Artis Fluenta Collection of Luxurious Makeup Brushes

Artís recently launched the Artís Fluenta makeup brushes, available individually or in a 3, 5 or 9 brush set. The collection combines ergonomics with design, function and performance for a more efficient and easier to use cosmetic tool. 

I love the sleek design of the Artís Fluenta collection and the special grip on each brush. The brushes ensure makeup goes on evenly and smoothly. These are the most luxurious, high-quality makeup brushes I've ever used. 

One of my favorite brushes in the collection is the Oval 8 ($72), which has 100's of thousands of fibres in an oval shape for applying foundation or setting powder and blending bronzing or highlighting powders to entire areas of the face.  The Oval 6 ($56) is perfect for applying foundations, blush and contour, while the Oval 4 ($48) and Oval 3 ($42) helps with applying eye makeup. 

The Linear 3 is used for applying a perfect line of product along the upper or lower lash line and for creating medium size lines and linear shapes. The Linear 1 is used for applying a thin line of product along the lashes or help perfect the brow shape. The Circle 1 ($36) can be used for applying lip colour or concealer. The collection also includes the Oval 10 ($90) and Circle 1R ($36).

Artís brushes are suitable for sensitive skin and are animal-free, designed using trademarked CosmeFibre®, man-made fibres that make up the fibre bundle. Each patented brush has on average 3 to 10 times as many individual fibres as conventional animal hair brushes, resulting in superior blending and smooth makeup application. 

These are the only brushes I know of that have a special grip surface for better control, and the tilted brush tip and fibre bundles make it easier to apply, distribute and blend makeup.

The patented cleansing system includes an antimicrobial-treated microfibre cloth with 1 million fibres per square inch designed to help "grab" and remove makeup residue from the brush without changing the shape or adding wear-and-tear. 

The Artis Fluenta collection is available exclusively at Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com, Bergdorf Goodman and bergdorfgoodman.com. 

- Kim Weling

Artis Elite Mirror Collection

You'll never want to go back to your ordinary makeup brushes again once you've experienced the Artis Elite Collection. The Artis brushes are made exclusively with CosmeFibre, and have an average of 3-10 times as many individual fibres than your everyday makeup brushes. These animal-free brushes are incredibly soft, and I love the curved handle and grip pads for more precision when applying makeup. 

There are 10 brushes total in the Elite Mirror Collection - Circle 1, Circle 1R, Linear 1, Linear 3, Linear 6, Oval 3, Oval 4, Oval 6, Oval 8, Oval 10. The brushes are sold individually or as a 3, 5 or 10 brush set. My favorite brush is the Oval 10. The oversized, oval of fibres (250,000 fibres in this one brush!) make applying powder foundation quick, easy and flawless.  

These are by far the most luxurious brushes I've ever used! You'll never want to part with them. Since the fibres retain their shape and are easy to clean with the cleansing foam and brush cleaning pad, you can expect these brushes to be with you for a very long time. Since this is the first collection from Artis, I can't to see what the future brings!

- Kim Weling

John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair Holiday Event

On November 30th I stopped by the John Frieda by Conair holiday event at Bryant Park's Celsius Lounge. Conair hair stylists provided complimentary blowouts and hair styling, while Cuisinart provided snacks and hot beverages.

The event featured the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind eight-foot tall holiday tree adorned with John Frieda Styling Tools, custom decorated by Erin Gates, author of the wildly popular design blog, Elements of Style. After the event, all tools were donated to Safe Horizon to help support victims of domestic violence.

During the event I previewed the Spiral Curls heat styler (Model JFC11) by John Frieda, featuring exclusive ionic frizz-fighting technology and true ceramic heat with LCD temperature control. The Spiral Curls styler heats up in 30 seconds, with a temperature up to 400F/205C and has auto shut off.

For face-framing modern curls, be sure to roll sections inward. For a retro-fifties look, roll sections outwards and tousle with fingertips.

The Spiral Curls styler retails for $39.99, exclusively at Walgreens.

Also, check out these John Frieda styling brushes by Conair, currently available at Rite Aid. Look for these brushes at CVS, Walgreens, Kmart and Duane Reade in 2012!

- John Frieda® Paddle Brush Sleek Finish, $12.99, smooths fly-aways and reduces frizz
- John Frieda® Cushion Brush Sleek Finish, $12.99, gently untangles wet or dry hair
- John Frieda® Vent Brush Sleek Finish, $12.99, maximizes dryer airflow for rapid styling
- John Frieda® Porcupine Round Brush Volume Curls, $12.99/$14.99, distributes the scalp's natural oils for added shine and smoothness, available in small and medium size
- John Frieda® Large Thermal Round Brush Full Volume, $14.99, creates soft waves
- John Frieda® Small Curl Nylon Round Brush Volume Curls, $14.99, styles soft, voluminous curls



- Kim Weling

Sonia Kashuk Makeup 101 Class

On July 27th, I was among the 75 beauty bloggers picked to participate in Sonia Kashuk's Makeup 101 Class. The makeup tutorial was the most informative, step-by-step makeup session I have ever attended. Sonia Kashuk lead the tutorial, with attendees engaging in a hands-on experience, applying makeup on themselves and creating their look, with the Eye on Neutral Instructional Eye Shadow Palette (02) or Eye on Fall Instructional Eye Shadow Palette (03).

We first started the class with cleansing our faces with Yes to Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes, $7.99, and removing makeup with Sonia Kashuk's Remove Eye Makeup Remover, $9.99, applying Yes to Blueberries Daily Repairing Moisturizer with SPF 30, $19.99, and Sonia Kashuk's Primer Vitamin Serum, $17.99.

We went through applying foundation and concealer, blush, highlighter, eyeliner, curling lashes, mascara, defining the brows, eye shadow, lip gloss and lip liner. The most important lessons I learned were what different cosmetic brushes to use! It makes such a difference to use the right kind of brushes!

I was very proud of my look, which featured the neutral eye shadow palette and Luxury Lip Color in Bordeaux and Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss in Luscious. I was getting plenty of compliments at the party I attended afterwards. My friends had thought I had gotten a makeover, not knowing I had done it all myself!

At the end of the session, we were able to take home all the master products and tools at our makeup station! There was a Sonia Kashuk Ultimate Weekender Bag, $24.99, next to my station to carry all my beloved new beauty essentials!

You can find all of Sonia Kashuk's master products and tools at Target stores and at target.com.






Above images courtesy of Sonia Kashuk

Here are some more images I took during the Makeup 101 session.

My makeup station with Sonia Kashuk's master products and tools




Here's a sneek peek at Sonia Kashuk's holiday collection that will be exclusively available at target.com. I love the brushes that match the cosmetic bags!










Here's a list of some of Sonia Kashuk's master products (available in a variety of shades and colors) that I used during the Makeup 101 Class:

• Brightening Powder, $9.99
• Bare Minimum Pressed Powder, $8.99
• Barely there Loose Powder, $8.99
• Perfecting Luminous Foundation, $10.49
• Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, $12.99
• Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette, $9.99
• Take Cover Concealing Sticks, $7.99
• Beautifying Blush, $8.99
• Creme Blush, $8.99
• Super Sheer Shimmering Highlighter, $9.99
• Eye Definer Pencils, $5.99
• Lashify Mascara, $6.99
• Brow Definer, $5.99
• Velvety Matte Lip Crayon, $7.99
• Lip Definer, $5.99

Also, be sure to check out the brushes on target.com. They are amazing!

A big thank you to Sonia Kashuk for an amazing Makeup 101 class!

- Kim Weling