Tag Archives: beautyblog

Jun 25 2020

Ordering Internationally from Makeup Geek (Matrix Palettes)

 

Makeup Geek parcel with make-up goodies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very first make-up tutorial I watched on YouTube was by Marlena Stell on her Makeup Geek site.  It was a white and green MAC eyeshadow look and I remember finding it so interesting as it was in the early days of make-up blogs and YouTube beauty videos.  Marlena started her own make-up brand (Makeup Geek) several years ago and the brand was recently re-branded and re-vamped earlier this year (2020).

One of the big releases as part of the Makeup Geek re-launch has been their Matrix system for eyeshadows (you can see Marlena’s videos on the Matrix system here and here).  I’ve seen several people on YouTube (and some blog posts) showcasing, swatching and reviewing the Makeup Geek Matrix Palettes.  They looked amazing and so I couldn’t resist ordering them to try myself, along with some other products from their range. 

Makeup Geek is based in the USA, so I had to place an international order to be shipped to Scotland, where I live.  I’ve only ever placed a small-ish order on the Tarte official site before, so this was my first experience of placing and receiving a large international order.

I thought it might be helpful to provide some information on my experience ordering from Makeup Geek, in case you are interested in what it’s like to place and receive an order if you live outside of the USA.   This post provides details on the following aspects: what I ordered; customs, duties, import and handling fees; delivery timescales; shipping options; parcel packaging; and customer service.  I’ve provided several photos as well so you can see how the parcel and all the contents were packaged.

I will try to get a post together on the Matrix Palettes, along with combination ideas for the eyeshadows, so stay tuned!

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May 6 2019

MAC Strobe Cream in Gold Lite

 

MAC Strobe Cream in Gold Lite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently purchased MAC Strobe Cream in Gold Lite after seeing the product used as part of a MAC Masterclass event (you can read more about the event here).  I thought it looked – and sounded like – an extremely versatile product when I saw it being showcased at the event.   I’ve read so much about this product being amazing in magazines and online, so I thought it would be fun to try it out myself.

I’m so pleased I decided to try it out as I have been enjoying using it so much! This product gives my face a subtle ‘lit from within’, glow, making it look incredibly healthy and naturally glowy.

The cream adds in a little extra moisture to my skin and absorbs quickly to leave a non-greasy, smooth, glowy finish. I think it is a great option for anyone who wants to add some extra radiance and moisture to their face without having any tackiness or too much dewiness.

There are five shades of Strobe Cream available, as well as a mini version of one shade (Pink Lite). The range of shades means you can choose whichever one you prefer or one which works well with your skin tone.

Interested in reading more about MAC products? You can find more articles on the site here and read my ‘Spotlight on MAC’ posts here.

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Jan 24 2019

Sneak Peek: New NYX, Bare Minerals and Stila Make-up!

 

 

NYX Swear By It Eyeshadow Palette (top), Bare Minerals Gen Nude Blush Trio and Blush Palette (bottom left), Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow (bottom, second to left), Bare Minerals Bare Pro Long Wear Lipsticks (bottom, three to the right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I purchased some new make-up goodies this week and am super excited to share them with you! I found some great deals online and couldn’t resist picking up these items.

I’m currently trying out the products and would love to hear if there are any you would like to hear about first! That will help me decide what order to work on and post the articles to the site.  I’ve summarised what I purchased below.

I’ve been seeing so many great reviews of the new NYX Swear By It Eyeshadow Palette and couldn’t wait to get it. The palette contains 40 eyeshadows in a variety of shades and finishes.  You can read my full post, view photos and see swatches of the palette here.

I’ve always wanted to try the Bare Minerals Gen Nude Blushers and came across this fantastic set on QVC.  There are three blushers and a brush included in the set, for £26 (plus £3.95 P&P).  I think that is a great price, considering the blushers cost £22 to purchase individually.

I’ve been wanting to try out the Stila Liquid Glitter and Glow Eyeshadows for so long and found a couple of reduced shades on Look Fantastic.  I ordered Sunset Cove to try and am looking forward to trying it out!

Bare Minerals just released their Bare Pro Long Wear Lipsticks and I have been curious to see what they are like.  There are so many beautiful shades that I found it hard to decide which ones to get.  I came across a set of three on QVC UK for £33 (plus £3.95 P&P), which is a great deal as the lipsticks cost £20 individually.

Have you tried any of these products? It would be great to read your thoughts on them.

Dec 6 2018

Lid Looks With MAC Shiny Pretty Things Eyeshadows

 

MAC Make A Wish Shiny Pretty Eyeshadow

MAC Major Win Shiny Pretty Eyeshadow

MAC Joy To Shiny Pretty Eyeshadow

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought it would be fun to post some simple looks showcasing the new MAC Shiny Pretty Eyeshadows I purchased recently (you can read my post on the MAC Shiny Pretty Eyeshadows with details, application tips, photos and swatches here).  Each of the three looks in this post showcases a different MAC Shiny Pretty Eyeshadow on the lid to illustrate the effect you can get with these products.

One thing worth mentioning is that the extreme sparkle, sheen and complexity in the shades shows up much more intensely in person than it does in the photos.  So you can expect much more sparkle and glitz with these products in person!

There are quite a few ways I can envisage using these products, whether you want a subtle pop of glitter or full on sparkle.  Let me know if you would like to see more look idea posts on how to use these eyeshadows! 

Interested in reading more about MAC products? You can find more articles on the site here and read my ‘Spotlight on MAC’ posts here.

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Nov 22 2018

Kiko Radiant Baked Blush in 02 About A Coral

Kiko Radiant Baked Blush in 02 About A Coral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently picked up Kiko Radiant Baked Blush in 02 About A Coral and have been enjoying wearing it so much.  This blusher gives such a radiant, natural flush to the cheeks and the lighter swirls add a subtle burst of luminosity. 

I think this blusher is so pretty for everyday and one that works well with a range of looks, from neutral, colourful and super smokey. 

I also think the Kiko Radiant Baked Blush is a great dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushers, as there are some similarities in terms of finish, glow and the overall look both products give to the cheeks.

Interested in reading about other Kiko products? You can read my other articles, see photos and view swatches of Kiko products on the site here.

 

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Nov 5 2018

The Chocolate Series (Updated!)

 

Blueberry Chocolate

Caramel Chocolate

Mint Chocolate

 

 

 

 

 

Plum Chocolate

Cherry Chocolate

 

 

 

 

 

 

I put together The Chocolate Series back in 2015 to show how experimenting with a different lid colour could easily change up an existing look.  I thought it would be fun to re-do the series by updating the close-up of eye photos, adding in full face photos and giving suggestions for cheek and lip colours for each look. 

This post provides a short summary of each look and two face photos for each combination.  You can also click on the links for each look to view more details on how to re-create that particular look and see what cheek and lip products I used.

For all looks, I used medium and deep chocolate browns in the crease, a pale pink-nude to highlight and the same application technique.  I used the Urban Decay Vice 3 palette to create these looks but you can use any brand of eyeshadow you like which has similar shades.

If you are interested in how these combinations look on other people, then I’d recommend taking a look at @shinebridabeauty on Instagram! @shinebridabeauty tagged me to show she was inspired by The Chocolate Series and re-created the looks on her Instagram page.  It’s so wonderful to see the combinations on someone else.  @shinebridabeauty also uses different products, which that you don’t need the same items to re-create a look.  She also came up with her own extra Chocolate look – Coconut Chocolate – so look out for that one on her Instagram page!

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Apr 1 2015

Plum Chocolate (Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette)

 

Plum Chocolate

Plum Chocolate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this look, I used a deep purple eyeshadow with medium and deep chocolate browns in the crease to create a soft, colourful smokey eye.  I used the Urban Decay Vice 3 palette to create this look but you can use any brand of eyeshadow you like which has similar shades.

This look is part of The Chocolate series, which shows how you can experiment with a different lid colour to change up an existing look.  You can find the full Chocolate series here.

If you are interested in how these combinations look on other people, then I’d recommend taking a look at @shinebridabeauty on Instagram! @shinebridabeauty tagged me to show she was inspired by The Chocolate Series and re-created the looks on her Instagram page.  It’s so wonderful to see the combinations on someone else.  @shinebridabeauty also uses different products, which that you don’t need the same items to re-create a look.  She also came up with her own extra Chocolate look – Coconut Chocolate – so look out for that one on her Instagram page!

Here’s how to re-create this look:

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Feb 4 2015

Blueberry Chocolate (Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette)

 

Blueberry Chocolate

Blueberry Chocolate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this look, I used shimmery, bright jewel blue on the lid for a pretty flash of colour.  Combining brightly coloured eyeshadows with medium and deep chocolate browns in the crease is one of my favourite ways of wearing colour in a smokey, yet tasteful manner.  I used the Urban Decay Vice 3 palette to create this look but you can use any brand of eyeshadow you like which has similar shades.

This look is part of The Chocolate series, which shows how you can experiment with a different lid colour to change up an existing look.  You can find The Chocolate series here.

If you are interested in how these combinations look on other people, then I’d recommend taking a look at @shinebridabeauty on Instagram! @shinebridabeauty tagged me to show she was inspired by The Chocolate Series and re-created the looks on her Instagram page.  It’s so wonderful to see the combinations on someone else.  @shinebridabeauty also uses different products, which that you don’t need the same items to re-create a look.  She also came up with her own extra Chocolate look – Coconut Chocolate – so look out for that one on her Instagram page!

Here’s how to re-create this look:

Continue reading →