Makeup geek eye shadow review

HI guys, its been a while i know and with getting things sorted this side, everything other than my family is taking a hit from my lack of attention!

I have been wanting to do this review for awhile. So here it is.

Makeup geek eye shadows-

These were a concept from makeup geek creator Marlena. And you can tell they are made by a makeup artist. They are made of  high quality ingredients, and the color payoff (or pigment )is very intense on almost all shades.

Initially I purchased 11 shadows in shades that i found were missing from my collection.

I have to say i am impressed. The packaging is great. The size is generous, and the continuity is good. I found one or two of the shades were alittle harder to move...what that means is they aren't as smooth to place and blend. Having more of a "place and stay" mentality.  I think this could be ironed out by using a primer. I haven't re-tried those ones with a primer yet, but i will do that and let you know if its any better.

The range of shades are great, and the variety of finishes is also very good. As a makeup artist i value my matte shades as much as my shimmer finishes.

I especially love the plums/purples and grey tones in Marlena's range as i was having a hard time finding matte versions of those colors.

Top picks :
MATTE FINISH
fiji - a super smooth, matte apple green.
fairytale - a matte lavender
stealth - a matte grey (this one i find alittle harder to blend as its one of the stay colors i mentioned)
preppy - a beautiful olive/tan brown
unexpected - this one i would call a matte mauve (it has a dusty pink/purple/mushroom color mix)
Corrupt - THE BLACKEST MATTE BLACK EVER.

SIMMER FINISH
moondust - a gorgeous cool toned shimmery taupe/silver
shimma shimma - great champagne shimmer
burlesque - a beautiful rusty burgundy tone.




 left -right: Fiji, stealth, fairytale, shimma shimma, moondust, burlesque


Bottom to top: peacock, corrupt, unexpected, preppy, taupe notch

there are plenty more shades to choose from and i am sure there are lot more wonderful nuetrals, but seeing as i have an abundance of those i wont be getting amy until i run out of my current supplies.

Here is a look i created using: unexpected, fairytale, steath, and corrupt.

    



I can say that i am very pleased with the quality and size for the price. And that i will be purchasing the full- range at some point. If you are looking for professional quality eyeshadows - at a reasonable price, with a stunning colour range. I suggest you check out  marlena's site.Bear in mind the shadow come in refill format, so you will need something to store them in. I use Z palettes, as they are study, magnetic, easy, and have a see-through top. You can find these at the makeup geek store too. Please note i am in no way affiliated with makeup geek, i give honest reviews based on my personal findings and i am not endorsed to do so.

www.makeupgeek.com

be blessed,
joanna xo

hot summer nights makeup

I love living by the coast, and one of my favorite things to do is sit somewhere nice by the water, eat oysters and sip on something special.  But seeing as i cant do that as often as i like, i can atleast look like i am.

Here is one of my favorite summer makeup looks featuring ocean blues and greens and light golden sand tones.

I started by (as always) priming my eyelid. This time using urban decay primer potion.

Then put a neutral shade over the whole lid - i used Pink cheeks by Too faced cosmetics

       

Use a taupe shade to define the crease.

      

Put a golden highlight color in the inner corner and underneath

Take a turquoise shade (i'm using one from the creative me #1 palette from coastal scents)

   

Add depth by using a deeper blue, slightly under the turquoise and blend the shades together. (again i am using a shade from the creative me palette in royal blue) Use this to line under the eye also. 

  

Use the deepest blue to add a tiny bit more depth to corner edge and undereye only, and blend into other shades. 

  

Next using a shimmery sand color (i am using NP ultra pearl in 37) to wipe over the middle section of the eyelid, blending lightly into both corners.

  

Using a black liquid liner, draw a thin line close to upper lashes. And apply a turquoise or blue liner to the inner waterline.

Soften up any harsh lines or fall out with a large fluffy brush and a very pale matte shade. Taking the color around the edges of the entire eye. Using a cotton tip and concealer to clean up any fall out.

    

Apply mascara, and coat lips with a beige lipstick, blot, then smooth on some peach toned lip gloss.

And we're done, a hot summer evening look that's loads of fun! Btw i don't know why my eyebrows look so orange in this shot, must have been my high class lighting equipment (good ol' heat lamps!) HA

  

Be blessed, and enjoy the great Aussie summers!

joanna xo

bights makeup tutorial

Hi guys, well here it is...a summer brights tutorial. Enjoy.

I used pigments from ben NYE. A black gel liner, and a matte pale pink lipstick from revlon, to which i dusted a frosty pink eyeshadow over the top.



I applied potion primer from urban decay over my entire lid



then i put a bright gold green liner over the lid of my eye



Next i swept bright yellow pigment into the inner corner of the lid and slightly under too.



Using the bright apple green pigment i placed it slightly overlapping the yellow and onto the remaining third of the lid.



Using a pencil brush i put a hot pink in the crease and to the outer V of the eye.



Blend well....



Using a bright blue pencil liner, and a similar pigment line the bottom of the eye, creating a straight line towards the nose.



Curl lashes, apply mascara then fake lashes and the black gel liner to upper lashes.





Line the waterline with blue pencil, and fill in the brows.



Using a matte candy pink lip shade, fill in the lips, and set with a frosty pink eye shadow dabbed over top.



And finished face...

  

Have a wonderful weekend,
joanna xo

rainy saturdays

Since i have been back from the USA, everything seems to be on either fast forward or total slowmo. i've been blessed to have my sister come and live with me for a few months. Over the school holidays this has been a total god send!

My business partner is also away on holiday (great for her, extra busy for me) so i am struggling to find the time to get all the things done i would like to. Things such as sorting out my house for transition to the states, working out the future of my business, keeping up with my writing, my blogs, maintaining a healthy marriage from half a world away...and the list goes on. BUT you know what? I am soooo happy, i feel incredibly blessed. I know that god is constantly coming through for me- not because i am any different to anyone else, simply because i choose to live in his victory. Everytime i think i have to work hard at something to sort it out, he reminds me its all sorted...and it is!!!

Today i thought it was time to get back in front of that camera and make a tutorial. I must say its not the easiest thing i do. However i do love what i do and sharing it comes naturally, even if seeing ones self on camera doesn't.

enjoy, and be blessed
joanna xo