Cleaning your make up brushes

I've been teaching quite a bit of private make up lessons the past few months and its come to my attention that the average woman doesn't clean her make up brushes! How often should we clean our personal make up brushes? This is my formula...
After every use, I swipe my brushes onto a tissue paper to get the surface gunk out.
Once a month, I do a deep clean with a brush cleaner. I like Cinema Secrets brush cleaner b/c I can purchase a big bottle since I deep clean my professional brushes after every use.

How to Deep Clean your make up brushes:
1) Pour Cinema Secrets brush cleaner onto a cup
2) Swirl your brush around in it
3) Squeeze out excess liquid
4) Dry it out with Paper Towels
5) Reshape the brush
6) Store in flat brush roll

Note: if the brush is still wet, you can place it by the side of the sink with the bristles facing towards the sink. You don't want to place your brushes in a cup when its still drying because the liquid will seep into the handle and damage the brush.


Photo Credit: Di Zhang Photography

3 Companies Booted Off Cruelty-Free List

3 Companies Booted Off Cruelty-Free List: After two decades of touting their "no animal testing" policies, Avon, Estée Lauder, and Mary Kay have quietly resumed paying for cruel tests on animals—without letting consumers know about this stunning about-face.

As a make up artist and bunny lover, I cannot condone the act of testing of cosmetic products on animals. Why does an animal have to suffer for us to enhance our beauty? There are many cosmetic companies that don't test on animals.
Among those that are some of my favorites:
100% Pure (skincare, body products)
AHAVA (skincare)
Anastasia Brows (specializing on brow products)
Ardell (great cheap false lashes!)
Bare Escentuals (mineral make up - my fave is the mineral veil)
Bath & Body Works (great smelling hand soaps!)
Boscia (skincare - the blotting papers are the best!)
C.O. Bigelow (skincare, make up - Rose salve is amazing so is their moisturizer!)
Caudelie (skincare, body - their body scrub is divine!)
Crabtree and Evelyn (body - have been using their body products since I was tween!)
Dermalogica (skincare - my facialist uses and swears by their products and I've used them too as a result, the only downside is the smell)
Dr. Hauschka (cult skincare line coveted by many top models and celebs!)
FACE Atelier (make up - great pro product)
Henri Bendel (LOVE their candles!)
JAM Cosmetics (make up for dance/theatre - I used to freelance for this company when the owner was starting this line - pretty good product)
Juice Beauty (skincare - their cleanser smells like apples!)
Jurlique (skincare - their hydrating sprays are refreshing)
L'Occitane (skincare, body - love the smells of their products)
LaRocca skincare (I did a post about their products on this blog - Love the gold infused products, makes your skin GLOW)
Murad (skincare - good solid skincare that works and doesn't smell bad)
MyChelle (skincare - sunscreen isn't irritating and doesn't cast a whitish ring on the face)
Obssessive Compulsive Cosmetics (make up - this is a pro make up line and has an amazing line of highly pigmented products, their tinted moisturizer is the BEST, it feels like silk)
OPI (nails - they have a great selection of nail polish from neutral to whats the "it" color for the season)
Origins (though owned by Estee Lauder - does not test on animals http://www.origins.com/customer_service/aboutus.tmpl#/Products)
Smashbox (though owned by Estee Lauder - does not test on animals http://www.smashbox.com/customer_service/faq#animal_testing)
Stila Cosmetics (make up - I am a big fan of their products and have mentioned them in this blog many times)
Suki (skincare - organic line of skincare that smells great! The shelf life is less than non-organic lines though)
Tarte (make up - they have a great line of cheek stains and the mascaras are pretty decent too)
The Body Shop (skincare, body, make up - I've been using Body Shop products since my tweens and still love them to this day)
Trader Joe's Company (TJ's makes body & skincare products too - cheaply priced and smells good)
Urban Decay (make up - great versatile line and lots of colors for eyeshadows to experiment looks with - they make great palettes around the holidays!)
Yes to Carrots (skincare, body - my boyfriend uses their products and it is a good line for an affordable price)

For the complete list please visit PETA

Favorite lip balms

I love lip balms - always have since I was about 8 years old! I'm always trying out new ones. I'm not one of those women that constantly applies lip balm (but I love the tinted lip balms the best because it gives a hint of color, moisture, and sometimes a hint of gloss). I always choose lip balm over gloss b/c I don't really like the sticky feeling that some glosses have. Since Valentine's Day is coming up, get those lip soft enough for endless lovey-dovey kisses.

1) Fresh Sugar lip balm
I've talked about this one on this blog several times already. I love how soft and smooth this lip balm feels. The best part about this balm is that its not sticky, you don't have to stick your finger in it either. There isn't a gloss factor in the balm so men can also use this balm too.


2) EOS in Sweet Mint
LOVE this balm for the packaging, the texture, affordability, and convenience (get it at the drugstore!). The texture is smooth and great for those harsh cold winds! The packaging is super cute. I like the Sweet Mint flavor because the minty effect is nice and tingly yet not overpowering.















3) C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve
I have this in my professional kit and I apply this balm on my clients as part of the skincare routine right after moisturizing the face. This soft multi-purpose salve has a beautiful scent to it, a hint of gloss, and makes the lips super soft. If you have dried elbows, knees, fingers, this salve can help with the dry patches too! Cheaper than the Rosebud salve that everyone loves but works just the same (in my opinion better!) than the Rosebud salve. If you've tried the Rosebud Salve and don't like how glossy that balm is. Try this one. It isn't as glossy but still has a bit of gloss to it.

Busy time wearing a different hat

I wear many different hats because I have three (or one could argue more than three) different career paths. Right now I'm in the middle of a conference that has me leaving rather sleep-deprived and cranky. I have to perform tonight and convince people that my work is worth bringing to their venue. I don't want to bore you with the details...

What to do with your beauty routine when you're sleep deprived but have to look refreshed and professional???!?!?!

I've been relying on moisturizing my face (and body at night!), tinted moisturizer, powder to set the tinted moisturizer, blush that makes my cheeks glow, curling my lashes, mascara, and a lip stain.

Some of my fave products:
















EUCALYPTUS NOURISHING BODY CREAM by 100% pure cosmetics
I slather this on at night and it has been a fixture on my bedside table for over a week now. The scent of eucalyptus is calming and the moisture is much needed at night in the winter!






























OCC Tint: Tinted Moisturizer
This tinted moisturizer is like silk! It is my favorite tinted moisturizer on the market. Buildable coverage, affordable price, and pro packaging (Translation: simple packaging that doesn't nickle and dime you), you must try this product! Everyone I've recommended this product to has loved it!



















Body Shop: Shimmer Waves
This is a great product to have - I used it as a blush for an all over glow and an eye shadow palette. (Great for traveling!) Every time I use this product as a blush - it looks like I'm refreshed and glowing from within.

Travel friendly cosmetics in 3 oz.

There are several online beauty retailers that give beauty junkies like me an option beyond the Sephora, Ulta, Space NK, Soap, and several others... The one I'm going to talk about is a beauty site geared towards getting travel friendly sized beauty products ranging from skincare, haircare, and even laundry products, vitamins.
Visit 3floz.com

The favorite feature of the site is the kits available based on skin type. I like this Air Repair kit - it contains a cleanser, a facial mist, eye cream, a beauty balm, and a rescue balm. A complete set for keeping your skin hydrated for air travel. This is a must-have if you are traveling globe-trotter. I'm not traveling anywhere by plane this holiday season but next year, I'm going to be racking up some trans-Atlantic-Pacific mileage and will most likely order this to carry on with me on those long 20 hour flights.

I'm also a fan that the products on their site are from brands that I covet in my medicine cabinet. Go Smile, AHAVA, Malin + Goetz, Murad, Oscar Blandi, The Laundress, Tocca, Fekkai, etc.
I'm sure that you'll find a brand you recognize within the offerings.

Beauty gifts to give the women in your life

Beauty gifts are a no-brainer to give women around the holidays as a main gift or a stocking stuffer. There are rules though. You don't want to give the wrong type of gift and there are a few things that are not good gifts to give unless you really KNOW the receiver. There are also gifts that are neutral that are enjoyed by both men and women that wouldn't offend the receiver. Think: Candles, Bath products, Lotions, Soaps, Lip Balms (non- shiny, non-sticky of course), Hair products, Tools: Combs, nail clippers, facial brushes, etc., and of course remember the packaging is important too.

Here are my favorite gifts for the women in your life.

1) Mom
My grandmother and mother taught me at a young age that skincare products is very important in maintaining a youthful skin as well as staying out of the sun.
I'm giving my mom some awesome beauty products..

Stila in the light palette
Retail $39

I am obsessed with Stila eyeshadows and this is a beautiful palette. Stila's eyeshadows are really long lasting and I always use it as a under eye make up base to make my eye make up last all day. The colors in this palette is beautiful!

I've taught my mother how to do make up several times but she always goes back to her way of doing make up (mom, if you're reading this - you better listen!) so this palette will be a fool-proof way of keeping the make up beautiful, youthful, and simple. I also like the no smudge eyeliner that comes with the palette.





2) Sister (younger sister)
My little sister is still in 8th grade and very much not into wearing make up. She does like to curl her lashes though, unlike me, she is blessed with gorgeous feathery long lashes.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Retail $19

The cult favorite eyelash curler among make up artists and beauty junkies alike. I've been using Shu Uemura eyelash curler for about 8 years and cannot see myself switching anytime soon unless there is an eyelash curler that is better for straight Asian lashes.

This would also make a great stocking stuffer!













3) Best Girlfriends

Anything that has really pretty packaging, universal, smells delicious, luxurious ingredients but doesn't break the bank... here are some of my faves. (Also great as stocking stuffers!)


Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Retail $22.50

Fresh came out with four colors that stem from this original in the past few years. However, this is the best one to get. With its luxe buttery texture, lemon-y scent, and pretty packaging - you can't help but constantly reapply dry winter lips with it.

I got my mother and my boyfriend's mother hooked on this lip treatment. It is really amazing! I also like that its not sticky or glossy so men can also use it.









Origins Peace of Mind on the spot relief
Retail $11

If you've ever set foot inside at an Origins store and the sales associates give you a temple massage with this product placed on your temples and behind your ears - you know that this stuff is so relaxing!

Give this to your overworked friends and coworkers!
Extra points if you pair it with a scalp massager...











Head massager by Kikkerland
Retail $3.99

I have a scalp massager and it is especially good when you've spent all day staring at the computer. The best part about this massager is that you don't have to rely on anyone else to massage your scalp.

A cheap thrill but the rewards are priceless!

Christmas Wish List

I always drool at the products and gift basket beauty options that come out every holiday season. This season is no different. Here is my list...



1) Stila Holiday Dream Palette
How can you not love the presentation of this palette? All the colors, the packaging, and variety of eye shadows and blushes with an added bonus of an eyeliner.
This palette is $39.
This would also make an excellent beauty gift for the girl who loves make up.




















2) T3 Singlepass Whirl Wand

No this is not some kinky vibrating device. This is a curling wand that is perfect for longer hair to create beach sexy hair or classic finger curls. I love the T3 technology and my 1.5" inch flatiron is used for making big waves in my hair. T3 irons are the only ones that seem to be able to give me long-lasting curls on my slippery, super fine Asian hair.
Retails for $160 - I think this is a little steep but definitely cheaper than getting professional blowouts every time you want long-lasting beautiful curls.








3) Nagauta Kabuki Brush Set

How beautiful is this brush set!?!?! If I received this under the Christmas tree, I would feel like a refined Geisha performer applying make up for a performance every time I would use this. I love that this comes in a Bento Box and is held in place just so perfectly. NARS is one of my favorite make up lines ever!
$225 is the steep cost for this beauty but it is definitely well worth it to feel like a Geisha princess everyday :-)












4) White Gold Detoxifying Crystal Salt INA crystals

Bathing in white gold!?!? Wow. The ultimate luxurious bath.
"This deep penetrating detox bath contains minerals small enough to penetrate the cells and be absorbed to help the body expel internal toxins accumulated over time through pollutants in the air, alcohol and processed foods. The White Gold Crystal and the detoxifying essential oils of basil, fennel and juniper cleanse deeply whilst improving the sense of well-being." - Space NK besteller
This sounds great after a month of indulgence in food and drink.
Retails for $85








5) Muscle Relief Bath Soak Life NK

Ok, I said that this was going to be a wish list not a must-have list or an already-own list. I couldn't help myself but put this product on this list because I LOVE THIS BATH SOAK! I'm a sucker for Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary combination scents. I've been taking baths almost every day since the temperatures have dropped. I use this bath after rehearsal and I always feel so relaxed and start my wind down.
I have found my go-to bath product! (I also like Fresh's Sake bath but I'm not always in the mood to feel detoxified in a "ofuro" hot bath.)
Retails for $30 so its pretty affordable!