I promised Nimphe, Karen and the rest of my readers that I would get this post our at the weekend, and boy am I glad I'm finally able to stick to my promises...
Only God knows why, but I'm on a high today: I'm listening to Roxette (don't laugh, they were the only thing that kept me alive during high-school), cuddling with my cat, eating fruit gums (I know, I know, I shouldn't be, but I just don't care right now...), and generally feel like I'm on top of the world.
![](http://www.pic4ever.com/images/fly2.gif)
Reasons? Here are a few:
- My job.
Actually, the fact that I have one.
No more nagging from my parents and my own conscience, no more self-loathing and hopelessness, and most importantly no more empty pockets. Life's good. - Oh, and that we a have an extremely cool PC in our office with Windows 7. You know what I like best about Win7? Yep: StickyNotes. It's a lot of fun, extremely practical and useful, and just plain and simple cool.
- That I'm going to accompany my colleague to a trade fair in Nuremberg for a week in February, which gives me the opportunity to shop for a suitcase, a few sets of womens suits, shoes and other goodies.
- Music.
- The knowledge that if all goes well, I'll soon be the owner of another heap of Silk Naturals makeup.
- The sort of sunny-spell we're experiencing right now where I live.
-oOo-
Sorry for gushing and bragging as if it was Things I Love Thursday, but I just had to tell the world how happy I am for the first time in... well, a very long time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyONQdRyp3Ma0sHRkyknPaUkW-XiyzmMG1nFp5RZtTX9skX2MQabzCkot2156hyphenhypheneB2uY7yYx2kGmAXdGQUEhLM_0TMahKnQjLJBLaLIUHCGQPdo-neUp4ImJTIbPnHIdjL5mYzafxtPDK5/s320/Izar's+Brushes.jpg)
Now, about those brushes: out of the 4 I'm going to review today there's only one I haven't managed to befriend yet, so I guess you can start guarding your pockets/purses/wallets or any other accessories you use to store your money in. ;)
Silk Naturals
Fiber Optic Blush Brush
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx7HCReJDL8hRmNyOM_900JID9OTibTQMAH3mQ7-wBHovH1LFH_zUzAOWXayo0g-2-QEaIC5MC4W3dHPZBWZp8tDBmTyVJd7_TLrMgp68HnD1ISTnaYMKsTujHCYxM4hv8iDwHdTWNMEW/s320/Silk+Naturals+Fiber+Optic+Blush+Brush_Izar+.jpg)
Brushes like this one are also called stippling brushes which is not something you want to forget. What's "stippling" you ask? Well, allow me to explain.
![](http://www.pic4ever.com/images/121fs725372.gif)
In art stippling is when instead of strokes or lines you use an insane amount of small dots to create various degrees of shading. Take a look at this artist drawing a portrait to get the idea. You can use the same method to apply blush and achieve a really nice, natural effect, especially if you have to work with an intensely pigmented kind of powder.
Since brushes like this have a very thin head with a small amount hairs scattered on a relatively big surface, it's easy to use them as if they were a bunch of pointed paintbrushes joined together. Actually, this brush has two kinds of hair: one is short and black, and it is there to separate the other kind of hairs which are long and white, and which are the ones that'll pick up the blush and disperse it on your skin.
Ever since I bought it, it's been my favorite brush to apply my blushes with. You can, of course, use it as a regular brush and put on your blush with sweeping or circular motions, but in my opinion it's best to just "dot-sot-dot" all over your cheeks. It can also be used to apply liquid- or cream-foundation too, but since I don't use any of those, I wouldn't know how well a brush like this performs at that.
However, here's a girls who does: check out beechbum06's video on YouTube to see what I've been talking about in the past few minutes.
Silk Naturals' brush is $5.99 and is practically a steal when you consider how useful it is. (I actually had store credit with SN at the time I bough it so it was "free" for me, but I don't think it takes away from my objectivity as I still had to pay for shipping and all the other things I bought together with it.) It's a bit different from the average stippling brush I think: most of them seem pretty big in diameter while this one is only about 2 cm. It's probably a bit weird for people who're used to larger brushes, but let me tell you that this one's perfectly usable if you're willing to give it a chance. In fact, I think it's much better this way, because it allows for more precise application and better control over where you put your blush.
All in all, I totally recommend this brush: it's a cheap alternative for MAC brushes and it does the job perfectly. It does shed more than an EDM brush and washing does bring out some black gunge, but that stops after a while and then you have a perfect blush brush.
Rating: a solid 5 out of 5
Coastal Scents
Chisel Mini Detail Brush
Chisel Mini Detail Brush
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrJ2pispR3Gys4LsEAY2G1xB9EshjHM3LomVyAFNOlLmR0z0_xkDaV_n0U8HqTnzeJryd9t19PxPMWIqPsVRigmJrhe-DlOOsgxZ3vvGz9blrwqi-9zJ8SUS4IMPd6SWUaktNJ7chtvj9/s320/Coastal+Scents+Chisel+Mini+Detail+Brush_Izar.jpg)
I know, I know: it looks very unkempt upon first glance.
Even upon second glance, to be honest.
Fine, all right, whatever... It does look disheveled and tousled no matter how many times you look at it.
It doesn't really matter though. I had thought it was an eyeshadow brush and as far as I can remember it was advertised as one, but I've been know for going off the beaten path and using things in a different way that they were originally intended to. So I use this as a concealer brush and it works perfectly that way. It's small, it covers nothing else but the zit I'm trying to hide, and when you use it like this, it really doesn't matter how rumpled it is.
It retails for $1.99 at Coastal Scents and is a great buy if you want to conceal blemishes but find concealer brushes too big and clumsy.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Coastal Scents
Pink Oval Taklon Lips Brush
Pink Oval Taklon Lips Brush
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxh0D9V1AZBPHikaFpgAlPsYMagS_wpO8hHEijks2LjCyRik5xCEd2J44ukABxJJzU_OqQ78FXb4dVEGJo_-cA5cLfYweuADhJnrsqM-SBzROT7DU-9EIdH2_wWRfg5vpvwCRhHJHR7Hf/s320/Pink+Oval+Taklon+Lip+Brush_Izar.jpg)
Yeesh, photographing brushes is just like photographing your face: the camera catches every little detail and flaw you'd think doesn't normally show...
Okay, this one is a solid little brush, and since I've had it, I haven't once used it to apply lipstick with.
![](http://www.pic4ever.com/images/gigglesmile.gif)
However, it's perfect for applying dark, matte eyeshadows to the corner of your eyes and to contour your lids with. In one word, it was meant to assist you in creating a gorgeous smoky eye. Using it is like drawing with a pencil, but it's never once rough on the delicate skin around my eyes. It allows for precise application, and because of how thin it is, it's great to line your eyes with too providing you're using eyeshadow (preferably dry) and want to blend it a bit.
It's one of my favorite brushes ever, so I encourage you to get it for yourself too. For only $1.99 it's a great deal!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Coastal Scents Black Deluxe Shadow Brush
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGUEFH_jKOT3NzcC8vnl_Ro27i8JPxGE3vmgfjA7ObMCoROHqB6Y8D3r4n9s2B67jTTzaoVV8eUMZ0Qmty6AHpC7XkvQaYVYDBDj8_Y4Soe2QGm3qqp4v5MRhwEHW5Z-0BAy7m1jkjssu/s320/Coastal+Scents+Big+Deluxe+Shadow+Brush_Izar.jpg)
I guess this is what I get if I don't read the product description... I know it's written there in plain black and white that it has a 5/8 inch hair span and it says "big", but I honestly didn't expect it to be THIS BIG...!
That's completely my fault though, so I'm not going to blame Coastal Scents for my own laziness and stupidity. But honestly, what can you do with a brush that big? Me, I'm a fairly tiny* person, so not much obviously.
* Tiny as in "vertically": I'm 155 cm tall. I'm still working on the "horizontally" part...
![](http://www.pic4ever.com/images/4chsmu1.gif)
Anyway, I honestly can't tell you much about this one as I've only used it once or twice since I got it last spring. It's very dense, soft and pliable when I run my thumb over it, and I have a hunch that it's great to blend eyeshadow with, I just can't seem to figure out how to make it work on my eyes. Oh well, perhaps one day I'll experiment with it a bit, but for now it doesn't excite me that much.
It was $2.99, by the way.
Rating: 3 out of 5 ('3' only because it's a very well-made, good quality brush...)
Next post? Soon, I can tell you that much. ;) Topic? Silk Naturals lippies most likely with swatches. Also, I may just start swatching all my SN and Pure Luxe eyeshadows too. I've had them for ages and I still haven't managed to churn out a post about them...
This entry was posted
on Sunday, January 24, 2010
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Congrats on your job! I'm so happy for you! :) It must feel so great. Now you can buy more makeup, haha!
Well, now I want the Silk Naturals blush. I've wanted a brush like that for a looong time, I was very disappointed when EDM discontinued theirs and I haven't found an affordable alternative for it... until now. Gahhh! Must place order!
And hi there shorty, I'm not very tall either, 161 cm or so!
Also, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU! I bought the Freeman Pineapple mask and oh my god, it's a great products. I've used it for a couple of times, and every time it makes my skin so soft and radiant, like doll skin!
(You haven't answered my email, why the silence? :( )
Hey Sagu!
I'm working on that e-mail right now: today's the day when I finally have some time and can get back to all those people who have written to me. This week was all about my new job, last week I came down with something. But from next week I'm going to be an exemplary blogger. *biggrin*
I was just "telling" one of my friends how anxious I am when they tell me that they've just bought a product they saw recommended on my blog and will try it soon: I'm always hoping that they will like it just as much and not break out in rashes or hives from it. It's a big responsibility, but I'm so glad when someone reports back and says she loves the stuff. :-)))
And of course, it feels great to have a job! :-D Though I'll have to get myself a stool or something 'cause I can't reach the upper shelves and the folders on them. :-D
And I'm sooo going to buy more makeup: Fyrinnae and Sassy will be my next victims I think. :-D
Aren't I a total enabler? *Chesire cat grin* You'll love the brush, no questions about it. ;)
Hello Izar!
I am so glad to "see" you again so soon!
Thanks for the brushes review,it's very helpful.I have some brushes from EDM and Coastal Scents too, but none from Silk Natural and I now wish to try some of that, too. And some lippies from SN, of course.
I am so anxious to read your next review about SN lipsticks and other goodies!
Good luck with your new job and happy shopping!
PS. I have to say this, I looove your cat! You didn't post pics with it for some time and I miss it!
It seems a lot like my "princess", Pepita, but yours is more fluffier. I don't remember now, sorry, itis a boy or a girl? It's really adorable!
Until we'll meet again,
Karen
Hi there Karen and thanks! Go shopping, I will! I already have my eyes set on a pretty Bioderma bag full of goodies: it's my next victim. ;)
Which SN brushes do you have in mind? Oh, and you absolutely must try some SN lippies: in my (very objective) opinion, it's best to start with Sheers, 'cause they're the best, but you probably have a wishlist already. ;-)
Her fluffiness Miss Munchkin has just freed herself from my clutches, but she did call back to say hello to you: Meowrrrr! :-D I guess I'll have to include her in my posts more often. No problemo! :-)
What's Pepita like?
Hello again,Izar. You're right, I have already quite a long wishlist for Silk Naturals, thanks to you. And I have a feeling my list will go longer, soon:).
Can't wait your next reviews, I have too some Bioderma products and I'd like to try more.
And please, put more photos with Miss Munchkin, she is adorable, I am totally in loove :).
A photo with my Pepita:
[URL=http://s830.photobucket.com/albums/zz226/KarenM_photos/pisoi/?action=view¤t=Photo-0034-1.jpg][IMG]http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz226/KarenM_photos/pisoi/th_Photo-0034-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Hello :)
Just wated to share a tip on how to use a (very) big eye brush. I find that they're great (especially the fluff ones) to apply highlighter to your cheekbones and brow bone :)
Best of luck!
Hey Karen!
Aww, Pepita is absolutely gorgeous! They're very much alike Pepita and Miss Munchkin: the same tabby fur, the same coloring around the eyes and on the face, both cute as hell; it's just the eye color and length of fur that's different. :)
My SN wishlist has just gotten longer (and that after I placed a humongous order...): they've brought some GWPs back, Pink Twink among them and I *must* have Pink Twink or I'll be unhappy for the rest of my life. :-D
Hey Jo!
That's actually a great idea, thanks! I have a Silk Naturals Glow in 'Liberty' on its way to me and I'll be sure to try applying it like that. :-)
Hi!
Your cat is sweet. :-)))
That's said, I love your post about brushes. I own several but I'm still a novice trying to learn more about them.
Your last brush reminds me a MAC brush I bought at the ebay, MAC 227 Large Fluff Brush. One of my friend adores this brush so I thought "why not?" - but it is really-really big. I'm still learning how to use it, instead of making big blotchy spots on (and under)my eyes. But I haven't given up hope yet. :-)
Well, have a good and exciting journey and I hope you can find the time there to relax as well! And maybe find a few new items to buy (and review about) ;)