The day of the move is coming ever closer, and I am trying to get ahead on the blog so that I'm not falling behind. I've got a few posts written up, for the most part, so all I need to do now is take photos and edit the posts. I've had this idea in my blogging notebook for months, but never got around to ticking it off because other ideas just seemed more interesting. However, I thought I'd just bite the bullet and write the post.
I'm actually really happy with the photos for this post, mainly because I've found a theme that I really like for this blog. I also love these photos because my friend, Allen, showed me a way to easily adjust the white balance on photoshop without faffing around on the Camera Raw File filter for ages, and the result are whites that look more neutral/grey-toned, instead of leaning towards blue, green, pink, orange or whatever colour the lighting decides to bring me that day. Thanks, mate!
A lot of people have their favourite beauty tools, ones that they use to apply their makeup, for grooming, and even for skincare. There are lots of tools out there in the world, including beauty blenders, eyelash curlers, Clarisonic devices and even Tangle Teezers. I'm a girl of simple means, so I like to put more of my money towards the products themselves, rather than the tools that I use them with, so I don't have a lot of beauty tools. Here they are!
Cotton Buds
Also known internationally as q-tips, these are indispensable tools that I just cannot do without. I prefer the individually wrapped ones from Daiso, because they're much more hygienic for when you need to pop a few into your handbag for touch-ups. It's also better for when you've gotten something stuck in your eye and you need to get it out without risk of infection. I also use q-tips to correct eyeliner and to wipe away any mascara mistakes. Here's a tip (pun intended): wait for the mascara to dry first before using a dry q-tip to remove it. This way there is minimal damage to your makeup and you're not making a mess of it.
Brushes
I have a select few brushes that I always reach for, and I rarely ever change it up unless they're dirty and I need a fresh one in a pinch. My favourites are a buffing brush from a bamboo set that I bought on eBay, the Real Techniques Blush Brush and Setting Brush, and all the crease blending brushes I can get my hands on. I also have a few angled eyeliner brushes as they are so handy for when I do my brows with Freedom Brow Pomade.
Palette Knife
I must have this palette knife for when I use my RCMA foundation palette, as there's no better or more hygienic way of collecting the right amount of foundation to use. Using a brush to dip into the palette not only introduces bacteria and contaminants, but it also prevents you from being able to warm up the foundation before application. Which is what you need to do, to ensure a flawless and natural finish.
Powder Puff
I have a powder puff that came with a Milani Multitasking Face Powder, and I use it every time to set my under-eye concealer as well as to mattify my nose. My under-eye concealer creases like a mofo when I don't use a finishing powder to set it, and I've yet to find something that works better. I just press on a thin layer of the Australis Ready, Set, Go Finishing Powder with the puff, and then immediately brush off the excess with the Real Techniques Setting Brush.
Isopropyl Alcohol
The one I currently have is 99% alcohol, although I should have 75% for proper sanitation of brushes and equipment. I use the 99% alcohol to spot clean my brushes in an instant, and also to clean the surface of the desk of any makeup. I use it also to clean and sanitise my palette knife before I put it in contact with my foundation palette.
Mirror with 3x Magnification
I don't use the 3x magnified side often because it has a tendency to make me go in and attack my blackheads. I like to use this mirror instead of the one on the wall because then I can place it at the distance that I need it at. I also like to adjust it so that it captures the light and reflects it back onto my face, which makes it so much easier to see what I'm doing. Plucking my eyebrows is also a breeze with this must-have.
Tweezers
I have a pair from Manicare that I find does my brows easily. It's got a straight top, which I prefer over an angled or pointy pair of tweezers. It doesn't have a stubby blunt edge, but a tapered one, so I can slide it underneath stubborn or small hairs and just yank it out.
See? A girl of rather simple means. However, I plan on getting a high-quality brush set for my birthday this year, and I've got my eye on a few options. It's a bit hard trying to decide, as I want to stick with vegan brushes from a cruelty-free company and a lot of the brush sets I'm looking at are from overseas. My ideal set would contain a blush brush, a powder brush, a setting brush, a buffing brush for foundation, a couple of crease brushes and eyeshadow brushes.
Perhaps buying matching individual ones from a particular brand would be a lot easier as I'd make sure I get to use every brush in the set. Brand recommendations, anyone?
Do you have any particular beauty tools you must have in your kit?
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