Quick Beauty Queries: Vol. II, No. Four

Aug 11, 2016

Hi Belle,

I keep my eyebrows full so every morning I use an eyebrow brush to keep them neat and in place.  Within a month of buying a new one it always falls apart – literally.  I’ve only used drugstore brand ones because even those cost about $12, which seems obscene, but I’m willing to spend more if it means not having to replace it so frequently.

Do you have a recommendation for a brand, or a suggestion about another way to groom my eyebrows that won’t demand so much of a brush?

Thanks, E

For brushing my eyebrows, I prefer a wand style over the comb style.  I think the wand does a slightly better job of grooming and shaping.  To fill in my brows, I prefer an angled brush like this one from Sigma.

Personally, if you’re fastidious about brow grooming, I would buy the Anastasia Brow Kit.  It’s a little pricey, but her products are good quality and it comes with everything you need.

Hi Belle,

Are you still liking the DryBar Mai Tai Spray?  Is it worth the price or can you recommend something cheaper?

xx, Effie

I love it.  I was such a mousse girl, who refused to believe that anything was better.  But you know, this is.  And when I mix it with my Pantene mousse?  Wowza.

A good friend uses Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe, and is a hardcore devotee.  It also comes in a $3 travel size if you want to give it a whirl.

Belle,

My favorite makeup bag just died (RIP), and I need a replacement.  I went to Target, but everything felt like complete crap.  Do you have a favorite brand that is decently well-made and bigger than a coin purse? 

I’d love some suggestions! SKS

Sadly, the company that made my current makeup bag is out of business.  When buying a makeup bag you want to look for strong zippers, and wide mouth.  Everyone hates digging around in a bag they can’t see inside.  I also recommend something lined with plastic in case of spills.

I hear good things about the bags from Petunia Pickle Bottom.  Henri Bendel also makes a wide selection of makeup bags.  However, if you want affordable options, I would go to Ulta.  This Anna Martino Franco case and this Tartan + Twine case look good to me.

Style

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  1. Cait says:

    I’ve had this Tartan + Twine bag from Ulta for about a year and it’s held up like a champ to everything I’ve put it through so far, including a bunch of domestic and international air travel. It holds a ton of stuff, the exterior wipes clean, and I use the extra pouch it comes with for brushes.
    https://www.ulta.com/caitlyn-grove-train-case-set?productId=xlsImpprod12812751

  2. Jessica says:

    I bought this one from Sephora and I’ve really liked it. It’s pricey but it’s held up well and I like that it has a place for makeup brushes and plenty of room for everything.

    https://www.sephora.com/the-vacationer-P409012?skuId=1808153&icid2=similar%20products:p409012

    • Valerie says:

      +1 on this Sephora Vacationer bag. I’ve had it for a year and a half and beaten it up with a lot of traveling, and it’s still sturdy. The brush holder on the top is a big plus, since I don’t need to buy/carry a separate bag for my brushes (I was always losing track of my brushes in the bottom of other makeup bags before). The material is a similar quality as many more expensive bags I’ve seen.

  3. sals says:

    This may sound crazy, but I use a tooth brush for my eyebrows. I have a fancy electric brush for my teeth, but use the freebies from the dentist for my brows. Works great for my full brows!

  4. Jenn S. says:

    Drugstore brushes costing $12? Not really sure which ones aside from maybe the nicer Real Techniques line.

    E.L.F. makes a spoolie brush for $1.

  5. Famouscait says:

    I used to have the same problem with my eyebrow brushes breaking. I recently switched to this Ulta brush with metal teeth and it is a winner!

    https://www.ulta.com/lash-comb-brow-brush?productId=xlsImpprod10111431

  6. Kara says:

    I use clear Truffle cases for my makeup. I like just holding it up to see what item i need to dig out. Once they start to get a little gross, I clean them out with a makeup remover wipe.
    https://onetruffle.com

  7. Sarah says:

    I recently got a Marc Jacobs makeup bag from 6pm.com. It’s structured and very beautiful. The bag opens up wide when unzipped so I can see everything in it. One of a few patterns they currently have in stock: https://www.6pm.com/marc-jacobs-paisley-cosmetics-small-trapezoid-rail-blue-multi

  8. Monica says:

    The Anastasia brow brushes and powder are great, I have two of their spoolie / angled combo brushes, one full size and one travel and they’ll both hold up, and wash, really well.

  9. Lindsey says:

    I know it sounds crazy, but the best eyebrow brush I’ve been able to find is a toothbrush. My mom taught me that trick. They have enough bristles to tame my brows and also even out product when I get a little heavy handed.

  10. Amy says:

    I am in the same boat with E – I have had several eyebrow brushes fall apart. I purchased this one back in May, and it’s still going strong: https://www.amazon.com/Maybelline-New-York-Expert-Tools/dp/B00133HK3I/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1470940845&sr=1-7&keywords=eyebrow+brush

  11. Rachel says:

    I spent years looking for a great cosmetic bag – especially for travelling. I finally found this one – and I LOVE it. At $25, the price isn’t bad either
    https://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/503/catid/12/swid/577a/glamour-case-in-check-mate/

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