tools

18 Jul 2016

Highlight like a Pro with Japonesque Kumadori Brush Collection

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Makeup brushes, highlighting, tools 0

Strobing, illuminating, highlighting WHATEVER you want to call it is everywhere and it just won’t go away. Not that I would ever want it to #shinebrightheaux. Getting the perfect glow is not just about the product that you use, but the tools that you use too! Japonesque released their Kumadori Brush Collection, inspired by the excellent craftsmanship of Kabuki theatre makeup brushes, that are great for packing on your your favorite highlighter.

Japonesque Kumadori Fan Brush

This synthetic fan brush is great for applying a light wash of highlighter and is especially great if you love loose highlighters instead of pressed. It picks up just the right amount and blends effortlessly. I also love how the bristles keep their shape after washing which is a problem that I’ve had with fan brushes in the past.

Japonesque Kumadori Highlighting and Contour Brush

I love using this natural hair dome shaped brush when I really want a more concentrated application of highlighter to my cheeks. The domed shape helps to apply and blend product out in one quick motion. The bristles are really soft and don’t bleed black dye when washed.

These two have quickly become my go to glow tools; shop for yours below!

21 Aug 2015

Review: Real Techniques Collectors Edition Sculpting Set GIVEAWAY

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Makeup brushes, face, real techniques, review, tools 9

I’ve been a fan of Real Techniques brushes since they first launched, and they have continued to create great brushes at an affordable price point. One of Real Technique’s latest releases is their “Collectors Edition Sculpting Set” which features 3 metallic finished brushes to help you get the perfectly contoured and highlighted look. As with all of my other Real Techniques brushes they’re super soft and well crafted. They really feel more expensive than they are.

Sculpting Brush: I’m not going to lie I was intimidated by this brush before I used it. The angled bristles are densely packed and I thought it would pick up and apply way too much product for my contour. This brush actually applied my contour powder like a dream in just two swipes! It was shocked at how easy it was to apply and blend with just one brush.

Fan Brush: I’ve never found a fan brush that I really liked to use before, but I think this may be the one. I’ve been using it to apply my illuminators and I’ve found that its stiff enough to give a good even application but it’s not scratchy. It also doesn’t make the product go on streaky or blotchy like some fan brushes I’ve used. This brush is exclusive to this set, so you’ve got to get your hands on it!

Setting Brush: I actually already owned this brush but I love it so much that I was glad I could get a back up in this set. It’s perfect for setting highlighted areas with a powder. I’ve also used it to apply my illuminators because it’s small and has a slightly pointed tip so you can be really precise when adding glow.

I think this brush set is excellent and even better for the price. I’m not sure if it’s a “limited edition” or just a “collectors edition” (whatever that means) so I would buy it as soon as possible because it may disappear… or enter to win your very own below!

SHOP:

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Real Techniques Collectors Edition Sculpting Brush Set

17 Jan 2015

Miracle Sponge or Nah? Oleavine Konjac Cleansing Sponge

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Skincare Konjac Sponge, Oleavine, skin care, tools 0

I’ve been hearing the buzz about Konjac sponges for facial cleaning throughout 2014 but had never got an opportunity to try one. I was recently sent one to review from Oleavine.

The sponge is pretty small, smaller than the palm of your hand, and has a neat little teardrop shape. The shape is nice because it allows you to clean near your eyes and around your nose with the small end and wash bigger areas like your cheeks and forehead with the larger end. It came in the mail very dry and hard so I was surprised by how soft it was when it was wet. The sponge also has a thing string on it so you can hang it to dry. This particular konjac sponge also claims to be infused with with French Green Clay to help draw out impurities from the skin.

After using the product a few times I haven’t seen any noticeable improvements in my skin. The sponge claims to exfoliate the skin but it feels entirely too soft and almost slippery against the skin when wet to be doing any type of exfoliating. I tried the sponge without a cleanser as instructed on a no makeup day but I didn’t really notice any difference. My face felt slightly cleaner but not as clean as when I use a face cleanser, I definitely don’t think it has the power to remove a heavy makeup application. I also tried using it with my regular Dudu Osun Black Soap but I felt like the sponge sucked up all of the cleanser and foam and didn’t allow it to cleanse properly. Overall, I do like that it can be used without a cleanser for a super gentle, and non drying cleanser but I wouldn’t recommend purchasing this Konjac Sponge if you like a very thorough, squeaky clean when cleansing like I do.

16 Jan 2015

Good Skin Day: Using an Extractor tor Remove Blackheads

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Skincare skin care, tools 0

Product Provided for Review

A blackhead extractor is a tool designed to remove the dirt and skin cell plugs that cause blackheads. A blackhead extractor tool is often used by dermatologists, or during facials, because it can remove toxins from the skin without causing significant damage.

I get a lot of blackheads and clogged pores on my nose which is the most difficult area to get rid of. I like to use my Majestic Bombay blackhead extractor after cleansing and steaming my face or a hot shower. I simply place the loop on the end of the extractor over the clogged pore and gently press to get all the nasty gunk out of my pores. The Majestic Bombay extractor is a little shorter than other’s that I’ve used but it’s not really a problem at all. It’s very sturdy and the loops are well polished so I haven’t had any accidental scratching or damage to the skin.

Available on Amazon

16 Dec 2012

Black Friday Haul: Royal & Langnickel 25pc S.I.L.K Pro Brush Set @RoyalLangnickel

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Makeup brushes, haul, makeup, Royal and Langnickel, tools 0

Yeah so I bought another brush set. #dontjudgeme. I’ve recently heard some buzz about the Royal & Langnickel brand of brushes, which have been around forever but are new to me. I wanted to try the “Revolution” line but I decided to go for the “SILK Pro” set to get a better range of brushes. The set is regular price $219.99 online but I purchased during the Black Friday sale and got 20% off. #score

This leather (not sure if its faux or real) feel so luxurious and I love it! Upon initial reaction are very sturdy, I was actually surprised by the weigh of the full roll when I unboxed it.

Foundation C141

Powder C100

Blush C110

Contour C120

Foundation C200

Fan C300

Eye Shader MD C410

Eye Shader LG C400

Smudger C420

Angle Eye Blender C460

This is the most interestingly shaped brush I’ve ever seen but I feel like it would be really good to pack color in the crease.

Crease C430

Angle Shader C600

Lip Brush C600

Pointed Liner C440

Eye Detailer C470

LG Concealer C225

Concealer C210

C210 vs. C225

Brow/Lash C521

Brow Brush && Lash Comb

Retractable Lip Brush

This will be perfect for my makeup bag when I need to reapply my Lip Tars on the go!

I’m pretty sure its safe to say I will never need another makeup brush in my life! This kit is amazing! The brushes are so soft and have not shed at all. I haven’t got to use every single brush just yet but I am very impressed thus far.

13 Dec 2012

Black Friday Haul: Bdellium 12pc Maestro Set w/ Roll

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Makeup bdellium, brushes, haul, makeup, tools 2

Description

The professional grade comprehensive basic 12 piece brush set is the perfect brush set for flawless makeup application. Each brush is made of premium quality fibers with a nickel-plated brass ferrule and luxuriously lacquered black wood handle for ultimate style and comfort. Included is a roll-up makeup train storage pouch, which approximately measures 21 x 9.5 inches (54 x 24 cm) excluding the flap, to protect and carry the brushes in this set. The exterior is a classic black color and the inside is a complementing warm brown color.

Brushes included in this set are: #980M Natural Powder, #964M All-Purpose Blusher, #955M Finishing, #948M Foundation, #942M Slanted Contour, #785M Tapered Blending, #780M Pencil, #778M Large Shadow, #772M Small Shader, #763M Angled Brow, #710M Eye Liner, and #540M Precision Liner.

Bdellium Tools Maestro series brushes are hand-crafted beauty tools made of first-rate superior quality material. The major difference between the Maestro series and the Studio line is the handle color and the material used for the ferrule, which is more shiny, durable and stronger than the anodized aluminum ferrule used in the Studio Line. Therefore, the Maestro series is a more luxurious professional grade line of tools. All of the Maestro series brushes are treated with an antibacterial agent on the bristles.

#980M Natural Powder

#955M Finishing Brush

I love how dense the bristles of this brush but I don’t think the bristles are not stiff enough for me to use it to apply foundation. I think it would be great for cream blushes though.

#964M All Purpose Blusher

#980 vs. #964

#948M Foundation

#942M Slanted Contour

#785M Tapered Blending

#778M Large Eyeshadow

#772M Small Shader

#778M vs. #772

#763M Angled Brow

#780M Pencil

#710M Eye Liner

#540M Precision Lip

I took all of these photos after washing and drying the brushes. They were SOoo soft before washing and stayed that way after as well. I got very minimal shedding while washing these, like 3 bristles total, and I believe they came from the #980 & #964. I did get a little dye rinsing out of the #980 & #964 as well. These brushes feel very sturdy and have a good length to them. I’m really excited to use these more and report back with a full review in a few weeks.

I ordered mine from Amazon (here) for $103.99.

8 Nov 2012

Faves: October 2012

Michelle Amanda Beauty, Makeup brushes, elf, fall 2012, Faves, Loreal, makeup, October, real techniques, revlon, Rimmel, tools 0

I’m a little late with my faves for last month, so I just snapped a quick iphone pic && here we go!

Real Techniques Buffing Brush
The hype around this brush is more than just hype. I really love it for putting on my foundation, liquid highlighters, and cream blushers. I only wish it was sold seperately from the rest of the kit so I could buy like two more.

Loreal voluminous mascara “carbon black”
This has been my staple mascara for a few years, I just can’s stop coming back to it. It gives soo much volume that I feel like its a dupe for my favorite “high end” mascare MUFE Smokey Lash.

Elf Glossy Gloss “Sweet Salmon”
I’ve had this gloss laying around for a while and never really tried it until recently. For only $2 this is one of my new favorite lipglosses. It’s smooth and creamy without being sticky or giving me that nasty white ring when I’ve been wearing it all day.

Revlon Lipstick “Mink”
I’ve been wearing this under the ELF gloss a lot. It’s the perfect MLBB combo for me!

Rimmel Kate Moss “04”
&& When I’m feeling a little more vampy… which has been happening a lot lately…. I reach for this lovely dark purple. It’s very pigmented, long lasting, and easy to matte down with a little translucent powder. I’m pretty sure I will be wearing this all winter.