I've been a VERY, VERY bad girl!

I've been a bit slow picking up blogging this month so far... [apologies!] but I promise I have not neglected the handful of readers I have... actually, I checked today and I am 2 short of 50 subscribers!  AMAZING!  [I'm amazed at least, it may be small to others, but holy-moly I love you guys!]

Anyways... I've been especially bad this month because I've hauled loads of goodies I need to photograph and share with you all!  It's mostly brushes and eye shadows, and a few things here and there for Halloween.  I am planning to show-and-tell soon, I promise.  As soon as I get a FOTD/tutorial up - I will share!

What have you all been loving so far this month?  I'm finding the transition from summer to fall to be sad.  As much as this is one of my favorite times of the year, this summer has been a great one and I'm finding it hard to let go.

What Are Your Essential Makeup Tools?

Stalking numerous makeup forums over the years, I've learned from others the BEST and absolute MUST-HAVES for my personal kit.  Hope you enjoy and maybe you can find something in here you may love, or already have something in this collage of items that you can never live without!

1. ECOTOOLS Bronzing Brush: The BEST hands down kabuki I've EVER used.  It blows away my MUFE HD kabuki, my Sigma kabukis, my MAC kabukis, Real Techniques, Coastal Scents pink kabuki... I can go on and on.  The best thing?!  It's SUPER affordable and easily found at your local drugstore!  Great for buffing in setting powders and buffing out overdone blush.
2. Urban Decay Primer Potion: The only primer I've ever used... why?  It just happened to be one of those magical products that does its job on the first try.  I am tempted to try the Lime Crime version... but everyone needs a primer in their kit if you want your eye shadows to show up true to color.
3. LUSH's Bon Bon Lip Scrub: I have extremely chapped lips on a weekly basis.  I use this to exfoliate when I prep for any lipsticks or glosses, and it doesn't hurt that it tastes delicious!  I almost feel ashamed to say I would probably eat the whole jar if I could... Wait for LUSH's XMAS BOGO sale to stock up though!
4. Make Up For Ever's HD Powder: great for oily skin, and especially great to tune down your super dewey finishes down to a matte if you feel you need a change in texture for your look.  I have the ELF HD powder, and to be honest, I prefer the slip the MUFE version offers.  
5. Urban Decay's De-Slick Setting Spray: I'm usually not a fan of anything UD makes other than their primer, but WOW... I received this as a part of Sephora's Summer Favorite's set, and I was blown-out-of-the-water IMPRESSED.  It really does help set your makeup, and I can extend the wear of my makeup by at least an extra 1-3 hours depending on the conditions I find myself in.
6. Tweezerman Tweezers: I used LaCrosse ones for years, but those were so stiff, my hands were EXHAUSTED by the time I finished doing just one side of whatever I was working on.  These are different - sharp enough for precision tweezing... clamp shut with minimal effort... and they resharpen your tools for life??? Crazy!  I love that mine comes in a little case too, so I know I won't stab myself digging around my makeup bag for it!
7. Sephora's Angled Brow Scissors: Ok, so I could have cheaped out and purchased these cheaper via Japonesque, but I needed them then and there... These are WAY better than those sharp-pointy cuticle scissors that many people use.  Why would you have something so sharp next to your eyes???  At least these have rounded tips, and they're angled, so you don't have a fist in your way when you are trying to trim your unruly brows and shape them into works of beauty!
8. Shesheido Eyelash Curler: Cult-favorite, and my favorite... one light squeeze and it whips my lashes into shape.  I love it so much, I have both this version and the 24k holiday edition as a back-up.  I'm super sad they've been dropped from the US market, but you can still get them on www.sasa.com
9. Sonia Kashuk Metal Lash Comb & Brow Groomer: You don't necessarily have to get this one, but a metal lash comb is PARAMOUNT to your mascara routine if you have an issue with it clumping together or you want to brush them through with your false lashes to blend them in for a natural look.  Yeah, it can be a bit overboard, but it's all in the details!

I hope you enjoyed my list of favorite tools... do you have any to share of your own?  I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for the next new goody to make life easier or better.  Click on the link below and let me know if you have questions or just want to share your love for what I love!