Even I, a self-proclaimed beauty junkie, often get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of beauty tools available out there. It’s hard to not buy every. single. one you see, especially when there areso many different kinds with colored bristles and pretty handles calling to you. But don’t give in! Not only will you end up with a bunch of stuff you don’t need, but you’ll end up with a bunch of really expensive stuff you don’t need (some brushes can be over $50 each!).

To help you look flawless and keep some extra money in your pocket, I’ve rounded up the 10 essential tools that every girl needs in her beauty arsenal. You get these little guys and you’re good to go.

That being said, it’s not necessary to have all of these tools!  These are just ones that I use most frequently and that I think are worth picking up.  Also, many of my tools are from Sephora or high-end brands, but that doesn’t mean you need to purchase from there!  While higher end brand tools typically last longer, I also have a ton of tools from budget-friendly brands like EcoTools and Sonia Kashuk.  I even use paintbrushes from the craft store!

Please don’t feel like you need to spend a ton of money on these products; this video is really just to show you the types of tools I recommend!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my website and follow me on Twitter!

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: Sigma Complete Brush Kit

Why this should be in your bag: Makeup brushes are essential for any girl who wears eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, etc (read: EVERYONE). Like most, I started out with cheap brushes from the local drugstore, but quickly realized that if I’m buying quality makeup, I should also be investing in quality brushes. A brush of exceptional quality will have soft bristles, little fall-out and pick up lots of product. It’s amazing how much of a difference a brush makes in your application. Good brushes will allow you to look polished and your best, blending when they should and depositing just the right amount of color! However, I have a pretty hard time parting with 50 of my hard earned dollars for one measly MAC brush. I’ve been searching for an affordable alternative to MAC (and other luxury brands) and I think Sigma might fit that bill!

How to use it: This section is going to be a bit longer than usual. This set comes with 12 brushes, but I’m just going to review a few of my favorites here! Don’t get me wrong, the whole set is a good buy (you save $73!), but I only have space for standouts!

F40 – Large Angled Contour

This is a great brush for applying brush and highlighters to cheeks. I bought the infamous MAC Stereo Rose and was absolutely dumbfounded with it. It just didn’t look that great on! I never even thought that the brush I used to apply it would make such a huge difference. F40 was perfect for this! It deposited the most color on the apples of my cheeks and then faded back into my hairline. I’ve tested this out with other blushes and used it with contouring bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks with equally great results.

E70 – Medium Angled Shading

I had never tried an angled eyeshadow brush before this one (I know, terrible!). It’s great for not only applying color in the crease, but it’s my favorite for highlighting on the browbone and blending out smokey eyes. It’s soft and holds it shape.

E30 – Pencil

This eye brush is perfect for precise applications of color, like in the crease and along the lashline. It’s great for finishing off a look with some smudging to the lower lashline and has quickly become an essential for me.

CC Rating: B+
Although I find a couple of the brushes in this set inferior to my current collection (for example, I will not be replacing my Kabuki brush with F15 anytime soon), it’s still a great deal. You’re getting near-luxury quality for rock-bottom prices. I give my picks A+, but some of the brushes really aren’t up to snuff. Another one of my favorite things about this set is the brush roll! It’s super high-quality, durable and fits a whole load of brushes. It’s perfect for travel and neat storage of your prized brushes, be them Sigma or other. I think anyone looking to start a brush collection or beef theirs up will be quite happy with Sigma!

I know that all of you out there wash your faces every morning and every night, but do you ever think about the germs and dirt you’re sweeping across those freshly exfoliated cheeks every time you apply your makeup?

It’s disgusting.

Our makeup brushes get really dirty with use, and cleaning them is perhaps the most important yet overlooked step in beauty these days. Think about it: when was the last time you cleaned your brushes?

Well it’s time to start, ladies! And it’s a lot easier than you think. You don’t have to be fancy and buy the most expensive brush cleanser you can find. In this vid, I’ll show you the cheaper way to clean your brushes (which you really should be doing!).

It’s hard to stay organized (and beautiful!) when you’re living in the cramped quarters typical of college towns. You barely have enough room for your clothes in most dorms or apartments and without a bathroom to call your own, it’s nearly impossible to store all that makeup you brought along with you. But with a little creativity and a few key pieces, anyone can find a place to keep their makeup, and keep it clean.

Today, I’m showing you how I store my all of my makeup and giving you some other great organizational ideas as well.

If you’ve got some extra space and looking for major storage, hit up The Container Store for a large drawer unit that you can keep in your bathroom. Looking for something smaller? Try Target for a set of 6 small storage drawers (like the one I use!) that can fit right on your desk or dresser. And if you’re really crafty, you can even turn your makeup storage into some much needed room decor! Whatever you decide, get that makeup organized. It will not only save you time, but it will protect your brushes and keep your makeup from cracking or going bad too soon.

I know a lot of girls are confused about what brushes to buy and what tools they should have lying around their bathroom counter so I wanted to give you all some insight on what I use regularly. I’m not telling you to go out and buy a $100.00 brush kit full of stuff you’ll never use. Instead, I’m going to explain what everything is and allow you to decide what you need for your daily beauty regime.

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Clean those makeup brushes.

I’ll buy whatever Freida Pinto is sellin’.

Makeup cases have come a long way since your 6th grade pink plastic Caboodle and I’m not going to criticize you if you still have it sitting on your dresser, but perhaps you could upgrade your travel style for this occasion. Below are some great cases and bags to help bring your necessities abroad.

Mark expandable black cosmetics case- by Avon- $12: This compact black case has an adorable pink lining and with one zip it expands even further to store more beauty supplies. It is super cheap and even includes a pocket to store full sized brushes.

Bare Escentuals Wine Train Case- $40: This train case can store your makeup at home and also on-the-go. The plastic storage unit inside comes out so that it can be cleaned. It is made of shiny, merlot-colored, polka dotted fabric and is perfect for storing all kinds of makeup and brushes.

e.l.f Metallic makeup organizer- $10: Like all things e.l.f, this makeup organizer is cute and cheap. It has magnetic closure and several pockets, and comes in four metallic shades…I’d go with bronze to match your beach tan.

Kate Spade Lawn Chair Cosmetics Case- $93.99: If you have the money to splurge, this Kate Spade bag is gorgeous and will prove to be a good purchase for years to come. At Overstock.com this bag is cheaper than usual and is pretty large so it can store your other toiletry needs as well.

Betseyville On The Prowl Cosmetics Case- $16.99: This Betsey Johnson colorful zebra printed cosmetics case is super small, so it’s probably better for weekend trips. So if you’ve got a short trip planned this break, check it out.

Vera Bradley Travel Cosmetics Case- $48: This makeup case is really roomy with 8 divided areas. Like all Vera Bradley items, this case is bright and springy and comes in 21 patterns.

Another travel tip: When you don’t want to carry your big shampoo bottles and hair gels check out these mini plastic cases from the container store. They are sturdy, perfectly sized, and super cheap. Get a mini shampoo bottle for only $1.29. Just remember to check all these items at the airport- 3oz is the liquid maximum for carry on bags! Have fun ladies, I’ll be thinking of you as I suffer in this north east tundra…

Kabuki Face Brush: Kabuki brushes are huge and perfect for all over face coverage, whether you are applying foundation or bronzer. This kabuki brush is from Too Faced and is made with “teddy bear hair bristles” so it’s soft on sensitive faces. Yes, it’s a little pricey but the texture and longevity make it worth the splurge. If your’re looking for something a little cheaper but still quality you can check out The Balm’s mini version of the kabuki brush.

Concealer Brush: When applying concealer to cover up your blemishes or under eye marks, it can be tempting to skip the brush. But by getting a concealer brush like this one from Bare Escentuals you are keeping your skin clean and getting a fully blended look.

Angled Blush Brush: Using round brushes for blush can create a Bozo-like look, but angled brushes make the cheek color look more natural. A soft angled blush brush like this one from Benefit works best when applied on the apples of the cheeks in an upward sweeping motion.

Fine-tipped Eyeliner Brush: Thin eyeliner brushes like this Bare Escentuals brush allow you to get super close to the lash line without the irritation that comes with eye pencils. This brush can also be used wet or dry, so different looks can be easily achieved.

Angled Shadow Brush: Just like with blush, angled brushes create a more blended natural look. Angled brushes like this one from The Balm are especially useful when creating smokey-eye looks.

Lash and Eyebrow Comb: Okay, so I guess it’s not technically a brush, but I’m throwing it in anyway. The lash side of this Professional Platninum comb is great for separating clumped lashes and the brow side allows you to set brows in place, or brush them upwards when you are trimming.

If you’re looking for some great kits, check out: Sephora Brand’s Anti-bacterial brush set. Yeah, okay, I’m a germophobe, but these are awesome; each brush is treated with a hypoallergenic compound designed to repel and destroy bacteria. Also check out Sephora Brand’s Mineral Makeup kit that is designed specifically for mineral makeup, and it comes in an adorable gold clutch case.

Oh, and that germophobe in me is also reminding you to clean your brushes to keep em going! Just a little bit of warm water and shampoo will work, or check out this brush cleaning formula!

In this weekly series, makeup expert Ali will use her makeup know-how to teach us all how to look flawless in class, out at a party, or grabbing coffee with that cutie from Psych 101.]

In order for makeup to keep you looking fresh and beautiful you need to keep up with fresh products. Yes, it can be a sad day to throw out your favorite MAC eyeshadow because its time has expired, but it is necessary for your skin and your overall look (and feel). Below is some important information about how long your makeup should last, and how to stretch out its shelf life. And don’t worry – we won’t judge you if you hold a moment of silence for your favorite products whose time has come.

Mascara: With such close contact to your eyes, mascara is likely to acquire bacteria and, as a result, should be thrown out after 3 months. Don’t believe me? Smell it. Go on, do it. If the mascara is ready to go you’ll notice a different smell, not to mention the mascara will likely not go on as well. Throw it out!

Foundation: Liquid and condensed powder foundations will likely become cakey or cracked after 6 months to a year and then it’s time to toss em. Loose powder foundation will likely last a little longer. Similar rules apply to blush.

Lip-gloss: Will stay fresh for 1 year, maximum 2. When the gloss becomes sticky or gooey it is time to purchase a new one.

Eyes Shadow: Powder shadow lasts about 2 years, and cream shadow should be tossed after 1 year. Again, the make up will become cakey and crease easily when it is past its shelf-life.

Nail Polish: Quality polish will last 2 years, with cheaper polish becoming less effective after a year. To keep polish working great, store it in the refrigerator, and when it becomes thick add a little nail-polish remover to the bottle.

Brushes: When bristles of brushes begin to fall out it is a good idea to throw them out (cheaper brushes will lose bristles first). As brushes are exposed to dirt and bacteria on your face it is important to keep them fresh. In order to preserve brushes make sure to wash them as often as possible, preferably weekly, but at least monthly. Using a small amount of shampoo on your fingers, kneed the brushes in warm water and rinse them thoroughly. Reshape them when they are still damp and allow them to air-dry. (You’ll be amazed how much will come out of the brushes when washing, and you’ll feel much cleaner when applying makeup!)

A few extra tips to extend your makeup’s life:

-Always use brushes instead of your fingers, which will transfer bacteria to the makeup. When applying eye-shadow, disposable applicators can be bought at drug stores and will work just fine.

-Label your makeup with the date you opened it, so you can keep an eye on when to throw it out.

-Don’t keep makeup hanging loosely in your purse where dirt could get in.

-If something smells funny, toss it. And just like with milk or leftovers, when in doubt, throw it out!