Latest Obsessions | Tools & Thangs

Alright, here is  probably the last in the series of my latest favorites. All about tools, and other goodies that didn't fit so perfectly with either the skincare or makeup category. So here we go!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water - I've been going a little spritz crazy lately, but I swear by it. I use this after I've moisturized, and before I prime my face. Yes DOUBLE priming. It's a little boost of hydration and I just feel like it helps the primer. It's also great to spray on your Beauty Blender for smooth makeup application that lasts and lasts!

Shiseido Ibuki Quick Fix Mist - This stuff is the bomb dot com. Yes that's right, I use a spray before and after my makeup...Craziness, I know. But this unique gel formula spray, refreshes and hydrates your skin but dries matte and takes away shine. I use it to set my makeup, and if I need to freshen things up throughout the day. The bottle makes it easy to carry around as well. Combo skinned peeps, rejoice!

Shadow Shields - I like to do my more elaborate eye makeup looks before the rest of my face, because well, fall out, chaknow? These come in really handy because you don't have to clean under after (so you don't remove your moisturizer and your under eye doesn't get irritated) and it has that perfect shape at the outter edge to replace the need for tape, giving you a sharp line. They're pretty neat and inexpensive!

Sephora Collection Color Switch by Vera Mona Brush Cleaner - This is a total game changer. The seemingly gimmicky tool I didn't know I needed. If, like me, you struggle to wipe your brushes on a tissue while doing your makeup, only to still have pigment on them, this is for you. A simple, gritty sponge type material, that efficiently removes all color from your brush in one quick sweep. YES. Also, if like me, you're lazy and don't give your tools a bath as often as you should...This is a great tool to buy you time. But, really, clean your brushes.

Tarte Tarteist Sculpt & Slim Contour Brush - This is the best brush ever. This, combined with the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow has made all my contour dreams come true. I use the wide end to chisel my cheeks, define my forehead and jaw line, and the other end to contour my nose. Picks up the right amount of product and blends everything like a dream. GET IT GURL!!

Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush - I got this as a gift, so I don't necessarily think you need an expensive brush to highlight...BUT, I really really love this brush with all my powder highlighters. The tapered shape makes it easy to use and is the perfect size for all the areas you might use it on and the density of the brush ensures you don't pack on too much product on your face.

Ardell Individual Lashes - I'm not a big fan of falsies, mostly because I'm lazy and I find them a pain to apply (yes I'm sure practice makes perfect and I could put them on quickly in no time), but also because I always find them heavy on the eye after a while. Plus, I'm fortunate enough to be able to build up my lashes quite a bit with a good mascara, so they're not super essential. That being said, sometimes, I like a little more flare and these are perfect to subtly enhance your eye look. I'll use just one set of the long ones on the outer corner, and if I'm feeling extra fancy, I'll add a set of the medium. And boom! (I'm wearing them in my Peanut Butter and Jelly look if you'd like to see.)

And that's it folks! Hope you enjoyed. I've been really getting back into the makeup game and the groove of things, so I'll have much more posts for you in the near future. Stay tuned!

Talk to you soon,
-Xoxo, Val

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