Purely Pro Simply Delivers

There are so many reasons to choose Purely Pro Cosmetics- They're a Michigan-based company, they're not tested on animals, they're guaranteed to weather long days (the line was originally created to meet entertainment industry demands), they integrate "cutting edge technology and the purest ingredients"... Really the list could go on, but the most important aspect is that Purely Pro really does deliver fantastic, quality products.

A few stand outs:

1) Stuck on You Eyeliner Fixative 
This guy is a total game changer. It allows you to transform any eye shadow into a long-lasting gel eyeliner. Simply wet a brush with a few drops and mix into powders to create a smooth, creamy consistency and apply. I cannot even tell you how obsessed I am with this product. It truly opens up a whole new eye palette world.

2) Cream Hilites in 56 Hi Glow
A cream formula that can be used on the face or body for subtle to dramatic shimmer. #56 is a gorgeous bronze that I found ideal as an all over eye shadow base right now, but I know will also be a go-to face/cheek bone highlighter in the warmer months once I have some semblance of a tan.

3) Small Pointed Face Brush
A vegan brush with a nice weight and crazy soft bristles, this is meant for defining and highlighting your cheek bones. I liked using it to apply liquid foundation around my nose, chin and underneath the eyes.

Umberto Beverly Hills Banana Brush

This brush rocks!
Available at Target for a great price.
Easy to use, the curve fits comfortably in your hand.
Brushes and smooths without ripping out hair.
A fabulous find--would make a great stocking stuffer as well!

Sam Villa Bamboo Styling Brush

This is one serious brush.

Don't press too hard-- these boar bristles are tough stuff.

Once I got used to being able to brush my hair without a death-grip on the handle, it was great.

Made my hair all smooth and nice.

Non-static, just finishes your look.

Sam Villa does it again!

Umberto Oval Brush

The best of both worlds: great brush, great price!

Target brings us a new haircare line from Umberto Savone of the Beverly Hills salon Umberto.

The Oval Brush is awesome!

The boar & nylon bristle combination is great for finishing up your look without removing a layer of scalp.

Sam Villa Paddle Brush

Go to Samvilla.com and buy this brush!

Loving the comfortable handle, rounded-tip bristles, and that it gets through my hair without any major snags or injuries!

Firm, but not harsh. Sturdy, yet elegant.

Plus, looks fantastic-- no plastic mess.

Bobbi Brown: Bag & Brushes

Makeup bag & Mini Brush set

Okay, I always used to shy away from the Bobbi Brown counter, I thought the sales staff was over-enthusiastic, & that unnerved me.

Now I see that they were right-on. Dead-on. Spot-on. Perfect.

I think I am now a Bobbi-o-phile.

The bag is super-cute, a mini shaving bag, zips around 3 sides.

But the brushes are AMAZING!!!

There's a lip brush, an eye-shadow brush, & a foundation brush.

No random hairs left on you after using, just your make-up, right where you want it!

The handles are small, so you can easily carry them with you, but the brush parts are perfectly sized.

TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!

Trish McEvoy: The Point

So, I admit it-- I've never owned a "good" brush before.

If it didn't come as part of a bonus, I didn't have it 

(sidenote: I now know that most of the bonus gift brushes are horrible). 

I was good with spending the money on powder, lipstick, whatever--but could just as 

easily apply it wiith a cotton ball, my fingers, or from the tube, right? WRONG! 

One application later, I was searching through my stash to find out what else I could put

on with this little wonder brush! No odd hairs on my face, pigment where I wanted it to go...

The design allows precision placement, but also superior blending.

Sadness- limited edition. GET ONE NOW!

Naieme - Makeup Brush Set

Naieme
Leatherette Brush Set

I am always trying out new makeup brushes. Sometimes I watch makeover shows on TV and go and buy the brushes that they use for makeup (I am addicted to What Not to Wear). Let me say that these brushes are the best thing since sliced bread. I am not kidding. There are 5 brushes in this set. All neatly arranged in a sassy gold case with an extra zipped pocket for storage. All 5 brushes are colored and labeled. The blush/powder brush is a nice size for me. Not too big, not too small. Blush goes on evenly and the brush is soft. Next is the blender/lid brush. I have been using this brush to apply eyeshadow on my lids. Everything gets covered evenly and easily. The next brush is the crease/smoke brush. It is amazing. This brush makes it SO easy to give your eyes that smoky look. I LOVE it. I can't believe how easy it makes applying dark colors to the creases. It is like a little masterpiece paintbrush for my eyes. There is also a concealer/foundation brush. I have found this one useful when trying to cover a blemish or dark spot on my face. Concealer goes on easily and covers well. The last brush may be my favorite. It is a brow/liner brush. I have only used it as a liner brush so far, but it is crazy how great it works. I instantly threw away all of my pencil eyeliners (ok, I didn't throw them away, I just moved them out of my every day makeup bag). All of the girls at my friend's wedding last weekend used the liner brush and asked how and where to get one. I directed them (as I am now directing you) to the emmett cooper HAIRCARE & the naieme collection website. Go and buy this set now. http://emmettcooperhaircare.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=33

Combs: My search

I have hair that breaks things.
Hair bands, brushes, and, especially COMBS.
[There is a LOT of hair on my head. Each strand is about the same thickness as sewing thread. And there are tons of that. I donated hair last year, the woman had to package it in 3 bundles.]
I comb my hair after washing. It doesn't matter how much conditioner I use, it's a tough job. I've come to terms with that.
What I can't stand is when combs snap in my hair!
I've tried the cheap, bendy-plastic drugstore combs (imagine hair laughing), and the fancy salon combs (took a year, but my hair won).
The only comb I have yet to break is this immense, thick-toothed, white plastic handled comb. It came free in a Clinique bonus.
I am down to the Clinique comb for wet hair & a Phillips Light Touch brush for dry hair. The brush does not consistently reach my scalp through my hair. I could press harder, but I don't want to break the brush & have to go buy another. The Phillips brush works to smooth the mess.
I would like to think that there are others in the same boat. Any recommendations???