Now that we’ve gone over the whole soak-rinse-dry-overnight method for your makeup brushes, let’s go over daily maintenance. Although it may sound irritatingly fastidious, I highly recommend that you clean your brushes after each application. Your brushes have the potential to become a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in breakouts and poor health. Not to mention, dirty brushes distribute pigment unevenly. You wouldn’t dream of painting your walls with a dirty paintbrush so why use oil and makeup clogged bristles on your pristine skin?

What to do: Use a spray brush cleaner that dries within minutes. Best of all, you can save your precious pennies and make it yourself!

You’ll need:

1 cup distilled water

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol

1/2 tablespoon Castile soap (again, I recommend Dr. Bronner’s Gently/Baby Liquid Soap)

1/2 tablespoon hair shampoo

1 tablespoon spray, leave in conditioner

Mix the above ingredients and pout the solution into a small spray bottle. To use, spray directly onto the bristles and wipe down with a tissue until all pigment is gone from the brush, like so:

Once you’ve made your solution, the spray is quick and easy to use!

In short, be good to your brushes and they’ll be good to you!

One of my very favorite makeup looks is the ever sultry smokey eye topped off with a soft, understated, yet totally sexy nude lip. The concept may seem easy enough, but I’ve seen it botched countless times. More often than not, the fault lies in the lips. Achieving the perfect nude lip takes a little more know how than lunging for the lightest lipstick in the drawer. Doing so may lead to lips that become so blended with your face that they seem to disappear.

Act One: Hidden Lips

On the other end of the spectrum, nude lips can appear so chalky and/or stark that they seem to glow.

Act Two: Chalky Lips

The trick to nude lips is contouring! Slapping on one creamy color may look alright but as we’ve just seen, it can easily flatten your lips and who wants that? To make your lips look voluptuous and full while maintaining that effortless nude lip look, first neutralize your lips by applying a tinted moisturizer or foundation. Next, line (and blend!) with a taupe liner. The next step, choosing your lipstick, is a tricky one. Balancing your skin tone and avoiding the too pale or tired look is of the utmost importance here. Choose a shade that has a bit of warmth to it. Perhaps something a la Dior Rouge Lip Color in Agelique Beige:

For those of us that are more pale, beige-y lipsticks can appear yellow. In this case, go with a nude that’s in the pale pink family. A great one is Tom Ford’s Lip Color in Blush Nude:

Lastly, take a sheer shimmery gloss and dab it in the pout and bow of your lip. Something similar to Stila’s Silk Shimmer Gloss will do the trick.

Here’s what we’re aiming for:

xo

Sources: Dior, Tom Ford, Stila

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{  tammy coleman – beauty  } 

When we started La Bichette, we set out with the belief that not only does the honest and true mom & pop business (well, in our case mom & daughter) still have a place in this wild world, but that it might just be exactly what the world needs right now.  We are proud to be locally owned and operated and intend to keep it that way.  We are from Dallas, for Dallas!

It all began with two redheads (my mom and me) talking about the days when grace, glamor, class and confidence all went hand in hand and the belief that a true modern woman must embody a balance of femininity and feminism.  To be provocative and practical, lively and intelligent, beautiful and bold, you must first know and appreciate yourself. Being gorgeous has everything to do with feeling secure in your own skin. But let’s face it, looking and feeling extraordinary amidst life’s daily hurdles is no easy task. Taking care of yourself, or as the French say, souci de soi, is of the utmost importance. That’s where we come in!

But for these two redheads and devout animal enthusiasts, even life’s most simple pleasures should be conscious ones.  That’s why at La Bichette, we are firmly against animal testing and do our best to use and support products that are made in the USA.  Our hair product packaging is made from aluminum, an infinitely recyclable material, and is refillable in our atelier.  We want looking gorgeous to be as guilt free as it is effortless.  Come in and see for yourself!

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Vineyard weddings are one of my favorite things. Something about it is just so organic and romantic. Alice and Jason were married in beautiful Napa Valley at Calistoga Ranch last fall and we were thrilled to be part of it. Be sure not to miss the (pink) cork place card holders.

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