It’s almost June, and you probably know someone getting married in the next month or two.  If you’re looking for inspiration on how to do your makeup, here’s a look that I wore to a wedding last weekend.  It’s enough to make your eyes pop without wearing making the eyes too heavy.  The emphasis is on the smokey eye liner and the shape.  I loved wearing this look, and it’s something that I’ll probably wear over and over again.

Swatches (from left): MAC All That Glitters, MAC Arena, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Coquette, MAC Brun, Chanel Black Pearl

Get the Look

For the eyes, shade in the lid with a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) and top off with a low shimmer peach (MAC Arena).  Mix the shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) and peach (MAC Arena) to highlight the inner corner and inner half of the lower lash line.  Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin).  Lightly contour the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown).  Apply a matte medium taupe (MAC Coquette) to the outer corner to define the eye further.

Using a smudger brush, take a dark cool brown (MAC Brun) and smudge along the upper lash line and wing out on the outer corner.  This creates a guide for the black eyeliner liner.  Then, smudge using a creamy black liner (Giorgio Armani Waterproof Liner) over the cool brown to deepen it.  Apply the black liner to the outer third of the lower lash line.  Smudge and drag the liner to the middle, while making sure that the line tapers off at the middle.  Line the top and bottom waterlines.  Go over the black lines with a shimmery charcoal (Chanel Black Pearl from Ombres Perlées Palette).    Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill).  Optional, apply half false lashes to the outer corner (Ardell 120 Demi — cut in half; I used the shorter half because I have short lashes).

For the cheeks, dust a peachy bronzer (Dior Aurora Bronzer) over the high points of the face.

For the lips, apply a creamy nude lipstick (Vasanti Luxembourg).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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Read the rest of Special Event Makeup: Smokey Cat Eyes FOTD. (413 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 30 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Ardell, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Swatches, Urban Decay, Vasanti | Tags: eyeliner, fotd

Blue and gold is one of my favourite colour combinations, and after a long and hard decision making I went with a blue and gold smoky eye for my 24th birthday.  I enjoyed creating this smoky eye since I haven’t done one in a while.  I quite like how it turned out.

Swatches (from left): Urban Decay Half Baked, MAKE UP FOR EVER 167 Iridescent True Blue, Annabelle B-Ray, MAC Brun, MAC All That Glitters, MAC Soft Brown

Get the Look

For the eyes, pat a gold eyeshadow (UD Half Baked) all over the inner two thirds of the lid.  Run the same eyeshadow on the inner one third of the lower lash line.  Pat a vibrant shimmery blue (MUFE 167) on the outer one third of the lid, and blend into the gold.  On the outer V and crease, apply a matte dark navy (Annabelle B-Ray) in a cat eye shape and blend.  Smudge the same eyeshadow on the outer two thirds of the lower lash line.  To deepen the navy, go over it with a deep cool brown (MAC Brun) on the outer crease and lower lash line.  Soften the blue eyeshadow by blending a medium warm matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) above the navy.  Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters).

Line the waterlines and upper lash line with a black eyeliner (Urban Decay Zero).  Add some false lashes (Ardell Wispies) and mascara (Marcelle Power Volume mascara) to the top lashes.

For the cheeks, contour the hollows of the cheeks with a dark matte brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso Eyeshadow). Apply a brownish peach blush (MAC Cantaloupe) on the apples of your cheeks. Highlight the cheekbones with a shimmery gold (MAC Gold Studio Finish Face Powder).

For the lips, apply a neutral pink lipstick (Chanel Mademoiselle Rouge Coco). Highlight the middle of the lips with a shimmery gold (MAC Gold Studio Finish Face Powder).

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Read the rest of Go Shawty, It’s Your Birthday: A Blue and Gold FOTD. (345 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Ardell, Chanel, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Marcelle, Swatches, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd

Today I decided to do sort of a Mad Men inspired look for a special occasion.  BF and I are celebrating our 6th anniversary together and I wanted to glam it up with the hair and makeup.  I have to say that this is one of my favourite looks that I’ve showcased on this blog so far.  I really liked this look, or shall I say, these looks, since I am showing two different options for lip colour.  I ended up wearing the rosy lips out to our dinner date because BF doesn’t like bold lips.

Swatches (from left): MAC All That Glitters, Urban Decay Buck, MAC Coquette, Revlon Soft Rose Lipstick, MAC Party Line Lipstick

Get the Look

For the eyes, fill in your brows with powder or a pencil (MAC Spiked Eye Brows).  Then, pat a shimmery beige eyeshadow to the lid (MAC All That Glitters).  Using a pointed crease brush (MAC 226), apply a medium matte brown eyeshadow (Urban Decay Buck) to the natural crease and lightly blend.  Using a small detail brush, pick up a matte taupe (MAC Coquette) and trace along the lower edge of the crease to deepen the colour.  Using the same colour, apply to the lower lash line to add a subtle shadow.

Start lining the eyes with a creamy black pencil (Urban Decay Zero) but do not wing out the colour.  Before the pencil has had a chance to set, drag the pencil to create a wing and also to soften the line.  This will give the winged eyeliner a softer look, and at the same time, create a guideline for the gel eyeliner.  Line again with a black gel eyeliner (MAC Blacktrack).  Apply black waterproof mascara (CoverGirl Lashblast) to the top and bottom lashes.  If desired, add false lashes (Ardell 110).

For the cheeks, lightly dust with a low shimmer bronzer (Annabelle Haute Gold) to get an over all glow (on forehead and chin, too).  Contour the hollows of the cheeks with a dark matte brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).  Finish with a rose blush (Chanel Rose Temptation Joues Contraste Blush).

For version 1 of the lips, first line with a berry lip liner (Annabelle Burgundy).  Fill in the lips with a berry lipstick (MAC Party Line).

For version 2 of the lips, apply a rose lipstick (Revlon Soft Rose).  Easy, right?

Read on for more pictures!

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Read the rest of Mad Men Inspired Look (with Two Different Lip Colours)! (484 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Ardell, Chanel, CoverGirl, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Revlon, Swatches, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd, inspiration

Sometimes I do pretty makeup, but there are days when I just want to put on over the top, I-really-hope-no-one-rings-the-doorbell-right-now makeup.  Today is one of those days, LOL!

Swatches (from left): joe fresh Peacock, Annabelle B-Ray, blue from CARGO Venice quad, MAC Arena, MAC Soft Brown

Get the Look

1. Start with an eye primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion) all over the lids up to the brows to make colours appear as vibrant as possible.
2. With a flat synthetic brush, pick up an icy blue (blue eyeshadow from CARGO Venice) and apply to the inner third of the lid and inner third of lower lash line.
3. Flip the brush over, then take a matte teal (joe fresh Peacock) to the outer two-thirds of the lid and middle of the lower lash line.  Blend the two colours where they meet.
4. Then, using a pointed crease brush (MAC 226), trace out the wing with a deep matte navy (Annabelle B-Ray).  Fill in the wing on the outer third of the lid.  Line the outer third of the lower lash line.
5. Take a fine tipped liner brush and emphasize the shape of the wing with the same navy eyeshadow.  See pictures for details, it’s kinda hard to explain.
6. I didn’t like the blue inner corner highlight on its own, so I applied a shimmery peach (MAC Arena) on top.  Highlight the brow bone as well.
7. Blend lightly above the navy with a mid-tone warm brown eyeshadow (MAC Soft Brown).
8. Line the upper lash line and waterline with black eyeliner (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline).
9. Apply mascara, and false lashes (Ardell 120 Demi) if you like.

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Read the rest of EOTD: Graphic Teal and Blue. (348 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Ardell, CARGO, joe fresh, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Swatches, Urban Decay | Tags: eotd

Good news!  I’ve decided to make the Summer Smoky Eye a series.  Any colour requests?  I was deciding between browns and purples today, but browns almost always win.  I think I will do purples next though.  And there will be glitter, I promise!

I love wearing smoky browns.  They are especially perfect for summer weddings.  It adds such a glamourous spin to the smoky eye.

Swatches (from left): Vasanti Bronze from Go Canada! Palette, NARS Cordura Duo Eyeshadow, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, start with a light shimmery bronze (Vasanti Bronze) all over the lid and lower lash line.  Apply a dark shimmery brown (lighter side of NARS Cordura Duo) all over the crease and outer corner.  Smudge the same colour on the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Deepen the corner with a blackened brown (darker side of NARS Cordura Duo), and smudge on the outer third of the lower lash line.  Blend above the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown).  Highlight under the brows with a light peach (MAC Arena).  Line the waterlines and upper lash line with a creamy black pencil (Annabelle Ohmygoth! Smudgeliner).  Apply mascara to the top and bottom lashes (MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash).

For the cheeks, buff a matte baby pink blush (shu uemura glow on blush m pink 33e) on the apples of the cheeks.

For the lips, apply a neutral pink lipstick (MAC Viva Glam V — my favourite!) to put your eyes in centre stage.

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Read the rest of Summer Smoky Eye: Browns. (313 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Ardell, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, NARS, shu uemura, Swatches, Vasanti | Tags: fotd, summer, summer smoky eye

So as my previous post stated, my No Makeup Buying Period is over early. I do think it helped me fend off a lot of temptation, making me re-think about whether I should purchase a product or not.

Because I’ve been a terrible promise keeper, I might as well tell you guys what I got! Yay!

1. MAC “All That Glitters” and MAC “Soft Brown” Eyeshadows. These two are great basics. I find that I’m getting more attracted to neutrals these days.
2. Ardell “Wispies” Strip Lashes. Gorgeous volume and length that doesn’t look drag queeny.
   
3. Ardell Duralash Naturals Individual Lashes. I’m still a little shaky with putting this on, so I need more practice. It looks stunning though once they are on correctly.
   
4. MAC Lipstick in “Patisserie”. My everyday creamy pink lipstick.
   
5. Sephora by OPI in “Worth My Weight”. Two words: glitter fiesta!
   
6. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner. I’m going to give liquid liner another go, since the previous ones I’ve tried are terrible. This one is very easy to use.
   
7. Smashbox WISH For The Perfect Pout Lipgloss Set. Six glosses: 2 full size and 4 “fun size” as I like to call them. I love them.
   

Savings for IMATS Toronto 2009

On a different note, the main reason for my No Makeup Buying Period was to save up for IMATS Toronto on November 22. And I have savings! So much that I might only be using half of it. We’ll see how much I get tempted.

Overall, I think the No Makeup Buying Period was a semi-success. I know I probably would have gotten so much more if I wasn’t thinking about it.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Ardell, MAC, Makeup, Revlon, Sephora, Smashbox | Tags: beauty spree, eyeliner, eyeshadow, false lashes, lipgloss, lipstick, nails