Jeans

A hard task to be sure....the Perfect Jean. I used to get ALL of my jeans from Express. They were the best fit and not too badly priced for a pair that could last you quite a few years. Notice I said that I USED to. No longer. I have found that Express (for the most part) has deemed themselves worthy to charge boutique prices for less than desirable clothes......sadly including jeans. Don't get me wrong, I have still found things in there and I will continue to shop at Express Men for Kevin but I have been let down in the jean department.

After searching far and wide I am happy to say that I have found salvation in higher end stores. I know some of you are like,"Hello Jen. We have known about that for forever!!!" But I am just now finding that stores like White House Black Market and Harold's are GREAT for jeans!!!!! They are a bit pricey but if you go at sale times you can get away with a STEAL!!! Normally $120, I found some jeans at WHBM marked down over and over again till they cost me a total of $34!!!!! And a sign caught my eye at Harold's (how could it not?) 50% off all SALE items. Well of COURSE I hauled my J-Lo right in there and got these bad boys. Cute capris normally $78 and I got them for $19!!!! Sales have not ceased sisters, I had just not been looking for them and holy cow, I am so happy with my purchases. Harold's, BTW, is still having that sale and I bet you could go online and find some mores steals =). Any other stores you swear by?

Most Used and Needed Brushes

Nicole is building up her brush collection and asked which ones I use the most. Here they are =).
From left to right they are:
- MAC 129 for blush and bronzer
- Loew-Cornell (LC) 7450 Chisel Blender for liquid liner (Michael's Craft Store)
- MAC 239 OR the one above it is the same and cheaper at Michael's. It is LC 3/8" Maxine's Mop.
- MAC 272 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For crease work
- MAC 217 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For all blending and some crease work
- MAC 187 For foundation (1000x better than the 190!!!)
- Nicole Miller Powder brush and MAC has the 150
The Green handled brushes are the MAC travel sizes. They are the same #'s as the regular brushes just shorter and a different color. They are great starter brushes but I am building up my regular sized ones now. Also you can go to coastalscents.com and see their brush selection. I have heard great reviews on them and you can get up to 13 brushes for only $16.95 plus shipping. Check it out!!!

Control Those Flyaways

Summer Look Tutorial

Homemade Brush Cleanser

Monica asked how to make homemade brush cleanser. You can buy one from Mac for a little over $10....but you can make your own for soooo much less!!!!! Pictured here are the items that you will need. The brush cleanser bottle from MAC is ideal to use again for your homemade cleanser so DON'T throw it away!!! You will need:

- 1 cup bottled or distilled water
- 1/4 cup alcohol ( I use 99%) This will be your disinfecting, sanitizing & antibacterial agent
- 1/2 TBSP dish soap (if it can cut grease on your dishes, think of the grease on your brushes)
- 1/2 TBSP gentle shampoo (I used baby shampoo)
- 1 TBSP spray leave-in-conditioner (not cream) to condition bristles

Stir GENTLY!!!!! You do not want the soaps to start foaming or to sud up. After it is all mixed together pour it into your container and there is your inexpensive homemade brush cleanser.

Sea & Sky Tutorial

Thanks Peph for requesting this tutorial....enjoy!!!!! Turn off music player at the bottom to hear instructions.

Chrome Yellow & Electric Eel Look