Makeup Brush Basics 1 - Powder Brush, Blush Brush, and Eyeshadow Brush

Hey girls!

Do you use makeup brushes?

There are so many types of makeup brushes, aren't there?

I want to share what I have learned and my experiences with makeup brushes.

This is part 1 of 2 and it is about powder brushes, blush brushes, and eyeshadow brushes since these three are the most basic makeup brushes.

Part 2 will be about foundation brushes and eyeliner brushes that I'm going to write in the next post.

I will explain the basics, and share my failure story, as well (not about a bad choice of brushes, but about a wrong usage of a brush) using my brushes from Sigma Beauty, since those are what I have and I like their brushes.

I chose Sigma Beauty brushes because they are high quality items and they are not too expensive.

I'll mention some MAC brush numbers too (they are on the expensive side), since it is also one of the brands loved by people who are into makeup.

Now let's begin :)

- Powder brush (Sigma F30, MAC 129 etc.)

Sigma F30

You can distribute face powder more evenly with a brush with light touches.

If you use a powder puff, more powder will be applied.

The brush I have is this: Sigma Large Powder - F30.

Let me mention that how to use a powder brush matters.

For a while, I felt "Hmmm. This brush is a bit scratchy..."

This brush has gotten so many good reviews, and they say this brush is soft and fluffy.

So, I thought I was doing something wrong, and I was.

I was stippling over my face.

I was doing so because I didn't want to mess up foundation.

Instead, you should stroke over your face very gently.

After trying this way, it's not scratchy anymore and it feels so comfortable to my skin.

Sigma F40

- Blush brush (Sigma F40, MAC 168 etc.)

You can apply blush with long stroke(s) along the curve of the cheekbone using an appropriate blush brush.

Of course you can layer several long strokes but the key here is you can make long stroke(s).

If you use an accompanying mini brush, you need to apply blush with several small strokes that may lead to uneven application.

The brush I have is this: Sigma Large Angled Contour - F40.

The angled bristles go along the curve of the cheekbone well.

Sigma E55

- Eyeshadow brush

The brush I have is this: Sigma Eye Shading - E55.

I could do my eye makeup with only this brush.

According to Sigma Beauty website, recommended usage of this brush is for placing color across the entire lid for an even and strong application of product.

Not only that, I use it to apply eyeshadow to the outer corner of the eye, in the crease, etc.

When I place eyeshadow on the entire lid, I use the side of the brush (flat part), and when I apply eyeshadow to the outer corner of the eye and in the crease (outer V of the eye), I use the tip of the brush.

Of course, you can get other different types of eyeshadow brushes to use for more specific parts of your eye makeup.

Actually, many people who are into makeup use at least three different eyeshadow brushes, and I imagine that it's easier this way since bristle sizes are different.

1. Basic application brush (biggest bristles of the three)

This is used to apply eyeshadow all over the lid. (Sigma E55, MAC 239 etc.)

2. Blending brush (middle sized bristles of the three)

This is used to soften harsh lines and edges. (Sigma E25, MAC 217 etc.)

3. Crease / pencil brush (smallest bristles of the three)

This is used to apply color to small areas precisely, such as defining the crease, applying along the lush line, highlighting the inner corner of the eye, etc. (Sigma E30, MAC 219 etc.)

There are even more different kinds of eye makeup brushes such as a smudge brush, but these three are the most basic eyeshadow brushes.

(As a note, a smudge brush is used to apply color onto the upper and lower lash lines. Sigma E21, MAC 214 etc.)

A sponge tip applicator accompanying an eyeshadow is somewhat difficult to use to work on details.

I use it when I want to get my eye makeup done so quickly and make it simple. In this case, I put eyeshadow only at the outer corner of the eye, and don't even put it in the crease.

Also, I sometimes use a sponge tip applicator to apply eyeshadow all over the lid, so that I don't need to wipe my only one eyeshadow brush to use it with a different color for the crease. (In other words, you can use only one eyeshadow brush by wiping it against a wet wipe after using it with each color.

By using appropriate makeup brushes instead of mini applicators accompanying cosmetics, you can apply makeup easier and the result is better.

I really recommend to start with these three brushes if you don't have any currently:

-Powder brush

-Blush brush

-Eyeshadow brush

I will write about the basics of foundation brushes and eyeliner brushes in the next post.

Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading and have a happy new year :)

Cheesy Smoked Salmon Omelette Recipe

Hey guys!

My husband's omelettes are the best!

He often cooks them on weekends for us.

Actually I request them :)

Today I'd like to share the yummy omelet recipe.

Ingredients (2 servings):

-Eggs: 6

-Water: 2 oz.

-Tomato: 1/2

-Smoked salmon: enough to cover one half of each omelette

-Spinach and/or herbs of your choice, such as parsley, basil etc.: several leaves to taste

-Shredded cheese of your choice. (We often use mozzarella.): 4 oz.

-Black pepper: small amount

-Olive oil: 2 table spoons

Cook one omelette at a time, dividing the ingredients evenly.

1. Cut the tomato into small cubes.

2. Turn the heat on and warm up your pan. After a minute, add the olive oil.

3. Crack 3 eggs into a bowl.

4. Add the water to the eggs. This makes the eggs soft and fluffier.

(We tried both, adding water and no water. It makes a difference.)

5. Whisk the eggs.

6. Pour the beaten eggs into the pan. Leave it until the eggs become half cooked.

7. Sprinkle the tomatoes, spinach, and/or herbs of your choice on half of the omelette.

8. Place the smoked salmon and the cheese on the egg.

9. When the eggs are cooked, turn the heat off, and fold the half without toppings over the other half.

10. Sprinkle black pepper to taste.

11. Repeat step 3 through 10 to make another serving.

Hmmm yummy!

The other day we substituted smoked salmon with prosciutto and it also turned out very tasty.

As you may be able to tell, we love smoked salmon.

So, we love sushi rolls that contain smoked salmon too. (We love other kinds of sushi, as well.)

A grocery store near us (Publix) carries very good smoked salmon rolls.

Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado are in them and rolled with rice and seaweed.

Sometimes they sell a brown rice version as well.


They sell nigiri sushi, too.

Nigiri is the form of sushi that has a piece of smoked / raw fish on top of rice.

My husband likes it but I don't like Publix's nigiri sushi that much.

Each piece comes with a large bed of rice.

I prefer when there is less rice (maybe I shouldn't complain, haha).

When there is a sushi chef at the store, you can request ingredients to be used and he/she can make custom made sushi for you (if they have the requested ingredients).

Actually, when I was having morning sickness, one of the only things I could eat were smoked salmon rolls, but I didn't want to have cream cheese.

So my husband often got smoked salmon rolls custom made for me which had cucumbers instead of cream cheese, and he asked for extra vinegar for me.

I know that you are not supposed to eat smoked salmon when you are pregnant in the U.S., but in Japan, you can eat smoked salmon, even raw salmon / other fishes as well.

I ate it at my own risk since it was one of the only things I was able to eat and keep down.

So please don't eat smoked / raw fish when you are pregnant just because I did.

What do you like to put in your omelette?

Thanks for reading and have happy holidays :)

Must Have Skin Care Items When You Are Sick

Hey guys!

I was sick the other day and I didn't have the energy to remove my makeup / wash my face in the usual way.

So, I want to share what I did and what I used to take care of my skin.

1. Cotton pads

This is to be used with the second item below, cleansing water.

I used "Mikaeru no Yokubari Cotton" (this is made in Japan) but you can use other ones.

"Kaeru" means frog in Japanese and "Mikaeru" is a nickname of a frog character.

"No" means "'s".

"Yokubari" means greedy.

However, in this case, it means more like "loaded with features". This cotton pad was produced by store managers of @cosme stores and is filled of good points they wanted to fulfill, they say. That's why it's "yokubari".

I like these cotton pads.

They are very soft, do not become fuzzy at all, and are gentle to skin.

2. Makeup remover: cleansing water type

Cleansing water type makeup remover is a must have when you cannot use your sink to wash your face because of an injury or sickness.

I used "Caudalie Cleansing Water" but you can use something else.

This has a slight cucumber like smell.

It's an acceptable smell but I wish this was fragrance-free.

The way you use it is, to put some cleaning water on a cotton pad and wipe your face gently. That's it.

You don't need to rinse with water, you don't need to use a face wash, and you don't need to use moisturizers after using this.

I usually wear light makeup if I wear when I am sick so my makeup is removed well with this.

This helped me so much when my neck hurt and when I had morning sickness / other sickness.

However, I don't like cleansing water type makeup remover when I don't need to use it.

I like normal makeup remover that you rinse with water and apply moisturizer after that.
I think my skin condition is better this way.

Caudalie Cleansing Water Ingredients:

AQUA (WATER), GLYCERIN*, POLOXAMER 188, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) FRUIT WATER*, HEPTYL GLUCOSIDE*, CAPRYL/CAPRAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, SODIUM LEVULINATE*, SODIUM ANISATE*, SODIUM CHLORIDE, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT*, CITRIC ACID*, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) JUICE*, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE (067/178)

* Origine végétale - Plant origin

I've fully recovered and writing this blog, but I got a Norovirus-like illness.

I read a piece of news that it is going around in our area.

Norovirus is highly contagious and gives you symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

It can be transmitted by touching contaminated food / liquid / vomit / stool / surface.

The best thing you can do to prevent Norovirus infection is to wash your hands with soap and water.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers cannot kill the virus since they are anti-bacterial and not anti-viral, so they should be used in addition to washing hands with soap and water.

Now I appreciate my health so much!!

You tend to take it for granted when you are healthy...

A big thanks to my husband who took care of our daughter when I was sick.

I was contagious so I was not able to touch her.

She tried to extend her hands to me many times.

I really wanted to hold her but I was not able to.

I gave her lots of hugs and kisses when I recovered!

Stay healthy everyone.

Thanks for reading and have a great day :)

Tips for Avoiding Eating Too Much at Parties

Hey guys!

Do you tend to overeat at parties?

I sometimes eat a little bit more than usual at parties.

I personally think it's OK to do so, since they're special occasions.

However, if you want to reduce the amount of food you eat at parties, keep reading.

1. Don't go to parties on an empty stomach.

If you are super hungry, you tend to eat a lot.

At parties, there can be many high calorie food.

So, if you drink a glass of milk or eat a small snack before going to parties, you feel somewhat satisfied already and will not crave for lots of food.

2. Socialize with people, not with food.

Talk to people and enjoy the party.

You don't need to just concentrate on eating :)

If you have a mindset that a party is an opportunity to socialize with people rather than a place to eat, it will make a difference.

3. Look around at all the foods and choose only ones that are highly appealing to you.

Let's say you looked at one table and found turkey sandwiches and ate one.

Then you may find a food that you like more, let's say beef steak sandwiches at the next table, and you may wish you found them earlier and end up eating both. If you found the beef steak sandwich earlier, you could have passed on the turkey sandwich that you like less.

4. Try to eat special foods, not usual foods available everywhere.

For example, you may want to skip chips or crackers. You can eat them some other time.

5. Wear clothes that fit you just right.

You can stop eating when your belt or around the waist feels tight.

It will help you since you don't want to show your bloated belly line.

6. Eat foods in the following order:

-1. Vegetables

-2. Protein (meat, fish, cheese, eggs, etc.)

-3. Carbs (pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, etc.)

-4. Sugars (desserts)

Did you know that the order in which you eat matters?

If you eat in this order, your blood sugar level increases more slowly.

Vegetables contain lots of fibers that have the effect of slowing down the digestion and absorption of sugars.

On the contrary, if you eat carbs and sugars when your stomach is empty, your blood sugar level increases rapidly, which leads insulin production in large amounts to decrease blood sugar level quickly.

Insulin has the effect of transforming unused sugars to fat and storing it. So, if it is produced in large amounts, it could make you prone to gaining weight.

7. Chew well and eat slowly.

If you eat too fast without chewing well, you may eat too much before you feel you're full.

It takes some time until the satiety center is stimulated and makes you feel full after eating, usually 20 minutes or so.

It's good to be careful about what you eat, but don't forget to enjoy your parties :)

You should be able to do both.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Our Favorite Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe

Hey guys!

What is your favorite meal of holiday season?

Hmmm it's difficult for me to name one.

But I like this one for sure: stuffed pumpkin.

My husband heard the recipe on the radio several years ago.

Since then, we have made it on Thanksgiving, Christmas day, etc.

If you like pumpkin and cheese, you'll love this. Must try :) (No pressure, haha.)

This is a vegetarian menu (not vegan, as it uses cheese and milk).

We have arranged the original recipe.

Ingredients:

Pumpkin pie pumpkin (pumpkin grown for cooking / not a carving pumpkin): 1

(Note: The amount of ingredients below varies depending on the size of the pumpkin. The below is the amount for a 2 - 3 lbs. pumpkin.)

Heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk: half cup

Shredded Swiss cheese: 1 package (or grated Gruyere cheese)

Pumpkin pie spice: a couple table spoons

Pepper: small amount

Plain stuffing (half a box), bread (7-inch piece of baguette sliced or other bread of choice), or half-cooked rice (3/4 cup before being cooked) (choose one of these)

Vegetable broth: 10 oz.

1. Cut the top of the pumpkin off. Keep it since you will use it later.

2. Scoop the inside of the pumpkin out: strings and seeds (you can throw these away).

3. Put some olive oil on the skin of the pumpkin.

4. Preheat the oven to 425F.

5. Put a sheet of parchment paper in a baking dish that will go into the oven. Put the pumpkin in it.

6. Mix cream/milk with pumpkin spice and pepper.

7. Put a layer of stuffing/bread/half-cooked rice inside of the pumpkin.

If you're going to use half-cooked rice, see below for how to prepare half-cooked rice (*).

8. Put some cream/milk inside of the pumpkin.

9. Put a layer of cheese inside of the pumpkin.

10. Repeat step 7 through 9 until the content reaches about an inch away from the top.

If you put too much stuff in the pumpkin, it will overflow when it's cooked.

11. Put the pumpkin into the oven and bake for 60 minutes.

12. Check if it is fully cooked by poking it with a skewer or a fork. If not, add more time.

*How to prepare half-cooked rice for stuffed pumpkin:

Since you will finish cooking the rice with vegetable broth and milk/cream, you will cook the rice only half way.

Cook the rice with half the amount of water specified in the directions on your rice package.

When the water evaporates, turn the heat off.

Since we used half the amount of water, the rice is half cooked at this point.

This time, we chose whole milk, Swiss cheese, and stuffing, but we have used half and half, Gruyere cheese, and brown rice.

All the combinations are tasty.

If you use rice, it turns out like a risotto!

This Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law and her husband had vacation plans on Thanksgiving, so we had a Thanksgiving meal a week before so that everyone could join.

We cooked a stuffed pumpkin, a whole turkey, butternut squash soup, and green bean casserole.

Everything turned out so great.

And then, on the real Thanksgiving Day, we cooked the stuffed pumpkin again!

We love this dish.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

Thanks for reading and have a great day :)