Once you’ve made the investment in brushes, take care of that investment by regularly washing and cleaning your brushes. Regular maintenance of your brushes will provide you with years of use, but it will also keep your makeup, brushes, and routine more sanitary. It is particularly important to regularly wash face brushes if you are acne-prone — it is best to do so after every use, especially with brushes that have been used in cream or liquids.

You can use any of the following:

• Brush Cleanser (by MAC or any other brand)
• MAC Cleanse-Off Oil (to remove stains)
• Baby Shampoo (by any brand)

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE! :D

There are few days out of the year where I really go all out to look my very best in every single way; this Valentine’s Day was one of those such occasions. As the first Valentine’s Day I get to actually spend with my boyfriend [in person], I wanted to pamper and primp myself to the nines. Even though we didn’t (and didn’t intend to) go out, I still wanted to work hard to be at my prettiest! (But those are my flowers pictured above!)

Temptalia’s Pampering & Primping Routine

• Cleansed, exfoliated, and soft from head to toe. My usual shower is ten to fifteen minutes, but today I was in there for at least a half hour. I shampooed and conditioned my hair (with Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship), exfoliated my body (with cake’s sweet cheeks scrub), and shaved (with Every Man Jack Shave Gel). Oh, plus took a loofah to every inch (with philosophy’s raspberry sorbet shower gel).
• Moisturized from head to toe. Pretty standard, but I chose a scent I knew my boy would really enjoy, which meant I pulled out bliss’ vanilla+bergamot body butter. I hate feeling cold lotion on warm skin, so I always make sure to whip the body butter between my palms to help warm it up before I apply it to my skin.
• Thoroughly prepped the face ’til it was baby soft. Although I’d like to think I pay a lot of attention to my face on a day to day basis, I made sure not to miss a pore. I exfoliated (with Prescriptives’ Instant Gratification, my love) first, and then I followed with a healthy layer of moisturizer (Estee Lauder’s Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme).
• Blow dried my hair for five minutes at a time inbetween steps. I don’t particularly like standing around blow drying my hair, so I tend to do it in shorter intervals while I’m getting ready, but I definitely did this!
• Highlighted my decolletage. Really! I dusted MAC’s Daisylight beauty powder on my shoulders and cleavage for subtle highlighting and some shimmer.
• Get polished with makeup (everyone’s favorite part). I already posted the look I wore for Valentine’s Day earlier this afternoon, but I want to tell you why I chose to do that look. My boyfriend doesn’t hate on bright looks, but he does prefer more natural ones, so that was a definite factor that weighed into my decision. Secondly, I think it’s important to enhance natural beauty on an occasion like Valentine’s Day, which is about loving and appreciating each other. I wanted to go for a look that was subtle, but eye-catching, and something that would suit my skintone and incorporate a touch of color. I opted for darker pink-red lips rather than a brighter pink or a deep red, because my boyfriend loves me in pink lips (and hates me in red lips!). I also made sure to properly contour and highlight my cheeks so they would be more prominent.
• Total Pampering & Primping Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

What’s your ultimate pampering and primping routine? What do you do when you want to look your very, very best?

Have a Va Va Voom Vacation Introducing theBalm’s NEW Limited Edition BalmVoyage Kits

Jet-setting beauty junkies can say au revoir to their bulky makeup and bonjour to theBalm’s NEW BalmVoyage. These kits include mini versions of theBalm’s cult favorites along with luggage tags that effortlessly snap onto any bag; perfect for any glamour girl on-the-go. Give the gift of luscious lips and glittering eyes this holiday season. theBalm introduces two travel-friendly limited edition gift sets that are perfect way to keep your stockings stuffed.

The Eye Kit (for the girl who arrives batting her lashes) includes:
Smaller versions of the popular shadyLady shadow and shadow liner, and Hot Mama blush to give a smoldering holiday glow.

The Lip Kit (for the girl who arrives puckering her pout) contains:
A miniature sized Stainiac in Beauty Queen, BalmShelter SPF 17 lip gloss, and the Plump Your Pucker gloss for kissable lips under the mistletoe.

Whether spending this holiday season sailing the Caribbean or skiing the Alps, the NEW BalmVoyage is a perfect fit.

Price: $18.50 each

Available at select Sephora stores and www.sephora.com.

French Art of Flirting | $36 ($49.50 value)
This holiday season, let your eyes say it all. The French Art of Flirting has never been easier than with this set of three Regard Effet Metallis  Waterproof Eyeliners and the always essential Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara.

Regard Effet Metallis Waterproof Eyeliners in Noir Effet Miroir- intense black, Feuille de Cuivre – radiant copper
Vert Pepite – luminous green, Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara – jet black

Kisses from Paris | $18 ($36 value)
You never know where that mistletoe may be lurking so always be prepared! With Kisses from Paris, a set of four mini Effet 3D Mobile Lip Glosses that easily attach to a fun and flirty keychain designed specially by Bourjois, you’ll never be caught without gorgeous, glossy lips.

Effet 3D Mobile Lip Gloss in Rose Idyllic – petal pink shimmer, Beige Elastic – nude shimmer, Brun Galactic- bronze shimmer, Rose Symphonic – frosty pink shimmer, Signature Bourjois Keychain – holds two glosses at a time

Pretty in Paris | $35 ($87 value)
Inspired by the glamorous and coveted eyes of Parisian beauties, Bourjois created Pretty in Paris, the chic girl’s go-to kit for eyes that make an unforgettable statement. With two shadows (cream and powder) and one liquid liner in dazzling shades of purple, combined with intense, black mascara and two essential brushes, this kit will transform you into the ultimate French belle. Ulta exclusive.

Find these holiday goodies at www.ulta.com and www.sephora.com.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream (Limited Edition): The most extravagant gift you can give your face.

La Prairie, a name synonymous with luxury, reinvents utter indulgence, bringing the ultimate in luxury to unprecedented heights with Skin Caviar Luxe Cream. When only the utmost in luxury will do, La Prairie offers the answer: the supremely elegant experience of lifting and firming in a limited-edition size jar, when a little is simply not enough.

Skin Caviar Luxe Cream is a superior concentration of caviar extracts, unique sea proteins, phytotherapy and bioengineering technologies. Your senses feel caressed by an extravagant gift of energy and moisture, beyond ordinary luxury into the ultimate Caviar experience. This experience allows lifted, illuminated satin to replace the tired skin of moments ago. 5.2 oz.

Now, I know La Prairie is a pricey skincare line; one most mortals cannot afford to try nor fall in love with. This is a special holiday edition size (5.2 oz), and the price tag? Oh, a mere $900.00! So let me ask you dear readers, have any of you tried La Prairie’s products? What was your experience? I keep thinking for $900.00, why don’t I save up for a face lift? Botox?