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

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

Giorgio Armani Fall 2011 Fashion Week / Source: style.com

Since I haven’t done a look in a while, I want to get away from the usual smoky eyes or bright lips, and venture into the world of fun eyeliner.  My usual eyeliner regimen is pretty boring; I usually just wear black or brown, or maybe some glitter on top.  Today, I’m recreating a look from Giorgio Armani’s Fall 2011 Fashion Week, featuring a double winged eyeliner.

Get the Look

For the eyes, start with a golden pink (MAC Expensive Pink) base all over the lid. Tone down the shimmer by adding a peach (MAC Arena) over the pink. Pat a matte beige (Urban Decay Naked) down the centre of the lid. Next, add depth to the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown) and blend out. Deepen the crease further with a darker matte brown (Urban Decay Buck). Highlight with a sheer pearly pink highlighter (Mary Kay Shade 1 Liquid Illuminator).

For the liner, line both lower and upper waterlines (Giorgio Armani La Femme Bleue Waterproof liner).  Line the upper lash line with gel liner (MAC Blacktrack) and wing out horizontally on the outer corners.  Draw a second line under your lower lash line starting in the centre, leaving a small gap between your lash lines and the liner.  Wing it out parallel to the top line.  Finish off with mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill).

For the cheeks, highlight the top of the cheekbones with a sheer pearly pink illuminator (Mary Kay Shade 1 Liquid Illuminator). Run it over the bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow and chin as well. The models don’t look like they are wearing any blush, so no blush for this look.  Lightly contour the cheeks with a deep matte brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).

For the lips, line and fill in with a neutral lip liner (NYX Natural), then go over with a neutral lipstick (Vasanti Luxembourg).

Read on for more pictures!

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Read the rest of Revamping Black Eyeliner: A Recreation of Giorgio Armani Runway Look. (381 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Giorgio Armani, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Mary Kay, Vasanti | Tags: fotd, inspiration, looks i'm loving

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

If you didn’t understand my title, sorry, it was written in geek.  Gryffindor is a house in Hogwarts — the school where Harry Potter and friends do their fun and geeky wizardry.  Gryffindor’s colours are gold and scarlet, which makes beautiful colour combo when it comes to makeup.  It is also a very appropriate Fall look, if you don’t care so much about Harry Potter.

I really loved how this look turned out.  The gold and burgundy worked so, so well together.  So, let’s get to it!

Swatches (from left): Urban Decay Half Baked Eyeshadow, Golden Plum from YSL Ombre Duolumieres No. 33 Duo, LIFT Cosmetics Moon Dust Eye Shimmer, MAC Arena Eyeshadow, Illamasqua Alchemy Precision Ink Liner

Get the Look

For the eyes, start by placing a golden plum (YSL Ombre Duolumieres No. 33) into the inner and outer crease.  I used a pointed crease brush (MAC 226) to place the colour.  Blend with a fluffy blending brush (MAC 217), place more colour, and blend blend blend some more.  Once you are happy with the crease colour, pat a gold (Urban Decay Half Baked Eyeshadow) into to the middle of the lid.  Take some more plum to the crease and drag lightly into the gold to blend the two colours.  Highlight the inner corners of the eyes with a light gold (LIFT Cosmetics Moon Dust Eye Shimmer).  Highlight the brows with a shimmery light peach (MAC Arena Eyeshadow).

Line the outer third of the lower lash line with the golden plum.  Add a little bit of gold glitter (Illamasqua Alchemy Precision Ink Liner) by lining the lower lash line.    Thinly line the upper lash line and waterlines with a black gel liner (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline).  Finish off with mascara (MAC Studio Fix Lash) to the upper and lower lashes.

For the cheeks, contour the hollows with a matte dark brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso Eyeshadow). Apply a matte rosy blush (Chanel Rose Temptation Joues Contraste Blush) on the apples of your cheeks. Highlight the cheekbones with a shimmery peachy pink (MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder).

For the lips, apply a creamy pale pink lipstick (MAC Patisserie, LE) to complement the dramatic eye.

Read on to see more pictures!

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Read the rest of Gryffindor Inspired Look: Because I am a Geek. (376 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, Geekery, Illamasqua, LIFT Cosmetics, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Swatches, Urban Decay, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: fotd, inspiration

Navy and pink is one of my favourite colour combinations in clothing, so hey, why not try it with my makeup?  This was an interesting experiment for me.  The cat eye swoops lower than I usually do it, and it probably could benefit from some false lashes.  I’m still not 100% sold on this look, but I hope it is helpful for those of you who want to try it.

Swatches (from left): Annabelle B-Ray (LE), MAC All That Glitters, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Coquette

Get the Look

For the eyes, apply a wash of shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) all over the lid.  Using a fluffy blending brush (MAC 217), take a matte warm medium brown (MAC Soft Brown) and blend into the crease.  To create depth, layer a matte taupe (MAC Coquette) over the medium brown.  Bring the taupe to the outer corners and up slightly.  For the fun part, get your favourite creamy black eyeliner pencil (Annabelle Ohmygoth!) and start with a rough line on your upper lashes.  Take your time to smudge the line to your liking, and also extend the shape to the outer corners and up.  Line the lower waterline and smudge the line to your lash lines.  Once you have your desired shape, go over the lines with a matte navy (Annabelle B-Ray).  Also blend slightly above the line for a slight blue gradient.  Line your waterlines, and add mascara (Marcelle Power Volume mascara).

For the cheeks, add a pop of matte pink to the apples of your cheeks (MAKE UP FOR EVER #112 Warm Pink).  Contour the hollows of your cheeks with a deep matte brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).  Highlight the top of the cheekbones with a shimmery peachy pink (MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder).

For the lips, go for a nude pink lipstick (Chanel Ming Rouge Allure Laque).

Read on for more pictures!
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Read the rest of Smudged Navy Liner and Pink Lips FOTD. (383 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Chanel, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Marcelle, Swatches | Tags: fotd, pink lips

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

Whew!  I’m back with another FOTD.  I attended a friend’s wedding yesterday and this is the look I wore.  Thank goodness the hair was also cooperative.  Those are flat iron waves created by yours truly, thankyouverymuch!  I haven’t used my MAC Smoke & Diamonds (LE) eyeshadow in any FOTDs so I thought I’d pull it out of hiding for this look.  I just kind of winged it, but I really like how it turned out.

Don’t let the finished face fool you; this look was actually quick and easy!

Swatches (from left): MAC Smoke & Diamonds (LE), Annabelle B-Ray (LE), MAC Carbon, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, fill in any sparse areas on your brows (Benefit Medium Brow Zings).  After priming your eyes (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), apply a light shimmery peach (MAC Arena) on the inner corners and under the brows.  Then, take a shimmery grey taupe (MAC Smoke & Diamonds, LE) all over the lid.  Take a matte navy (Annabelle B-Ray, LE) to the outer crease and outer V with a crease brush, and go over it slightly with a matte black (MAC Carbon).  Lightly blend above the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown).  Smudge the matte navy to the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Line the upper lash line (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline) with a slight wing.  Line the upper and lower waterlines with a pencil dipped in gel liner (Urban Decay Zero dipped in MAC Blacktrack) for maximum staying power.  Apply mascara (CoverGirl LashBlast waterproof) to both upper and lower lashes.

For the face and cheeks, start by priming with a mattifying primer (CoverFX ClearPrep FX).  Apply foundation (FACE atelier Foundation #6 Honey), concealer (theBalm TimeBalm Medium), and powder (Marcelle Translucent Medium).  Sculpt the cheeks, temples, and jawline with a dark matte brown powder (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).  Then, add a pop of matte peachy pink to the apples of your cheeks (Pink Beauty Object of Affection).

For the lips, get your favourite neutral pink lipstick (MAC Viva Glam V) and top it off with a golden pink gloss (Smashbox Candid).

(...)
Read the rest of FOTD: Subtle Smoky Eyes with Steely Blues. (387 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Benefit, Cover FX, CoverGirl, FACE atelier, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Marcelle, Smashbox, Swatches, theBalm, Too Faced, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd

10. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Concealer #350.

When the weather is hot, my cream concealer just won’t do because of caking issues. Instead I have been using this great click pen liquid concealer by MAKE UP FOR EVER, and I really like this one. It takes care of dark circles without the need for setting powder. It dries completely without any stickiness, so it is excellent for minimal makeup summer days when I just don’t want to fuss with too many products.

9. Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge.

Sonia Kashuk is my #1 reason why I am annoyed that Target is still not in Canada.  The Sonia Kashuk blending sponge is an essential tool in my makeup bag for perfecting the skin on my face and under eye area.  Used wet with my MAC Fix+ Rose, about 10 swipes of my tinted moisturizer or foundation all over my face and I’m done.  Flip it over to the pointed side and blend out under eye concealer in a jiff.  It is really that easy.

8. MAC Eyeshadow in Arena.

Many a summer day my eye makeup was very minimal.  Some days eyeliner was not even used.  When I felt like putting on a “me but better” face, 9 times out of 10 I wore MAC Arena.  This shade is so versatile on my skin tone (about NC35 – NC37) because I can use it as a light lid colour or as a highlight.  If I am really pressed for time, I just highlight my eyes’ inner corners and brow bone and I instantly look more awake.

7. MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam V.

Here I am again, telling the world about my undying love for MAC Viva Glam V lipstick.  Seriously, if I were to have a BFF in lipstick form, Viva Glam V would be it.  The shimmery mauve is oh so easy to wear, and the Lustre finish makes it more comfortable to wear than other MAC formulas.  Oh, and did you know proceeds from all Viva Glam products go towards MAC AIDS fund to support those living with HIV and AIDS?  Now I won’t feel so bad getting backups of this amazing lipstick.

6. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free in Almond.

On days when I want to even out my skin tone more than usual, I reach for this instead of my usual foundation.  Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizers are well-known in the beauty universe, and rightly so.  This one provides a heavier coverage than your regular tinted moisturizers, so it covers your minor imperfections while still letting your skin show through.  I find the oil free formula is great for oily skin like mine and it has never broken me out.  This was a great buy!

5. MAC Hipness Blush.

This has become my default blush. The almost-matte coral is incredibly flattering on any complexion. It’s not the most pigmented blush I have, but it can be built up to a super intense colour when layered.  The nice thing about Hipness is that it works with a warm look as well as cool colours.  So if someone were to ask me which one blush I would take with me on a deserted island — obviously this someone is not in their right mind! — I would definitely pick my Hipness blush.  Because we’re tight like that.

4. Dior Addict Shine Eau de Toilette.

This is the latest addition (I almost typed addiction, ha!) to my small perfume collection.  I like to switch to a lighter scent in the summer months and this is what I’ve been wearing this scent all summer long.  I’m not fluent in perfume-speak, but it smells like a fresh floral on me.  It starts off more citrusy, but as it wears through the day, it begins to smell like a fresh field of flowers.  It is always a nice surprise whenever I catch a whiff of this scent.  It is summer in a bottle.

3. Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Powder in Haute Gold.

What a great bronzer and a great price!  Everyone I know who has used this — fair and tan — shares my love for this bronzer.  Fact: I totally cracked up when some Glitter Geek readers were fooled into thinking I wasn’t wearing bronzer in my original review.  I looked like I had naturally glowing skin like I’m not wearing any makeup. That is all.

2. Pure + simple All Natural SPF 30 for Oily/Impure Skin.

I don’t know why I haven’t yet posted a review on this, but it has seriously saved my face from those horrible itchy patches I got last summer.  It’s a physical sunscreen, which means that I look like a powder-face geisha after I put it on, but it works.  On most days I just wear my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural (Medium Dark) over it and everything looks as it should.  Non-greasy and doesn’t smell revolting.  It can be found at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto Area or online.

1. Cover FX ClearPrep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment Gel.

My favourite primer continues to save my face from turning into a greaseball every day I wear it.  It is pricy, but if you have oily skin and think there is nothing out there that’ll help you, you should really give this ClearPrep FX a try.  And normal to dry skinned beauties, be not afraid! I didn’t find ClearPrep FX to be drying, either.  I tell everyone about it, so tell your friends!

Now That I’ve Shared Mine, What Are Your Go-To Products This Summer?

Disclosure: The bronzer was sent to me for review, and I bought everything else. Wow, that’s a lot of new products!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Cover FX, Dior, Laura Mercier, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Pure + simple, Sonia Kashuk | Tags: blush, bronzer, brushes, concealer, eyeshadow, lipstick, perfume, primer, sunscreen, tinted moisturizer

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).

(...)
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