I HEART MAC: My Daily Brushes

How could I fail to mention the brushes that get me through sleepy mornings 9 out of 10 times?

MAC #219 - Pencil brush, $24.50/USD.
Not a smudged eye look goes out the door without this brush!  It softens hard lines and it just really makes my smoky eyes look polished. If I am doing a really easy eye look I will use this brush to smudge a dark brown liner on my top lash line on top of a nude cream shadow on my lids. I also use this to deposit shadow on my lower lash line if I don't want to use a traditional eyeliner. It's quick and easy - I rely on the brush a lot!

MAC #217 - Blending brush, $22.50/USD.

A great all around brush: use with paint pots, you can use this to apply your eye cream/primer before shadows, use to blend shadow on your lid or crease. This is my crease and outer-v brush. I have deep set eyes so this is brush head is a good size for my eye sockets.  I love the oval shape of the bristles in this brush.

MAC #239 - Eye Shader Brush, $24.50/USD

This is a nice densely packed brush that picks up a good amount of product.  A pretty basic brush that you can depend on to get the job done!

I believe the bristles are natural animal hair - the site doesn't state otherwise if they are synthetic or not.

As for care, I try to wash my brushes at least once a week. But with the holidays, I have been somewhat lazy. I will clean once every 2wks - I hope I didn't gross anyone out with that statement. Also, use baby shampoo - I bought a travel sized Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo from Target for about $1 and it lasted me for a long time. Now, I just steal some from my daughter's bottle. This is a lot cheaper than buying the MAC Brush Cleanser bottle ($13/USD). The handles are wood and have nickel-plated ferrules. So when drying, I like to have the bristles lean over the edge of my bathroom sink. This way if there is any dripping it lands into the sink and keeps the wood handles of my brushes dry.

And my all time favorite brush that has gotten me through many mornings - this guy. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

Yes, here in the US we are celebrating Thanksgiving. You know that American holiday based on the first meal the Native Americans shared with the Pilgrims that's now just the event that's right before the mother of all retail sales, "BLACK FRIDAY"...seriously? I don't even brave the whole Black Friday sales - Jesus could be opening the doors and Elvis could be working the cash register and I wouldn't even go.

I like to sleep!

Seriously, some of these stores are opening their doors at midnight tonight! I think we have lost sight of what matters most - time with our loved ones.

Also, that's why online shopping was created!

Some things I am thankful for:

• My wonderful husband, Mr. Lex
• My family - especially my awesome sisters - I couldn't have asked for better best friends!
• My wonderful friends that have my back through thick and thin
• My health - I bitch about my weight a lot but I am thankful that I have the strength and ability just to walk up three flights of stairs. I should also remind myself that the average Thanksgiving meal is roughly 3500 calories while I am making my plate!
• And last but not least, I try my hardest to be the best I can be for her:

Mini Cupcake keeps me grounded and reminds me what is truly important: stop and take the time to sit and watch The Powerpuff Girls with her!

Have a Happy Holidays to my fellow bloggers and readers celebrating today. I'll be back!

NARS 2011 Holiday Collection...for Miss Omni Media

Hey Darlins!

I wanted to share my write-up and thoughts on NARS' 2011 Holiday Collection - Modern Kabuki.

I really, really want this set:

Because you guys know that I really, REALLY need more eye pencils! HA

Special Delivery!

YAY - this is one of my favorite packages receiving in the mail:

I snagged a bottle of one of the limited edition re-issued shade, ANNE

Gorgeous, isn't it? Anne is like a golden olive-brown with fine gold, pink glitter. This was from the Real Housewives of Tudor Fall 2010 collection. I passed this up the first time and I'm so glad I picked up when Ms. Ji Baek kindly brought it back for us RBL fanatics!

Now I just wished I picked up one of the Holiday shades. I guess I'll have to wait till those are brought back again. I'll be back with manicure photos.

I HEART MAC: My Go-To Neutral Eye Shadows

You know those days when you don't want to put your makeup on but you have to because you'll scare anyone in your path? I turn to these shadows to help keep me presentable:

Woodwinked - antique gold, my lid color about 85% of the time.



(color is slightly off as I'm still learning how to adjust the color/exposure in my editing process)

Soba, soft golden brown - a strong workhorse that's my crease 90% of the time. I'm proud that I hit the pan it's like a badge of battlefield honor! I love this shade because it adds depth to an otherwise neutral eye and for dark charcoal smoky eyes this adds a bit of gradation between a dark liner, lid color and light, shimmery brow bone highlight.
And when all else fails, I turn to this unassuming shadow.

Arena, soft peach satin that I layer on top of a Paint Pot or use as a brow bone highlighter. This shade never disappoints and this is my second pan.

Here's my lineup:

(a true depiction of the colors on my NC42 arm)

Here's the obligatory EOTD shot using Woodwinked and Soba. I just realized that I didn't use Arena as my brow bone highlight shadow. Just trust me that it's magical!



Also used -  MAC Feline Kohl Power Eye Pencil, GA Eyes to Kill mascara, Anastasia Brow Express for Eyes and Brows - Brunette. 

MAC Eye shadows retail $15/USD and $11.50 for a pan refill (for customized palettes - which I recommend!).