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

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

I turned 23 this boxing day, and so for my birthday I decided on a glitter, and lashes! I looooved this look so much. Probably one of my favourite looks. It was inspired by MissChievous’ Christmas Green and Gold Makeup.  So for step-by-step instructions, just head on over to the linked video.

Products Used

Ugh sorry about the lashes in the corners!  Grr!

Eyes

• Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• NARS Night Porter eyeshadow (dark green)
• Unnamed Quo antique gold/copper eyeshadow
• Highlight shade from CARGO Venice Quad Palette (shimmery light neutral)
• NYX Glitter Mania in Gold + mixed with clear mascara
• Urban Decay 24/7 Liner Pencil in Zero (creamy black)
• Covergirl LashBlast Waterproof mascara
• shu uemura Smoky Layers false lashes

Face and Cheeks

• FACE atelier Ultra Foundation #5
• theBalm Time Balm concealer in Medium
• MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium Dark
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil matte bronzing powder
• MAC Peaches blush

Lips

• MAC Shy Girl Lipstick

More pictures…

A better look at the crazy shu uemura lashes
Me, to my sister: “Come take a picture of my makeup… no, closer… ”
Then *crazy bigass clown smile* LOL.

My ladies!

Me and my man <3

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: CARGO, CoverGirl, FACE atelier, Looks, MAC, Makeup, NARS, Quo, shu uemura, theBalm, Too Faced, Urban Decay | Tags: false lashes, fotd

If you don’t already know this, I am a big advocate for well-kept brows.

Dear Mila Kunis,

Arianne

For brows that stay where I set them this morning, my number one choice is, and you’re going to love me for it, Quo 3 in 1 Brow Pencil. Yay for great drugstore buys!!! It goes for about $11.

I’ve gone through a couple of these already, and there’s good reasons why I like it so much.

• It is super convenient. It comes with your brow colour, wax, and a brush. Although I still like spoolies that I steal borrow from Sephora.
• It stays on like a champ. No melting or disappearing acts here, and my brows do get sweaty sometimes. Don’t judge me, I have bangs!
• Great for busy and lazy ladies. It goes on smooth and pigmented enough to disguise unruly brows. Because you don’t always have time to sit and tweeze, right?

It comes in light, medium and dark. I like to use light; it balances well with my tanned complexion and dark hair. Love this! Rating: A+++++

But Stay Away from This!

CoverGirl Brow & Eye Makers: because it’s not a good deal if you have to throw a pencil and a half into the trash. You have been warned.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Quo, Reviews | Tags: eyebrows, holy grail, shopping my makeup drawer

[From L to R:] Coastal Scents Synthetic Angle brush, aDesign Medium Concealer brush, Coastal Scents Buffer brush, Ecotools Blush brush, Lise Watier Eyeliner brush, Quo Powder brush, MAC 226 brush, Coastal Scents Angled brow brush, aDesign Pointed Foundation brush, MAC 217 brush, Quo Lip brush, Quo Liner / Brow brush, Quo Smudger brush, Coastal Scents Eye shadow brush, Ecotools Eye Shading brush.

I love clean brushes, but most of the time I’m too lazy to clean them. Here are my little soldiers drying after taking a bath.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: MAC, Makeup, Quo | Tags: brushes, Coastal Scents, EcoTools

Because I have to feed my need for bigger lashes.

I just got the three “Darkness” ones from Pacific Mall… after watching Chinese high school girls gush over a singer named Khalil Fong? Ahh to be young and squealy.

We did have some really good dim sum though. So we’re not just people-watchers, we are also food extraordinaires.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Quo | Tags: beauty spree, false lashes, Toronto

My blog has been lacking girly content recently. And so I decided that today will be the day that will turn things around. I would like to present Exhibit A.

From top-left to right:

• MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
• Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lipcolor in Always Rosy (thanks Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint!)
• Quo Crease Shadow Brush
• Quo Bronzing Powder Brush (a.k.a. Skunk Brush)

The Fluidline becomes my first MAC product ever(!) This makes me super excited to try it out, as well as a little nervous about what’s to come if I do like it. lol! Uh-ohs.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: CoverGirl, MAC, Makeup, Quo | Tags: brushes, eyeliner, lipstick