First Time

Always a little awkward.

Often messy.

Never quite plays out like you imagine…

& I’m sure I look ridiculous.

But that final release…

GLORIOUS.

I can finally breathe.

A-h.

~

Do you neti?

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Simple, Natural

I am a minimalist when it comes to makeup.  I dust a little mineral powder over my face, swipe my lashes with mascara & maybe add a touch of eye shadow.  I’m not sure I “need” a full brush set, but I certainly wasn’t in love with my [now former] Kabuki brush — it was constantly shedding & leaving dark hairs on my face which stayed for hours before I noticed them! — so I wasn’t going to say no when Alicia Silverstone & EcoTools decided to give away 50 of their new 5-piece set in a random drawing at TheKindLife.com.  If I decided I didn’t want it, it would make a nice gift.

I was thrilled when I found out I was a winner!  I was especially excited about the Finishing Brush; I couldn’t wait to sweep it across my face.

I have been using it for about a month & LOVE IT. It is feathery & soft, hasn’t shed a single hair & leaves an even, flawless finish.  I feel pampered when I’m using it.

The Eye Shadow Brush is just as soft — I’d never guess the bristles are synthetic.  It’s also angled for easy application.

The truth is, these are the only brushes from the set I’ve used.  I wouldn’t use the other two on a regular basis, so I didn’t want to use them at all in case I decided to give them away.  You can go ahead & heckle me for “regifting”, but I would rather they go to use than sit in my drawer.  Besides, I think is would be cute to tie the brush to a little jar of blush with a pretty ribbon.

Silverstone & EcoTools teamed up to create this “earth-friendly” set.

The Brushes

[Finishing Brush – Blush Brush – Angled Eye Shadow Brush – Lash & Brow Groomer]

• Handles are bamboo, which is fast growing & highly sustainable
• Soft, taklon bristles are 100% cruelty-free

The 5th piece of the set is the cosmetic bag, which not only holds the brushes but has a zippered pouch for makeup & other toiletries.  Mine holds my mineral powder & chapstick…as well as my wallet, iPod, etc…it has actually become a little “clutch” I throw in my tote when I head out the door.

The Bag

• Made from natural hemp fabric
• Printed with non-toxic ink
• Lining is recycled plastic [PET]

• Even the hangtag is printed on tree-free stone paper.

Are you expecting some ridiculous price tag now?

I was.

~$15.99 for the set.  I don’t think that’s a bad price for high quality brushes, never mind that these are natural, cruelty-free brushes.  You can find a list of places to buy here.

I like simple, fresh & natural when it comes to most things, including how I do myself up.  Like I said, I’m a minimalist, but sometimes it’s fun to be girlie…& it feels good to be girlie while still being “kind”.

I’m not getting anything for posting this — I wasn’t even given this set to review — I just wanted to let you know about something I really like that would make a nice gift…even for yourself. 😉

~

What’s your makeup style?  Au naturel or do you go All Out?