6 Essential Make-Up Brushes

I was recently given a complimentary facial from Mary Kay Cosmetics; you know, the old school make-up your mom always had laying around and would use? Well, I did. 

So after this facial, I was instructed to pick a make-up look to replicate. 

Um, what? I was super excited about not having to remove my face once I got home. 

Now I have to put more product on?? Lame.

Anyways, the lady gave me "brushes" to use (and I put brushes in quotes because they weren't anything close to what they should be) and was quizzing me on my skills. I aced the test, thank you.

It made me appreciate the brushes I have so much more than I already do. 

Which got me thinking - if I had to tell this lady 6 brushes that should be in her kit, what would they be?

Ta-da! My top 6 (and dirty - but I preferred the term loved) brushes that everyone should have.

Like if you were stranded on an island, and let's say, 'make-up brushes' was on your top list, these are the ones you should bring with you.

1)EYES: Round blender brush; circle motions in the outer corner, windshield wiper motion across the crease. learn it. love it. live it.

2)FACE: Sigma's flat top kabuki (F80); Umm - you are NOT going to get a better brush to apply foundation with. You won't. Try it.

3)FACE: Real Techniques blush brush; feels like a dream, hits the apples of your cheeks perfectly.

4)EYES:  Sephora's Pro Allover Shadow brush; which does exactly what it says. Evenly distributes shadow all over the lid. I like this brush for my base color, or when I want to pack a dark color on the lid.

5)EYES: Sephora's Pro Angled Liner brush; perfect for applying liner, using a shadow to fill in your brows and lining your under eye. *the brush I have was part of a set*

6)FACE: Stippling brush; perfect for blending a contoured look. I use this every day to blend my bronzer and blush for an all over, smooth look. It just pulls everything together.

What I Love About Sunday

I've recently been slapped in the face with a number on the scale that I was not too happy with. It happens to the best of us, right? We're surrounded with all of the chocolate, cookies and dips from the holidays and now that they have passed, we say "it's okay to have that breakfast sandwich, because you're not eating 10 cookies for dessert". WRONG. 

That's how it went with me, anyways. I've started this past weekend to really concentrate on what I'm putting in my body - notice I didn't say diet, because I hate that word. It's true when they say "you are what you eat"; lately I've been feeling so sluggish and lazy. My face is breaking out, no matter how many masks I use! Anyways - this weekend consisted of lots of colorful foods and tubing! 

I've never been before and it was a blast (once my fingers became numb and I couldn't feel the cold).

I hope everyone has a great week!

a scoop of fat free whipped cream & berries

juice - amazing. but not sure how you juice cleansers do it. I was still hungry afterwards.

ready to tube!

taking a break in the snow.

What I Love About Sunday

oh hey, can I help you?

frozen banana treats from our girls family dinner

nothing better than a hot latte on a cold, windy day

Thursday Song

A co-worker introduced me to this song and noted it's part of an upcoming book-turned-movie, A Winter's Tale.
Obviously, it's next on my 'To Read' list, and I cannot wait until the movie comes out.
Yes, I'm assuming I will enjoy both just from this song. But I mean, watch the trailer here, and if you're a girl (which you most likely are) you'll be sure to fall in love with it, too!
XO.

Friday Favorite

can we talk about too faced's new mascara? auhhhh-mazing.

although already mentioned,  little gold details are my new obsession

new purchase: sorel boots. I mean, we just had a polar vortex. #justified

the best idea for a dessert: a s'more sampler.

Thursday Song

some hot men that play guitars - just for you. XO.

Getting Gold

I used to be a silver gal. Gold in my accessories? No thank you. I'm not sure why, but I think I associated gold with ... well (and I can say this because I'm Italian) cheesy, gaudy, over the top Italian jewelry. I didn't say my point was going to make sense.

In the past year my point of view has changed. Gold seems to be everything, now. It's chic. I love a good white and gold detail, or even gold and black. It's clean, simple and elegant.

So lately, that's what I've been into. And what a perfect segue into the most recent gift I received from my best friend, Lauren. I mean, so cute. 

She introduced me to Kate Spade lipstick (2). How did I not know this existed? The packaging is ADORABLE (I'm a sucker for good packaging) and it's a perfect coral/peach color. Paired with the statement studs (far left), it might be my new favorite combination.

As some of you may know, I have a tattoo of a small feather on my wrist. I love the symbol of a feather (obviously, I have it on my wrist for eternity) and have been keeping my eye on the Alex and Ani bangle (3) for quite some time now, yet never ended up purchasing it for myself. Well, no need to now, thanks to the bff!

The calendar I recently purchased myself (1). Have you heard of the company Sugar Paper? I also have a weakness for unique, exquisite stationary. Even if I have no immediate use for it (though I do this time). They have a line at Target, and I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the calendar. It was just what I was looking for. I went on their website, which I probably shouldn't have, because I now want every.single.thing. I'm so in love with all of their work! Check it out.

Don't Slack Now..

After a night out, especially during the harsh winter months, it's hard to resist the urge to jump into bed and engulf yourself in those warm flannel sheets rather than taking the time to remove your makeup and properly condition your skin.

At least, that happened to me this past weekend. I quickly changed into cozy pajama's and was in bed within minutes of getting home. I knew I should wash my face and moisturize - I knew it. I was just way too tired.

I paid for it the next morning. I woke up, skin feeling tight and dry. Now, that may have been due to our recent single digit temperature days here in Buffalo [a newscast stated it only takes 3 minutes in those conditions to start damaging your skin].

Yet I woke up feeling dirty; feeling like I went to bed with unfinished business. Yea, for some of you that may be an exaggeration but I was pretty disappointed with my lethargic self the night prior.

I immediately went for an exfoliator, grabbed my argan oil and went to town. I felt much better.
I can't go on enough about how amazing 100% argan oil is for your skin, hair and cuticles. Even though my skin tends to be on the oily side, argan oil as a moisturizer is PERFECT in the cold winter months.

The moral of this story gals, is to not give into the cold and slack on your skincare. One night of laziness turned into a few days of flaky skin.

if you purchase any product this month, this is the one to buy.

Thursday Song

happy new year! xo