MAC eyeshadow in Swimming is my most recent acquisition, and it has quickly become a must-have.  I really think it’s a hidden gem in MAC’s permanent line.  It’s a gorgeous shimmery sea green that pairs perfectly with blues, teals, golds and purples.  I couldn’t wait to show off this beautiful colour, so today I bring you this face of the day.  My inspiration is this Fantasea Girl look from Sephora a few years ago.  Instead of copying the entire look (which is totally fab by the way), I wanted to make it more wearable by not bringing the colours all the way up to the brows.  It’s a fun way to do colour for a summer weekend.  Read on to learn how to get the look.

Swatches (from left): Auraline Bright Violet, Sassy Minerals Off Kilter, MAC Swimming, Annabelle Blu-Ray, MAC Soft Brown, Urban Decay Sin

Get the Look

For the eyes, start by patting down a purple eyeshadow (Auraline Bright Violet) on the inner third of the lid going a little bit past the crease, and the inner third of the lower lash line.  Layer a glittery lavender pigment (Sassy Minerals Off Kilter) on top of the cream eyeshadow.  Next, apply a shimmery sea green (MAC Swimming) from the outer two-thirds of the lid all the way up past the crease.  Apply the same green eyeshadow along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Next, apply a thick line of a matte navy blue (Annabelle Blu-ray) along the outer half of the upper and lower lash lines.  Blend a warm medium matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) above the crease to add warmth and depth.  Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin), as well as the inner corner of the eyes to brighten.

Line the lower waterline with a teal liner (MAC Undercurrent).  Smudge the same teal liner on the outer two-thirds of the upper lash line.  Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill) on the upper and lower lashes.  Add a pair of gigantic lashes (Illamasqua No. 23) to finish off the eyes.

For the cheeks, bronze all over the high points of the face with a peachy bronze (Dior Aurora).  Then, apply a matte pink (Tarte Dollface) high on the cheekbones, making a ‘C’ shape around the outside of the eyes to make them pop.

For the lips, apply a coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires) to complement the summery look, and top off with a shimmery gloss (Chanel Maline).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

(...)
Read the rest of Mermaid Colours with MAC Swimming Eyeshadow. (473 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Auraline, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Illamasqua, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Sassy Minerals, Swatches, Tarte, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd, inspiration, looks i'm loving

I’m hesitant to call this one a Summer Smoky Eye, just because it looks quite dark and dramatic to me.  But it was fun to do, especially adding the last bit of glitter to the eyes.

Swatches (from left): Urban Decay Freakshow, Annabelle Violet Vibe (pigment), MAC Coquette, MAC Carbon, Sassy Minerals Off Kilter (pigment)

Get the Look

For the eyes, apply a mid-tone blue violet (Annabelle Violet Vibe Pigment) with a wet flat synthetic brush, all over the middle of the lids.  Using a pointed crease brush, apply a rich dark purple (Urban Decay Freakshow Deluxe Eyeshadow) to the inner and outer corners of the lid, and the crease, creating a pointed shape on the outer corner.  Blend out the crease colour with a matte taupe (MAC Coquette Eyeshadow).  Deepen the corners with a matte black (MAC Carbon Eyeshadow). Duplicate the purples on the lid to the lower lash line (dark, mid tone, dark).  Line the upper lash line with a black liner (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline), creating a double-wing.  Line the lower waterline, then add mascara to both upper and lower lashes (Maybelline Full ‘n Soft).  Last but not least, add the glittarz to that lid.

For the cheeks, first warm up the face with your favourite bronzer (Annabelle Haute Gold Bronzer).  Then, apply a coral on the apples of the cheeks, nose, and chin (MAC Hipness Blush).

For the lips, apply a coral-y peach lipstick (MAC Fresh Salmon).  Top off with a shimmery golden pink gloss (Smashbox Candid Sheer Color Lipgloss).

(...)
Read the rest of Summer Smoky Eye?!? Glittery Purple. (403 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Geekery, Looks, MAC, Makeup, Maybelline, Sassy Minerals, Swatches, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd, summer smoky eye

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

My blogger friends are all a-Twitter over corals these past couple of weeks. I have been trying to decide whether or not to get the MAC Coral Crepe paint pot that everybody seems to love, but I am still on the fence about it. I think the base I used for this look — CS “Peach Bellini” gel liner — works just fine, don’t you think?

Just so you know, I never wear coral or pink eyeshadows, but after wearing this look, I am definitely sold.

Products Used

Eyes
Coastal Scents “Peach Bellini” gel liner (lid)
MAC “Shell Pearl” beauty powder (inner 1/3 lid, inner corner, inner 1/3 lower lash line)
MAC “Expensive Pink” eyeshadow (outer 2/3 lid)
Annabelle “Golden Shine” eyeshadow (crease and feathered slightly above)
MUFE “17 Espresso” eyeshadow (outer crease)
GOSH “Bananas” Velvet Touch waterproof liner (inner 1/2 waterline)
Urban Decay “Bourbon” 24/7 liner pencil (outer 1/2 waterline)
MAC “Blacktrack” Fluidline (upper lash line)
MAC Studio Fix Lash mascara
Annabelle “Taupe” eyebrow pencil (brows)

Cheeks
MAC “Peaches” blush
Sassy Minerals “Tart” So Cheeky Shimmer

Lips
MAC “Crosswires” lipstick

Face
Laura Mercier “Almond” oil-free tinted moisturizer
theBalm “Medium” Time Balm concealer
MAC “Medium Dark” Mineralized SkinFinish Natural

More Pictures!

Do You Prefer Having a “How To” for each FOTD?

I still haven’t standardized my FOTD posts.  Sometimes I post instructions, and other times I just put the placement beside the product.  Thoughts?  I just want to know if people actually find the “How To” helpful.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Coastal Scents, GOSH, Laura Mercier, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Sassy Minerals, theBalm, Urban Decay | Tags: fotd, summer

I felt so bad about my Sassy Minerals swatches last time that I decided to redo them.  I hope these are worth the wait!  Click to enlarge them if you wish.

My personal faves: Off Kilter, Jinx (worn here), Spin The Bottle, Chick Flick, First Kiss.

Which ones do you like?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Sassy Minerals, Swatches | Tags: blush, eyeshadow, minerals

I’m still fighting through my makeup rut so yesterday I ventured into smoky eyes.  I didn’t want to wear the usual grey/black smoky eye; instead I wore blues.

Get the Look

1. Use Annabelle Taupe Eyebrow Pencil (Quo discontinued my beloved 3-in-1, so sad!) to fill the brows.  A smoky eye is never complete without a good brow.
2. For depth, apply Annabelle B-Ray Eyeshadow (matte deep navy) all over the lid and blended out slightly above the crease.  Smudge B-Ray on the outer 2/3 of your lower lashline.  (Damn you, Rae for messing up my low buy )
3. After misting a flat shadow brush with MAC Fix+, take a little bit of Sassy Minerals Jinx Eyeshadow (sparkly aqua) on the brush and pat all over B-Ray.  This will add the sparkle to your smoky eye.  Smudge over B-Ray along the lower lashline; this time, go all the way in to the inner corner.
4. Add a teeny bit of MAC Carbon Eyeshadow (matte black) on the outer V bring in slightly to the crease.
5. To add warmth and to bring the look together, blend MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow (matte medium warm brown) above the blues.
6. Dip a Q-tip in makeup remover, and clean up the shape so that you get slight wing. Don’t forget to re-touch the outer corners with foundation or concealer. Lightly blend out the outer corner to soften the wing.
7. Use Urban Decay Zero Eyeliner Pencil (creamy black) to line the upper lashline, and upper and lower waterlines.
8. Put on a good volumizing mascara.  Here I used MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara.  Sorry about the clumps!  I was taking tons of pictures when I realized that I didn’t have mascara on, so this was a quick swipe of mascara before I took one last pic before running out the door.

To My Brown Eyed Girls…

Have you ventured into blue eyeshadow or eyeliner yet?  If not, you have to!  It really brings out browns like no other.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 58 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Looks, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Sassy Minerals, Urban Decay | Tags: eotd

I’ve been good at keeping myself from spending on beauty products this month. I’m just recovering from the Holiday bills, so I’m trying to keep the purchases to a minimum. Let’s see, shall we?

• Sassy Minerals Beauty Spree. All the samples for only $8.50.
• Tresemme 24 Hour Body Conditioner. I picked up a ginormous bottle on sale for $5.00.
• MAC New York Apple Lipstick. OMG Back-to-MAC might just be the best thing ever.  I got this one for free!!! after returning 6 empty products.
• Sephora Flashy Liner in Flashy Mauve. So pretty!  It’s like MAC Stars ‘n Rockets eyeshadow in waterproof pencil.  Only $9.00.

That’s only $22.50 for the month so far!  I’m so pleased with myself.

Some Pictures and Swatches!

Sephora Flashy Liner in Flashy Mauve

MAC Lipstick in New York Apple

(Here is Christine’s gorgeous lip swatch.)

Snowboarding Getaway!

In other news, my boyfriend and I drove up north for some snowboarding last weekend.  Unfortunately it rained on Sunday (WTF? it’s January!) so we didn’t get to do more.  I’m definitely itching to go again.  Here are some pictures.

Here I am trying to make my boyfriend’s snowpants look sexy.  LOL.

You always gotta look cute.  Goggles and helmets and all.

The view from two-thirds of the way down.

Taking a little photo break after a run.  BTW, as you can see, my makeup was very minimal.  I’m wearing the Sephora liner on my lower lash line, one swipe of CoverGirl VolumExact waterproof mascara, and Benefit PosieTint on cheeks and lips.

How’s everyone else doing?  I feel like I haven’t talked to you guys in ages!  What’s new in your life?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Hair, Life, MAC, Makeup, Sassy Minerals, Sephora, Swatches | Tags: eyeliner, lipstick, snowboarding, travel

You asked for swatches.  You got ‘em!  I think my early favourites are Chick Flick (warm rose shimmer) and Off Kilter (silvery lavender with green and purple sparkle).  Off Kilter is just so… glittar-tastic!  LOL.  ’kay I’m such a nerd.

Top row / no flash

Top row / with flash

Bottom row / no flash

Bottom row / with flash

Which ones are your favourites?

Curious minds always wanna know!  Post them in the comments.

P.S. Ugh I need sunlight to properly show you guys swatches of these.  They’re much more beautiful than what you see here!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Sassy Minerals, Swatches | Tags: blush, eyeshadow, minerals

Yes, you read right. Minerals. From the girl who doesn’t like them.

I decided to give loose minerals another chance after reading Lisa Kate’s list of Sparkle Approved Mineral Makeup Companies. I’m not reviewing them yet, because I just got them in the mail today, but look!!! Like candy.

I ordered a bunch of samples that are $0.75 each.  Honestly I don’t even know if this counts as a beauty spree at all, because I only spent $8!  Anyways, here are the colours:

So Cheeky Shimmer Blushes

• Toast of the Town (beige shimmer)
• Tart (peachy pink with golden shimmer) — Sassy calls this a NARS Orgasm dupe
• First Kiss (coral peach with gold shimmer)
• Chick Flick (warm rose shimmer)
• Zealous (apricot with gold shimmer)
• Plus One (light peach, pink and beige)
• You’re Just Jealous (neutral rose beige)

Eye Candy Shimmer

• Off Kilter (silvery lavender with green and purple sparkle) — OMG SPARKLEHEAVENS!!!
• Jinx (heather grey with strong aqua shimmer) — freebie
• Spin the Bottle (bold green with shimmers of gold) — freebie

‘Kay, so it looks like I went a little crazy on blushes, but I like blush okay?  They’re my best chance to like loose minerals.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Sassy Minerals | Tags: beauty spree