Audrey Dao

MAC 266 Angle Brush Review ($19.50) For creating sharp, precise lines. This brush has fibres which are carefully arranged to form a perfect angle. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules. (15 cm in length)

My Thoughts:

I love this angled brush. It has lasted me for years and is still going strong. I use this to apply gel, cream, or powder liners (perfect for the cat eye flick!) and sometimes to fill in my brows. The bristles are firm and thin and not scratchy at all. It is suprisingly very soft. It is very well made and you won’t experience shedding. You can never go wrong with MAC brushes.

Shadow Shields ($9.99 for 30) Shadow Shields are disposable, light-weight adhesives that easily attach under the eye to catch falling makeup residue and prevent the need for unnecessary touch-ups! The adhesive on the back of the shield is strong enough to hold it in place so users can keep their hands free, while also being gentle enough for the sensitive skin around the eyes.

My Thoughts:

So, I was meandering around Sephora when I discovered a new product: Shadow Shields. My immediate thought was : “Ooo…! I wanna try these out!” Since I didn’t know much about them, I went home and googled Shadow Shields. I found their site and a review from one of the many many beauty blogs I follow: Musings of a Muse.  After reading about it, what did I do? I placed my order. I recently got my order of Shadow Shields. I would just like to first mention how quickly I received my order. The order was placed during the weekend. I forgot which day. You wanna know when I received them? The following Tuesday! How quick was that!? My order was processed, packaged, mailed, and received all by Tuesday. That is just two business days! Usually when you order something online, it takes about a week or maybe longer for your package to get to you. I am still in complete awe.

Anyways, back to the review. So as many of you know, I love smoky eyes. One of the negative things about applying eyeshadow is the fallouts and the smearing you get when you apply eyeshadow. Shadow Shields is a complete God sent gift. No more fallouts. No more smearing. No more holding a tissue underneath your eye with one hand and trying to apply eye makeup with the other. With Shadow Shields, I can now pile on all the eyeshadow I want and not have to worry about anything.

The adhesive is divided into 3 pieces: 2 corner and a middle strip. I find that all I need to use is the 2 corner adhesives and the Shadow Shield stays in place. If you feel you need a stronger hold, use the middle strip also. I heard some people complaining that the adhesive is too strong and when they peel it off, it tugs on their skin. I don’t have that problem, because when I stick it on, I just lightly stick it to my undereye. I don’t press down on the adhesive. There is no need to. Lightly placing the Shadow Shield underneath your eye is good enough for it to stay in place. Also, by applying it lightly to your undereye, you eliminate the risk of the adhesive ruining your face makeup. If you’re worried about not knowing how to use it/apply it, Shadow Shields comes with easy-to-follow directions with pictures. See picture below. I really recommend you give Shadow Shields a try.

I suggest you order from the Shadow Shields site instead of getting it from Sephora. The Shadow Shields site sells a box of 30 for $9.99. At Sephora, a box of 30 costs $16. Even with the cost of shipping, it still comes out to be less than $16.

(Photos from Temptalia)

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MAC Magic Mirth and Mischief Do-the-Trick Buff and Line Brush Set ($49.50)

An exclusive brush kit of five key buff-and-line brushes: 168SE, 187SE, 209SE, 219SE and 252SE in a small, rectangular makeup bag of polished silvery-pewter vinyl, the zip adorned with a round bead and grosgrain ribbon detail. Limited edition.

MAC Magic Mirth and Mischief Morning Noon & Knight Everything Eye Brush Set ($49.50)

An exclusive kit of five key brushes: 194SE, 204SE, 224SE, 266SE and 275SE in a small, rectangular makeup bag of polished silvery-pewter vinyl, the zip adorned with a round bead and grosgrain ribbon detail. Limited edition.

MAC Magic Mirth and Mischief Wave of a Wand Sweep and Define Brush Set ($49.50)

An exclusive kit of five key brushes: 129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE and 275SE in a small, rectangular makeup bag of polished silvery-pewter vinyl, the zip adorned with a round bead and grosgrain ribbon detail. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

I actually didn’t get any of the brush sets from this collection. Why? I mean it seems like a great deal right? You get 5 brushes for the cost of 2-3 brushes. I used to think like that too. That is why I used to get the brush sets from MAC instead of buying them individually. It turns out, the brushes that come in the brush sets do not perform as well as the regular full-size brushes. I found the brush sets would shed so much more than the regular brushes. Also, the brush sets do not feel as soft as the regular brushes. The regular brushes are much better quality because they are hand-made while the brush sets are manufactured. Even though you are saving money by buying the brush sets, it’s better to spend more money and invest in quality brushes that will last you a life time.

Smashbox Arced Liner Brush #21 ($20) Apply liner like a pro with our best-selling precision brush. The same brush head as our popular EYE LINER BRUSH #8 with an ergonomic bend to conform to the shape of the eyes, providing better control and flawless application in one quick, easy stroke. Use it to apply CREAM EYE LINER, JET SET WATERPROOF EYE LINER, or any EYE SHADOW along the lashline and inner rim.

My Thoughts:

This brush makes applying makeup along the lashline so easy. The bent tip allows for easy control and precise application. I love how thin the brush is too. This brush holds up very well and has lasted through many washes. If you find appying liquid, gel, or cream liner difficult, I highly recommend this brush.

Sephora Professionnel Smudge Brush #14 ($13)

What it is:
This brush applies shadow with precision, blends colors, and diffuses smudge lines along the eye area.

What it does:
The short bristles offer maximum color control and move shadows easily for a smoky effect. It’s a must-have for creating an optimal smoky eye—and is small enough to use over the entire lid if you choose.

My Thoughts:

I love this brush. I use it to smudge my liner for the perfect smoky eye. The bristles are stiff, but yet soft. The handle is small for easy control and great for traveling. I’ve washed this brush so many times and it hasn’t fallen apart. A great quality brush!