Right now I am in my hotel room in Mexico City after a busy afternoon checking out sights and sounds. It’s amazing how far our very little Spanish (and English-Spanish dictionary) is taking us. It’s tough but at least I know how to order my coffee the way I like it!

I was stressing before I left because I didn’t schedule any posts for the next two weeks that I’m on vacation, but I took some swatches of L’Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows before I left, so I might as well share them now.

L’Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows

From top to bottom, left to right:
Time Resist White
Permanent Kaki, Hourglass Beige
Forever Pink, Unlimited Sky, Flash Back Silver

From top to bottom, left to right:
Forever Pink, Unlimited Sky, Flash Back Silver
Purple Obsession, All Night Blue
Burning Black

My first impression of these is that they are incredible; they are creamy, long-lasting and apply with barely any fallout. The darker shades are more prone to fallout, but they are definitely better than other powder eyeshadows I’ve used in the past.

Keep reading to see swatches!

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Read the rest of Swatches: L’Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows. (59 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: L'Oreal, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, eyeshadow

I am a member of the Lipstick Bandits.  We obsess over lipstick, and convince you that yes, you do need another red lipstick because this one is a blue red, while that one is a tomato red.  Or this one is a matte, and that one is a cream.  You get the point.

Because we are a band of beauty bloggers, naturally we make a pact with a face of the day.  Here’s mine.

Products I Used

Eyes

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline.  Apply a ridiculous amount as a mask, and line eyes to create a feline shape… mrrreow!
L’Oreal Black Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara.  Generously run through top and bottom lashes.
shu uemura tutu laceflare False Eyelashes*.  Because it’s fun to make your eyes feel like ballerinas.
Illamasqua Alchemy Precision Ink Liner.  Outline the mask with this fine glitter liner.  Because it’s not a Glitter Geek mask without glitter!
Marcelle Pure Gold Lux Diamond Liquid Eyeliner*.  Add a chunkier glitter on top of Alchemy for high shine and sparkle.

Skin

FACE atelier 6 Honey mixed with Zero Plus Ultra Foundation.  Nothing says badass bandit like a flawless base.
Marcelle Translucent Medium Face Powder*.  Set with loose powder patted on with a brush.

Lips

FACE atelier Revenge Lipstick.  Apply a dark red around the edges of the lips and feather / blend inwards.
Vasanti USA Soft Finish Matte Lipstick.   Apply a true red in the middle of the lips for an ombré effect.

More Pictures!

Close-up of shu uemura tutu laceflare false eyelashes (new with Novadiva Autumn 2011/Winter 2012 collection)

Ombré red lips

Blue Steel

Who am I kidding?

Hope you enjoyed the look.  I had a lot of fun creating it and feeling slightly creepy while wearing this makeup.  Don’t forget to visit my fellow lipstick bandits’ amaaaazing creations:

• Tracy @ Beauty Reflections
• Dani @ call it beauty.
• Larie @ Eye Heart It
• Makeup Morsels
• Rae @ theNotice

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 56 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: FACE atelier, Illamasqua, L'Oreal, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Marcelle, shu uemura, Vasanti | Tags: false lashes, fotd, lipstick, lipstick bandits, red lips

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.

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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.

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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

The Summer Smoky Eye series continues this week, and this time I had the opportunity to make my sister Liza over for a wedding she was attending. She normally wears no makeup (she is poreless anyway!) and her idea of being put together is a little bit of mascara. And by little bit I mean I can’t even tell she’s wearing any.  She wanted to amp up the glamour with a soft smoky eye and this is what we came up with.

The colour placement on this one is super basic, so really I think anyone can do this.  If the other brown smoky eye was a bit too much for your taste, then you might like this one better.

Swatches (from left): NARS Cordura Duo Eyeshadow, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, using a fluffy shader brush, take a shimmery light peach (MAC Arena) to highlight the brow bone and inner corners.  Then, apply a matte medium brown (MAC Soft Brown) all over the lid.  Using a fluffy blending brush like the MAC 217, take a deeper shimmery brown (lighter side of NARS Cordura Duo) and apply on the outer 1/3 of the lid and outer crease.  Smudge this same colour on the outer 2/3 of the lower lash line.  Take a deep brown (almost black like the darker side of NARS Cordura Duo) and apply to the outer V with a pointed crease brush like the MAC 226.  Smudge this same colour to the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line.  Smudge a black eyeliner on the outer half of the upper lash line (Annabelle Ohmygoth!) and go over the same line with the deep brown.  Add mascara (L’Oreal Voluminous waterproof) to the top lashes.

For the cheeks, start with a cream blush (MAKE UP FOR EVER #5 Nip Slip HD Blush) to make the colour last longer.  Then go over it with a no- or low-shimmer coral powder blush (MAC Hipness).  Contour the cheeks and temples with a matte dark brown blush (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).

For the lips, go with a gorgeous neutral lipstick (MAC Viva Glam V).

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Read the rest of Summer Smoky Eye: Softer Browns for the Faint of Heart. (505 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, FACE atelier, Hair, L'Oreal, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, NARS, Swatches | Tags: fotd, Liza, summer smoky eye

It’s been a long time since my last look.  I actually haven’t been wearing that much funky looks these days, so this look is a nice way to change it up.  I find that wearing brights really boosts my mood!  This was inspired by the colours from the alice + olivia collection that’s coming out soon.  Oh, and for all our Canadian readers: Happy Canada Day !

Swatches (from left): LIFT Cosmetics Moon Dust, L’Oreal HIP Eyeshadow in Showy, MAC Coquette, MAC Carbon, Auraline Bright Violet

Get the Look

For the eyes, start by applying a light shimmery gold (LIFT Moon Dust Pigment) all over the inner third of the lid, as well as inner third of the lower lash line. Apply a bright shimmery turquoise (L’Oreal Showy) on the remaining two thirds of the lid. Take a clean brush and blend the two colours together by dragging back and forth.  Then take a warm taupe (MAC Coquette) in the crease to add depth.  Deepen the outer V with a matte black (MAC Carbon).  Now apply a bright matte purple (Auraline Bright Violet) right above the black and blend gently.  Mix the black and purple and apply into the outer 2 thirds of the lower lash line.  Line the waterline with a black pencil (Annabelle Ohmygoth! Smudgeliner), and line the upper lash line with liquid eyeliner (Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner).  Apply two coats of mascara (L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Waterproof).

For the cheeks, buff a light warm pink (MAC Dainty Mineralized Blush) all over the apples of the cheeks, and dust a little bit on the nose and chin.

For the lips, apply a shimmery peach lipgloss (FACE atelier Peach Lip Glaze).

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Read the rest of M·A·C alice + olivia Inspired: Turquoise and Purple FOTD. (285 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 25 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Auraline, FACE atelier, L'Oreal, LIFT Cosmetics, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Revlon, Swatches | Tags: fotd, inspiration

Here is an eye look that I whipped up today because inspiration struck.  Since I got off work early, I decided to play with the sunlight and show off some shimmery colours.  Enjoy!

Products used (left to right)
Vasanti Gold from Go Canada! palette
NARS Night Porter
Sassy Minerals Spin the Bottle
MUFE Espresso
MAC Soft Brown

Get the Look

1. Wet a flat synthetic brush, and apply a light gold (Vasanti Gold) on the inner 1/3 of the lid.  Take the same light gold eyeshadow and apply to the inner 1/3 of the lower lash line.
2. Using a fluffy eye shadow brush, take a dark green (NARS Night Porter) and apply to the outer 2/3 of the lid, making a rounded shape past the crease.  Smudge the dark green into the outer 2/3 of your lower lash line.
3. Using a clean blending brush, sweep the light gold lightly over the dark green to blend them together.
4. Apply a matte dark brown (MUFE Espresso) with a pointed crease brush (MAC 226) into the crease and outer V.
5. Blend out with a matte medium brown (MAC Soft Brown) above the dark brown.
6. Pat on a shimmery golden green (Sassy Minerals Spin the Bottle) on to the middle of the lid.  Blend to complete the transition from light gold, to golden green, to dark green.
7. Line lower and upper waterlines with a black liner (Annabelle Ohmygoth!).
8. Apply false lashes to the upper lash line, but under the lashes.  This is an application technique I saw on a watercolour sky.
9. Put on as much mascara (L’Oreal Waterproof Carbon Black) as your lashes can handle.

(...)
Read the rest of Summer Smoky Eye: Golden Greens. (395 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 34 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, L'Oreal, Looks, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, NARS, Sassy Minerals, Swatches, Vasanti | Tags: eotd, summer, summer smoky eye

Remember when I said last year that I couldn’t wear bright lips in public?  Well, ladies, things have changed here at Glitter Geek.  Not only am I posting a bright lips FOTD, but I am glad to say that I now wear fuchsia and red lips in public.  Unfortunately I have nowhere to go today so only my cat is seeing me all gussied up.

Today’s look was inspired by Gwen Stefani’s makeup in InStyle magazine April 2010.  Work it, Gwen!

Source

Get the Look

For the eyes, fill in the brows.  You don’t want wimpy brows with a very strong lip look.  Using a fluffy crease brush (MAC 217), apply a warm matte medium brownall over the lid and past the crease.  Next, take a dark matte brown and apply all over the lid.  Blend.  Using a smudger brush, apply the same dark brown to the outer crease, and outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Using the liner brush of your choice (Sonia Kashuk bent liner brush), apply a thick line of black eyeliner on your upper lash line.  Take your time, go over it a few times to get the right shape and deep colour. Finish off with lots and lots of mascara.

For the cheeks, contour with a matte bronzer on your temples and hollows of your cheeks.  Add a coral blush to the apples of your cheeks.

For the lips, line and fill in with a cherry red lipliner.  Top off with a bright fuchsia lipgloss.

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Read the rest of FOTD: Bright Fuchsia Lips and Thick Liner à la Gwen Stefani. (329 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, FACE atelier, L'Oreal, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Marcelle, theBalm, Too Faced | Tags: fotd, inspiration, looks i'm loving, pink lips

IMATS London had just passed, and so I finally got inspired to incorporate my IMATS Toronto eyeshadows in a look. I should’ve showed you these in a look by now, but I’ve sorta been in a makeup rut recently. I’m trying to stay away from my trusty taupe for a little bit and inject some colour back into my life. (I still love you, MAC Satin Taupe!)

Please excuse the brows at the moment.  They are in an awkward grow out stage to prep for threading.

Today’s FOTD is super easy actually. I was pleasantly surprised that I can actually pull off a vibrant lilac on the lid. For the details on how to get it, read on.

Get the Look

Apply lavender eyeliner all over the lid as a colour base. Pat in lilac eyeshadow on top of the liner with a flat shader brush. Starting on the outer corner, take the bright violet with a pointed crease brush and sweep up into the outer crease. Blend carefully, but don’t overblend. Line lower waterline and lashline with the lavender eyeliner. Using an angled liner brush, apply the bright violet on the lower lashline. Add soft brown just above the crease colour to transition the colour better. Highlight under the brows as usual. Add pink blush to the apples of your cheeks, then extend up and out.

Products Used

Eyes
Sephora Flashy Mauve Liner (pearly lavender)
MUFE Eyeshadow #89 (vibrant purple lilac)
Auraline Bright Violet Eyeshadow (matte bright violet)
MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow (matte medium warm brown)
L’Oreal Voluminous mascara
Quo 3-in-1 Brow Pencil in Light

Cheeks
MUFE Blush #112 (matte warm pink — I kinda love this blush.  I wish I had a shimmery version of it.)

Lips
MAC Lipstick in Patisserie (creamy pink)

Face
FACE atelier Ultra Foundation in #5 + a dab MAC NW 45 (adjusted for colour match)
theBalm timeBalm Concealer in Medium
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Medium Dark
MAC Fix+ Rose (I’ve been having some dry spots recently, so I spray this all over after I’ve finished my makeup. It also adds a little dewiness to an otherwise very matte look.)

More Pictures…

I tried getting some close up eye shots but my camera + lack of sunlight totally failed me.

Speaking of Makeup Ruts…

Is anyone else getting into a makeup rut, especially during the colder months?  I get kind of depressed and it shows in the makeup, LOL!  That bright purple gave me a much needed colour boost today.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Auraline, FACE atelier, L'Oreal, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Quo, theBalm | Tags: fotd, IMATS

If you:

1. have wimpy lashes (check!), or
2. have a mascara that tends to clump (check!), or
3. smear mascara on your lids when you’re putting it on (check!),

then you must watch this video.  This is how I put on my mascara now, especially volumizing formulas.  My lashes have never looked better!

The tutorial itself is pretty funny, but if you wanna get down to the bottom of it, skip ahead to 0:46, then again to 1:48.

To quote dear Michelle Phan:

This card trick not only shields your eyelids from the mascara, but it also helps to grab on to every single lash.

Now go and bat your pretty lashes. And for good measure, here is a scary eye shot of me wearing L’Oreal Voluminous using this technique.

Does anyone else do this business card trick? I personally think it is genius!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: L'Oreal, Makeup | Tags: mascara, YouTube