My Go-To Make Up Brushes

When I'm wearing make up, I almost always use brushes. I can't stand how grubby my hands and other make up products get if I apply foundation with my fingers. I also like how a brush provides more coverage and buffs out any harsh edges.

For foundation I use either the Sephora Professionnel #45 Mineral Powder Brush or the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. Both do the same job - they buff liquid (or powder) foundation into the skin without leaving any brush strokes behind, they wash well, don't shed, won't break the bank and the bristles are synthetic/taklon.

As most of you know, I'm not that big on eyeshadow so if I'm not applying the likes of MAC Paint Pots I'll use the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush for sweeping colour over the lid and adding colour in the crease. This brush is also brilliant for blending concealer under the eye's without removing it at the same time. If I've been using the Deluxe Crease Brush for concealer then I obviously don't want to be using it to apply eyeshadow so when this happens I reach for a Hello Kitty brush I got in one of those Liberty/Hello Kitty/Boots collab sets.

The Zoeva 230 Pencil Brush is great for highlighting the inner corner of the eyes, adding eyeshadow along the lower lash line and smudging eyeliner. Zoeva brushes are brilliant! I also love the 106 Powder Brush, it can be used to set foundation with powder, to lightly bronze up the skin or to apply blush. 

I only own one MAC brush, the 187 Stippling Brush and to be honest, I wish I'd never bought it. Unlike the rest of the brushes I own which are a lot more affordable than MAC, it sheds like crazy and has started to splay as you can tell from the photo's. In my opinion it isn't dense enough to apply foundation, all it does is bend around my face. Instead of letting it collect dust I've been using it to apply very shimmery highlighters and sometimes cream blush. The other brush I use for applying highlighter is the Real Techniques Contour Brush which as the name suggests can also be used to contour.

Everyone needs a spoolie for their brows. The one I own is the Rae Morris Angle Brow/Mascara Definer. I use it because I have it but if I had to start over again I would just go for the cheapest spoolie I could find, they do exactly the same job.

All the brushes wash up well without shedding (apart from the MAC 187), don't take forever to dry and return to their original shape. If you're just starting out with brushes you really can't go wrong with Real Techniques and Zoeva. They're both really affordable but Zoeva have the upper hand, you can buy all the brushes separately rather than having to buy them in collections.

Are any of these your go-to brushes?
What's your favourite brush brand?

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What's In My Makeup Bag: Bright Town Girl

I know the majority of us love having a look into other peoples handbags, makeup bags and even showers so I've decided to start a weekly feature where beauty bloggers show the current contents of their makeup bags! I apologise in advance for any wish lists which might just happen to double in size during this time but we're a nosey, needy bunch aren't we. ;) First up is Alice from Bright Town Girl

Hey readers of Been There, Done That, Got The Lipstick. I'm Alice from Bright Town Girl and the lovely Fran has asked me to share the contents of my make up bag with you.

I have been house sitting for some friends recently so I thought I would share with you what I took away with me.

First my make-up bag is from Primark a while back, I don't think it was any more than £5. I think it’s really cute and it fits loads in.

When I go away I always pack my essentials which include the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 01, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder, Collection Illumination Touch Concealer, MUA Professional Eye Primer and my Mac Quad which includes Copperplate eye shadow which I use for my brows. These are products I reach for almost daily and that I always repurchase.

I have been loving the MUA Undress Your Skin Illumination Foundation recently so I decided to bring that with me, also the Shimmer Highlighter from the range for when I want to add some highlight to my cheekbones

For under my foundation I have the Witch Anti Blemish Skin Primer which acts a great base for any foundation as well as helping with my pesky blemished skin. Too finish my base off I then dust some Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzing Powder all over to give me a bit of colour and I have my Ebay Blush Palette to add a bit of colour to my cheeks. This palette includes every colour blush you could wish for.

For my eyes I brought along the Urban Decay Glinda Palette which is my new favourite thing. This has a lovely mix of pink neutrals as well as some deeper purples which you can create some wonderful looks with. It also contains a 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar for when I want to add some definition.

Lastly for lips I have L'oreal GlamShine Gloss Stain in Princess and Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Belladonna. Both of these are long lasting lip colours that have great pigmentation with a glossy finish.

For Tools I have my trusty Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers, Sigma E25 for blending shadow, Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush for concealer, Laura Mercier Eye Crease Brush for crease work, The Vintage Cosmetics Company Eye Shadow Brush to pack eye shadow on, Crown Brush angled liner and Spoolie for my brows, Japonesque Blush Brush, The Vintage Cosmetic Company Duo Fibre Brush for bronzer, Sephora Mineral Brush for powder and Eco Tools Buffing Brush for foundation. Phew!

As you can tell I am not really a travel light kind of girl, but I do use these most days to do my full face of make up.

Thank you Fran so much for letting me feature on your blog and I hope everyone enjoyed my post?

I was so excited to see the Sephora Mineral Brush included, I'll soon me getting my grubby mitts on one of my own and can't wait to try it. The MUA foundation sounds really good too! I'm still a MUA virgin but have a feeling that might change soon. :) Thanks to Alice for sharing the contents of her makeup bag! If you don't already follow Alice's blog I've linked it at the start of this post or you can go say hello on Twitter @BrightownGirl

My Top Ten Products Of 2012

For me 2012 has been a year full of trying out and discovering new products. Some which have been on the market for years and some which are only a few months old but are already a firm favourite of mine. I'm sure most, if not all won't be a shock to anyone who reads my blog as I blabber on about them constantly.

In no particular order:

Liz Earle Brow Pencil in 'Fair'*: Word's cannot describe how much I love this! The only brow pencil I've ever been able to use due how brilliantly the shade matches my brows. I'm sick of pencils being too green or too red, in my opinion 'Fair' is perfect. The texture isn't too soft which eliminates any smudging and my brows last (even in the rain) untill I cleanse. If like me you find all brow pencils to be too red, give this a go.

Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse: 'Ultimate Cleanse' describes this cleanser perfectly. It starts off as a balm but once you start massaging it into your skin it turns to oil and never loses it's slip allowing you to give yourself a good facial massage for as long as you wish. When you add water the oil turns to milk and is easily removed with a flannel/mitt/muslin. Skin is left feeling plump, soft, moisturised and looks so radiant.

I didnt have any Ultimate Cleanse left for the photo and I won't get my hands on my new tube untill Christmas so I'm going to cheat and throw in another product I love...

Beever Daily Revive*: I use Daily Revive as a detangling spray everytime I wash my hair. Unlike a lot of leave in sprays it doesn't leave my hair feeling weighed down or sticky. It also makes straightening my hair alot quicker

Soap & Glory Pulp Friction: The newest addition to my body care arsenal but good enough to make it into my top 10. When you're not in the mood for an oily, moisturising exfoliator and don't want a layer of residue left on your skin then Pulp Friction is the way to go. The exfoliating particles are small but densely packed and leave your skin free from any rough/dry areas.

Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Base & Top Coat: I'm still waiting for something to come along and knock this duo off my top spot. Kensington Caviar made it into my favourites last year and here they are again this year. I can't fault them. My mani's last longer and as promised, my nails are touch dry in 45 seconds.

Real Techniques Delux Crease Brush and Buffing Brush: Am I cheating by including 2 brushes as one item? I have a feeling the answer is yes but I'm doing it anyway. I never thought I'd be sat here declaring my love for make up brushes. Before Real Techniques came into my life my brush collection was minimal. I'd never found a brush that gave a finish I liked so always used my hands to apply foundation. The Buffing Brush and Delux Crease brush make such a big difference and the brush sets are reasonably priced.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream: If you're hands are dry to the pont of cracking, try this. If they're not overly dry, try this. If you just want to start using hand cream, try this. L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is the best I've ever tried.

L'Oreal Color Riche Nail 'Opera Ballerina': Not only my most repurchased nail colour this year but my most repurchased nail colour ever! Opera Ballerina is the perfect colour for any occasion. You can do one coat for a subtle, clean nail look or add 3 coats for an opaque, clean nail look. 

Tangle Teezer: I have a feeling the Tangle Teezer will make it into my favourites every year. It featured last year and here it is again! My hair resembles a matted dog when I get out of the shower. No type of comb or brush is ever going to get through my wet hair and using anything else takes upto an hour to fully detangle my hair. This is one of the best purchases I've ever made and I now have my eye on the shower version.

Chanel Illusion D'ombre 'Emerveille': This beauty can be used as an eye shadow base or worn alone. It instantly brightens the eyes and makes me look more awake. You don't even need to use a brush to apply it and it lasts a full day on me without creasing. I've now got a back up thanks to Lina :)
YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat: It's rare that I get excited over new foundation launches but I was like a kid at Christmas when Le Teint Touche Eclat first hit the Selfridges website. The shade is the best colour match I've ever had, it covers imperfections without masking the skin and most importantly, it leaves a fesh dewy finish. This has to be my most worn foundation this year.

What products have made it into your top 10 this year?

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I've Been Shopping..

Over the last few weeks I've tried my hardest to curb my online spending. I had a couple of slip ups (not beauty related) but apart from that I've been good. That all changed though when I walked into the biggest Boots I've ever seen! It stocked everything my local store doesnt so for the next hour and a half I walked up and down the isles getting my swatch on. I managed to pick up a few things I've wanted for a while and added another 12 things to my wishlist.

Boots:

L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Polish in 'Opera Ballerina' x3 £4.99: This is my all time favourite nail colour. I love the brush, the colour, the formula and the finish. I've gone through 3 or 4 bottles already so stocked up while the 3 for 2 offer was on.

Essie 'Fiji' £7.99: I've wanted Fiji for a good 5 months now but theres no Essie stand in my local Boots and I absolutely hate the brushes on the regular Essie polishes so wanted to see this in person. The brush is far better and the colour is right up my street (a solid more opaque version of Opera Ballerina) but I'm still not lovin' the formula.

Real Techniques Starter Set £21.99: The Core Collection was one of the best purchase I've ever made even though I only use the buffing and contour brushes but the Delux Crease Brush has been calling my name so I finally gave in. Cant wait to try it out.

Real Techniques Blush Brush £9.99 (I paid £4.99): Still on a Boots high and busy drooling over the swatches on my arm I didnt notice this was a blush brush. I grabbed it for setting powder (I hope it works ok for that?) and it was on offer - buy 1 get 1 half price.

River Island:

Make Up Bag £10: My small make up bag that usually lives in my handbag died last week. It got a bit obesse and the zip broke. I just wanted something plain and thought this was a nice size.

Purse £10: My purses always seem to be from River Island, I dont know why. This was only a tenner and has plenty of space for my cards. My old purse was really structured so wouldnt close properly with more than 5 coins in it. It was lovely but a nightmare to use.

TK Maxx:

Phytorelax Laboratories Keratin Complex Shampoo £5.99: I'd never heard of this brand before and after a quick look on google I'm still none the wiser. I think its an italian brand but I could be completely wrong. The only thing I know is its a professional hair care brand and is free from parabens, sles and formaldehyde. Havent had a chance to try it out yet but if its any good I'll do a review.

What have you been buying lately?