Tag Archives: USA

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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Aug 16 2018

The Cosmetics Company Store: Clinique and MAC Goodies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month, I visited the Livingston Designer Retail Outlet and picked up some goodies from ‘Cosmetic Company Store’.  If you live in the USA, you may have seen The Cosmetic Company Stores.  The CCS sells premium make-up at reduced prices from brands and now has outlets across the UK.

The CCS sells premium make-up at reduced prices from brands within the Estee Lauder group (including MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Smashbox and Tom Ford, to name but a few).  The products are genuine and there is nothing wrong with them.  They tend to be those from limited edition ranges, surplus stock from existing ranges and shades which are being phased out by the make-up brands.

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Apr 9 2018

Sneak Peek: Boots Make-up 3 for 2 Haul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, I spent some time browsing the make-up counters in Boots as I really fancied checking out the new Spring time offerings.  Boots had a ‘3 for 2’ deal on and I ended up picking up various new make-up items.  I got some products from ranges I have tried before and other items which are new to me.

I am planning on writing more detailed posts on each of these items in the coming weeks once I have had a chance to try them out.  Look out for posts coming soon!

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Jan 29 2017

#4 Make-Up News

 

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Here is some new make-up news for this week:

Benefit is launching a new boxed powder blush! The newest offering in the range will be Galifornia, which is described as a ‘sunny golden pink blusher’.  The idea behind the shade is that it captures the glow of the ‘Californian sunshine in a box’.  Benefit’s boxed blushers usually feature different scents and this one is no different.  Galifornia is said to feature notes of pink grapefruit and vanilla.  According to the official Benefit UK pages, Galifornia will be released on 11 February.  Can’t wait to check this one out as I have a weakness for pink blushers with gold hues! You can read more on the official Benefit UK pages here.

Jerrod Blandino recently posted a sneak peek of Too Faced’s new Love Light Highlighters on his Instagram page.  The highlighters follow Too Faced’s classic heart shaped design for cheek products but this time, come in metallic looking compacts.  I love highlighters, so I can’t wait to check these out! The launch date is advertised as March 2017 so I imagine these will follow in the UK later in the year.  You can see the sneak peek photo here.

Urban Decay has just released a new line called Vice Liquid Lipsticks.  There are 30 shades available across two different finishes: Metallized and Comfort Matte.  The liquid lipsticks are currently available in the USA (click here to see more on the official UD site).  I don’t currently have information on when these will be available in the UK but I will update this post when I find out.  

If you are a fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s cult lip liner Pillow Talk, you might be excited to hear she has released a Matte Revolution lipstick in the same shade.  Exciting if you are a lover of this nude-pink liner and want to colour your pout with a matching lip colour! You can find Pillow Talk lipstick here.

Charlotte Tilbury has also released another new lipstick shade, with the name suggested by social media followers: K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in ‘Valentine’.  Valentine is described as a ‘petal-rose’ pink which gives you a soft, full and kissable looking pout on application.  You can find Valentine lipstick here.

MAC is coming out with a number of colourful lip and lash product offerings for Spring 2017.  The ‘In Extra Dimension Mascara’ launch includes vibrant and colourful mascara colours, ranging from yellow, orange, red, blue and green.  You can read more, see photos and see swatches on ChicProfile.com here.  The ‘ColourRocker’ launch contains 28 vibrant matte lipsticks, ranging from yellows, pinks, greens, teals, greys and blacks.  You can read more on Temptalia here.

Do you like this sort of post? Any types of launches, make-up ranges or products you would like to read more about? Let me know in the comments section.

Oct 2 2016

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Lip Paints

 

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Maybelline recently released the Color Drama Intense Lip Paints in the UK (aka Color Jolt Intense Lip Paints in the USA) and they have quickly become a favourite of mine.  The lip paints are smooth, pigmented and feel so light on the lips.  I think they are a good dupe for the Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks – just as pigmented but at a fraction of the price.  Click here to read my post comparing the Maybelline and Too Faced products.

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