Sigma Beauty Look

In my last post I did a haul of Sigma beauty products.  I explained my feelings on them here but I also did a look from the products so you can see how they actually go on.  While I hated the liner I didn't mind the shadow and was able to make the finished product work.  Check it out below!

xo

Kelly

Sigma Haul

Sigma has amazing brushes, they're really comparable to a lot of the higher end brand brushes and they're reasonably priced.  I haven't heard much about their makeup products though.  So, I decided to try some of their makeup products and see what I think.  I would say I was split on the products.  The liners I hated, which I'll explain in the video, but the cream shadows I loved.  Check out the video for more!

xo

Kelly

Sigma Standout Eyes Gel Liner Collection

If you know me you know I am obsessed with Mac.  I probably own everything they have and swear by the majority of their products.  However, I know there are other brands out there that I should be fair to as well so I was really excited when I heard about the Sigma Standout Eyes Gel Liner Collection.  They're comparable to the Mac Fluidline pots which I'm obsessed with and use every time I want a really precise gel liner look.  Gel liner can be trickier to apply than a liquid or a khol pencil but once you get it down it's amazing!  

I was really impressed by the consistency of the Sigma Gel Liners.  They went on very smooth, stayed in place all day and were really easy to apply.  Once they set they literally didn't budge.  There's 2 brushes that they offer, one is thinner for more precise lines and the other is thicker for a more smudged look.  

They come in 6 different colors, all of which are really pretty, though I particularly like the Unexpected one which is a really pretty olive shade.  The colors are all very similar to the Mac collection and at $14 a pot versus's Mac's $16 you're not saving that much.  

It's a nice change if you're looking to branch out and try some new collections, but I think I'll stick with my Mac Fluidline.

xo

Kelly 

Must Have Makeup Brushes

In my younger days I would swipe the little brush/sponge thingy that comes with your drugstore eye shadow and that was the extent of my routine.  In the years since I've learned that, almost more important than the actual makeup, are the tools you use.  Naturally, the second I read that I ran to my nearest Mac store and purchased every brush they've ever made.  While I don't recommend you doing this, as it is neither necessary, nor cost efficient, I will say that there are some staple brushes every girl should own.  

Of course, I'm a big fan of the Mac brushes which are just really well made and work amazingly, there are less expensive alternatives out there.  Sephora offers brushes but the prices are very similar to Mac so it comes down to personal preference.  I've found with my Sephora brushes they're really hit or miss; they're either amazing or I hate them.  Personally, I'd go for the Mac ones just because I've never met a brush I don't like there.

Another great, and less expensive alternative, are the Sigma brushes http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Default.asp. Those are still decent quality, yet far more affordable than many of the other's I've come across.  Also, Sonia Kashuk at Target makes amazing brushes too http://www.target.com/sb/sonia-kashuk-brand-shop/-/N-5q0g7Z55pcl#?lnk=Other_SONIA_1006_HEADEROPENCONTAINTER|HEADEROPENCONTAINTER|T:ShopByBrand Template1|C:&intc=1315558|null.  

Eyeshadow Brushes

1.) Eyeshadow Brush- Mac 239

This brush is really the only brush you need for a simple, every-day eye shadow.  It's compact with semi-stiff bristles and it packs the color on really nicely.  It's great for the lids and to highlight the brow bone.  I think I own like 12 of these, they're really phenomenal and definitely worth the investment.

2.) Crease Brush- Mac 217

You will be hard pressed to watch a tutorial or have your makeup done without seeing one of these babies.  This is the end-all-be-all brush for creases.  It's stiff enough to pick up color so you can apply it to your crease and the outer corner of your lid, but it also is fluffy enough to blend out the color.  It picks up more color than you'd think so it's best to layer as needed.  I use this brush every day.

3.) Angled Eyeliner Brush- Mac 266

This is one brush I would say you can find comparable alternatives to at any of the places I mentioned above and still get the same finished product.  This brush is best for gel liners, or it can be used to apply a powder line, although I have another brush I prefer for this.  It also works really nicely for filling in your brows.

-or-

Pencil Brush- Mac 219

This is the brush you should get over the angled one if you don't use a gel liner.  This is better for smudging powder colors along the lash line.  It's also great for adding a darker color in the crease and the outer corner as it gives you more precision than the 217.

Foundation Brush-

4.) I have 3 options here depending on the type of foundation you're using.

Powder Foundation-

a.) The first is the bareMinerals Precision Face Brush.  This is perfect for pressed powders.  It gives a very full coverage, more airbrushed look.  I don't recommend it if you have oily skin, and I personally hate using it in the summer when I'm hot and gross and don't want a heavy face of makeup.  It's great though for winter, or people with dryer skin who like to have a little more full coverage.


b.) The second option is the Mac 150 Powder Brush.  This brush is great for applying loose powder and gives more of a natural, no-foundation look.  I usually rock this in the summer or if I just want a more casual look without going foundation-less.  It's also great for setting powders or anything else you want to apply all over.

Liquid Foundation- Mac 188 Duo Fiber Brush

This brush is perfect for applying liquid foundation.  The fiber bristles pick up just enough foundation to give you an airbrushed look without being too heavy or thick.  I also like using this to blend out my under eye concealer or to add a highlight on my cheek bones.

Creme or Mousse Foundation- 

This sponge is awesome.  It's perfect for picking up the right amount of foundation and the pointed tip is great for applying in harder to reach places like under your eyes or around the nose.  You can also use this to apply your under-eye concealer if you want a fuller coverage there.

Blush-

5.) Mac 168 Angled Contour Brush

This is the perfect brush for applying blush.  It's angled so it allows you to apply the blush just on your cheekbones and the apples of your cheek.  However, this is one of the brushes I think you can find a less expensive alternative for.

6.) Bronzer/Contouring Brush- Mac 109 Small Contour Brush

This brush is great for contouring your cheekbones and slimming your face.  I was using a different brush up until recently and switching to this brush changed my life.  It's seriously amazing.

So those are my top 3 shadow and top 3 face brushes you should invest in.  You don't necessarily need all so think about what you're trying to accomplish and get the ones you most need first.  I would say contour and crease brush to start. You might be skeptical but you'll notice a huuuuge difference the first time you use them, and then you'll be hooked, like me and end up buying every brush ever available.  So maybe don't use them...