I have so many photos from IMATS that I have to break them up into three posts.  This first installation is my collective haul over the two days.

From FACE atelier:
Ultra Foundation in #6 Honey (my shade), $36
Ultra Foundation in #8 Caramel (smaller “Pro” size, for my sister Liza), $26
Lip Glaze in Prim Rose, $19

From Alcone:
Beauty Blender Sponge, $15

From Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics:
Lip Tar in Memento, $10
Lip Tar in Demure, $10

From Crown Brush:
2 x pink Lip Brushes — one for each OCC Lip Tar , $2.50 each
Italian Badger Angle Blush Brush IB106, $8.50
Large Pointed Powder Brush, $19

From Royal & Langnickel:
Silk Pro Complexion C185 Brush, $10

From Nigel Beauty Emporium:
Z-Palette, $20
(Contents not included! )

From Embryolisse:
Lait-Creme Concentre 30 ml, $10
Lotion Micellaire (Rinse-free Makeup Remover), $25

This year I went for quality — not quantity like last year’s haul — and I am very excited to play with my new goodies.  When I get my vanity reorganized, I will have some lip swatches for you, and of course reviews!  Anything in particular here you would like me to review?  Oh, and did you attend IMATS Toronto?  Share your haul in the comments!

Stay Tuned for More!

Can’t get enough of IMATS?  Stay tuned for more photos, my experience this year, as well as tips and tricks from Kevin James Bennett’s workshop on complexion!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Crown, Embryolisse, FACE atelier, Makeup, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Royal & Langnickel, Skincare | Tags: beauty spree, brushes, IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2010, lipgloss, lipstick, makeup remover, pink lips, primer, Toronto

When I first got into makeup, I’d heard many times that tools make all the difference.  At first I didn’t believe them.  As a makeup novice, I didn’t know squat about colour placement or the basics of blending, so how could I possibly go from amateur to pro by using makeup brushes?

It turns out that even up to this day, even though I consider myself pretty good at applying my own makeup, I need a good set of makeup brushes to create polished look, and easily too!

Case in point: I don’t have a single eye makeup brush in my boyfriend’s place.  I have resorted to using Q-tips and my fingers only, and all of a sudden I am back in twelfth grade, practising my prom look (turquoise and blue eyeshadow, no less!).  Oh the horror!

So, whether you are just starting to get into makeup (warning: you will be addicted! ) or are looking for solid new additions to your makeup brush collection, here are my absolute essentials.  That means that 99.99% of the time, these are the only brushes I will use for my eye makeup.  They are that good, I promise!

Fluffy Shader Brush

This is great for patting on colour all over the lid or brow highlight.  Because it is a fluffy brush and not a stiff flat shader brush, you can apply and blend colour at the same time.  Who doesn’t like a multi-tasking product?  Oh, and who doesn’t like the word ‘fluff’?  Fluff is so fun to say!

Recommendations: Crown C209 Chisel Pointed Fluff Brush ($2-3 at IMATS), Quo All Over Shadow Brush (Canada only, I think $7 at Shoppers Drugmart), MAC 213 Fluff Brush ($27).

Angled Liner / Brow Brush

Another good multi-tasking brush is the angled liner / brow brush.  Look for something that is firm and very tightly packed so you can vary the thickness of your lines easily.

Recommendations: Crown PP11 Taklon Angle Liner Brush ($2-$3 in IMATS), MAC 266 Small Angle Brush ($23.50).

Smudging Brush

My favourite kind of smudging brush is wide with short firm bristles.  They are great for smoking out a creamy pencil, or smudging a dark colour along the lash lines for a smoky eye.

Recommendations: Quo Eye Smudger Brush (Canada only, I think $7 at Shoppers Drugmart), MAC 214 Short Shader Brush ($29.50).

Fluffy Blending Brush

If you have to have just one brush, let this be it.  A fluffy blending brush is essential for flawlessly blending out your eyeshadows.  Look for one that is not flimsy, you want the brush to be firm but soft against your skin.  The MAC 217 is my holy grail!  It also works great for buffing in a cream concealer.

Recommendations: Sephora Collection Professionnel Blending Eye Brush #29 ($20, a MAC 217 dupe according to Donna Marie), MAC 217 Blending Brush ($27).

Tapered Crease Brush

This one is essential for smaller eyes for precise eyeshadow placement.  It also takes a little bit of time to get used to, but you can either use the pointed tip for sharper definition, or apply on its side to blend out your crease colour.  It’s not going to blend as much as a fluffy blending brush because it’s meant to add definition.  Look for some firmness in the brush.  If it is flimsy, it is a no go!  LOL.

Recommendations: MAC 226 Small Tapered Blending Brush ($29, not part of the permanent collection but hopefully they will bring it back soon!).

What Are Your Must-have Eye Makeup Brushes?

See anything I mentioned here?  Any others you would add to the list?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Crown, MAC, Makeup, Quo, Reviews, Sephora | Tags: brushes, holy grail, lists

Can you believe it’s already October tomorrow?  You know what that means — in just a little over a month, the International Makeup Artist Trade Show a.k.a. IMATS will once again be taking Toronto by storm!

My experience last year was extremely fun, and this year is going to be bigger (literally) and better!  On November 6 and 7 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Toronto Congress Centre, join me, other Toronto beauty bloggers and makeup artists for two fun-filled days of makeup and artistry.

If you are not familiar with the show and its exhibitors, let me introduce you to some of them.

1. MAKE UP FOR EVER.  If you’re even a tiny bit interested on getting MAKE UP FOR EVER products, get there early on Saturday.  Otherwise, expect a long line up as MUFE offers a delicious 40% discount on all of its products.  40% OFF.  Need I say more?  Here are some of my must haves: Smoky Lash mascara (amazing volume), HD Blushes, HD Concealer, #112 Blush (for a healthy pink glow).
2. FACE atelier.  I still think there’s no better liquid foundation than FACE atelier’s.  It is super lightweight, natural looking, and cruelty free.  I also am planning to pick up a full sized Peach Lip Glaze.
3. Crown Brush.  Excellent quality brushes for cheap ($2-$7).  They make fantastic eye brushes and a big flat top kabuki brush, so stock up!
4. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.  I didn’t get to buy any OCC last year as they sold out fast, but I plan to pick up one or two of their lip tars this year.  I’ve been told that they are also bringing the new Fall 2010 colours.
5. Alcone.  Alcone makeup remover cloth is my top pick for lazy face makeup removal (come on, we all have those days!).  They are non-scratchy and in my opinion, better than MAC wipes.

If shopping is not your thing (LOL, yeah right ) the workshops are equally fascinating and great for picking up new tricks.  I went to see a MAC workshop last year, where the MAC Senior Artist recreated this runway look:

From what I remember, the artist used Teddy Eye Kohl, and my old standby Dainty Mineralize Blush to get the pink cheek.

So, Will I See You There?

I hope so! What’s on your list of things to get so far? By the way, tickets are now on sale, so get yours here!

IMATS is produced by Make-Up Artist magazine.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Crown, FACE atelier, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup | Tags: IMATS, Toronto

From MAKE UP FOR EVER, FACE atelier, Auraline, and Alcone

A bigass tub of makeup remover wipes from Alcone

Crown brushes and medium apron

Total Damage = $209.20

Thank goodness I forgot my credit card at home. I set aside $300 for this momentous occasion, actually. LOL!

Stay Tuned for Reviews!

You know you’ll get reviews. So wait for them. Goodnight!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Alcone, Auraline, Crown, FACE atelier, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup | Tags: beauty spree, IMATS