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Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The Best Beauty Gifts for Last Minute Gift Giving

Who doesn't like to be pampered with a special gift they wouldn't normally buy for themselves, especially during the holidays or for another special occasion?

Whether you have nearly finished your holiday shopping or are just getting started, you can order these these beauty gifts and have them delivered quickly. I've included gifts at a variety of price ranges in this review, from stocking stuffers to splurges.

Happy gift-giving!

Note: I am an Amazon Associates and a ShopMy affiliate partner. If you purchase anything through the product links in this review, I may earn a small commission.

Beauty Gifts Under $25

These inexpensive gifts pack a big punch for their low price tags. They're perfect stocking stuffers for the beauty lovers on your list or anyone who could use a bit of pampering.

NISHEL Large Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag for Women

The Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag is far and away the best bag of its kind I have ever owned, and I have tried a lot of different brands and models over the years. It holds a LOT of products, from shampoo, soap, conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, razor, etc., to sunscreen, skincare and makeup — enough for quite a long trip, if desired — while keeping everything neatly organized and easily accessible throughout your stay.

Despite how much it holds, it folds and zips up into a compact size with convenient carrying handles.

I wrote an in-depth product review of the Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag last year that includes photos of how I pack mine so you can see just how much it holds and how you might want to organize yours. Also, although it is marketed as a women's travel toiletry bag, it would also be great for men who like to travel with more toiletries than can comfortably fit in a traditional Dopp Kit style bag.

NISHEL Large Double Layer Travel Makeup Bag

The NISHEL Large Double Layer Travel Makeup Bag is for women who travel with a lot of makeup and prefer a train case style bag.

This large-capacity makeup bag measures 10.5 x 7.5 x 7 inches and has both top and bottom makeup storage compartments with a capacious center section with elastic straps that can accommodate even large fluffy makeup brushes easily.

The large main section can hold bottles, tubes, compacts, palettes, etc., and includes a removable divider that you can position as desired (or omit). The top section, inside the lid, is a shallow zippered compartment that's perfect for a larger makeup palette.

Like the travel toiletry bag, the outer shell is a soft, smooth, quilted microfiber material that is both attractive and easy to clean.

Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette Makeup, 12 Pigmented Matte & Shimmer Shades

This Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette is absolutely stunning and is an incredible bargain. It contains 12 extremely wearable, neutral eyeshadow shades in both matte and shimmer finishes that would be flattering on any eye color or skin tone.

The matte shadows could be used alone for an extremely subtle, conservative look, or can be paired with the metallic shimmer shades for a fancier evening or special occasion makeup look.

Maybelline is known for high-quality, highly pigmented makeup at very affordable prices. This would be great for anyone from a teen to a senior who enjoys "putting on a face."

Note: Although this eyeshadow palette comes with two double-ended sponge applicators, I would highly recommend giving your gift recipient a set of good makeup brushes if they don't already own some.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette

This NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette is another terrific choice with 16 high-quality eyeshadow shades to suit any eye color or complexion. The highly pigmented shadows include a mix of safari-inspired neutral browns in a range of finishes, from matte and satin to shimmery and metallic shades.

The colors in this palette were curated by makeup professionals in Los Angeles. It is recommended to apply these shadows over an eyeshadow primer for the best color payoff.

NYX eyeshadows are now vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged with 30% recycled materials.

Shower Steamers Aromatherapy Box of 6 Premium Shower Bombs with Essential Oils

These Shower Steamers Aromatherapy Shower Bombs with Essential Oils are the perfect, affordable way to pamper someone who doesn't love makeup or skincare but loves a warm, relaxing shower. They will make the lucky recipient feel like they have escaped to a relaxing spa for a while, in the comfort of their own home.

This set of six shower steamers comes beautifully gift boxed for easy gift giving. The six scents in the green box, which come from fragrant essential oils, are eucalyptus, green tea, jasmine, rose, lemongrass, and lavender in the green box. If you choose the blue box, your giftee will receive eucalyptus, peppermint, green tea, lemongrass, salvia, and tea tree. The pink box contains rose, gardenia, lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and jasmine to make your recipient feel relaxed, restored, and well rested.

These shower steamers are a cinch to use. Let your gift recipient know to unwrap one, place it in the corner of their shower away from the water stream, and allow the steam activate the fragrance from the essential oils.

Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit, 6 Travel Size Products

This Burt's Bees Tips & Toes Kit makes a wonderful, unisex stocking stuffer. It's a nicely boxed set of five travel-size products and a sixth, full-size product that would also be great for a purse, gym bag or briefcase:

A tube of Honey & Grapeseed Nourishing Hand Cream
A tin of Almond & Milk Hand Cream
A tin of Hand Salve
A tin of Burt's Bee's Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
A tube of Coconut Oil & Soap Bark Softening Food Cream
A tube of Pomegranate Moisturizing Lip Balm

This would make a great gift for anyone of any age, especially during the cold winter months.

Beauty Gifts Under $50

These affordable gifts are sure to please.

Jenny Patinkin makes my absolute favorite makeup brush cleaners.

As I have explained in previous reviews about washing makeup on brushes, keeping makeup brushes clean and sanitary is essential for many reasons, including optimal performance and avoiding cross-contamination of bacteria between your brushes, your makeup, and your skin.

I use the Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner with a microfiber cloth to clean my makeup brushes in just seconds after each use. Then, either once a week (if I'm wearing makeup most days) or every other week, I wash them properly with the Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap.

With these two products, I am able to care for even my most expensive makeup brushes effectively yet gently. The set of both products would make a fabulous gift for any makeup wearer!

Body & Earth Ocean Gift Basket - 7-Piece Bath and Body Gift Set

This Body & Earth 7-Piece Ocean Gift Basket Set consists of a reusable bathtub-shaped "basket" filled with 6 luxurious ocean-scented bath and body products:

Bath Salts
Shower Gel
Bubble Bath
Body Lotion
Bar Soap
Scented Glass Votive Candle

Your gift recipients will think of you fondly as they luxuriate in a bubble bath or fragrant shower, and their skin will be silky soft thanks to the body lotion.

The contents are beautifully packaged in an aqua blue and white pattern reminiscent of ocean waves. This gift looks much more expensive than its affordable price tag would suggest!

9-Piece Vanilla Coconut Home Spa Gift Basket Set

An even more luxurious set is the 9-Piece Vanilla Coconut Home Spa Gift Basket Set from LOVERY.

This set features vanilla and coconut-scented bath and body products enriched with moisturizing vitamin E oil and shea butter packed inside a ribbon-tied 9.5-inch tall, 4.5-inch square gift basket.

Because the scent isn't particularly masculine or feminine, this would make a great gift for men as well as women.

This set includes:

Bath Oil
Shower Gel
Bubble Bath
Body Scrub
Bath Salts
2 Bath Bombs
Bath Towel
Reusable Decorative Basket

Real Techniques 9 -Piece Au Naturale Makeup Brush Set

For the woman (or girl) who doesn't have a good set of makeup brushes, the Real Techniques Au Naturale Makeup Brush 9 Piece Set would be a great starter set or a nice but inexpensive upgrade (if she's just using whatever cheap brushes or applicators come with her makeup). It would also make a great second set to keep in a gym bag.

This set of cruelty-free, vegan makeup brushes for face, cheeks and eyes includes:

Ultimate Powder Brush
Light Layers Complexion Brush
Perfecting Prime Brush
Blurring Concealer Brush
Precision Fan Brush
Full Coverage Brush
Shading Brush
Defining Crease Brush
Flat Liner Brush

The brushes have sturdy aluminum ferrules and custom-cut UltraPlush synthetic bristles that apply and blend makeup beautifully.

DRMTLGY Pumpkin Enzyme Face Mask with Jojoba Beads

The DRMTLGY Pumpkin Enzyme Mask with Jojoba Beads is one of my favorite face masks. It's a great way to get a spa-like facial-treatment affordably, in the comfort of your own home.

This mask uses a combination of enzymatic and physical exfoliants to brighten dull skin and leave it feeling soft and silky. It reduces the appearance of large pores, deeply hydrates the skin, cleanses impurities, and gently exfoliates the dead surface layer of the skin for a smoother, more radiant complexion.

Key skin-loving ingredients include pumpkin, jojoba oil beads, kaolin clay, vitamin E, peptides, ceramides, enzymes, and colloidal silver.

You can read more about this outstanding rejuvenating face mask in my detailed product review that explains why it's The Best Exfoliating Enzyme Mask for Brighter, Softer, Smoother Skin.

Beauty Gifts Over $50

I have a large collection of high-quality makeup brushes, but I still had to buy this adorable Jenny Patinkin Brush Babies Mini Makeup Brush Set.

This tiny pink zippered pouch holds 6 mini makeup brushes that feature full-size vegan, synthetic bristle brush heads on palm-size weighted handles that give them the same balance as full-length brushes without the size.

The brushes in this set are:

Complexion
Powder/Blush
Concealer
Eyeshadow
Crease
Smudge

Jenny Patinkin claims that her brushes have 2.5x the number of bristles as other brushes. I'm not sure which brushes she's comparing them to, but her brushes definitely have ultra-fine bristles and a luxurious feel and deliver an extremely smooth makeup application.

This mini but mighty set is perfect for an avid makeup lover who appreciates good quality makeup brushes. Even if your gift recipient already has a good set of brushes, she will love this mini makeup brush set for her purse, car, desk, gym bag, or carry-on bag.

By now you know that I feel strongly about the importance of good quality makeup brushes for a beautiful, seamless, professional-looking makeup application.

BK BEAUTY x Nikki La Rose Pro Artist Makeup Brush Set - Vol. 1 (7-Pc Set)

Although it took me many years to bite the bullet and invest in a really good set, I finally did. In fact, I have become a bit of a high-end makeup brush collector by now. I wish I had made the investment sooner, as the positive difference in my makeup application when using good brushes is really noticeable. Of course, it's also important to learn good application techniques, but with the right tools, it's so much easier.

My very favorite makeup brushes of all time are this set of BK Beauty x Nikki La Rose Pro Artist Makeup Brushes Vol. 1. Nikki is an incredibly talented makeup artist with a long list of celebrity clients and her work is amazing. The collab she did with one of my favorite brush companies, BK Beauty, to create this 7-piece set of professional makeup brushes is simply superb.

The set includes:

The N14 Petite Precision Multitasker — ideal for small areas
The tapered N15 Precision Medium Powder brush — perfect for blending, bronzer, and contouring
The N16 Pro Concealer brush — its triangular tip allows for precise concealer application
The N17 Multi-Pro Face brush — an ingenious, dual-sided brush with lighter bristles on one side for creams and liquids and darker bristles on the other side for powders
The N11 Ultimate Angle brush — lets you create a winged liner look effortlessly with a single stroke
The N12 Ultimate Smudger — designed for blending pencil liner, smudging, and defining eyes and lips
The N13 Precision Pro Blender — ideal for deep-set, mature, and small eyes (which I really appreciate).

All seven brushes are multitaskers that make them worth their weight in gold for anyone who loves a beautiful, professional-looking makeup application. In fact, pro makeup artists love this set!

Although it's definitely a splurge, any serious beauty lover would adore getting this fabulous set and its complementary companion, the BK Beauty x Nikki La Rose Pro Artist Brush Set Vol. 2, which has eight of the most unusual and ingenious multi-tasking makeup brushes on the market.

I hope this review of the best beauty gifts for last-minute gift giving helps you find the perfect gifts for people on your list!

The Best Beauty Gifts for Last Minute Gift Giving by Margaret Schindel

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Clean Makeup Brushes in Seconds With This Terrific Brush Cleaner Spray

As a beauty and skincare enthusiast who loves wearing makeup, I am passionate about using good quality makeup brushes and caring for them properly to keep them clean, hygienic, and performing at their best. Recently I shared my tutorial for the best way to clean makeup brushes without ruining them, including my tips for cleaning brushes with water and a good quality brush soap cleanser without getting water inside the ferrule that covers the glued join between the bristles and the handle, which can cause shedding and shorten the useful life of your makeup tools.

In that tutorial, I discussed using an alcohol-based sanitizing spray periodically in between washings. Today, I am reviewing another type of spray-on brush cleaner: Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner. Spray Away is a new favorite for me that instantly removes even heavily pigmented makeup from bristles easily in just seconds and leaves my brushes dry and ready to use again immediately. It also helps keep the inside of my brush case clean and free from makeup residue.

Note: I am an Amazon Associates and a ShopMy affiliate partner. If you purchase anything through the product links in this review, I may earn a small commission.

Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner

Developed by a "Lazy" Professional Makeup Artist

Spray Away was developed by pro makeup artist, beauty expert, brand founder and bestselling author Jenny Patinkin, who wrote Lazy Perfection, The Art of Looking Great Without Really Trying. Patinkin's eponymous line of beauty tools is all about simplicity, sustainability, and effectiveness with minimal effort. Spray Away definitely fits with her beauty philosophy.

Cleans Makeup Brushes Completely in Seconds!

As someone who relies on good quality makeup brushes, I've tried my fair share of brush cleaners and this one truly stands out.

Watch me demonstrate how Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner lives up to its name, allowing me to remove all traces of a heavily pigmented, vivid blush and a dark brown eyeshadow from some of my favorite makeup brushes from BK Beauty.

Note: If you prefer, you can watch my Spray Away brush cleaning demonstration on YouTube.

Works Beautifully on Brushes With Densely Packed Bristles

As you can see from my demonstration, Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner works perfectly on brushes of any size, from large foundation and blush brushes to small eyeshadow and eyeliner brushes, as long as they have densely packed bristles like the BK Beauty makeup brushes that I show in the demo.

The only thing you need in addition to the Spray Away is a towel. I prefer to use a large microfiber cloth.

If you have any brushes with long, loose bristles, you'll want to stick to washing those with water and a brush soap type cleaner, such as Jenny Patinkin Makeup Brush Soap.

Gentle Yet Effective

I also appreciate the gentle yet effective nature of the formula. Spray Away removes even stubborn makeup buildup effectively without damaging the bristles or compromising their softness.

Dries Almost Immediately

One of the most impressive aspects of this cleaner is its quick-drying formula. Spray Away evaporates almost instantly, allowing you to use your brushes immediately after cleaning. This is a game-changer for those moments when you need to switch between colors or brushes on the fly.

A Clean Beauty Product

According to the brand, Spray Away is oil-free, dye-free, waterless, paraben-free, vegan, and free from the types of chemicals commonly found in makeup brush sprays.

It also leaves behind a subtle, pleasant scent that adds a touch of luxury to the cleaning process.

A Great Gift for Any Makeup Lover

Anyone who wears makeup should be cleaning their brushes regularly: washing weekly or bi-weekly and doing quick cleanings in between washings to keep brushes hygienic and performing well.

The Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner, some microfiber cloths and the Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap would make a great gift!

Overall, Jenny Patinkin's Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner has earned its place as a staple in my beauty arsenal. Its convenience, quick-drying formula, and effectiveness make it a standout product that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking to streamline their brush cleaning routine

Clean Makeup Brushes in Seconds With This Terrific Brush Cleaner Spray by Margaret Schindel

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The Best Way to Clean Makeup Brushes Without Ruining Them

Good makeup brushes are an excellent investment for anyone who wears makeup. Whether you apply a full face of makeup or just a bit of foundation and blush, the right tools can make all the difference in achieving beautiful results with your makeup application. But whether you choose to invest in high-quality makeup brushes or inexpensive ones, proper care is important for many reasons including the effectiveness and longevity of these beauty tools as well as good hygiene.

Today I'm reviewing my tried-and-true method for cleaning makeup brushes quickly, easily, gently, and thoroughly using either a solid makeup brush cleanser bar (my preferred method) or a liquid brush shampoo.

Note: I am an Amazon Associates and a ShopMy affiliate partner. If you purchase anything through the product links in this review, I may earn a small commission.

The Best Way to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Makeup Brushes Using a Solid Brush Cleanser

In this step-by-step guide, I'll walk you through the easy process of using a solid makeup brush cleanser to clean your beloved brushes.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Collect your dirty makeup brushes, a solid brush cleaner of your choice (my favorite is Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap), a clean towel, and (optional) either mesh makeup brush sleeves or a makeup brush drying rack. Place these next to your bathroom sink.

Step 2: Wet the Lower Two-Thirds of the Brush Bristles

Run a moderate (not strong) stream of lukewarm water in your sink. Take one of the dirty makeup brushes and wet just the tips of the bristles under the running water. Take care to keep the upper part of the bristles where they meet the handle dry, since getting this area wet can loosen the glue that holds the bristles in place and cause the brush to shed.

Step 3: Swirl the Wet Bristles on the Solid Cleanser

Rub the wet brush gently over the surface of the solid makeup brush cleaner in circular motions. Don't push down, just swirl across the surface with the lower part of the bristles to create a rich lather, making sure to avoid the top where the bristles meet the handle. Lathering the cleanser and working it into the bristles will help break down and lift away impurities such as makeup residue, oils, and bacteria.

Place the tips of the wet, soapy bristles in the lid of the solid brush cleanser jar, then tap them against the inside of the lid repeatedly, rotating the brush to work the cleanser into the bristles on all sides. Don't press hard or push—you want to avoid getting the cleanser lather on the topmost part of the bristles, where the water can wick up inside the ferrule (the metal band inside which the tops of the bristles are glued into the handle), which can weaken the glue and cause premature shedding.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse the inside of the lid, then fill it partway with clean lukewarm water. Again, tap and swirl the tips of the brush inside the lid to rinse out the lather. Pour out the dirty water, rinse and refill the lid with clean water, and repeat. (Depending on how much makeup is on the brush, you may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 a few times.) Repeat this rinse step until the water runs clear, indicating that the brush is clean.

I made this video to demonstrate how to properly wet the bristles, lather them on the solid brush cleanser, and rinse them in the brush cleanser lid to avoid wetting the tops of the bristles.

Step 5: Shape and Dry

Gently reshape the brush bristles to their original form with your fingers and allow them to air dry. You have three air-drying options:

Slide a mesh brush guard sleeve over each brush, starting from the handle tip and sliding the guard down to the bristles. Note: These mesh sleeves are also great for protecting your brush bristles when you are traveling.
Use a brush drying rack. Insert the handle of each brush from the underside of the rack through the flanged silicone inserts in an appropriately-sized hole, taking care to center the handle so the bristles point straight down.
Lay the brushes flat on their sides on a clean towel. Avoid leaving them upright, as water can seep into the handle and damage the brush over time.

Once your brushes are completely dry, store them in a brush case to keep them clean and dust-free until you're ready to use them.

Makeup brush cleaning supplies: Solid cleanser, liquid brush shampoo, mesh brush guards, collapsible acrylic brush drying rack

How to Wash Your Makeup Brushes Using Liquid Brush Shampoo

Follow the same steps as for using a solid brush cleanser, except:

Use any shallow, clean, medium-sized jar lid in place of the solid cleanser lid.
Squirt a drop of liquid brush shampoo into the lid, swirl the damp bristles in the lid to work in the soap and create a lather, then rinse the lid thoroughly before filling it partway with lukewarm water and rinsing the soapy bristles as in Step 4 of the solid brush cleanser instructions.

How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

If you are an actress who applies a full face of heavy stage makeup several times a week, you should wash your brushes after each makeup application. For someone who wears subtle daytime makeup, cleansing your brushes weekly with either solid brush cleaner or liquid brush shampoo should be fine. If you wear makeup only occasionally, you may be able to get away with sanitizing your brushes after each use with an alcohol-based makeup brush sanitizing spray (my favorite is Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner) and washing them with a brush cleaner and water every two or three weeks.

Maintaining clean makeup brushes is an essential part of any beauty routine. With the use of a solid makeup brush cleaner, this process becomes quick and effective. Incorporate this simple routine into your beauty regimen to ensure your brushes remain in top-notch condition, providing you with flawless makeup application every time.

Recommended Supplies for Cleaning Makeup Brushes

These are the cleaners and related tools and supplies I recommend to keep your makeup brushes clean, sanitary, and performing well for a long time.

Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap

JENNY PATINKIN Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleaner

40 pc Makeup Brush Expandable Mesh Cover Protectors

BEAKEY Collapsible Makeup Brush Drying Rack, 28 Holes

Why It's Important to Wash Your Makeup Brushes Frequently

Cleaning makeup brushes on a frequent, regular schedule is essential for maintaining skin health, preventing bacterial buildup, preserving makeup quality, and promoting good hygiene habits. It's a simple yet crucial step in your beauty routine that contributes to both the longevity of your brushes and the health of your skin.

Preventing Bacterial Buildup

Makeup brushes come into contact with the skin, which naturally harbors bacteria. Over time, these bacteria accumulate on the bristles of the brushes. Regular cleaning helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to skin irritations, breakouts, or infections.

Maintaining Skin Health

Dirty brushes can transfer oils, old makeup, and bacteria to your skin, potentially causing clogged pores and breakouts. By keeping your brushes clean, you reduce the risk of introducing these unwanted elements to your skin, promoting a healthier and clearer complexion.

Preserving Makeup Quality

The residue left on makeup brushes can contaminate fresh makeup products, altering their color, texture, and performance. Regularly cleaning your brushes ensures that your makeup applies smoothly and accurately, maintaining the quality and longevity of your cosmetic products.

Preventing Cross-Contamination

Using the same brush with different makeup products, such as foundations, blushes, and powders, without cleaning it in between applications can lead to cross-contamination. This can affect the color accuracy of your makeup and may cause unintended combinations that don't complement each other. You don't necessarily need to wash the brush before using it with a second or third type of makeup in a single sitting; spraying it with an alcohol-based makeup brush cleaning spray and wiping it on a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel in between using it for different makeup products is fine.

Enhancing Makeup Application

Clean brushes perform better for makeup application. Dirty brushes can carry remnants of previous products, causing colors to mix or appear muddy. Clean brushes help you achieve more precise and beautiful makeup looks and give you better control.

Prolonging Brush Lifespan

Regular cleaning helps maintain the integrity of the brush bristles. Accumulated makeup, oils, and bacteria can damage the bristles over time, leading to shedding and a shorter lifespan for your brushes. Cleansing them properly on a regular basis ensures that they will remain in good condition longer.

Reducing Allergic Reactions

For individuals with sensitive skin or allergies, using dirty brushes can trigger adverse reactions. Cleansing your brushes properly and frequently minimizes the risk of irritation and allergic responses by removing potential allergens and irritants from the bristles.

Promoting Good Hygiene Habits

Regularly cleaning your makeup brushes is part of maintaining good personal hygiene. Just as you wash your face and remove your makeup before bedtime, cleaning your brushes should be a routine practice to ensure your overall skincare and makeup regimen is as healthy as possible.

The Best Way to Clean Makeup Brushes Without Ruining Them by Margaret Schindel