It was a late Sunday morning. I was still in my favourite pj’s (the blue one with the polar bears). It was during my last load of laundry when I thought, hey, I gotta put on some bright makeup.  Why the hell not?  I like to put on more adventurous looks when I know I can wash it off in the shower later, just in case it goes really bad.  I remembered that I haven’t showed a look using the YSL Spring 2012 Collection, so here it finally is.  I like how this one turned out actually — not too loud and dare I say, quite wearable.

Get the Look

This look requires very minimal number of products, and I used all the products I received from YSL (reviewed here).

• YSL Vinyl Candy Palette
• YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral
• YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil

For the eyes, start with a wash of matte light beige eyeshadow (MAC Brûlé) all over the lid all the way to the brow bone.  Pat the light pink (YSL Vinyl Candy palette) on the inner third of the lid and inner third of the lower lash line.  Follow with the lavender on the outer two thirds of the lid.  Start applying the blue shade along the outer half of the lash line and along the outer V. Build up the intensity of the blue by applying more layers and blending.  Line the top and bottom waterlines with a black pencil, and create a thick cat eye flick with a black liquid liner (Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner).

For the cheeks, apply a coral gel blush (YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil) on the apples of the cheeks to add radiance.

For the lips, apply a sheer layer of coral (YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 115 – Shimmering Coral) or fuchsia (No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia) to complete the look.

(...)
Read the rest of I’m Ready to Party with Candy Brights from YSL Spring Look 2012 Collection. (418 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 33 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Looks, Makeup, Spring 2012, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: fotd

Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection

Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection brings us sheer pastels and rosy shades to mirror the flowers blooming in the spring.  The limited edition packaging features a flower in watercolour art which is just beautiful to look at.

Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection — Packaging

Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet, Couleur Folle in Folie Pêche, Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet

Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet, Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet, Couleur Folle in Folie Pêche — Swatches

The Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet ($36, limited edition) is a mix of sheer pastel pink, blue, violet and yellow eyeshadows.  The eyeshadows are smooth, sparkly and mostly too cool-toned for my taste.  It was a bit of a letdown as I was really hoping for something more from the violet shade.  These eyeshadows are better suited for those who wear sheer washes of colour on their eyes.

The Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Pêche ($18, new permanent shade) is a rose gold shade that is more up my alley (and it’s totally gorgeous!).  The shade is divine for highlighting the eyes or cheeks, or even to turn into a lipgloss.

The Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet ($17, new permanent shade) is what I wanted the eyeshadow to be: bold and vibrant violet. Nothing bad to say about this really; it’s just lovely and very waterproof.

Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo

As a little taste of summer (yay!), I love that we’re seeing a bronzer in this collection. The Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo ($32, limited edition) is a blend of two powder tones: a lighter peachy shade, and a typical bronzer shade.  Both have fine shimmers that show up glowy rather than gigantic sparkles on your face.  The finish is subtle and the shade can definitely work across many skin tones.

Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve, Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve, Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella

Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve, Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve, Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella — Swatches

The Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve ($16, new permanent shade) is exactly as the name suggests.  While some may find it boring, this is a lip shade that is universally flattering and pretty.  In my experience, Lise Watier Waterproof Lip Crayons are the absolute best in terms of texture and longevity.  True story: it lasted through a very greasy dim sum dinner, which in my opinion is the ultimate test for a lip liner.  I love this one, go try this or the 18 other shades if you haven’t had the chance yet!

Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve ($19, new permanent shade) is a shade that compliments Rose Mauve very well.  The lipstick has a light fruity scent and provides plenty of moisture for winter-chapped lips.

Finally, finish off your spring pouty lips (right? ) with a gloss.  The Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella ($20, limited edition) is a soft rose with mauve shimmers to emphasize your lips.  I like the non-sticky formula and the high shine finish.

My personal favourites from the collection are Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Pêche, Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo, Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve.  They are easier for me — who is tan and warm-toned — to pull off.  Cool pastel shades (lavenders, pinks, blues) look all sorts of wrong on my skin tone.  However, paler beauties will get more mileage out of the shades; check out my blogging friends Tracy @ Beauty Reflections and Perilously Pale‘s reviews for proof.

These products are available now at Lise Watier counters, Shoppers Drugmart and LiseWatier.com.  Did any products from the collection catch your eye?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Lise Watier, Makeup, Reviews, Spring 2012, Swatches | Tags: bronzer, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipgloss, lipliner, lipstick, palette, pigment

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

I don’t make yearly resolutions, but I think beauty resolutions are important.  For every year that that comes and goes, and the farther away I get from age 20 (that’s 5 years now, ohnoes!), the more important my anti-aging regimen becomes.  Last year I started using serums, heavier creams, regular masks and oils at night.  This year I’m starting fresh with some natural, anti-aging products I received from KORRES.

My KORRES Nighttime Skincare Regimen

KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum

After cleansing my face, my first layer of hydration is KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum ($49) all over my face, under my eyes and all over my neck.  It is a nice, light serum that spreads easily and absorbs within a minute of application.  It has a beautiful sweet rose fragrance that makes it so irresistible to my nose.  I love that this one gives nice hydration; oily skin types can wear this one on its own without another moisturizer.  While I can’t confirm its claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines as I don’t currently have them, I have noticed that my skin looks brighter since I’ve started using it.

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream

Before the serum absorbs completely, I follow up quickly with the KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream ($59).  It is rich and thick as a night cream should be.  You don’t have to worry about greasy with this one either, as it dries to a skin-like finish.  I fully recommend Quercetin and Oak Night Cream for all skin types — if, and this is a big if,  you can handle the scent.  It has a strong woody scent that may be off putting to some, but I am strangely drawn to it.  With the Quercetin and Oak Night Cream, my skin stays nourished all throughout the night and looks beautifully plump in the morning.  This is a good one, ladies!

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream

Now that I’m 25, I am noticing that the elasticity and hydration under my eyes are starting to go.  Wah!  Aside from being careful with makeup application, I use KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream ($55) for both night and day.  Its texture is light and fluffy, but don’t let that fool you.  This is pretty potent stuff; the tiniest amount takes care of my undereyes.  Before this came into my life, I have been suffering from dryness on my undereyes that shows when I wore concealer.  Now, that is no longer an issue.  This is a must-have in my skincare regimen now and I am definitely buying it when I run out.  You need it.

Wild Rose Serum / Quercetin & Oak Night Cream / Quercetin & Oak Eye Cream

Natural Formulation

KORRES prides itself on making natural products that are free of petrolatum, parabens, phthalates and a lot of other potentially harmful ingredients.  I appreciate this about the KORRES brand; it is one of the cleanest brands you can pick up at Sephora or the drugstore.  However, note that they are formulated with fragrance/parfum, which may potentially irritate super sensitive types.

Full Ingredient Lists

KORRES products are available in Canada at select Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores.

Contest Alert for Canadians!

This contest is now closed!  Thanks to everyone for entering!

Because you guys are totally awesome, KORRES has generously provided a skincare prize pack ($196 value!) to one lucky Canadian resident.  You will get all the products above, plus a KORRES Basil Lemon Body Butter.  Want to enter?  Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

This contest is open to residents of Canada who are 18 years of age or over.  Winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced through the original blog post and Twitter.  Winner must contact me within 24 hours.  I reserve the right to pick another entry if the winner fails to contact me within this timeframe.

The contest ends on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 12:01 am EST.

(...)
Read the rest of Beauty Resolution: Step Up My Anti-Aging Skincare Regimen with KORRES (+ A Giveaway!). (1,048 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 68 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Giveaways, KORRES, Reviews, Skincare | Tags: eye cream, face cream, green beauty, serum

A little PSA from snowy Friday the 13th in Toronto.  I have been testing out the new MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit ($89 at Sephora), and I want to share this exciting opportunity from MAKE UP FOR EVER.  Are you ready?  One US and one Canadian resident will be chosen and flown to New York City for a professional photo shoot to appear in an ad!  Intrigued?  Check out the details below on how to enter.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit

From MAKE UP FOR EVER:

So, who’s entering?  The casting call has just opened to Canadian residents, so get on it fellow Canucks!  Chances of winning are good!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup | Tags: announcements

The best thing about being in the middle of winter is the launch of many Spring collections that are bursting with hope (of warm days ahead) and colour.  Here’s a look at some items from YSL Spring Look 2012.

Bright sheer colours make up this punchy spring collection, which is inspired by candy!  Who doesn’t like candy?

YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral

These are two of four limited edition Rouge Volupté Perle shades ($38).  The other are No 113 – Iridescent Burgundy and No 116 – Milky Pink.  They are glossy sheer lipsticks with a very slippery texture of a lip balm.  Both these shades are laced with gold pearl.  See more swatches at Best Things In Beauty.

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette

The gorgeous, limited edition Vinyl Candy Palette ($68) was inspired by sugar-coated rock candies.  The pigmentation of these eyeshadows is sheer-to-medium without a base (see swatches below), but easily buildable if opaque is what you’re looking for.  I had a bit of problem with the blackcurrant shade to apply evenly, but the rest of the shadows are very smooth.

YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil

YSL Voile de Blush ($40) is a new, limited edition formula for the collection.  It is a sheer, water-based gel blush that adds a hint of colour and subtle sheen to the cheeks.  It is very lightly tinted that it barely shows up on my tan skin, so your mileage will vary depending on your skintone.  The blush is also available in No 1 – Carmine Veil and No 3 – Pink Veil.

YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral / YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil Swatches

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette Swatches

I adore the the eye palette and the lipsticks in this collection.  I can’t wait to show you a look using the products.  What do you think?  Anything you want to take home?

YSL Spring Look 2012 is available in Canada as of February in Holt Renfrew and selected Bay and Murale stores.  The Vinyl Candy Palette is also available at selected Sephora boutiques.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Reviews, Sneak Peek, Spring 2012, Swatches, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, palette

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 RTW Fashion Week (Source: style.com)

Something funny happens to me all the time: when it’s cold (like today, -15C / -26C with the wind), I like to do springtime inspired looks.  Why do you think that is?  An easy look that has been my go-to for the past couple of months now is this: Pat McGrath’s Sophia Loren-inspired makeup for Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012.  It’s all about the flushed cheeks, brows, flared lashes and the kitten eye. Oh, and can I just say I love that the term kitten eye?  Like, kittayns! #crazycatlady

Get the Look

For the eyes, go over the entire lid with your foundation to even it out.  Brush and fill in your brows (MAC Brun eyeshadow).  Take a black liquid liner (Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner) and start lining the outer half of the upper lash line. Make sure that the line gets thicker as you move towards the corner, and draw a slight flick at the end.  I made the line quite thick on the corners, but someone who has a lot of visible eyelid can pull this off with a thinner line.  Go over the outer corner with a black pencil (Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Pencil) and smudge with a brush to soften the line.  Don’t forget to line the top waterline black as well. Highlight the inner corner with a light-reflecting champagne eyeshadow.

On the lower lash line, take a brown pencil eyeliner (Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Pencil) along the outer half and soften the line with a brush.  Line the lower waterline with a flesh coloured pencil.  I don’t have a flesh coloured pencil, so I mixed two eyeshadows (Urban Decay Naked and Virgin eyeshadows) and applied with an angled liner brush. Apply lots of mascara on top and bottom lashes, and a half strip of false lashes if you wish.

For the face/cheeks, keep the base sheer with a lightweight foundation (Bourjois 55 Beige Fonce Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation) and go over it lightly with a translucent powder (Kett Sett Powder).  Apply a mix of a coral and a brownish blush (Tarte Blissful and Exposed Amazonian Clay Blushes) along the cheeks, close to where you would normally shade and contour.

For the lips, apply a rosy pink lipstick (Chanel Jersey Rose Rouge Coco Lipstick).  You can keep the lips matte like this, but I went with a little dab of sheer light pink lipgloss (Giorgio Armani Pink 508 Wild Rose Gloss d’Armani — from the Spring 2012 collection ‘Luce’).

Read on to see more pictures!

(...)
Read the rest of Everyday Makeup: A Recreation of Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 RTW Runway Look. (488 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 34 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Bourjois, Dolce & Gabbana, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Maybelline, Tarte, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd, looks i'm loving

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

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

I don’t do many nail posts on Glitter Geek, and I have my reasons:

1. The eczema on my hands are awful. On really bad days they are all up in my finger tips.
2. Nail polish removers are one of the bad things I use that cause eczema flare-ups.  Beauty is pain, right?

Wrong.  No longer will I have to remove nail polish with toxic juice; not if I can use Impress Press-On Manicure in Color Me! * ($6.99).  They come in 18 solid colours ($6.99) and 18 patterns ($8.99).

Color Me! is special because you can design it however way you want.  I couldn’t think of a better way to try this out than a glittery manicure. Having this hard-to-remove formula on my fingers and knowing that I can peel them off when I am done with them is just… alskdfj;laksjd… I have no words.  It’s like a dream come true.

Since I just bought China Glaze Nail Polish in Tinsel Town ($6.50), I wanted to take her out for a spin.  It wasn’t totally opaque in one coat, so I know I could layer it over another colour.  I used two coats of Le Metier de Beauté Nail Polish in Midnight Rendezvous as a base, and topped it off with Seche Vite Top Coat.

As for the press-on nails, I really like the product.  They don’t look chunky and unnatural, but for someone who keeps her natural nails short and has small nail beds, I’m still getting used to having them.  There are 24 nail covers in 12 sizes, which means you can touch up if a nail cover falls off.  My impressions are that they are very firmly stuck to my nails (I’m on Day 2) and don’t think they are going to fall off anytime soon.

Starry Night Sky Manicure

I’m so happy to be able to wear glitter nail polish again without thinking about the headache of removing them later.  Aren’t my nails mesmerizing?  I can’t stop staring at them.  Have you tried press-on nails before?  What was your experience with them?

Impress Press-On Manicure By Broadway Nails are available now at Walmart, and in January 2012 at  Rexall Pharma Plus, London Drugs, Zellers and Jean Coutu.  More information on their website.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: China Glaze, Holiday 2011, Le Metier de Beaute, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: China Glaze Tinsel Town, Impress Press-On Manicure in Color Me, Le Metier de Beauté Midnight Rendezvous, nails