Not just a fan, but a super fan! — like, if this brush was my favorite band, I’d wait in a scary back alley for it to come out after the show, in the pouring rain, hungry, just to get it to autograph my left boob with a black Sharpie.
OK, maybe not… I love it to pieces, though, and here’s why: the LY20 Fan Brush is by far the best highlighting brush I’ve ever used, because it is fast!
I’m talking crazy fast, and I think it’s because of how dense, big and fluffy the brush head is. It just picks up and deposits a lot of product — but never too much. Always just the right amount.
It perfectly applies and blends whatever highlighter I’m using at any given the moment. All I do is sweep it back and forth a few times on my upper cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and on my Cupid’s bow, and bada-bing, bada-bang! — done in less than a minute.
Oh, but it’s not only a highlighting brush. I’ve also used it to
apply face powder (both loose and pressed), bronzer and blush. You can even use it to dust off excess powder, contour your cheekbones, or seamlessly blend together bronzer, blush and highlighter on your cheeks.
All that, and it works great with cream products, too.
I know! As you can probably tell, I like this brush. 🙂
According to the Louise Young site, the LY20 is made from natural fibers, although they don’t specify the type.
It feels very lightweight to me and still sturdy in my hands, and it has held up like a champ over the roughly five or six months I’ve been using it with hardly any shedding at all. Shoot, the thing still looks and feels practically new.
Yes, it’s $42, which is a lot, but it can do so many different things well. I keep mine in a special jar, along with the rest of the brushes I use every. Single. Day.
If you’re on the market for a new multitasking fan brush, you can find it now at Nordstrom stores and online at nordstrom.com.
OK, now, as much as I love running (yes, I’m one of those masochists), I go through phases where I fall off the bandwagon, and out of the habit, for a while.
Do you ever do that?
It usually happens when I’m busier than usual or just overwhelmed with life, but I know that running’s good for me — good to get my sweat on — and helps my overall mood, so I eventually find my way back on the wagon again.
So along those lines I’ve been doing two things. I keep a list on my iPhone to track my mileage, which seems to help keep me motivated, and I, um, also…bribe myself. 🙂
Every time I finish a run, I pay myself a few bucks, and the money can go toward anything I want! Like, right now I’m saving up for a Kate Spade bib necklace.
I’m not sure which one yet, but I’m thinking about this one called Gumdrop Gems, which is on sale now for $99 at katespade.com.
I like the colors, and I think I could work it into a lot of different outfits.
I just hope it isn’t too heavy, though, because if a piece of jewelry is uncomfortable in any way, I know myself. I won’t wear it.
So, motivational tricks. What do you do when you fall out of a good habit that you want to get back in?
Hope you had a great Tuesday. See you at the top of the hump!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Katie says
I love your method of paying yourself some $$ after running. I am so going to copycat you and try it out.
Judith says
I anybody is looking for an affordable dupe ecotools makes a giant brush as well for less than 10$!
I love it as well, I use it mostly as a finishing brush to blend out everything!
Divya says
I don’t own a decent fan brush mostly because I don’t see much use for it! This one seems pretty good.. and of course your saying so is the last word! 😀
Fancie says
It’s so big and fluffy! Reminds me a lot of the jumbo fan brush I have from Sedona Lace. I actually forgot about it until now lol. I’m gonna have to break it out soon!
Sunny says
OOO tempted! I’ve been looking around for a fan brush. Can you believe the MAC one isn’t available here (I checked the sites for neighboring European countries. Apparently nobody gets it. I really wonder why)??? Going to look into this one for sure! I hope I have good access to Louis Young!
Alison M says
I haven’t used fan brushes much, but this one just looks so…soft. And fluffy. And I would probably end up running it over my face sans makeup 🙂 I’ve taken too much time off from running. Life has just been too crazy, but it really does feel good to get those muscles working. I love the idea of rewarding yourself. I’ll have to try that out.
Karen says
Hi Alison,
I do that all the time. 🙂 I keep my brushes near my desk and whenever I need a break I kinda run it over my nose and cheeks, haha!
I didn’t know you were a runner! How long have you been doing it?
Alison M says
I started almost three years ago after my son was born. Running is so good for overall health and I always feel great after. I wish I could keep it more consistent! How long have you been running?
Karen says
Yes! I love the feeling after a long run. There’s something really satisfying about getting a good sweat on.
I’ve been running on and off for a really long time. I started in my teens, and then sporadically was into it in college. In my early 20s, I picked up my first pair of real running shoes (Saucony Grids) and started doing more distance running, which is my favorite thing in the whole wide world. I know I can’t do it forever because of my knees, and I’ll eventually have to find another type of cardio that I like, but I plan to enjoy it while I can.
What running shoes are you currently using? Maybe getting a new pair will inspire you to get back on the wagon!
Alison M says
I bought new running shoes this spring, but between a repeatedly breaking stroller and my husband working long hours I had a tough time hitting the pavement. On the bright side, the sun is shining longer now (see what I did there?) and I just stocked up running shorts so I’m back to it. I got a few tanks with built-in bras too so I can do Blogilates on days I don’t go for a run.
I may not be up to long distance yet, but 3 miles is a good challenge for now. I also use MapMyRun and link it to my personal Facebook for a quick way to get encouragement as well as keep myself accountable. People know when I miss a run!
Karen says
Three miles is a great goal to work toward. Maybe sign up for a local race? They’re a lot of fun, and a good excuse to get motivated and start training. That’s how I started to fall in love with running — doing a race.
That app sounds cool. If I start running outside again, I just might try it.
Erin says
I wish I could run more but my knees really prevent it!
Sylirael says
Um, I think I need to eat that necklace right now 😀 Gumdrop neckalce is a good name for it!
If I fall out of a habit and need to get back in, I like to think of some really positive things that came out of doing it in the first place. I don’t tell myself I *should* do it, because that’s oddly demotivating in its own way. I tell myself ‘remember how epic your ballet turnout gets when you remember to do pilates regularly?’ or whatever, and that gets me back on track!