Tag Archives: palettes

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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Apr 11 2019

Kiko ‘Green Me Collection’: 02 Feisty Saffron Eyeshadow Palette (re-released in 2019)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last year, I posted about the Kiko 02 Feisty Saffron Eyeshadow Palette, which was part of Kiko’s limited edition ‘Green Me’ collection. Kiko has released the Green Me collection again this year and included the 02 Feisty Saffron Palette.  I thought it would be helpful to flag up my post from last year, in case you are considering purchasing this palette.  I thought that this palette was a great smaller and cheaper alternative to Urban Decay’s Naked Heat Palette and Tarte’s Toasted Palette.  

Last year’s post included a sneak peek of products I picked up from a recent trip to Kiko.  Click here to see the post.

Interested in reading about other Kiko products? You can find my other Kiko posts here or by going into Faves, Hauls & Brands/Brands/Kiko on the menu bar.

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Oct 18 2018

Black and Gold (Using Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Palette)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to do something different in terms of eyeshadow placement and colour combinations and came up with this look.  I used bright gold and black from the Urban Decay Vice XX Ltd Reloaded Palette to create a strong, contrasting effect on the eyes.  The black is meant to be very defined in this look, which is why I haven’t blended it out or softened the edges. 

To complement the look: I used The Balm Greatest Hits Volume 2 In The Balm of Your Hand Palette for bronzer, brusher and highlighter.  I finished off the look with MAC Syrup on the lips.

You can see more looks using the Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Palette here.

You can read more about the Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Palette, see photos and view swatches here.

Here’s how to re-create this look:

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Sep 6 2018

Makeup Revolution The Emily Edit: ‘The Needs’ Palette

 

Makeup Revolution The Emily Edit: The Needs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned in my recent ‘sneak peek’ post (you can see the post here) that one of my favourite YouTubers, EmilyNoel83, has launched two palettes, in collaboration with MakeupRevolution.  The two palettes – The Wants and The Needs – are amazing and I have really been enjoying playing with them.

Today’s post features ‘The Needs’, an ‘all-in-one’ palette which contains everyday essentials for quick and easy make-up.  

I think this palette ticks all the boxes for anyone who wants to streamline their make-up application, have everything to hand in one place or have a travel friendly option.  The design of the palette, along with the enclosed products, make every day make-up so much easier – and quicker – to navigate.  Whether you are a fan of Emily or just someone who wants to make their make-up process more seamless, I think this product is amazing! It’s also at a great price point – £10 – so it’s a great way to try out a variety of different products!

You can read my post on The Wants Palette here.

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Aug 9 2018

Bold Green and Canary Yellow (Using Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I felt like wearing a really bold, colourful look and pulled out my Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette for some inspiration.  The UD Full Spectrum Palette has lots of bright colours and I decided to concentrate on the green, yellow and blues shades.

To complement the look I used: Makeup Revolution Spice Blusher Palette (first shade on the top left) and Kiko Glow Fusion Powder Highlighter in 01 Champagne to highlight the cheekbones (click here to read more about the Kiko highlighter).

Looking for more combination ideas using the Urban Decay Full Spectrum Palette? You can see more looks on the site here.  You can also search for looks using various palettes featured on the site under ‘Eyeshadow Combo Ideas’/’Palettes’ on the menu bar.

Here’s how to re-create this look:

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Aug 2 2018

Hot Magenta and Black (Using Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve really been enjoying dipping back into palettes that I purchased a while ago (from Urban Decay, Kat Von D and Too Faced) as it can be so easy to get sidetracked by all the new releases.  I really love the bold pops of colour and smokier tones in the Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette and came up with this magenta and black eyeshadow combination.

To complement the look I used: MAC Blusher in Melba (matte peach) and MAC Huggable Lip Colour in Fresh and Frisky (light coral-peach).

Looking for more eyeshadow combination ideas using the Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette? You can view various looks on the site here. 

You can also get ideas for eyeshadow combinations using various palettes from different brands under Eyeshadow Combo Ideas/Palettes Series on the menu bar.

Here’s how to re-create this look:

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Jul 23 2018

B and M Discount Store Bargain: NYX Sweet Cheeks Blush Palette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently found and purchased the NYX Sweet Cheeks Blush Palette from B&M for only £5.99, with a usual RRP of £17.99.  I’ve always looked at this particular powder blusher palette in Boots and so it was fantastic being able to get it at a fraction of the price! The palette contains a wide range of shades, so it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to try out a range of different colours, for travelling or if you are just starting out in make-up.

Stay tuned for a post on the NYX Plush Gel Lipsticks! I found a triple pack of Plush Gel Lipsticks for only £6.99 in Watt Brothers, which is the usual RRP price for just one lipstick!

You can find more posts on the site featuring NYX make-up here.  You can also search for make-up posts on the site featuring various brands under ‘Faves, Hauls & Brands’/’Brands’ on the site menu bar.

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Apr 16 2018

New Series: Spotlight on MAC!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve always loved make-up but 2005 was when I discovered MAC and a whole new world of colour, combinations and general make-up excitement opened up to me.  Back then, MAC was one of the major make-up brands that regularly featured on make-up blogs and YouTube.  I remember reading post after post about their products, looking at swatches online and seeking out combination ideas.  I regularly visited the MAC counter in my area and started building up my MAC eyeshadow collection. 

Since then, so many new make-up brands have come on the scene and I feel like MAC perhaps doesn’t get the same sort of attention or coverage that it used to get.  Recently, I’ve been going back to my MAC self-made eyeshadow palettes and have really fallen in love with them again.  I think it can be really easy to overlook or forget about favourite products from the past when the new, exciting, shiny products come out, particularly all of the new palettes that are launched these days.  

There’s a reason why I used to love MAC sooooo much back in the day – especially their eyeshadows.  The pigment is generally fantastic, the eyeshadows last really well and the colour range available is amazing.  It’s been so much fun re-discovering my love for their eyeshadows and the brand in general all over again.

Soooooo, that got me thinking.  I thought it would be fun to start a new series on my site called ‘Spotlight on MAC’.  My aim with the series is to showcase looks using MAC eyeshadows, feature various products and introduce you to MAC as a brand if you haven’t used their products before.  I think the series will also encourage me to experiment with my MAC eyeshadow palettes again.

I’m planning on uploading posts to the ‘Spotlight on MAC’ series from next week, so stay tuned for these posts in the coming weeks!

Apr 14 2018

Kiko Glow Fusion Powder Highlighter in 01 Champagne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a sneak peek of products I picked up from a recent trip to Kiko (click here to see the post).  As part of the ‘Metal Fusion’ collection, there are powder highlighters which are also available in the permanent Kiko range.  I already have the Glow Fusion Powder Highlighter in 01 Champagne, which was included in the ‘Metal Fusion’ collection.  This highlighter gives such a beautiful, natural glow to the face that I think it is well worth a post!

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Apr 7 2018

Kiko Metal Fusion Blush in 05 Outrageous Tangerine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a sneak peek of products I picked up from a recent trip to Kiko (click here to see the post).  I picked up one of the new blushers from the limited edition ‘Metal Fusion’ collection in the shade 05 Outrageous Tangerine.  I am glad I got this blusher as it looks so beautiful and glowy on the cheeks!  

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