Eyeshadow Couture is a beauty blog and YouTube channel dedicated to helping those out in the beauty world through honest product reviews, product swatches and photos, beauty tips and tricks, tutorials, discounts, coupons, new brand discovering and much more!
Some of us have a large amount of makeup brushes, and some have a small amount of makeup brushes. No matter the amount of makeup brushes you have, the important thing about having them is keeping them clean.
Makeup Buildup
Makeup brushes get used for all different types of makeup; from eyeshadow to liquid foundations. Overtime, that makeup builds up and collects and cakes up in the bristles, making it difficult to work with blending in makeup the next time you use them.
Bacteria
Gross, bacteria! Yes, bacteria thrives in your makeup brushes after each use of them! Leading to acne, uneven makeup and possible skin infections. Just imagine that on your skin!
Sponges Hoard Bacteria
Beauty Blenders and makeup beauty sponges all hoard lots of bacteria. They are a sponge, so they soak up whatever liquid you put on them, and they collect whatever bacteria that's on your face and give it the opportunity to thrive and grow. Be sure to wash them thoroughly at least once a week.
Bristle Health
Keeping your makeup brushes ensures the health of the bristles of your makeup brushes. Makeup build up collecting in the bristles over time can damaged the bristles, especially with liquid foundation, bronzers, blushes, contouring, etc.
Proper Cleaning
A lot of people who use makeup brushes and sponges are unaware of which cleanser to use. They're are so many on the market these days! I have one cleanser that I love and trust with cleaning my makeup brushes and it is inexpensive!
I've used this cleansing get for YEARS on my brushes. It's lightly scented which doesn't bother my face or eyes, it's a gel formula, so it doesn't run all over the place, easy to work with, gets the job done, it's expensive, and it's sold at many stores such as: Target, Walmart, Ulta, CVS, and Walgreens.
I've been a fan of this face wash for a number or years now. In fact, I'm a complete fan of the Pacficia brand themselves. I was using Cliniques Liquid Face Soap Mild until I discovered this your a YouTube channel. It has been a game changer in my facial cleansing routine. It not only cleans my face, it removes excess oil, dirt, and impurities, removes excess makeup my makeup remover didn't get and tones my skin. My skin has never broken out with this product, ever!
Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head ($14.50 - $24.50)
I've used the normal brush head for years with my Clarisonic Mia 2, until I no longer could find it anywhere in stores or online. I ended up thinking, what's the worst that will happen? NOTHING. Nothing negative happened. In fact, positive things happened! Not only does it clean my face and neck, it makes it feel incredibly smooth and somewhat tightened and my pores are visibly smaller. The brush head itself is weird looking, almost like it has soft plastic pieces on the outside that you would think would hurt your face, but nope! It's so soft to the touch!
Clinique Clarifying Lotion ($14.45)
I can't stress enough to people about toning their face! It's the part where it balances the pH of your skin and without a proper pH balance, who knows what will happen! I've been using this since I was a teenager and it is the key to keeping my skin from breaking out and having severe problems! I can change my facial cleanser all I want, but this is the key right here!
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel ($28.00)
This is another issue I can't stress enough about! Moisturize your face! Just because you have an oily face doesn't mean it doesn't need to be moisturized. It does! Moisturizing keeps the moisture level balanced and from becoming haywire.
Clinique All About Eyes ($33.00 - $54.50)
When it comes to eye creams, you're allowed to be picky. I know I am! I need an eye cream that handle dark circles and puffiness because let's be honest, not all of us get a full 8 to 9 hours of sleep, haha. This helps with that A LOT. It dramatically reduces them instantly and overtime of using the product, it's a lightweight formula, non-greasy and quick absorbing. Perfect for me to use morning and night!
I have combination/oily skin and when I say oily, I mean oil slick! It's absolutely ridiculous how much oil a persons face can accumulate on it. But, there are times when my skin dries out for some odd reason and it needs some oil and moisture put back into it, this does the trick. Or if I've been out in the heat too long, I'll pop this jar in the fridge, let it cool down, and apply it to my face. It's like iced water in a jar!
This is a long time favorite of mine. No other lip scrub compares to it, none! It's a little pricey, but you get a lot in this little jar and a little bit goes a long way. I use this once or twice a week to remove any excess dead skin cells on my lips and it makes them feel very smooth and makes lipstick and chapstick applications wonderful!
I recently discovered this while shopping in Bath & Body Works for hand sanitizers and other things I enjoy from their store. An associate recommended it to me and let me tell you; BEST. LIP BALM. EVER. I ended up buying two; one for my purse and another for my bedside table to use before going to sleep. It keeps my lips moisturizes for hours without drying them out. It is a little on the sticky side if you apply too much, so a little goes a long way!
I've always suffered from dry, itchy skin on my hands and legs, ALWAYS! I can't remember when I didn't suffer from it. Especially on my hands. After so many different types of lotions and hand creams, I've found the holy grail of them all. This makes me hands so smooth, it even lasts into the next day through washing them and it has significantly changed the texture of my hands as well. They don't seem to have that dry, rough texture to them after using this a few times. It's light scented, not greasy and absorbs rather quickly, which is a plus in my book, since fragrances in products tend to irritate my skin.
June is coming to a close real fast, and with all the crazy stuff going on, even faster. I thought I'd share my favorites for the month again with you all.
Pacifica Rosemary Purify Invigorating Shampoo
For almost over a year I've suffered from a itchy shampoo from buildup, dry scalp and mostly from autoimmune disease Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis). I've tried A LOT of shampoos and conditioners from moisturizing all the way up to Head & Shoulders. I've used the Pacifica brands face wash and haven't turned back from using it since first using it, so I figured why not? This stuff is amazing! Not only does it clean all the junk out of the top and bottom of my scalp, but the minty and tingle feeling makes my scalp feel clean and fresh. I noticed the mint scent more in the shampoo, which I love!
Pacifica Rosemary Purify Invigorating Conditioner
For almost over a year I've suffered from a itchy shampoo from buildup, dry scalp and mostly from autoimmune disease Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis). I've tried A LOT of shampoos and conditioners from moisturizing all the way up to Head & Shoulders. I've used the Pacifica brands face wash and haven't turned back from using it since first using it, so I figured why not? This stuff is amazing! Not only does it clean all the junk out of the top and bottom of my scalp, but the minty and tingle feeling makes my scalp feel clean and fresh. I noticed the rosemary scent more in this conditioner than the shampoo that goes with it, which I love!
Paul Mitchell Flexible Style Hold Me Tight
For the longest time I've been using the Extra Firm Hold hairspray by Tresseme and it was favorite for holding my hair in place, especially my side bangs when I put them back for a pony tail, but I didn't like the sticky and hard feeling in my hard it left, but I dealt with it. My mom actually gave this to me to try, and I love it! It holds well and no sticky or hard feeling in my hair.
Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo (Original)
I've been trying to go back into nothing by "cruelty-free, vegan and/or no animal testing" products in my life. I really enjoy them more, to be honest.
Urban Decan Naked Cherry Palette
I've actually been using this a lot before June. Probably ever since January when I purchased it, because I've been a fan of the Urban Decay Naked palettes ever since I was introduced to their Naked 2 palette. This palette gives such a smooth cranberry look. Perfectly blends, beautiful colors ranging from neutrals to smoke for any eye look. I've been using it to due neutral, everyday kind of looks.
Tree Hut Charcoal Black Sugar Scrub
This sugar sugar is literally blackish brown colored! It smells almost like licorice to me. But it works very nicely on my legs, thighs, arms, hands, elbows and under my feet. Makes them very soft and the smell is delicious.
Morphe Oval Shadow Brush (M167)
This brush has been a game changer in how I pack on eyeshadow to my eyelid. It packs the pigment on so well, with no fallout at all! The handle is of good size so I have great handling as well.
Morphe Flat Liner Definer Brush (M432)
Where has still brush been all my life! It has also been a game changer in my makeup routine for my eyebrows. For years I was using a flat liner brush by e.l.f cosmetics and it was barely sculpting them properly. But this... WOW. I have complete control of where the brush is going when I'm sculpting my eyebrows and I don't have to use much of the product I was using before.
Happy Tuesday everyone! Today I'll be sharing a few of my current favorites that I've been obsessing over the last two weeks or so.
Morphe M554 Under Eye Setting Brush
I am so happy I was introduced to this brush. I was at Ulta awhile after Christmas and discovered they were carrying Morphe! I've always wanted to try their products and never got around to it except a few palettes I have which I love to pieces. This brush is amazing at setting my under eye power when I do my under eye concealer. It sets it smoothly and it doesn't crease at all during the length of time I wear my makeup. The bristles are soft and the handle is a good size to hold and handle when using it which is plus for me.
I use these both in combination for doing and smudging out my under eyeshadow. They are small and precise and they don't drop a lot of fallout which I love. Soft bristles, good sized handle to use, and great performance out of these two brushes for one thing.
Moprhe Nature Glow Palette
I love this palette. It's been my go to everyday palette ever since I got it. I switch between this, another Morphe palette and the Jaclyn Hill x Morphe palette for everyday looks. These are such great shadows; they blend easily, are easy to work with, don't fade, don't have lots of fall out and have great outcome for everyday looks.
Shadows I've been using everyday are; Upfront, Popular, Clear, Newest, Creams, Bake, Wannabe, Choco, Riches, Glow Girl
Clarisonic Mia 2
I never knew I'd be so obsessed with this thing one day. I used to this daily, morning and night for when I washed my face and then all of a sudden I stopped using it and went back to being lazy and washing my face with my hands and my face started having terrible breakouts everywhere. I started using it again lately to help out! This keeps them all in check. It keeps my acne down, helps with the redness on my face to a degree, keeps my face feeling smooth and helps with the excess oil my face produces as well.
Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-off Formula
I love this for a facial scrub. It has never done me wrong on my face. I've started using it again in my regular face routine to keep my acne in check. I use it about two to three times a week (along with my charcoal mask once a week).
Pacfica Rose Water Sleek & Shiny Shampoo & Conditioner
My hair has gotten really long since I haven't had the time to make an appointment to get it trimmed. It's become harder to manage with and keep it from becoming damaged by the environment. This has really been helping it looks nice and shiny and sleek during the day and it smells amazing! The only thing I don't like about the shampoo is that it doesn't lather up well.
Au Lait Hand Lotion
I can't remember how I obtained this hand lotion, but I love it! It makes my hands feel so soft in the morning. It's now heavily scented either so it doesn't bother my skin.
Victoria's Secret PINK Rosy Quartz Scented Mist
I got this during a sale they were having and it's a nice scent; very light and girly.
Hi beautifuls! August is over and now we're finally heading into the rest of the year, the soon to be holidays, and cooler weather. I honestly can't believe how fast this year went, even though I've been gone in the beauty world here online a good portion of it (due to personal and health issues) but, we're going to make the best of what's left of it. Today is my August 2016 empties. Sadly, some of the photos did not export over properly so the video that will be edited and uploaded to the YouTube Channel will have more of what my empties were.
Hair Care
Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Shampoo & Conditioner:
I remember talking about this as a favorite back in May (that's how long it's been since my last blog post, oh my) and I finally finished this. It lasted me this long since I don't wash my hair everyday and I used a little bit when I did because it lathered up SO WELL. I was pleased with this set. The smell was very exotic and fragrant and it did give my hair volume.
Redken Pillow Proof Blowdry Two Day Extender:
I don't know how I felt about this. I thought I liked it and then I realized it didn't last that long and I paid a lot for it (even though it was during the Buy 2, Get 1 Free at Ulta) it's normally about $13-15. It did help with oil in between washes but I don't think it pillow proofed anything.
Skin Care:
EOS Shave Cream (Tropical Fruit):
I finished this entire bottle, I can't believe it. Previous EOS shave creams I've had to tose them because they've either made my legs extremely sensitive afterwards or the pump has clogged up on me. This one actually did the opposite; it was nice on my skin, didn't dry them out and it smells great!
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub (Moroccan Rose):
Of all the sugar scrubs this brand makes, this by far might be my most favorite. But then again I'll probably say the same thing about another one one I find. This smells like you're a field of roses and it's so soft compared to the other sugar scrubs I've used and really helps with getting my legs prepped before shaving, smoothing my arms and legs and bottoms of my feet.
Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Wipes:
I really did like the first pack that I bought but then I started to not like these at all. It took me two wipes to take off my face makeup (I use eye makeup remover for my eyes) and it burned my face. Not so sensitive Burt's Bees.
Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash
This is an all time favorite. I use this with my Clarisonic to cleanse my face after removing my makeup with my eye makeup remover and makeup removing wipes and this gets any extra that I missed, plus cleans my face very well.
Bath & Body Works Wallflowers (Driftwood Surf, Tiki Beach, Mahogany Teakwood):
These were a huge disapointment. Normally when I get wallflowers from Bath & Body Works, they fill the room quite nicely and it smells good but, this three lasted maybe a week and then burned out and stopped working. Teakwood is an all time favorite and the other two I can't say much since I couldn't get a good scent from them.
ScentSationals Wax Melt (Blackberry Cognac):
This smells amazing! You can defenitely smell the blackberry in this melt and a small hint of cognac which has a sweet smell to it but other than that, a wonderful smelling wax melt. Unfotuntely I only got about 4-6 hours max out of this wax melt which is typical of this brand from my experience. Can't complain for $2 though!
WoodWick Wax Melt (Dew Drops):
I can't remember where I bought this wax melt but, I will never be purchasing this one again. I got about 1-2 hours of light scent from this one and the original candle has a much heavier scent.
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Watch my August 2016 Empties on my Beauty Channel!
I know it's been so long since the last time I blogged or filmed. I had so many personal things going on, I had to let the beauty world sit in the background for a few months while I worked on some very important issues.
I'm still doing YouTube, my Etsy shops are still up and running and they've gotten good business since starting and, the next news is exciting for me;
I'm now a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant!
I was invited by a co-worker to attend an event (since she knows I have a youtube channel and have makeup skills) and I fell in love with their satin lips set (which I'll be doing a full review on very soon). I got to try their skin care line which I love, they are cruelty-free, no animal testing, and donate to charities. I decided to share their experience and brand.
If you're interested in the brand or you're a customer, feel free to come check it out;
Hello beautifuls, it's that time again; monthly favorites! I can't believe it's already June! We're half way through the year!
Clinique Cheek Pop (Heather Pop):
This blush is another one of those perfect "soft pink mauve" blushes! It goes on so smooth and it feels like you're putting silk on your face.
Wet n Wild Highlighter & Concealer:
This little guy is about $5 and well worth it. You don't get much in the product but, for the price you get quality. I use this for concealing and highlighting my under area and it does wonders. Does crease or budge.
Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen:
I've mentioned the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner several times in empties and favorites and it's by far my top favorite liquid liner. But, I discovered this on the Sephora website and gave it a try; fell in love. It's an exact dupe for the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, and better! It's extremely black, stays all day, doesn't smudge, and it's forever to get this off.
Clinique Matte Lipstick (Matte Suede):
I've never tried any of Clinique's matte lipsticks, I didn't even know they had them! I got this in a bonus gift as a full size lipstick. It's a lovely shade of nude. It's not drying to my lips either, like some matte lipsticks do. Very soft and creamy.
Clinique Stay Matte Oil-Free Makeup:
This is always a go-to summer foundation for me. It's a medium to full coverage, holds up to sweat and humidity, blends very well, stays all, and controls my oil.
NYX Contour Palette:
I finally got my hands on this baby! I saw it in Ulta all the time but couldn't justify spending almost $40 on this because I was hearing mixed reviews about it. I found a bunch at Target on a new NYX display and I guess the prices have gone down. I was litterly drooling over this palette so my boyfriend
BeautyBlender Solid Cleanser:
I'm glad I went back to this cleaner for my brushes and makeup sponges, it just gets them clean! I still enjoy my Dr. Bronner's soap, they are amazing but, it can be hard to rinse out all the suds. I guess this added a new feature to the solid, they now have this little stand that you can use to dry your makeup sponge on or deep clean your makeup brushes - which is what I use it for! It's a great tool for it's small size, it gets all the gunk out of those brushes, even bronzer, which sticks so bad!
Redken High Rise Volume Lifting Shampoo & Conditioner:
I'll be honest, I don't normally spend a lot of money on shampoo/conditioner because for the longest time, I thought it was just to get your money and the stuff didn't even work anyway. I recently got my hair done (shortened with layers) and it's so full of life again! The stylist was washing my hair with this, first thing I noticed; the scent! It's very exotic and pleasing to the nose. This does give my hair volume without weighing it down or leaving feeling sticky, like I've had with past few volume shampoos/conditioners. Redken isn't cheap, for the both of these I spent about $35 but, worth it!
Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender:
When I got my hair redone, she recommended I not use the drugstore version of dry shampoo as they were dumping a lot of product in my hair and adding to my already dry scalp. She recommended this to use every few days to keep my style in. It works like a charm; no oil for two days!
L'Oreal Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum:
I've been using this after I shampoo my hair and it helps to help my hair from getting frizzy from being outside in the humidity.
Bath & Body Works Shower Gel (French Lavender & Honey):
This smells so good. It almost has a soothing scent to it.
EOS Shave Cream (Tropical Fruit):
In previous blogs and videos I've said I would never go back to scented or regular shaving creams because they irritate my skin but, this one hasn't done anything to my skin. Maybe they changed their formula, in the past I've had horrible luck with these creams (mess going everywhere, clogging up the razor).
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub (Moroccan Rose):
This smells amazing! It smells like roses and pure sugar! It's less grainy than the other scrubs and makes my legs smooth. I use this as a pre-shaving scrub.
Estee Lauder Modern Muse Chic Perfume:
I got this for Christmas last year and I absolutely love this. It's very a feminine scent!
Guess Girl Perfume:
My boyfriend gave me this as a graduation gift. It's one of my favorites and it's a very girly scent.
Hello beautifuls! Looooong time no see. It's been almost three months since my last blog post and six months with my lass video posting. I have some news, I'm back, of course. But, I have finally graduated with my Associate in Arts degree! So I'm done with my general education. I'm doing Associate in Science for my veterinary technician certification on an online school so I'm done with school just yet... but, I don't have to worry about getting to class for awhile. This last class took my main focus off my makeup community.
Today, I'll be sharing my April/May 2016 Empties! It's been awhile since I've done one of these and if I can remember, my last empties blog/video was a long one. I had so much stuff to share! This time, I don't have as much to share but, I though I'd share!
Vegas Nay Classic Charm False Eyelashes:
I bought these over a year ago and I guess I forgot about them. I use one of the larger drawers in my IKEA Alex 9 Drawer unit as a eyelash/back-up/unused product drawer. I finally wore them once earlier this year and then again my college graduation; they are amazing. They are about $5-6 at Target. They are light weight, easy to apply, don't kink up, and they can be wore a few times.
Too Faced Chocolate Solei Matte Bronzer (Light/Medium):
I had this bronzer for almost an entire year..... until it finally fell apart getting ready on the morning of my graduation day. It had a small amount left in the pan. This bronzer is my absolute favorite everyday bronzer. I use it to bronze my cheeks and temples.
ELF Clear Eyebrow/Eyelash Gel:
I come back to this product very often, simply because it's the cheapest eyebrow gel out there. And it's worth the small price. You don't get that much product, but you do get quality with this product. It holds my brows in place, they don't smudge, smear, or melt with this.
Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Makeup Setting Spray:
This is a favorite setting spray. It makes my makeup lasts for hours and holds my oil back from coming through. It's around $8 at Walmart.
MAC Paint Pot (Painterly):
I've been using this for a few years and it's always a favorite. I have oily eyelids and most eye primers don't work as good as this. This keeps my eyeshadow on all day with no smudging or smearing!
Up&Up Sensitive Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes:
I've mentioned the Simple makeup removing wipes dozens of times on my blog and channel, and I love them! But I've been getting into trying the "house brand" of certain items and seeing if they work just as well. For this one, they work basically the same but, the towels have different texture, very smooth texture. This took all my makeup off without bothering my skin.
Clinique All About Eyes:
I have been using this for a few years (on and off) and I finally got into a routine of using it, and it actually helped with my dark circles. It helps my undereye concealer from creasing as well.
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild:
I go back to this face wash often. It's the one I originally started with when I had horrible acne problems. This always cleans my face, leaves it clean and smooth feeling.
ELF Daily Brush Cleaner:
I use this as a spot cleaner for my brushes in between deep cleaning them.
Not Your Mothers Plump For Joy Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner:
I actually really enjoyed using these two on my hair. It added volume but, for some reason I can't seem to find it anywhere. It smells like grapes and plums! It's pricy (around $9 at Target), but you get a lot in the tubes and you end up using every bit of it!
Dove Dry Shampoo:
Favorite go-to dry shampoo of all of them! It makes my hair smell great, gets the excess oil out and adds a bit of volume to my hair!
Bath & Body Works Wallflower (Black Teakwood):
If you're a fan of the orignal Mahagony Teakwood, you'll like this one, it's like a darker, more spicy very of the original.
Bath & Body Works Wallflower (Baja Cactus Blossom):
Smells a lot like cacti plants and fresh spring flowers.
Bath & Body Works Wallflower (Mint Lemon):
This smells like mint and lemon, perfect for the kitchen but, I had mine in the bathroom.
ScentSationals Wax Melt (Mountain Twilight):
This wax smells a lot like something I would melt during the Fall or Winter time. It smells very woody and crisp like something from high mountains.
ScentSationals Wax Melt (Rock Candy):
This wax melt smells like sugar!
April & May 2016 Empties on my beauty channel!
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What empty products did you have for the months of April & May?
