Out of the many products that I tried this year, here are the 9 that have stolen my heart forever (in no particular order).  Links lead to the products’ corresponding reviews.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora is the first Dior makeup I ever bought, and is still my favourite bronzer to this day. Let’s hope they come out with another great one next summer. (Limited Edition for Summer 2011)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush gets a lot of rave reviews and for good reason. I recently added Exposed to my stash and my friends agree that it is a universally flattering blush.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast is my first line of defence against under eye circles every. single. day. It is life changing.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara is my favourite mascara of the year. I recommend it to everyone.

Lise Watier Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Quad in Équinoxe + Métamorfix Liquid Transformer was the best makeup palette/set I tried this year. The colours and performance are unparalleled. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani in Rouge 406 is a beautiful red lipstick and the formula is divine. I try a lot of lipsticks and think that the Rouge d’Armani is one of the best. I must try more colours next year. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil is one product I can’t stop raving about. What can I say; I just love it so much!  This one isn’t new; it’s a classic that I got to finally try this year.

Velour Lashes in You Complete Me gives me Bambi eyes. That is all.

THANN Jasmine Blossom Set is a staple in my bathroom. I just can’t get enough.

What are your favourite beauty products of 2011?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Lise Watier, MAC, Makeup, NUXE, Skincare, Tarte, THANN, Velour Lashes | Tags: blush, body oil, body wash, bronzer, concealer, false lashes, favourites, lipstick, lotion, mascara

Last week, I went to the much anticipated Beauty Premiere party being hosted by two of my favourite Canadian brands: Annabelle and Marcelle.  The party was held at the uber swanky Thompson Hotel Rooftop.  Check out the view!

The view from the Thompson Hotel rooftop

The venue was packed!  Of course, almost everyone from the Toronto Beauty Bloggers community came out to mingle.  I got a little carried away chatting that I didn’t get to snap too many photos, but I have enough to share with you.

Beauty Premiere introduced several exciting new products from the brands.  They had booths set up and a member of their team talked to us about the innovations and benefits of each product.  The makeup and skincare products below will be available by Spring 2012.

Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover

Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover is a gel make-up remover with micellar water.  Think about it like this: it’s our beloved Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water in gel form.  Not only will it pack the same make-up removing power, but it also contains ingredients that fortify your eyelashes to prevent fallout.  Great idea, no?

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara

Marcelle is coming out with a new mascara called Xtension Plus.  It promises to provide extra length and curl.  Apparently it’ll be as good — if not better — than the Power Volume mascara in terms of curling power, so I am very excited about this one!  I received it in my swag bag so I’ll definitely review it after I’ve played with it for a while.

Marcelle BB Cream

Pardon the awful picture quality — the lighting conditions were clearly not something my Canon G11 can handle.  Anyway, what’s big and cool in Asia is now slowly coming to Canada.  What am I talking about?  The super popular BB Cream is supposed to provide a lot of good-for-your-skin ingredients while offering a little bit of coverage to even out your skintone.  Available in two shades: Light-to-Medium and Medium-to-Dark.

Marcelle Gene Youth Skincare

A trio of day cream, night cream and eye cream, they are also coming out with Marcelle Gene Youth Skincare. Unfortunately I don’t have anything to say about these guys because it got too loud in the party and I couldn’t hear anything! Sorry. :S

Annabelle Smudge Paints

The Annabelle Smudge Paints aren’t new, but because they are awesome, they deserve to be shown off in the party.  These are gel liners or cream eyeshadow bases, and they have great staying power.

Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner

Eight new colours of Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliners are coming out as well.

I had a great chat with the lady at the Glitterama booth, but I didn’t get her name!  I was telling her the fact that I try both high- and low-end brands for my blog, and many times I’ve been impressed with how well Annabelle and Marcelle products stack up against the expensive brands.  She told me that they know that, and their marketing team knows that.  I wish more people knew, though.  Every time I recommend the brands to someone who’s not into beauty, they said they haven’t even tried anything from these brands.  But slowly but surely, I think we beauty bloggers are getting that word out!

Annabelle Big Show Lipglosses

The Annabelle Big Show Lipglosses are sheer, high-shine, unscented, non-sticky lipglosses.  They feel really nice and moisturizing on the lips.  Oh and, we even had the opportunity to create our own shade. !!!

Annabelle Big Show Lipgloss Mixing Station

Annabelle Big Show Lipgloss Mixing Station — with gorgeous Robyn of Fashionista 514!

My favourite guy that night — Mr. Lipgloss Scientist Dude, who by the way, gave me some photography tips as well.

O hai.  This is my lipgloss.  I don’t know what to call it yet, but for some reason “Seduction” keeps popping up.  Haha.

Makeup platter

There were servers who were walking around with hors d’oeuvres, and others who were walking around with platters of makeup.  Yes, eyeshadows, eyeliners, and other makeup free for all!  I’m pretty sure I saw this scene before in my sweet sweet dreams.

Keep reading to see more pictures!

(...)
Read the rest of Annabelle and Marcelle Beauty Premiere Party Rocks Toronto! (774 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Makeup, Marcelle, Sneak Peek, Spring 2012 | Tags: Toronto, Toronto events

When I got my Fembotika lash extensions taken out, I suffered from major lash withdrawal. I was back to bad ol’ lashes. They looked shorter and more sparse than I remembered. I knew it was all in my head though, and mascara became my best friend to — quite literally — fill the void.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara

In the past month, I’ve been wearing Annabelle Le Big Show mascara ($9.95), which promises a full volumized lash fringe in one coat.

For a volumizing mascara, I honestly think the Annabelle Le Big Show mascara can’t be beat. It does a great job separating the lashes and coating each hair with the right amount of product.  The formula is between dry and medium-wet, so it gives you time to work the product through your lashes without getting a clumpy mess.  The bristles on the wand really makes a difference, too.  The wand is the same as that in Marcelle Power Volume mascara, except Le Big Show’s is tapered at the tip.  This lets me get the smallest lashes at the corners of my eyes.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara

After one coat, it delivered nice volume and separation. I noticed a slight relaxation of the curl in my lashes, but it was barely noticeable. It made my lashes very black as it should.

No mascara / One coat / Two coats of Annabelle Le Big Show (click to enlarge)

In the past, my experience with “one-coat wonders” weren’t very good.  While pretty after one coat, they were very difficult to build up, and this is where Annabelle Le Big Show separates itself from the pack.  This mascara builds very well, creating a false lash look without crossing over to spider lash territory (which is on trend this Fall, but I’m not totally sold on it).  It wears fantastically, too; no smudging or flaking for a full day.

No mascara / One coat / Two coats of Annabelle Le Big Show (click to enlarge)

So do I recommend Annabelle Le Big show?  Yes, yes, and yes, I do!  Step aside, L’Oreal Voluminous.  As long as Le Big Show is available, I will no longer require your service.  Holy freakin’ grail.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Makeup, Reviews | Tags: drugstore, holy grail, mascara

I’m going to spare you the long-winded introduction that you probably never ever read anyway.  I am really this excited to tell you about this drugstore gem that I just discovered.  It’s called Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil ($8.95) and it is sensational.  I have it in Acaidisiac, a limited edition bright turquoise.

Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow pencils are cream eyeshadows or eyeliners in jumbo pencil format.  They go on the lids very opaque and creamy for effortless blending with a brush or finger.  They promise more than 9 hours of comfortable wear without creasing, smudging or melting.

Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Acaidisiac

Did it deliver?  Oh, did it ever!  On my slip-’n-slidey eyelids, I wore this without any eye primer before I went out for a day in the park.  It was very humid and on top of that, this sweaty girl rode her bike by the lake.  Ten hours later, my eye makeup was still in tact.  Seriously amazing, yes?

Annabelle also claims that the pencils are waterproof, and this is mostly true.  I found that it faded a little when I put a puddle of water on my eyelids and blotted.  Yes, I know it’s extreme, but what if I get caught under a really bad storm?

After seeing this colour, I got inspired to recreate a look from the Christian Dior S/S 2011 RTW runway, featuring bright colour blocking makeup.  It’s quite clowny and costume-y in person, but damn was it ever fun to recreate!

Source: Style.com

Wearing Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Acaidisiac

I’m also wearing Annabelle Le Big Show mascara (on Fembotika lashes), Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum, MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso Eyeshadow (to contour cheeks), and MAC Lady Danger lipstick.

And another face photo, complete with freaky blank expression

They are available now at pharmacies and mass retail stores.

What’s Your Favourite Long-Wearing Eye Makeup?

Besides this, I also love Giorgio Armani waterproof pencil, Smashbox Jet Set gel liner and of course, MAC Fluidline.  They last even on my waterline!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 49 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Looks, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, eyeliner, eyeshadow, fotd, holy grail, inspiration, looks i'm loving

I can’t show you swatches of Lise Watier Équinoxe quad without showing you a look, can I? That would be so mean of me. When I first saw this palette, it instantly screamed smokey eye to me. Unfortunately I wore this look before I found my bottle of Métamorfix liquid transformer, so these shadows as shown here were applied dry. Just for kicks here’s a reminder of how the palette looks like:

Lise Watier Quatuor Wet & Dry Eyeshadows in Ḗquinoxe

Get the Look

For the eyes, start with a grey cream eyeshadow base (Mary Kay Glacier Gray Creme Eye Color) all over the lid past the crease. Go over the same area with the grey from the Lise Watier palette, and blend out the edges. Next, pat on the muted blue all over the lid. Take the chocolate brown with a pointed crease brush and map out a slight wing shape on the outer corners. Fill in the outer third of the lid with the chocolate brown. Then, using a pencil/smudge brush, smudge the chocolate brown into the top and bottom lash lines. Clean up the shape with a Q-tip, if necessary. Just above the chocolate brown, apply a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown) to warm up the brow bone. Highlight the brow bone and inner corners with the icy white eyeshadow.

Line the top and bottom waterlines with a black liner (Annabelle Ohmygoth! Smudgeliner). Finish with a couple coats of volumizing mascara (Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara).

For the cheeks, keep it natural with a matte pinky brown blush (NARS Douceur Blush) and sweep up and out towards your ears.

For the lips, apply a glossy nude pink lipstick (Chanel Ming Rouge Allure Laque).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

(...)
Read the rest of Fool-proof Smokey Eye Using Lise Watier Fall 2011 Quatuor Wet & Dry Eyeshadows in Équinoxe. (320 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 21 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Chanel, Fall 2011, Lise Watier, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Mary Kay, NARS, Swatches | Tags: fotd

MAC eyeshadow in Swimming is my most recent acquisition, and it has quickly become a must-have.  I really think it’s a hidden gem in MAC’s permanent line.  It’s a gorgeous shimmery sea green that pairs perfectly with blues, teals, golds and purples.  I couldn’t wait to show off this beautiful colour, so today I bring you this face of the day.  My inspiration is this Fantasea Girl look from Sephora a few years ago.  Instead of copying the entire look (which is totally fab by the way), I wanted to make it more wearable by not bringing the colours all the way up to the brows.  It’s a fun way to do colour for a summer weekend.  Read on to learn how to get the look.

Swatches (from left): Auraline Bright Violet, Sassy Minerals Off Kilter, MAC Swimming, Annabelle Blu-Ray, MAC Soft Brown, Urban Decay Sin

Get the Look

For the eyes, start by patting down a purple eyeshadow (Auraline Bright Violet) on the inner third of the lid going a little bit past the crease, and the inner third of the lower lash line.  Layer a glittery lavender pigment (Sassy Minerals Off Kilter) on top of the cream eyeshadow.  Next, apply a shimmery sea green (MAC Swimming) from the outer two-thirds of the lid all the way up past the crease.  Apply the same green eyeshadow along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Next, apply a thick line of a matte navy blue (Annabelle Blu-ray) along the outer half of the upper and lower lash lines.  Blend a warm medium matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) above the crease to add warmth and depth.  Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin), as well as the inner corner of the eyes to brighten.

Line the lower waterline with a teal liner (MAC Undercurrent).  Smudge the same teal liner on the outer two-thirds of the upper lash line.  Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill) on the upper and lower lashes.  Add a pair of gigantic lashes (Illamasqua No. 23) to finish off the eyes.

For the cheeks, bronze all over the high points of the face with a peachy bronze (Dior Aurora).  Then, apply a matte pink (Tarte Dollface) high on the cheekbones, making a ‘C’ shape around the outside of the eyes to make them pop.

For the lips, apply a coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires) to complement the summery look, and top off with a shimmery gloss (Chanel Maline).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

(...)
Read the rest of Mermaid Colours with MAC Swimming Eyeshadow. (473 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Auraline, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Illamasqua, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Sassy Minerals, Swatches, Tarte, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd, inspiration, looks i'm loving

So you’ve read our tips on how to pull off a full-on orange lip. You want to get in on the trend but when you tried it in store, you saw yourself transported back to the ’80s. I can totally understand. But just like the red lip, you can gradually work yourself up until you are ready to wear that neon orange shade.

While you are building up the courage to wear that orange pout loud and proud, here are three easier ways for you to rock the tangerine lips now.

#1 — Try a Bright Semi-Sheer Lipgloss.

You probably saw this coming; the easiest way to try a new bold shade is to go sheer. I’m not a lipgloss kinda girl but Annabelle has one of, if not the best lipglosses from the Canadian drugstore shelves.  Annabelle Volumelip Lip Plumping Gloss in So Sanguine ($8.50) is one of four new additions to the permanent colour range, and it is hot!  Like the other Volumelip shade I’ve tried, So Sanguine has the best consistency for layering and has no shimmer.

Annabelle VolumeLip Lip Plumping Gloss in So Sanguine

Annabelle VolumeLip Lip Plumping Gloss in So Sanguine Swatch

#2 — Go Get a Muted Orange Lipstick.

It might be a surprise to you but there are many different options out there when it comes to orange lipsticks.  You don’t have to wear a neon shade to start (or ever).  YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 16 Rouge Roxane ($37) is a great pick.  The shade is a bit hard to describe.  It’s a mix of rose, orange, and a tiny bit of gold sheen.  It’s very wearable even for the most conservative office.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 16 Rouge Roxane

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 16 Rouge Roxane Swatch

#3 — Are You a Pink Lip Kinda Girl? Layer an Orange Lipgloss over Your Favourite Fuchsia Lipstick.

Ladies, you might want to sit down for this one because it will blow your mind!

Keep reading to see more photos!

(...)
Read the rest of Still Scared of Orange Lips? Here are 3 More (Tamer) Ways to Wear the Trendy Colour for Spring and Summer. (470 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Makeup, shu uemura, Swatches, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: lipgloss, lipstick, orange lips, pink lips, tips and tricks

Back when I was in elementary school, I always admired cheerleaders.  They got to wear tons of makeup, their hair in high ponytails, cute colourful outfits, and of course, dance around carrying shiny pom poms in their hands.  At one point I even considered joining the cheerleading squad.  Unfortunately, I’ve never been a cheerleader because I was too self-conscious of my thunder thighs.

Sigh.

Annabelle Glitterama in Pom Pom

After fifteen years, I’m glad to say that I can finally channel my inner cheerleader with my own pom poms.  This is Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner in Pom Pom ($7.95), a limited edition item from Annabelle’s Day Dream collection.  It’s purple.  It’s glittery.  In short, it’s L-O-V-E.

Annabelle Glitterama in Pom Pom

Annabelle Glitterama in Pom Pom

Pom Pom is not just a straight purple glitter liner.  What looks like a periwinkle liner from afar is more complex up close.  Instead, Pom Pom is a mix of violet, periwinkle and turquoise glitters with a clear base.  So, this liner can be layered over blue, purple, or black liners for added depth and oomph to the look.  This multifaceted glitter eyeliner is totally reminiscent of those shiny metallic pom poms.

Swatch of Annabelle Glitterama in Pom Pom

Swatches of Annabelle Glitterama in Pom Pom (plain, over navy, over purple, over black)

It’s my first time trying the Glitterama liquid eyeliner, and my experience with this is excellent.  It stayed on my lash line through a sweaty cardio session.  It’s easy to take off, too; with a light rubbing it just rolls off the skin.

Does Pom Pom Make You Want to Break into Dance?

I obviously love it.  Do you, too?  Did you want to be cheerleader growing up?  Or, were you?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Makeup, Swatches | Tags: eyeliner, glitter

This week I’ve been thinking about a pretty look that’ll be perfect for Valentine’s Day.  I didn’t want to be too theme-y with the makeup, so instead of pulling out all my pink stuff from my vanity, I chose pretty colours that are reminiscent of Spring. Unfortunately, there are no signs of Spring yet here in Toronto, but maybe if we all put our Spring looks on, Mother Nature will give us what we want. What do you think?

Swatches (from left): MAC All That Glitters, MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds (LE), MAC Coquette, Auraline Bright Violet, MAC Brun, Annabelle Golden Shine, Urban Decay Virgin

Get the Look

For the eyes, pat a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) all over the lid.  Apply a shimmery taupe grey (MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds) on the outer third of the lid for a subtle contrast.  Using a pointed crease brush, apply a matte taupe (MAC Coquette) on the crease to add depth.  Then, add a pop of violet (Auraline Bright Violet) to the outer V and outer crease.  Deepen the colour with a little bit of a cool dark brown (MAC Brun).  Smudge the violet over the lower lash line and extend past the eye to create a winged shape.  Blend the violet into the top lid colours.  Smudge black eyeliner (Urban Decay Zero) into the top lash line and lower waterline.  Highlight the inner corner with a gold eyeshadow (Annabelle Golden Shine), and a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Virgin).  Finish off with lots of mascara (L’Oreal Voluminous + CoverGirl Lashblast Waterproof) to the top and bottom lashes.

For the cheeks, blend a rosy cream blush (Mary Kay Cranberry) on the apples of the cheeks.

For the lips, pat a berry lipstick (MAC Party Line) on the lips as a sheer stain.

(...)
Read the rest of Signs of Spring: Pretty Colours and Berry Stained Lips. (355 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Auraline, CoverGirl, L'Oreal, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Mary Kay, Swatches, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd

I have been playing around with my Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel palette to showcase a couple of looks here on Glitter Geek.  Michelle from Lipstick Rules came up with the great idea of creating both day and night looks using the palette, so I present to you my two FOTDs.

Daytime and Evening Looks

Daytime Look

This daytime makeup is all about the bright glowy eyes and a punchy lip colour.  This look totally screams Springtime.

For the eyes, apply a matte taupe (MAC Coquette) on the crease and blend out softly.  Take a peach pink (Pink) and pat all over the lid with the sponge applicator.  Then, apply a shimmery gold white (White Pearl) on the middle of the lid only, as well as the inner corners and lash line to brighten the eye.  Line the top lashes with a blackened green pencil (Urban Decay Stash), applying it thicker as you move to the outer corner of the eye.  Line the outer half of the lower lashes with the same pencil.  Where you lined with the green pencil, layer a greyish green (Green Grey) on top.  Apply mascara (Rimmel Glam Eyes) to the top and bottom lashes.

For the cheeks, warm up the face with a bronzer (Annabelle Haute Gold) applied on the temples, cheeks and chin.  Then, apply a shimmery peachy pink blush (NARS Deep Throat).

For the lips, apply a bright coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires).  Top off with a shimmery lip gloss (Chanel Maline) down the centre of the lips only.

(...)
Read the rest of Two Looks: Daytime and Evening Makeup Using Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette. (516 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 35 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Chanel, L'Oreal, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Maybelline, Rimmel, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd