Shopping for makeup brushes can be quite a daunting tasks with so many different brands, shapes, and styles to choose from, and with prices ranging from practically nothing to barely affordable.  In time, your brush collection will start to tell a story about your journey through the cosmetics world, but if you are buying brushes for the first time, you can get away with five good brushes.  With brushes, you get what you pay for, so don't be afraid to fork up that extra dough for quality, otherwise you will end up with stray bristles on your face or worse!

My basic rule of thumb when it comes to brushes is this: natural fiber for powder, and synthetic for cream or liquid.  Brushes should be cleaned with SD Alcohol for quick changes  - don't fall into the gimmick of expensive brush shampoos, they are a marketing ploy.  For a deeper cleaning (I recommend once a week, unless you are using them on people besides yourself, and then clean before each use) to keep your brushes sanitary use any conditioning hair shampoo.  Alcohol from the quick change dries out fibers and can lead to breakage so using a conditioning shampoo is crucial to extending the life of your brushes! Synthetic fiber brushes are best cleaned with DAWN dish soap - it works the best to remove the oils contained in cream and liquid makeups.  For best results, allow brushes to dry thoroughly overnight before using.

THE 5 ESSENTIALS

MEDIUM ROUND POWDER BRUSH
These can be used to apply powder foundations, blush, bronzer, and powder highlighter.  Dip the brush into the powder and tap off excess before applying to your face in a circular motion.  For cheek contours, use your fingers to squeeze the brush into an oblong shape.

Now that you have removed the clutter of old and unused products, and sanitized everything to like-new condition, your logical next step will be to organize everything.  My recommendation: purchase a train case from a cosmetic supply company to store everything, or get clear plastic trays where everything can be easily found.

Start by dividing your products by type and color.  I like to separate EYES, LIPS, FACE, and NAILS into separate trays, so everything can be found with ease.  Within these trays, organize by color and subcategory: Keep all eyeshadows together, eyeliners, and mascara together, blushes, concealers, and bronzers should also be kept together.  If you have as much make-up as I do, you can further subdivide into powder vs cream makeup within your subcategories.

You may find it helpful to color-code your makeup, as most brands don't utilize transparent packaging.  I recommend getting small white round labels and adhering them to the visible portion of the container and them applying a sample of the makeup onto the label.  Spray with hair spray to avoid smudging and further mess.

Get a washable fabric brush organizer that you can roll up and store with your makeup.  This will keep their shape and maintain cleanliness of brushes.

A few MUST HAVES for organizing your makeup:

SEPHORA Metro Train Case in Gunmetal Croc
Both stylish and utilitarian, this way all of your cosmetics will be easily accessible and organized!

$110 Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

TASMERAH Makeup Organizers
Keeps everything organized in great see-though bags.

$39-$43 Alcone Company www.alconeco.com

JAPONESQUE Custom Lip Palette Kit
Allows you to rescue those bits of lipstick taking up space in your kit, and add them perfectly into a compact palette.

$18 - Japonesque www.japonesque.com

Nail Lacquer and nail polish remover can be extremely drying to nails and cuticles alike, which an result in brittle, broken nails.  Many people don't realize that cuticles are live tissue and cutting or drying out this tissue is the same as peeling the skin off your finger tips, so this tissue must be taken care of! Try This:

SEPHORA by O.P.I. Brush On Cuticle Oil
Imbibed with 5 hydrating oils and vitamin E in an easy, brush on applicator.

$9 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

This Fall/Winter Trend is also following us to Spring, and it is all about the lash.  BIGGER IS BETTER when it comes to lashes, so amp up that mascara, glue on those falsies, and really go for drama this Spring!  There are many options to choose from, from the subtle to the outrageous..so decide how far you want to go...even mix your lash look with other spring looks, and you are sure to turn heads!

TIP: Using a combination of lash growth serum, primers, mascara, and false lashes will give you the maximum lash effect.

SERUM
We all know about Latisse, but try this more affordable option.
L'OREAL Lash Boosting Serum

$15 - Drugstores Nationwide

PRIMER
SEPHORA COLLECTION Perfection Lash Primer

$12 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

MASCARA
DIOR DiorShow 360 Mascara
Volume, Curl, and Length in one fantastic product!!

$36 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

Even though your daughter/bff/fag hag may not have a significant other, they should be able to enjoy a fabulous Valentine's Day gift as well.  While you may not want a massage for two, and fragrance might be too personal, try these fab options may be just what they needed!

NARS Tainted Love Set
Includes the popular Angelika lip gloss and the limited edition multiple stick for eyes, lips, and cheek.  Also includes a nail polish in the popular Schiap.

$60 ($78 Value) - Nordstrom Online Only www.nordstrom.com

SEPHORA BY O.P.I Chic Prints
Patterned nails are the hottest Hollywood trend from Katy Perry, Beyonce, and more!

$15 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

TAKE CARE BEAR
Girls love getting cuddly plush animals for gifts, so why not step it up a notch.  This cuddly bear can be heated in the microwave to provide soothing aromatherapy to de-stress your favorite girl!

$46 - GiftProse www.giftprose.com

TOO FACED Look of Love Makeup Collection
Includes makeup case, applicator brush, eye shadow, blush, mascara, eye primer, and face primer.

$45 - Urban Outfitters www.urbanoutfitters.com

MS APOTHECARY Bath Bombs
Available in cupcakes and hearts for a little luxury every girl can enjoy!

$7 - MS Apothecary http://msapothecary.bigcartel.com/

One of the best things about buying your beauty in bulk? FREE GIFTS! Even though you will probably never use the free toiletry kit and the lipstick color is one you would never use, the promise of a free gift with your purchase at your favorite beauty counter might make you buy that extra shadow color...again, one that you will probably never use.  So who has the best gifts around?

BERGDORF GOODMAN Be Beautiful Event
For a limited time only (until Jan 30), purchase $200 in beauty products and recieve a free FEED 5 gift set including brands Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy, Clarins, Darphin, and more!

$200 - Bergorf-Goodman www.bergdorfgoodman.com

MACY'S
At this store you can always find free gifts with your cosmetics and fragrance purchases! Check online for the current promotions.

Macy's www.macys.com

SEPHORA Skincare Splurge
For a limited time (while supplies last), get 10 free skincare samples with every online order.  Just enter code SPLURGE at checkout!

Sephora www.sephora.com
Also check here for more great steals from Sephora!

ULTA
The more affordable choice for many, Ulta has a GWP section that is updated weekly, so check often!

Ulta Beauty www.ulta.com

We all love to try new products, and everyone loves getting something for free, so today I reveal a sway to have the best of both! Many sites and stores offer free samples without any purchase at all, so swing by these retailers and get some swag - on them!!

MAKE UP FOR EVER
You know this brand from its cult following of artists and beauty junkies alike, but what you probably don't know is that if you stop by a boutique, or one of the brand new studios at select Sephora store, they will make a FREE SAMPLE of foundation, cream blush, concealer, or lipstick for you to try before you buy!

Make Up For Ever www.makeupforever.com

SEPHORA
You always love it when you get to pick out free samples with your Sephora purchase, but they will also give you those samples without purchase if you are a beauty insider.  Simply sign up in stores or online for access to free samples, discounts, and more!

Sephora www.sephora.com

MALIN + GOETZ
This NYC based apothecary has a private label brand that is to die for.  With natural ingredients and local manufacturing, you are sure to find something you love here.  At the store or online, you are sure to find TONS of samples available to you absolutely free.  TIP: These samples are also great if you are travelling and don't want to bring along full size products.

Malin + Goetz Malin and Goetz

KIEHL'S
Not only will the staff at any store provide you with a personal consultation,but you can take home your skincare formula in sample sizes until you are ready to buy!

Kiehl's www.kiehls.com

YU-BE
This Japanese sensation can be yours with a selection of free samples online!

Yu-Be www.yu-be.com

ESTEE LAUDER
Always offering try before you buy options, this should be your go-to for free samples.  Right now, you can even get a ten day supply of their new foundation, and a trial of the newest perfume, Beautiful.

Estee Lauder www.esteelauder.com

These aren't the only ways to get great free stuff from popular product lines.  Always ask about samples when making a purchase, and most cosmetics counters at high end department stores will give you samples if you ask!