Beauty Bytes | Beauty and Fashion Tech

The Best Makeup Brushes and Tools

I particularly like this article, syndicated from Total Beauty, on the best makeup brushes and beauty tools. It has a good selection of good makeup brushes and other makeup tools and includes the smashbox eyeliner brush, which is hands down my favorite. I love the angle on it. It also includes the Shu Uemura Eyelash curler, which is another favorite of mine and is a cult classic. A few MAC makeup brushes, which are also always good, are included as well.

Do you have a favorite makeup brush beauty tool included in the list?

The 13 Best Makeup Tools

See which brushes, tweezers and eyelash curlers Total Beauty Readers love

Even if you use your fingers to apply most things, all of us have a few tools in our makeup arsenal that we wouldn’t want to live without. TotalBeauty.com readers shared their favorite makeup tools, maybe it’s time to add a few to your stash?

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No. 13: Shiseido Eyelash Curler, $19

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.1

Readers call this “the most perfectly designed eyelash curler …”

No. 12: Too Faced Kabuki Brush, $30

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.3

It “provides fuller coverage than the usual brushes that eat up your powder …”

No. 11: Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, $20

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.3

It is best when you want “skin tone perfection,” as it allows …

Want to see what’s no. 1? Click here!

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The Best and Worst of Chanel

This is an interesting article syndicated from Total Beauty. I have loved everything I ever tried from Chanel, including Chanel Sublimage, the first item listed as the worst Chanel product in the article—actually it appears to be the only item on the worst list. I agree however, that it is awfully expensive for what it does. Personally, in the luxury skin care area, I prefer M Lab and Creme de la Mer, both of which are also expensive, but not as much as Chanel.

Best and Worst Chanel Products

See which items from this luxe brand are worth the splurge and which one product you shouldn’t spend a dollar on

Just because a product comes with the name Chanel, does that mean it’s worth the hefty price tag? We set out to discover the truth by asking TotalBeauty.com readers to share their skin care product reviews, mascara reviews and more to help you decide which products from the designer brand you should invest in.

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Wen Hair Products

I haven’t tried Wen products, but had been thinking of trying the Wen Sweet almond Mint Texture Balm until I read the below article syndicated from Total Beauty. Now I think I’ll skip it. But I might order some of the Wen Cucumber Aloe Cleansing Conditioner!

Have you tried any Wen hair products?

Best and Worst of Wen

Wondering if Wen products really work or if it’s all hype? See what the buzz is about

You’ve probably seen a Wen infomercial, or if not, you may have heard of it. The all-natural brand was created by celebrity hair stylist Chaz Dean, and is “a new approach to the way you cleanse your hair.” TotalBeauty.com readers share their six favorite Wen products, as well as two they won’t be reordering.

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The Worst: No. 2: Wen Lavender Cleansing Conditioner, $28

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.9

“I could not do anything with my hair. It would not hold style or shape …”

No. 1: Wen Sweet Almond Mint Texture Balm, $26

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 4.4

“You have to be very careful otherwise your hair will stick together and get an almost greasy look to it …”

The Best: No. 6: Wen Tea Tree Cleansing Conditioner, $28

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 7.3

It “takes away dandruff, cleanses and conditions hair, strengthens hair [and] moisturizes” all in one …

Want to see the rest of the best? Click here!

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Find the Perfect Holiday Beauty Gifts

The following is syndicated from Total Beauty and provides a list of nice holiday beauty gifts that are also environmentally friendly. So if you are a procrastinator like me and still have some last minute shopping to do, take a look!

Perfect-for-Everyone Presents

Shopping doesn’t have to be a pain — especially with these gift ideas

Get your shopping done in a snap this year! Check out these 11 creative gifts that are earth-friendly to boot. They’re perfect for everyone on your list from your child’s teacher, your hairdresser, even your mother-in-law!

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What Would You Do For Beauty? Tales of Stripping and Other Acts to Buy Beauty

I have to admit that I rolled my eyes when I read the title of this article syndicated from Total Beauty. Stripping for Makeup? But actually, that is just one short tale in a selection of true stories of what women have done for beauty. Some of the other ones also made me roll my eyes, but one made sense to me. A woman rode her bike instead of driving in order to save money for pedicures. That seems pretty good to me. Get in shape, be environmentally friendly, and save money all at once!

Anyway, you can read the various stories in the Total Beauty article that is excerpted below. Despite the title, it isn’t really all about strippers and stripping.

True Stories: Women Who Strip for Beauty Products

Read these shocking tales of the extreme lengths women will go in order to pay for beauty

In this economy, most of us are cutting back — on clothes shopping, eating out and, sadly, buying beauty products. But some women just can’t give up their regular manicures, hair color or cosmetic surgery, even if they have to take extreme measures to pay for it. Check out these amazing true stories — and maybe you won’t feel quite as ridiculous for raiding your savings account to pay for that blow out.

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Holiday Beauty Gifts For All Budgets

The following is syndicated from Total Beauty and is a good gift guide of 20 products that cross multiple budget ranges.

Best Holiday Gifts for Your Budget

Whether you have $20 to spend or $100, we’ve got beautiful gift ideas for everyone on your list this year

Mom, check. Husband, check. Sister, check. With these 20 gift ideas, you’ll have everyone crossed off your list by early December. Pretty nice, huh? Check out this guide of our 20 favorite gifts to give this season, no matter how fat — or thin — your wallet might be.

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Contest: Win a $10,000 Sephora Shopping Spree!

This contest from Total Beauty is open until December 31. It is one heck of a great prize!

Enter for your chance to win a $10,000 Sephora Shopping Spree!

How much stuff could you buy with a $10,000 Sephora Shopping Spree?

Where do we start?! How about 416 DiorShow Mascaras. Or 41 ghd flat irons. Or 51 Clarisonic Skin Care Brushes. The better question is what couldn’t you buy? Answer: Nothing! Enter for your chance to win by writing product reviews on TotalBeauty.com or signing up for TotalBeauty.com’s newsletters, it’s so easy! Find out more here.

See how to win