshadows, I seriously just toss those right away because let’s be real here, those are not going to give you an amazing eye look.  You need some proper tools to really create a masterpiece #blendblendblend,

So, this brings me to brushes.  Just like palettes, the holidays are great for picking up brush sets.  In fact, this is really the only time of the year when most makeup stores and brands release brush sets for a good price.  The mecca of all holiday stores, Sephora, has some great offerings in store for those you want to up their brush game.

Big brush set

My favourite set, the Pure Luxury Antibacterial Brush Set is a seven-piece collection encased in a fold-out black and gold faux-leatherenvelope. These brushes are treated with antimicrobial technology that keeps the brushes fresher for longer and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Retailing for C$75, this set includes a powder brush, foundation brush, angled eyeshadow brush, eyeshadow brush, concealer brush, flat eyeliner brush, and brow comb.

little brush set

If you are looking for something more travel sized, the Gold Star Skinny Brush Set is a five-piece set housed in a sleek gold fold-out envelope.  This set includes a powder brush, foundation brush, crease brush, shadow brush, and liner brush.  At a price of C$49, this set is more affordable than the other one, but keep in mind these are travel-sized brushes.  I have a similar set from fall and keep it in my purse, and trust me, these really come in handy.

Sephora also has a few more sets, but the two I mentioned are definitely the more affordable ones.  I have many Sephora-brand brushes and I do find they are really great quality.

I also want to mention the Sephora Collection Multitasker Mini Complexion 45.5 brush (shown above). This little guy (C$18) is a travel-size version of the Classic Multitasker Brush #45, designed for applying loose and compact mineral powders in limited-edition champagne gold.  Although the sets do come with a “foundation” brush, I prefer a brush like this one to buff the product into my skin.  You can also apply blush, bronzer, concealer, you name it.  I always keep this guy in my purse cosmetic pouch because it’s so small and comes in handy for touch ups on the go.

bags and brushes bag

If you prefer something a little more versatile, try gifting a makeup pouch (make sure you also throw something in there!).  These always come in handy, and yes, I know that every gift with purchase includes one, but a nice, well-made, roomy makeup pouch is an essential for anyone. The Voyageur (C$35) is a medium sized cosmetic bag that could double as a clutch. The zipper top opens to expose the pink lining inside and is perfect for those that don’t have a ton of makeup.  If you are looking for something more heavy duty, try The Weekender (C$48), which is a fold-open case which includes a little hanger.  Both sides contain zippered compartments so you can store a number of things without making a mess.  Both sets come in the limited edition gold and black holiday print.

Yes, a makeup bag or a brush set may be considered a boring gift, but seriously, they are such staples that overtime, whoever you are gifting them to, will get the most use of. We all started somewhere, it’s time to give that push to invest in quality products that will give the makeup the effect that it’s meant for (started from the bottom, now we here).

Will you be gifting a brush set or makeup bag this holiday season?

Please note, product sent by PR, all opinions are my own.

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

Sephora.com, Inc.

Festive fingers: Holiday press-on nails by Kiss & Broadway Nails

title

The holidays are all about the glitz and glam! Not only are the clothes getting more shiny, but glitter polish should be all the rage this season.

Holiday parties, New Years, you name it, nails should be on point.  But what if you are like me and have thin, peeling, short nails?  Well, my friends, that’s when press-ons come in.

Back in the day, press-on nails weren’t that great.  You usually chose from one style (French manicure) and they didn’t last too long and looked quite fake.  Tons of companies have stepped up the game when it comes to press-on nails and you can find gorgeous designs that will have people guessing if those tips are real.

packages black nails kiss broadway nails

white kiss nails

Both KISS and Broadway Nails have released some festive collections for the season.  My favourite press-on line, Broadway Nails imPRESS has a fabulous glitter line with ultra-gel shine.  Consisting of 24 different nails in 12 different sizes, you can find a size to fit any of your nails.  I’ve been rocking the blue glitter ombre nails, which are the short size, something I prefer as opposed to the regular sizes.  I love the look of the regular ones, however, I find them difficult to do anything with. I can’t text, I can’t type, I can’t take out my contacts, these are way more manageable and more natural looking. If you haven’t tried Broadway Nails before, they are super easy to apply.  Just find the right size for each nail, remove the plastic backing, then press over top of your nail.  They should last for 10 days, give or take. You can find Broadway Nails at most drugstores. They retail for SRP $10.99.

If you are into the gel look, try Kiss Nails Gel Fantasy, which gives you mega-shine and a smooth finish.  I’ve been obsessing over how festive and glittery the two sets I received are.  These are great because they come with press-on adhesive (like the L’Oreal Paris press-ons), or you can choose to glue them on with the included adhesive glue.  These also retail for $10.99 and you can find them at various drugstores around the country.  These guys are a bit thicker than the Broadway Nails imPRESS versions (both of which are part of the same company), so it just comes to personal preference in what you prefer in terms of design, texture, and ease of use.

nails

Like I mentioned before, I love the look of glitter, especially during this season, but glitter has a tendency to peel easily, and don’t forget about the nasty removal process.  With these press-ons, you get nice-looking nails right away.  Plus, I like using these to let my nails grow out, so I can have longer nails once I take these off.

Do you like using press-on nails?

Please note, this post contains products sent by PR.  All opinions are my own.

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

Sephora.com, Inc.

Flushed in November: A fall look feat. NYC Color

TITLE

Well, it’s finally happened.  Two days ago we got our first snowfall here in Winnipeg.  Gone are the days of summer, it’s time to bundle up.

Typically when it comes to winter makeup, it’s all about the skin.  Tone down the eye shadow, instead, rock rosy cheeks, dark lips, and big lashes. Since I don’t often like to play by the rules, I’ll occasionally do a vampy lip, but I love rocking a pink or nude year round.  As for the skin, I love keeping it flawless and fresh, with a nice mauve-y cheek and, if it’s a lazy day, just a touch of mascara.

Products

This month’s #NYCBeautyPRO challenge was to create a natural flushed makeup look. I kept it nice and simple with a BB cream for the skin, lightly filled-in brows, a touch of bronzer for contouring and their West Side Wine Cheek Glow blush, Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm in Pink Lady (also love this product in Blushing Golden – a pale pink), and their Big, Bold Volume by the Lash mascara.  For the nails, I went with a pale pink with the Top of the Gold Gold Leaf Effect topcoat over top.

Waterproof mascara

If by chance you get caught in a snowstorm, I highly recommend wearing a waterproof mascara.  Try the New York Color Show Time Waterproof & Volumizing mascara for lashes that will stay put and not smudge.

As always, New York Color products are incredibly affordable.  I have built up quite the collection from their line and I have to say that many of their products are worth picking up. I was sent four of the Applelicious Glossy Lip Balms that retail for $3.49, and they are very moisturizing, have a great amount of colour, and the little apple embossed into the stick is a super cute effect (plus, they smell great).

final 1

I hope you enjoyed this look, and I want to send a huge thanks to the New York Color team for choosing me as their August star blogger.  They were kind enough to send me Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream perfume (a great, fresh scent for winter), a Marc by Marc Jacobs cosmetic bag and tons of NYC makeup.

What’s your natural flushed makeup look consist of?

Please note, I am part of New York Color’s #NYCBeautyPro program.  All opinions are my own.

Like what your read?  Check out these related posts:


Sephora.com, Inc.

1 383 384 385 386 387 569