Toenails!!!

A little over a month ago I went to have my FIRST PEDICURE! I am 24yrs old and had never had one, EVER! Besides being addicted now, I feel like I can't have my toes bare. I painted my toenails Rimmel's Lasting Finish PRO in Steel Gray 270 but couldn't leave it @ just that. I tried to recreate the design that I had on my big toe from the pedicure (I'm such a goof that I took a pic of it in hopes I could master it).

The design on the left foot definitely looks better than what I attempted (TWICE) on the right foot.

What designs do you do on your toes?

Brush Love

When I was first in the making of becoming a makeup junkie I was introduced primarily to only higher-end makeup and discovered drugstore finds via youtube or here. Brushes were something that I never splurged for (only owned ones that had come with Gift with Purchases or sets) until I bought Sigma's first Complete Brush Set.

I have since become familar with ELF's Studio Line due to Target expanding their ELF section :)

These are the brushes that I love on a daily basis ...

ELF Studio Powder Brush - I simply LOVE this brush. It's labeled 'Powder' but I use this as a liquid foundation brush as many have recommended. It's super soft and yet dense enough to apply liquid foundation flawlessly.

ELF Studio Complexion Brush - I use this to apply MUFE HD Powder to set my foundation and after I am finished with my makeup to distribute UD All Nighter. Again, all the ELF Studio brushes are synthetic and surprisingly soft @ just $3 a brush!

ELF Studio Blush Brush - A little bit smaller than I would like but it's perfect at building up blush on the cheeks. I have backups of all the ELF Studio brushes that I have mentioned.

The other 2 brushes are by Sigma and these happen to be the first run (SS-219 & 224) of their eye brushes. They have since changed the way they name their brushes.

Sigma SS219 - Perfect for applying and blending in the crease shadow up into the brow bone. I have even used this to set Benefit's Powderflauge under the eye area. This one has been shedding on me - as to all Sigma brushes & I do have the new version of it.

Sigma SS224 - I have yet to find a dupe for this one! I use this to smudge out pencil eyeliner. It's tapered and stiff enough to do the job with ease.

Products I can't keep outta my hands

I've been on a neutral kick for quite some time now & have found myself reaching for the same products over and over again. Here's what has been in my hands as of lately ...

Maybelline Concealer in Medium 25 - I picked this up when Maybelline's Fit Me debuted. It was with the foundations, powders, & blushes. At first, I wasn't a fan but I find the light, yet buildable consistancy to be perfect for getting rid of redness prior to foundation.

MUFE HD Powder - Originally I was afraid to try this because it contains Bismuth Oxychloride (which I have always believed broke me out horribly while using Bare Minerals) but I can't skip this powder after foundation application. It really helps control my oily skin.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller - I had first heard of this via MakeupByTiffanyD and was very skeptical of all the hype. I have to say, this is one time to buy into the hype. I roll this underneath my eyes 2-3 times and then use my pinky finger to pat it in and don't even need to use concealer for my undereye! It's a wet consistency so it doesn't settle into fine lines or get cakey. Even on days that are makeup optional I use this and it seems to just brighten my entire face for a fresh, natural look :)

Urban Decay All Nighter - This is definitely HOLY GRAIL! I use this EVERY SINGLE DAY after I have finished putting on all of my makeup (besides my eyebrows). It keeps my makeup fresh and makes my makeup last all day & night and sometimes into the next morning, lol. I spray like the directions say, 'in a T motion and in an X motion'. Then I take my ELF Studio Complexion Brush and pat it on all over for a better distribution over the face.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - Eyeshadow and TFSI go together hand in hand, you can't have one without the other. I have used this since I first started out in the makeup world. I can't say that it's necessarily HG due to our love/hate relationship but it does the trick better than Urban Decay Primer Potion.

MAC Naked Lunch & Sable - Both are Frost finishes which I was surprised to have liked so much but these two, paired together are absolutely beautiful! I use Naked Lunch on the entire lid and all the way up to the brow bone. Then I take Sable and swipe it in the crease. It's a natural, simple look that really makes the eyes pop.

Maybelline Stylish Smokes Natural Smokes 02 - When Maybelline's line of Stylish Smokes first came out I had blown this quad off. I later went back and bought it after hearing beeisforbeeauty talk about it as one of her favorites. I use every single shadow in this quad just how it's labeled (Lid, Crease, Brow Bone, Outer Crease) and it makes a lovely eye for daytime that can be smoked out to a sultry night look. I own A LOT of a palettes (low and high-end) and have nothing that is a dupe for these shadows.

Wet n' Wild & ELF Pencil Eyeliner in Black - These are both drugstore treasures! They retail for around $1 and I love them for lining the lid and then smudging out. Although I'm a fan of Urban Decay 24/7 liners I find that Wet n' Wild & ELF aren't as creamy and make for an easier time of smudging.