Category Archives: brushes

beautician, beauty, benefit, best, brush, brushes, clarify, cleanser, cosmetic, cosmetics, facial, health, how, how to, howto, instructions, lash, lipstick, maintain, make, makeup, manage, mascara, product, products, protection, recommendation, sanitary, sanitize, secrets, shadow, skin, skincare, soap, supplies, tips, to, tricks, up

Ask Marissa…Prevent Eye Infections

3 Comments

Jane Doe: I have an eye infection (stye) that keeps recurring. I’ve now washed all my brushes and replaced my mascara (i know it should be replaced or I’ll get eye infections, which is now very obvious). I start a job next Monday, should I replace all my other makeup too (powders, blushes)?

Me: If you keep having infections and you are using your brushes and couble dipping in your eye shadows, then those are most likely infected too. face makeup should be ok to keep. Now some q’s for you:

1. what are you washing your brushes with and how often?
2. how long have you had your makeup you are thinking of replacing?
3. how often do you clean your makeup?
4. how often do you change your mascara?

Jane Doe: ‎
1. Just washed my brushes for the first time in a year with dish soap.
2. About a year. And it’s my face powder – bare minerals.
3. WTF do you mean by “clean your makeup”?
4. Just bought new mascara because of eye infection.

Also, I admittedly do not always wash my face before bed (too tired, meh). So I know I need to change that. And my pillowcases, and my washcloth.

Me: Infections are not caused by not washing your face, pillow cases, etc. Here are some tips on how to prevent eye infections.

1. Your brushes should be washed after every use, but get in the habit of at least once a week for now. Dish soap is ok, but can mess up your brushes. Just be sure it’s a mild formula and anti-bacterial.

2. Your face powder should be ok as long as the brush you are using for it never came in contact with your eyes.

3. especially if you don’t wash your brushes regularly, you should- spray alcohol on, then swipe your lipsticks on a paper towel once a month.
wipe the tops of any dry pressed powders with a dry tissue once a month
spray a paper towel with alcohol, then wipe off the top layer of any cream makeup you have once a week.

4. Mascara should be thrown out after 3months of the first use…and that’s the extreme maximum. When you pull out the wand and don’t hear that kissing sound, then it’s time to get a new one. Also, don’t pump the wand into the tube because you are providing more air for bacteria to breed in there.

brush, brushes, care, cleanser, cosmetics, makeup, protection, review, wash

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Brush Savers

I love, love, love The Brush Guard! ($5.50 per pack) They help to expand the life of your cosmetic brushes by preserving its shape and allowing upside down dry time (!) after washing.
Caring for your makeup brushes the right way can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. The most important thing to know is how to wash them. Use baby shampoo, antibacterial dish soap, or makeup brush cleanser to thoroughly cleanse each bristle until water runs clear. Never leave your brushes to dry standing upright. This can cause water to drip back into the ferrule (look at the diagram below), loosening the glue that holds the hairs together. The result? Your $50 powder brush starts balding. Until I discovered these money savers via Michelle Phan, I laid my brushes flat to dry.

To use, slip the appropriately sized Brush Guard over your cleansed brush extending the tube about 1/2″ over the bristles. Place the brush upside down in a cup over night. When your brush is dry, slip the tube off (upwards, not down the handle) and your brush is good as new!

If you can’t purchase brush guards right away, you can do wonders with rubber bands! :)

artist, artistry, brush, brushes, cosmetics, how, howto, lancome, makeup, raleigh, review, tips, to

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Tapered Shadow Brush

The Tapered Eye Shadow Brush is my favorite eye shadow brush ever! In fact, I love it so much, I have 4 of them- 2 for me, and 2 for my artist box. I only own Lancome’s Blending Brush #17 ($27.50), but other lines carry similar brushes. This brush gives the perfect shape on your outer corner and crease everytime. I also use it to apply shadow all over, and to flawlessly blend colors together. Another great use for this brush is settling your under eye concealer with a loose powder. Holding the brush vertically, roll it across under your eyes with just a little bit of powder. To see the use of this brush in action, view my last video tutorial.

beauty, benefit, best, brush, brushes, collection, cosmetics, makeup, review

Marissa’s Pick of the Week! – The Fantail Brush

The Fantail Brush by Benefit ($22) is a multipurpose must have in your tool box. Specifically made to brush away excess powders, this brush is also great for applying makeup. I love this brush because I use dark eye shadows that tend to fall under my eyes as I apply them. The soft pony hair sweeps the fallen shadows away without blending any of the pigment onto my skin. I also like to use this brush to apply blushes, highlighters and bronzers. I can shade and create shapes easily and precisely. On days that I want a more natural finish to my foundation, I use the Fantail to apply my loose powder. One Fantail brush is not enough for one brush collection!