Makeup Geek Eyeshadows: Swatches & Review

Hey loves! Today I am bringing you my thoughts on the Makeup Geek eyeshadows that I own. When choosing single eyeshadows to purchase, I like to think about what shades I don't already own, and which shadows would be nice to have in my collection. (Which is quite tough, since I love palettes!) However, Makeup Geek shadows have continued to amaze me with their pigmentation, creamy texture, and uniqueness in shade range. While I am always drawn to warm neutrals, these particular shadows are much different than any shadows in any of the Naked palettes or even the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty palette. I own 10 individual shadows from Makeup Geek and have thoroughly been enjoying them all. Take a peek...

Beautiful pigmentation

Unique shade range of gorgeous neutrals

Shimmer & matte shades are equally creamy

Left to right: Shimma Shimma, Cosmopolitan, Homecoming, Moondust, Prom Night,
Peach Smoothie, Creme Brûlée, Frappe, Taupe Notch, Last Dance

Beautiful, right? Marlena has done an amazing job formulating these shadows. She has over 60 exclusive shades, each of which are very unique. Not to mention, the price point is amazing. These are MAC quality eye shadows (if not better) but sold for a fraction of the price. ($15 vs. $5.99) You can purchase these shadows from Makeup Geek. They are sold in pan or compact form. I chose to put mine in a Z Palette, which can also be purchased from Makeup Geek's website. I highly recommend these shadows!

Have you checked out Makeup Geek yet? What shades are your favorite?

XO, Carrie

[editors note: these photos are taken with my new camera. i finally am a proud owner of a Nikon DSLR camera!]

Buying Guide: 24 Products for the Beauty Obsessed

THE TRUTH

I can't hardly begin to tell you how many times I have been asked what my all time favorite       is when it comes to beauty products. "What item of makeup could you never live without?" Unfortunately, there is never one magical, gleaming answer that will leave any given person feeling satisfied, as if they have been lead on to some big secret. Honestly, no product is "one size fits all" or a product that would be "holy grail" for each and every single one of us. So today I am here to give you advice for purchasing makeup & forming an appropriate makeup collection suitable to YOU!

This list breaks down the 24 things I think all beauty obsessed gals should be able to find in their makeup bag. These things will allow you to create any given makeup look, any day of the week, at any hour without carrying a 20 lb. trunk of supplies. This guide is to help budget and help decipher what is essential and what is not. 

THE LIST 

1. Moisturizer- suitable to your skins needs
2. Foundation- liquid or powder- with a finish and coverage that you enjoy on a day to day basis
3. Powder- translucent to set all of your foundation and concealer
4. Under eye concealer- in a shade or two lighter than your skin to brighten and color correct
5. Blemish concealer- in a shade that matches your skin to cover acne marks and discoloration
6. Bronzer- a matte powder that can double as an all-over bronzer and a contour shade
7. Blush- in a wearable, everyday shade (i.e. NARS Madly)
8. Eyebrow pencil- a shade or two lighter than your eyebrow hairs
9. Eyeshadow primer- somethings your shadow can stick to
10. Versatile eyeshadow palette- a shade range that can give you any look, day & night
11. Eyeliner- liquid or pencil- black or brown
12. Mascara- buildable, volumizing formula in black or brown black
13. Chapstick or lip conditioner- essential for locking in moisture
14. Lipstick- for whatever mood you are feeling
15. Lip gloss- a shade that looks good with any look
16. Foundation brush or sponge- for an even, flawless application 
17. Powder brush- large and fluffy to lightly and evenly distribute product
18. Bronzer brush- medium sized and somewhat dense to sweep color onto key places of the face
19. Blush brush- angled and soft to give your cheeks a flush of color
20. Eyeshadow brush(es)- you choose how many you need for each function
21. Tweezer- you never know when you might want to get rid of a stray hair
22. Small scissors- this will come in handy for than you know
23. Spooly- for combing out brows and lashes
24. Eyelash curler (optional)- curling your lashes help to open your eyes

BUYING TIPS

TIP #1: Every time you watch a YT video or skim a magazine and see something you might be interested in, type it down in your phone. Over time, your list will grow, often times, leading to duplicates of things you might like to try. If you continually see you want to try a coral lip and a golden highlighter, those are the perfect things for you to eventually purchase. This will help prevent you from purchasing too many products you might not need in your collection. (For those who aren't beauty hoarders anyway.) 

TIP #2: Go with your gut! I once was on the hunt for the perfect rose lipstick. There was a perfect shade by NARS that put a smile on my face when I applied it. But, I opted to seek a cheaper alternative and came home with, what I thought was a dupe, from the drugstore for about $7. I soon found it wasn't what I wanted and went on the hunt for other dupes. After several purchases, I realized I had already spend as much as the perfect option from NARS would have cost me. Lesson learned. 

TIP #3: If you have a large collection of makeup, learn to rotate the products you are using frequently. This will help you to use up more product and also help you preserve those coveted items you have, rather than using them up right away. It can be fun to save certain items for "special occasions"!


XO, Carrie

picture via pinterest

When to Say Goodbye

Recently, I was thinking about how long products are safe to use after they have been opened. We all have those products that are shoved back in our drawers and have been lurking around in our makeup baskets for a LONG time, but what is stopping us from throwing them out? Maybe it's because we feel like we are wasting money, or maybe it's because we think we might need that product one day in the future. However, products across the board DO have shelf lives even though most packaging doesn't list an expiration date. Long story short, a products clock is ticking once it's opened due to exposure to air, bacteria, etc. So it's up to us to know when to muster up the courage and say goodbye!

If a product seems to be discolored, runny or lumpy, separated, has a strange odor, or feels different on the skin than when previously used, then it should be thrown out. Because, lets be real, you shouldn't want to use something funky on your skin... 

Here are some general guidelines (varies based on usage, storage, climate condition, etc.):

• Mascara: 4-6 months, toss when dry (don't add water)
• Foundation: 1 year
• Moisturizer: 6 months - 1 year
• Powder/ Pressed items: 2-3 years 
• Lip stick/ liner: 2-3 years
• Lip gloss: 2 years

How to make your products last:

• Store products in a cabinet or in drawers
• Don't store in direct sunlight 
• Tighten caps or lids after use
• Don't add water (or saliva) to thin out or remoisten products 
• Abide to expirations dates available (sunscreen, retinol products, etc.)
• Don't "pump" your mascara- excess oxygen will shorten its life
• Check seals when purchasing

Spring cleaning is around the corner. Here's your chance to get a head start! :)

image via 

How to Choose Skincare Products

These two steps are key. Knowing your skin type (which isn't too hard to figure out) and what concerns you want to focus on will make it easier to find products suitable for you. [Different products & treatments are typically made specific for target concerns and particular skin types, so buy them appropriately.]

Sephora is a great resource for narrowing down what products you should consider and maybe give a go. Everything is well organized, and they even offer a little Skin IQ quiz that will assist you in making choices. 

BUT you are not confined to only high end skincare! The drug store is filled with great products as well. Use the guide from Sephora to find out the active ingredients in items you think might work for you, and then hunt similar products down in the drug store! (I did this for acne spot treatments that contain salicylic acid.)

For a standard skincare regime, I would recommend these steps for morning & night, regardless of skin type:

1: Cleanse

2: Exfoliate (3 x weekly)*

3. Tone/ Treatments

4: Mask (at night 2 x weekly)

5: Moisturize (with SPF in the morning)

*Clarisonics can be used daily and don't have to fall under "exfoliate". If you use a Clairsonic daily, you can use a different scrub 3 x weekly following cleansing.

--Extra Info--

Just because a product works great for your friend or your favorite beauty guru, doesn't mean it will work for you. However, just because you don't see immediate results doesn't mean the product doesn't work. Give the products a couples weeks before discontinuing use. 

Be kind to your skin! First and foremost, wash your face before bed every night. Even if you are feeling lazy or you get home late and want to go right to bed, at least gently use a makeup remover wipe or a hot wash cloth. It takes 30 seconds of effort and is better than sleeping on a full face of makeup. Secondly, let your skin breathe! Don't be afraid to have at least one no-makeup day each week. And third, drink lots of H2O. Hydration nation, ladies! ;)

I hope this was helpful! Look for more skincare posts soon!

via Sephora

"You've Got Me Blushing": A Valentine's Look

I've put together a sweet and romantic look for this special Valentine's weekend. 

To get the look, here are the steps!

1. Apply your favorite foundation. 

Try a satin or luminous finish for a radiance effect.

2. Conceal, highlight, contour, and powder... Whatever you do to look fab!

3. Prime eyes! This is essential for keeping your shadow perfect all night.

4. I've created a guide above for you for eyeshadow steps. Follow the numbers above.

1. All over the lid

2. Crease/Transition shade

3. Center of lid for a pop

4. Outer corner for definition

5. Inner corner and on brow bone for highlight

You don't need to own Naked3 for this look! Use similar warm shades you already own!

5. Fill in and set brows.

A brow gel gives the brows back that natural look of hair.

6. Bronze up your face for some extra glow.

7. Apply a sweep of a gorgeous rosy/coral blush on the apples of your 

cheeks for a 'just pinched' look.

8. Apply a few individual false lashes to the outer corners of your lashes for some extra, yet subtle drama! (This is great for you gals who don't apply lashes often.)

Use a tweezers for the most precise application.

9. Use your favorite mascara to finish the eyes. 

10. Last but not least, use a nude-pink lipstick with a gloss over top 

to accentuate your pout!

Try Angel by MAC (shown above) & see why Kim K. made it famous!

And voila!!

There you have a romantic, sweetheart look for an evening out.

If you try this look out, be sure to tag me in your pic so I can see! :)

XO, Carrie

Step-by-Step Defined & Natural Makeup

Due to many requests (exciting!!!), today I am bringing you a closer look at how I accomplish a defined, yet natural makeup look. No, I am not naked... I wear a towel wrap after I shower, while I get ready :/ I took the pictures in natural light. 

See all the steps here:

1. Start with a clean and moisturized face. (Yes, my hair is in a silly turban.)

2. Apply your favorite foundation to create a clean canvas.

I chose a medium coverage and natural finish.

3. Apply a highlighting concealer to areas you want to bring forward.

Apply a cream contour to areas you want to recede. 

4. Blend everything out with a damp beauty sponge.

Set under eye area and t-zone with a fine powder.

5. Fill in brows for definition and add blush for a healthy glow.

6. Apply eyeshadow of choice and mascara.

Here's a close up of the finished look-- very clean, simple, and natural!

Ready to go!! :)

PRODUCTS USED:

Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation (shade 20 beige)

Bare Minerals Stroke of Light illuminating concealer 

Maybelline FIT me foundation stick (as contour-330)

MAC Studio Finish concealer (on blemishes-NW25)

Hourglass Diffused Light (to set under eye area)

Hourglass Dim Light (to set rest of face)

Anastasia Brow Wiz- Caramel

Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara (to set brows)

Benefit Rockateur blush

NYC Smooth Skin bronzer- Sunny

Rimmel Scandaleyes eye kohl- 005 nude (under brow and on water line to brighten)

NARS eyeshadow duo- Alhambra (used both shades all over lid)

NARS gloss- Chihuahua 

Revlon Grow Luscious plumping mascara

Camo tee- Target

I hope this was helpful!

XO, Carrie