Wednesday, January 30, 2013

At home Manicure...

Happy Wednesday! Middle of the week, we are almost through it :) I am in dyer need to get my nails done. It has definitely been way too long :O So I was researching how I can make them look good myself, if I didn't have the time to go anywhere to get them done. You can do this also if you don't have the money to spend on a manicure! Here are simple steps you can do to your nails to make them look beautiful again:


1. Trim Hangnails.
Using small nail scissors, clean up any ragged skin around the nail. BE CAREFUL. Do not cut cuticles (the delicate area where the skin meets the nail), as they help protect the nail bed from infection.

2. Soften Rough Skin.
Soak hands in a basin of warm whole milk for several minutes. The lactic acid in milk helps remove dead cells and soften cuticles; the natural fats help replenish dry skin.

3. Push Back Cuticles.
Using an angle-tipped nail stick, gently push the cuticles back toward the base of the nail, clearing the nail surface for buffing.

4. Shape Nails.
Using a nail file, shape nails into squares with rounded corners, which makes them more resistant to cracks and tears. To avoid misshapen or split nails, file in one direction only -- no sawing back and forth.

5. Buff Nails To A Shine.
Using a smooth-surfaced buffing block or buffing disk (not a filing block, which will scuff nails), buff the entire surface of nails using a side-to-side motion.

6. Moisturize And Massage.
As a final step, rub hands with warm almond oil, avocado oil, or light olive oil, or apply an oil-rich hand and nail cream. Pay particular attention to the nail and cuticle areas.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

DIY Valentine...

Hey everyone :) It is hard to believe, but January is almost gone. It feels like we just started the new year yesterday  BUT I am excited for February because it's my birthday month AND it's Valentine's Day (one of my favorite holidays). I think I enjoy it so much because you can be as girly as you want. Everything is red or pink, there are hearts everywhere, and there is enough chocolate to feed the world! So if you are looking for a cute valentine to give away to a crush, a friend, or as a party favor, here is a great idea:

  • Buy a chocolate mold tray (I got a mustache mold from Amazon) 
  • A bag of melting chocolate (can be purchased at Walmart, Michaels, etc)
  • Sticks for the base of the chocolate mustache
  • Plastic bags to put the chocolate 'pops' in (make sure the mustache will fit)
  • If you can't find any bags you can always use plastic wrap
  • Crafty tags to add on as a decoration (I found these super cute ones from DIY Network: Mustache tags, just cut off the bottom name or edit your name onto it)

Put the melting chocolate in a microwave safe container and heat it up until the chocolate is almost fully melted. Stir any lumps out to make a smooth creamy texture. Pour the chocolate into the mold you purchased and place a stick coming out of the base of the chocolate (sort of like a lollipop). Pop the mold in the refrigerator for a couple hours. You want to make sure the chocolate is set. After the chocolate is set, pop the chocolate (stick and all) out of the mold carefully. Place each one in a plastic baggie or wrap in plastic wrap (whichever you prefer) and add a creative tag with some ribbon. Such a cute gift!


Monday, January 28, 2013

Healthy Hair...

Happy Monday everyone! Over the weekend I forgot how much I HATE moving. It is nice once everything is settled and I get to redecorate :) But the process before hand is awful. I have done so much moving, the pain has moved past my muscles down to my bones! Ouch :x Any who, I couldn't do much to my hair this morning because I don't have a mirror up or a functional bathroom space. If your hair is healthy, you don't really have to do much to it in the first place. This is great, especially if you're having a bad hair day (or no time like me!) Here is a great DIY hair treatment to energize your locks:

1 egg yolk
1 Tablespoon mayonnaise
1/4 of an avocado
2 Tablespoons olive oil
A small handful of conditioner 

Mix all of the ingredients together, then apply the mixture to your hair for an hour or two. Then, simply wash it out for soft, shiny, and strong locks! Inexpensive and effective; love it!


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Bible verse...

Happy Sunday :) I hope everyone's weekend is going according to their expectations <3 Here is the bible verse for today:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Save your broken powders...

Hi everyone! I have had a packed filled day of moving -sigh- I can't wait until everything is done and I get the chance to re-decorate our new house :) During all the moving, I am extra careful with my makeup collection. What if I dropped something and it broke into pieces? There is actually a quick fix :) Here is how you save your broken makeup:


Take your broken powder (it could be a blush, bronzer, or an eyeshadow) and place a few drops of rubbing alcohol into it. The alcohol doesn't have to be a specific percentage, and actually the more concentrated it is, the faster it will dry.

Once you place in a few drops of alcohol, mix it around with your finger, making a paste-like substance. Smooth is out to how you want it to look after it reforms itself. Leave this mixture overnight and you will wake up to a fresh new powder <3333

Friday, January 25, 2013

DIY Facial Toner...

Yipee! It's Friday! TGIF everyone <3 So since yesterday's post was about acne and facial treatments, I wanted to continue the discussion with a great DIY facial toner. Toner resets the pH balance of your skin. When you use face wash it can really dry out your skin because it is acidic. Toner re-balances the pH in your skin so you will not be so dried out or too oily. You should always try and use toner after you wash your face before you put on lotion. Here is what you will need:

1/2 cucumber with peel, chopped
3 tablespoons witch hazel (you can purchase at any store; Walmart, Amazon, Walgreens, etc.)
2 tablespoons distilled water

Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour the mix through a sieve to remove all of the lumps, clumps, and remaining solids, then pour the liquid into a clean bottle with a tight lid. You can store this toner in the refrigerator, and it will last you several weeks :) *To use, apply the toner to your face using a cotton ball or pad.

This toner is extremely mild and really works well for all skin types. Cucumber is great for soothing and softening skin because it has the same pH as healthy skin. For those days that you wake up feeling puffy, this toner will really help to calm and tighten your skin!

Have a great weekend :*






Thursday, January 24, 2013

Natural ways to get rid of acne...

Good morning everyone! Today as I was getting ready to leave the house, I noticed a zit coming in on my chin....yuck!We all get them, and whether they come in bunches or once a month, they are a pain, literally! We all want clear skin and most of us would do anything to make that happen. Here are 6 natural ways you can do yourself to try and banish your acne for good:

1. HOT WASHCLOTHS
Soak a washcloth in hot water, and put it directly onto your pimples as a compress. This will help to dilate the blood vessels. Afterwards,splash some cold water onto the area and it will help take away skin redness. The cold water also helps to loosen the sebum that has built up in your pores.

2. ICE CUBES
Ice cubes are good to munch on but they will also help reduce your inflammations. Place an ice cube on the affected area for several minutes. They will also help to bring down the swelling in large, cystic pimples.

3. TOOTHPASTE
Toothpaste has a great effect on pimples because of its antibacterial properties! Use a regular toothpaste (stay away from the gels) and place it all over the pimple. This method will cut the time in half that it takes for the pimple to go away.

4. CUCUMBERS
You heard of putting cucumbers over your eyes to help reduce puffiness, right? Well cucumber slices work just as well to reduce the swelling of pimples. Cold slices of cucumber are very soothing on breakouts.

5. ASPIRIN
Aspirin contains beta hydroxy acid which helps unclog pores. Just crush up an aspirin pill and use some water to turn a pill into a topical paste that you can apply to your pimples. Within hours of application, your pimple will be smaller.

6. TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is extracted from the melaleuca tree. It has a very distinctive smell, but it is also pleasant. When applied to a blemish, tea tree oil penetrates the skin and kills bacteria, helping the skin heal more quickly.

Try these remedies at home and see what works for you :)


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Contouring and Highlighting...

Hello lovies! This morning as I was doing my makeup, I decided to really take the time and contour/highlight my face. I love doing this because of all the benefits to it. It is almost like performing a magic trick :) If you are needing to know how to contour and highlight your face, or what the point of it is, you have come to the right place! Here are some basic facts you need to know about contouring and highlighting your face:

Contouring helps to create illusions on your face by sculpting, accentuating, and highlighting certain features. This is particularly true if you have a rounder face.When you contour your face, you help to balance out your features. Facial beauty is related to symmetry, and subconsciously we think faces are more beautiful if they are more symmetric. Contouring your face will also help you look more photogenic :)

Take this model for example. Her face is more round shape, but if you notice her contour, her cheeks and jawline look more define and symmetric.
Some of the secrets that contouring does:
  • Defines the jawline/chin
  • Lift sagging eyes
  • Reduces the look of a “double” chin
  • Shortens a large forehead
  • Defines the cheekbones
  • Helps larger noses look smaller
What you will need to contour and highlight your face: 
  1. A Contouring Brush – used for giving shape and definition to the face.
  2. Contouring - A color two shades darker than your foundation. You can use bronzer, darker foundation or a contouring powder. It can be a liquid, cream or powder form. 
  3. Highlight – A color two shades lighter then your foundation. You can use light colored eye shadow  a lighter foundation or a highlighter.
This picture above is a guideline on where to apply the contour (brown color) and highlighting (white color). It is recommended to use a brush for powder contouring and a sponge for cream contouring. You want to blend until there are NO harsh lines or streaking. Remember, you want it to look natural! The skin should look slight shaded or highlighted not as if there is an obvious color applied to the skin.

The key here is practice makes perfect :) You will figure out how much contouring your own face needs and how to make sure everything looks blended. A good thing to remember is contouring and highlighting look best under indirect or “evening” lighting so if you are going somewhere really bright keep it simple or simply just skip it :)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Makeup Dupes...

Happy Tuesday everyone :) Today is a brisk and sunny day, perfect for a bike ride later on <33 Anywho, I am in the process of moving apartments and this means I am having to go through everything and clear some stuff out that I don't use. I decided to go through my makeup collection and I really didn't have the heart to throw anything away! Eek!

So as I was packing up things and moving things around, I decided to put on some You Tube videos of my favorite girls: FarahNicoleStephanieCarliMelisaAllisonSophia, really the list could go on and on... A major theme was the LA IMATS 2013. If you are unfamiliar with IMATS, it is the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show. Basically tons of  makeup brands set up booths and display and sell their products as really discounted prices (and no, you don't have to be a makeup artist to attend!)

So, if you are like me and you can't really afford designer makeup brands, but you also can't fly to another city for IMATS, here are some great makeup duplicates that no one will ever be able to tell the difference:

MAC Viva Glam Nicki vs. Wet n Wild Pinkerbell


NARS Turkish Delight vs. Loreal Color Riche Gloss Baby Blossom


Benefit Hoola Bronzer vs. NYC Sunny Bronzer


Benefit Highbeam vs. Boots No 7 Illuminating Lotion


MAC Vegas Volt vs. Revlon Coralberry


NARS Orgasm Blush vs. Milani Luminous Blush

Monday, January 21, 2013

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner...

Hey there all! Today I had the bright idea of doing my makeup with my supplies over the toilet in the bathroom. Needless to say, one of my brushes fell in! Ahhhhhhhhhh! I definitely had to clean it, but with what?

When your brushes get dirty, whether from too much use, a spill, or a clumsy drop like I did, you have to make sure to clean them properly. I mean, think about it....you don't want to put something dirty onto your face, do you?! Using a dirty brush will hinder you more than help you. Here is a quick DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner that works like a charm:

  • One tablespoon of white vinegar
  • A cup of hot water

Mix the vinegar into the hot water well. Take your dirty brush put it in the water. Let is soak for 20 minutes. Take it out, then rinse the brush with hot water, then cold water, then pat dry. This method helps to disinfect, dissolve grease/makeup, it leaves no film residue, AND it's inexpensive. What could be better than that :)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Blessed Sunday...

Hi everyone! Happy SUNDAY :) Today is an even better Sunday because tomorrow is a holiday and that means a three day weekend <333 Today's bible verse is James 1:2-3.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Take this verse with you throughout the day and try to apply it to your daily lives :)


Saturday, January 19, 2013

DIY Feel Better Kit...

It's Saturday...weee!!! Being mid January, we are in the midst of the dreaded Flu Season :( It seems like everyone around me is getting sick, and I for one, don't want any part of it! I make sure to keep myself loaded up on vitamins and wash my hands whenever I can. I know that when I come down with a cold/flu, I want to be pampered. I want items that will make me feel better quick, and someone to show me love and care. Here is a great DIY Feel Better Kit you can make for anyone who you know is sick, whether it be a friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, or relative:

A basket or giant mug

Next, buy different items for the basket/mug! You want to make sure these items will help the person feel better <3 Here are some great ideas:
Honey (to soothe the throat)
Herbal teas
Chapstick
Cough drops
Aspirin
Juice
Chicken soup
Medicine
Magazines

Arrange the items in a basket or in the giant mug and add a pretty ribbon. For an even cuter idea, try to keep it all color themed <33 Now wouldn't you want someone to do this for you? :)



Friday, January 18, 2013

Remove a Spray Tan...

Happy FRIDAY everyone! I don't know about you, but it is cold where I live, so any tan I want to get is in the form of a spray tan! I'm sure if you are going to the LA IMATS this weekend, you probably already got your spray tan done :) Well after you get back and you want to get rid of your fake rays, here are some quick tips on how to remove a spray tan:



SUGAR & LEMON

Mix 1 cup of sugar and ¾ cup of lemon juice. Try to use raw sugar, as the rough granules will help scrub away the tan. Take the mixture and rub it all over your spray tan, leaving it for a few minutes to sit. When your finished, rinse off with warm water.

BICARBONATE OF SODA & LEMON

Mix 1/2 cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/2 cup of lemon juice until you get almost a paste. Put this paste on your spray tan and leave for a dew minutes. This really works, but you might have to do it a couple times.


HAIR REMOVAL CREAM

The quickest way I know to remove a fake tan is hair removal cream and waxing! This will instantly strip your skin of your tan. If you are a DIY spray tanner, the next time you make a mistake, spray a little of the hair removal cream onto the area and wipe off!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Unusual Beauty Secrets...

Hello all! I hope everyone's week is going well for them so far :) I'm sure everyone is looking forward to this nice three day weekend and celebrating the great man that was Martin Luther King Jr. <3 Last night I thought about some DIY's for beauty treatments, and came across some not-so-common remedies. As women, we will try everything available to us if it means better beauty. Even if it means weird  unusual tricks that we have never heard before! Here are several secrets to try out the next time you are feeling daring:
Preparation H for Wrinkles
Some wouldn't realize this, but hemorrhoid creams like Preparation H gets rid of wrinkles  The active ingredients in the cream help five your face a tight, smooth complex (temporarily). Definitely avoid your eye area (more suitable is an actual eye serum/cream), but anywhere on your face that you want to smooth out that wrinkle!
Lip Stain with Jell-O
Have you noticed whenever you make Jell-O it tends to stain things like the bowl, the counter  or your hands? Pour a little bit of any Jell-O powder (whichever color you prefer) into a bowl and wet the end of a Q-Tip with water. Dip the Q-Tip in the Jell-O and apply carefully to your lips. You will have an all day, long lasting lip stain :)
DIY Coffee Grounds Scrub
Coffee is not just for drinking! Using coffee grounds can help to balance the PH of your skin. It is also a great exfoliate for the skin to get rid of any dead skin cells. Also, coffee grounds are loaded with anti-oxidants which help battle free radicals! Take a little bit of coffee grounds in a bowl, mix with your favorite body wash or soap, and scrub away :)
Honey Wash
Honey works as an anti-inflammatory and is really soothing for the skin. It actually helps removes makeup without stripping as well. Take a small spoonful and use it to wash your face. Then remove it with a warm wash cloth. For an added bonus, you can add brown sugar to the honey and use it as a face exfoliate. Great for a lip exfoliate too <3

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Post Workout Beauty Tips...

So it's the third week of January and I have been working out a lot! Not only at the gym but at my house and outside, just trying to stay active. Of course we all want to look cute working out, but there are certain things to remember. When you are sweating, bacteria can get trapped in your pores which will clog them; especially if you are wearing tight clothing. Here are three beauty tips to remember when you begin your next fitness routine :)


1. TAKE OFF THE MAKEUP
We all want to look our best all day every day, even at the gym! It is tempting, especially if your crush goes to the same gym <33 The KEY is to remove any make-up on your face (primers, foundation, tinted moisturizers). If you are going to the gym straight from work, bring along with you some makeup wipes and wipe it all off before your workout. Once you start working out, heat (or sweat) opens up your pores, and clogged pores leads to acne! If you MUST wear something, I would try waterproof mascara and eyeliner....that's it!

2. PIN YOUR HAIR UP

Wear your hair either in a high pony tail or bun. If it is possible, make sure you have no hair products in your hair before working out (gel, mousse, hairspray). If you can, steer clear of hair products before working out. If you are again coming from work and your hair is already styled, put on a cute headband to absorb anything. If you have to be somewhere after your workout, spray your roots with a dry shampoo and blow-dry your hair upside-down. Although you think your hair will be super gross, the slight saltiness of your sweat will give your hair body and texture, and the dry shampoo will soak up excess oil and odor.

3. BLAST THAT BACTERIA

The most important step is to wipe yourself off after a workout! Use any type of cleansing pads and wipe your face, chest, and any other part that is prone to breakouts. Make sure to take it easy on your skin after a workout because your skin can be super sensitive (depending on how hard you worked out). A good tip is to use some kind of moisturizer after using a cleansing pad to make sure your skin doesn't dry out. A good example is a redness-reducing formula such as Clinique’s Daily Relief Cream.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Ice Beauty Secrets...

Who would of ever thought that ice could be your new beauty best friend?! Believe it or not, ice has many beauty benefits for your skin. It also helps to improve circulation and ward off wrinkles. Here are four beauty tricks to try the next time you go to fill up your glass with ice:

Prime Skin
We spend loads of money of facial primers to put on before our foundation to help reduce pores. Once morning, try running an ice cube over your face, focusing on areas with enlarged pores. The ice will cause pores to reduce in size and minimize their appearance under makeup. Icing these areas before your application of a primer can yield extra-smooth results!

De-Puff Eyes
Do you wake up with puffy eyes? Take an ice cube and wrap it in a washcloth. Placing it on puffy eyes can reduce early morning puffiness, and make you look and feel more alert. If you want a stronger affect, freeze cubes of caffeinated black tea, or store sliced cucumbers on ice to keep you feeling fresh. Awesome trick!

Shrink A Zit
If you have a red pimple or zit, hold a piece of ice on it to get rid of the redness. Ice decreases inflammation, and can even relieve the pain associated with acne. Put the ice cube in a Ziploc bag and hold it against the zit for about 5-10 minutes.

Scrub Away
Try out a DIY icy scrub by blending fruits or veggies with water and freezing in ice cube trays. Once frozen, gently rub a fruity cube over your face as part of your weekly facial. The chunky texture will exfoliate as the ice melts into a juicy slush.

Monday, January 14, 2013

DIY Lash Conditioners...



Happy Monday all! Do you know what I love more besides Mondays? Full lashes :)) We all want fuller, thicker lashes, especially before any makeup! Although we can't change out genetics, we can use different treatments and conditioners to help grow healthier and longer lashes <33 Here are three different treatments you can create on your own:


Castor Oil Eyelash Conditioner


  • Castor or almond oil
  • Vanilla extract
  • Disposable mascara wands
  • Small container

Pour the oil (castor or almond) and vanilla extract in your small container, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 tsp oil.  Stir or shake up the mixture (depending if your container has a lid!!) Dip your mascara wand into conditioner and apply it from root to tip to your top and bottom lashes, twice a day. Be sure to use conditioner on clean, bare lashes.

Vitamin E Eyelash Conditioner


  • Vitamin E oil or capsules
  • Small container or plate
  • Cotton Swabs

Squeeze a few drops of vitamin E oil into your container (make sure not to touch the oil with your fingertips). Dab the cotton swab in the oil and sweep the swab across clean eyelashes from root to tip on both sides of lashes, twice a day (typically in the morning before makeup application and before you go to bed).

Coconut Oil Eyelash Conditioner


  • Coconut Oil
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Vitamin E oil or capsules
  • Small container
  • Disposable mascara wand or cotton swabs

Pour equal parts of the three oils into a clean container. Dip your mascara wand or cotton swab into conditioner and apply it on the base of your lashes, twice a day. Be sure to use conditioner on clean, bare eyelashes.
Remember, your results will not happen overnight but over a period of time :) Be prepared for a slow process! Every once in a while, take a break from mascara and curling your lashes. Give these natural eyelash conditioners recipes a try to achieve longer, thicker, and fuller lashes <33

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Blessed Sunday...

Happy Sunday everyone. Today's Bible verse seems a bit confusing, but try and read through it a couple times.

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
– Romans 11:33-34

There are things about God that we will never understand. Our stance is to search the Scripture, for God has revealed Himself to us there, but what we find, we don't understand. This challenges us to learn more and stay humble at the same time.


Saturday, January 12, 2013

5 Superfoods...

In order to maintain beauty on the outside, you have to keep your body beautiful on the inside <3 There are certain foods we should all try to incorporate in our diets. These foods are considered 'super foods' or the 'it' foods. Whatever you want to call them, they keep us healthy and our bodies happy. Here are five types of foods you should look for:


Berries: Berries contain antioxidants which help fight free radicals, leaving you with major anti-aging benefits. Blackberries in particular have enzymes that act as an anti-inflammatory for your skin, keeping it youthful and radiant. Besides giving your skin a gorgeous glow, they’re good for your brain too. The consumption of berries has been linked to the prevention of memory loss and other forms of mental decline.

Low-fat foods: Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are all low in fat, and consuming them can help prevent a many health problems related to cholesterol, heart disease, and other side effects of a high fat diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids: These are found in foods with “good fats” like fish and flaxseed. They also have health benefits such as reducing inflammation and reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and arthritis. Omega-3’s pack a serious beauty punch by contributing to better-looking skin, hair and nails. Who doesn't like that!

Low-sugar foods: Many of our naturally sweet fruits contain sugar. And the more sugar you eat, the more likely you are to have skin that is dull and wrinkly. If you have the option, go for fresh fruit instead of packaged fruit. For example, real cranberries would be a much healthier choice than “low-sugar” cranberry juice. We need some sugars in our diet in order to stabilize blood glucose levels, but unless you’re using the ingredient as a facial scrub, less is more.

Low-sodium foods: Avoiding salt and salty foods helps keep bloating away. Currently Americans eat five or more teaspoons of the stuff every day, which is about 20 times as much as we need. Try to  consume about one-quarter of a teaspoon daily!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Choosing a mascara...

One of my favorite products to wear is MASCARA! I feel if I don't have it on, my face just looks naked, like something is missing. I am a natural blonde as well, so my eyelashes tend to be a little lighter in color anyway. So how do you choose the right mascara for you? Believe it or not, you want to take into consideration the brush applicator each wand has. They all have different techniques, depending on which one your eyes will benefit from the most. Here are 7 different types of wands to consider:

For Short Lashes: Short lashes require short brushes. Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara is a good example that has a short, stubby wand with thick bristles that can get close to your eyes and grab a hold of each and every little lash, This brush also provides good control for touching up your corners.
For Lengthening and Definition: Evenly spaced bristles that are long and comb-like (like LancĂ´me DĂ©finicils) are the best choice to separate, define, and lengthen lashes. They’re a great choice for those whose lashes are already full, but beware, they don't add much volume.
For Thickening Sparse Lashes: For extreme volume, you'll need a large, round wand with tightly packed bristles. A great example is DiorShow Iconic Mascara, which has a wand with long bristles that grab and coat each lash. A trick for extra thickness is to lightly brush the wand horizontally across the base of the lash line.


For Precise Application: These brushes look unique because they are just round, pointy balls! Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes has bristles of different lengths to apply mascara to each lash individually. This includes your large outer lashes to tiny inner ones. Although the application is time consuming because you are basically combing each lash, the brush can really get to everywhere, making the application extremely worth it.

For Natural Looking Lashes: Look for rubber wands with moderately spaced bristles. These brushes don’t hold as much product as thicker brushes,which means they can apply just enough mascara to shade and define eyelashes (this means not as much volume or length). A good example would be the Maybelline Define-A-Lash which allows for more precision and is kindly gentle on lashes.

To Curl Lashes: A wand with a curved brush lifts and curls the lashes in a way that a straight brush cannot. You apply using this wand by sweeping it over the lashes from the top side, cupping it against the natural curve of your eyelid, to get the full curling effect (perfect example is Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara).

Don't Forget About Those Bottom Lashes: Because most mascara wands are designed to optimize the top lashes, they tend to be too bulky to apply mascara properly to tiny bottom lashes. A good example, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, has one of the tiniest wands in the makeup world, and is specially designed to precisely tint even the smallest lash without clumping or smearing.

If your not sure which wand you will need, try each different one out and figure it out with trial and error :)