The Truth About SIGMA & Giveaway

Quick Note: I am in no way affiliated with Sigma, I am just a consumer sharing her thoughts

For anyone who has been on the YouTube/Blogger scene for a few years, whether as a content creator or as a viewer, you will have undoubtedly heard of Sigma brushes. It seems as though every major YouTuber/Blogger was pushing Sigma, and some were pushing hard, as a result of this Sigma received a reputation for "buying off" beauty guru's, so I thought I would do a post today thats sets the record straight, so prepare yourself for the good, the bad, and the OMG aspects of Sigma.

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The Good

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Sigma Face & Precision Brushes L-R: F30, F50, F60, F70, P80, P84, P82, P86

F60 Foundation Brush:

This brush is your standard foundation "Paint" style brush. It provides good coverage as well as is slightly tapered to allow the best blending possible. The only problem I have had with this brush is the cleaning of it, a lot of foundation gets stuck in the upper bristles of the brush near the barrel. 

F70 Concealer Brush:

This brush is a tiny version of the foundation brush slightly tapered and flat. It also collects a lot of product near the barrel just like the foundation brush, but it still does the job. 

P80 Precision Flat Brush:

This brush is one of my favorite blender brushes, this is perfect for blending conceal or into the skin, as well as for doing concentrated contour and highlighting.

P84 Precision Angled Brush:

This brush is an angled version of the P80 (above), and just like the P80 it is great for blending concealer, as well as contouring and highlighting.

P86 Precision Tapered Brush:

I use this brush as a crease blender brush, it is tapered which allows for softer blending where wanted. 

Sigma Eye Brushes L-R: E05, E65, E30, E30, E05, E05, E40, E40, E60, E70, E55, E55, E70, E60

E05 Eyeliner:

This is one of my favorite eyeliner brushes, actually I take that back, this is my favorite eyeliner brush. The brush tip is the perfect length as well as has the tiniest tip that is prefect for a tight line, and creating that perfect cat eye.

E30 Pencil Brush:

This is a great pencil brush, the only down side of it is it's white, I only use a pencil brush for smudging under the eyes and that usually consists of dark colors so it needs to be washed after each use or it will stain after a while.

E60 Large Shader Brush:

This shader brush is perfect when packing color all over the lid, it applies even the most vibrant colors flawlessly.

E70 Medium Angled Shading Brush:

This is a great crease brush, especially for beginners, because of the angle its able to fit in your crease  and create that perfect smokey eye without  a lot of makeup experience. 

E55 Eye Shading Brush:

This flat/stumpy brush is great for building multiple colors on the lid, as well as smudging under the eye. 

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The Bad

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F30 Large Powder Brush:

I have hated this brush since the day I got it (that was almost 2 years ago), this brush bleeds black dye to this day, as well as sheds like a Pekingese. I can honestly say this is the worst brush I have ever owned.

F50 Duo Fiber Brush:

This is another highly hated brush, its supposed to be a stippling brush but the white hairs are to long in contrast to the black hairs,  now if the white hairs were more concentrated in the middle and the black hairs were packed tighter around the outside this brush could work. (see the MAC 188 & 130 here*)

P82 Precision Round Brush:

This brush baffles me, I'm not clear on why this brush would be used in place of the others, this brush collects a ridiculous amount of product and is by far the hardest to clean, the only place I ever use it is as a crease brush, but the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush* is much better and a lot cheaper.

E65 Small Angle Brush:

This is one of those brushes that you use if its there, but you wouldn't buy again. It's not packed tight enough to get that "perfect" line.

E40 Tapered Blending Brush:

This brush feels like a MAC 217 * knock-off, It's a bit too long though. With such long bristles it makes it hard to get perfectly blended shadows, but it does the trick fir everyday use, I just wouldn't recommend it to a working makeup artist.

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Additional Products

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Brush cup/holder, Brush Roll, Brush Belt, Brush Shaper, Brush Roll, Makeup Bag, Brush Shaper. 

The Sigma Brush Cups/Holder are an amazing way to travel with your brushes, as well as have them nicely but conveniently displayed at home.

The Sigma Brush Roll is another great way to travel with your brushes and comes in handy on set as well.

The sigma Brush Belt is only necessary to buy if you are a working Makeup Artist, but it is your typical brush belt.

The Sigma Brush Shaper is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! After you wash your brushes you lace the brushes into the Brush Shaper and stand it up to dry with the bristles pointed down, it will not only reshape any overused brushes, but it also makes your brushes last longer as your brushes dry standing up so no water gets into the brush furrow. 

So as you can see it is a mixed bag of good and bad products, but if you follow the advise above any purchases you make with Sigma you should be happy with.

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The OMG

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Sigma's marketing strategy has been somewhat controversial, Sigma "partnered" with several prominent  YouTubers/Bloggers to sell their products, these YouTuber/Bloggers would receive some compensation (usually 10%), for sales coming from their viewers. While that sounds perfectly fine, some of these YouTuber/Bloggers really wanted to collect that check, so they talked up the products like no tomorrow, and after a while forums started popping up online about disgruntled viewers and customers. While the YouTuber/Bloggers can't be held responsible for Sigma's failure on manufacturing, they do need to understand that viewers believe what they are saying, which means they need to mean what they say. 

I myself purchased my first Sigma products based on a video I saw with Tanya Burr, and I too felt a little disappointed in the quality of the brushes, I never went so far as writing in forums about it, I simply said well I will do my own YouTube channel and Blog and be 100% honest of everything I try. 

I don't want to make it out like Tanya Burr was the only one to endorse Sigma, and I don't believe she still does, their are several that have and some that still do, I in no way begrudge any of these people for working with Sigma, I think we all would like to see 100% honest reviews on all products our favorite YouTuber/Blogger endorses.. I also don't want it to sound like Sigma is a horrible company, you just saw the products that I like, and they just happen to make a few products that are of lesser quality than expected because of the price. 

In the end I actually would still recommend Sigma but I would also advise people to stay away from the items listed in the BAD section. 

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Proof of Faith

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I really wanted to do a blog post that really goes into detail of the Sigma products, as well as the "Sigma Scandal", I hope after reading this you feel more informed about the company and the products.

I also wanted to show you that I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is, so I am doing a giveaway of a Sigma Brush Set!!!!

I am giving away 1 Sigma Extreme Color Payoff Kit. 

This giveaway starts today and ends on August 1, 2014.

The Rules for this giveaway are:

You MUST Subscribe to my beauty channel

You MUST Like THIS video

You MUST comment with your first YouTube Beauty Guru video.

My first YouTube Beauty Guru video was with Tanya Burr (I think thats why I was so disappointed about the first Sigma brushes I had, because she was my first so I felt sort of betrayed Lol), it was the Serena van der Woodson video. 

You can get additional entries by:

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Follow my Blog (look in the left sidebar, you can google follow or email follow)

To see my YouTube video on the Sigma Brushes and the Giveaway click here.....

   

Food Vlog {7/9/2014}

I woke up late and had to run out the door so for breakfast I had a green smoothie (I will post the recipe for my smoothie on Friday), that I added some Sun Chlorella to for the extra vitamins . I also had my normal morning coffee and 1 liter of SmartWater.

Because I had woke up late and had a late smoothie, I wasn't hungry and I didn't have time to eat lunch so instead I had an early dinner. I made Cream of Chicken Soup (I will post this recipe soon as well), and I also had a green side salad that had Zukes (baby Cucumbers), tomato, and freshly shaved parmesan cheese. 

That is my food blog for this week, as I said I will post my smoothie and cream of chicken soup recipes soon. 

If you would like to see my full food vlog it's below...

   

Purple Summer Eyes {DrugStore}

Todays Tutorial Tuesday post is a purple eyeshadow look that I created simply because I'm really into purples right now, but I wanted this tutorial to be completely drugstore as thats my number 1 request from you guys.

The products used in this tutorial are:

Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

NYX Eyebrow Shaper

NYX Push-Up Bra For Your Eyebrows

NYX Eye Shadow Base in 02 Pearl White

NYX Eye Shadow in Deep Purple

Rimmel Eyeshadow Palette in 029 Afternoon Tea

Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Liner

Kiss False Lashes in 04 (duo glue)

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

Maybelline Master Hi-Light in 50 Light Bronze

Relvon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 035 Charm

I applied my Foundation and Concealer as normal,  I then used the two NYX brow products to do a soft natural brow, (we want the focus to be the eye color), I then used the NYX Shadow base.

For this look I used the middle Deep Purple and the Lightest Brown (bottom) and the Shimmery Pink (left side).

Applying the Deep Purple across the lid into the crease, followed by the Light brown dusting that from the crease up towards the brow, and then using the shimmery pink as a highlight along the brow as well as blending slightly down towards the light brown.

I then used the Maybelline Gel Liner and the L'Oreal Mascara. I applied my lashes with the DUO glue and then reapplied my Mascara.

I then lightly dusted my cheek area, jawline, and forehead with the maybelline bronzer, just so I would get that natural sun kissed look.

I finished off the look with the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Charm, this is the perfect nude to go with this as it has a slight coral hint without having too much color in it, which would distract from the eye color.

If you recreate this look please Tweet, Facebook, or Instagram your photo with me tagged or using #2BeeDazzledBeauty

If you would like to see the video tutorial for this it is below.

   

Strawberry Tarte

For the crust you will need:

2/3 Cup Water

5 Tablespoons Butter (I used Earth Balance)

1 Tablespoon Sugar

2/3 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

 3 Eggs

On high heat mix the Water, Butter, and Sugar, bring to a rough boil.

Add in the Flour and stir until fully incorporated and mixtures pulls away from the side of the pan.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes. 

Then add in the eggs 1 at a time and fully incorporating each egg, you do not want a "dough" mixture you want more of a cake batter runny but thick.

Pour into a round pan and bake at 400 F for 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and your crust will look likes its going to explode out of the pan, puncture the crust about 12 times with a toothpick and then return it to the oven until cooked through, (about 15 minutes.) remove from oven and set aside.

For the custard you will need:

4 oz Cream Cheese

1/2 TeaspoonVanilla

1 Teaspoon Orange Zest (I zested the entire orange).

2/3 Cup Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar)

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream.

2 Cups Chopped Strawberries

In a medium bowl add the Cream Cheese, Vanilla, and Orange Zest, mix until incorporated then add the Powdered Sugar and the Heavy Whipping Cream, mix until you get smooth peaks in your custard.

Pour the custard into your crust and smooth, then add the Chopped Strawberries to the top, you can add blueberries as well as the berry combo is very good.

If you make this tag me in your photos or use #2BeeHealthy so I can see your pictures.

If you would like to see the full recipe video it is below.

   

Seafood Brodetto

Todays recipe is a take of Olive Garden's Seafood Brodetto, this is my all time favorite thing to order but unfortunately I only get to eat this once per year when I visit family on the mainland as Hawaii has no Olive Garden. 

For this recipe you will need:

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1-2 Chopped Onions (depends on your preference)

4-8 Cloves Garlic (depends on your preference) 

1 eight oz can Tomato Sauce

2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar

1-2 Cups White Wine (depends on your preference)

1 cup Hot Water (I mixed mine with a little Better Than Bullion)

1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste

1 Tablespoon Chopped Parsley

1 Bag Baby Spinach

1/2 pound Tilapia

1/2 pound Scallops

1/2 Pound Shrimp

In a large pan pour your olive oil onions and garlic and allow to cook for about 5 minutes.

Add the Tomato Sauce, White Wine Vinegar, White Wine, Water (mine had the bullion), Tomato Paste, and Parsley. Let mixture come to a rapid boil.

Then add the Spinach and return to a simmer for about 30 minutes.

Add the Tilapia and allow to cook for around 15-20 minutes.

10 minutes before serving add your Shrimp and Scallops.

Then serve with Garlic Toast and Lemon.

   

Create The Perfect SPA NIGHT

One of my favorite things in the whole world is a Spa day, unfortunately Spa packages are ridiculously expensive especially when you add in that I want it weekly, so I have created my own perfect Spa night and share with all of you my process.

To create my perfect Spa night I use Coffee Grounds with a Body Buffing Pad, Sei Bella Hair Mask, Hask Argon Oil, Sei Bella Face Mask, Renew Body Wash (for bubbles)  Avocado Oil, Corn Starch, Epsom Salt, and Olay ProX Face Brush (optional). 

The first thing I do is run my bath and add in about a cup of Epsom Salt, 1/2 cup of Corn Starch, about 3 Tablespoons of Avocado Oil, and then a small amount of Renew Body Wash to be used as a Bubble Bath.

I want to quickly explain why I dont just use a nice Lush (or any other brand) bath bomb. My perfect Spa Night is all about pampering and relaxation, it does not end with me scrubbing the bath tub to get rid of the colorants, glitter, and/or soap scum that comes with using a bath bomb. Also bath bombs can get really expensive, especially when you think the average bath bomb is $7 for a short 1-2 hour bath. 

The next step is to apply your Face Mask and Hair Mask. My Face Mask is not the type of mask that gets hard and then you feel like Joan Rivers after a Botox treatment, it is an exfoliating mask that also has mud in it as well as tea tree oil. 

My Hair Mask is a reparative treatment for anyone with dry or color treated hair. I also add in the Hask Argon Oil to the ends, as well as to the roots which normally is a huge no no but because your washing your hair right after its ok. The combination of the oil and conditioner makes your hair soft, silky, and shiny for the rest of the week.

I then set up my table. On my table I put a huge glass of iced water, my favorite cocktail which is the Mojito, and my iPad, with the iPad I usually watch a guilty pleasure show i.e. Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, Grimm, or I will play really soft soothing music i.e. Enya, Sarah McLachlan. I then light my candles I am using vanilla because I find it to be really nice and soothing without having a huge in your face fragrance. 

Then its soaking time. I am a huge soaker, I can sit in a bath for at least 2 hours! just before I am ready to get out I use the ProX face brush and then wipe my face down with a nice hot towel. I then apply the Coffee Grounds using the buffing pad. The coffee grounds don't have to be anything expensive but they are amazing at exfoliating your body as well as helping with cellulite. After this I shower off washing my hair and body to remove the hint of coffee smell. 

I then moisture my entire body using the Renew Body Lotion, because you just did a full body exfoliant you need to moisturize really well so your skin doesn't get really dry.

I also do a full skincare step even if its the middle of the afternoon, I used Estee Lauder Night Serum, Clarins Night Cream, Yes Blueberry Eye Cream.

I follow this with the Its a Ten Keratin Treatment and comb through with a wide tooth comb.

I then snuggle up with my boys and watch a good movie!

If you would like to see my Spa Video its here: