ProductWhores

My Lipstick Thanks you, IcyBag

With the summer months upon us, it’s nice to have a way to cart around make-up without risk of the sun destroying your expensive Stila foundation and Cargo lipstick.  The IcyBag is a really cool (pun intended) invention that is marketed as a bag for preserving heat-sensitive items on outdoor excursions.  Invented by a woman who was sick of her make-up melting into oblivion, the IcyBag has a neat little gel pack that you freeze and slide into the attached sleeve to keep your items cool.  I discovered the bag was a perfect way to protect my sunscreen and lipbalm on local hikes.  Also, I was able to fit a few snacks in there as well.  Because of the protective sleeve, the condensation on the gel pack didn’t leak through – important to me because there’s nothing worse than a soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwich after you’ve hauled your butt all the way up a trail.  I really am a sucker for anything multi-purpose and this bag does the trick.  How better to lug your lipstick, sunscreen and string cheese to the beach?  C’mon, no woman should be left unarmed with melted lipstick, runny sunscreen and gooey cheese while sunbathing.  As a special treat to all ProductWhores.com readers, if you order an IcyBag and mention the code PW2GEL you’ll get an extra gel pack for free.  But, just like with melting lipstick, you have to act quickly – the coupon code is valid through July 15th.   

Learn Your Brush Strokes

I always was under the impression that you had to spend top dollar to get good makeup brushes.  While I believe that the synthetic cheaper brushes tend to be inferior – falling apart as you swipe them across your face – you really shouldn’t have to put a brush on layaway to know that you’re going to have a fabulous tool.  I am a fan of Sonia Kashuk brushes from Target.  While my brush collection is a bit schitzo – a few from MAC, a few from Laura Mercier and a lone Tarte brush – I find that the Sonia Kashuk brushes last as long, clean just as well, and spread color just as evenly.  Also, her large eyeshadow brush blends color beautifully.  With her low prices (compare a MAC powder brush at $42.00 and a Sonia one at $17.99) you can’t resist but have her full collection. What you save in brushes, you can easily spend on bags and shoes.  Or maybe that’s just how I justify my spending.  She has also just released her new contoured brushes collection which is a little more expensive, but still very worth the money.  Also, the contouring makes the brushes just sit perfectly between your fingers.  Now that you’re armed with the perfect brushes, if you screw up the application that’s your own problem.