Cleaning Make Up Brushes

 

I am so embarrassed to say that I can't remember the last time I actually cleaned my make up brushes.  Needless to say they were WAY over due.  I got a bunch of stuff from Amazon to really get my brush really, really clean.    

The process was actually very easy.  Because they were SUPER dirty, I did a two step process

First I took the cleanser and the cleaning mat and gave it a good scrub.  Once I felt like I got the initial gunk off, then I moved on to the electric brush cleaner....a very fun new gadget.

I put some water and cleanser into the basin of the electric brush cleaner.  The went one by one with my brushes.  There are a bunch of attachments so you just have to find one that has a snug fit and you can go.  If it's too loose, the brush will fly off when you turn it on.  I would spend a couple minutes on each brush moving it up and down to really get that deep clean.

After cleaning each brush, I used this stand to air dry the brushes.  I love this stand because it has lots of options to fit all different brush thickness and when you are done it comes apart for easy storage.

I ended up emptying the basin multiple times because my brushes were so dirty.  I won't be letting that happen again...moving forward, I'm going to start cleaning my brushes at least once a quarter.  Shop all the items I used below -

CLEANSER

CLEANING MAT

ELECTRIC BRUSH CLEANER

DRYING RACK

Trunk Club #7

I've been eyeing this Rails Thea shirt for a while and was so excited when it arrived in my Trunk Club this month.  It's super cute.  Love the fit...loose but the tie gives it some shape.  It also comes in a rainbow print one which I think I might like better.  You can pair with shorts or jeans.  It's a little pricey so I'm going to wait for it to go on sale...fingers crossed.  Shop other pieces in the look - jeans, shoes.

Love this mix media top from Caslon. I'm a sucker for peplum and I just love this style. I'm wearing the regular size vs. petite which I like for a longer look. Comes in a whole bunch of colors and the price point isn't bad at $35. Shop other pieces in the look - jeans and shoes.  

I just LOVE this Adelyn Rae dress.  The floral print is soooo pretty.  But the fit is what won me over...it's so flattering.  The dress does run small so size up.  I wearing an XS but what you don't see is I couldn't get it all the way up so I need a small.  If you have a bridal/baby shower, garden wedding, graduation or just a fun night out this is a great dress to wear to it.  I returned it because it was too small but also the price.  I don't have an event to wear it to so I couldn't justify the $122 price tag but you better believe I'll snag this if it goes on sale.  Shop the other pieces in the look - necklace and shoes.

I really, really wanted to like this Free People tank because I LOVE the periwinkle color but unfortunately it was just too revealing for me.  The material was really soft and I love the tie detail but even with a bralette I felt to exposed.  Shop other pieces in the look - jeans and sandals.

This dress is sooo cute and sooo flattering.  Leith really knows how to do dresses well.  My only complaint is I wasn't a huge fan of the burnt orange color.  Maybe if I was a little more sunkissed it would work better.  I checked and the only other color it comes in is black.  It's a great price point at just under $50.

I liked nothing about this jumpsuit...I mean nothing. Not flattering at all. The material wasn't comfortable and the print looked all washed out. Next please.

So this BB Dakota jumpsuit isn't too bad. I like the stripes but not a huge fan of the tie up the front. I'm not opposed to the slits on the side but it doesn't really work (in my opinion) with this material. What do you think?

I wanted to like this Adelyn Rae jumpsuit...I really did because I LOVE the color.  Unfortunately the fit and style was all wrong on me.  There was no coverage in the back which then made the front baggy.  It was too snug in the tummy.   And I hated the weird slits in the front.  Not a winner.  It's now on sale for just under $50.

Of all the jumpsuits that arrived in my Trunk Club...this was my favorite.  The stripes are so flattering.  It wasn't too revealing.  Length wasn't too bad on me (it's not petite).  I like the belted look.  Overall this Vince Camuto one was a winner....and it's on sale right now.  Check it out here. 

If you are interested in revamping your wardrobe then I definitely recommend trying out Trunk Club...much better quality and options when compared to Stitch Fix.  And if you are a Nordstrom card holder, they waive the styling fee each time (even if you don't keep something).  Sign up here.

Weekly Sale Round Up...and there's A LOT

If you've been following Christina's Favorite Things on Facebook then you've definitely seen all the crazy sales going on right now...especially Nordstrom's Half Yearly sale.  To make things a little easier on you, I'm outlining all of my favorites that have gone on sale right here.  Tried to bucket by category for easy navigating. 

TOPS

Love this Living in Yellow x Gibson collaboration and this crossfront shirt was one of my favorites from the line.  I'm wearing a petite XS on the left and regular XS on the right.  

Love the print on this Maggie twist blouse.  Super flattering and comfortable.  Other print/solid options available.  True to size.   

 Perfect basic tee in this Felicity one from the Living in Yellow x Gibson collaboration.  Fit is true to size.  Lots of great colors to pick from. 

This Steph long sleeve top is SOOOO soft and versatile.  I'm wearing it in petite because the regular length was way too long on me.  Also comes in navy/white stripe.  

The Free People top I raved about last month is now on sale. Comes in a bunch of colors but I personally LOVE the red. True to size.  

The Willow cut top was the first piece of clothing I ever bought from Stella and Dot and still is a favorite.  Super soft cotton and very flattering.  True to size.  

Such a fan of this Jules top.  Perfect all year round (I pair with a leather jacket in winter).  True to size.  Highly recommend.

Love this A New Day tank...it's so comfortable.  Comes in a bunch of colors and the best part it that it is only $5 right now!  True to size.   

Super cute peplum top by 1901 is now 40% off. Comes in a bunch of colors...not just this stripe. It runs big so I'd size down. 

I love the Chelsea28 peplum shirts. I have this in short and long sleeve. Now the long sleeve version is now 40% off! True to size. 

I'm a big fan of Treasure and Bond shirts...super comfortable.  Two of my favorites are now on sale. 

Available in green and mustard.  Runs big, consider sizing down.

Long sleeve available in a bunch of colors.  

This very pretty and romantic top by Hinge is now 40% off. Love the lace detail. Fit is true to size. And if lavender isn't your color, it also comes in black. 

I love the pink color of this Caslon sweatshirt and its now 40% off.  Comes in two other colors.  It says true to size but I thought it ran on the bigger side.  

BOTTOMS 

These Universal Thread shorts are a favorite look for less find and now they are at an even lower price - $15!  Highly recommend.  True to size.  

DRESSES 

Fabulous Becca dress from the  Living in Yellow x Gibson collaboration.  I'm partial to this color but a few other options and prints to pick from.  Perfect for work or a night out.  True to size. 

This Leith twist dress is sooo cute and sooo flattering. Leith really knows how to do dresses well. Also comes in black.

There is a similar Felicity & Coco maxi dress on sale. For all you shorties they come in petites and the length is perfect on me. Highly recommend. 

I've posted about these dresses a lot because they are two of my favorites and they are on sale.  

Racerback Dress 

Tank Dress (runs a little big, size down)

JEWELS

Love the Wisten cuff from Stella and Dot.  The black and gray combo goes with soo many things.  And it pairs so nicely with the Druzy bracelet.

I love a good statement necklace and the next two are some of my favorites.    

Lindley necklace

Jasper necklace

SHOES 

I LOVE my Tory Burch Miller sandals so much that I actually bought another pair this year.  Right now there are a couple of colors on sale.  Check them out here. 

These cute Steve Madden slides are now 40% off making them about $40. Super cute and comfortable. True to size. 

My new favorite Marc Fisher espadrilles are on sale in two colors...a really pretty pink and bold red. True to size and SO very comfortable!! 

OTHER FUN SALE ITEMS

I LOVE my Tory Burch wallet on a chain. I have it in black and use it ALL the time for nights out. This same one is on sale in gray and a really pretty poppy color. Highly recommend. Has a built in wallet and fits your phone. Now on sale in gray and red.  

I'm a BIG fan of PJ Salvage pajamas.  They are so soft and comfortable.  This set is now on sale.  Also comes in a white heart option.  

Target Beauty Box Review - Sonia Kashuk Tools

This is the first of three Target beauty boxes I'm going to review.  I had to order right away this month before they sold out.  First up is a Sonia Kashuk box filled with a makeup blender, blush brush, eye shadow brush, tweezers and quick dry make up wipes. 

Basically the reason I got this box is that I was in need of a new blush brush and I've heard really good things about this brand.  I don't use my blush brush every day so I didn't want to spend a ton of money on it.  And for $9 this one is a winner.  Super soft bristles and great coverage.  And it comes with an attachable case which is great.  We will see over time how well it holds up but for now it's a winner.

The Sonia Kashuk quick dry make up wipes that came in the beauty box were eh.  I don't think I wear enough heavy make up to need these.  If I did heavy eye makeup or used a foundation brush I think these would come in handy to help get some of the make up off right away.  They did smell great but I just don't have a need for them. You get a pack of 10 for $9. 

I'm a big fan of the Beauty Blender for applying my foundation but I hate that it's $20.  This Sonia Kashuk blender is a great alternative and it's only $7.  It's bigger and fatter than the beauty blender but works very similar.  Definitely a great alternative. 

These tweezers are a basic pair of angled tweezers....nothing special about them but they get the job done.  They are only $10.  My only complaint is I wish they had a holder to keep them together.  I'll keep these as a back up pair for when I travel. 

Another great make up brush from Sonia Kashuk.  This is an angled eye shadow one is meant for contouring.  I'm not that fancy with my eye makeup so I just use it for all over coverage.  The bristles are super soft and I love that it has its own little case.  And the price point is great at $13.