The choice in make-up brushes out there is endless. If I had to narrow it down to only a few (I could only trim it down to six), here would be my 'essential' brush kit:

1. Powder Brush / Bronzer Brush
A large, natural-hair fibre brush that is used for applying powder or distributing bronzer all over the face. With loose powder, press the brush against the product and then tap twice to get rid of excess powder. Follow the natural contours of the face and blend using the brush.


2. Blush Brush
A medium-sized natural fibre brush that is used for distributing colour to the cheek area. Blush brushes can come in different cuts, including a tapered or a full edge. I prefer a rounded fuller edge for the one I regularly use.

Two ways to use the blush brush:

• Start at the ears and concentrate colour from the hollow of the cheek in towards the nose (don't go further than two fingers in).
• Smile and highlight the apples of the cheeks.

3. Crease Eyeshadow Brush
A pointed-tip eyeshadow brush made of natural fibres that allows for precise application of eyeshadow into the crease of the eye. I find these especially useful on Asian eyes for creating definition and dimension around the eye.


4. Tapered Blending Eyeshadow Brush
A second eyeshadow brush made of natural bristles that is great for blending eyeshadow colours, applying base colours, and applying a highlighting eyeshadow shade atop the browbone.



5. Angled Eyebrow Brush
A slanted natural bristled brush that is useful for sketching in eyebrows with eyebrow powder. If used wet, an angled brush can also be used as an eyeliner brush when mixed with eyeshadow. Be sure to clean the brush between each application, as the eyes are very sensitive.

6. Lip Brush
A synthetic fibre brush that is used to apply lipsticks or lip glosses. Using a synthetic bristled brush allows for maximal product transfer from the product to your lips; a natural bristled brush would absorb the product rather than distribute it.

Q: What type of eyeliner is best for me? i.e. liquid or pencil? cake or gel? Help!
A: What's best for you is really based on personal preference - this varies with how much time you have in your day for make-up and your comfort/skill level with different eyeliner types (i.e. pencil versus the more difficult liquid type). Never fret though - make-up is all about options, and both eye-lining beginners and experts have ample choice. Here are some benefits and disadvantages of different types of eyeliners to help you decide what suits you best:

I. PENCIL
Eyeliner pencils come in all different types and colours by most of the major cosmetic brands. For eyeliner pencils, I usually prefer to pick up one from a prestige line, as I need something that lasts as long as possible. One of the better ones I've come across is from Make-up Forever's Aqua Eyes waterproof line - it's among one of my fave products and a kit essential. (You can view my blurb on it here).

Benefits

• is the easiest eyeliner to work with - recommended for beginners and veterans
  
• range of eye make-up looks from subtle and natural to dramatic and smoky
  
• everyday wear (work, school) and convenience (easy to touch up!)
  

Disadvantages

• can fade and smudge (look for a waterproof type for maximal lasting throughout the day)
• does not last as long as other eyeliner types

Ok, now manual sharpen type or automatic roll-up type of pencil eyeliner??
Again, personal preference. I prefer the manual sharpen type as it gives you more option and control over how the eyeliner is applied. The automatic roll-up style although easy to use is more difficult to use when you're attempting to draw precise and straight-edge lines. With the manual sharpen pencil type, if you prefer to go thick and smudgy for a smoky eye, you can always dull the pencil point to achieve the desired look.

Tip for the roll-up pencils: Be careful not to roll up too much of the eyeliner; exposing too much of the stick will make it more prone to breaking off and going to waste!

--------------------------------

II. LIQUID
Liquid is always my first choice for eyeliner applications and is the best choice for women who want their eyeliner to last all day. Liquid is also great for women who prefer stronger eyeliner definition. Liquid goes on like a marker: the line can appear too harsh for those who prefer a more natural look, but can appear 'defined' to someone who wants a stronger eye look.

Benefits

• lasts all day with minimal touch-up required
  
• great for dramatic eye looks (best for the cat-eye look!)
• great for women who prefer no-fuss make-up

Disadvantages

• not recommended for beginners
• can get very messy when it goes wrong
• does not come off easily (eye make-up remover required, but you should always use that to remove eye make-up anyway!)
  

Ok now, felt-tipped liquid liner or brush-tipped liquid liner?
Felt tip liquid eyeliner usually looks like a marker. You shake the container to replenish the liquid liner at the tip. Brush tip liquid eyeliner usually looks like a fine-tip brush that can be twisted and removed from the container of liquid liner. Using a thin-tipped brush allows you to have more precision and helps in achieving a thin, tightly-lined eye.
Note: Brush tip eyeliner is not recommended for the eyeliner novice.

Tip for liquid liner: Starting off with liquid eye liner can be discouraging to an eye liner beginner. If you're using liquid for one of the first times and find that you're having problems, use pencil eyeliner first and draw along your lashline of where you want the liquid to go.

--------------------------------

III. CAKE EYELINER (+ eyeliner brush):
Dip the tip of your brush into a bit of water and glide across the cake eyeliner (usually a highly pigmented eyeshadow, almost creamy-like in texture). Tap the brush twice to get rid of excess cakeliner bits (to prevent them from falling on your face and smearing). Apply accordingly.

Benefits:

• ideal for those who prefer more of a natural look similar to what eyeliner pencil gives
• cake formula is longer lasting than a pencil (but still not as long as liquid liner)
• fairly easy to use with an angled brush

Disadvantages:

• stray flakes can become messy and lead to smears on the face
• two part process - need a brush for application

--------------------------------

IV. GEL EYELINER (+ eyeliner brush):
Apply in a manner similar to applying cake eyeliner (minus the dipping brush into water part). With gel eyeliner, you can create a line that is more defined than pencil eyeliner, but not as harsh as the line you would get when using liquid liner. Lasting power of gel eyeliner is also longer than pencil eyeliner, but less than the durability of liquid liner.

Benefits:

• ideal for all applications from natural to dramatic
• can build up intensity
• less messy than cake eyeliner when things go wrong
  

Disadvantages:

• two part application process requiring a brush
• not as widely available as pencil eyeliners

--------------------------------

V. EYESHADOW (+ brush):
Yes, eyeshadow has multiple uses! Use it as an eyeliner by applying it either wet/dry with an eyeliner brush. Use a wet brush for a more intense look; a dry brush for a softer look. Swipe the brush across the eyeshadow and tap it twice to rid the brush of any excess flakes. Line the eyes, staying close to the lashline always.

Benefits:

• good for beginners to experts
• no need to buy another product - less to carry in your kit
• good for natural or intense looks - change it up by applying it dry or wet

Disadvantages:

• similar to cake eyeliner, can get messy when eyeshadow flakes stray on other parts of the face
• not as long lasting as other eyeliner types
• usually requires a brush for application
  

--------------------------------

With eyeliner, always remember that you won't always get it straight (literally) the first time, but that it takes practice to achieve perfection. Once you get a firm handle on applications with pencils, with daily practice (and patience), you'll soon enough become an expert with gel liners and liquids! Have fun!

For Hennie's wedding in August, the end product wouldn't have turned out so great without Isabel's and Louisa's work on the hair for the big day. I plan on working extensively with Isabel for 2009 to offer quality bridal hair and make-up mobile services (more on that to come!).

Check out some of Isabel's work to see why I'm excited about this upcoming collaboration:

To see more hair by Isabel, view slideshow. To see the make-up for the day, click here.

I know Tricia through volunteering with Look Good Feel Better and aside from being a beautiful person inside and out, Tricia is also a talented and professional hair artist. I had the chance to work alongside her this past Saturday at Irene's wedding. There are many details that need to come together on the big day, and it's always great, when you get the opportunity to work with a professional who knows what they're doing. Check out some of Tricia's creations posted below to gain a different perspective of the behind the scenes of the big day!

To see more, view the slideshow here or see the make-up here.
If you would like to contact Trish for your big day, please email me at rhia@artistrhi.com and I'll be pleased to pass on her info.

A toothpick is one of the most basic beauty tools around. We all know the esthetically pleasing benefits of a toothpick post-meal...and we also all know the horror when we realize we've just been talking to someone with a giant chunk of food wedged between our front teeth! Where's a toothpick when we need one?!

Well, the benefits of toothpicks don't stop there - I find toothpicks great for separating lashes and for getting rid of stubborn clumps of mascara. Use one end of the toothpick to pull through any tangled lashes. Make sure to start the movement of the toothpick outward from the root of the lash to the clumped end. You always want to be delicate around the eyes.

p.s. Just don't use the same toothpick you used for your mouth for the separating!

p.p.s. If you have too many clumps, it's probably time to replace your mascara. Toothpicks can only do so much! Check out some recommended mascaras to try!