Homemade Makeup Brush Cleaner

I've been searching for a good makeup brush cleaner for quite a time now. I tend to be obsessive  compulsive when it comes to hygiene and sanitation. And so far, the only one I'm sure of is MAC's brush cleaner since I read that other brands tend to leave the brushes stiff and sticky. While I'm still allowing my (currently non-existent) savings recuperate from my uncanny expenses, I decided to settle with a homemade brush cleaner.

Ever since, I've been using Burt's Bees baby shampoo to clean my brushes and they work perfectly fine. They actually smell great after cleaning! My only dilemma is when we're supposed to do many faces one after another, I need something to clean and disinfect my brushes pronto. So after googling for a good recipe , I came across Koren's homemade brush cleaner.

I know a lot of people already know about this but I just have to rave about how good it is! Even my classmates loved it and we were all using it last night at the show.  Here are the ingredients for the homemade brush cleaner:

1 cup distilled water

1/4 cup alcohol (70% or 90%)

1/2 tablespoon dishwashing liquid (I prefer ones with moisturizer)

1/2 tablespoon shampoo ( I use baby shampoo)

1 tablespoon leave-on conditioner (I actually added a bit more to the solution)

I mixed all ingredients in a bowl, carefully stirring to avoid forming suds. And then I transferred the solution to an atomizer and voila! I was actually hesitant to use it at first because of the dishwashing liquid but it definitely cleaned and left my brushes soft.  :D

Collective Haul

After buying the stuff I need for makeup school, I did a mental note to set out on a no-buy mode (which I keep telling myself to do over and over again). But who am I kidding? I always seem to find a reason to buy something (despite my meager wallet and bank account). By far, this month has been the most extravagant in terms of my spending on beauty products. Since I was in a positive mood today, I decided to take pictures of some of the stuff I got over the weekend.

1. MAC lipstick in Russian Red



Okay, so I've been looking for a good red lipstick. I found one at The Face Shop but I decided to check with MAC first thinking that I might find a better one. And I did (and its the last one they have)! I looooove the shade of red. It's matte and is on the bluish side of red. However, I've been so used to wearing nudes that I'm not too comfy wearing a red lipstick. But we'll see...

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2. MAC eyeshadow in Ricepaper



Ricepaper is a peachy gold e/s with shimmer. I decided to buy this because Mikee from MAC told us that this is a perfect shade for a highlighter. and he was definitely right! :)

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3. Maybelline Brow Definist in 02 Brown



I go to Maybelline for mascaras (hands down!). It has been my brand of choice for mascaras before I discovered The Balm Two Timer Mascara (my HG! I'll try to review this some other time). It's affordable and does its work. So as I was lurking around Landmark looking for a good and cheap eyebrow kit, I was surprised to see that Maybelline now has an eyebrow kit (and eyeshadows! LOL.) I wasn't expecting much from it but when I swatched it, I was surprised by the natural light brown color. I've been looking for a lighter and more natural shade of eyebrow kit because I wasn't satisfied with the one I bought from In2it and The Face Shop.

Anyways, Maybelline Brow Definist has two shades of brown in it. One smooth wax (darker shade) to define the brow line and one silky brow powder (lighter shade) to build intensity. I find that it easily glides and packs color to the brows.

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4. Nichido Girl's Night Out Eye Contour Pencil in Deep Blonde



What can I say. I love the shade of brown. It can be used as an eyeliner and a brow pencil. My only concern is that it smudges easily.

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5. Fanny Serrano Blush in Georgia Peach



The photo lost its quality upon upload. It looks totally different. In the picture, it looks pink but this blush is a perfect peach shade, which is a bit on the shimmery side. I bought this for my class but I think I might use it. LOL.

I have yet to try their eyeshadow quads, which I saw from Aika.

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6. My first batch of NYX round lipsticks



My mini lipstick army from Nyx. I ordered these from Nonpareilboutique about a month ago but I had to wait for my uncle to arrive to get these. I also ordered 2 round lipglosses, 1 megashine lipgloss and 1 eyeshadow trio (which I forgot to take pictures of). Anyways, I cannot stress enough how much I love these lipsticks. They're not MAC quality but they're good enough for me. They glide well and don't dry my lips. And they're cheap! I can't wait to order more!

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7. Eyeko Cream



FINALLY! After a month long of waiting, I got my order. I'm not sure though if this was my original order, or the one they re-sent (since I filed a dispute in Paypal). I love it. (and how cute is the packaging?!) It makes a good highlighter. You can even wear it alone, giving a healthy glow to your skin. I applied a thick layer for visual purposes only (I wanted it to be really visible in the picture). The smell reminds me of sunblock but oddly enough, I love the smell. LOL. The only con I can point out right now is that its in a tub and I have to dip my finger to get the product. So what I did was I bought those little containers with spatulas and transferred some to it so I don't have to get straight from the tub.

So there. I'll post the second part of my haul when I get in the mood to take pictures again.

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On Thursday, I will be joining my teacher and some of my classmates in a fashion show at Bureau (Makati). Janna, my classmate, told me that we will be doing 30 faces (SRSLY?!) for the show. But we'll only be doing the base (foundation etc.) since that's what we've mastered. I'm excited and nervous. I hope I do well... *cross fingers*

MAC Workshop

We had our 2nd session for the makeup class yesterday and it was all about the Prime Look. I brought my friend Maru to model for me. My teacher's comment was that I had to practice on eyebrows. I could've made my friend look like Frida. I'm probably going to practice on my family and officemates this week. LOL.

Anyways, we had a MAC workshop after the class. It was actually more like a MAC demo. Mikee from MAC was the one who facilitated the group discussion and Maru (again) modeled for the class.



It was actually fun. Mikee was really entertaining. Plus we got to play around the MAC counter afterwards. I love the fact that we're only 6 in the class and that my classmates are easy to get along with. (It's a fun class!)



So I ended up buying an eyeshadow in Ricepaper and a lipstick in Russian Red (last one!). I also saw Bambi of MakeupbyBambi and she was nice enough to talk to me when I approached her and introduced myself.

Well it was a fun day and I can't wait til next Saturday.  :)

Eyeko Order Dilemma

http://www.eyeko.com

I ordered for an Eyeko cream last March 1, 2009. I have already been charged by Paypal but my order, according to the website, is still pending. I e-mailed Eyeko a couple of times and got no response. So I resolved to reporting it to Paypal.

Has anyone experienced this? I'm worried. It sucks coz I've been really interested in the eyeko cream. :(

My very first false eyelashes

I went to The Face Shop the other week to buy a nail polish and a nail polish remover. I saw their false eyelashes and remembered Nikki's blog. I asked if they had the XLH but it was out of stock. So I ended up buying the XL falsies. I also passed by the department store and bought a 4U2 eyeshadow and an E.L.F. lipliner.



Anyways, I already have long eyelashes (since I have big eyes lol). I just wanted to try how falsies would look on me and also, I wanted to practice putting them since I intend on using one for my class (if I get a chance to do so).

So this is me without the false eyelashes

And this is after applying the false eyelashes..



See the difference?



Well I like how it makes my eyes pop out. But I doubt I'll be able to use it much since it really calls attention to my eyes.

Major Haul

Today marks my biggest haul ever. I finally decided to take the makeup artistry class after months of contemplating. And it seemed to work on my part. Our class is the smallest batch our teacher ever had, which meant a more focused and personal training.

Anyways, for the tools and makeup products, our teacher recommended a variety of products ranging from low end brands to high end brands. I was so excited that I went straight to the mall to buy the stuff that I need (well most of it).



I went to the MAC store at shangri-la to buy foundations and powders. I was too busy thinking about my list that I wasn't able to double check what I bought. Turns out the SA gave me a wrong foundation and shade. I asked for a Studio Fix Fluid in NC20 and she gave me a Select SPF 15 in NC25. And she didn't even give me freebies because it was out of stock. So i have to go back tomorrow and have it replaced. As for the gel liners, I got them from a friend and my cousin.



I bought blushes and lipsticks from Ever Bilena since our teacher highly recommends it for low end brands. I wouldn't have thought of it but hey, it works. I still have tons to buy on my list and I need it by Saturday.

I'll be housing these stuff in the traincase I bought at Quiapo a couple of weeks back. I wanted to get a plain black case but I didn't like the compartments of it. So I got this instead...



I'm now officially bankrupt.  I just hope I do well in school. =s