Tools

Ladies...dump out those bags! It may be time to brush up on your current go-to cosmetic tools.

Buzz in the makeup world continues to tout the importance of quality makeup ingredients...and rightly so. But never forget that a truly beautiful, fast and precise makeup application is achieved by the condition and type of brush used.

Your cosmetic brushes are the most important beauty tools you'll use on your face and are necessary to ensure a flawless and professional makeup session!

There are many hair types and materials used in crafting top of the line cosmetic brushes…below are a few tips to help you choose the best brushes for optimum results!

When shopping for pro- artisan tools look for:

·   Natural quality brushes made with glam black goat hair, known for its softness and strength, or pony and badger hair.

·   Synthetic fibers such as taklon are best used for concealer and eye shadow application.

·   Brushes with wooden handles - most makeup artists prefer wooden handles for both durability and control.

·   Quality metal ferrules with deep ribbing – designed to keep the brush from wobbling and the hair from separating.

At Likehers.com we only carry handmade natural glam black goat hair cosmetic brushes for our Kabuki, Bronzer, and Blusher. We also offer an animal-friendly Taklon Concealer and Shadow brush made specifically for the delicate eye area.

Remember, you should only have “one face” so treat it well!

Professional must-have brushes include:

·   A Kabuki brush with full domed head – use with minerals, face and body powders or color.

The name kabuki comes from a style of Japanese theater defined by actors who wear heavy, stylized makeup.

·   A concealer brush with taklon fibers offers coverage without caking

·   Bronzing brush with a flat base – ideal for highlighting and contouring

·   A Blush brush with a domed head offers medium coverage – use with color, powders or glitter

·   Shadow brush with taklon fibers is ideal for the delicate eye area and blends color beautifully

 High-quality cosmetic brushes with proper care can last a lifetime…

It’s recommended to clean brushes occasionally with a mild makeup cleaner using warm water. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and lightly pat dry. Always ensure brushes are completely dry before your next makeup application. 

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Photo by Blue Fig Studio

Lady Legs

At 5 foot tall I've learned to embrace the phrases that come with being petite, such as; little, tiny, cute & the ever so recent favorite shorty.

And though I genuinely enjoy being slight of frame,  I never seem to tire of finding ways to pull together and elongate my overall look.

So whether you've been blessed with a  small, tall, voluptuous or athletic frame - below are some universal tips to help us look and feel our best.

• Clothes with a tailored fit

Nothing makes you feel like your schlepping it more than walking around in over-sized clothes that seem to have swallowed you up whole. Look for items that fit well.

• Keep up with new trends

Maybe take a peek inside some of the Jr departments...you'll find some fun new trends walking around and on the racks! But please only one trend at a time...and depending on age keep it appropriate.

• Nude colored shoes

If you want to achieve the look of a long and lean leg reach for a nude colored shoe. If you want those same legs to look like they go on for days and days...make sure they also have a pointy toe.

A skin-colored shoe will create an illusion of the leg continuing - the pointy toe will further draw the eye outward creating even more length.

 

The Blow Out

So, you got the $100 haircut? Ummm... yep!?

The same product your stylist swore you should buy? Got it!

And the brush you noticed EVERYONE in the salon manipulating, just to create that perfect style?

Check! Check! And a big fat Chaa-eck!

"So how does my hair not look the same when I style it, compared to the way it looks the day I leave that famous salon chair?"

It's the same question I hear again and again... and though I've heard many answers trying to explain away what most patrons would consider a blatant conspiracy to cover up botched haircuts...

I can assure you,  it's usually nothing of the sort.

It's true as they say, a professional cut is always important. And the right tools combined with a good product can do wonders.

BUT... without a good Blow Out, it's all for naught.

Your cut was a creation meant to be styled...

So, no matter how much you'd like to quickly jump out the shower, throwing on clothes and a fresh swipe of gloss to your lips...the idea of speeding to work, with hair sopping wet and windows down hoping the fresh air will dry your "new do" into submission, just ain't gonna happen.

Like pretty much EVER.

But please, please, please... freak not out my sweets! If you know your way around a blow dryer and are privy to a few simple tips & tricks, even a poor haircut can lead itself to the latest and greatest hair trend!



To get started you will need:

• Smoothing gel (we love smoothing - Straight Works by Paul Mitchell)
• Blow dryer
• Round barrel brush (smaller for short hair, larger for medium & long hair.
• Flat paddle brush
• Aerosol sunscreen

After towel drying hair, run a small amount of straight works through from roots to ends. Distribute evenly before blow drying.

Using your paddle brush and fingers to lift and separate hair, continue to dry, keeping hair pulled taught while applying heat until slightly damp.

Now part hair from the top center of the forehead to the back of the neck. Then part the remainder of the hair from ear to ear.

When finished you should be left with four sections, twist and clip each section of the hair out of the way.

You are now ready to dry your hair section by section with a round brush using 2-inch subsections of hair. Concentrate on the roots for volume and then round out to the ends drying and smoothing until complete.

Working in a systematic way will help to achieve a dramatic salon quality blow out.

Tip # 1 - don't forget to section, section, section!

Tip # 2 - always keep hair pulled taught while applying heat.

Tip # 3 - dry in 2 inch subsections.

Once complete, spray an aerosol sunscreen into the palm of your hands, rub together and then lightly run through the ends of the hair avoiding your roots.

The sunscreen is perfect for smoothing out any frizzies and protecting your color from the suns fading rays.

And VOIlLA...the perfect Blow-Out with out the crazy melt down!!