Brush Cleansing – Make Them Last Forever…

I use Japonesque, Vincent Longo or MAC brush cleanser while on location to keep brushes clean/sanitized between faces/colors. I tend to shampoo my brushes a couple times a week, depending on how much work I have been doing.

For the deep clean:

>In a large stainless steel mixing bowl (2qt), I put warm (not hot) water, 1/4 cup 99% Alcohol and Aveda Sap Moss shampoo (about a tablespoon)
>In a stainless steel pinch bowl, I put a dollop of same shampoo
Helpers: 1 large empty stainless steel cup (lay on its side), 4-8 solid white sheets of paper towel, 1 clean cotton hand towel

1. I take the clean cotton towel and do a dry wash to remove much of the make-up residue that is there (wipe back and forth)

2. Then I take each brush (one at a time) and swirl in the large bowl, gently pressing it against the side of the bowl to really get it saturated

3. Dip my finger in the pinch bowl to put a little shampoo in my palm to gently swirl the brush in (dip in large bowl and repeat until suds is white)

4. Brush gets one final swirl in the large bowl mixture, then a gentle squeeze to remove excess water. Clean brush is then inserted into the stainless steel cup (remember, lying on its side so the water doesn’t invade the ferrule)

5. Repeat steps 1-4 until every brush is done.

6. Empty large bowl and rinse well. Then refill half way with warm water, 1 tablespoon alcohol and a small amount of Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioner. Whisk with a fork to blend. (mixture will be slightly cloudy)

7. Take each brush and rinse under running water for about 10 seconds – a little longer for larger brushes. Squeeze out excess water

8. Swirl brush in water/conditioner mixture for a few seconds, then again squeeze out excess water

Lastly, use the paper towel to gently squeeze out excess water and lay brushes flat to dry overnight. I use solid white paper towel. As you squeeze out water, it is easy to see that you have cleaned the brush thoroughly if no make-up residue stains the paper towel

It takes me about an hour and 20 minutes to do my entire collection (180+ brushes)

Of course you can use whatever shampoo/conditioner you want. This method has worked for me over the years. I have many brushes that are in their teens and still in superb condition.

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Obsessed or Possessed?

Let’s start with me, that would only be fair. When I get home from a long day, I have several things on my mind. Dinner – will I cook? Yeah, done. What is on the agenda for tomorrow? Oh, OK. Let me get out of these clothes, darned hose have tortured me all day. I should have worn more comfortable shoes, my feet are killing me. Oh, and this wool turtle-neck, wool always itches.

WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR TOMORROW!!!! I better have a peek into my closet to see what I can conjure up. Oh no, I forgot to put this stuff in the cleaners. What to do? What to do? I can’t wear that again, I wore that about 6 weeks ago. I’m tired of these boots, twice in one month? Too much rotation for these. What in the world happened to all of my sweaters? I used to have waaaaay more than this. Oh well, use what you’ve got. This might look good, this skirt with that blouse with these shoes – but maybe I should NOT carry that purse with those shoes. Wait, if I wear brown fish-nets instead of black. No, no black – black it is. That might be too over-the-top, I might get stares. Well, better than turning no heads at all. Is it really this complicated?? Why do I put myself through this?? I have got to take it easy – IT IS NOT THAT SERIOUS!!!!!!

Ok, start over. Oh look! I haven’t seen this in a while. I killed last time I wore this. Where is my uh… oh here it is. OOOOOh, that will look great great with that. Then add the pearl jewelry. What the heck, I just wear every pearl I own. I am feeling a bit timeless right about now. Yikes, almost forgot to change handbags. That would have been a disaster! I must carry the brown satchel, after all. It’s my best option with those shoes. Plus it’s roomy enough for extra hose and my laptop. OK, got it together. Quick shower, then I can get some sleep. Sleep deprevation is not good in your thirties. I wouldn’t want to start looking my age, now would I?

That was soothing, now I’ll throw on Anthony Hamilton so he can sing me into my sweet-dreams state. I forgot to look at my new Essence, Elle, Women’s Wear Daily and Vogue. I’ll just put them in my bag and take them with me. Goodnight.

6:15 in the morning, the alarm is blaring. I crawl out of bed after hitting snooze for the second time. Yuk, I didn’t get enough sleep, I feel horrible. I should just stay home. Well, let me get over here and brew my coffee. Strong and potent like my future husband.

Cool shower, yes – I need to wake up. That coffee smells sooooooo good. I’m so glad I picked out my clothes last night. The last thing I want to have to fight with is choosing something to wear today.

This coffee is perfect, I am on the right track. Showered & exfoliated, checked email, synced my phone, read the paper – enough me time. I’ve got to get going.

OH NO, I forgot about that meeting. I can’t wear fishnets to a business meeting! Layers of pearls, they will think I have lost my mind. Those shoes, am I nuts? What am I going to do now? Ok, ok, calm down. I could just put on the black pant-suit with that blouse, these black pumps, this jewelry and I will look just right. Where are those black pumps? I usually keep them with the rest of my pumps. What did I do with them?… oh yeah – still in my suitcase. Here they are, uh-oh they need to be shined. Thank goodness for whoever invented these shoe-mitt things. Whew!

Ok what coat? It’s a bit nippy out there, I may need an extra layer. No, not this coat – too casual. This one is much better… oh no, I forgot to sew this button back on. Next! The black one with the belt. Perfect. Not this scarf though, it’s too linty. That would look crack-ish. I’d better just throw this thing in the trash where it belongs.

One last peek in the mirror. Yes, this is do-able, but no awards for this ensemble. As long as I’m not a fashion don’t. Wait, the navy coat will look better – Quick change and I’m out the door. Let’s get this day started.

Arguably, this could be someone obsessed with clothes. Of course I’m not. Of Course I’m Not! OF COURSE I’M NOT!!! Am I?

Are you?

The Perfect Brow

The one thing that EVERY woman should have is a good brow arch. We are all born with a brow that is fitting for our facial shape and bone structure. I only wish to suggest that we can only improve upon nature. These brow basics will help you to show the world YOUR BEST BROW. Brow grooming at home is an option, but some things are best left to professionals. Whether handling your own arch or seeking the services of a QUALIFIED BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL, these rules apply.

1) Never alter your brow too much. An over-groomed brow can actually change your facial expression in several ways. Poorly shaped brows can make you appear to frown or give you a surprised look. Neither is appropriate. Also, over-enhancing could give you the ‘Whatever happened to Baby Jane’ effect. If you need assistance in determining your best look, see the guidelines below. If you decide to see a professional (Make-Up Artist, Esthetician), seek references from people you know who have nicely groomed brows. Many estheticians and make-up artists will be able to assist you in correcting brow disasters – whether by your own hand or some wayward makeover maniac.

2) Be knowledegable about the services that you seek. Getting a good arch will offer you several options. There is the standard hot wax method, tweezing and threading. Any of these is a good choice when receiving the service from a qualified beauty professional. All of these methods remove stray hairs from the root, resulting in a long-lasting clean arch. NEVER ALLOW ANYONE TO USE ANY FORM OF RAZOR to arch your brows. This can lead to cuts and scrapes, visible stubble after just days, and likely irritation – albeit a very unsatisfactory, short-lived result. Remember, you get what you pay for. The industry standard for a good brow arch will cost from $12 – $30 in most markets. If the service is too inexpensive, that should raise a red flag. Fees tend to be higher in cities with thriving entertainment and fashion industries. (Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles) Look through the latest fashion & beauty magazines and check out the brows in cosmetic ads for Cover Girl, Lancome, Maybelline and Estee` Lauder – they get it right every time. Celebrities with perfect brows include Tyra Banks, Lara Flynn-Boyle, Ziyi Zhang, Thandie Newton, Heidi Klum and Mary J. Blige – just to name a few, IMHO

3) Know your own face. There are three basic guidelines to YOUR best brow shape. Get in the mirror with a narrow straight object (ruler, pencil, orange-wood stick) to assist you in viewing these guidelines AS DETAILED IN THE DIAGRAM BELOW:

 

 

A _ The beginning of your brow should be somewhat parallel to the outer part of your nostril

 

B _ The highest point of your arch should line up with the outer part of your nostril and the outer of the pupil of your eye

 

C _ Your brow should then end at the point where you outer nostril lines up with the outer corner of your eye

※ Do your homework. IT’S YOUR FACE AND YOU WANT TO PUT THE BEST ONE FORWARD!!!
From FUZION Magazine, VOL III – Issue 6
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