This is a pic of me today after putting on, what is for me, a full face of makeup. I got Bare Escentuals makeup (the foundation, mineral veil and blush) because I saw how great it looked in Alexa's FOTDs (such as http://specktra.net/forum/viewtopic....are+escentuals) It really is the best makeup I have ever used! Thanks, Alexa! I had pondered about getting that new-fangled-makeup-with-the-minerals, but since you always have such beautiful photos and your skin looks so good, that just sealed the deal for me to give it a try.

I am pretty satisfied with my foundation now and what I use on my face basically. I have a pretty good collection now of MAC eyeshadows and starting to get some pigments, but I am not sure which eyeshadow brushes to use. I have regular ones in brush kits, but what do I need to do really nice blending? I have one MAC eyeshadow brush, I can't remember the number and I am not at home right now to check. I'm not even sure what I am supposed to do with it. :-P Is it even necessary to have MAC brushes to get such great looks? Right now I just use 2 shadows most of the time because if I start to get artistic, I just can't do it that well. However, in this photo of me above I am wearing Phloof as a base, Idol Eyes, Violet pigment, and even a bit of Tempting. It didn't come out like I wanted though, I'm still learning. So I didn't take any close-ups.

Second question, my brows usually have a good shape if I keep a routine with them. Sometimes one will look better than the other. I have used some eyebrow gels in the past, but most were too sticky or stiff. What products have you used on your brows (gels, brushes, powders) to get them looking great?

I want to start posting FOTDs and stop just admiring them from a distance but I am just not prepared! I want to be able to help others, too. I feel that what I am learning by just experimenting is a good way to start, but I don't know any MAs or have any friends that are into this stuff, so I thought I would ask here.

Thanks Girls!

Hrmm.. the brushes I reach for the most are 217, 224, 242, 252. I really like the 224 for blending and the 242 for packing eyeshadows on.

As for eyebrows, right now I'm using Benefit's Browzing but you can just use an eyeshadow.

I like to use stiffer brushes for eyebrows, and MAC makes a pro brush I was searching for forever and I don't know if it's available online or not...but it's #208...

Right now I'm using a Bobbi Brown eyebrow brush, and I love it!

Or, to save money hon, you can go to any art supply store and look for a stiffer ended brush with slight angle...i don't have my artist brush in front of me to see what I bought, but if you go to a store and touch them and look them over you will get the idea of what to buy, if you take a look at the MAC and Bobbi Brown one online!

__________________
"I'm calling you, Samael"----Tori Amos, The Beekeeper, Original Sinsuality

WHAT A CUTE DOOOOOGGG! OMG I WANT TO HAVE IT.......! CUUUUUUTTTEEEEEEEE!! OMG OMG OMG OMG!! Whats that? An Akita Inu?

Your dog is AWESOME. My HG brush is MACs 224 for blending. For my brows, I use powder (Espresso) that matches my hair color, and it usually comes out ok (I hope). I apply with 266.

__________________
http://www.livejournal.com/users/mac_junkie/

Thanks, everyone. I'm totally clueless and new to brushes. Up until last year I would just use generic padded applicators.

Brushes from an art store is an interesting idea, I might try that, and I ended up finding the topic about that in this board.

My dog is a Shiba Inu! He gets cuter everyday. You were almost right, Vuitton! The Akita is the larger breed, the Shiba is the smaller. I think there is another dog right in the middle of those, but can't think of the name right now.

Thank you for the recommendations, I hope to post a FOTD by next week.

I mostly use 213, 219, 242 and 228

__________________
www.innershelter.net