How I Clean and Dry Makeup Brushes

Cleaning my makeup brushes used to be (well, and still is) one of my least favorite things to do.

For several reasons...

First of all, it just takes too long. Between cleaning them and waiting for them to dry, it's a process. If I leave them on the counter to dry overnight, they're usually still damp the next morning. Ever tried to use a damp makeup brush in blush or face powder? Not cute.

Another reason is that no matter how careful and gentle you are while cleaning them, or how carefully you lay them out to dry and reshape them, they'll always look a bit different. Especially natural hair brushes. Makes sense since they're, well, natural hair. Imagine letting your hair naturally dry overnight. Hey, sometimes it can be cute, but it sure doesn't look the same as it did before you washed it (that is, if you had it straightened before washing it, as makeup bristles are always straight).

Then there is just the actual task of cleaning them. Unless someone invents an automatic brush cleaner (which I don't forsee happening), this will always be a chore to me.

Ok, we get it. Cleaning brushes is no fun.

Considering I've found some ways around these little problems above, I figured it was time to update you guys with how I currently clean and dry them. Especially since I've found a way to dry them even faster. Over the past several months, I've been using a new product that actually dries them in 4-6 hours. No joke. It also keeps the brushes in their original shape which is exciting. Another exciting extra- If you click here for the Dry n' Shape and enter the coupon code TIFFANY5 at checkout, you'll save $5 on it. Which makes it even more affordable. That is pretty exciting as well.

Some of you may not find this all as exciting as I do. But I really dislike cleaning brushes. Did I mention that already? ...or that I think this is exciting? ;)

Here's a video demonstration of how I clean my brushes. Yep, I take you guys to my sink. Now that is exciting.


Deep Purple Tutorial: Dior "Mystic Smokys" Palette

I LOVE a sophisticated purple look. Whenever I want to do a more colorful look, purple is always my favorite choice. Something else I love? A good eye shadow palette that can produce a full look without reaching for much else. So glad I picked up the Dior Mystic Smokys palette during the Sephora Friends and Family sale a few weeks back! I even got away with not reaching for a separate eye liner. Which is crazy. The dark purple in the palette made the most perfect liner. To make the look a little brighter, I used a few bright pencil eye shadows underneath, which made the look a little more fun. Hope you guys enjoy :)


Products Used:
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Shadow Pencils in Morphine and Delinquent
Dior Mystic Smokys eye shadow palette
Lancome Doll Lashes Mascara
Dior Coral Riviera blush (bronzer & blush)
NARS Multiple in Orgasm
MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl
MAC Plushglass in Nice Buzz














October Favorites! Beauty Products

So this month's edition of "favorites" is kind of all about quality, not quantity. Totally didn't realize how few I had until I was almost done filming the video.
But no worries. They're especially good. I'm probably jumping the gun here, but a couple products might even make my annual "Best Products" video for 2011 which I post at the end of December in place of that month's favorites. Can you believe how fast this year has gone by? Insane.

Hope you all had a wonderful month of October!
xoxo,
Tiffany

Ulta Friends & Family Haul

Tis the season for Friends and Family sales...
However, Ulta's drove me a bit crazy. I will explain.

So the sale lasted a mere 7 days- October 23-29. Ok, so that doesn't sound so mere. Basically, if you personally know someone that works at an Ulta store, they have access to a few coupons they could each give to a few friends and family members. Not really something a lot of people could benefit from.
However, I also knew that there would be an email sent out with a code as well as a coupon sent through the mail. Well, they were sent, but at the very last minute.
I got my email during the last couple days of the sale, I believe. But what really made me mad was that my actual sale coupon/flyer was mailed to me the last day of the sale. Yep, October 29th. Which was kind of frustrating. Not really sure why those were sent out at the very last minute. Or why the email wasn't sent out on, oh I dunno, the 23rd when the sale began?
Ok, I'll calm down.
You're killin' me, Ulta...you're killin' me.

Anyway, to see the (last minute) goodies I got check out my Ulta Friends & Family Haul video below.
...and if you're like most people I've talked to and didn't get to take advantage of the sale because of the last-minute-ness, Sephora's F&F sale is still going on (until Nov. 2nd). You can get all the info on that here.


Sephora Friends and Family Sale! ...and a haul, of course

I love a good sale.
I love a good sale at Sephora even more. This week (until November 2nd), Sephora.com is running a friends and family sale ONLINE ONLY that will save you 20% off of your entire order.

All you have to do to get the discount is enter a promo code at checkout. For your unique code, click here and enter your email address.
Easy as pie, right?

So of course, I got super excited and placed my order right when the sale began. I got some awesome stuff I'm very excited about (check out my haul video below for the goods I got), but over the past couple days, I've been thinking of about five other things I wish I would have gotten.
I may have to figure out a sneaky way to get another code and place another order. ;)

So what's on your list to buy from the friends and family sale? Have any of you already placed your orders? Do tell. :)

xoxo,
Tiffany

My Favorite Eye Liners

I have a confession.

I'm addicted to eye liner. It's been an issue I've dealt with most of my makeup-wearing life. Most days, I feel naked without it. Even the tiniest amount can make me feel put-together.

There are SO many different types of eye liners out there and each type can do totally different things. Different looks require different types. Because of that, it's good to have a few different kinds in your collection.

Because I'm an eye liner addict, I've tried basically every kind out there (seriously) and have narrowed my "Favorite Eye Liners" list down to the following:

Maybelline Master Drama automatic pencil liner
MAC Fluidline
Loreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense
Maybelline Stiletto liner (great alternative to the hard-to-find liner above)
Lancome Art Liner
Make Up For Ever Aqualiner
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen
Stila Kajal Eye Liner
MAC Fascinating Eye Khol

They all made my "favorites" for different reasons, of course. So be sure to watch my video below for more details on each one and how I like to use them.


New Dining Room, Painting Tips, and Some Fall Decor


I know, I know... This is a beauty blog. But I loooove our home and sharing decorating ideas and on occasion, my craftiness and DIY skillz.

And now, I loooove our new dining room.



Since I painted it myself (well, I did have A LOT of help from Brad painting the ceiling...), I decided to make a quick video for TiffanyDtv (my other, more random YouTube channel) and share some of my painting tips I've learned over the years that really make a difference.

Also, I give you guys a little peek at some of my Fall decor :)

...all of which is totally Waylon-approved.

Chandelier: Pottery Barn (they're 20% off right now!)
Paint color: Behr paint and primer in one, Cinnabark (flat finish)
Glittery gold accent plates: Pier 1
Pumpkin little covered dishes: Williams-Sonoma
Silver candlesticks: Pier 1


Fiery Copper and Gold Makeup Tutorial for Fall

I really wanted to do something fun and different using the pretty coppery-red and the golden yellow shades in my Dare Palette.
The fact it just happens to scream "Fall" is pure coincidence.
;)

Products Used:
MAC Paint Pot in Idyllic
Sigma Beauty Dare Palette
Loreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense
Loreal Eye Illuminator double sided eyeliner (white side)
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Exposed
MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Sweet Ever After
YSL Golden Gloss in #20
not shown in video:
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation
Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde









New Nails: NARS Galion

I'm so guilty of finding a particular nail polish I LOVE *cough* Butter Yummy Mummy *cough* and wearing it for months at a time. Whether I do my nails on my own or get a manicure, I'll bring it with me time after time which always prompts my manicurist to giggle and say, "This one again?".
I think I have found that new "signature" color.
I am a sucker for dark nails, however, I'm not a fan of wearing totally black nails. This new NARS shade is perfect. It's a dark blue-gray, and it is lovely. When I was at the nail salon, my manicurist kept commenting on how gorgeous the color was. Then, not one, but two women in the salon checked it out as they passed and asked what it was.
It's just lovely. I think I said that already. But it is. Lovely. :)

It's a shame that I couldn't get any photos to do it justice. It's appears a little lighter than this.
NARS Galion

At $17 a pop, NARS nail polishes are a bit on the pricey side. But I think this one is special enough to justify a splurge.
What do you guys think? Any nail polish you are particularly loving at the moment?

xoxo,
Tiffany



Easy Everyday Smokey Eye: Midnight Blue

Happy FRIDAY!! So happy the weekend is here!
...and speaking of the weekend, this look would be perfect for going out. Day or night. I've been wearing this look so much lately. While it's pretty simple for me, I figured it would be appropriate to share a tutorial for it with you all since I've been enjoying it so much.
It's so perfect because it's super easy to do and very wearable.


Products Used:
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
MAC Eye Shadows:
Contrast
Shroom
E30 Brush (essential for smokey eyes)
MAC Fluidline in Midnight Blues
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
NARS Laguna bronzer
NARS Orgasm blush
YSL Golden Gloss in #20

not shown in video:
Maybelline Age Eraser Foundation & Undereye Concealer
Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde