Foundations and Concealers
Review: Sigma Makeup Brushes
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For the past few months, I have been seeing Sigma Brushes in the brush rolls of many of my colleagues and celebrity makeup artists that I have had the opportunity to assist. Of course, I had to test these brushes out for myself! I have been test driving my new Sigma Makeup “Professional Brushes Complete Kit” for about a month and I am excited to finally share these awesome (budget-friendly brushes) with everyone!
Review:
My first opportunity to use my new Sigma Brushes was on a photoshoot with an actress named Alexandra Daddario, from the film Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief. Even though I usually go through tons of brushes when I work, I forced myself to use only the 12 brushes in my Sigma brush roll (ok, ok… and only like 8 of my regular brushes as well 
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Quality
On first inspection of the brushes, you can tell they are very good quality. The bristles are silky smooth and they just feel well made. I use a lot of brushes from Crown (which are cheap, but not necessarily the best) and the difference a quality brush makes really can transform your application. After a month of use and routine cleaning, they are still holding up really well. I’m getting a little bit of shedding from several of the brushes, but not enough to worry too much about.
Price
One of the best things about Sigma Makeup Brushes is their price! They are extremely affordable, especially since the quality compares many higher end lines. The Professional Brushes Complete Kit that I have is only $69 without the brush roll ($89 w/brush roll). To get an entire brush set at that price is an amazing deal that would be hard to find anywhere else. If you are on a budget but don’t want to skimp on quality, I highly recommend Sigma Makeup Brushes.
Standouts:
The pencil brush is one of my favorites from the collection. It really helps give a precise application and is awesome for applying eyeshadow to the crease of the eye. I also love it for buffing out a harsh eyeliner, to get a smokey effect. I definitely have found myself reaching for this brush the most!
This has become one of my favorite concealer brushes! It is very firm and the shape is great!! It has a slight point at the tip which I really like for doing detail work. It can cover a pimple effortlessly! It came in handy on a recent shoot when the model’s foundation kept creasing in her undereye folds. I would just pop in and quickly knock it out with this brush and we’d be shooting again in the blink of an eye.
I looove Duo Fibre brushes!! The synthetic tip blends foundation, powder, blush etc flawlessly for an amazing, airbrushed look. This Duo Fibre brush from Sigma is great because it compares to MAC’s infamous 187 brush, for only a fraction of the price! The only real difference between the two is that MAC’s is slightly denser and $26 more expensive! MAC’s 187 retails for $42, while Sigma’s retails at $16. Yes please.
I am in love with this little “Hollywood Glamour Kabuki” brush! It is sooo soft and cute! It’s a little too bulky and awkward to fit in my brush belt, so I’m actually keeping this one for personal use! It buffs my powder and bronzer on flawlessly and is retractable, so perfect for throwing in your purse for mid-day touch ups!
Any Cons?
-The Eyeliner Brush (SS209) is a little too thick for my taste. I prefer a slimmer brush that allows me to build. For someone with smaller eyes, or not much of a crease, the line you would get from this brush would probably be too thick. On a positive note, I have been using it on the lips lately and actually love it! The point gives me control and the ability to make perfect lines while eliminating bleeding.
-The Contouring Brush (SS168) has altered shape after several washings. It is not as tight as it used to be, which is makes it more difficult for precise contouring. It’s slowly becoming a great blush brush though 
- I wish all of the brushes were available for individual sale. As far as I can tell, some are not available to purchase separately.
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally.
Milani’s HD Advanced Concealer Vs. YSL Touche Eclat
Drugstore vs. High End
I love perusing drugstore beauty aisles in hopes of finding amazing products for really cheap. About a month ago, I came across an exact look alike of YSL’s bestselling Touche Eclat highlighter/concealer! Of course, I snatched it up as fast as I could and kept my fingers crossed that this Milani knockoff was as good as the real deal.
Review: Milani’s HD Advanced Concealer
First of all, can I just say that I am annoyed this is called “HD” concealer. What about it makes it HD?? I never used the brush applicator because of sanitation reasons, but I tested it on my hand and the brush strokes are completely visible. If I used this for HD work, I would be fired haha, Lastly, HD is not a “product,” it is a technology. Makeup for HD is all about the application, and nothing else.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way… lol
I’ve been using Milani’s HD Advanced Concealer on several different shoots over the past month to test it out. The click pen is kind of annoying to use. It took about 20 clicks to get the product out when I first opened it, and I thought it was broken! It still takes a few seconds for the product to dispense and when I work, time is money so it’s not ideal for me. I can see how it would be a great product to throw in your purse for mid-day touch ups though! The product is very creamy and easy to blend and and doesn’t accentuate dryness under the eyes, or give off that ugly cakey look. It works well for mild darkness under the eyes, but if you have anything more than that, you probably need a more heavily pigmented product. It doesn’t last all day and you will most likely need to touch it up a few times, but for the price it is a great option! It only comes in four colors and I wish they had a better range to accommodate darker skintones.
YSL vs. Milani
Packaging
At first glance, you would barely be able to tell the difference between the two products. They both come in a gold, pen-like tube with a brush applicator. They also both have the clicker at the bottom to dispense the product.
Product
Both products have a similar consistency and feel to them. The main difference is that Touche Eclat works best for highlighting and the HD Concealer is better for concealing. Although it claims to brighten, Milani’s version does not contain the light reflecting particles that YSL’s does. That right there is enough to put each product on different playing fields.
Price
While Yves Saint Larent’s Touche Eclat will set you back a whopping $40, Milani’s version is only $6.99!!
The Bottom Line:
Milani’s product is a great, cheap concealer option. It works well and is great for on the go touch-ups. There are some similarities between YSL, and for the price, it’s definitely a great alternative but in my opinion, they shouldn’t really even be compared.
Have you Tried Milani’s HD Concealer? What do you Think?
Review: Yaby Creme Foundations
Have you heard of Yaby cosmetics?? If not, you need to know about them asap! It’s a makeup line designed for makeup artists by a makeup artist and everything I have tried from from the line has been amazing! I am always on the lookout for new foundations because my favorite thing to perfect is the skin. After being completely impressed with their pearl paints and eyeshadows, I decided to try Yaby’s creme foundation palette and have been testing it out on set (and on myself) for about a month. It’s slowly becoming my go-to foundation palette. If you are on the hunt for awesome coverage with a lightweight feel, definitely look into Yaby!
What is it?
A waterproof, silicone based, full coverage foundation with a lightweight feel and amazing texture!!
Why is it Amazing?
Ohhhh, where do I begin?? 
Texture and Pigment
I decided to buy the yellow-based foundation palette after hearing rave reviews from other makeup artists. The first time I used it I fell in love with the texture!! It is sooo buttery and smooth! At first, I was a little disappointed in the size of the refills but once I used it for the first time, I realized why they are so small… They are so pigmented so a little bit really does go a long way. You don’t need much at all to cover the whole face and if you decide that you need more coverage in certain areas, simply go over them again with another thin layer and viola!
Staying Power
After using these foundations several times on set, I decided to try it on myself because I was getting jealous! lol. Let me tell you, I’m super picky when it comes to my own foundation and this is the best foundation I have ever found for my skin! No exaggeration. I have really rosy cheeks naturally (that I hate, and cover as often as possible), and this foundation completely erased the red. It was full coverage but I didn’t feel like I was wearing any at all! As the day went on, I kept checking the mirror and nothing changed! No oilyness, none of it rubbed off, nothing!! That reminds me, since I don’t usually dig into my kit to do my own makeup, I need to buy myself my own color asap!
Great for Pale Skintones
Another thing I loved is that their palest shade is super pale! Sometimes it’s hard to find colors to match really really light skintones, and this is my new go-to foundation when making up super pale models that haven’t seen sun, ever.
Two In One
If you’re a makeup artist these are perfect because you get a full coverage foundation, but if you desire a lighter coverage, they can be thinned down with a silicone based thinner. It’s like two products in one!
Price
Oh, and did I mention that they are only $8.75 each! SUPER CHEAP! You can’t even buy a Revlon foundation for that cheap.
Where Can I Buy it?
You can purchase Yaby on their website at www.yabycosmetics.com (they are a Canadian based company). If you’re looking for a retailer in the U.S, www.camerareadycosmetics.com carries it too!
Any Cons??
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There’s not a lot of darker shades.
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You have to buy online so you can’t test the colors on your own skin. Major bummer.
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Each color is designed to fit inside of a palette, so when you buy 1 shade, there’s not a set compact that it comes it.You basically just get a refill (great for makeup artists, not for consumers) so you will have to get creative.
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Some of the shades may be a bit too yellow for regular consumers who don’t have the means to mix different shades to get the perfect match. (Again, I only tried the yellow palette, I’m not sure what the pink palette looks like).
I used Yaby Creme Foundation for this shoot!
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Have You Tried Yaby?? What Do You Think?
LEAVE A COMMENT
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Important: I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally. For this particular product, I have not recieved any compensation, incentive or product for a positive review.
10 Beauty Products I Am Thankful For:
Paying Thanks to the Products that Make My Life and My Job Easier!
1. Embroylisse Moisturizer
Thank you Lait Creme Concentrate Moisturizer by Embroylisse for hydrating the skin of my models and actors so perfectly! Thank you for providing smoother, firmer and softer skin and for being the ultimate moisturizer in my kit!
2. Artificial Light by Smashbox
Thank you Artificial Light for helping my achieve dewy skin and radiant highlights. Thank you for looking even more amazing on camera and for being my favorite go-to highlighter!
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3. Banana Boat Self Tanner
Thank you Endless Summer color for being the best self tanner I have found in my quest to be tan but not leathery. Thank you for making me look bronzed and not orange, and for only needing one application to achieve the perfect color.
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4. L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara, you are my best friend lol!! Thank you for making my lashes thick, long and black. Thank you for living up to your name and for not breaking my bank account.
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5. Yaby Cosmetics
THANK YOU YABY for making being an amazing addition to my kit!!! I love your eyeshadows, pearl paints and freestyle palettes. Thank you for helping me condense my kit into a more manageable load to carry.
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6. Beauty Blenders
I love you Beauty Blenders! Thank you for helping me achieve perfectly blended foundation and concealer. You never give me lines and you always help me make skin look flawless and gorgeous.
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7. MUFE HD Powder
MUFE HD Powder, you have been a God-send. Thank you for being truly transparent and for working on every skin color I have ever used you on. Thank you for providing a soft, natural finish and for not ever looking “powdery.”
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8. Eve Pearl Salmon Concealers
Thank you Eve Pearl Salmon Concealers for being the perfect answer to dark circles. You are a miracle product and every time I use you, I am thankful for my decision to buy you.
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9. OCC Lip Tar
Lip Tar you are my favorite new product this year!!! Thank you for your incredible pigmentation, versatility and performance. Thank you for being the only lip product I really ever need and for being so easily mixable. I LOVE YOU!!
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10. Sunscreen!
Kind of broad, but so important. Thank you sunscreen for protecting my skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Thank you for reducing my risk of skin cancer, wrinkles and sun spots. Your long term benefits completely outweigh the annoyance of having to apply you everyday
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Is Vibrating Foundation Really Necessary??
I Don’t Really Want My Face to Vibrate…
Now, I thought that vibrating mascara was useless and unnecessary, and now they have come out with vibrating foundation. What’s Next?! I am all about new innovations in the beauty world, and if something that comes out makes my job easier, I will snatch it up in a heartbeat. However I am highly questioning the practicality of Lancome’s new Oscillation Power Foundation.
Released earlier this month, Lancome’s new mineral foundation has been far from a breakout hit in the beauty world. People seem to be questioning it more than singing it’s praises. It’s said to pump out 7,000 micro vibrations per minute to “break down” the powder for seamless blending. It also claims to provide baby smooth skin that lasts for up to 14 hours. It comes in 12 shades and costs a pricey $48.
I’ve been trying to understand what the vibrations are good for, but I’m at a loss. It could be to stimulate the skin in a Clarisonic type way? However, when I apply foundation to models and actors, I get the best results by lightly buffing it in, and I feel like vibrations might be too rough, especially at a speed of 7,000 a minute!
I’m not going to be testing out this foundation, but I would love to hear reviews of those who have!!
Temptu Hits Sephora!
At Home Airbrushing- Do or Don’t?
Professional makeup artists have known about Temptu for years, and now, regular makeup consumers will soon be in the know about this popular airbrushing brand. On September 15th, Temptu launched their new airbrush system in Sephora’s nationwide, giving the general public a chance to spray their way to flawless skin!
The Temptu AIRbrush system comes with the mini, light weight compressor and airbrush gun. “The Air Pod Foundations” are sold separately, in sets of two. There is also the option to by blush and a highlighter, also sold in “pod” form that can be sprayed through the airbrush gun.
So this all sounds fabulously exciting, but what are the downsides?
First of all the cost! It is $225 for the Airbrush set (gun and compressor), not including the actual makeup. If you want your foundation, tack on another $55! These prices alone makes this new makeup must-have seem depressingly out of reach for a lot of women.
I am very skeptical of how well this new product will do in Sephora, if the price doesn’t make women run for the hills, how about the unconventionality of product in general? Sephora’s website talks about how hygienic it is, and how there is no more need for brushes or sponges. This is definitely true, but add on the time you MUST spend cleaning your airbrush gun after each and every use, and all of a sudden, you might start to miss your sponges after all! Airbrush guns are very temperamental and need to be taken care of in order to work properly.
I hate to sound like a downer because I actually love Temptu and own one of the airbrushes, but this just does not seem like the most practical investment for Sephora customers.
One other thing to remember: You do not need an airbrush to achieve flawless looking skin! The magic is in the application and it is entirely possible to make yourself look thick and cakey even when using an airbrush. I challenge you to find what works best for you! I have not tried this particular product yet, so if you love it, please let me know!
