I don’t know about you but I have had ENOUGH of the bad news on the economy. OK we get it, the world is in a deep financial crisis. Well just what exactly are we supposed to do besides run for office and fix all the messes! I can’t run for office, I don’t like wearing pantsuits and sensible shoes. So I am going to do what I do best, buy a new lipstick and gloss! OK, maybe the matching liner too. One of life’s great little pleasures is opening a brand new lipstick, every woman I know feels the same way. It’s just a little luxury that we deserve since we have to make all of the important decisions in life.

So when you see me be sure comment on my Hot New Lips! xoxox- Andrea

Lately I’ve had a lot of customers asking me about how important I think brushes are. Ever since the first time I applied makeup with a brush I have been a strong believer that brushes are the only way to get a flawless even application of makeup. Not to say I’ve never been running around last minute and threw on some eye shadow with my fingers, but I certainly don’t get the same effect that I do if I’m using my arsenal of brushes.

I like to think of it the same as painting on a canvas. You can paint with your fingers and you can paint with brushes. You can definitely make pretty rainbows finger painting, but I don’t think that any masterpieces have come without using brushes. Michelangelo certainly didn’t finger paint

My go to brushes here at rouge for my perfect flawless face include, Paula Dorfs’ brow brush, eye transformer for lining the inside rim of the eye, smudge brush for smoking out liners, and the softest powder brush ever. I use NARS # 7 for concealer and eye primer and # 6 for the apples of your cheeks. Stila makes some amazing dual ended brushes #24 for contouring the face and #30 for the all over eye shadow and the crease. I line and fill in the lips with Stila’s #4. I finish off the face by buffing out and blend everything together using the #21 from Stila.

To take care of your brushes I suggest using a brush cleanser such as Paula Dorf brush-out in between uses. Use a brush shampoo, I use brush out bath, once a week and lay them out flat to dry over night. Never soak your brushes or submerge the handles in water, as this will cause the wood to split and the handle to loosen. Brushes are an amazing investment. If you take care of them they will last for years to come.

As always, if you want to check out some brushes and learn some tricks and tips come and visit any of us here at rouge and we’ll hook you up!