MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond

We’ve all heard about the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD foundation from beauty junkies all over the world. It has made a permanent home in many a girl’s foundation arsenal. Many makeup artists have it in their professional kit. Now I am here to tell you that, well, I believe in the hype. I adore this foundation.

I guessed my shade to be #128 Almond using MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Shade Finder, and I am glad to say that it is a great match. For reference, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona is also a good match for my skin at the moment.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Swatches

The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit ($89) really does make a difference with the performance of this foundation. The HD primer smooths out fine lines and big pores to prep the skin. I like that it doesn’t have that heavy silicone-y feel of other primers I’ve tried in the past. The foundation itself has a beautiful skin-like, semi-matte finish. It does an amazing job covering up any redness and evening out my skin tone, allowing me to walk around with really good looking skin. It doesn’t cover up everything; I have dark bumps on my upper lip area that I have developed from waxing (!!!) and they are still visible in my after photo. To finish off the base, the powder creates an angelic soft-focus effect to the skin. What’s not to like, eh? By the way, I took a photo with flash and the white powder was nowhere to be seen.

Here’s a before and after shot. In the before I wore brow powder, mascara and lipstick (absolute necessities for this kind of thing). That’s it. I did not wear under-eye concealer in either photos, which to be honest, I am really regretting. Anywho.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Before and After (click to enlarge)

On its own, I like the foundation applied with a brush instead of my fingers. With the latter method, I find myself using more product. I do have one problem with the foundation though: who the heck came out with the numbering system? It is totally all over the place and definitely needs work. May I suggest breaking them up into undertones, i.e., pink #1, #2, #3, yellows, olives, and so on?

Oh yeah, for those who are celebrating, Happy Lunar New Year! Of course, I had to use the new year — the Year of the Dragon — as an excuse to pull out the amazing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon ($42). In my opinion, it’s totally worth the kidney I sold to buy it. Why do I always get in some sort of trouble when I buy Chanel?

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon — Swatch

Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon

Along with a little kitten eye flick (YSL Shocking liquid liner) and a little blush (Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed), my Year of the Dragon look is complete! Oh, and the rumours are true: the size of my smile is directly proportional to how much I love a lipstick. Can you tell I love Dragon?

Have a great week, pretties!

P.S. If you fancy being a model, don’t forget to enter the MAKE UP FOR EVER open casting call.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 44 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: foundation, lipstick, powder, primer, red lips

The Lipstick Bandits Holiday Edition is near and dear to my heart because I get to play with glitter. This time around we are layering products over a red lipstick to create a sparkly red lip.

When we came up with this challenge, I thought I was doomed.  None of my five lipglosses (yeah… only five) were sparkly enough for the job.  I had to be more creative and pulled out Sonia Kashuk Eye Quad in Bronzed Beauty from a swap from fellow Lipstick Bandit Danielle.  The gold glitter was chunky and sparkly enough for me.

Giorgio Armani Rouge 406, Chanel Fatale, Sonia Kashuk Bronzed Beauty

Giorgio Armani Rouge 406, Chanel Fatale, glitter from Sonia Kashuk Bronzed Beauty

To get my sparkly holiday lips, I started with Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani in Rouge 406 as a base.  I added a small amount of Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Fatale to create a sticky base, then patted the glitter all over for… well, pure awesomeness.

Not the lowest maintenance of lip looks, but holy crap; seeing my lips like this make me want to kick myself and yell out expletives.

If sparkly lips are your thing — and if not, why are we friends? — you definitely have to check out the rest of the Lipstick Bandits’ red and sparkly lips:

• Arianne (Glitter Geek)
• Danielle (Bloomin’ Beauty Blog)
• Jen (My Funny Valentine)
• Larie (Eye Heart It)
• Makeup Morsels
• Paris (My Women Stuff)
• Rae (theNotice)
• Rocaille (Rocaille Writes)
• Tracy (Beauty Reflections)
• Xiao (Messy Wands)

See You in 2012, Beauties!

What are your New Year’s Eve plans?  As for me, I’m going on a brief hiatus for the rest of my holiday break. Once again thank you for reading Glitter Geek! I appreciate your continued support for Glitter Geek.  Have a safe and fantastic New Year!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Looks, Makeup, Sonia Kashuk, Swatches, Uncategorized | Tags: glitter, lipgloss, lipstick, lipstick bandits

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!

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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

I love a good colourful look to celebrate summer.  Today I was inspired by Lisa Eldridge’s new video Beach Brights to take my bright eyeshadows for a spin.  At first I thought I’d just do a bright eyeliner, but as you can see, I kinda went colour crazy.  It’s the first time I’m trying a teal and purple combo, and I think it works well.  I also wanted to show off Chanel Rouge Coco in Jersey Rose (thanks H. of 25fLONDON!), which is my go-to lipstick this summer.  Enjoy the look!

Swatches (from left): Sleek Chaos i-Divine Palette Eyeshadows in Teal, Sea Green, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Auraline Bright Violet, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, build up the colour by patting on a bright teal (Sleek Chaos i-Divine Palette) all over the lid and on the lower lash line. Blend the colour into the crease, then apply a medium brown on the crease. Deepen the outer crease by adding a dark brown. On the outer lid, blend in a vibrant purple (Auraline Bright Violet) and the outer third of the lower lash line.  Highlight the brow bone and inner corners with a light peach (MAC Arena).

Line the upper lash line with a black gel liner (MAC Blacktrack), and the waterlines with a black pencil liner (Giorgio Armani waterproof).  Apply your favourite mascara (CoverGirl Lash Blast).

For the cheeks, lightly bronze all over the high points of the face with a peachy pink bronzer (Dior Aurora).  Then, on the apples of the cheeks, apply a light dusting of a shimmery peachy pink blush (NARS Deep Throat).

For the lips, apply a warm rosy pink lipstick (Chanel Jersey Rose). Add a shimmery lip gloss on top (Chanel Maline).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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Read the rest of FOTD: Craving Colour. (311 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 40 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Auraline, Chanel, CoverGirl, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Looks, MAC, Makeup, NARS, Sleek, 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

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

It’s officially spring, but damn does it still ever feel like winter here in Toronto!  There’s no snow on the ground (thank the lawd!) but the temps are still not nice enough to ditch the winter jacket.  However, this means that me donning a dark vampy lip isn’t such a crazy thing.  I got FACE atelier Lipstick in Revenge in a recent swag bag, so I thought I’d showcase it today in this look.

FACE atelier Lipstick in Revenge

Swatches (from left): MAC Arena, MAC Satin Taupe, MAC Coquette, MAC Brun, MAC All That Glitters

Get the Look

For the eyes, brighten your lids by patting on a low shimmer light peach (MAC Arena) eyeshadow.  Using a fluffy blending brush, lightly blend a dark shimmery taupe (MAC Satin Taupe) in the crease.  Apply more taupe to the outer corners of the eyes.  To define the eye further, take an angled liner brush with a matte medium taupe (MAC Coquette) and lightly draw on the crease line.  Soften the line with a blending brush.  Line the upper and lower lash lines softly with a dark cool brown eyeshadow (MAC Brun).  Highlight the inner corners and brow bone with a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters).  Add mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill).

For the face and cheeks, mix foundation (Cover FX Natural FX in M50) with a shimmery loose powder highlighter (MAC Gold Studio Finish Face Powder) and apply all over.  Spritz with a setting spray (MAC Fix+) for a dewy complexion.  Apply a mattifying blot powder (Cover FX Matte FX in Medium) to the T-zone only.  Add a healthy glow to the cheeks with a shimmery pink blush (Marcelle Pink Fusion Multi-colour Powder Blush).

For the lips, apply a dark red lipstick (FACE atelier Revenge) precisely with a lip brush.  Top off with a complementing lip gloss (CHANEL Fatale Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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Read the rest of Glossy Dark Red Lips with FACE atelier and CHANEL. (403 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 41 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, Cover FX, FACE atelier, Giorgio Armani, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Marcelle, Swatches | Tags: fotd, red lips

Gold, copper, and bronze are very in this Spring.

‘Kay.  I think I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, always talking about Spring trends.  But if you live in Canada, you totally get it.  We’ve been waiting for Spring for many months, so it’s a pretty big deal ’round here.  We even have a ceremonial dance to welcome Spring.  True story; look it up.

So, I will talk about Spring trends whether you like it or not.

Let’s talk bronzer for a sec, shall we?  What of it?  Well, it’s probably not a good idea to douse yourself with the stuff right after Winter has taken away your Summer (sunless) tan.  Here are some tips to slowly ease the golden, bronzed look back into your life as we transition into the most beautiful season ever.

#1 — Step Away from a Matte Base.

The bronzy summer glow starts with your base, so pick a foundation or moisturizer with a dewy finish.  I have combination skin that’s more on the oily side, and really like NARS Sheer Glow ($55).  For reference, I’m a MAC NC40 and my match is Barcelona.  I don’t own this yet, but my sample from Sephora was very well-loved.  Those with normal-to-dry skin types might love Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear ($23).  It contains hydrating jojoba and and mica that imparts a lovely glow.

If, after reading all of the above, you are totally cursing me because your skin is so. very. oily, I have a solution for you.  Apply your matte foundation, then infuse light back into your face with an illuminator like Mary Kay Liquid Illuminator ($23). Read more on these in a future post; they are kinda amazing and also limited edition!  Illuminate the high points of your face only (cheeks, temples, nose bridge, chin) to put the dew back onto your skin.

#2 — A Multi-Use Eye & Cheek Product is Your New Best Friend.

NARS Sertao Blush

Here’s where NARS Blush in Sertao ($29) comes in. NARS blushes are well-known for their incredible pigmentation, and Sertao is no different.  I recently discovered that it makes a beautiful light golden brown eyeshadow, too. A few quick swipes across the lids, on the cheeks, and temples et voilà — you are golden.

Another great thing about Sertao: it lasts and lasts and lasts.  Most of my blushes I put eventually fade as the day goes on, but Sertao’s gorgeous sheen and colour stays on my cheeks until I take it off.

NARS Sertao Blush Swatches

#3 — Softly Define the Eye with a Smudged Brown Eyeliner.

A very monochromatic look may be great for the runway, but in real life it just looks like a lot of yellow.  This is not cute, especially if you have yellow undertones in your skin.  Break up the yellows by smudging brown eyeliner close to your upper lash line.  Keep it soft; we don’t want to see a solid line.  I used Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner from my Naked palette.

You’re 99% done at this point.  Add some mascara, and your fave neutral lip gloss (I like Chanel Glossimer in Maline), and you’re set to run out the door.

Wearing NARS Sertao Blush (lid), Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner (top lash line), and MAC Studio Fix Lash Mascara (lashes)

Wearing NARS Sertao (eyes and cheeks)

Was that quick or what?

Are You Ready for Spring Yet?

What Spring trend are you dying to wear, or are currently wearing? Everybody knows I am crazy about my bright lips, but recently I’ve been wanting to try the brights on my eyes.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, Looks, Makeup, Mary Kay, NARS, Reviews, Swatches, Urban Decay | Tags: blush, bronzer, fotd, looks i'm loving

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

Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette

The Chanel Spring 2011 collection is finally rolling out here in Canada.  I obviously have a bit of a Chanel addiction brewing as I just couldn’t let a Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette ($66) go without a forever home.

Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette

The five shades are White Pearl, Pink, Deep Purple, Green Grey and Black Pearl.  White Pearl is a pearly gold white.  Pink is a peach pink.  Deep Purple is burgundy with gold and pink pearl. Green Grey is a khaki green with gold pearl. Black Pearl is a deep charcoal with a colour explosion (my own words, LOL!) pearl.  If you swatch this in person, try walking away after swatching Black Pearl.  I dare you!

Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette

I’m still testing out the palette as it is brand freakin’ new, but here are some pretty swatches.  I used the sponge applicators in the palette for these swatches.  I included one photo taken with flash to show how multi-dimensional these eyeshadows are.  They are perfectly formulated to have that pearly finish.

Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (daylight)

Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (daylight)

Chanel Ombres Perlées de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (flash)

As far as pigmentation goes, I get a sheer to medium coverage from these when using a brush.  The sponge applicators definitely deposit more colour than a bristled brush.  I’ll play with the palette some more this weekend, and I can hopefully show you a look using this palette.

Chanel Spring 2011 Collection: Do You Like?

Did you buy anything from the Chanel Spring collection?  I think the collection is to. die. for!  I just wish it wasn’t January, i.e., my bank account is totally thirsty for funds!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 27 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, Makeup, Swatches | Tags: eyeshadow, palette