The Best Foundation Brush EVER...period.

As a makeup artist, I have a ton of brushes. A TON. When I'm working on a shoot with multiple models, or on set, it's just quicker to have multiple sets of brushes. That way I'm not slowed down by having to sanitize a brush to reuse on someone else - I can just grab a clean one. Quick, easy, and most importantly, no germs spread! Then they can just be cleaned all at once at the end of the day.

I have all different brands. I've got some expensive brushes and some very affordable brushes. To me, it's not about the prestige of a name, it's about quality. I've seen some expensive brushes out there that are horrible, and some inexpensive ones that are fantastic. Bottom line, if it's not made well, it's not worth the money, no matter how much or how little you pay.

SO. Let me tell you a little about this brush I'm such a fan of. The brush is by a brand called Real Techniques, which is made by Paris Presents. You may not have heard of Paris Presents, but I bet you've seen another one of their brands, 'EcoTools' at your local Target or drug store. The company got together with makeup artist Samantha Chapman, of Pixiwoo fame, and designed this particular line of brushes. (If you don't already know about Sam and Nic, you need to change that, stat. These girls are THE BEST. I should also probably warn you: you will spend the next three hours of your life watching these videos. It's just a given. They're addictive.)

The line uses only synthetic taklon bristles, which means cruelty-free. And these babies are SOFT. There is none of that harsh, sharp poking feeling that some synthetics can have. I think all the brushes in the line are quite good, especially the eye makeup brushes. But my favorite brush is.....the stippling brush. I am in love with this brush. Like, seriously, birds singing, picket fences, and babies in love with. I want to adopt a puppy with this brush. Got it? IN LOVE. It is the perfect brush for applying liquid or cream foundations. It's so smooth, it is the closest you can get to an airbrush finish using a hand/tool application.

It's similar to the MAC 130 brush. If you're familiar with MAC, you know they can be a bit (a lot) expensive. The 130 brush retails for $42. Did I mention this brush is only $9.99? Yeah. Now, obviously this isn't a professional line brush, but the quality is absolutely fantastic. There is hardly any shedding at all, and the brushes are perfectly weighted and extremely comfortable to hold. Also, the bigger brushes have a neat feature: the bottom of the handle is wide and flat, so you can stand them up on end. Kind of cool right?

So, you know you want this brush, and you know you can afford it, so I'll tell you where you can get it. You can purchase any of these brushes from your local Ulta, but I would actually recommend purchasing them from Ulta's website because these brushes are starting to become so popular that the stores run out of these fairly often. While you're there, I'd also recommend picking up the Starter Kit, which has all eye makeup brushes. It's a mere $17.99 and you get five brushes and a little stand up case for them. It's a STEAL people!

So, what are you waiting for? GO!

See you next post.

Love, b.b.

It's Really Kind of Shameful...

I haven't made a blog post in FOREVER. Yeah...I know...super, duper lame. Wedding season got a little crazy here, AND I've been immersed in my new position as head of the makeup department for Fly-By-Night Theatre Company. So, I got a little slack with the blog. Ok...I got REAL slack. I hope you forgive me.

BUT I've got some new posts in the works about some of the products I'm loving right now, so hopefully if my followers haven't abandoned me, I'll have something for you guys real soon!

See you next post!
Love, b.b.

Some Blogger Love

Ok I am TOTALLY late to getting around to making this post, so apologies to all. Things have been super crazy what with the kick off to wedding season madness, but I wanted to let you all know that moi was featured a couple times over at The Thirty Something Bride.

It was a happy accident how I ended up meeting blogger Louise, who also has an online boutique of some really gorgeous veils and headpieces over at TruLu Couture. I stumbled upon a post of hers on a modeling networking site that I frequent. She was looking to vamp up her website for a relaunch, and I had a bridal themed shoot coming up with the fabulous Marie Killen and Scott Russell. So I invited her to come participate in our shoot and bring her collection of pieces and we would shoot them on our models.

Louise ended up writing a blog post about it before we'd done the shoot, and it was so flattering. Louise is truly hilarious, and I love her sense of humor. And how awesome was she to say all those nice things about our work before we'd even met?!

The second post was made about 10 days after the first, after we'd done the shoot. And can I just say, the shoot turned out AMAZING. We were originally supposed to have a couple different models, but one backed out due to the flu the night before, and I'm actually happy it happened that way. Because our model Zoe did fantastic! Not only is she extremely lovely, but she was super professional and very easy to work with.

Here's a little taste of the shoot:

Hair and Makeup by yours truly.

So if you're looking for the perfect headpiece for your wedding, be sure to check out Louise at TruLu Couture. And if you're in need of makeup for your special day, call me! Haha!

See you next post.
Love, b.b.

Congratulations are in Order!

With all the magic and anticipation that hangs in the air this time of year, is it any wonder that the holidays are the most popular time for couples to become engaged? Maybe it's the twinkling lights at night that inspire romance, or perhaps it's the sweetness of being able to share it with the gathered family members that are sure to be in town. Whatever the reason, more couples become engaged over the holiday season than any other time of the year.

As a newlywed myself, I can appreciate all the love and excitement they are feeling right now as they begin planning their special event. Planning a wedding can be a fun process, but it can also feel pretty overwhelming at times. It seems like there are endless decisions to be made, and with the stress of self-imposed perfection even the smallest and simplest details can suddenly become life-or-death in your mind.

So, let me be the first to say congratulations, AND....breathe! Because it's all going to be ok. There are tons of professionals out there (including myself) who are prepared to make your day as easy going and relaxing as possible. Whether you find your vendors online, in magazines, bridal shows, or through the recommendations of friends and family, it's important to meet with a number of experts in each field so that you can find the vendor who best fits your wedding and personality. Just remember to do your research. If you find a vendor whose work you love, don't forget to ask them for a list of vendors in other fields that they'd recommend...and a list of vendors you should probably skip.

Second, don't forget to take care of yourself. It's already the season for colds and the flu, and with the added stress of wedding planning your immune system can take a dive and leave you feeling poorly. Be sure to take your vitamins and get plenty of rest. There will be TONS of people grabbing your hand to look at your ring, so remember to wash your hands often and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse. This will save you from any sniffles being passed around.

Once again, congratulations, and good luck with your planning! And if you are interested in bridal makeup services, don't forget to take a look at my website Makeup By b.b. for my rates. I'm also happy to recommend a variety of vendors in the area, so don't hesitate to ask!

See you next post!

Love, b.b.