beauty tools: Mary Kay Makeup Brushes + Brush Cleaner

as they say, it's important to have the right tools for the job. in the case of a beauty girl, those tools are makeup brushes. from blending to smudging, defining to blurring, they're essential. since it's most likely you're like me and don't have time to spend hours applying makeup each day {a girl can dream}, just having a set of basics can make a difference...

and guess what? Mary Kay has just those basics to allow you to apply your makeup like a pro.

you could say i've become a fan...

Mary Kay makeup brushes are fabulously soft and make the process of beautifying yourself even better. you can give a set to yourself or purchase pieces a la carte; and to save time by keeping everything organized, i love their makeup organizer. it's the perfect thing for housing must-haves that you wear daily and of course, is great for travel! the mesh brush pockets protect dual-ended brushes, while a removable pouch and additional pocket allow for storage of up to two Mary Kay Compacts {they hold eye shadows, blushes, powders and bronzers} or your additional beauty faves.

to keep those brushes fresh and clean, MK Makeup Brush Cleaner is fast-drying and perfect for use every day. keeping your brushes clean not only ensures the best color application {not to mention good hygiene for your skin!}, but is also beneficial to making them last. just spray brush cleaner directly onto brush hairs until thoroughly dampened, sweep brush over tissue or soft towel to remove residue and lay brush flat to air dry. 

visit marykay.com or contact your favorite MK beauty rep for more info.

products featured sent to me for review consideration: pics taken by me :)

Beautifully Organized with a Hold Me Bag

dear beauties i would like to introduce you to an amazing makeup bag. it's like no other makeup bag you have (unless you actually have this one)...



meet the Hold Me bag. isn't the wrap-a-round, vintage schoolgirl's book-bag look so adorable?




it has many places to store your makeup and brushes and can hold a lot! every bag comes in a black exterior with a material called Knew Suede, a soft fabric that keeps it's shape no matter what, and cleans up easily (there are different inner lining styles. Miss Suki is the one i have).



the center section has a separate liner in the bottom that is easily removable for cleaning. it can also be used outside the bag, if needed.




the brush/tool section has fifteen compartments (!!)-- some will hold single items and some, multiple items.




i love that the Hold Me bag allows me to fill it with everything from jars to bottles to compacts and liners to palettes and mascaras, along with makeup brushes, yet still closes and looks good!




as you can see in the above collage (click to enlarge), i really stuffed the Hold Me to see for myself, and show you, how much it could store.

i am so happy to have this Hold Me bag*. it's well made and i think every makeup-lover should own one. though on the pricey side, it is very cost effective when it comes to how much use you'll get out of it, is versatile, and it just makes makeup storage so chic! :)


visit holdmecompany.com to see all the inner liner styles and for more info.

xo
*Hold Me bag featured sent to me for review by the brand.

Holiday Gift Idea: Sonia Kashuk Beauty Junkie Cosmetic Bag

if you have a friend or family member who loves makeup, but you don't want to risk buying her something she already has, gift her with this fabulous (and affordable) Beauty Junkie Cosmetic Bag from Sonia Kashuk.



this super-cute cosmetic bag looks like a shimmery oversized clutch and opens up to have removable compartments that will keep her must-have products within reach. be warned that this bag is so incredibly fab, you might be tempted to keep it. don't be selfish. just buy two! :)

Sonia Kashuk Beauty Junkie Cosmetic Bag can be found in Target stores nationwide and online at target.com for a limited time.

xo

Beauty 101: Back to School Essentials

my kids go back to school tomorrow (i now have a 4th and 1st grader!), and not only am i excited, but so are they. today the school held a "meet your teacher" event in their respected classrooms so the kids could do just that.


these are the books that let me know what my daughter has to look forward to (and i suppose that would go for me, too-- yikes!)

with all of the back-to-school excitement and shopping, i've obviously had school on the brain. i know that when i was in school, it was so fun to get new stuff at the beginning of the year. i also know that no matter what "grade" you're in, pencils, bags and books are essential. here's my list of beauty "school" supplies i think you'll enjoy...




pencils: a new liner i am enjoying is Motives Cosmetics' Kohl Eyeliner in Amethyst. the smooth formula has been amazing for giving my eyes a touch of deep purlpe color when i'm wearing neutral tones and adds that "little something extra" when i wear more bold shades.

also check out: Bobbi Brown's new Ivy League Collection or get the scoop on some new pencils from L'Oreal





bags: Sonia Kashuk's Cosmetic Tote gives a roomy way to travel with your beauty arsenal. carry your must-haves and some extras with room to spare.

also check out: Sephora Film Noir Lace Bag Collection features bags for every need. a pencil bag for, well...makeup pencils and a large handle bag that unzips to reveal three smaller, removable inner cosmetic bags plus an inner zip compartment for space galore to store eyeshadows, blushes powders and anything else you need to get beautified.




books: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual by Bobbi Brown

also check out:
The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color by Iman and the new book, Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life by Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr

here's to a great school year! :)

xo