Simon

First of all, let me say that my obsession with all things makeup began when my mother and I went shopping for my makeup that I was going to wear on my wedding day. We had absolutely no clue to as what we were doing. I had been a poster child for too thin-over tweezed eyebrows, too metallic eyeshadow, and too heavy concealer in my college days. Combine that with the fairest skin you can imagine, and you get the picture. It was bad to say the least.

We were wondering around the makeup section in Nordstroms, and a visiting artist from Smashbox approached us. The rest is history.

She did an amazing job, and we got everything she recommended because it really did work with my coloring, etc. The first thing I noticed with the packaging of Smashbox, as well as some other higher end cosmetics, is that there were no applicators. How in the heck are you supposed to apply the stuff, I thought.

At first when I found out you had to buy brushes, and that they were expensive, I was annoyed. Well, more than annoyed, really. I was pretty convinced that it was a scam and we were going to get ripped off. Yes, I am the paranoid sort.

My mom was very generous and treated me to my makeup AND brushes. I know, my mom is great. But after using and caring for my brushes for 7 years, I now know that brushes are integral for great makeup application. In fact, I think the makeup can only be as good as the tools.

I own brushes by Smashbox, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Stila, Bare Essentials, Chanel and sephora. The one brush I couldn't live without has got to be the Smashbox blending brush #3. It is amazing. So amazing I named it Simon. Ok, well, not really. I just named him for this blog.

You can basically accidentally dump dark eyeshadow on your lid and still blend it out successfully without washing your face. It is the only brush I use for my eyeshadow. Different sides/sections of it are tapered, and you can really use it to apply shadow anywhere- crease, lid, or brow.

What needs to be said though is that there are only a few brushes you really need. A powder brush, an eyeliner brush, and this blending brush and you could be set. As much as I do really think brushes are important, people have 10 of the best tools for makeup already on their hands.

Aside from that, Smashbox just makes some amazing brushes. They are still as great as they were brand new 7 years ago. I purchased the starter kit for the bare essentials mineral makeup last fall. It was a great deal, it came with several products and two or three brushes. Whenever I would try to use the brushes, the bristles would come off and STICK to my face. There really isn't anything worse than having your friends pick bristles off your face while you are at work.

I really enjoy all of my brushes from Bobbi Brown, Chanel, and Laura Mercier as well. I think it is important to buy a few really great quality brushes and not waste your money on a full set of cheap brushes. And if you are going to get a eyeshadow brush that will have multi uses, do yourself a favor and get one of Simon's siblings. After you start using it, you won't want to live without it.