Deep Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Deep Cleaning your makeup brushes can be a very boring task to do but we all must do it, of course unless you'd like to day after day smear bacteria over your face.  (Eeeeek) On that note, keep reading if you want to brush up (sorry, I had to) on your cleaning technique!

Why Deep Cleaning is Important:

• Helps makeup application to go on flawlessly.
• Prevents product buildup, bacteria and other grime from causing skin irritation - most likely acne.  If skin problems do seem to crop up, deep clean your makeup brushes more than the average person and maybe over time it will reduce.  Worked for me!
• Improves and maintains the quality of the makeup brushes - especially if they are already expensive.

How to do it:

1. Pick out the brushes you want to clean.  I recommend doing it at night because they do take a long time to dry.  Don't deep clean right before you mean to get ready.
2. Dampen the brushes slightly under running lukewarm water and lay them aside.
3. Grab a bowl and fill it with lukewarm water as well.
4. You can pour some shampoo straight into the bowl or on to the bristles or both.  I used a mild BodyShop shampoo because it doesn't seem to damage them.  I know some people recommend using detergent, hand soap and other similar cleaning agents but I wouldn't recommend it for the sole purpose of whatever is in those agents will also be touching your skin.  A good option could also be a mild face cleanser, just to be safe.  My policy is that if you wouldn't use it on your face, don't use it on your brushes.
5. Swirl the brushes in the bowl until you notice the product completely leaving the brush.  You can also swirl against the palm of your hand and gently squeeze.  Rinse and repeat this step until necessary. 
6. Gently squeeze out excess and rise the brushes off under the tap.  
7. Lay them on a cloth to dry.  Underneath the cloth, you can add a few larger brushes or a hairspray can to alleviate one side of the cloth so you can place your brushes on an angle and so the water will leave quicker.  Do not let them dry vertically, the water will seep into the handle and loosen the glue that is holding it all together.  That is very bad for a $50 brush.
8. Shape the brushes into their form as they dry.
9. Once they are dry, marvel in the clean softness of your pristine brushes.  Go ahead, be happy about it.  No judgements here!

The Before - Notice the product build up and deformities of the bristles.

The shampoo I used - BodyShop Rainforest Radiance Shampoo

Swirly swirl swirl

The After! Look how clean and pristine.

Yay! Clean makeup brushes make me feel like ...

Lipstick Shades Every Woman Should Own

In my makeup routine, lipstick is a must have.  It's the type of product that will either make or break your look.  It's also the aspect of makeup I love the most because you don't have to commit to one colour and you can have the most fun with it.  Not including trendy colours, here is my list of lipstick shades that I think are essential in any woman's collection.

Summer Coral

I don't think the camera is actually picking up how vibrant this coral is but it's such a lovely colour for summer time.  It suits lots of different skin tones and comes in various undertones.  I'm wearing Vegas Volt by Mac.  I bought this particular one because but I found out a character (Betty Draper) from Mad Men wears it and I love classic beauty so go ahead, call me a nerd, it's fine.

Barbie Pink

This could potentially be a shade that might go wrong more than right on first try and it is pretty daring if you're going out for a girls night, I highly advise giving a hot pink a try.   Technically, Barbie Pink can be lighter too but it just doesn't flatter me so I went with an electric version.  Above, i'm wearing a YSL Rouge Volupte in Peach Passion topped with a Rimmel Apocolips Lacquer in 303 Apocoliptic.

Suitable Nude

If you know me, you'd know that I never wear nude lipstick colours.  Most of them just make me look dead.  The one i'm wearing above is Fanfare by Mac and it was a birthday present.  It's a pink hued nude and that pop of colour gives a lot of (much needed) brightness to my face.  It's a must have for every woman's collection because it's timeless and cleans up any look.  The most chic of all lipstick colours.

Classic Red

By far, my favourite lipstick shade.  I love red lipstick so much I could write a whole series on it; I own so many red lipsticks it's embarrassing.  A classic blue toned red lip though is ESSENTIAL for every woman to own.  It's universally flattering and there are so many different undertones to pursue if you have a much fairer or much darker complexion.  The one i'm wearing, and one of my favourites, is Ruby Woo by Mac.  Another good (and darker) red is Russian Red by Mac.  Both are matte, both are gorgeous.

Bold Berry

The thing I love most about berry colours are that you can wear a stained version or a full on dark matte version and both look chic.  It's definitely a shade to try on before buying but it can very easily glam up even the most casual outfits.  The one i'm wearing is a Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in the colour 107.  It's a dark, brooding, wine coloured shade.  It wears through out the day and through food nicely, it does come off but it just fades into a stain.

Honourable Mentions

Taupe - If you have the skin tone to suit it, definitely try a taupe.  Doesn't look good on me unfortunately.

Rose - It looks wonderful on a lot of skin tones because it gives a lovely healthy glow to the skin.  I don't own one but it's on my list next!

Orange - Very on trend for this Spring/Summer season.  

Hope you liked this list! Cheers :)