Brains Plus Beauty

Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove

2013-02-18T15:59:00.001-08:00

I couldn't be more than happy to see Sigma Beauty's new product which is the spa brush cleaning glove. It was like the answer to my brush cleaning blues which takes a lot of time, a lot of water and a lot of cleanser. I have already been impressed with the Sigma Dry'n Shape tool which they released a while ago to quickly dry the brushes but these brushes to quickly clean the brushes seem to be a great marriage.

Description
"The Sigma Spa™ Brush Cleaning Glove was specially designed as a quick, easy and effective method to deep clean your makeup brush collection. The revolutionary device offers a variety of necessary textures and surfaces for removing all makeup from brushes while using only a small amount of cleaning solution. The dual-sided glove provides a complete cleaning process for both eye and face brushes. Patent pending."

This product comes in 4 colors, aqua, black, pink and purple, and also comes with a microfiber glove to wear under it for comfort. One side is made to clean face brushes and the other side for eye brushes. Both sides wash, rinse and refine brushes.

This retails for $39 on www.sigmabeauty.com. I ordered mine today in aqua and will do a review once I receive it.

For a demonstration check out the video below:

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New Year, New You?

2013-01-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

Does a new year actually mean a new you? Many seem to think so but January 1st of any year doesn't actually mean anything more than the first of any month or the beginning of any new week. Bottom line is that each day we are given the chance to do better and be better than we were the day before. That should be the measurement and comparison we make in order to improve and better ourselves.

So does anyone have any new year resolutions?

I still think it is fun to make them and try best to keep them.

Here are mine:

1. Rededicate myself to God. I believe the number one relationship is mine with God, the next one is that with myself. So in order for me to be better my relationship with God HAS to be better.

2. Complete task that I have been dragging my feet on. There are just some things I need to do that I haven't. Need to get those out of the way.

3. Blog! Why do I neglect my blog so much? I dont know, well I have an idea, but in any event I really need to focus on this blog cause I actually really enjoy doing this.

4. Stop wasting time on things that dont matter as much. Now this is true, I do waste countless hours doing things that dont benefit me the least. I need to limit my time on those things and focus more on things that can matter.

5. Get trained on skills I am interested in. Last year I had a new years resolution to learn to sew and only made 2 pillow case. FAIL! I need to take lessons to learn to sew and also other things I am interested in such as hair, makeup, etc. Whenever any of these classes are offered on groupon or Living Social I need to take full advantage. I took an into to DSLR last year at Living Social and really enjoyed it. I also need to use my camera more, lol.

Well that is all from me for now. Please share your resolutions and also what you think of New Years resolutions.

Lorac Pro Palette

2012-11-13T16:12:00.001-08:00

Today I received the Lorac Pro Palette in the mail and I couldn't be happier. I have been eyeing this palette for a while and decided to use the Sephora Friends and Family 20% discount for its VIB members to grab it.

This palette comes with an eye primer which I tested and its really good!

This palette comes with 16 colors. The top row are all matte colors and the bottom row are shimmery colors. For years I have been going back and forth on whether to get the Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 palettes but one thing that kept me from getting them was the fact that they both contain so many shimmery colors. I like more of a neutral every day look so I am always more drawn to matte colors. So when I found about about this palette I just had to have it. I read and watched reviews on it and all said good things.

Here are the swatches in the same order as they are in the palette. This is my first time doing swatches and it may not have been so smart to do them on my driving arm which is much darker than my face :-). As you can see the colors are very pigmented. Can't wait to try out some different looks with this palette.

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Instagram Photo A Day Challenge

2012-09-30T11:35:00.001-07:00

Me and my friend Shavonne decided to do a photo a day Challenge for the month of October. So if you have an Instagram, join in on the challenge!

My Flexirod Set Tutorial on Dry Hair to create waves

2012-09-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

This week I filmed and uploaded a tutorial on how I do my flexirod set. I always do them on dry hair and the method I use creates beautiful waves/beach waves. Hope you enjoy!

I quenched my thirst...Makeup Haul

2012-09-14T19:37:00.001-07:00

At work today I was itching to get off to go to the mall to do some makeup shopping. I started at Nordstrom's since the triple points is going on if you have a Nordstrom's debit card.

Bobbi Brown: From Bobbi Brown I got the Oil Free tinted moisturizer in Deep Tint, a lipstick in Uber Nude and a lip gloss in Naked Plum.

MAC: From the MAC counter I purchased a blush in Raizin, a prolong wear eyeshadow in Uninterrupted from their new collection Office Hours, and 3 eyeshadows from their main line Bronze, Mythology and All That Glitters.

If I had not already gotten enough, and spent enough, I headed over to Sephora looking for a Beauty Blender and to test out the Kat Von D tattoo concealer that I have heard so much about.

Kat Von D: Tattoo Concealer in Deep 34 and Deep 36.

When you get home and go in the bathroom to where you do your makeup with the lighting you use everyday you can really see whats really good and not so much. These are the items that remained winners, the rest will have to go back. This is good for me cause I spent so much! Clearly lost my mind!

First impressions:

Bobbi Brown: After I took my shower for the evening, I decided to test the products that I know I liked. The tinted moisturizer is really good. It just makes your skin look clearer. However it isn't very easy to blend and I would add this to my moisturizer to blend it into my skin.
The Bobbi Brown Uber Nude lipstick is a great nude for my complexion!

MAC: This eyeshadow is the perfect transition color. You can also wear it on its own without adding any other color with it to give your eyelids something, a little umph!

Kat Von D: I tested both of these concealers while in Sephora. The Deep 34 was great for under my eye. It blends very easy and doesnt look cakey at all. The Deep 36 will be used for any dark spots on my face that I of course want to conceal. A little goes a long long way.

Products I still want to purchase...

Kat Von D Load N' Lock Makeup Setting Mist

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick in Inspired

Tarte Amazonian 12-Hour Clay Blush in Natural

Beauty Blender

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In a Makeup rut...

2012-09-13T19:10:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had a moment when you were putting your face on and didn't like anything you own or was just bored with the products you still do like? I am currently going through that. Guess its the same thing as having a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. I may have to take a visit to the mall this weekend and load up on some products.

I have always wanted to try MAC's blush in Raizin. There is no time like the present to buy this. Why dont' I already own this???

I also should have owned MAC's blunt blush a long time ago. I think I will have to cheat on my Bobbi Brown bronzer in Deep Chocolate and use this to contour.

MAC's blush in peaches will give my skin just the glow it needs.

I also have always been interested in trying the Beauty Blender. So many YouTubers swear by this. I know it is sold at Sephora but rarely see it there so may have to order this online.

I like but no longer love my concealers. I think I want to try the Laura Mercier camouflage concealer kit a try. Will let you know what I think of it.

I need some lipsticks so have been searching which ones may look the best on me. I fell upon MAC's mocha lipstick above. I also want a deep rich red/brown lipstick for the FALL. I will see what one of the makeup artist recommends.

I am sure I will stumble across a few other things to buy (possibly even the NAKED palette by Urban Decay that I constantly go back and forth on with whether to buy or not, we will see).

I will definitely show my goodies once I get them. :-)

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Final review: Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

2012-09-11T16:31:00.001-07:00

It has been over a month since I purchased the Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution and since the bottle is currently empty (as seen above) I can now do a final review.

Long story short, I liked this product. I definitely saw my dark spots lighten in particular the ones on the face. The ones on my body lightened slightly but I believe it is always harder to lighten spots on your body versus your face.

Would I repurchase?
Definitely. I believe with a second "round" of usage the very faint spots on my face would go away completely and the spots on my body would lighten even more.

Pros: Easy to use, results as described, applicator.

Cons: Price (retails for $49.50)

Unfortunately (and absentmindedly) I did not take before and after photos :( but this product is definitely worth trying out.

If you decide to try it, definitely let me know what you think about it.

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Fall Fashion Trends for 2012

2012-09-06T17:22:00.001-07:00

If you are as excited as I am for fall then this post should find you in good spirits. Its that time of year again! The kids are back in school, soon the leaves will start changing colors and most importantly you can dress to impress. Fall is my favorite season of all for fashion. The only downside about fall is that its right next to winter and this season is so short, it doesn't go on and on like winter and summer seem to do. Not fair! :-( Anyway, its best to make the most of it with nice clothes.

The season is all about rich jewel tones, animal print...actually print period, lace, leather and many other trends that are surely popping up.

My mail has been flooded with fall trends. There are so many beautiful things to choose from. I have highlighted some that I especially liked.

On the left from Bebe and on the right from Piperlime by Joe's

Colored jeans will be very popular this fall but its time to turn in our lovely pastels that we wore in the spring and summer for jeweled tone denim. These are gorgeous and can be used to color block, pair with a chambray top, with a blouse, sweater...the options are limitless.

Top from Zara, dress from BCBG and pants from Piperlime by Joe's

Lace is also pretty big this fall. There are so many ways to wear it as well. Whether you choose to have a full on lace ensemble or just a lace top, this is a very elegant and feminine touch to your fall fashion look.

Dress from Zara, pants from Zara, assymetric peplum skirt from Zara

Animal print has been popular throughout the years and is of course in full swing for this Fall. Its classic and chic. My favorite animal print is leopard.

Skirt from Zara, pant from Zara, pant from BCBG and leather patch legging from BCBG

Leather is all the rave this fall. Its edgy, rocker, classic and chic. You can easily give yourself a little edge by adding a leather piece. Since my style isn't edgy, I would mix an leather pant with a feminine lace top to balance the two.

Pants from Zara

Trousers from Zara, Floral denim from Piperlime by Goldsign, Jeans from Zara

Printed pants have transitioned from their lighter floral and graphic prints in Spring to deeper colors for the Fall.

Sweater from BCBG and Sweater from Zara

Knits are always in style for Fall since the weather is cooler and you have to stay warm. While staying warm it is always important to stay stylish.

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Fall 2012 Makeup

2012-09-05T16:47:00.001-07:00

Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing of the colors of the leaves, the cooler weather down but not cold and the fashion. It is a beautiful time of year. But along with the fashion trends, there are definitely makeup trends. What I am constantly seeing in cosmetics companies from high end to low end are deep earthy rich colors. This comes as no surprise since those are the same colors I am seeing in fall fashion 2012 clothing.

Maybelline Fall 2012 line

MAC's Yung Rapunxel

I am especially seeing deep reds and plum lipsticks. What's so special about these colors are that they go with all skintones. From the most fair to deepest skintones, these colors look great!

For the eyes this fall, instead of the normal smoky black eye, a smoky brown eye will be more on trend.

If you want a more dramatic eye this fall, a more futuristic look may be something you would want to try.

No matter what you try remember makeup is fun but also blend, blend, blend. :)

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My trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2012-09-03T08:57:00.001-07:00

My husband and I joined my god sister Dayna and her sister (my other god sister), her boyfriend and friends in Cabo San Lucas for her 30th birthday celebration. We arrived on Thursday, August 23rd and were there for 5 days and 4 nights. We stayed at the Dreams Resort.

View from our hotel looking onto the beach....ahhhhhh....

This looks like a wedding on the beach however it is just a set up for eating on the beach in the evening.

Look at the Infiniti pool which we did sneak and slide down this part. Shhhh..

This is a slide for the smaller pool that connects to the main one.

View of the hotel...

My husband showing his "golf" skills.

Look at this cool gigantic chess board!

This was from one of the many restaurants on the resort, this one is called Oceana. Our waiter Julian hooked us up! My husband just loved the tuna steak from here and got it almost daily.

This is the birthday girl on the left and her BFF Jennifer on the right.

This is a view from when we were on the Booze Cruise. This was called a Love Cove or something like that.

This is another special place in Cabo. If you want through here with her spouse, supposedly you will never divorce.

This is the entrance to the Booze Cruise.

Dayna, Maxine and Candice

We snorkeled while on the Booze Cruise, so had the towels ready. Although who needed towels when it was so hot you felt like you immediately dried off.

My godsister's boyfriend's t-shirt was hilarious!

"Bikini Patrol - Lotion Rubbing Expert"

This cool slide that is in the middle of the water.

Just me. When you are the photographer you barely have any pics of yourself.

I have many other pics but will stop here. For now...
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Makeup Organization

2012-08-13T17:50:00.001-07:00

I love organization and am all about having things on display so I can use them. As they say "out of sight, out of mind". These are a few of my main makeup organizers that I use daily. I actually keep the main organizer left out on the bathroom sink so I can do my makeup daily. I keep the lipstick organizer in a drawer right by my makeup.

I purchased this makeup organizer from Target. It retails for less than $20. I love it because it has different compartments for brushes, compacts, pencils, mascaras, lipglosses, etc, etc, etc. From top left to right I have my main face brushes from www.sigmabeauty.com. Then I have my smaller brushes and combs for things like eyebrows, eyeliner, etc. In the next "row" I have my main eye shadow brushes which is a mixture of brushes from Mac, Sigma and one from my MyGlam.com monthly package. The next set of brushes are my blush brushes. In the main middle section I keep my blushes, bronzer, a few eyeshadows, gel eyeliners, concealer and my kabuki brush. At the bottom I have my face powders and eye shadow quads. In the middle I have my liners, mascaras, and some q-tips. And finally in the bottom right section I have lipglosses, my primer and lip liners.

I purchased this lipstick holder from the Container Store for $5.99. It holds 24 lipsticks. A few are in my purse so this isn't full. :)

Hope you enjoyed my makeup organization "tour".
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Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3: Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

2012-08-12T18:42:00.001-07:00

I have been testing out this Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution for almost 2 weeks. I first saw this on DulceCandy's instagram and then later saw that she did a review of it included in either her haul or favorite's video on youtube. So I thought I would give it a try. After all I had a $20 giftcard from Nordstrom. This retails for $49.50 and is available at Nordstrom, Sephora, www.kiehls.com and a few other retailers. It claims to be a "fast-acting serum that evens skin tone and diminishes dark spots to impart overall radiance and luminosity to the skin". The reviews I saw on Nordstrom were all good, so why not give it a try.

It comes in a dripper (I think that is what its called, lol). And you squeeze out little by little to place on your dark marks and then rub it in. I got this especially for marks on my back and a couple on my chest. It isnt sticky and seems to be absorbed right into the skin. I put this on after I cleanse but before I moisture in the morning and at night.

This is on drip of the product in the middle of my hand.

And this is right after I rubbed it into my hand. I will continue to use it to see how it goes and come back with an actual review.
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A new awakening

2012-08-12T06:37:00.001-07:00

This morning I heard an excellent message given by Pastor Jenkins at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. It was about "Looking for a thirst that only God can quench". This sermon really awakened my spirit. Lately, for a very long time actually, I have been looking for something subconsciously to give me more gratification in life. Now don't get me wrong, I am very happy, have a wonderful husband, family and great friends, a good life. However I realized this morning that I wasn't in the word like I should be, like I use to be. I have started a few projects and thought about starting others but have really lacked follow through on those projects. I realized that this wasn't just me. My daily conversations with friends are about this same subject. The message taught me that ONLY God is able to quench a thirst and its insane (constantly doing something over and over again and expecting to get a different result) to seek other things as a means to get satisfied.
So starting today I will do the following:
1. Wake up early each morning and seek God first. I tend to wake up during the week complaining that its Monday again or focusing on how much I have to do with how little time I have to do it. Instead I will seek God first knowing that He can make a way out of no way. Also instead of saying "there is only 24 hours in a day" look at it like "Wow! There is 24 hours in a day. A whole 24 hours!". There is so much I can achieve and accomplish on both my professional and personal endeavors.
2. Praise God. I am going to do this by willingly by opening up my mouth to sing or shout praises and lifting up my hands in praise and worship. (Psalm 63:3-5). There is so much I have to be thankful for, focusing on those things plus the many blessings God has in store for me are key. There is so much I don't even recognize that God has done for me and others. He deserves to be praised. Lifting up ones hands is a sign of surrendering. I shall give Him my day to lead me.
3. Meditate on God's word at night before bed. (Psalm 63:6). There are so many distractions in life that are there purposefully to turn our attention away from God, especially in the night hour. Instead on allowing myself to be distracted, I will turn my attention to God and meditate on His word. How else will I learn His word?
By changing my approach on life I know that I will see many changes and I thank God in advance for them. This sermon has greatly helped me and I hope it can help you too. :)

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Find: Sam Edelman 'Celia'

2012-07-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

I just picked up these beautiful shoes from Nordstrom yesterday, called the Sam Edelman 'Celia'. Since the pointy toe is back in, I figured what the hay. Plus the snakeskin pattern is oh so pretty. I love animal prints that places the shoe in the neutral family so you are able to wear it with virtually anything. I am looking forward to dressing these up or down.

The Nordstrom anniversary sale official is set for July 20th, however, it is open to card holders now! I have a Nordstrom debit card which is pretty neat because it deducts the money right from your checking account and it keeps points for how much you spend. You enjoy benefits of receiving a gift card based on your number of points racked up and enjoying sales before the public. These were regularly $119.95 and I got them for $79.90.

ModiFace App

2012-07-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

I love beauty! Everything from hair to makeup etc. So when I discovered the ModiFace app on my iPad I was beyond excited.

This app let’s you grab either a picture from your Facebook, photo library or a choice of a few model pictures they have and change and try on foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, mascara, hair and many other things!

Then you can save the picture and get a list of the products you tried on with a link to purchase them!
My beauty lovers would love this app and think “why didn’t I think of this??”
This app is available for FREE in the app store or you can purchase the premium version of it on sale for $2.99. The premium version allows you to add jewelry, accessories and other cool features.

Update: Apple Diet...FAIL!!

2012-07-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

Admittance is only the first step to solve a problem. Unfortunately I have failed to follow through with the rest of the steps. I did make an effort but was pulled into the constant notifications on my phone, perhaps flipping it over so I won't see them would have helped, lol. I figured I could have worst hobbies such as drinking or drugs, lol. And many other excuses come to mind, lol. What I am going to do is flip over all device or shut them down (but not off since my phone is also my alarm) an hour and a half before bed. I read an article on Zite (another app that I love) which said that the light behind cell phones and computers keeps the mind "on" and makes you still sleepy after you get a night's rest (view article here http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/taking-energy?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-WomensHealth-_-Content-Health-_-DehydrationUnexpectedCauseOfTiredness ). I figured baby steps is better than no steps at all.

Also I used Phonto to make this picture. Pretty cool app!

The Apple Diet

2012-07-08T17:50:00.001-07:00

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away but what about when you have some type of Apple product in front of your face during every waking hour. Something is definitely wrong with this picture and I have just come to grips with my total Apple addiction. It can't be healthy when I am looking at blogs on my macbook, while playing Sims on my iPad and chatting with friends in Group Me on my iPhone all at the same time. Again, something is definitely wrong with this picture!! So starting Monday, July 9, 212 (its always better to start something on a Monday right?) I am officially putting myself on an Apple diet. I am expecting to have the usual side effects of any diet including but not limited to headache, crazy urges and sadness :-(. However I heard on some morning show (I barely ever watch them, so can't remember which one) that many people are becoming more comfortable with talking to a computer than actually interaction with one another. This is so true! Many people don't even make phone calls to share good news when they can just post a status.

My Apple Diet:

I plan to gradual limit my time so this will be for day one, or at least the first couple of days so I won't go into complete shock!

iPhone - Limit to 2 hours of tweeting, pinning, instagramming, messaging, texting and Facebooking a day. (may your prayers be with me)

iPad - Limit to1 hour of usage a day. This will deeply limit my building of my town in Sims. :( Womp!

Macbook - Limit to 30 minutes a day.

I will definitely check back in after a full day to share exactly how my diet is going. :)