Author: Polished Makeup & Hair

Categories
Guide How-To

GUIDE: How To Sanitize Makeup Palettes & Pencils

How To Sanitize Makeup Palettes & Pencils

You’ve been cleaning and organizing like a mad man! You’re on a roll! Your brushes are clean, now let’s jump into cleaning the rest of our makeup.

Bacteria likes to grow in dark, moist places, so properly sanitize your makeup, your skin will thank you!

Did you know all makeup has an expiration date? Yup! Grab a product, see that little open jar with “12M” on the back? That means, this product expires 12 months from the day you open it.

If you keep your makeup in the bathroom where it gets hot and steamy, cut that expiration date in half.

And it goes without saying, leaving your makeup in a hot car is really a bad idea.

It can be tough to remember when you opened a product, so if it smells funny or the color has changed, toss it!

This could be a sneaky reason as to why you have those annoying breakouts. Expired or “dirty” makeup can also spread Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Staph Infection, Sty’s, cold sores and even Herpes.

Not convinced yet? Check out this story of a woman who tried to sue Sephora after using a lipstick tester and contracting Herpes. Just do your body a favor and do not apply makeup testers directly to your skin. 

Grossed out yet? I thought so. Grab your makeup bag, lets get to cleaning!

Helpful expiration timeframes to keep in mind:

1. Mascara – 3 months
2. Lipstick – 12-18 months
3. Liquid Foundation – 12 months
4. Concealer – 6-9 months
5. Liquid Eyeliner – 6 months
6. Pencil Liners – 12 months
7. Powders – 24 months

Pro Tip

You might be asking yourself, “how in the world can I keep track of all these dates?” Trust me, I couldn’t remember them all even if I wanted to.

I like to write the month and year I open the product somewhere on the packaging and slap a piece of tape over it to keep the ink from smudging off.

3 simple steps to sanitize your makeup palettes:

What you’ll need:

1. Counter or table space

2. 70% alcohol in a spray bottle or a makeup sanitizing spray

3. Pressed powder palettes (eyeshadow, blush, face powders etc.) 

3 simple steps

Step one:
Open your palettes and lay them out on a table or counter. You can do 1, 2, heck do all of them!
Protect your surface if needed with a towel or paper towel.

Step two:
Lightly mist your palette(s) with your alcohol or makeup sanitizing spray until the top layer is slightly damp. 2-4 spritzes usually does the job per palette (depending on the size).
Do not drench your palettes.

Step three:
Leave your palette(s) open to dry. This shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Voila! You have sanitized your palette!

PRO TIP: Use a makeup wipe or a paper towel dampened with alcohol, wrap it around your index finger and wipe down the packaging of your palette. Wait until your palette is fully dry to use. 

Clean your makeup pencils in 3 easy steps:

What you’ll need:

1. Pencil sharpener

2. 70% alcohol in a spray bottle or a makeup sanitizing spray

3. Pencils (eyeliners, lip liners, eyebrow pencils etc.)

4. Mini jar 

The Steps

Step one:
Pour your alcohol into a mini jar.

Step two:
Dunk your pencil into the mini jar of alcohol for a few seconds.

Step three:
Sharpen! Fully sharpen your pencil (fully 360 turn) to remove the entire top layer of product that has touched your skin. Let dry before putting the top back on.

PRO TIP: Soak your pencil tops and pencil sharpener in alcohol to sanitize them too!

Check out our step by step guide on how to sanitize your makeup brushes. 

Helpful and informative links from the cdc and fda on cosmetic safety

Cosmetics Safety Q&A: Shelf Life

Preventing the Spread of Conjunctivitis

General information on Staph Infection

Eye Cosmetic Safety

Using Cosmetics Safely

Categories
Airbrush Makeup Magazine Feature

FEATURE: Crazy Beautiful

Scorpio Jin Magazine Best of 2020

Back in 2020 amidst the global pandemic, us artists were itching for a creative outlet. This is the result of one of those days.

Let me take you on the journey of the evolution of these simple yet stunning makeup looks.

The beginning

Are you a nude kinda gal? Or Red? Which is your go-to lip color? This model is naturally gorgeous and can rock both!

No false lashes, just mascara and accentuated her lovely skin.  

Now, let’s add some sparkles on the lips!

Next, replace the stars and sparkles on the lips with some gold sequin.

Then we added some unique earrings and some white lines with a white eye liner, you could also use a water activated paint to avoid cracking. 

Back to red lips. But first, gloss or no gloss?

All finished! Simplicity at it’s finest. Check out the magazine spreads below.

Credits

 
Photographer: Douglas Marquez
Categories
Guide How-To

GUIDE: How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Step by step guide to cleaning your makeup brushes

So, when is the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? I asked my mom that question and her response shocked me.

“You have to clean your brushes?” She replied with a confused face.

“Absolutely!”

Then I came to the realization that there are probably tons of other people who also don’t know about cleaning brushes.

With COVID-19, now is the perfect time to brush up on your makeup sanitation skills (pun intended).

Had any pesky pimples pop up lately? Dirty brushes could be the culprit.

Do you carry a couple brushes in your travel makeup bag to work or school?
Yeah, that brush is D-I-R-T-Y!

Brushes collect dirt, oil and dead skin, YUK! Let’s make them like new again!

Get ready. Set. LET’S DISINFECT!

Here are a few simple ways to sanitize your brushes:

Method 1: This is the quickest way!

What you’ll need:

1. Towel or paper towels

2. Antibacterial brush cleaner

3. Spray bottle (for brush cleaner)

4. Dirty makeup brushes

5. 70% alcohol (I prefer my alcohol in a spray bottle) 

Method 1: The Steps

Step one:
I like to lay out all my dirty brushes on a towel, so I have everything in front of me.

Step two:
Lets clean your brush handles first. Take some alcohol, spray the handles and wipe off any makeup you see on the handle.

Step three:
Lay down your clean towel or a few paper towels in front of you. Spray your brush cleaner liberally into the towel until its pretty damp. We need enough brush cleaner on our towel to be able to saturate every single bristle on our brush.

PRO TIP: Use a barrier between your towel and your table (like a plate) to prevent the brush cleaner from damaging your surface.

Trust me, it can eat away the enamel of a wood table, I know from experience unfortunately.  Luckily it was my table and not a client’s! Eeek!

Step four:
Grab that brush! Now, rub your brushes bristles in the dampened towel until clean.

You might have to repeat step 3 a couple times to get the brush fully clean. Move to other spots of the towel as needed.

PRO TIP: If your brush is a round shape like a powder brush or a blending brush, use circular motions, follow the shape of the brush.

If your brush is flat, like an eyebrow brush or a packing brush, use side to side swiping motions.

Follow the shape of your brush!

PRO TIP: Be gentle with your brushes! Treat your brushes like you would treat your hair, this way they treat you well by lasting!

Step five:
Let those babies dry! Lay them flat on a clean towel or paper towel in an open space, or if you have a fancy contraption where you can hang your brushes (bristles down) that’s even better!
Just whatever you do, DO NOT LET THEM DRY STANDING UP! This will cause the liquid to break down the glue holding together your brush, then before you know it, your brushes are falling apart.

When using quick drying brush cleaner, your brushes should be dry in about a minute or less.

METHOD 2

This way takes a bit longer for your brushes to dry, but I feel like this way gives your brushes a deeper clean. You’ll need a few hours for your brushes to dry with this method.

What you’ll need:

1. Towel or paper towels

2. Brush cleaner (photos & links) or 70% alcohol

3. Glass bowl or a cleaning tin

Method 2: The Steps

Step one & two:
(Same as method 1) Lay out all your dirty brushes on a towel, so everything is in front of you.

Clean your brush handles. Take some alcohol, spray the handles and wipe off any makeup you see on the handle.

Step three:
Lay down your clean towel or a few paper towels in front of you.

Pour some brush cleaner in a glass bowl or a cleaning tin.

Step four:
Grab that brush! Dip your brushes bristles halfway into the brush cleaner, then wipe til clean on your towel. Repeat dipping in the brush cleaner if needed.

Remember to be gentle and use hand motions mimicking the shape of the brush.

PRO TIP: DO NOT FULLY SUBMURGE YOUR ENTIRE BRUSH IN THE BRUSH CLEANER (or any liquid)!

Over time, this will loosen the glue holding your brush together and cause your brush to fall apart.

Step five:
Lay flat to dry and in a few hours, your brushes should be squeaky clean!

METHOD 3

This way takes a bit longer for your brushes to dry, but I feel like this way gives your brushes a deeper clean. You’ll need a few hours for your brushes to dry with this method.

What you’ll need:

1. Towel or paper towels

2. Brush Shampoo (check out this DIY)

3. Silicon texture mat/ glove. This is optional but totally worth it!

4. Running water

Method 3: The Steps

Step one & two:
(Same as method 1) Lay out all your dirty brushes on a towel.

Clean your brush handles. Take some alcohol, spray the handles and wipe off any makeup you see on the handle.

Step three: 

Let’s clean these bad boys!
Turn on your water faucet.

Get your bristle’s fully wet (do not fully submerge your brushes!)

Dunk that beauty into the brush soap or shampoo

Now lather and finesse those bristles (try using your hand or a silicon ribbed mat)

Rinse until the water runs clean

Step four:

VOILA! Finished! Now lay them and forget them.

Give your brushes about 8 hours to dry, the bigger the brush, the longer the drying time.

PRO TIP: Shape your brushes with your fingers before laying them to dry, this will help prevent those pesky stragglers and bristle frays.

There you have it, 3 simple methods on cleaning your makeup brushes.Happy cleaning!

On a sanitizing roll? Check out this step by step guide on how to sanitize makeup palettes and pencils. 

Categories
Airbrush Makeup Beach Looks Hair Inspiration Maternity

Taylor’s Maternity Photos

Taylor's Maternity Photos

I know everyone’s pregnancy is different, some can be tough and others seem to be a breeze but one thing is for sure, all mom’s and expecting mama’s deserve to look and feel beautiful!  

So why not capture that special memory so you can look back and remember that beautiful time of your life?  

There are lot’s of places you can take your maternity pictures but Galveston, TX is definitely one of our team’s favorite spots! If the beach isn’t your thing, there are lots of neat areas hidden in plain sight that don’t give you the Texas beach vibe.  

So let’s talk hair and makeup, on the beach. First thing that comes to mind? It’s windy!

Have you ever gone to the beach with your hair looking cute and then about 5 minutes later its up in a topknot because you can’t stand it blowing all over your face?

Yea, I know, that wind can really screw up that super cute down style, so we made sure to pin the hair back out of Taylor and Brenda’s face. 

Want to know my top tip for wearing makeup at the beach? Don’t wear gloss and your hair down, talk about a bad combination!

Honestly, I wouldn’t wear gloss at all to the beach, just thinking about that makes me think of sand sticking to my lips, gross.  

Vendors

Photographer: Mercy & Grace Photography

Location: Galveston, Texas

Craving more maternity inspirations? Check out Brenda’s Maternity Session!

Categories
Airbrush Makeup

The Best Makeup For Blue Eyes

Makeup Looks For Blue Eyes

So, you have blue eyes and you want to make them POP! I have an answer for you… BROWNS!

That’s the plain and simple truth, brown eyeshadows and brown eyeliners will accentuate your blue eyes making them seem even brighter than before. 

Want to know a simple trick? I love, and I mean LOVE brown eyeliner for my blue eyes.

Depending on where I’m going and how sassy I’m feeling, brown liner can give that soft natural look or if I’m feeling spicy, a sultry dark brown smokey eye is the way to go.

Want to know another secret?

I like to take my favorite brown pencil liner by Makeup By Mario, run it along my lash line and then take a small makeup brush and smudge it out, once it dries, it’s there for good.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a nice intense black liner, but for my fair ladies with blue eyes, black can be a bit too harsh for certain occasions.

Brown is the perfect alternative!

Pair that with you favorite black mascara and you’ve got beaming bright blue eyes. 

Check out these makeup inspirations for brown eyes.

Categories
Beach Looks Hair Inspiration Maternity

Brenda’s Maternity Photo Session

Brenda's Maternity Photos

Here’s Brenda! We have worked with her numerous times over the years and I can already tell you, she is going to be a super-mom!

I love that we get the chance to share different life events with our clients, bridal photos, birthday shoots and now her maternity photos! 

Brenda loves makeup so we went with a more bold look to fit her personal style. Our team members Julia and Faby absolutely killed this look!

Julia incorporated eye liner on the upper and lower lash line to intensify her eyes and added a toned down mauve lip color to balance out Brenda’s features.

Can I just say, Brenda can really rock eyeliner! 

Faby created a beachy half-up half-down hairstyle, with twists to keep Brenda’s hair from flying in the wind, then a flower crown to top it off.

Flower crowns are one of our favorite hair accessories but here it’s a double whamy!

Super cute and it helps keep her hair out of her face, what more could you ask for on the beach? 

Vendors

Photographer: Mercy & Grace Photography

Location: Galveston, Texas

Looking for more maternity photo shoot inspirations? Check out Taylor’s Maternity Session.

Categories
Uncategorized

The Best Makeup For Brown Eyes

Makeup Looks For Brown Eyes

Searching for that perfect makeup look? Let’s face it, sometimes we have no idea what to do with our makeup, or what colors to use.

Some inspiration can be good to spark some ideas.

Check out these neutral makeup looks we’ve done on ladies with beautiful brown eyes! 

I’m sure you can tell, we love those neutral earthy colors. Different brown tones can compliment so many skin tones and can be applied is so many ways! 

Check out these fun makeup transformations created by our team in the video below.