More Posh Brushes

So...my eye shadow playdates hadn't been goin' so well, why? Because I'm hyper-impatient and was experimenting through a combination of finger/mini-sponge. That's right. I had not invested in any good eye makeup brushes and shadow upon shadow was resulting in major disappointment. I had just one which was too big to use for shading and blending of different colors.

A few weeks ago, I made myself by the Posh 4 Piece Duo Eye Brush Travel Kit. Yes, I actually had to make myself spend money on beauty tools. I kept telling myself that I'd rather save it for a bigger, better purchase, which never came, largely because I wasn't equipped to use the bigger, better purchases.

Like the other Posh brushes I've had good experiences with (the retractable kabuku and blush brush), these have also been a pleasant revelation. The brushes are soft and non-irritating, and shed little. Plus, the little zipper case is very cute and easy to integrate into my amazingly busy and exciting life.

Drugstore brand Apt. 5 has exact replicas of all the Posh brushes at half the price (or less). Mine is a Posh original from KMart. Definitely an investment for those who are working with their makeup looks but don't want to spend too much on beauty tools they won't use too often. $9.99 @ KMart or Use code UA123 or CC123 for 50% off @ Poshbrushes.com

As a fellow blogger just pointed out, yes, with 4 dual-ended brushes, it's like getting 8 brushes! Thanks :)

On Indian Beauty

Do you want this woman giving you beauty advice? To be fair, the woman pictured on the left has been called the Helena Rubinstein of India - mighty impressive if you ask me. She is Shahnaz Husain, Indian beauty entrepreneur whose Ayurvedic products reach the likes of yours truly from New Delhi to New York. Read about her empire in "Indian Beauty" from the Wall Street Journal.

I myself am a total sucker for "natural" skincare and beauty products, particularly if they are from reputable Indian brands, including Shahnaz Husain, Biotique, and Himalaya Herbal Healthcare. When it comes to Shahnaz, I've had pretty good experiences with the line's kajal eyeliner, moisturizer, and an occasional face "pack" or two. Don't know how I feel about the company's philosophy or business aspirations, but wouldn't it be funny if this was the face behind the latest addition to Sephora, QVC, or Whole Foods?

On a more serious note, I do think it would be a refreshing addition, and would be thrilled to find such products at popular stores rather than hunting them down in Little India or Jackson Heights in NY. Can't say the prices would be so pleasing, but let's see what happens.

Here's to Husain's rosy aspirations...

Posh Brush Knockoffs from Apt. 5

I guess I haven't updated everyone on my quest to find the Posh Retractable Blush Brush. I refused to buy it full-price online, and KMart is sold out (they aren't available at Kmart online either). I checked out some at the drugstores, but wasn't psychologically or emotionally satisfied by them. Until yesterday.

First of all, San will attest to how good the Duane Reade on the concourse level at Penn Station is. I don't know why, but it carries a whole load of goodies that the lower level one does not. I find all sorts of new or hard-to-find products there.

Yesterday, I spotted a row of black and red brushes from drugstore line Apt. 5 that are identical to the Posh ones. And I mean identical. Had I not checked, I would've mistaken them for Posh. They have exactly the same kinds of brushes, same design, same packaging (with one minor exception - the Apt. 5 ones don't come in a reusable zipper pouch).

Best part - the Apt. 5 ones are half the price.

The minute I spotted the retractable blush brush, I had to have it. I opened it when I got home and compared it with the Posh Kabuki I have, and my, was I impressed. Again, almost identical quality. Using this to apply my blush was infinitely easier than using the kabuki - there's some duh factor involved here, don't remind me.

It's a miracle I even found these. They were lined up in the display of some new Maybelline mineral makeup, and not anywhere near the regular Apt. 5 makeup/brushes. I'd also been in a few other drugstores over the last few days and had not spotted them.

I can't find these online, and some sites are saying Apt. 5 is no longer available for purchase - I guess I haven't seen their cosmetics in a while, although I do often see their brushes. I'm not sure if the Posh copycats are new or discontinued.

Getting your hands on these will surely be a hunt, but well worth it especially if you're not interested in paying even the Posh prices for makeup brushes. $5.99 @ god knows where but if you live in NYC, go to the Duane Reade located on the upper level of Penn Station near the NJ Transit!

Posh Retractable Kabuki Brush

Ever since Sania whipped out her retractable brush at Sephora to swipe some NARS' Taos over my cheeks, and ever since I discovered CG Cheekers Blush in Golden Pink, I knew I had to find the perfect brush. I already have the economical and eco-friendly brush set from Eco Tools, but those are proper, long-handled brushes whose portability isn't so great. I know this because one morning at work, I stuffed the blush brush in my pocket along with blush to apply in the bathroom - felt like a handy-man. Not efficient or ideal in the least.

Sania pointed me towards the popular Posh makeup brushes available at KMART. I loved her retractable kabuki, and had been eying TheBalm's Mini Kabuki Brush (a steal for $10), so the Posh Retractable Kabuki Brush seemed like the natural choice. I'm pleasantly surprised at the quality of this brush and how much of a difference it truly made in applying my face powder and blush.

The soft bristles didn't irritate my sensitive skin at all, and picked up just the right amount of blush and powder. This is the first brush I've ever used for powder and I can't believe I was this late in doing so - those stupid little sponges don't do squat! I loved the natural, buffed look it gave with powder, but it may be a bit too large for applying blush, especially since the CG compact is just a rectangular pan of color and you have to dip a few times to coat the brush evenly - it would have been perfect for a large round compact or a pot of color. I may give the Retractable Blush Brush a try to see if it the smaller shape makes a difference.

Makeup brushes are often more expensive than the makeup itself and although I've been intrigued by makeup tools like M.AC.'s Brush #187, this is an "investment" that I haven't particularly cared to make. Now that I've discovered Posh, however, it's easy to reap the benefits of good tools for makeup application. The best part? You can take these sturdy, retractable babies with you anywhere. The regular-sized ones are just a couple of bucks more, and the kabuki comes in a neat little leather case. At these prices, it's well worth it, especially if you regularly use face makeup. They are more expensive if ordered from the company website, so hunt them down at your local KMART or other health/beauty store - you won't regret it. $30.00 @ Posh ; $12.99 @ KMART

Agent #187

Everytime I read an MUA review (individual product review here), I inevitably encounter the famous M.A.C Brush #187. I'm intrigued. Once I find the perfect powder and brush, I'm convinced that this will The Brush To Have. I know I just wrote about the Eco Tools brush set, but this is in a totally different league. It wasn't until I saw the picture that I realized what power this brush must possess. It definitely is more than a little beautiful and impressive looking - seems like it would be up for any task. Made out of goat hairs - how luxurious. Perhaps what they say about the tools is right - I'll have to figure out how to experiment with this one.

I would add this to my wish list, but it's too soon. When I have the right products, perhaps. $42.00 @ M.A.C Cosmetics

Eco-Tools

I'm still rather clueless about using makeup brushes, but I do know how to wield a blush or powder brush rather decently. That's what I'm excited about this 5-piece makeup brush set I purchased from the drugstore a while back. Eco Tools Bamboo 5-Piece Brush Set is VERY reasonably priced and the quality so far has been impressive.

These brushes feature real bamboo handles and synthetic bristles. The set is equipped with the most basic tools anyone obsessed with makeup (or not) will likely want to use/test at some point or another - a Blush Brush, an Eye Shading Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Lash and Brow Groomer, and Concealer Brush.

Best of all, these brushes come encased in a cool, sturdy wraparound case that can be tied closed. I'm not at the level of indulging in expensive makeup tools yet (or may never be), so this has proven to be a great value. Also, validated by both Sania and MUA reviews - 'nuff said. $12.00 @ Drugstores and $14.99 @ Ulta

Steal of Steels - Best Sharpener

I think one of the best things about Sephora isn't the make-up, but the make-up tools. Only because its hard to figure out why there are so many and why they are so over-priced. Many people say, however, that application is all in the tools you use so perhaps someday they will all become less mysterious to me, I'll learn how to use them, and most importantly, I'll have the resources to actually purchase them. In the meantime, my little drugstore finds will have to do.

One item that is most definitely a bargain, especially when compared to something similar at Sephora, is a nifty little steel eyeliner sharpener - the Prestige Duo Sharpener Stainless Steel No. 6002. It reminds me of the little pencil "cutters" I used as a kid in India (the brief year I was there at age 7...) They could sharpen anything, smoothly and without damaging the pencil in the least. Plus, they were extremely sturdy and never dulled. The Prestige one for eyeliners looks very similar to those, being classically round, made of steel, and with 2 different-sized holes that sharpen regular and chubby pencils. I also love it because it doesn't take up much space and is easy to clean. And I promise it will never break. I bought one a while ago and realized how much better than my crappy plastic one it was. Of course I lost it in the make-up bag that is probably orbiting around in space right now, but because it's so cheap, I went out and replaced it with 2 - one for my bag, and one for home.

Some people might not like that it doesn't have a container to catch the shavings, or that the itty bitty pieces of liner can smudge in your bag but I say - who cares? It's nice to be old-school about something, especially one that works so well and is so inexpensive. $2.95 @ Drugstores and online.

On Solano Sapphire Collection Professional Straightening Iron

I have been using this straightener since high school/college. It was all the rage then (such things become rages when you live in Great Neck), and for good reason. It is the best straightener I have ever used, although I must say that I have not used many because this has been such a great tool. It was my first one and I have never felt the need to buy another. The 2 1/4-in plates are perfect for thicker, wavier/curlier hair and although it is a bit heavy, I feel that a good iron should be. Those thin, lightweight ones from the drugstore don't look like they can do much, and the newer, more expensive ones are overrated and overpriced. It has never fried my hair and creates a nice smooth, shiny finish, not that fried and dried look. Mine is about 5 years old and going strong. Definitely an investment you will not regret.