The 5 Makeup Brushes That You Really Need!

The key to effortless makeup application lies in your brushes. I didn't really realize how vital they were to creating flawless makeup, until I went to this MAC seminar and learned about different ways to use them, and how to use them the right way. Here are my top 5 that I use literally EVERY time I do my makeup! I cannot live without them.

Beauty Blender

Before I got my first BeautyBlender, I just used regular foundation brushes. Let me tell you, this little sponge changed my entire routine. I was totally skeptical, but they are seriously awesome. The tapered end also eliminated the need for a concealer brush! I love it! You just wet it, squeeze it out, dot foundation/concealer to your face, and blend your way into flawless foundation and a perfect looking complexion. My favorite thing about it is that since you use it wet, it doesn't leave your face looking all cakey and gross.
Rea.deeming Beauty, Inc. - beautyblender PURE blender (single) by Rea.deeming Beauty, Inc. BEAUTY - $34.90, 4.99 shipping - Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

Make Up For Ever - Professional Angled Eyeliner Brush #262

If you're like me and use gel/cream eyeliner on the regular, a brush similar to this one is key for perfect eyeliner. I've tried all kinds of different liner brushes over the years, but these angled ones are the only ones that make a perfect, even line, and enable me to do winged liner, which I usually wear every day. Definitely check one out of you do winged liner like me. Sephora also has some affordable ones!

Make Up For Ever - Professional Angled Eyeliner Brush #262 Straight - $22.00, 5.48 shipping - Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

MAC Cosmetics - Brushes - #217 Blending Brush

Literally every time I do my eyeshadow I pull out my MAC 217 brush. It's nice and fluffy yet still rigid enough to get enough shadow on it for my crease. This is the best blending brush ever ever and works beautifully. MAC brushes are expensive but they last forever with proper care and are SO worth the price. You can use it for whatever blending you need done, but I typically use it only with darker colors in my crease.
You can also use this one to contour places that are smaller, like the sides of your nose. :)
MAC Cosmetics - Brushes - #217 Blending Brush (Eye) - - - $40.00, 4.99 shipping - Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

MAC Cosmetics - MAC 252 Large Shader Brush

This is the brush I use every day for basic eyeshadow on my lid. It's nice and wide and flat, and makes it a breeze to really pack the shadow on. MAC shadow brushes are what I prefer, but I've found a few other cheaper alternatives with I don't want to screw up my nice ones. Any kind of large shader brush like this one is what I recommend for applying shadow to your lid.
MAC Cosmetics - MAC 252 Large Shader Brush - $21.99, 5.48 shipping - Available at Fullfillment By Amazon
(6 reviews)

MAC Cosmetics - MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

This is like the only brush I use for contouring. It's big, but not overly huge and fluffy and stuff has some rigidness so you can apply enough bronzer. Or maybe I just use too much? Who knows? :) Either way, I use this one every day!

MAC Cosmetics - MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush - $30.99, 5.48 shipping - Available at Fullfillment By Amazon
(12 reviews)

So, yeah! Those are my go to brushes that I use literally every single time I do my makeup. Anyone have any favorites they'd like to share?! I'd love to hear them! I'm always open to trying new brushes! I've found a few good ones from Ipsy too. :)

Happy Wednesday!
Xx Ashley C.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Jessica's Best of 2013

Hey everyone! My name is Jessica and I am the new girl on the blog. Here is a little about me then on to my Top 10 of 2013. I am a lover of all things girly and have collected, blogged about, and reviewed makeup and beauty products for a couple of years now. I am a single mom of 2 little girls and will be turning the big 4-0 in a few months. Ashley just happens to be my cousin and I am so thrilled that she asked me to contribute to this blog. She has great style and I am glad that I can share my love for makeup and beauty products with someone in my family.

On to my top 10!

These are products that I either found and fell in love with in 2013 or that I have continued to use because they are just that awesome.


1. Mac's Mineralized SkinFinish

I had read great things about this and seen many good reviews on Youtube. So, I had to try it. I can't believe I waited as long as I did. I love this stuff. I don't like to wear a lot of foundation and most times just use a light BB Cream or tinted moisturizer. THIS will cover anything and can give you full coverage if you want it to. It doesn't feel heavy and gives a nice matte finish without being too powdery. I used it in shade 'Light'. I don't have a lot of high-end stuff, because I just don't like spending a lot of money, but this is definitely worth the $$.


Number 2. Urban Decay's Naked Basics Palette

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I don't own any of Urban Decay's Naked Palettes... except this one. I just can't justify paying $50 dollars. Though, I am glad I decided to get this. At $27.00 (US) I felt it was worth it at least to try. I have used it almost daily since buying it a year ago. The 1st color, 'Venus', is a perfect brow highlight and isn't matte. Its a slightly shimmered off-white/cream. The 4th & 5th colors, 'Naked2' & 'Faint' are perfect for the crease and work great for a light makeup application to give definition without being too dark. 

Number 3. NYX Matt Finishing Spray

I originally bought the dewy finishing spray and really liked it. Then I watched a video of Melmphs where she raved about the matte spray so, again, I had to try it after watching her video. I love this stuff! I am on my second bottle. It sets the Mac Mineralized SkinFinish perfectly and I often feel like I don't have any makeup on. After spritzing it on my face, I have a little fan that I let it dry with. From experience, I learned that I need to set my makeup with this before I put my mascara on, or else I am look like I have been crying. It's affordable and works well.

Number 4. Maybelline FitMe Concealer

Working at a large chain pharmacy, I often times will browse the makeup isle on my lunch break. I had a few customers and coworkers say they liked this line. When I needed a new under eye concealer, I decided to give this a try. I chose the number 10 and it was a little too dark, so I went back and got the number 15 and its a perfect match. I have this darkish vein under my left eye and this covers it without being cakey.


Number 5. Elf's Small Stipple Brush

As per last year's list, I am a huge fan of Elf Studio line brushes. This has by far become my favorite brush and use it for foundation and concealer. It blends beautifully. It isn't too big and floofy nor too small to smear. Its just right.





Number 6. Wet n' Wild Rose Golden Goddess to Reflect Shimmer Palette

I bought this on a whim and its become my go-to busher/bronzer. Its not shimmery enough to make me look like a disco ball, but its just enough to give a gorgeous warm glow. The color works well with my skin tone and hair color, but I think it will will with pretty much any skin tone.




Number 7. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Moisturizer

I received this in a PopSugar Must Have box last year and it is AH-Mazing! First of its all organic and natural. Secondly, its feels really good and refreshing on the skin. And thirdly, it smells like lemon candy. Its no secret that I am turning 40 and I could use all of the help I can get. I can really tell a difference in my skin since I started using this. A little goes a long way and I still have plenty left but will pay the high price to purchase more when I run out. Its worth it.




Number 8. Physician's Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara

It is light and lovely and gives my lashes an almost ethereal affect. I got this at Walmart in a buy 1 get one free package. I gave the extra to my coworker and after a few weeks of use, she came to me raving about how much she liked it and how it made her lashes look. I have to agree. When I wear black mascara, this is the one I reach for every time.






Number 9. Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer

The ONLY thing I don't like about this stuff is the smell and it really isn't that bad. It feels amazing on the lips, the color payoff is like whoa, and it lasts. Its just gorgeous. It took forever for CVS (my place of employment) to carry it so I had to find it elsewhere. Its affordable and there are several colors to choose from, both shimmery and cream. I would definitely recommend it.





Number 10. Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge

This is another thing I received in a Pop Sugar Must Have box. If you haven't read any reviews about the Beauty Blender, do yourself a favor and go read them. There are many like the Beauty Blender but this is the real deal. Once you get it wet, the size doubles and becomes this cloud like sponge and blends foundation flawlessly. I would repurchase this anytime!



I hope you liked my review of my top 10 of 2013 and I would love to hear your thoughts and what your you top 10 beauty products of the last year are. Cheers! ~ Jessica

Ashley's Top Ten Eye Essentials!

Chynel and myself definitely have different taste in makeup. :) Here are my TOP TEN essential products. Most are things that I use every single day, and if not I use them everytime I'm trying to be fancy with my makeup! Some of these I have used for years and others I never would have found without the help of Ipsy. Hope you enjoy!
Keep reading to see my faves!