Modernize the Way You Make Up

Let's just state the obvious shall we: The beautyblender Cosmetic Sponge looks more akin to Easter hunts than make up bags. Yet with its unique shape, texture and material trifecta, it works foundation into that coveted overall even, crease-free coverage.

This ovoid applicator was the brainchild of Rea Ann Silva, one of Hollywood's top make up artists, who "knows the key to the perfect face is the perfect blend."  (Side note: I wonder how many flawless Oscars faces last night were achieved with its help!). Beyond Tinsel Town, this tool is also a well known Fashion Week backstage essential.

As I generally apply my foundation with my fingers, I wasn't sure how the beautyblender would fit into my daily routine. The tip sheet that accompanied it assured that even with my preferred technique, the beautyblender would smooth and refine my make up to a clean finish. Incorporating it this way was fun and did seem to make a noticeable, albeit slight, difference.

Other suggested uses include to use the round base to apply blush and the pointed end to "stipple and twist" concealer to perfectly camouflage blemishes. My pedestrian maquillage talents will surely need a bit of practice to fully utilize the beautyblender's magic, but I'm happy to take the road that eventually leads to complexion perfection.

beautyblender retails for $19.95 at major retailers nationwide including Duane Reade Look Boutique, CO Bigelow, Henri Bendel and Beauty.com.

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!

Urban Decay presents The Revolution High Performance Lash Curler

Using a lash curler always makes me feel a bit insane.
Really makes me nervous.
The Revolution still makes me nervous (steel pinching millimeters from my eye ball!), but at least it doesn't make me feel as though I am sending my eye to prison.
The cage-less design is really cool, makes the whole process easier.
Gives the lashes a good upturn, not a harsh bend/crimp.


If you don't have naturally curly lashes (who does?), this is the next best thing.
My only negative issue-- the little black rubbery pad has a tendency to fall out. I have to keep it in pinched-mode with a hairband while traveling.

Worth the price, the scare, and the hairband, though!

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.

Sam Villa SLEEKR Thermo Tool

Thermal Tool is fancy-speak for "gets hot."

The SLEEKR flat iron from Sam Villa is, in a word, AWESOME!!!

I love, love, love it!!!

Ceramic plates, light, comfortable, three heat levels. incredible smoothing power.

The narrow plates and beveled edges even let me turn my hair under! This could be the thing that pushes me full-on into being a high-maintenance-type girl, except that it is super easy to use. The 1st time I used it, I straightened my whole mass of hair in about 10 minutes. It even smooths the hair in the back of my head, which has a tendency to stick straight out.

Thank you, Sam Villa. I think you are a genius.

Clarisonic--Mia

Topping my wish list:

The new mini Clairsonic MIA!

Little & totally portable/packable.

Would fit beautifully in my toiletry case...

Totally waterproof, so I could even use it in the shower.

Paul Mitchell® Pro Tools™-- Express Ion Dry® v.2

http://www.paulmitchell.com/Products/PaulMichell_ProTools/Pages/ExpressIonDryv2.aspxThe King is here!

Okay, I am not much of a hair person. I rarely muss, mostly just comb when wet... I'm lazy, what can I say?

I have tried hair dryers--they take too long, my arms get tired, & my head gets too hot.

Going in with this, I did not have high hopes for the Express Ion Dry v. 2.

But then, HOLY WOW!!!

Lightweight, fast, and with a cold shot-- this dryer blew me away (pun intended).

My hair wasn't fried or frizzy, and I had no water dripping down my back.

I still am not a daily dryer (I'd have to wake up even earlier--not a pretty thought), but I recommend it to all the daily dryers!!! I use it when I am going out or doing something important.

I think I might be further converted by the EID v.2;)

It is the only hair dryer I have ever loved.

Sam Villa Combs

Strong, yet flexible.

Good teeth, nice spacing.

A comb for every occasion!

I'm loving these combs!!!

No static, no broken teeth in my hair...

Buy the whole set!

Sephora Mini Travel Brush Set

I love Sephora.

I really do.

I have never been unsatisfied with any other purchase.

This one, however, sucked.

The set comes in a metallic-teal travel case, 5 brushes (one face, 4 eyes).

It would have been easier just to throw random brush hairs all over-- my face, the counter, the floor... I found a couple inside a pair of shoes, & not the ones I was wearing.

I have looked on the Sephora site & not found the set, so I am hoping they discontinued.

Has anyone else had any trouble with Sephora brushes???

Clarisonic Skin Care System

Okay, so I am very frugal. Thrifty. Cheap, even.

I believe that some things are worth an extra investment (lipstick), but many are fine when you spend less than $10 (sunscreen).

In this recession, can you think of a wiser way?

This said, the $195.00 price tag on the Clarisonic Skin Care System makes my stomach turn.

Knowing all this, believe me when I say it is WORTH it!

My skin has never been softer or happier!!!

And using the Clarisonic requires less cleanser than washing your face the old fashioned way-- you'll save on face wash and eliminate the expense of a separate exfoliator!

It even comes with 3 excellent cleansers:)

Plus, when you buy the PINK Clarisonic, the company will make a donation to the fight against breast cancer.

Save up your pennies for this one.

Share The LOVE! Win something wonderful!!!

St. Valentine's Day is Saturday.

Flowers & candy? Not so much for us. Dinner reservations will be next to impossible. What would we really love? Something beautiful, of course! Whether a gift from a sig-ot, secret admirer, or yourself, here are a few recommendations for a lil'something-something to enhance your beauty & your rosy outlook:

the Clarisonic skin care system- like an electric toothbrush for your face! So good for your complexion.

Now in Pink!

Goddess Lights Parisian Nights: Face and

Body Shimmer Powder- subtle shimmer for a hint of come-hither!

Valentine's Slant Tweezers by Tweezerman- the best tweezers, cute new pattern! Sidenote: Michelle Obama's makeup artist, Ingrid Grimes-Myles, uses Tweezerman products. Yeah, they are that awesome.

Il Bacio - Borghese calls it "a fragrance that celebrates the joy of love with a fruity, floral, sensual essence."

For Valentine's Day, Borghese has a special gift set in a little red purse!

CONTEST: the first four commenters who tell us what they love will recieve Borghese's Il Bacio (The Kiss) Perfume!!!

Post your comment & send your contact info to brainybeautys@gmail.com.

Much love to Dynelle at Borghese for this opportunity.

Hair Wars: Chapter IV: A New Hope

Emjoi Chic Epilator
Their description:
Virtually painless hair removal from the root. 21 extra gentle tweezers remove hair quickly...
I would really like to know their definition of "painless."
Here's the real story: You will be yanking your hair out of your body, roots & all. There may indeed be some drug that makes this act painless, but I'm not familiar with it.
That said, this is about as comfortable as you can get while a machine rips out your hair. The No!No! hurt less during the process, but there was the whole burn factor + the smell of frying hair.
Huge Warning--if you use this on your armpits, give yourself a full day to recover before using deodorant. Unless, of course, you are into the chemical burn.
I will update with re-growth prognosis!

Samsung MP3 Player

YP-T9J
That's the model I have (in classic black)!
It is seriously small-->3.25" (8.5 cm) long, 1.75" (4 cm) wide, less than a half inch (approx. 1 cm) deep.
Holds 2G worth of music/video/files...
The sales guy told me I could watch a movie on it--like I could see a movie on a 1.5" square screen (I think that blobby-dot is Sean Astin. Or a hat. A spoon?)
That said, I love my little not-pod!
Buttons are easy to use, has definite off switch, key guard (hold) switch, display easy to read.
The sound quality is excellent, and it can be played on my car stereo (aux wire into Fit)!
If I want to take it somewhere, I can put it in my pocket without hassle/large & unsightly bump.
Plus, it was about half the price of some others, so it doesn't freak me out when I drop it. I try not to, but it has happened.

DISHWASHER: GE QuietPower I

GE Quiet Power I
relatively quiet, easy to use buttons, seems to clean well.
Bought this dishwasher in November, 2006. On my 2nd set of racks, which are rusting AGAIN. Rust from racks stains dishes.
Here's a copy of the e-mail I sent to GE:
Model #: GLD4300L00CC
Hello.
We have a GE Quiet Power I dishwasher, purchased in 11/2006 & professionally installed.
Less than 6 months after the dishwasher was installed, the top and bottom racks rusted, we received replacement racks, sent on 4/23/2007.
It is just over one year later, and the racks are rusting out again. I called today, 6/30/2008, and spoke to Wendy, who transferred me to Aaron in Consumer Relations. Aaron kindly informed me that this was not a reported problem and that replacement racks would cost over $100. When I told him that I was not interested in paying $100 plus for the same racks & the same problems, he informed me that I could received up to 20% off of a comparable new model--again with the wire racks.
While this is a nice offer, paying a minimum of $700 for the chance of having the exact same rust issues is less than appealing to me.
I find it remarkably hard to believe that we 1. are the only people who have had racks rust out and 2. that this is not a manufacturing defect, when this has happened TWICE. We live in a city which has a very good water system, we do not put any odd things in our dishwasher, we use recommended detergent tablets, and we run our dishwasher once a day or less.
I will be sure to tell my friends, family, and neighbors about my GE experience.
In addition, I will be placing a copy of this letter on a blog site which reviews everyday products:http://brainyformfunction.blogspot.com/
Good day.

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

Just In Case

Better safe than sorry.
Always be Prepared.
Now, Just In Case.
Just In Case makes lovely mirrored compacts.
Their compacts have a secret compartment for holding condoms, keeping them from getting mashed & torn in your purse/luggage/nightstand. No one likes a hole-riddled condom.
Help protect yourself from disease & pregnancy, but in a stylish manner. Very classy.
Right now, Just In Case has a special red case. Buy it & 10% of the purchase will be donated directly to YouthAIDS, a global initiative dedicated to the fight against AIDS. That's helping locally & globally!

Smart Phone: Blackberry Curve

The Blackberry Curve is pretty cool.
I will give it that.
Full Qwerty keyboard, full color & clear screen. The keys are
big enough to actually see them, while the phone is small enough
to fit into a pocket.
This is a well designed piece of equipment, nice curves, sleek, good backlighting...
The big, huge drawback is the hook-up. I have the phone through AT&T.
If I want to send a picture (good images, super flash), I would have to subscribe to a data package. That is a minimum of $30 to send a multi-media message to another phone. This is on top of the rate for just being able to use the phone. This is bull. When I got the phone, I was able to send MMS (MultiMediaMessages) with the normal plan, they have now done away with this possibility. First the IPhone billing debacles, now this--What is up with AT&T? Could they nickle & dime us a little more?