Can I get a whoop-whoop from all my kindred spirits out there? — the makeup lovers who love rubbing freshly washed air-dried brushes ever-so-gently across their face, and love the fresh scent of those baby soft bristles? (Side note: If this describes you, I bet you also like sticking your face in clean laundry when it comes out of the dryer, too!)
The reason you’re staring at this bevy of brushes is because I built a big-@ss pile of dirty brushes I’d been needing to wash since — gulp! — before Thanksgiving. Weeks ago, I tucked them away in a corner of my office and kinda forgot.
WHOOPS!
Well, I washed them yesterday because the bakery has been closed this week. Apparently, no one comes in this time of year because many people are still on their New Year’s diets, but folks start to fall off the wagon toward the end of January.
So…I finally had time to wash this big-@ss pile of brushes, and I also had time to do the makeup love of my life: SMOKEY EYES.
A few things…
I always forget what a difference clean tapered blending brushes can make. Just in case you don’t know what I’m talking about, this is what they look like:
Whenever I’m doing smokey looks, clean tapered blending brushes are very, very handy… At the very least, I like to keep two or three on deck. Having bristles that don’t have any eyeshadow on them is key because the clean brush hairs pick up/remove excess eyeshadow while also softening any hard edges, so everything looks that much smoother and more seamless.
Another thing? You’ll want to use the lightest touch while blending, and avoid pressing so hard that the bristles splay out (this just presses the powder into your pores, which makes it harder to sheer out your shadow). All you want is the very tip to lightly touch your lid.
Last, but not least, always keep a clean tapered brush around for a last blending pass at the end. After you’ve done everything — base, blush, lips, the whole schebang — lightly blend your eyeshadow one last time, both on top of the lids and along the edges of the shadow to finalize the shape of your eye makeup.
It makes all the difference!
Makeup worn in this look
- Face: Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation in Honey Bronze (base), Wander Beauty Dualist Concealer in Tan (concealer), Chanel Loose Powder in Dore, NARS Desire (blush), MAC Nuanced Mineralize Skinfinish (highlighter on cheekbones and in the inner corner)
- Eyes: NARS Tinted Eyeshadow Base in Light (primer), Kevyn Aucoin Making Faces Beauty Book EmphasEYES Bronze shade (crease); PYTBeauty No BS Eyeshadow Palette (darkest charcoal shade on lid, matte brown mixed into crease with Bronze shade), Urban Decay Oil Slick eyeliner (upper and lower lash lines), IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara (upper and lower lashes), Urban Decay falsies in HBIC Babies (two of the smallest bundles on outer corners); MAC Clear Brow Set, MAC Brun and Omega eyeshadows (brows)
- Lips: Chanel Rouge Coco in Edith layered with MAC Edge to Edge Lip Pencil
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This look is perfection. I really wish I had better skills with blending out a smokey eye. It always looks classy on everyone else. On me, it’s usually a hot mess!
Hi Tina
I totally get it. Blending is hard! It’s a skill that comes with practice, though, so please don’t give up hope. Are there any specific challenges that you face? Perhaps I can give you some ideas to try!
I have hooded lids, so it’s more difficult to begin with, but my colors end up looking muddy, or they are not blended well, and I look like a mess. I work in an office, so I do a light neutral look most days, but would love to try a bronzy smoky eye. Could you recommend something including Sable from MAC?
I feel ya, girl! OK, so if you’re not using a primer already, then you might want to get one up in the mix. It really does make a difference. I like the one by NARS, but there’s so many great ones out there. With primer you’ll want a thin layer (don’t go too thick). Make sure it’s dry before you start applying powder on top. Best bits of blending advice I can give to you are to 1) not press too hard (use the lightest touch), 2) use one brush to apply color and do a little preliminary blend, and then follow up with clean brush (without any product on it) to do the rest of your blending, and 3) do your eyeshadow with your eyes open while you look straight ahead into the mirror (this helps with color placement).
With Sable, I’d do Sable on the lid and then something like MAC Soft Brown and MAC Saddle in the crease. You could add Teddy liner onto the lash lines. That would be pretty, too!
Thank you so much Karen! I don’t have Soft Brown, but I have Wedge and Cork, so I will try this out over the weekend when I have time to play! 🙂
Wedge and Cork would work perfectly! I might try that combo too (Sable is one of my all-time faves). Happy Friday!
It’s Classic Karen! And I love your *said like Jennifer Lopez* HOOPS.
A pro mentor of mine stressed having enough detail brushes in the kit: basically small blending and precision brushes, rather than the big huge fluffy bunny brushes.
In addition to the proper tool & technique, “transition shades” were a blending game changer for me!
HOOPS!!!!!
Why do so many people make such a big deal about cleaning brushes? I just don’t get it. A clean brush makes all the difference in the world in maintaining the integrity of the color, finish, and texture of the products being applied. Using dirty brushes introduces all kinds of nastiness into products and transfer it onto the face: Dead skin cells, fungus, yeast, mites, dirt, oil, potentially harmful microbes, etc. Why would anyone want to apply that to their face? If brushes are washed every week, it only takes a few minutes to clean them. Personally, I only use a brush once or twice and then it gets tossed into a “to be washed” box.
Sorry for the rant, but as I said, I just don’t understand why some people don’t routinely and frequently clean their brushes.
I’m usually good about washing mine, but it’s been a rough fall, Eileen. Lots of big changes in my life. And with a young child and a new job… I’m just straight up tired. *shrugs* I’m just happy I found the box! I literally threw it in a corner and forgot about ’em. lol
Where are your earrings from?! Love them
Hi Ella,
I’ve had them for a while; they’re by Alexis Bittar. Here’s another shot of them: https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/makeup-tipshow-to/attending-black-tie-ballhomecoming-danceweddingthis-fall-makeup-tip-can-help-fit-everything-need-teeny-tiny-clutch/
Whoa, whoa, whoa, thanks for the blended/unblended before and after. That was super helpful.
Also, it amuses me to no end that the bakery closes for a week in January.
People are so predictable!
Enjoy the extra time 🙂
Also, could you or have you done a post where you do like a photo of essential brushes for a good face?
Hi Jennifer,
The brushes totally depend on what type of makeup you’re doing. Are you thinking everyday/easy makeup?
Karen I’m impressed, I think you look fresher everyday. I need to get your secret, specially after I got a job (yes, I’m not unemployed anymore ?) and I feel it’s taking my youth.
About brushes, I just know I need to buy more in order to be able to not wash brushes in a week.
I also need to try those MAC liquid lipstick, I desisted wearing lipstick at work because of reapplying.
Gurl, I saw all your clean brushes and almost drooled on my computer’s screen! What a collection! I ❤️makeup brushes and have a nice variety myself. I’m glad you found and cleaned them! Your soldiers must be happy!
Keep up the good work with your blog! I’ve learned a lot from you over the years and am glad you are still a MAC Girl!
Thank you! I have been waiting for a blending lesson! I actually think I can follow this ok…I am not skilled with this and tend to skip the crease color. Side note– your skin is amazing. I think even though you’re tired with new job etc you’re glowing ?
Oh my gosh, you look so beautiful in these photos! Love the smudgy glitter liner on you!