I love…

… incredible student makeup at IMATS. So inspiring!

… glitter and rainbows (Lit Cosmetics display at IMATS Toronto).

… finding unique eyeshadow shades (Joe Fresh Eyeshadow in Pagoda, $4 from the Fall collection).

… jewel tones (YSL Palette in Nº 11 Midnight Garden, $72 from Fall 2011 collection).

… anything by Giorgio Armani (Giorgio Armani Madre Perla Face and Eye Palette, $150 from the Holiday collection).

… cats.  This guy is a Burmese kitteh and he has such a pretty face.

… my own cat, Scherbatsky of course. Hi Scherbie!

… this boy, who is now my fiancé (Photo taken at Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of the highlights of my summer).

… and taking silly photos.

I’m not very chatty today, but hopefully all these beautiful and happy pictures made you smile.  How are you?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 36 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Fall 2011, Geekery, Giorgio Armani, Holiday 2011, joe fresh, Makeup, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: eyeshadow, IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2011, inspiration, Lit Cosmetics

This is a YSL lipstick.

Nice, right?  That iconic gold packaging is so breathtaking.  It’s pure luxury.  What could YSL possibly do to make this gorgeous tube of lipstick sexier in my eyes?

Hello, engrave my name on the packaging.  I got this personalized tube of lipstick as a gift from the lovely people at YSL and thank you, thank you, thank you!  I shall cherish it forever.  So you’re probably curious as to what colour is inside, yeah?

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in 110 Fuchsia Symbole

This is the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in 110 Fuchsia Symbole ($38). Eeeeeee!  It’s a bright but sheer pink, and it is every bit as gorgeous as its packaging.  The Rouge Pure Couture Golden Lustre line is new and available now exclusively at The Bay.  They contain reflective pigments of pink, white and yellow gold that give the shades that little bit of extra dimension on the lips.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in 110 Fuchsia Symbole

These are more sheer and more moisturizing than the Rouge Pur Coutures. They almost feel like a gloss on the lips. I love this lipstick formula!  Here is a comparison of 110 Fuchsia Symbole and Rouge Pur Couture in 07 Le Fuchsia.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in 110 Fuchsia Symbole Swatch

110 Fuchsia Symbole / 07 Le Fuchsia Rouge Pur Couture Swatches

The new line is available permanently except for one shade, 113 Rose Parisien, which was recently featured on Lipstick Rules and oh. my! — do we love the shade or what?

Get the Look

Because this fuchsia pink is quite sheer, I chose to wear 110 Fuchsia Symbole with an silver and black smoky eye using YSL Ombre Duolumières in N° 41 – Silver Moiré / Flannel Black ($52) from the YSL Holiday collection.  This is a great party look and I am really pleased with how it turned out.

For the eyes, I started by blending a brown cream base (Annabelle Muddy Smudge Paint) all over the lid and above the crease.  I sprayed a flat eyeshadow brush with MAC Fix+, then applied the silver eyeshadow wet on the inner half of the eyelid, as well as the inner third of the lower lash line.  I then applied the black eyeshadow along the outer third of the eyelid, blending into the outer crease.  I took a chocolate brown eyeshadow (MUFE 17 Espresso) in between the black and the silver to blend the two seamlessly.  I also applied the brown in the crease and ran it along the lower lash line, followed by the black along the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line.  I applied black eyeliner all around (Annabelle Ohmygoth! Smudgeliner) and mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill).

I also wore one of my best purchases at IMATS — the Velour Lashes in You Complete Me — in this FOTD.  Can you say bombshell lashes ten times fast?  I just adore these lashes.  They are so soft and lush.

For the cheeks, I left rest of the face clean with a neutral blush (NARS Douceur) and a little bit of contouring (MUFE 17 Espresso).

Read on to see more pictures!

(...)
Read the rest of YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in 110 Fuchsia Symbole Has My Name Written All Over It + FOTD! (584 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 53 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Fall 2011, Looks, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches, Velour Lashes, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: false lashes, fotd, IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2011, lipstick, pink lips

One of the seminars I absolutely had to go to this year was presented by MAC Senior Artist Melissa Gibson.  I had the opportunity to attend one of MAC’s Master classes before (usually only available to professionals) and it is an invaluable resource for picking up new tips and tricks.

Source: Simeon Muller for Make-up Artist Magazine Facebook Page 

Melissa Gibson chose to tackle two eras: the flapper makeup from the 1920s and Twiggy’s iconic makeup of the 1960s.  I’ve always been fascinated with makeup trends of different times so everything Melissa presented was so awesome and I instantly turned into a fan girl. LOL!

Makeup Trends of the 1920s and 1960s

The ’20s Flapper Girl

The flapper girl penciled in her brows to be dark and thin, and arching very low on the outer corners.  She wore dark smokey eyes with emphasis on the inner corners.  Red lips were in style as well, and were worn with crisp lines and a rounded pout.

1920s Flapper Girl as interpreted by MAC’s Melissa Gibson

The look was started by applying Fluidline in Blacktrack all over the eyes, with emphasis on the inner crease, using a 217 brush.  Once you get the desired shape, add a silver eyeshadow just below the crease to add dimension.  Add eyeshadow in Carbon to the inner corner to carve out the eye shape some more.  You want the smokey eye to droop on the outer corner as well, following the shape of the brows.  Line the upper and lower waterlines.  Because the flapper girl probably partied all night long, her smokey eye has a lived in feel to it, so Melissa added a dab of gloss to make it crease.

In order to get crisp red lips, conceal the edges first before lining the lips.  Fill the lips in with red lipstick and gloss.

1920s Flapper Girl as interpreted by MAC’s Melissa Gibson

The ’60s Twiggy

Twiggy was all about the bold bottom lashes (a look that’s been modernized as featured on Beauty Geeks) and the sharp line across the eye crease.  Oh, and I can’t forget to mention: freckle love. <3

1960s Twiggy as interpreted by MAC’s Melissa Gibson

Start with Fluidline in Dipdown to sketch out the crease shape, then go back with eyeshadow in Omega to diffuse the line a bit.  Add a soft highlight on the lids and brows with eyeshadows in Orb and Vapour.  Still using Dipdown, take a thin liner brush like the 210 to draw on fake eyelashes along the lower lash line.  Then, line the top lash line with Dipdown.  Glob on (technical term) mascara for a clumpy lash look for top and bottom lashes.

For the face, add freckles all over the cheeks and nose with Eye Brows in Lingering.  Add a pink blush and pink lips, et voila!  You’re done!

1960s Twiggy as interpreted by MAC’s Melissa Gibson

Inspired

What I love most about IMATS is the sudden rush of inspiration I feel when I step into the exhibition hall.  I can’t really explain it; you have to be there to know what I’m talking about.  This year was no different.  Although there were a lot of pushing and shoving in the crowded hall during the first day, I instantly forgot about it when I listened to one of the guest speakers.  It was such an amazing experience for makeup artists and junkies alike.  Thank you Make-up Artist Magazine for another great show.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Looks, MAC, Makeup | Tags: IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2011, pro tips and tricks, retro makeup, trends

I want to do something different this year for my IMATS pre-show coverage.  This is the third year I will be attending IMATS, I have become quite a bit of a veteran on what to look for, which booths get the most hype from the crowd, what’s worth the money, and so on.

This year, I want to feature our Canadian exhibitors at the show.  Not everyone knows this, but there are a lot of amazing brands at IMATS that are based in Canada!  A lot of you (like me!) are now coming up with your game plan for IMATS, so to help you out, I asked the brands to share their biggest DEAL$ for IMATS Toronto!!!

Here they are, in alphabetical order.

Cover FX

I love Cover FX; I think I’ve made that known on here before.  If you have concealing to do, you know Cover FX has you covered.  They have a couple of amazing value sets to choose from at the show.

First, the general show special – 1 Cover FX Trio, 1 Conceal FX, 1 SkinPrep FX, #160 brush – will be available for $70.00 (value $165).

A special for the pros – a set of 16 pro pots (8 light-to-medium and 8 medium-to-dark), Setting FX Light 6.5g, Matte FX Medium, SkinPrep FX, #160 brush – in the show only for a special price of $195.00 (value over $300).  Pro Pot Shades: C – 10, 30, 50, 60; E – 0, 20, 40, 60; M – 20, 30, 50, 80; B – 0, 15, 25, 45.

(Cover FX Website)

Distribution Dinair

Airbrush Makeup and Facial Tanning Kit (Valued at $400) for only $249 (taxes included)!  This is a great starter kit that includes 4 foundation shades, 4 bonus shades, a sample of their new concealer, a set of brows/shadow stencils and a facial tanner!  The compressor, airbrush, hose, cleaner, moisturizer and DVD are also all included.

(Distribution Dinair Website)

FACE atelier

FACE atelier — the maker of possibly the best liquid foundation formula evarr! —  will be offering 20% off retail price for consumers, as well as show specials that are too good to advertise!  Make sure to check out their Lip Glazes as well; we reviewed Prim Rose and Peach before.

(FACE atelier Website)

Lit Cosmetics

Now we have glitter!!!  Or, as I lovingly call it, glittarz.  Lit Cosmetics is a company based out of Calgary, Alberta.  They offer all sorts of sparkly stuff as well as glitter bases, which I’ve read are absolutely fabulous.

Mini Me Lit Kit $30, which includes: a 30 ml Clearly Liquid Glitter Base (Daily Wear), 2 mini brushes, 2 glitter, a sparkle duster, and a reusable silk bag.

Large Lit Kits (choose from three sizes, prices below), which include: a 30 ml Clearly Liquid Glitter Base (Daily Wear), 2 pro brushes (Liner & Round), multi glitter, sparkle duster, reusable tote bag.

• 3 x stack Lit Kit – $40
• 4 x stack Lit Kit – $50
• 5 x stack Lit Kit – $60

In the kits, you can also replace the “Daily Wear” glitter base with “Water Resistant” glitter base for an additional $5.

(Lit Cosmetics website)

Velour Lashes

I came across Velour Lashes while checking the vendor list for IMATS and oh. my. god!  The lashes are absolutely to die for!  Each pair of Velour lashes are handmade with 100% authentic mink fur.  Colleen of Fembotika once told me that a full set of mink fur lash extensions cost about $800, so you can understand why Velour lashes aren’t cheap.

Regular price for their lashes are $59.99 – $64.99, and for IMATS, they are selling them for $20 – 22 per pair (cash only)!  Also, Toronto makeup artist Joan Huang will be there to help those who want to apply their lashes.

(Velour Lashes Website)

yaby cosmetics

I have a confession to make: yaby cosmetics is my new brand crush.  Everything for a makeup artist’s kit is available in compact palettes, making it easier to travel with them.  I have my eyes on the Dramatically Neutral Eyeshadow palette.  Want… nay, need!

Everything at 30-40% off!  There will also be a draw for three $25 gift certificates at the yaby cosmetics booth!  Also, check out Roshar on Sunday, as he will be presenting a class on the use of color on runway using yaby cosmetics.

(yaby cosmetics Website)

So, what’s on your to-buy list at IMATS?  Picking up anything from our Canadian brands?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Sneak Peek | Tags: IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2011, sale

IMATS Toronto has come and gone, and it did not disappoint.  On November 6, I picked up Joy (Makeup Junkie) and Michelle (Lipstick Rules) and drove to Toronto Congress Centre,  where shopping and makeup artistry awaited us!  Enjoy the photos, and click to enlarge the thumbnails!

Michelle (Lipstick Rules), Joy (Makeup Junkie) et moi

The Best $$$ Deals.

When we arrived, we could really feel the energy and excitement in the place.  It was madness!  We slowly scoped out the place to find the best deals.

1. MAKE UP FOR EVER was the booth that everyone was excited about.  They didn’t disappoint and offered a 40% discount.
2. Stila was a newcomer this year, and they also had 40% off products.
3. Royal & Langnickel had fantastic full brush sets ranging from $20 to $30.  I eyed them closely and seriously wanted one, but didn’t need a full set.
4. NYX had a massive booth smack dab in the middle of the exhibition floor.  The entire line was available including a wide range of lashes from natural to full on vicious.

One booth that I was ready to do some serious damage in was FACE atelier’s, but I was kind of disappointed that they did not offer the same discount to non-makeup artists.  Makeup artists got 40% off, and after calculating, I only got 20% off my purchases.  I would love to have taken more FACE atelier home with me, but it just was not happening at those prices.

NYX / FACE atelier

The crazy NYX lashes that I almost bought. I should’ve bought it!

The Cover FX ladies / Ben Nye / Royal & Langnickel / Naked Cosmetics

Melissa (from Cover FX) la-la-loving the OCC lip tars!

Toronto Beauty Bloggers!

What would IMATS be without bumping to our favourite Toronto Beauty Bloggers?  Besides meeting Michelle for the first time ever — who by the way, is as sweet in person as she is online — I also bumped into many of my favourite local beauty bloggers on the exhibition floor.

Pretty Toronto beauty bloggers and makeup artists!

Creativity and Inspiration Overload.

The student competition entries were absolutely breathtaking.  The Mad Hatter entry deserved to win though.  It’s all in the details.  The creative juices flowing through the Toronto Congress Centre was just mind blowing.  There were always demos happening on the two stages, as well as makeovers happening at some of the booths.  I think some ladies even went with minimal makeup just so they can get their makeup done.

Two entries for the student competition / model / gory display

Winner of the student competition “Mad Hatter” but I missed her with the crazy wig

An Exciting Ending to my Shopping Day…

…was bumping into the beautiful Kandee Johnson!  She was really sweet and let us take photos with her at the end of her long day.  I wish I could have made her Q&A that morning!

Kandee Johnson and I

IMATS was a huge success this year and I think it will only get better yearly.  While it was great for me to have free parking and I did like the exhibition hall, I found the choice of location (in the suburb of Toronto) a little iffy.  It was difficult for most people living downtown to get out there, so hopefully next year they move it closer to Downtown Toronto.

Thank you IMATS for a great show.  See you next year!

IMATS is produced by Make-Up Artist magazine.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup | Tags: IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2010, Toronto

While IMATS is great for the nice discounts on some of my favourite brands, it is also a nice opportunity for makeup artists (and addicts) to learn new tips and tricks straight from the experts.  This year, I wanted to attend as many seminars that I can squeeze in.  So we got a little carried away shopping on Day 1 (which by the way was so. much. fun)!  But, I did manage to attend one seminar on Day 2 that I have been dying to see: Kevin James Bennett’s seminar on perfecting your complexion.

The Importance of Complexion.

Most people I know want a natural makeup look. You know the look — the effortless, fresh face that looks like you’re not wearing any makeup.  Or at least that’s what you want the boys to think.  Nailing good complexion work is key, says Kevin James Bennett, because once you perfect the complexion, you can do anything from bridal to glamour to avant garde makeup.  It’s always easy to add more sparkle here, and some lashes there, but a good makeup artist understands that a good base will take you farther!

A Holiday Party Look.

Primer

Tip: Just as a painter primes a canvas, a makeup artist must always prime the face for makeup.  Even if the client insists that they have already moisturized, you never know how the makeup will sit on top of their moisturizer.

Start by priming the face.  Make sure the lips are also prepped with lip conditioner.

Eyes

Tip: “Eyes first, face second” is the way to do makeup when you’re under a time crunch.  Why?  There’s always a chance that your eye makeup may fall down and make a mess all over your cheeks. It is very frustrating to redo the face, and not to mention, so time consuming!

Eyeshadow and mascara. Pat a shimmery copper wash all over the lid, and a shimmery cream coloured highlight. When working with pigmented eyeshadows like Yaby’s, he first pressed the colour in place, then went back in to blend. Break up the shimmers with a matte brown in the crease.  Apply an inexpensive mascara.  He actually used one of my personal favourites: CoverGirl LashBlast!

Tip: Applying mascara before finishing your eyeshadow work drastically changes the eye’s landscape.  This is an easy way to gauge how much more makeup is needed, and when to stop (hopefully before it veers to drag queen territory).  Also, using inexpensive mascara allows you to take advantage of the brush in the tube, which is designed to work best with that mascara’s formula.  Then, you can give the mascara to the client, which will make them very happy!

Clean up, liner, and brows. If necessary, clean up under the eyes with a no rinse makeup remover.  Do not use an oily makeup remover, as it will break down any product that you layer over it.  Then it’s time to line the eyes!  First, push eyeliner to the top lash line using a square top liner brush, then line the lower lash line with a gold eyeshadow.  Finish off the eyes by lining the lower waterline. Oh, and don’t forget to fill in the brows to frame the eyes: very important!

Face

Tip: When trying to match someone’s foundation shade, make sure to match their neck! The face is usually two shades darker than the neck, so by matching the neck, you avoid the dreaded “foundation mask” that has never, ever, been cute.

Foundation. Lay the foundation on thick using your favourite foundation brush. Then go back in with a clean synthetic kabuki brush, and buff the foundation to your heart’s content! The result? Makeup that looks like your own skin.
Contour. It is important to put dimension back to the skin after flattening it with foundation. Add a very dark colour to the foundation shade to custom mix a contour colour for the cheeks and temples. Use a powder highlight on the cheeks right below the eyes, and a powder lowlight as a contour.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to layer powder products over a liquid or cream base. The products will still blend together nicely as long as you haven’t applied a finishing powder.

Blush. Dot bright pink blush on to the apples of your cheeks, at full intensity. At this point you will look a little crazy. But that’s okay, because we’re about to…
Blend and finish. Dampen a foundation brush with a teeny tiny dab of foundation, and go all over the contour, blush, and highlight to blend the colours into the skin. So once you set your makeup with finishing powder, nothing will budge because the contour, blush, and highlight become a part of your foundation. (Doesn’t that make perfect sense?!)

Tip: To maintain a natural complexion after applying finishing powder, powder the T-zone only (forehead, down the nose, and chin). If you must set the rest of your face, simply dab a little bit of makeup sealer using a sponge.

Lips

Kevin James first applied a peachy tan lip on the model, but did not like it. The model blotted the colour off, and a coral lip was applied instead.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to change your mind. This shows that you care about your client and that you want them to look their best. This builds the client’s confidence and trust. There’s nothing worse than having the client see their artist raise an eyebrow, as if they are unsure if the makeup looks alright.

The Finished Look.

Pretty, yeah?

I hope that this was useful for those of you who wanted to come to the demo but couldn’t! Kevin James Bennett was so funny and entertaining, that learning so much was just an added bonus!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Looks, Makeup | Tags: IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2010, pro tips and tricks, Toronto

I have so many photos from IMATS that I have to break them up into three posts.  This first installation is my collective haul over the two days.

From FACE atelier:
Ultra Foundation in #6 Honey (my shade), $36
Ultra Foundation in #8 Caramel (smaller “Pro” size, for my sister Liza), $26
Lip Glaze in Prim Rose, $19

From Alcone:
Beauty Blender Sponge, $15

From Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics:
Lip Tar in Memento, $10
Lip Tar in Demure, $10

From Crown Brush:
2 x pink Lip Brushes — one for each OCC Lip Tar , $2.50 each
Italian Badger Angle Blush Brush IB106, $8.50
Large Pointed Powder Brush, $19

From Royal & Langnickel:
Silk Pro Complexion C185 Brush, $10

From Nigel Beauty Emporium:
Z-Palette, $20
(Contents not included! )

From Embryolisse:
Lait-Creme Concentre 30 ml, $10
Lotion Micellaire (Rinse-free Makeup Remover), $25

This year I went for quality — not quantity like last year’s haul — and I am very excited to play with my new goodies.  When I get my vanity reorganized, I will have some lip swatches for you, and of course reviews!  Anything in particular here you would like me to review?  Oh, and did you attend IMATS Toronto?  Share your haul in the comments!

Stay Tuned for More!

Can’t get enough of IMATS?  Stay tuned for more photos, my experience this year, as well as tips and tricks from Kevin James Bennett’s workshop on complexion!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Crown, Embryolisse, FACE atelier, Makeup, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Royal & Langnickel, Skincare | Tags: beauty spree, brushes, IMATS, IMATS Toronto 2010, lipgloss, lipstick, makeup remover, pink lips, primer, Toronto

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

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 know you’ve all been waiting for it!  Just kidding!  LOL.  Before I start this review, a few things about me and my previous foundation experiences:

1. I prefer liquid foundation over powder / mineral foundation (are you surprised?).
2. I have combination skin: oily on the cheeks and t-zone, dry around my nose.
3. I’m not looking for a heavy coverage foundation, so a natural finish and lightweight foundation is a must.
4. Because of that, I don’t usually wear foundation everyday.  I usually just spot conceal.

Other Things About FACE atelier Ultra Foundation

• It is silicone-based, and oil-free.
• It is designed to give a dewy, natural finish.
• FACE atelier is based in Canada!  Yay for Canadian brands!

Before I went to IMATS, I knew that one of the products I wanted to check out was FACE atelier Ultra Foundation, based on the recommendations by Joy @ MakeupJunkie.ca.  My summer tan has faded, so I needed a new foundation to match my skin tone.  So, before I start blabbering on further, let’s look at pictures!

Note: I am wearing under eye concealer in this shot.  I planned on going sans concealer, but realizing that I look like death without it, I turned to my fave under eye concealer theBalm Time Balm for a quick fix.

What’s your favourite Sunday morning pastime?
Mine’s taking makeup photos.  LOL.

A photo to show you the foundation’s consistency: very liquidy!

The Good

• This takes care of minor imperfections beautifully.  It covered darkness on the sides of my nose bridge, neutralizes the redness on my cheeks and forehead, and erases some pores on my nose.
• This foundation stays on all-day, until I take it off… my face wipes tell the truth.  This does not rub off on anything, even my iPhone.  I bet you don’t even need to set this with powder, because it doesn’t dry sticky to the touch.
• I’m not exaggerating: this feels like nothing on.  Except my skin looks better.
• The formula applies and blends like a dream.  One pump covers my whole face.  Just make sure you’re well moisturized.
• You can also bump up to a medium/medium-full coverage by stippling it on using a duo fibre skunk brush like the Quo Bronzing Powder Brush.  So, not only do you get a great sheer foundation, but also a fuller coverage when you need it!  And a confession: I can tell it is a heavier coverage because my foundation is actually too light for my skin .  That’s why we have bronzers right?

The Bad

• It is expensive at $45 for 1 oz, but the results are worth it in my opinion.
• … that’s it.

Finally…

This is a fantastic choice of foundation for those who are looking for sheer to medium coverage.  I am extremely pleased with this, and that cannot be said for all of the other foundations I have tried in the past.  I am giving this a spot in my holy grail of makeup products.  Rating: A+++++ (I’ve run out of +’s).

P.S.  You know I like a product when I write the longest review ever (EVARRR!).

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2009. | Permalink | 25 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: FACE atelier, Makeup, Reviews | Tags: foundation, holy grail, IMATS