Eggies: Cases for Makeup Sponges

I've been a fan of the Beauty Blender for quite some time now.  More recently, I've enjoyed using Real Technique's version.  If you missed my post comparing the two, you can find it here: http://idreamofmakeup.blogspot.com/2015/08/beauty-blender-vs-real-techniques.html.  As mentioned in that post, the only drawback to the Real Techniques sponge is that it doesn't come with a case.  Thanks to Jessica from jambeauty89 on YouTube, I now know of a solution to that problem.

There is a company called Eggies that makes cases specifically designed for a Beauty Blender or any other similarly sized makeup sponge.  Their website can be accessed here: http://www.eggiescase.com/.  One sponge can fit in the case, wet or dry, and the case has two holes on the bottom to provide ventilation for drying.  It snaps closed on both sides and comes in pink, yellow, purple, and blue.  I chose pink.  It's really cute and reminds me of a plastic egg that holds candy, which I always found in my Easter basket as a kid.

Dry (and dirty!) sponge

Wet sponge

Ventilation holes on bottom

I'm really glad someone finally came out with this.  It's such a simple, yet necessary (I think) element for a makeup collection for anyone who has a sponge.  While I'm happy to finally have a case for my Real Techniques sponge, I think $9.99 is a bit pricey for a little plastic container.  With $0.60 in tax and $1.99 for shipping, my order came to $12.58.  I ordered it on December 19 and received it on December 28.  Even though I was charged $1.99 for shipping upfront, it was delivered to my door via USPS with shipping due!  The seller had only put $0.71 of postage on the package, and when it came to my door, my husband had to give the postal lady another $1.83.  I'll give the seller the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to a mistake on her part, but I couldn't not mention it.  Factoring in the postage due, my total cost for this case was $14.41.  I think this is a fairly new business, and she might still be working out some kinks, but $14.41 was a lot to pay for this little guy.  I'm still happy to have it, but I think once other people start catching on to this idea, lower cost options will be available.

Thank you for reading, and please let me know if you try the Eggie or if you find an alternative!

Brush Washing 101

Washing your makeup brushes is essential for keeping them in good condition.  Not only that, but when used over and over (especially with wet products like liquid foundation), brushes become breeding grounds for bacteria.  Washing them regularly helps to kill the bacteria and keep your skin clear.  Brush washing is really pretty easy and doesn't have to be expensive.  Taking just a few minutes to clean them every 10 to 14 days is all you need to do.


What To Use
A long time ago, a sales associate at Ulta sold me this brush cleaner by Bare Minerals.  This was before I really knew anything about makeup in general, and I had no idea that spending $14 on this little bottle of specialized brush cleaner was unnecessary and that I could have just used my regular shampoo.  My point here is that you don't need to get sucked in by a uni-tasking, specialized product like brush cleaner.  You can use any shampoo you have on your brushes.  If you use expensive shampoo, go to the store and buy something inexpensive for your brushes.  Several makeup gurus recommend using baby shampoo because it's cheap and gentle.

More recently, I switched over to a solid soap for brush cleaning.  I (again) got sucked in by a pricey product, the Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser.  Originally, I bought this just to clean my beauty blender.  Then, everyone on YouTube started talking about how much they loved using it to clean all their brushes.  I tried it and had to agree--it worked better than liquid shampoo did.  This tiny bar of soap costs $16, and I found myself going through them quickly.  I did some research to find a cheaper alternative.  I decided to try Dr. Bronner's Castile Bar Soap.  Drugstore.com sells the soap for $4.29, which is the cheapest price online I've seen for it.  I actually picked mine up at my local grocery store for a dollar less.   It comes in several varieties, and I chose the tea tree oil one. I also went to Target and bought a container so I would have something to put the soap in (I found it for about $1 in the travel toiletry section).  The Dr. Bronner's soap/Target container cost me less than $5.  The Dr. Bronner's soap bar is 5 oz compared to the 1 oz Beauty Blender soap.  In total, the drugstore alternative costs 1/16th as much as the high end option, and it works just as well!  This is further proof that you don't need an expensive brush cleaner.

Technique
Grab your brushes, a towel, and your soap or shampoo, then head to your sink.  You can use any sink in your house--I prefer my kitchen sink.  I'll list steps based on how I clean my brushes with the Dr. Bronner's solid soap.  If you have shampoo, can use the same technique.  The only difference is that you'll squirt some of the shampoo onto your hand and swirl the brushes in it.  Once you're at the sink, here's what you do:

1.  Wet the brush bristles and bar of soap with warm water.  I prefer to hold the bar in my left hand and the brush in my right (dominant) hand.  IMPORTANT: make sure the bristles are facing downwards.  If they are facing upwards, water will get into the brush ferrule and loosen the glue, eventually ruining the brush.

What to do--point the bristles downward

What not to do--point the bristles upward under running water

2.  Swirl the bristles directly into the bar of soap.
3.  Swirl the soapy bristles into the palm of your non-dominant hand under warm, running water until you have rinsed out all the soap.
4.  Depending on how dirty the brush is, you may need to repeat this procedure a couple times until it looks clean and the water runs clear.
5.  Lay it down on the towel to dry.  It needs to lay flat until it's completely dry to avoid getting water into the ferrule as mentioned above.
6.  Repeat procedure on all brushes.
7.  Rinse the soap bar so there is no makeup residue on it before it goes back in its case.

Some brushes dry faster than others.  I've noticed that some of mine take a full 24 hours, so plan accordingly.  I hope this post was helpful and saves you from overpaying for brush cleaner.  Happy brush cleaning!

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour

Winter is coming, and my skin is definitely feeling it.  The drop in temperatures and dryness of the air have prompted me to reach for more cream products over powder.  I didn't have a cream bronzer/contour product in my collection, and I decided to purchase Clinique's Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour to fulfill this need.  I have enjoyed most of the products I have tried from Clinique, and at $22, it was more reasonably priced than comparable products from other high-end brands.  I also had a coupon to Sephora, so I thought this would be the perfect time to make the purchase.

Technique
The chubby stick is really easy to use.  All I do is draw it on my cheekbones, temples, and jawline, then I blend it out with my Real Techniques Contour Brush.  I don't think you can buy this brush separately, but it comes in this set.

War paint

Pros
*It's very easy to use, and I would even call it beginner friendly.  If cream contouring is new to you, this is a good product to start with.
*Size:  It's not too skinny, which means it will apply a less sharp and more natural looking contour.  If you do want a sharper contour, though, the option is available to you by holding it more parallel to your face and drawing with the side of the stick to create a thinner line rather than holding it perpendicular to your face and drawing with the tip.
*Color:  I have had a hard time with contouring products that are too cool/grey toned.  This is a neutral shade that has some warmth to it, which really flatters my skin tone.  Because it's warmer, it's going to give both a bronzed and contoured look.
*It only comes in one color, so you can order it online blindly without worrying about choosing the right shade.
*Packaging:  I love the retractable packaging.  The stick twists up, and you never have to worry about sharpening it.
*Consistency:  It's the perfect cream consistency and blends like a dream.

Cons
*Color goes in both the pros and cons because while it's great that you don't have to agonize over picking the right shade, if it doesn't look good on you, there's no other option in the line.  However, it is meant to be a universal shade, and I think it would work on most people.

Verdict
With only one con, I think it's safe to say this product is a huge hit for me.  If you're looking for a cream contour or bronzer, I would highly recommend checking this out.

Finished look with the contour stick.  I also used NYX cream blush in Tea Rose to stick with the cream product theme.

Side view

Thank you for reading!

Three Ways I Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is something I've had sitting in my medicine cabinet for half a year, but I only started using it regularly about a month ago.  It was one of those products I bought because I had heard it was good for acne then proceeded to forget about it.  I kept seeing the words "tea tree oil" pop up in beauty blogs and on my Pinterest feed.  I think the universe was trying to tell me to start using it, so I did just that!  The one I've been using is by the brand NOW Essential Oils.  I purchased it here for $6.49.  Tea tree oil can be found at health stores, grocery stores, online, and probably other places.  It doesn't matter where you get it or what brand it is as long as it's 100% pure tea tree oil.  There are many uses for this product, which has anti-bacterial, soothing, and healing properties.  It's very potent, and a little drop goes a long way.  You can scour the internet for more information and uses, but here are the three ways I've put it to use.

 As a Toner
I recently posted a skincare routine which featured two toners.  You can find that post here: http://idreamofmakeup.blogspot.com/2015/10/updated-skin-care-routine.html.  I still use these toners, but I've incorporated a homemade concoction into my routine.  Yes, that's three toners.  Yes, that is excessive.  Basically, the only reason I'm still using the two mentioned in my previous post are because I don't want them to go to waste.  But I was dying to try a homemade toner recipe, so I went ahead and made one.  Once I'm out of my other two, I will probably exclusively use this one.

Here's what you need to make your toner:
*An empty bottle or container of some sort (Mine is 6 oz, and I found it in the travel toiletry section of Target.)
*Tea tree oil
*Witch hazel
*Apple cider vinegar (Make sure it's the raw unfiltered kind.  I used this one by Bragg and found it at Target.)

Step 1: Fill up the bottle halfway with witch hazel
Step 2: Add 20 drops of tea tree oil (less if your container is smaller than 6 oz and more if it's bigger)
Step 3: Add a splash of ACV (I did a little less than a quarter of the bottle)
Step 4: Fill the rest of the bottle up with either water or witch hazel (I used water)
Step 5: The tea tree oil will separate and form a layer at the top, so shake it up before each use
Step 6: Pour some onto a cotton pad and apply all over your face once or twice daily

It should look something like this (but the bottle will be full):

ACV has many health benefits and makes your skin look more youthful and glowy.  Combined with the antibacterial elements of the tea tree oil, this toner is gold.  It's all natural, and it's affordable.  It's very soothing, and because it does not contain alcohol like most toners, it's not at all irritating.  I do have to warn you about the smell.  ACV and tea tree oil both have strong scents, and combined, well...it's not the best smelling toner you'll encounter.  It will fade quickly after you apply it on your face though.  I'm really enjoying this toner, and I think my breakouts have decreased somewhat since I've started using it.  It also does give my skin a glowy, healthy appearance, which I'm all about.

As a Spot Treatment for Blemishes
Because tea tree oil is so potent, you never want to use it straight on your skin without first diluting it.  To use as a spot treatment, all I do is wet a q-tip with warm water, then I pour one drop of tea tree oil on it.  One drop is all you need, and the warm water will work to dilute it.  About 20 seconds after I do this, I can feel the tea tree oil going to work.  It feels very soothing, and it speeds up the healing process of the blemish a lot.  It won't be gone by the next morning, but it will look a lot better!  I use this spot treatment right after I wash my face and before I apply my moisturizer twice daily until the spot is gone.

To Heal Canker Sores
Yes, you read that correctly.  This is a weird one that my dentist told me about.  I follow the same procedure as the spot treatment above.  Before applying it, you'll want to dry the sore out a little bit so the tea tree oil will stick.  I use the dry end of my q-tip to dry the sore out before applying the tea tree oil.  I notice an immediate stinging feeling that quickly turns to a soothing feeling.  While it doesn't numb the canker sores as well as Kank-A, Anbesol, or other numbing agents, it does provide a little relief .  I like to use this in conjunction with Kank-A because the Kank-A numbs sores, but the tea tree oil actually helps to heal them.  I had a couple monster ones last month that were extremely painful.  Using tea tree oil on them a couple times a day expedited the healing process, so I was only in agonizing pain for a few days instead of a week as would normally be the case.  Tea tree oil doesn't taste very good, but the taste doesn't last long.

I hope this post was helpful and that it inspires you to explore the wonderful benefits that tea tree oil has to offer!

Denver Broncos Themed Makeup!

It's no secret that I love the Denver Broncos.  It's been almost two years since I last did a Broncos themed makeup look, and I thought it would be fun to do another one.  My first look really only had a pop of blue liner on the bottom lashline, so I really wanted to amp it up this time and incorporate more blue as well as some orange.  It required a little more time and creativity, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Eyes
The eyes are the focal point of this look, so I will take you through what I did and used step by step.  A very important part of this look is blending, and in between each step listed below, I made sure to blend my eyeshadows with a fluffy crease brush.  Before I applied any shadow, I primed my lids with Wet N Wild Fergie Eyeshadow Primer (great dupe for Urban Decay Primer Potion).

1.  Transition shades: I first used Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Beaches N Cream right on top of my browbone.  I went right below that with Makeup Geek Creme Brulee.  Creme Brulee is a beautiful warm, light peachy brown that will help to create the orange color.

2.  Outer corner eyeshadow: I did this before applying color to my lid because I wanted some depth and shape to my eye, but I didn't want to take away from the orange I was about to put on my lid.  I placed Makeup Geek Mocha on my outer crease and blended it inward and just a little bit upward into the outer portion of the crease.

3.  Lid and inner corner:  This is where I had to get creative--I don't have any orange eyeshadows and didn't want to buy anything extra for this look.  I ended up using my finger to mix the bottom three shades in the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze to create a bronzy, orange lid color.  For my inner corner highlight, I used only the top shade of the shimmer brick.

4.  Crease:  I added Makeup Geek Cocoa Bear on the outer portion of my lid and all the way into the crease.  Adding this shade helped to make the lid appear even more orange and nicely blended together all the colors.

5.  Browbone highlight:  I typically don't like to use shimmery shades to highlight my brows, so I used Wet N Wild Eyeshadow in Brulee.

6.  Upper liner:  Blue liner is the most fun part about this look.  First, I smudged just a little bit of L'Oreal Infallible Eyeliner in Black on the upper lashline, and I also used it to tightline.  I then used a thicker line to go over and above the black with ELF Smudge Pot in Ocean Bound.  This is a gorgeous cobalt blue that glides on like butter.  The reason I used black before blue is because I didn't think the blue on its own gave enough drama and definition to the eyes.  I didn't want the black to really be visible, so putting it underneath the blue was the perfect way to add drama to the blue without taking away from it.

7.  Lower liner:  I used Ulta Smokey Eyes Automatic Eyeliner in Cobalt on my waterline.  I then went over my lower lashline with the same ELF Smudge Pot used above and blended it out with a pencil brush.

10.  Lashes:  I used Ardell 110 lashes and put some Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof mascara on my lower lashes.

Everything Else
Garnier Utra Lift Transformer
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 25 Medium
Tarte Brow Mousse Medium Brown
NARS Bronzer Laguna
MAC Blush Melba
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Bronze
MAC Lipstick Peach Stock

I stuck with warmer shades on my face and a warm nude on my lips to be consistent with the orange on the eyes.  You could also add blue mascara on the bottom lashes (NYX makes affordable colored mascaras) to amp up the blue even more.  I used cobalt blue liner because it's what I had, but this look would also be beautiful with navy blue liner.  

I hope you enjoyed my Broncos themed makeup look!  Thank you so much for reading, and GO BRONCOS!!