Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush

Word has it that Sigma's F80 Flat Kabuki Brush is possibly one of the absolute best brushes for flawless foundation application.  I have heard nothing but praise for this legendary brush!  Funny story...I actually got this brush at least a year ago...and then I lost it!  I didn't even get a chance to remove it from its packaging.  It was sad.  But hey...good news!  I was unpacking a few straggling boxes from my move this past summer and guess what I found?!

You have no idea how freakin' excited I was to find this brush!  The F80 is a really gorgeous piece of work.  Created to buff liquid and cream foundations onto the face, its synthetic bristles are extremely soft, densely packed, and is very professional in looks and the way it handles.  You'd think that this brush would be far more expensive than it is, however you can get yours from Sigma for only $18!

Seeing as how I recently received Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to test out the Sigma F80.

Ooooooh...sooooo soft!

Per suggestion from another beauty blogger, I dotted foundation on my face using my fingertips FIRST before buffing it in using the F80.  This being that F80's bristles are so dense, it tends to pick up too much product if one were to use it like a paintbrush.  (ie. directly dipping it into the product)

GASP!  So gorgeous!  I was completely floored by how perfect my complexion looked after using the F80!  I've tried so many other modes of application: stipple brushes, flat foundation brushes, sponges, etc.  No other method I've used has performed as well as this one.   Coverage was soft, even, and absolutely flawless!  What's more, not a single bristle was shed during application...something I seldom experience when using new brushes.  Totally exceeded my expectations!

Needless to say, I am beyond happy with this brush!  I was THIS close to purchasing Urban Decay's Good Karma Optical Blurring brush for my foundation routine, but I find this to be absolutely unnecessary at this point.

Anyways, to complete today's look, I did a natural, soft smoke with my new Urban Decay Naked palette using Half Baked, Darkhorse, Creep, and Virgin:

No lashes today!

And I finished with a happy pink lip using Revlon's Lip Butter in Sweet Tart:

Overall look:

That's MAC Powder Blush in Mocha on my cheeks, btw.

I'd say I'm pretty pleased with my FOTD!  Hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy new year!  Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Hugs,
Cat

Holiday Haul: Part 2

Good afternoon!  So, on to day 2 of trying out my new Christmas goodies!  Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation is probably one of the items I was most excited to use.  I received a sample a few months back and loved the formula (though the colors were either too fair or deep for me).  Soooooo grateful to have received this in my perfect shade for Xmas!

I have a medium complexion with golden undertones and 5.0 was a superb match!  The formula is fluid and light...to the point where it feels absolutely weightless.  Coverage gives you the look of naturally flawless skin.  The fact that it's a liquid really helps with how my skin is reacting to the cold, dry weather.  (icky, flaky dry patches)  Of course, I'm still moisturizing beneath my foundation and, because I'm prone to an oily t-zone, I do finish with translucent, matte powder in that area.  Bottom line:  I'm so in love!

Next is my l'il Bobbi Brown Atomic Pink Lip and Eye Palette:

You might recognize my mini gloss sample of Bellini from yesterday's post.

I'm so addicted to these little all-in-one palettes!  Whereas my Uber Nude palette is for neutral, everyday, Atomic Pink is perfect for partying!  It comes with a matte white highlight shade, a shimmery oyster base shade, and a matte black shade for shadows.  You also get two lipsticks, a pinky-mauve and a fuchsia.  Finally, it also comes with a sheer, bright pink gloss.  I know that black and shocking pinks might seem a little intimidating, but with proper application, you can also achieve a very natural look with this palette, which I decided to go for:

Here I simply used the medium shade as my base, put a touch of black eyeliner on my outer corners, and lightly smoked them out with the darkest shade.  I skipped the full-rim eyeliner for a softer, more natural look.

I haven't tried either of the lipsticks yet, but I did apply the pink gloss to my bare lips.  The color looks incredibly bright in the tube, but goes on glossy and sheer.  The formula leans towards the stickier side, but, as you know, I prefer it that way because tacky glosses tend to last longer:

Here is the overall look with my new UD foundation and Bobbi Brown palette:

Thanks for reading!  Hope everyone is enjoying the start of the weekend! :)

Hugs,

Cat

Holiday Haul: Part 1

Hiyeeee!  Hope everyone had a lovely holiday!  I know I did.  Lots of eating, drinking, being merry, and being gifted with beautiful things by loved ones who know me all too well:

- Bobbi Brown Atomic Pink Palette
- MAC blush in Mocha
- Urban Decay Naked foundation in 5.0
- Urban Decay original Naked palette
- Make Up For Ever lipstick in #34
- mini Philosophy Grace fragrance trio

Technically, the Grace To Go by Philosophy was a gift from Sephora. :)  I was really excited to try out UD's Naked palette.  Sure, it's been around for awhile so it's nothing new.  I'm late in the game getting on this bandwagon, but, to be honest, I probably wouldn't have purchased it anyway due to lack of funds, so I'm sooooooooooo thankful to have received it as a very thoughtful gift! ^_^

 For me, neutrals are anything but boring.  They're just so versatile, whether you're going to class, or  getting ready for a hot night on the town.  As always, Urban Decay doesn't disappoint.  Each silky shade is richly pigmented and they all compliment one another so there are endless ways to layer and combine them.  Here's my first look!  These are the colors I used and how I used them:

- Buck: allover upper eyelid as a base
- Creep: to darken outer corners of upper and lower lash lines
- Smog: to blend and soften Creep into Buck, as well as outer corner of lower lash line
- Virgin: to highlight brow arch

The only shadow color that did not come from the palette was my UD Eyeshadow Pencil in Sin, which I used to line the inner corner of my lower lash line.

I also decided to use a new product to enhance my lip...a glittery gloss sample I received from Bobbi Brown called Bellini:

Bellini is a warm, peachy-pink that is sheer with subtle glitter particles.  The color reminds me of ballerinas...so pretty!  The texture is on the tackier side, but I prefer it because it means the gloss will last longer.  I thought it complimented my eyes very well.  Here is the overall look:

 Hope you all enjoyed the little reveal of my holiday haul!  Stay tuned for additional looks including other products that I received! :)

Hugs,
Cat