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How to Find a Good Mascara Fan Brush

December 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment

WHERE TO BUY A GOOD MASCARA FAN BRUSH

Here is our round up of the good and the bad when it comes to Mascara Fan Brushes. There is a wide variety of quality and prices when it comes to finding a good Mascara Fan Brush. Here are a few we have tried:

The most popular mascara fan brushes are both around $20. These are the Mac 205 Mascara Fan Brush, and the Paula Dorf Perfect Mascara Fan Brush.

The Paula Dorf is one of my favorites because it is the widest and longest, the right combo of soft enough to maneuver around lashes while stiff enough to “paint” and the easiest to wield. Found mostly on eBay.
Mac 205 Mascara Fan Brush
Mac 205 Mascara Fan Brush. Frequently used by bridal makeup artists, the MAC 205 brush is probably 40% smaller, but has tiny soft wispy guard bristles that make it easier to remove clumps. The MAC is:
- Easier for those with the steady hands of a true makeup artist than a regular makeup fanatic like myself to use. But a little practice went a long way.
- When using the MAC 205, try to load the mascara onto the shorter fan bristles, not the longer guard bristles. Do this by bending and holding the longer guard bristles away from the shorter bristles with your finger while only coating the short bristles with mascara.
  - At eBay
  - On Amazon, third party seller
  - The Mac Cosmetics 205 Mascara Fan Brush is generally available at Mac, $20.

Other Mascara fan brushes:

SEPHORA COLLECTION: Pro Lash Fan #34, $21. Not very fan-like, but quality bristles, good shape for a beginner to load mascara onto the lash, doesn’t have the ability to create wispy lashes like the Paula Dorf, Claudio Riaz or Mac 205. But, this brush can do cream and cake mascara much easier than the other fan brushes.

Surprisingly, there was only one kind of Mascara Fan brush at Sephora at this time. That seems weird. Does anyone else think that is weird?

Claudio Riaz Lash Touch Brush, at Barneys, for $65.
- The Mercedes Benz/Rolls Royce/Jaguar of Mascara Fan Brushes.
- A bit steep, but a VERY good brush with nice heft and ease of handling, which is good for klutzes like myself. Nice width to the fan which covers about half the lash line.
- Bristles are high quality and easy to work with, easy to get fluttery, wispy lashes with this one. I could argue buying a cheaper mascara or not being loyal to any one mascara or in a mascara emergency, using a drugstore brand (gasp!) and still getting a nice high-end look with the ease of use on getting a nice, clump-free look with this brush.
Royal and Langnickel BX-145 Revolution Fan Mascara Brush
- hard to find stateside, but ships to North America
- reasonably priced
- nice gentle guide feature on the bristles
- Easier to de-clump with, harder to get wispy lashes.
Ben Nye also makes a Mascara fan brush, it is around $8, haven’t tried it yet.

So far, I have not found a drugstore/beauty chain store version of a Mascara fan brush that I like. Most are too stiff to apply mascara or to wiggle it into the root of the lash line, and it is not really a fan shape, more like an eyeliner push brush.

For this reason we cannot recommend the Bdellium Tools Makeup Cosmetic Beauty Brush Travel Line – Mascara Fan Brush 731. Most drugstore and beauty supply store fan brushes seemed a variant of this overly rigid push liner brush style, but I would be happy to find a good basic mascara fan brush if anyone knows of a good one.

Chosungah 22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker

May 5, 2015 · Leave a Comment

I wasn’t planning on buying a new brow product.

My brows are not thin or sparse but I do overpluck occasionally on the tail and arch. And I have these peach fuzz hairs on the top of the brow that look better with a little color to make my brows appear lifted. But, I don’t like powdery brows and worry about Joan Crawford brow when I use a pencil and I don’t like how flat and matte the color of my brows are when I use brow mousse.

I browse Sephora.com before visiting the brick and mortar to know what to test in person. But this brand was new to me, and even new to the Sephora ladies. It caught my eye with the crazy candy store like packaging next to a sign that said:

Chosungah 22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker, $22 Popular Korean Beauty Brand Developed by makeup artist Chosungah. Unique, two-in-one angled applicator shapes brows long-wearing, smudge-proof gel formula.

It is sort of bulky and looks like a mini highlighter marker, so at first, I didn’t expect much. I am not even sure why I tried it, but I am sure glad that I did. Some features I really like:

It is gel based, so it is high pigment, no goopy cream. Brows look very natural, and only a little is needed because it is pigmented enough to be almost opaque. The texture reminds me a bit of my beloved, yet-to-be-duped, original formula Shu Uemura Basic Black mascara â€“ a gel with pigment that didnâ€™t quit or clump.
The applicator has a mascara spool wand with an angled sponge applicator tip for drawing in the eyebrow tail (if needed) this tip doubles nicely for eyeliner application. There is a flat side to fill in very sparse areas
While not the purpose of the product, this doubles as a great stay-on-all-day-where-I-put-it cover up for roots in-between coloring appointments.
Waterproof. Doesn’t wipe off or smudge during the day, and survived intact after my major mid-day dampened Beauty Blender foundation cleanup & re-do in the surrounding eye area.
No flaking. None. All day.

I can’t really say it styles the brows to keep them in place during the day like a brow gel set product such as LASHFOOD BROWFOOD Tinted Brow Enhancing Gelfix, because it is not at all sticky. Brow Maker deposits color on the tiniest of hairs. Did not need to re-apply during the day and it stayed fresh for more than 12 hours.

Clean up during application: For the first few uses, I had a few q-tips ready to clean up any product that accidentally got on my skin and used an eyelash comb to get out a tiny spot with two much product. It doesn’t clump. You don’t need much product to get the job done

Comes in four colors: Light Blonde, Grey Blonde, Medium Blonde, Black Brown. I am wearing black brown in the photos below, but I probably could have gone with medium blonde as well.

Usage Tips: Brush the applicator lightly against the eyebrow grain to color the hair. Style and shape the by lightly stroking the hair from the head of the brow towards the tail. To emphasize the brow-tail, use the sponge tip at the end of the brush to draw and lengthen.

VERDICT:

I really like it! Now part of my go-to makeup, my brows looked natural and full, without detectible product, even with multiple coats. The innovative Brow Maker brush gets every little peachy fuzz hairs. Recommended for those who have brows that could use some OOMPH not necessarily if most of your brow needs to be drawn on.

Chosungah 22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker is exclusive to Sephora for $22

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit is Back!

April 28, 2011 · Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year – the Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit is back at Sephora.com! This is a great way to try out several new sunscreens before you buy a great one to last you through the summer months (of course, you’ve been wearing sunscreen all year long…right??????). And it’s only $25!

Here’s the rundown:

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit (a $147 Value) for $25

What it is: A limited edition kit with 11 sun care products, one deluxe-sized sample, and a bonus beach tote.

What it is formulated to do: Sephora and The Skin Cancer Foundation are proud to present the fifth edition of the Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit ($147 Value) Sun Safety Kit. One of Sephora’s most popular sets, this year’s mix includes past favorites and new products that we can’t resist. The bonus tote bag is both travel- and beach-friendly. You’ll also get a Sun Safety Tip Card. It’s everything you need for sun-safe fun this summer.

This Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit contains:

– 0.03 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil
– 0.5 oz Boscia Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15
– 0.5 oz DDF Mattifying Oil Control SPF 15
– 0.7 oz Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30
– 0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips SPF 15
– 0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30
– 0.4 oz Philosophy Hope Oil Free SPF 30
– 0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA +++
– 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 With Dermaxyl Complex
– 0.33 oz Supergoop! Everyday SPF 30+
– 0.4 oz Supergoop! SPF 30 Sunscreen Swipe with Zinc for Sensitive Skin
– 0.5 oz TanTowel Plus Self-Tan Towelette For Face & Body
– Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Mini Flawless Application Brush
– Beach Tote

What else you need to know:
100 percent of the net profits from this kit will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found in the United States and is also one of the most preventable. Help others become aware of this growing problem while defending yourself against the sun’s harmful rays.

Get a Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Temporary Face Tightener free offer

January 23, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Sephora.comÂ has a 1/2 ounceÂ Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Temporary Face Tightener deluxe sample, free with any merchandise purchase.Â

The Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Temporary Face Tightener, also known as the Â Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMxâ„¢ Â full size is 3.4 ounces andÂ sells for $48 at Sephora, this is a Â½ ounce sample

Visit Sephora.com and use coupon code FIRMUP at checkout.

What Sephora.com has to say aboutÂ Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Temporary Face Tightener”

“Instant FIRMxâ„¢
What it is:
A quick fix formula that firms and smoothes age-revealing trouble spots instantly.

What it is formulated to do:
A fast acting formula, this prodcut instantly tightens, firms, and smoothes the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles so skin looks years younger, all day long. Its remarkable formula effortlessly erases skin creases, including on the forehead, crow’s feet, and laugh lines. Active firming agents remain on the skin, virtually rewinding the clock as they temporarily tighten problem areas.

Research Results:
Participants in a consumer study reported:
– 93%: The product worked instantly.
– 93%: Skin texture looked smoother.
– 86%: The face looked firmer.”

For a Sephora coupon code to try the Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel (0.07 oz) and other skincare samples, see the StyleChicks article “10 Free SkincareÂ Samples at Sephora with Code”