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Gather round kids time to battle some brushes! I get alot of questions about which is the best blending brush for creating good eye looks. When I first started out with MAC I was recommended two brushes from a Specktra member that changed my life (and I’m sure yours if you own them). The 217 and 224 are recommended far and wide by MAC lovers everywhere as the perfect brush for blending color to a fine finish. They are two of my very favorite brushes and I probably wouldn’t want to face the makeup world without either.

Placing them in the ring together to battle it out isn’t such a fine idea as they are both very good brushes and should both be in your arsenal but who follows rules anyway! Might as well stir thing up.

Our beauty battle will begin after the jump as I pit the MAC 224 up against the MAC 217. Who’ll be the victor? You’ll see have to read to find out more!

As I mentioned above both the MAC 224 and the MAC 217 are incredible blending brushes but of course one has to be the winner in this battle. Which will it be?

In this corner we have the MAC 224 which is a fluffy shadow brush specifically designed to blend out shadow color particularly in the crease. I wouldn’t recommend it for applying color directly to the lid but it’s a treat for blending shadow out especially if your contrasting shadow within the crease or towards the V of the eye. I reach for it often when blending and find it does a very good job of gently blending color together without creating a muddy mess. It’s $28.50 price tag is well worth it however the MAC 217 has a bit of an advantage with a cheaper price tag.

The MAC 217 is smaller compared to the 224 with fluffy bristles that are just a bit more denser. It works incredibly well at blending within the crease or all over the eye. It’s small size makes it a shoe in for fitting over the eye socket for a seamless blend. At $22.50 it’s $5.50 less than $28.50. With it’s cheaper price tag and ability to blend colors evenly while fitting nicely into the curve of the eye this could prove to be a major kick in the 224’s face.

Picking between two incredible brushes like these is a difficult task but I award the final knockdown to the MAC 217. It’s smaller size fits my crease quite well and allows me to blend easily without creating fall out which I find happens with the 224. It fits neatly all over my eye particularly my crease. It blends shadow like a dream and allows me to press as lightly or as hard as I like without having to worry about screwing up the entire eye look I am trying to accomplish. For the most part I think it’s advantage is the smaller length of the bristles when compared to the longer ones of the 224. For controlled application and blending the 217 wins this beauty battle hands down!

What do you think?

Does the MAC 217 or the MAC 224 win your beauty battle?

Tell the Muse!

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Bath and Body Works has some new selections up it’s sleeve lately. I was wandering around one in the Hamptons last weekend (nice and quiet thank gawd) and came across the new American Grown Collection. I proceeded over to the sink and tried every single one…teehee! Can’t help myself as the bottles are so terribly tempting with their bright candy colors.

Jump ahead and have a little peep at this new line!

The American Grown Collection is a selection of hand washes and shower gels inspired by great American destinations at a really great price. Steal, SWING! Love a good deal and these are it. Each bottle is a hefty chunky size for the value price of $6.50 per a hand wash (16oz) and $12.50 per a shower gel for $12.50 (24oz).

The selection of scents are as follows:

• Washington Apple: In the fertile valleys of Washington State in America’s far west, growers tend orchards that produce the world’s most crisp, ripe apples. Formulated with Apple Extract to help nourish skin, Washington Apple instantly evokes your first bite of a shiny red apple, an unmistakably juicy flavor.

• Napa Grape: In the rolling hills of Napa Valley’s wine country, the alluring scent of ripe grapes wafts through the air. Breathe in this irresistible fragrance and experience the intoxicating aroma as grape seed oil conditions and protects skin.

• Siesta Key Lemon: Nothing says summer like fresh-cut Meyer lemons from Florida. Sweeter than other lemons, the plump, smooth-skinned citrus produces a sparklingly fresh fragrance. Take an instant vacation to Siesta Key as Lemon Oil refreshes and brightens the skin.

• Savannah Mint: A frosty glass of iced tea in a hot Savannah summer is twice as refreshing with a cool sprig of mint. Breathe in this invigorating fragrance and experience the romance of southern charm and gentility while Peppermint Oil energizes your skin and your senses.

• Montana Sky: Experience the clear, crisp quality of the mountain air in big sky country with formulas inspired by the vast beauty of an endless blue sky. Bathe your skin in calming spring waters as you inhale a rush of fresh air.

My favorites were Napa Grape and Siesta Key Lemon. I didn’t pick them up while at BBW but I’m sure regretting it now so I’ll probably order ’em online. If you’re a hand wash junkie like me and all anal about germs these big sizes with such an inexpensive price tag should please.

American Grown Collection is a great beauty budget find and available now at Bath and Body Works!

Anyone sniff ’em yet?

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Philosophy takes on the liquid foundation world and introduces a brand new foundation coming in September.

Take the jump to find out more.

Philosophy Supernatural Super Beautiful Foundation is a lightweight liquid makeup formulated for sheer, natural coverage. It provides color and moisture plus sun protection in one easy to use liquid form. Although Philosophy doesn’t advertise it as such it sounds somewhat like a tinted moisturizer to this Muse.

I’m quite eager to try it out for myself. Philosophy excels itself in the skincare and bath and body world but has been known to release a nice item or two in the cosmetic world as well.

Available in 5 shades for $25 each starting in September.

What do you think?

Love or Leave?

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Holy cows and moons! Sephora has the 0.33oz size of all the Harajuki Lovers Fragrances for $15 bucks! That’s 50% Off!

Go hauls peeps, go hauls! Before I gather them all up for myself *insert evil laugh here*

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