My Take On Contouring

All the buzz surrounding contouring and highlighting on social media is pretty overwhelming. And let me tell you never in a million years did I think that I would fall into the hype but here we are talking about contouring. Now, there are plenty of powders, creams, sticks and tools on the market that can help you achieve those modelesque cheekbones. Here are just a few of my personal favourites.

Makeup Geek Contour Powder in Infidelity and MAC Sculpting Pro Powder in Sculpt

Let's start with contour powders. My go to ones are Makeup Geek's Contour Powder in Infidelity (which is a newer addition) and MAC's Pro Powder in Sculpt. Both are great shades for mimicking a shadow, easy to use and blend like a dream (especially for those like me who are newbies in this department). In terms of colour payoff Infidelity is a sure winner and you need just a tiny bit to chisel those cheeks. It does kick-off a bit of powder when you dip your brush into the pan but that doesn't bother me (as it's super soft and is to be expected). If I compare the two MAC's Sculpt is a bit more neutral rosy-toned, while Makeup Geek's Infidelity is darker and more of an ashier cooler tone. Personally I think that Sculpt works better for my complexion, since I do have more of neutral/warmer undertones. I am thinking of picking up Makeup Geek's Bad Habit (which is described as Warm Fair) once I run out of MAC's Sculpt. 

Elf Blending Brush and Makeup Geek Angled Stippling Brush

Now let's talk about brushes. I have tried quite a few and eventually settled down on two: Elf's Blending Brush and Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. I like them for different reasons. Elf's Blending Brush is great for a smooth, everyday, barely there application. Hence I use it on a daily basis. Due to its unique shape I place it right where I want to contour and since it's so fluffy it blends out the product seamlessly. It has synthetic bristles, it's cruelty-free and vegan. If I want more of a sharper contour I opt for Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. It has an angled tip which is great for more precise application. I place it right where my cheekbones are and just push the product in. I don't blend the product out as vigorously as I would with Elf's Blending Brush. Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush is also cruelty-free.

L-R: Makeup  Geek Infidelity and MAC Sculpt

These are my go to products for contouring. I am by no means a pro but for my purposes a.k.a normal everyday life, these work great. I would say that if you are on a hunt for a cruelty-free, blendable and affordable contour powder, Makeup Geek is where it's at. 

I hope you found this post useful and I would love to hear if contouring is an essential step in your everyday makeup routine or not!

Cheers,
Muffy

YSL Eyeshadow #4 Facon and A Possible Dupe

I am a sucker for neutral matte eyeshadows. In my mind there is no such thing as too many neutral matte eyeshadows. Recently I was visiting my friend who kindly let me look through her makeup stash, since she is downsizing. I could not help but notice a YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon, which had to be mine based on the earlier statement. As soon as I got home I went through my collection and surprise surprise managed to find a dupe for it. To find out what it is, keep on reading!

YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon and Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Barcelona Beach

Let's start with addressing the fact that the YSL single eyeshadow in #4 Facon featured here is a tester, just so you know. When you do buy this eyeshadow, it comes in a nice sleek golden packaging with a YSL logo. This particular colour can be found in the permanent YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow line, so there is no need to rush out and buy it. The shade itself can appear boring to some people but to me this is perfection. It's that ideal medium sand shade with taupe undertones which is perfect for mimicking the natural shadow of your crease. Is it a unique colour? Anything new that we haven't seen before? Of course not. But it's sophisticated, timeless and versatile. Simply something you can't go wrong with. 

YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon

In terms of pigmentation it's alright. It's not the best I have tried compared to for example Urban Decay and Makeup Geek, but you can work with it. It's not patchy nor chalky, but needs building up. That could be a good thing especially for those that are intimidated by highly pigmented shadows or have a heavy hand. The texture I would describe as satin. It's not completely matte but not shimmery either and feels very smooth to the touch. Now, as with all YSL products you can expect this little guy to be pretty pricy. As such if you want a more budget alternative with an added bonus of being talc and cruelty free I suggest you take a closer look at Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach single eyeshadow.

L-R: YSL #4 Facon and Makeup Geek Barcelona Beach

When compared side by side you can see that YSL single eyeshadow in Facon has a slight sheen, whereas Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach is matte and a tad bit richer. However, when you put them on your eyes you can't tell the difference (but as said earlier you need to build up Facon to get the same colour payoff). 

I will continue using both eyeshadows. That being said if you are on a budget (or not) and looking for a great crease colour that has fantastic pigmentation and great ingredients I say look no further then Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach. I think YSL makes some of the best nail polishes on the market but the single eyeshadows are yet to impress me. 

I hope you found this comparison helpful and if you have any suggestions for must-have matte crease shadows, let me know!

Until next time,
Muffy

P.S Did you know that Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach can also double up as a contour shade for your cheeks.   

My Mac Quad and Possible Alternatives

I have only four Mac eyeshadows in my collection. For a makeup junkie that I am, I think that is kind of shameful. The main reason why I haven't accumulated more is simply because I discovered Makeup Geek eyeshadows. Those are just the best. However, I figured I'd share with you the Mac eyeshadows I do own and suggest possible alternatives. In case you are looking for more budget friendly, paraben, talc and cruelty free options. Let's dive right in!

 Mac Quad Clockwise : Patina, Texture, Swiss Chocolate and Quarry

There is no logic as to how I put my Mac quad together. I just went along with colours that appealed to me. Mac can be pretty overwhelming with their shadow selection. My tip would be to do your research prior. Check reviews online, swatches and watch Youtube videos. This would give you an idea as to what colours and finishes you prefer. I picked of course neutral colours, because that is what I gravitate towards. The ones I got can be paired together or worn on their own. That is why I find it to be a pretty versatile palette that's good for travelling. But now let's get into the shades, shall we:

Patina - taupe brown with golden pearl(frost)
Texture - peachy-brown with shimmer(velvet)
Swiss Chocolate - muted reddish brown(matte)
Quarry - soft-muted plum brown(matte)

Clockwise: Patina, Texture, Swiss Chocolate, Quarry

L-R: Patina, Texture, Swiss Chocolate, Quarry

I would agree with the shade descriptions on most parts (I took them directly from the Mac website), but I feel like Texture is more of a burnt orange shade that has slight shimmer running through it, which is barely noticeable. Mac eyeshadows come in a compact and a pan format. It's cheaper to get them in pans and the palette itself is surprisingly affordable for Mac. You can also put the eyeshadows in a Z palette if you have that already. Just remember to attach the magnets at the back, those usually come with Z palettes anyway. 

The eyeshadows that I use the most are Patina and Texture. They are just easy everyday colours. Swiss Chocolate is a lovely colour with great pigmentation but I don't wear it often. Quarry, oh this one did let me down. The pigmentation is just not there. You need to layer this colour a lot for it to show (like on the swatches above), which is a real bummer.

Clockwise:  Moondust, Unexpected, Creme Brulee, Cocoa Bear

L-R: Moondust, Creme Brulee, Cocoa Bear, Unexpected

That being said, I did find the colour that is almost identical to Quarry but with much better pigmentation. That's Makeup Geek's shadow in Unexpected. If you fancy something similar to Patina, Makeup Geek's Moondust looks comparable on the lids. The colours that were a little bit more tricky to "dupe" are Texture and Swiss Chocolate. I don't have anything quite like that. But, the shades that perform similarly are Makeup Geek's Creme Brulee (transition shade with warm undertones like Texture) and Cocoa Bear (good for darkening up the crease with reddish undertones like Swiss Chocolate). As a result, you can create very similar looks using both "quads".

Overall, I am content with my Mac quad. Do I reach for it? Not really. I still like having it in my collection and coming back to it once in a while. Nevertheless, I would warmly suggest checking out Makeup Geek shadows if you can't afford Mac. You can find some spot on dupes for permanent and limited edition shades (e.g Desert Sands = Mac's Uninterrupted, Cosmopolitan = Mac's Expensive Pink and Peach Smoothie = Mac's Samoa Silk). If you are interested in my Makeup Geek eyeshadow collection, you can check it out here.

Let me know what are your most used Mac eyeshadows!

Cheers,
Muffy

Blushing with Makeup Geek

I have a confession to make: I love blush. It is one of my favourite parts in a makeup routine. A normal person doesn't need a blush of every single rainbow colour, unless you are obsessed with it like me. In order to satisfy my craving but not spend a fortune on it I looked to Makeup Geek. I say if you are a blush addict you need to stop whatever you are doing and check out Makeup Geek blushes now!

I have already reviewed Makeup Geek eyeshadows and pigments, so if you are interested you can give them a read here and here. All Makeup Geek products are talc free, paraben free, cruelty free and are made in the USA. I have a total of 6 blushes in my collection and I believe the range consists of 13 shades. These blushes come in pan format and as compacts. I prefer the pan simply because it is easier to store and I can have all my blushes in one place. I keep them usually in a Z palette, which you can purchase from Makeup Geek website or Beautybay. Now let's take a closer look at the blushes. I have the following shades:

Bliss - light peachy coral

Summer Fling - soft burnt orange

Infatuation - medium matte terracotta 

Secret Admirer - light orchid purple

Randezvous - rosey to medium pink with purple undertones

Love Affair - intense pink - coral

L-R: Bliss, Summer Fling, Infatuation

L-R: Bliss, Summer Fling, Infatuation

L-R: Secret Admirer, Randezvous, Love Affair

L-R: Secret Admirer, Randezvous, Love Affair

Makeup Geek blushes are a dream to work with. They are very smooth and highly pigmented. With shades like Love Affair it is enough to just dab your brush a little bit, otherwise you can overdo it. They blend seamlessly on your cheeks without leaving streaks. In terms of longevity they are the best blushes I have tried hands down. Usually when I put blush in the morning by lunch time it is almost gone. When I use these blushes they do not budge. That is the one quality I appreciate most about these blushes. The shade selection is also very good; you have warm and cool tones. However, I would have liked to see a natural rosy shade along the lines of Tarte Exposed, Mac Cubic, NARS Douceur and Urban Decay Video. 

In my opinion Makeup Geek blushes are comparable to Mac. I don't own any Mac blushes and the main reason is because I am very satisfied with these. Mac blushes are of the same size, can be bought in a pan or compact and have a wide range of colours. However, Mac blushes retail for 22,00$ per compact and 17,00$ per pan, while Makeup Geek for 12,99$ and 9,99$ respectively. Makeup Geek ships internationally.

If you are looking for new blushes that are cruelty, paraben and talc free, affordable, and have some fun colours, Makeup Geek is where it is at. You can't go wrong with Bliss or Infatuation: those are flattering on anyone if you ask me. If you fancy unique colours or a potential dupe for Mac's Full of Joy that was discontinued - Secret Admirer is worth checking out!

What is your all-time favourite blush? Let me know!

Cheers,

Muffy

No Fuss Pigments

We all shiver at the thought of using pigments as it tends to get messy, troublesome and at the end of the day you end up looking like a disco ball. But let me assure you not all are like that. I came across pigments that stay true to colour, offer minimal fall out and do not melt off your lids. These are Makeup Geek pigments - shock horror! 

L-R: Utopia, Afterglow, Sweet Dreams

As with all Makeup Geek products, these pigments are talc free, paraben free, cruelty free and are made in USA. You get 2,0g of product in a jar (even though it says 1,5g due to the regulations). Makeup Geek has recently repackaged their pigments, which now contain proper sifters preventing it from flying around everywhere. I went ahead and purchased three colours.

Utopia (an antique gold glitter)
Afterglow (a soft shimmery champagne with peachy undertones) 
Sweet Dreams(a beige nude with slight shimmer)

L-R: Utopia, Afterglow, Sweet Dreams

I use Sweet Dreams and Afterglow pigments on a daily basis. Sweet Dreams is the more subtle of the two, although both of them are wearable for everyday use. Utopia is more of a special occasion pick. It would be great for a night out or New Years or if you want to rock it during the day, You go girl or boy! Utopia does have a little bit more fall out since it is a glitter.

Tip: Prior to application, if you dip your brush into an eye drop solution, it will help the glitter to adhere and give you an even better colour payoff. 

I would suggest applying these pigments with a small synthetic flat brush. For example something along the lines of Morphe Brushes G15 the one featured in the picture below. It doesn't have to be this exact brush but anything similar will work.

Small Oval Brush G15 by Morphe Brushes

If you are trying out the brand for the first time and not sure which pigment to pick, I say go with Afterglow. It is quite versatile; you can sheer it out or you can make it really intense. It goes with any makeup and looks stunning on its own. Makeup Geek pigments retail for $7,99. You can purchase them directly from the Makeup Geek website. 

Which pigment should I try next? I have been eyeing Birthday Wish.

Cheers,

Muffy

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows - Worth the Hype?

I decided to dedicate this post to something that I have had in my collection for some time now, and it has become a staple in my everyday makeup routine. As the title may suggest, I am referring to Makeup Geek eyeshadows. I know that there's a lot of reviews out there as is, however, I would like to share my humble opinion and experience. Makeup Geek has appealed to me mainly due to its ethical values, but more on that further on. 

In a nutshell Makeup Geek is a US based company that was established by a beauty Youtuber, Marlena. Her products are talc free, paraben free, cruelty free and are made in USA. Some people, including myself, can be sensitive to talc and break out, therefore it is fantastic to know that there are products out there for us folks. But wait - there is more - they are also very affordable! Eyeshadows retail for $5,99 per pan. Since they do come in a pan format, you would need to have a palette or something along those lines on hand to store your eyeshadows. I have been using a large Z palette (they come in a variety of sizes) and you can get it directly from Makeup Geek website. Z palettes serve well for making your storage space more compact, although they are not the best for traveling.

L-R : White Lies, Baby Face, Bling, Peach Smoothie, Crème Brulee, Preppy, Chickadee,
 Glamorous, Grandstand, Cosmopolitan, Flame Thrower, Cocoa Bear, Pretentious, Homecoming,
 Barcelona Beach, Unexpected, Cupcake, Bitten, High Tea,  Moondust, Shimmermint, Rockstar

In my collection I have 22 Makeup Geek eyeshadows to choose from. Each pan contains 1,8g of product, while for instance MAC single pan eyeshadow contains only 1,5g of product. In terms of pan size Makeup Geek and MAC eyeshadows are identical. 

L-R: White Lies, Baby Face, Bling, Peach Smoothie, Crème Brulee, Preppy, Chickadee

L-R: Glamorous, Grandstand, Cosmopolitan, Flame Thrower, Cocoa Bear, Pretentious,
Homecoming

L-R: Barcelona Beach, Unexpected, Cupcake, Bitten, High Tea, Moondust, Shimmermint
Rockstar

Makeup Geek eyeshadows are highly pigmented, easy to blend and come in a variety of colours and finishes (e.g matte, shimmery, foiled). The only downside is that they are not readily available and you would need to purchase these babies online and have them shipped over to you. In my opinion, Makeup Geek offers quite reasonable shipping rates: I have paid between $6,00 - $12,00 depending on the amount I ordered. The shipping rate is usually determined by the weight of the package.

Tip : If you are placing an order from Finland (or another place outside the USA for that matter), on top of shipping costs you will be charged customs fees if the value of your order exceeds a certain amount. In Finland that amount is 22,00€, but please check your local country's regulations, as the threshold may vary from country to country. As such, I suggest you go with a few smaller orders instead of one big one.

I have not experienced any problems with ordering from Makeup Geek. They provide very good quality swatches online so you can see how different eyeshadows compare within the same colour family. It takes about two weeks for an order to arrive to Finland. Makeup Geek notifies you when you order has shipped and provides you with a tracking number. My products have always arrived and they were never damaged or different from what had been ordered.

If I were to recommend a "starters kit" it would depend on if you prefer warmer or cooler tones. If you are more of a warmer tone lover, your safest bet would be the shades below:

L-R: Peach Smoothie, Cème Brulee, Cocoa Bear,
Chickadee, Cosmopolitan

However, if you fancy more cooler tones, I would go with the following shadows:

L-R: Baby Face, Barcelona Beach, Unexpected,
Moondust, High Tea

Regardless of what colours you pick, the quality is consistent. I have not encountered a single dud. And as for the final verdict, hell YES, they are worth the hype!

Makeup Geek's Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/MakeupGeekTV

Where else to buy Z pallets (worldwide shipping incl. Finland): 

http://www.beautybay.com/zpalette/ 

I hope you found this post useful. Let me know which of the colours are your favourite. If you want a more detailed review of each colour in my collection let me know and I shall conquer!

Cheers, 
Muffy 


Disclaimer: I was not sponsored by Makeup Geek. I purchased the reviewed products for my personal use.