Thrifty Belleza: July 2013

Makeup Brushes 101: Synthetic vs. Natural

Hey Bellas!

So for months I was on the hunt for the perfect set of makeup brushes, but everywhere I went the sets were bound to break my bank account and I wasn't about that life. That is until I found these bad boys on Amazon, yay! At $13.59 they were a steal. You can get your hands on them here.

These are made by Crazy Cart cosmetics, which isn't a huge namebrand, but that didn't really factor into my decision. Aside from the fact that they're pink, my favorite color, (can't you tell?!) they are synthetic. Let's get down to the basics of what that means. Makeup brushes are designed using natural or synthetic aka faux hair fibers. Animal lovers, listen up! Natural brushes are more expensive because they contain real animal hair like goat, horses, mink, squirrel, you get the idea. Sometimes they are made humanely and unfortunately other times they aren't. You can read more about the practices here.

Synthetic brushes on the other hand are man-made fake bristles that are made of nylon or taklon, a polyster fiber. It sounds like they're cheap but synthetics actually have lots of pros. For one, they're waaaayy easier to clean because they don't trap product inside like natural brushes do. Your makeup loves to cling on to the natural animal fibers and it takes a lot more effort to get rid of all that gunk. While we're on the subject of cleanliness, they also repel bacteria better than animal hair.

This adorable pink pouch is perfect for carrying everything I need during overnight trips or vacations this summer!

Personally, one of the reasons I love synthetics is that they shed way less than natural brushes which makes them last longer and not lose their shape. Some would make the argument that synthetics do not last as long because they start falling apart from the handles within six months or so, versus natural brushes which can last longer. This is because of bad makeup brush cleaning habits. Basically, when water gets into the handles of synthetics brushes, they can start to fall apart but it's possible to keep this from happening. We'll save that whole subject for another post.

So when it comes to actual makeup application, which one takes the cake? That honestly depends on what products you prefer using. I find that synthetics have a variety of uses and are especially great for applying cream based products like foundation, blush or lipstick. For example, this set is perfect for getting my bronzer and CC cream on just right because the bristles are SUPER soft and fluffy. I also don't lose much product when I'm transferring the product from its container to my face. This means that they are a good choice for achieving precise results when it comes to covering up blemishes, working on your lash line or using dark shadows and colors. If you try this with a natural brush, you'll likely get a sticky or cakey finish which isn't cute.

This fan brush is so useful for buffing my makeup, cleaning up mistakes or blending overall. Same with the blush brushes, they help give me an effortless sun kissed glow! I might have to replace the foundation brush however because it's the only brush from the set that doesn't grab on to product well.

Beauty tip: Always comb out your eyelashes with a wand like the one pictured above (second to right) to get rid of any clumps!

I've heard that natural brushes are useful for applying eye shadows and loose powder because they provide a nice even and natural application. While this may be true, for my purposes, these work just fine. Not to mention, it feels good to know that I'm not harming some helpless animal in the process.

When it comes to synthetic and natural brushes, which do you prefer? Do you like to mix them up and interchange between the two?

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5 Products You Need in the War Against Ingrown Hairs

Beauty

Overtime you'll start to notice on Thrifty Belleza that I will focus a lot of my posts on skincare. Why? Because no matter how much makeup or coverup you have, your skin is the base for everything and requires proper attention. A common skincare issue that gets overlooked are ingrown hairs, especially the ones on your bikini area. These pesky little suckers are another bump in the road in the quest for smooth skin. It can be so tempting to give up on waxing or shaving all together because of these, but it doesn't have to be like that! I've come up with 5 of my favorite products for treating ingrown hairs and preventing new ones from forming that have absolutely worked for me in the past. In true Thrifty Belleza style, these products won't break the bank either!

Let me start by saying that when I first started shaving/waxing I had no idea what I was doing. Needless to say, I had to deal with unsightly and annoying bumps before I figured out how to make them go away. By learning how to do it the right way, I saved myself lots of time and trouble in the end.

Exfoliate

I strongly advise that you invest in an exfoilating body wash that's designed for bikini usage, like Nair Hair Remover Exfoliator. The microbeeds in this product work to scrub off dead skin cells so that hair removal is easier. This is especially important when it comes to waxing so that the wax catches on to hair and not your skin.When using it as an exfoliant, pour a quater sized amount on a wash cloth. DO NOT use a loofah because this can really irritate the skin and is too rough making it a recipe for creating ingrown hairs later on down the line.

Invest in a solid razor

A good trimming or shaving experience starts with a good razor. Schick Quatro makes an awesome razor that serves double duty as a trimmer when you want to save time and want a quick touch-up. With 4 blades it will give you the max amount of coverage to get the job done. You can also decide how much or how long or short you want the hair length by adjusting the razor's comb.

Use a shaving gel

If you're planning on shaving, combine the razor with a bikini gel for an even closer and smoother shave. I've been using Bikini Zone's Anti-Bumps Shave Gel for months and it works like a charm. It's better than shaving cream in a sense because it glides right on and prevents irritation and bumps.

Opt for a depilatory

If shaving or waxing isn't your thing and you're on the hunt for a good depilatory, a classic like Nair does the trick. Use it in the shower for no more than 10 minutes, (seriously it WILL burn if you leave it on longer) and simply wash off. You might not get everything during the first application, but you can keep adding to whatever didn't get covered. It also leaves skin moisturized, the key to achieving a silky smooth finish.

Spring for a serum

In the event that you already have a few ingrown hairs or bumps, using a serum will make a huge difference. At one of my appointments at European Wax Center, I purchased their ingrown hair serum and LOVED it. This stuff is amaze, but you have to use it twice a day morning and night to get the best results. Over the course of one to two weeks, it reduced swelling, redness and irritation. One pump sized amount is good enough per application, so it really lasts. It's non alcohol-based so it won't sting if you have any nicks or cuts. It's actually super gentle, perfect for sensitive skin. Plus it smells wonderful because of its natural ingredients like tree tea oil and berry extract that help soothe skin. For bargain hunters like myself, the price tag might be a little steep but trust me, it's worth every penny.

Don't pick, tweeze

Finally, if you really can't get rid of an ingrown hair, please please please do not try to pick or pop at it with your fingers. It can become infected and that's no fun for anyone. Instead, exfoliate over the ingrown hair site in the shower. Then, apply a warm wash cloth to it for five minutes and try to push the hair upwards so that it's visible under the skin's surface. By now your skin's pores will be open so you should be able to see the hair. Take a special pointed tweezer like the one seen above in the picture by Tweezerman and try to pull the hair out of the skin. Try your best to get the hair out in one piece without breaking it because if it breaks, it could grow back into the skin and form another ingrown hair.

I hope that these tips help and make your hair removal process a little less painful and annoying! Check out the links to the products below. What are some of your favorite tricks or beauty sidekicks for shaving/waxing?