No longer an ELF virgin... but a convert???

Hermanas!!!


My adorable hermana Mel (also known in the underworld as DairyFarmer) kept singing the praises for ELF cosmetics; and sexy Toma from Makeup Masala confided that her ultimate favorite tweezers were the ELFish ones. They had me honestly intrigued.

I must say I was a bit suspicious. You know I am all about the bargain, that I never pay retail (well, not usually); and that I enjoy saving the pennies. But, all products for ONE DOLLAR???? Come on!!! There had to be a catch. So I went, Paypal account in hand, to their website. I browsed around every category and ended up ordering quite a bit of goodies.

• Eyeshadows in Drama, Butternut and Luxe
• 2 sets of slanted tweezers
• Clarifying pressed powder in Tone 3
• Smudge brush
• Lip primer+plumper
• Liquid eyeliner
• Candy Shop lip tins (the cutest little lip glosses ever)
• Travel mirror
• Powder puffs

...and god knows what else. Using all sorts of codes and coupons; I ended paying something like 12 dollars. Yup, sí, oui. My cosmetics were delivered 7 days later in perfect condition. The wrapping is very nice: I was expecting something cheapie and was pleasantly surprised.

I plan on going ELFish all week to see what I like and what I don't; and then come back and report on it for your delight hermanas. So far, I adore their liquid eyeliner that stayed put all day (and night since I forgot to take my makeup off on saturday, chica mala) without primer; and I also luvz the slanted tweezers.

Today I am wearing the Luxe eyeshadow quad (see below), the black liquid eyeliner and the tone 3 pressed powder. I am wearing of course my primers, but I will check again after lunch andthen after dinner to see how it stays- or not- put.


Mind you, all products are $1 -- exception made of their "Studio ELF" and mineral makeup lines (those are 3 bucks, puhleaze!). Right now I am going to their website again to order some beauty bags that are on sale for like 50% off. Can't go wrong with that. Besides, I have to employ my hard earned survey Paypal cash on something, right?????

Siempre, Bella.

Brushes, brushes, brushes

Hermanas!!!

I indeed gave away a couple of brush sets this season. I insist that brushes are your best friend when it comes to applying makeup. Even if you are a makeup newbie; brushes will make your life easier and your face less than patchy.

Good brushes tend to be on the expensive side; but there are alternatives. And if you take good care of them, they will last you a while. Clean after using, wash once a week or so.

I am currently in love with the Sephora brush collection, although I have been known to favor MAC brushes as well. Before you all go and spend your gift certificates just like that; let's see.... which are the "must haves" to begin a collection of your own?

• Foundation brush. I am currently using MAC 190 (pic above) and it works like a charm. Remember I use MAX Factor pan cake foundation; so a good foundation brush is a must; and it certainly saves me money as I use less product.
  

• Slanted brush. This one is fabulous for making those sexy eyes look bigger. I have MAC's 208 small slanted eye brush; plus another 2 from no-name brands.

• Smudge brush. I bought my first one before Christmas; and I am only so happy I did. I use this one to give my lower lashes a bust of color, or a shadow of sexiness! It blends lovely and you can adjust the stroke depending on how much you "push" the brush.
  

• Blush brush. Some folks use one for blush, one for bronzer, one for.... I just use one. I am however partial to the ones that have a bit of a slanted tip -- this way you can work contour much better.
  

• Eyeshadow all-over brush I got some Elizabeth Arden ones a while ago as a gift with purchase and they are amazingly versatile. If you don't want to cash out for a MAC Queen Bee (best blender brush I know); these ones shall do the trick.
  

I guess it all comes to how many functions you can invent for your brushes, you can be as versatile as your imagination and your budget allow. I don't think brush functions are set in stone at all. Some hermanas could not care less about brushes (case in point, Legally Smart and her obnoxious disposable applicators), and others who are brush mages.

If you are -as I am- on a tight budget; you can always play around with cheap brushes from your friendly dollar store; upgrade to drugstore items, etc. It's all about having good fun with makeup hermanas, it is not a chore!!!!

Siempre, Bella.