Spotlight: Kelley Quan Vegan Beauty Brushes

Purchased By Me

Kelley Quan Vegan Beauty Brushes

What if I told you that you could buy makeup brushes that are shaped by hand, never cut, with silky soft bristles that are manufactured right in New York? What if these very same brushes were so luxurious that they featured a unique fibre blend and patented brush design that you won't find anywhere else?  Not only are these brushes available, but they are also completely vegan.  Although I've mentioned Kelley Quan Vegan Beauty Brushes in other posts, I really feel that this brand deserves more attention. It's for this reason, I decided to write this post and share with you a little bit more about one of my favorite brush  brands.

I had the pleasure of communicating directly with the brand's creator, Kelley Quan, who had a lot to say about what inspired her to launch this line. Kelley is a makeup artist. Like most makeup artists I know, she loves brushes!  However, sadly the truth about the animal hair and fur harvesting needed to make most makeup brushes is just heartbreaking. While some try to claim these animals are "humanly" euthanized or the hair is collected in a non-cruel manner, it's simply not the truth. Buying animal hair brushes supports the fur trade. Yet many people who would never think of wearing a fur coat, use animal hair makeup brushes without giving it a second thought. It isn't that most people are cruel. I believe that most people truly don't know what goes into making an animal hair brush.  Knowing the truth about this cruel practice, Kelley decided to take matters into her own hands and design a line of vegan brushes with bristles that actually mimic the texture of real animal hair. 

The main complaint from makeup artists about synthetic brushes that I've heard is that synthetics don't pick up powder products well. The reason for this is the synthetic bristles of yesterday have a smooth cuticle.  If you look at animal hair brushes, they are made of many different types of fur: goat, rabbit, badger, blue squirrel, etc. These different fur types serve different purposes, and can pick up and blend product in a specific way. Understanding this notion, Kelly knew she had to make her brushes different than other synthetics on the market. She set out to create actual faux blends of these specific animal hair types so that her brushes would function in the same manner as their animal hair counterparts. 

Many synthetic brushes are mass produced overseas, which can often lead to a sacrifice in quality craftsmanship. Each Kelley Quan Vegan Beauty Brush is created with a brush head that is hand crafted, shaped, never cut so that the integrity of each and every bristle is maintained. These brushes keep all of the positives about an animal hair brush (pick up and blend product well), while removing all of the negative components (cruelty, allergy, unsanitary) making them a truly superior brush.

These are three of the Kelley Quan eye brushes that I own and love. These PETA certified brushes were purchased by me last year and have been a staple in my kit ever since.

Here is a look at the brushes I own from Kelley Quan New York:

Synthetic Black Mink Oval Flat #11 - This brush can be used for eyeshadow, concealer or lips. I use it as my primary flat shader brush to pack eyeshadow onto the lid. Because of it's flat tapered edge, it can easily work to place eyeshadow on the lower lash line as well.  I find it to be a perfect size for most lids, neither too large nor to small. 

 This brush is about 6.25 inches in length.

Synthetic Black Mink Fluff #9 - This is a really great eyeshadow blending brush. I love this for crease work, and just overall blending out color. This should be a staple in every makeup artist's kit. It's very versatile as it can also be used for applying concealer or setting powder to the under eye area.

 Each smooth black handle is marked with Kelley Quan's signature pink logo and numbered.

 Brush #9 is approximately 6.75 inches in length

Synthetic Red Sable Patented Wave Brush # 17 - This is my favorite of the three brushes, and a favorite among my entire brush collection. This unique brush is my holy grail brow brush. The Wave Brush is designed specifically for the eyebrow area and can be used with waxes, powder, mousses and gels. The special wave design helps mimic brow hairs creating the most natural look possible.

 Brush #17 is approximately 6 inches in length.

Here is a closer look at all three brushes together:

 Each brush you purchase comes housed in Kelley's signature pink and white box. Although I've had my brushes for sometime now, I can't bring myself to throw away the boxes because they are so pretty!

Though I probably don't need any more brushes in my collection, I fully intend to buy more brushes from this brand because of their quality and craftsmanship. If you are a makeup artist, or just a makeup lover who is looking for a luxurious, high performance brush, Kelley Quan New York is a brand that shouldn't be missed. 

These brushes and other vegan beauty brushes are available for purchase at Kelley Quan New York.

I hope you enjoyed this peek at my brushes!  Feel free to drop me a comment below. 

Thank you for reading! 

Please don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a post! 

Related posts:

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-top-5-makeup-brushes-collab.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/04/spotlight-kelley-quan-mascara-wand.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-perfect-brow-trio.html

 

*The brushes in this post were purchased by me. I do not get paid to write reviews. I do not get any commission if you purchase any of these brushes. I simply write reviews in hopes of helping my readers make informed purchasing decisions. 

Spotlight: NYR Organic

Sample Sent for Consideration

NYR Organic 

A few weeks back, my sister-in-law attended an event in honor of Earth Day. There she came across a woman who was promoting an organic makeup and skincare line called Neal's Yard Remedies. Being the supportive, wonderful sister-in-law that she is, she shared my business card with the woman, who was kind enough to send me some samples for review. 

Neal's Yard Remedies, aka NYR Organic is a natural beauty line that carries color cosmetics and skincare products for all ages.  This award winning brand is an ethical company with over 30 years of success in selling cruelty-free and organic beauty products through their Organic Consultants. In addition to these beautifully natural offerings, this company also offers people a way to earn extra income by hosting parties, and promoting the products they offer. While I am not one of these consultants, I really appreciate the flexibility a company like this offers. When I was a young woman, I sold Avon as a way to help me pay for my apartment. It helped me learn how to manage money, earn extra income and meet new people. Sadly, Avon is not cruelty-free due to the fact that they sell in China. So, if you like the idea of having your own business, and selling beauty products, while setting your own goals NYR Organic could be a good choice for you. However, even if you are only interested in shopping for quality organic skincare, this brand is likely to be of interest.

I am not a skincare expert. However, everyone knows that good makeup starts with good skin. You want to have the best possible canvas to start with, so taking good care of your skin is really important. 

Here is a look at some of the products I tested from NYR Organic:

Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser- This light creamy cleanser is gentle enough for all skin types.  It cleanses, and smooths the skin with ingredients like frankincense, baobab and cocoa butter.  The product is massaged on dry skin, then removed with a damp cloth. When purchased, this product includes a free organic muslin cloth. 

 This light, creamy cleanser is great for those with sensitive skin. Just apply to dry skin, massage in, then remove with damp cloth in circular motions. This cleanser left my skin, clean and smooth with no after residue. It has a very pleasing scent that I think most people will like.

Once or twice a week, I like to really exfoliate my skin. Exfoliation is an important step in my skincare regime because it helps to remove dead skin cells, leaving skin looking fresh and vibrant.

Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish- This facial scrub is great for those with dry skin. It contains little granules that when massaged into the skin, help to remove dead skin cells from the surface. I used this product this morning and my skin felt smooth and refreshed immediately after.

Frankincense Hydrating Cream- Everyone needs a good moisturizer.  This one works for all skin types.  This rich cream can be used day and/or night to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin.  It is rich in vitamins and plant based oils to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Beauty Sleep Concentrate- For those who need something even more moisturizing at night, this is a good product to try. I would also recommend this for those with mature skin. I put this on at night after cleansing and toning, and in the morning my skin feels much more soft and supple. This product is completely vegan.

Wild Rose Beauty Balm- This is not a beauty balm in the way that we have come to think of them lately. In other words, it's not a BB Cream, but a skin care balm. This product can actually be used two ways. You can apply it over face and neck, then remove with a damp cloth as a cleanser. It can also be left on to nourish severely dry skin. This has an ointment-like texture and is made with 99% organic ingredients.

I am a real stickler for good skincare. It's so important to take good care of your skin. In an ideal world we would all use organic ingredients in everything we use. However, if there is one area I highly suggest you try to go organic, it's in your skincare routine. Moisturizers and creams are absorbed by the skin. It's nice to know that you can use safe ingredients without absorbing excess chemicals. This company, which was founded in England offers high quality skincare and beauty products housed in "green" packaging. They know the origins of all of their ingredients and are committed to providing products that you can feel good about and that work well. While I have yet to try their color cosmetics, my sister-in-law has. She is really happy with a lipstick she purchased from this company, and it's a brand that I intend to explore more.

Plus, they offer a full range of synthetic brushes!:

If you are interested in shopping NYR Organic, click here: NYR Organic

I hope you enjoyed this look at NYR Organic. Have you tried this brand? If yes, what product is your fav?

*This post contains samples that were sent for consideration. I do not get paid to write reviews. Any links are for the reader's convenience only. I do not get any commissions if you purchase any of these products. All opinions are my  own.

Naked Beauty - A Tutorial

All Products In This Post Purchased By Me

Naked Beauty - A Tutorial 

This post was requested by one of my Twitter followers. While there are many YouTube tutorials on this palette, and a whole host of different looks one can create, I chose a very natural, naked daytime look that would be appropriate for work, school and anything in between. This simple look can serve as a base for other more dramatic looks. Just pop on a teal eyeliner along the lower lash line for a trendy Spring look. Smoke out some of the deeper shadows in the palette, and you are ready for a night out. 

What inspired me to create this look, is a recent fashion show that I attended in New York City.  While everyone was looking at the clothes, I was focused on the makeup. Every single model had barely there, nearly naked makeup on. Their skin was obviously evened out with foundation, concealer and powder, but there was no blush anywhere to be seen. Lips were kept nude, and eyes appeared to have nothing more than some neutral shadow and a little mascara. This very naked look is on trend, and with the Naked palette by Urban Decay already in my stash, it seemed like a good look to create. 

Here is how to get the Naked Beauty Look:  

Begin, by priming the eye with an eye primer. I chose Urban Decay Primer Potion. Apply the primer to your lid, and blend up toward your brow bone. Be sure to take a little underneath your lower lash line as well.  This will help make your eyeshadow color appear slightly bolder and more even, as well as help prevent creasing. 

Next, you'll need a flat shader brush. Any flat stiff brush will do, but you want to make sure that it isn't too large. You want to really get into the inner corner of the eye with your brush. If you have smaller eyes, you will always want to use a smaller brush to more precisely place the color.

With your flat shader brush, pick up some of the color Virgin (satin nude), the lightest shade in the palette.  Apply it to the inner half of your eyelid, being sure to apply some to the inner corner of the lid.

  Using the same shade, switch to a pencil brush. If you don't have a pencil brush, a small brush, or even a cotton swab will do.  Apply Virgin around your tear duct, and bring it down to the inner corner of the lower lash line. This  will help make your eyes look more open and awake. If your eyes are very wide set, this is not going to be the most ideal look for you. 

Next, go back to your flat shader brush and flip it over to the clean side.  Pick up some of the color Naked (matte buff). Apply this in a gentle patting motion to the outer third of the eye.  Use only a small amount of product. It's better to layer the color than to pack it all on at once. This will help your eyeshadow look last longer. Bring the Naked shade slightly up into the crease.  You are using the flat shader brush just to place the color. Then, go in with a clean fluffy brush, one with no product on it, and blend the Naked color inward into Virgin. Pull Naked up and into the crease using that same brush to blend.

 Repeat applying Naked, and blending with the fluffy brush until you reach the desired level of intensity. 
For more definition, pick up the color Buck (matte brown) with your flat shader brush and apply it to the very outside corner of the eye, patting some color slightly into the crease.  Again, take your clean fluffy brush, and blend up and into the crease creating a smooth gradation of color. You may want to layer more of the color and blend as we did with the Naked shade.

 Now we need to define the lower lash line. Going back to your pencil brush, pick up some of the shade Naked.  Feather it along your lower lash line, being careful not to take it too far in as to disturb the Virgin shade we applied earlier.  

 Using the same pencil brush, pick up some Buck. Start at the very outside corner of the lower lash line and blend it inward just about 1/3rd of the way in. 

 To highlight the brow bone, go back to the shade Virgin. This time, pick up some of the color using a fluffy brush as we don't want the color to be too concentrated.  Apply it just beneath your eyebrow as a highlighter. 

 

This shade is very shimmery, and since shimmery under brow highlights can be quite dated, I chose to blend it out a bit with a clean fluffy brush to soften the shimmer. Another way you could do it, is by using a very small brush, and applying it just beneath the brow.  However, I've found these shadows are so pigmented, that it's actually difficult to get the small amount of product you need. So I seem to always have to blend to tone down the shimmer. 

To further define the lash line, we are going to use the shade Creep (metallic black) from the palette. I would have preferred a matte black, but since this palette doesn't offer one, we will use what we have. Using a stiff angled brush, lightly draw the shadow close to the outer corner of the upper lash line. Using just what is left on the brush, take some under the lower lash line as well, staying on the outer corner only. To keep the look naked, blend Creep by using a clean pencil brush to soften. Apply more and blend as desired. 

Another option would be to use a push liner brush, and push Creep into the upper lash line. 

 

  That's the completed eyeshadow look using the Urban Decay Naked Palette. To complete my Naked Beauty look, I curled my lashes and applied 2 coats of mascara to top and bottom lashes. I defined brows, applied foundation and bronzer. To keep the look natural looking, I skipped blush. On lips, I mixed E.L.F. Natural Nymph lipstick with a little bit of Stila Convertible Color in Peony.

Here is the completed Naked Beauty Look:

You may have noticed this look is similar to the look I created using the Naked 2 palette. The reason for this, is that this type of look looks good on nearly every eye.  One of the reasons the Naked palettes have been so successful, is that the shades in the palette are universally flattering because they are neutrals. However, the large amount of shimmer in these palettes, makes it difficult for some more mature women to wear, especially for daytime. So, I wanted to show you how these palettes can be used in a less obvious way, than many of the metallic looks typically seen.

Other links that might interest you:

How I do my brows:

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-perfect-brow-trio.html

Cruelty-Free Collab: 

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-top-5-new-products-im-loving-collab.html

Look using Naked 2 Palette:  

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/04/makeup-for-mature-eyes-using-naked-2.html

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