Brand Focus: Makeup Geek

Makeup Geek

https://www.makeupgeek.com/

When it comes to makeup, YouTube and Instagram are great places to find new trends and indie companies. Makeup Geek (MUG), is a Social Media Brand that became hugely popular due to Marlena and her YouTube makeup channel, Makeup Geek. 

 From the beginning, Marlena's bubbly personality, provided educational tutorials, whilst developing her online store, which then progressed into producing beautiful shadows. She used her successful platform and built in customers to expand her fledgling beauty company . With quality shadows and a fantastic price point ($6 US per eye shadow), MUG has exploded and continues to expand its customer base and product line. Some believe that M.A.C actually lowered their eye shadow prices due to MUG's rise in popularity. 

Her product line includes 

Shadows: mattes, satins, shimmers, duochromes $6 US  1.8g

                Foil eye shadow $10 US  1.8g

Blushes $10 US  4.25g

Contour powder $10 US 4.25g

Eye liner Pencil $9 1.2 g
Gel eyeliners $9.99 US 3g

Pigments $8.99 US 2g

Sparklers (glitter) $10 US 4g

brushes $8.50-18 US are synthetic

Shipping to Canada - $5.99

Talc and Paraben Free, Cruelty Free and many colours are Vegan. Made in the USA

barcelona beach- great transition,crease and all over colour

beaches and cream - all over colour and transition

brownie points -crease,outer v colour

cherry cola -crease,outer v and smokey eye

cosmopolitan - movable lid, spotlight colour

dirty martini - smokey, outer v colour

creme brulee - transition colour

enchanted forest - outer v and smokey colour

mirage- all over lid, highlight

moondust - outer v, spotlight colour

peach smoothie- all over lid, crease,and transition colour

preppy -transition, all over lid, crease colour

pretentious- outer v, spotlight colour, smokey bronze 

secret garden- outer v, all over smokey colour

shimma shimma - highlight and spotlight colour

shore thing- all over lid, spotlight colour, inner corner highlight

steampunk- smokey eye, outer v

vanilla bean- all over lid, highlight and spotlight colour

bada bing- outer v, smokey, and crease colour

Okay, now for my review. Let me preface this with that MUG has spoiled us with such good quality shadows, that when other colours are not at the same standard, they stick out. That isn't to say they are not good, they just do not measure up to the others. Even though, I had the most trouble with her mattes, I feel they are one of the best formulations out there. While, the majority of the colours I purchased are creamy,  they easily blend and are highly pigmented, there are a few that need some work.


Dirty Martini- olive green matte. It a little stiff and harder to blend. It can be a little patchy.
Enchanted Forest - dark blackened forest green matte - stiff, hard to blend and you need use a few layer to get the rich dark colour.
Peach Smoothie - light peach beige matte - I found this a little chalky and I needed to build up the colour.
Cherry Cola - deep cherry brown matte - need to build and slightly hard to blend.

Shore Thing - mint aqua matte - chalky, need to build. 

Makeup Goodies- Natasha Denona, MUG, Sugar Pill, M.A.C, NYX | The Painte...

The Painted Lip

Review: MAC Pro Beyond Twisted Mascara

When I find something that works for me, I generally do not waiver, especially when it comes to mascara. My love for M.A.C's Opulash and Extended Play Gigablack, is well documented. So, when I ventured to the M.A.C. store and saw they had a new mascara displayed, I was tentative to try it. However, me being me, had to see what made this one special.

Wand -check, brush- check. However, on further inspection, M.A.C decided to be innovative and make the neck of the wand flexible. Yes, it bends up to 90 degree. It is comprised of a flexible metal-like neck with a fairly long brush head with very short bristles. The bristles are not plastic and remind me of Maybelline's Lash discovery.  Never really thought I needed a malleable mascara wand, but obviously it is an issue we face with mascara application. Who knew?!

So, I took it home, and gave my little genius friend a try. Here are my thoughts:

The formula is wet and very black. However, I have to scrape the majority off the bristles. Have I mentioned I am not a fan of the clumpy lash look? Not scraping this, will give you that if  you desire it. Pour moi, no thanks. It definitely defines the lashes and lengthens them a bit. According to M.A.C it is also suppose to lift and curl the lashes. Nope, cannot agree with that and in fact, it doesn't hold the curl I have. However, because of the spiffy new wand, I am able to apply product to the base of my lashes.

Price: $27 Cdn.

Liquid Lipstick Part 2.

For the last 2 years, liquid lipsticks have been one of the most popular products. To the point, that it is hard to get through an instagram feed without a mention of Gerard Cosmetics, Jeffree Star ,Dose of Colors or LaSplash Lip Couture. Also, beauty giants like L'oreal, Maybelline, MAC, among others have finally introduced their versions. 

I am not an avid lipstick chick, but when I do apply a little colour, I want it to last and be comfortable.  Since my last post, I have tried more formulas from Indie brands and honestly, some of these are the best out there. 

Makeup Monsters Cosmetics  

http://www.makeupmonsters.net/

Amount: 6ml

Price: $15.95 US - from Washington State

Texture: Light, thin, liquid formula.

Top to bottom Flutter, Heavy Artillery, Muddled.

Thoughts: Layers nicely. Highly pigmented. 

Lasts for about 6 hours - not oil proof, but mostly transfer resistant. 

Vegan and Cruelty free

Their Claims:

4-12 hours wear - depending on routine

Our unique touchproof formula was designed on the idea that no one should have to sacrifice comfort for durability. Our thin and lightweight formula is different from any other brand out there bringing comfortable wear while giving a pigmented and long lasting touchproof look. 

Jeffree Star Cosmetics

Left to Right Redrum and Abused

http://jeffreestarcosmetics.com/

Amount: 5.6ml

Price: $18 US

Texutre: Light, thin liquid

Thoughts: Pigmented,  non drying. Easily layers. 
Not oil proof but mostly transfer resistant

Vegan and Cruelty Free

Their claims:

Our liquid lipstick goes on opaque, dries completely matte and stays on for hours! This product is 100% vegan & cruelty-free!(tips before use: exfoliate with lip scrub then apply to bare lips! avoid food with oil… and no making out, kisses are ok!)

LASplash 

http://www.lasplashcosmetics.ca/

Amount: 3 ml

Price: $18.95 Cdn

Texutre: Very liquid, layers moderately and very drying.

Left to right Ghoulish, Sirius, Venom, Nagini, Charmed

Thoughts: Lasts for at least 8 hours, but crumbles and hard to remove, very drying

Their claims:
Lip Couture's rich waterproof shades will leave a velvety, matte finish that never transfers. Experiment with our boldest high pigmented shades -- from neutral to solid black. With its innovative formula that glides on as liquid and dries matte, you are sure to turn heads! Use the Lip Couture Remover to effortlessly remove the lipstick and leave your lips super moisturized and cushiony soft.

Bathe your lips in intense color! The Smitten LipTint Mousse seals color on the lips for a waterproof, smudge-proof result that will not transfer or fade. Its innovative weightless formula glides on effortlessly over lips, laying down bold vibrant color with exceptional longevity and feels feather-light over the lips. When applied, the initial liquid texture immediately dries to a velvet matte, lightweight tint. The angled, dense sponge applicator makes applying the lipstick fast and easy, and precise application

Maybelline Vivid Mattes

Amount: 7.7ml

Price: $11.99 Cdn

Texture: Creamy, liquid does not dry to matte or fully dry down. 

left to right Nude Flush and Vivid Violet

Thoughts: smooth application except Vivid Violet is patchy, comfortable as it doesn't fully dry, transfers, not a true matte

Transfers

Their Claims:

Mattes go vivid
Infused with pure pigments for high-impact colour
Lip color glides on smooth to a matte finish

NYX Lingerie

http://www.nyxcosmetics.ca/en_CA/lip-lingerie-lipgloss/NYX_237.html?cgid=lipstick#start=1&cgid=lipstick

Amount: 4ml

top to bottom Honeymoon and Lace Detail

Price: $9.00 Cdn

Texture: light, mousse texture.

Thoughts: smooth application, transfers, good number of nude colours, comfortable. 

Cruelty Free

Too Faced Melted Matte

http://www.sephora.com/melted-matte-liquified-long-wear-matte-lipstick-P407636?skuId=1789411&icid2=search_search_p407636_image

Amount: 7ml

Queen B

Price: $25 Cdn

Texture: light, liquid texture. Layers well. 

Thoughts: short longevity, removes easily, moderate transfer, comfortable on the lips. 

Without:

- Parabens 
- Sulfates 
- Phthalates 

Their Claims:

Too Faced’s innovative formula glides onto lips like a gloss but dries to an ultra-matte, opaque finish. Melted Matte ensures that your lip color always looks rich, full, and kissable—and is never dry, shriveled, or cracked. The doe-foot applicator comfortably coats lips in bursts of intense, vivid matte color that lasts for hours. It’s infused with Volulip for a no-sting plumping and smoothing effect and antioxidant-rich avocado oil and vitamin E to moisturize, while hyaluronic filling spheres smooth the look of lip lines. It comfortably coats lips with a wash of intense, high-impact, super-saturated color that lasts for hours.

M.A.C. Retro Matte Liquid Lip

http://www.maccosmetics.ca/product/13854/37620/Products/Makeup/Lips/Lipstick/Retro-Matte-Liquid-Lipcolour

Left to right:  To Matte With Love, Lady Be Good,
Feels so Grand, High Drama, Oh Lady

Amount: 5ml

Price: $24

Texture: light, thicker liquid. 

Thoughts: Wears evenly and stains lips, lack of colour choices, dark colours are patchy. 

Their Claims;

Long-wearing, eight hours
Colour wears evenly and smoothly, eight hours
Provides stay-true colour, eight hours
Non-feathering, non-bleeding"

My favourite liquid lipstick is Makeup Monsters. With its light, liquid texture and durability, this is truly a great formulation and company.  I love the range of colours - blue, pinks, greens and nudes. 

Foundations I am Loving

So I am a foundation trollop. I will admit it, I love me some good base. I probably have about nine foundations on the go. It can be drugstore or high end,however in order to make it into my foundation drawer,  it needs to satisfy my little list of criteria: perfect colour, goes on smoothly, doesn't sink into my pores and makes my skin look flawless. No big deal, right?

My current loves include:

• Koh Gen Do  Aqua Foundation
• Dior Skin Air Nude Serum
• YSL Fusion Ink
• Dior Airflash

I have fairly normal skin that can become dehydrated and now with the warmer months approaching my skin can be a little oily. While I haven't tested some of these in the humid summer months, there are others that just rock no matter.

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

This little bitch is expensive, we are talking $74 Cdn. Thank God for VIB sales. However, it goes on smoothly, gives me a healthy glow without making me look like an oil slick, contains great skin ingredients and is a perfect colour match.
The down side is its accessibility. It isn't found in Canada and the only way to purchase it, is through Sephora. Although Sephora delivers to Canada, you can't touch it and try your shade. I had to look at swatches and guess. If you live in the States, Koh Gen Do will provide you with samples.

Dior Skin Air Nude Serum

The texture and consistency is part of the new trend that you can find in YSL Infusion Ink. It is extremely liquid and thin but has good coverage. It is a demi matte and my freckles still show. It blends easily and doesn't sink into my pores. I like to use my primer water and my fingers to apply.


Dior Skin AirFlash

I haven't heard much about this aerosol spray foundation and I have had it for about 2 years now. I think it is one of the best foundations out there. Other than the lack of shades, this is kind of the perfect foundation. I always receive compliments when I wear it. I like to use a regular foundation brush and then apply it to the face. Please dear god do not spray it directly from the can to your face. Good way to get it in your hair and eye brows. At $50 Cdn it isn't cheap, but I am generally a pretentious foundation snob who is willing to spend the bucks on a great one.

YSL Fusion Ink

The applicator I can do without; however the formulation and colour I cannot. The texture is extremely similar to Armani Maestro, Dior Air Serum, Maybelline Dream. It goes on easily and I prefer to use my finger to spread and blend. The finish is demi- matte with a medium coverage. Unlike, the Dior foundations, YSL a number of colour except for those with very dark complexions. At $64 Cdn, I would hope companies would be more inclusive.

As you can see, I enjoy expensive foundation and willing to invest in good ones. I aim to have my skin at its best as nothing else will apply properly or look well if I don't.

VIB 15% 2015

Okay, so us makeup trollops know that in April and November Sephora has a sale. I'll take 15% off anytime. I didn't want to go nuts and I actually didn't buy that much. 

Kat Von D Chrysalis Palette - a colourful cool-toned palette. Soft, creamy and blends beautifully

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation 113 - well worth its price tag. Gorgeous finish and long lasting

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops G20 - Love Love Love - put these in any lotion, serum or primer.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray - get that don't care, disheveled look with this sea salt spray. 

YSL Tint-in-Oil - Rose for You - light tint to the lips packed with moisture. 

Sephora Luster Matte Long Wear  Lip Colour - Nude Pink Luster - creamy and opaque

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer light medium - full coverage and creaseless

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter - smells like summer and absorbs quickly into the skin

Too Faced Chocolate Soliel Bronzer and Better than Sex Mascara- mascara can go a bit clumpy if not careful, wet formulation but give long, sexy lashes. The bronzer is matte and blends beautifully with a gourmand scent

Brand Focus - Cover FX

#dropportunity

Cover FX started out in 2000, with products that were free of irritants, thus suitable for those with truly sensitive skin. Lee Graff, a co-founder and corrective makeup specialist working at Sunnybrook Hosptial, helped create a product that provides a wide range of colours that is full coverage, while still looking like skin.

In 2003, Cover FX launched in Shoppers Drug Mart. This is where I became involved with the brand in 2006. Beauty Boutiques allowed the public easy access to their Cover FX cream foundation, which helped those with vetilago, rosecea, acne scarring and other skin issues. From here, they expanded their line to include bronzers, blush, more foundations, lip products, primers (which is still one of the best serums/primers), powders, and brushes.  Honestly, their reputation, quality of product and vast colour selection made it a favourite among us makeup artists and our clients.  I have to say, when this company had schools, many of us clamored to go. Additionally, anytime I have freelanced for weddings, I have only used Natural FX as a foundation. It photographs beautifully while still providing coverage and allowing the skin to show through.

Finally, this little Canadian Company continued to grow and wound up in Sephora. It relaunched with new packaging and developed new products, but stayed true to its foundation and philosphy. Their primers are still amazing, as is their Natural FX foundation and illuminating setting powder.

As you can tell, I am a little biased and love this company.

My favourites:

Natural FX
Illuminating Setting Powder
Anti-Aging Primer (repackaged used to be their Serum/Primer)
Custom Cover Drops

You can find them at Shoppers Drug Mart
 www.coverfx.ca 

www.sephora.ca

GRWM: Smoky Eye Using Melt Dark Matter Stack

ColourPop - Taking Over

If you are into makeup as much as I am, you have heard of ColourPop. A cosmetics company that is building its reputation on affordable ($5.00 USD) and high end-feeling products. Additionally, it is savvy utilizing YouTube through collaborations with popular YouTube beauty personalities. Furthermore, the names are tongue in cheek (Get Lucky, Bull Chic,) the finishes and colours are bold and appeal to those with disposal income. Just to quickly add, the lippie stix have either matching or colour coordinating lip pencils. So if you have a black lipstick and are using your black eyeliner, you now can have a proper lip pencil.


Products:
Lippie Stix $5.00 usd (0.0357oz /1g) comparison: MAC lipsticks are 3g

• Matte
• glossy
• satin
• hyperglossy
• pearlized

Super Shock Eyeshadow + Pigments $5.00 usd (0.07oz)

• Metallic
• Matte
• Satin
• Ultra Metallic
• Pearlized
• Tie Dyed
• Pressed Pigment  

 Super Shock Cheek Blush $8.00 usd

• Matte
• Satin

I watch a lot of YouTube videos and unfortunately, as hard as I try, I do fall victim to hype and these are sooooooooo hyped online. Tentative, I purchased 5 items, two Lippie Stix - Cookie and Pitch and three Super Shock Eyeshadows - On the Rocks, La La, and 3.

The packaging is clean and white with holographic labeling with the lippie stix coming in a twist up stick and the shadows coming in a screw top pot. They also include a cute handwritten inspirational note, awwwww. Who cares, right? Let's move on to the product, which is what you want to know about. The eyeshadows are an interesting texture - kind of like Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre - in that it is a cream to powder formulation but then there is a bounce to ColourPop's shadows. They are best used with your fingers but can be easily blended with brushes.

Cookie - is a matte nude beige with peach undertones.
Application: smooth, easy and creamy.

Pitch - is a matte chocolate with warm undertones.
Application: smooth and creamy

On the Rocks -A warm bronze with pink and gold glitters. Metallic in finish with very little fall out.

La La - Metallic coppery brown with hints of pink. It's described as a "true rose gold". The pay off is intense with no creasing.

3 - A metallic cool bronze with silver glitter. Some fallout but no creasing.

Overall, the shadows, that I have tried, are fantastic. They blend well, do not crease and are intensely pigmented. The lipsticks are creamy and do not dry out the lips. Although, they say they are matte, there is some shine to them. I was so impressed I put in another order! They only issue is the shipping, the exchange rate and how they are mailed. Let me explain the latter, these little babies are fragile so packaging them in an envelope instead of a box as our neighbours to the south would receive them is perhaps taking a risk with the product, just sayin'.

Check out this company for awesome nudes, pinks, purples, dark, blacks, greens - you name it.
http://colourpop.com

Cheers,
xo Megs

P.S. I purchased more eyeshadows in Get Lucky, Fringe, Girly, So Quiche, Hammered and Smash. Also, more lipsticks in Bullchic, Skimpy, Creature, and Wet.

Marsala - Pantone 2015 Colour of the Year

Marsala  conjures the images of an earthy and full bodied wine. And according to Pantone, it is the new colour of the year. Past colours include last year's Radiant Orchid, 2013 Emerald,  2012 Tangerine Tango, 2011 Honeysuckle, and 2010 Turquoise.

The colour is beautiful and complimentary to many skin tones. Furthermore, to find a true Marsala is difficult -  images show wine, aubergines, burgundy, and brick red. However, this colour is more like a brown, plum, earthy deep rose - a "robust nude".  Personally, I love it for lips and cheeks. Eyeshadow might be a little more difficult, but it can be done. 

I decided to go through my own collection and surprisingly enough, I have quite a few items that will satisfy The Colour. They are not perfect but close enough.

Illamasqua :  Beg and Kiss blushes
Estee Lauder : Alluring Rose blush
MAC: Sea Me, Hear Me Blush
Tarte: Dazzled Blush
Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush- 310 Rosewood
Bite Beauty: Musk Lipstick - medium brown, pink
MAC: Del Rio - deeper in colour, Amorous - medium plum/cranberry, Modesty- slightly pinky, Viva Glam III
Clarins: Earthy Pink

Other colours Sephora suggest:
Nars Blush - Outlaw
Kat Von D lipstick - Lolita
Urban Decay - Naked 3
Zoya - Marney

Cheers
xo Megs

IMATS - Toronto 2014

You know when you have been looking forward to something so much that your expectations are incredibly high? Well, I think that is what occurred when I attended my inaugural International Makeup Artists Trade Show (IMATS).

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning, put on my face and boarded the subway at 07:45.  I had my list products, which is a must as it will cut your time in lines.  First stop - Makeup Up For Ever, which appeared to be everyone's initial purchase, too. Thank goodness I had my list; however, the variety of product was disappointing . For instance, the gorgeous Artist Shadows only had maybe 1/3 of the colours from the range and none of the colours I wanted - Oh well. At least, I purchased my HD Foundation in N117, Cream Blush in 310, and two Aqua Lip Liners 01C and 22C. In total, the experience at MUFE took about 1 hour.

Make Up For Ever

Then I moved on to some other vendors. Honestly, I thought the space would be bigger with more vendors present. Morphe had huge lines as did Nigel's Beauty Emporium and MAC. From what I have been told and watched on YouTube Nigel's has had crazy sales on lashes but I wasn't even able to see what they had to offer. I did purchase some Beauty So Clean for my makeup and saw the amazingly beautiful Pixiwoo Sisters - Nick and Sam. Shit they are tall and gorgeous.

Overall, I am happy I went to  IMATS and pleased with my purchases. If you want to see some great talent and are patient, then I completely recommend it.

Cheers,
Megs

Makeup, Makeup, Makeup

Hi my lovelies, I know I have been absent for a little bit. Work has been busy and I decided to take a little vacation from work and makeup, which also included buying (I know, shocking).  Sometimes one needs to take time away and reassess. For me, I literally took inventory of my "collection". Additionally, I have fallen in love with something other than makeup <3

However, with the aforementioned said, Holiday Collections will soon arrive and I am looking forward to M.A.C's Heirloom Mix. With pearls and Cameos as a part of its campaign stills - it conjures rich, luxurious and ornate textures and colours.  The packaging appears to be black with a glitter inlay with cameos adorning the palettes.

available Oct 23 online in North America

 Urban Decay's annual Vice palette offers a decadent mix of mattes and shimmers. We have become accustomed to UD's quality shadows and I hope this remains true. 
$70 Cdn

image source: www.xsparkage.com

Kat Von D Star Studded Eyeshadow Book $66 Cdn,  includes a mix of vivids and neutrals. This little palette might be a nice introduction to Kat Von D. Her shadows are generally silky that includes textures of matte, shimmer, iridescent and satins. .

Tarte Bon Voyage set $71 Cdn. Tarte typically offers ridiculous value sets at Christmas. This year isn't any different. Valued at $508, this limited edition includes:
20 x 0.07 oz Amazonian clay eye shadows
 0.13 oz Deluxe lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 mascara
 0.17 oz Limited-edition deluxe cheek stain in Muse (soft nude)
 0.27 oz LipSurgence lip gloss in Visionary (apricot)
 0.06 oz LipSurgence lip tint in Romantic (peachy nude)
 0.23 oz Deluxe maracuja oil
 0.07 oz Deluxe smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder
 Limited-edition collector’s travel bag
as per Sephora.ca

Mascaras

For those of us not blessed with long, lush lashes, mascara is that lovely little product that creates the curtains to our windows. Whether it be Bambi or Spider, to have longer and thicker lashes has always been coveted.Thank God for Eugene Rimmel and Helena Rubinstein.

History indicates that like most makeup,it was the Egyptians who started to use products on the eyes and face. They used concoctions of malachite, crocodile stool, galena, charcoal, honey and water. While aesthetically appealing, the dark lashes were to protect the soul and ward off evil spirits. 

My favourites:

M.A.C. Opulash Optimum Black - Teddy Bear brush for volume and a kaolin clay formula that is great for girls with oilier lids. It is a drier formula, think Dior Show without the crazy price.  I can wear this for over 12 hours without smudges, flakes or clumps. The problem with this and other volumizing formulas, is that it will dry out before 3 months.

Maybelline Lash Discovery - such a small brush for those tiny lashes, it gives more of a natural look.Unfortunately, I can't find the little bugger, so I think it is discontinued. Similar would be M.A.C. Extended Play Gigablack.

Cover Girl Clump Crusher - love this little one, as it has a curved brush and literally no clumps. The brush is plastic, which I generally do not like. However, this works really well for giving definition, and separation, while being clump free.

Tips:
- When taking mascara out of the tube, twist it out. Pumping it pumps oxygen into the tube and increases bacteria.
- Remove excess product either on the lip of the tube or wipe it on a tissue.
- Generally after 3 months, formulations will start to be ineffective and flake

Tell  me about your favourite mascaras
xo Megs