1. Ashley Before the Transformation

2. My first step after prepping the skin with my foundation primer was to apply a light concealer from the eyebrow to the lash line. This evens out the tone of the eye area and keeps the eye makeup on longer.

3. I then applied my lid color directly over my concealer. I wanted to keep the color very rich and shimmery, and the moisture from the concealer helps the shadow stick.

4. I set the concealer above my lid color with a light shadow so that I could create a soft, blended crease.

5. Using a crease brush , I created the shape of my eye by bringing the shadow out into a slightly more dramatic cat eye. Then…blend.blend.blend.

6. I filled in the lash line with a black shadow using a flat, synthetic liner brush . This helps make the lash line look thicker, and prevents visible gaps between your liner and the lashes.

7. I took the same black shadow and lined the bottom lash line. I find that powdered liner stays where you put it under the eye longer than a pencil.

8. I used a black mascara top and bottom making sure to get it all the way to the base of her blonde lashes.

9. Using a swab soaked in a water-based makeup remover , I removed any shadow that had fallen under the eye.

10. To create the shape of the brow, I used my cream-to-powder brow wax to tint the hair and fill in any gaps.

11. I cut a pair of long, but fairly natural strip lashes and used just the outer two-thirds to enhance her lashes and lift the outer corner of the eye. When applying fake lashes, take care to get the lashes as close to the natural lash line as possible.

12. I used a bent-liner brush to apply a black, waterproof, gel liner to the lash line.

13. Using a Beautyblender sponge , I applied my concealer to the under-eye area.

14. Airbrush foundation is perfect for light, flawless coverage. I used a foundation shade closer to the color of her neckline to softly even out her skin tone and blend her freckles without completely covering them. I also airbrushed her décolleté to blend away tan lines.

15. After setting the foundation with a finishing powder , I used a pinky-peach blush to give her a soft flush.

16. I filled in her entire lip with a nude cream liner , and then used a peachy, nude lip gloss over the top.

17. The Finished Product:

My Brush Crush

By Jessica Sawicki

Creator of Bomber Betty Custom Cosmetics

 

            Throw away those sponge applicators that come with your eye shadow! If you want your makeup to look smooth and blended, you need to use a brush. I want to help you choose the right brush for the job.  

             When you want soft, blended color, you need to choose a brush with natural hair. Most natural brushes will be made of squirrel,sable, pony, goat, or beaver hair. Natural bristle brushes are best for powdered shadows and mineral foundations.  The more tapered the bristles are, the more the brush will help you blend as you apply the color.

            When you want to apply strong color,or are using a liquid or cream makeup, synthetic bristle brushes are the best.The most common synthetic used is called Taklon.  I use a synthetic brush for powdered eyeliner,concealer, and brow wax.  A good tip for using your mineral foundation to conceal, is to apply it with a synthetic concealer or foundation brush.  The product is more concentrated when it is applied to the skin, and will cover better.   

            Cleaning your brushes is important,but you have to do it the right way or you will ruin the brush. Since most of  them are natural hair, it is fine to use a gentle shampoo.  Take care not to hold the brush upright when it is very wet, because you don’t want the water to run under the metal ferrule and rust the brush.  Lay them flat to dry, and make sure you do it when you won’t need the brush again for several hours.  When you are washing the brush,try to keep the shape of the brush in tact. If you scrub too hard, the bristles will spread out and the brush won’t retain it’s shape.

            For a quicker clean and faster dry time, use a brush cleaning fluid with an alcohol base.  These products sanitize the brush very effectively, and dry in minutes. These products should have a conditioning ingredient so that they don’t dry out the brush hair.  Cleaning your brushes once every couple of weeks is fine for brushes that are used for powder.  You should clean them more regularly if you use the brush wet, or with cream products. 

            That was your crash course in brushes.  I have a wide range of brushes available in my on-line store. If you are having trouble finding the right brush for the job, or if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at jessica@bomberbetty.com.

Welcome to the Bomber Betty Blog. I want to make sure my clients have as much information as possible on how to properly choose and apply makeup. Stay tuned for tricks and tips that will help take the mystery out of makeup. Please feel free to suggest topics that you would like me to cover. Enjoy!