Spring 2015 Shower Favorites

There is nothing quite like a shower for making one feel clean, so why does it feel so naughty to talk about it?  Dirty!  Anyways, I'm going to talk about a few of my favorite products for that special lather fun time we all enjoy to varying degrees at fluctuating intervals.  Except the rubber ducky, we're on the outs right now...

Is it any surprise that my first two items were totally influenced by YouTube?  It's because I have a blog, right?  I have to try new things and write about them.  I'm totally trying to justify it.  Even without the blog I would have bought them.  Let's be real!

The first one Kathleen Lights talked about in her 2015 February Favorites.  Not the first product I've bought from her videos, I'm sure it won't be the last (I actually have another item on order that will arrive tomorrow).  It's the L'Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil.

Mmmm Amande!

I imagine that this is what showering in Heaven is like.  If there are showers in Heaven.  At first I was daunted by the price, I bought the 8.4 oz for $25.00.  I know.  That's some liquid gold.  You don't need a whole lot, so it will last a while.  I don't regret it one bit.  I will buy it again.

At first the thought of a shower oil is a little odd.  But I've showered with coconut oil, so what the heck, right?  It's not like that.  It will foam up in the shower, but not super suds or something.  It smells beautiful, like baking with almond extract.  It rinses clean without a heavy oily feeling and if you don't fully rinse it you still feel nice and not like that dry soap feel.  It leaves your skin silky and soft.  When you use this, you feel pampered.  If you can't afford to take yourself to the spa or go on vacation, buy this and feel instantly luxurious.  It is perfect for winter and I think will also be great for people who tan, because it will help keep your skin soft and not dry out with the tanning.  I enjoy shaving with this as well.  It's just fabulous.

*EDIT* After finishing about 1/2 of my bottle, the scent changed.  It changed to a sometimes wet dog, sometimes mildew scent.  Either way it's unpleasant.  If you're going to get this, I would stick with the small size, so that hopefully it doesn't change scents on you.  Has anyone else experienced this if you own this product?

My next item, I totally blame on Manny.  I'm actually mad at Manny for this.  Okay, not really mad.  Technically, this is an after shower item.  But I lotion so close to getting out of the shower that it's practically the same thing.  Again, I rationalize.  So, this is The Righteous Butter by Soap and Glory.  Manny mentioned this in his February 2015 Favorites.

Soap and Glory!

It is wonderful.  It smells nice, it's rich and creamy.  It sinks into the skin and isn't greasy.  It's not horribly expensive at $15.00 for 10.1 oz.

Can you see how thick and delicious that it?  Don't eat it.  Not delicious in that way!

Between this and the oil, my skin is like perfection.  It's smooth and soft and I smell wonderful.  Then I get the bad news.  Sephora isn't carrying Soap and Glory anymore.  I'm so crushed!  I hope this just means that they're bringing in something really cool.  But darn Manny getting me all hooked on a feeling and then Sephora takes it away!  Insert sad face.

My last favorite I kinda mentioned.  Well, I mentioned needing shampoo and that I was using my Birchbox points to get it.  I love my It's a 10.  I have been using it for a long while and the idea of separating from it was difficult.  But it is pricey and hair needs a change.  So, I browsed Birchbox and came to this brand.  I wasn't expecting too much from it.  I chose the Baine de Terre Keratin Phyto-Protein Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner.  Normally it's $12.00 for the shampoo, which is pretty reasonable and $13.50 for the conditioner.  I did buy the set with the shampoo and the styling oil for $21.00.

Phyto-Protein Shampoo

I decided to go with a strengthening shampoo because I have fine hair and it breaks fairly easily.  I also color my hair because hey, I'm getting grey.  This stuff really surprised me.  It might be partially because switching shampoo makes your hair happy.  But I have had great hair days.  It feels moisturized, it's soft, shiny, and it stays nice for days.  I also had a little dry patch on my scalp (eww, I know), and this has been healing it.  I have also been experiencing less hair shedding in the shower!  I like the smell, it smells like typical salon shampoo that isn't the Aveda type.  Kind of sweet and pleasant.  I love that it's sulfate free.

It might not be the best for oily hair though.  Let me know if you've tried it and have oily hair!

So, that's it.  These are my favorite items right now :)

* I bought all products with my own money or points used from my own money.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer VS Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

So, when YouTube began to sing it's praises to the concealer known as the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, I bought in.  I'm a dark circle having sort of woman.  It comes from equal parts genetics and having a job.  You know, life, it's a thing.  I don't get too many break outs, just the occasional hormonal one.  Jaclyn made me believe I should be using a lighter concealer to help create dimension on my face.  You know part of the problem here?  Being this pale means a lot of companies don't make a color to do that.

I decided that I still wanted to give it go.  I like it, it has good coverage, doesn't dry out under my eyes, and it mostly matches my skin tone.  It is $29.00 *gulp* for .22 oz.

Enter Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, which is .23 oz for $5.48 (Drugstore.com has it for $4.38).  It has been called a dupe for the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer.  At that price difference, it was worth checking it out.

The packaging looks very similar, although the Nars has a matte top, which looks slightly more classy to me.  Although the Nars packaging looks slightly more substantial, there is more product in the Maybelline.  Just barely.

Top to Bottom: Nars and Maybelline

Both have doe foot applicators.  The applicator on the Nars is slightly larger and fluffier.  Not like fluffy kitty fluffy.  Just a little more cushy.

Left to Right: Nars Radiant Creamy and Maybelline Fit Me 

They both have about the same initial pigmentation but the Fit Me blends out a little more sheer than the Radiant Creamy.  The texture was very similar with the Radiant Creamy being just a little thicker than the Maybelline Fit me.

Left to Right: Maybelline FM and Nars RC

As for color variety, the Nars would win.  It has about double the shades available with ten shades available on the Sephora website.  There are six shades of the Fit Me available on the Drugstore.com website.  I like both because I can use Ebates for them.  I love me some money back.  The Fit Me was a little lighter than the Radiant Creamy, which made it almost a highlight.  I know, amazing.

I think that if you find a shade that suits you, the Fit Me is a pretty darned good dupe.  Neither one creased on me with application similar to the Jaclyn Hill video.  Standard Application Procedures Include (for me): applying the concealer in a triangle under my eyes from the edges of my nose to the outer side of my eyes, blending in with a dampened Beauty Blender Sponge, and setting with a powder almost immediately.  If you need more coverage, you may like the Nars a little better.

For now, I think I will be sticking with the Maybelline, until I try the Kat Von D Lock It Concealer....

* No concealer gnomes concealed a gift of concealer anywhere for me.  I bought both from aforementioned websites with my own ungnome given money.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner vs Jesse's Girl Liquid Liner

Black liquid liner is one of those things that always seems to come back.  It's the little black dress of the makeup world.  The Kat Von D Tattoo Liner is the darling of the YouTube world right now.  It is quite black, the brush makes for very precise application, and is very easy to use.  I have never been into liquid liners, I definitely preferred gel. Gel is easy, I tended to make a mess with liquid liner.

The Kat Von D changed all that.  It's just so foolproof.  I think it's the brush.  It doesn't break up like a felt tip or clog up like one either. The down side?  It is shiny and if you want a matte look you'd have to go over it with an eye-shadow.  It's also $19.00 for 0.02 fl oz.  Some people have had issues with theirs drying out, but I have not have any issues with that.

In came Jesse's Girl Liquid Liner.  They are both of a similar size.  With Jesse's Girl being .017 oz but for $6.99.  It is a little smaller, but not anything most people would notice.  The Jesse's Girl is heavier and kinda looks like it would be the more expensive one.

The brushes are also very similar.  With Jesse's Girl being just a skosh longer.   The Kat Von D brush does allow for a more precise application.

From Left to Right: Kat Von D Trooper and Jesse's Girl Black

The Kat Von D makes a finer line but the Jesse's Girl is a little darker.  Because of these things, Jesse's Girl has been called a dupe for Kat Von D.  Jesse's Girl is more matte.  However, it is more watery and takes longer to dry.  Because it's so runny, it can feather out into any lines. I was back to making a mess with liner.  I did get the hang of it, then it just dried up on me.  After like a week and half of using it! I have had the Kat Von D for longer and it's going strong.  The only thing you have to do is shake it before use.

I have heard that storing the Jesse's Girl upside down helps with it drying out.  I may try to get another Jesse's Girl Liner, just to see if the one I had was a dud.  If I do, I'll try storing it upside down, to see if that works.

At this point, I'll be sticking with the Kat Von D.  Or at least until I try the Stila one....

* I buy my own little black dress liner.  No one sent me Jesse's Girl or Kat Von D for giggles.

April 2015 Ipsy First Look

So, Birchbox had a super cute box.  On to Ipsy!  Ipsy is the other monthly subscription service I use.  It is also $10.00 a month.  The points system isn't that great.  But it does give you a cute bag.  I have been thinking about trying BoxyCharm, it's $21.00 a month.  Let me know if you want to see me with this box as well!  Oh, I'm also thinking about trying the ColourPop eye-shadows as well.  Does anyone want to see that?

Ipsy's theme was Beautifully Bohemian Spring.  The bag definitely fits the theme and is kinda cute.

My cute bag.

Okay, so I'm ready to dig in!  How about you?

So, my first item was the KCO Colors lipstick in the color Natural Born.  It's creamy, doesn't last long, and in that ever popular 1990's neutral ruddy color.  It broke.  I have never broke a lipstick.  It wasn't even the stick.  It's the inner tube.  So, yeah.  That's a thing.  It seems to retail for $8.00.





My next item was the Mica Beauty Eye Primer.  I think it might be similar in color to the MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot.  It's supposed to be waterproof.  It is $45.00 for a full size!  The brand is supposed to be all natural and mineral.  It doesn't appear to be cruelty free.

Olive Lip Balm

My next item is the Olive Natural Beauty Oats and Honey Lip Balm.  It smells like honey.  The company is a great sounding company that uses organic ingredients and olive oil.  They don't test on animals, use silicone, parabens, sulfates, or pesticides.  However, this stick is hard as a rock.  It also appears to be broken, because I can't roll it up or down.  It is $5.95 for the full size.

Moving right along, my next item is The Balm the Nude Dude in the color Flirty.  This month you either got the color Flirty - shimmery golden violet or Fit - shimmering copper.  I'm very happy with the color I received.  It's not intensely pigmented, but it is pretty.  The Nude Dude palette is $36.00 and has 12 full sized eye-shadows.

Julie G color in Damsel

My last item is the Julie G nail polish in the color Damsel.  I have been looking to try these nail polishes.  How much fun would it be to have your own nail polish line?  Don't have a color, invent it!  Poof periwinkle creme!  I have a thing for periwinkle right now.  Don't judge!  This is a bright pink with good pigmentation.  Judging by the random stripe I painted on one of my nails, it also appears to dry quickly.  It is $3.99 for a full sized bottle of this polish and I will be trying this polish out tonight.  How pretty would this look on the toes?  We both know the answer to that.  It says that it is cruelty free and has a bunny!  It doesn't say anything about being formaldehyde free though, I have a sister who is allergic to that, so that's a bit disappointing.

Soooooo.  In the battle this month, I think it's pretty easy to tell that Ipsy won by a nude guy and pink nail polish.  I'm not sure how those make numbers but I'm not a mathmagician ;) (yes, I made up a word there, it's fun!)

This brings our score to Birchbox: 1 vs Ipsy: 3.

* The elves that bring me Ipsy bags also thoughtfully deduct $10.00 from my bank account.

April 2015 Birchbox First Look

Wow, I'm on a roll today.  I think this is helping cope or something.  Anyways!  Birchbox and Ipsy came today!  Both.  On the same day!  Also, that is probably help cheer me up.  Plus, I'm drinking coffee like it gives you wings or something.

Okay, in case you're new to Birchbox, it's one of the two subscription services that I subscribe to.  It's only $10.00 a month and it makes you feel like you're getting presents every month.  It has the better points system and you can use your points to purchase things in the shop.  I used mine recently, very excited, I needed shampoo lol.  You do get 50 points for referring friends, like in my referral link.  They also have a men's service for $20.00 a month.  The guys get some cool stuff in theirs!

Nothing really jumped out at me for my early pick item or for the editor box, so I just let come what may.

On to the box!  Birchbox partnered with Rifle Paper Company (a company I had never heard of until the Birchbox preview video lol).  The box!  Soooo pretty!

Such a cute box this month!

This year all of the Birchbox boxes have been pretty cute.  I'm not sure how they'll top this box though, it's one of my favorites so far.  Yes, I was this excited about the box, I'm either two years old or part cat.

It's like having Christmas gifts from that friend who perfectly wraps things all the time.

I loved the color theme.  Very much in spring colors.

I got beaver shampoo. ;)

So, my first thing was shampoo and conditioner from the brand Beaver.  They are a brand from Guangzhou, China.  This particular shampoo and conditioner is supposed to be full of nutrients for damaged hair.  It smells light and clean.  However, it contains sulfates and is tested on animals, so I won't be buying this shampoo or conditioner.  It is $15.00 for the full sized shampoo and $16.00 for the conditioner.  I do appreciate that it was not in a foil packet though!

Whish Shaving Cream

Jouer Tint

My next item was the Whish Shaving Cream in Blueberry.  Whish has an adorable story behind it.  A husband wishing to please his new bride and it's cute!  It uses mostly natural ingredients, is paraben free, and doesn't contain sulfates.  It's also not tested on animals.  No leaping bunny though.  It comes in many scents, the one I received was blueberry.  It doesn't have an over powering blueberry scent.  It is lightly scented.  It's $20.00 for the 5 oz full size.

Swatched up.

My next item was the Jouer Tint.  Jouer is a brand that is on Birchbox a lot.  This tint can be used on the lips or as a cream blush.  I think the shade I got, Petal, is pretty, but not me.  it's supposed to be a rose pink.  But it's very peachy to me.  That will go to a new home with someone who looks better in peaches than I do!  Jouer is about inspiring women to feel confident and beautiful in their every day lives.  It is $22.00 for the 2 gram full size of this product.

Bee venom mask

Normally, I'm very excited about masks.  I have been curious about the Wei Manuka Bee Venom masks.  I guess the way they collect bee venom now doesn't kill the bees.  It involves bees stinging a fabric, but not losing their stinger and dying.  The fabric gives them a mild shock (yay fun...) that makes them sting and it takes a million bee stings to make a gram of venom.  I dunno.  I mean Wei is cool that it goes with Chinese medicinal traditions, but I don't see me buying this product.  It's $60.00 for a set of eight pods if you're interested, though.

I liked the shaving cream.  This was a decent box, but some of the products in here were very not me.  This is one of those moments I totally am a two year old or a cat, I just think the box was the best item I got lol.

* I buy my own monthly box.

Makeup Geek Foiled Eye-Shadow In the Spotlight Review

After I tried Makeup Geek Foiled Eye-Shadows in Mesmerized and Houdini, I wasn't thinking I wanted any more of them.  I don't think they're horrible, they just didn't live up to the hype and they do take some work.

Then came the "shopping list."  I did say that I bought Young Wild and Polished's face in the video and the foiled shadow was no exception.  Yes, I had some consternation, yes, I bought it anyways.  The Makeup Geek Foiled Eye-Shadow in the color In the Spotlight is $9.99 for a 1.8 g refill pan.

In the Spotlight

The description calls this, "soft pink with coral undertones."  On me the coral doesn't come through so much as the pink and I'm so happy, because the coral actually is what was scaring me off.

The lighting in this made more of the peach pull out.

I think this is one of those colors that changes slightly based on the color of your skin and the lighting.  It helps make it more flattering.  This is just as soft as the other foiled eye-shadows and you will have to be careful not to damage your pan.  I found this one to be the easiest to work with because the way you apply this and where are the best ways to avoid creases in these shadows.

As I mentioned in my review on Mesmerized and Houdini these shadows do crease and can have fall out and you should use a primer with them, in spite of what the advertising says.  After that, you should apply some sort of base color.  It can be a shade close to your skin if you're using it for a simple look or a darker shadow if you want more of a pop.  Either way, you need the dry base for this to cling to.  Then, make sure you aren't applying in an area that you are crease prone.

This color works well with those tips, either all over the lid or dotted in the center of the lid over other shadows or in the corner of the eye.  Because that's what I wanted this shadow for, I'm much happier with this shadow than I was with the other two.  Plus, I was already expecting to be disappointed, so this shadow had no where to go but up lol.

* I didn't find this product at the end of a candy trail.  I bought this with my own money.

Makeup Geek Foiled Eye-Shadows Houdini and Mesmerized Review

Over-all my thoughts on Makeup Geek shadows have been positive.  At $5.99 they have been great for the price.  They are better than Mac.  I do like Morphé a little better, but the pigmentation and blend-ability has been pretty good.

If you watch YouTube you'll see that the foiled shadows are all the rage.  Everyone is having a cosmetics orgasm over them. Nikkie Tutorials reviewed it here with mostly overtly glowing reviews.  VintageorTacky almost sang her love for them, except the purple shade.

After watching this Jaclyn Hill Emerald Smokey Eye and Double Wing Eyeliner look video I nearly broke myself rushing to make an order.  She used Houdini to just...how is she even real?  CoffeeBreakwithDani used Mesmerized in a tutorial.

First up is Makeup Geek's Foiled Eye-Shadow in Houdini, a rich foiled emerald green with touches of teal.  Unlike the other Makeup Geek eye-shadows, this is $9.99 per 1.8 g refill pan.

Makeup Geek Houdini

It is very soft and finger swatches nicely.

Mmmm

Next up we have Makeup Geek Foiled Shadow in Mesmerized.  As you may know, I have a thing for taupes and this appeared to be like MAC Satin Taupe on makeup crack.  It is a rich foiled medium taupe with purple undertones.

Makeup Geek Mesmerized

It is soft and finger swatches like a unicorn kiss or some such incredible nonsense.

Mesmerizing...

As you can see, they swatch like a dream.  However, they don't apply like that with a brush.  In the product description they tell you that you don't need a primer.  This has not been my experience.  If you're using a brush I would highly suggest a primer.  I would suggest using a flat synthetic brush and being careful about the amount of product you get as you may have to work through these and Houdini especially is very crumbly.  These can crease and have fall out, so again, use a primer.

I wouldn't say that you have to wet them.  They are perfectly metallic on their own.  But not like Midas got his touch on or something.  The shadows are very soft, so you will need to use caution because it will be easy to ruin a pan if you're not careful (nails, hard brush dipping, random acts of pet violence).

The pigmentation with a brush wasn't too awesome and they can be a little difficult to blend.

I was disappointed with these two colors.  Based on the hype I was expecting something like my breath was going to be taken away and I would cry at the beauty of them.  I would say that the most honest review of them is by thefancyfaced.  So, I think if you understand that you will use a primer and that you will have to work with them and that they aren't going to look like the finger swatches, you'll be okay.  If you are expecting perfection, you'll have a sad moment, puppies will cry.

* I bought my own foiled shadows and have yet to figure out what unicorn kisses are actually like.

Makeup Geek Pretentious Review

So you know my "shopping list" that I got from Young Wild and Polished, oh yeah, going to link to her video again.  Does this count as stalking?

So, Makeup Geek Pretentious is a pretty metallic bronzed brown.  It is the usual $5.99 for .064 oz.  It is a fantastic price!  The quality on this eye-shadow is definitely there.  For a Spring Makeup Look by iMacUrFace click the pretty colors.  If you wanted to wear this out, I would go lighter on the blue under the eyes.  Or if you're of the bold persuasion, go for it!  

Makeup Geek Pretentious

This has the perfect pigmentation, is creamy, smooth, and blends beautifully.  It is a great color for year round.  It is also one of those colors that looks good on like everyone, IMPO as a non makeup artist.

Can you see the beauty?  Omg!

One thing I really like about this shadow is that even though it can technically be a bronze, it doesn't pull orange.  It actually looks like a bronze.  I truly love this color.

On another note, I wanted to apologize, I promised to get back with you when Jaclyn's Morphé Palette came back out.  It went on pre-sale yesterday.  It is still available.  Two discout codes i know of are "MANNYMUA" or "JACLYN" for 10% off.   My little girl cat, Nokomis, whom I have had for 15 years got an upper respiratory infection and has been sick.  I'm shredded.  My male cat, Tekatistat, that I've had about 6 months longer than her is upset because she's sick and he refused some meals :( I am really sorry for not letting you know about the palette sooner, but I hope you can understand.  She is an amazing cat.  She ended up dying 04/15/2015 :(

*  I don't have any magical portal to Makeup Geek's offices.  I buy my own shadows, with my very broke woman bank account.

Makeup Geek Burlesque Eye-Shadow Review

I am pretty excited to do this review.  I have green eyes, as I have mentioned, and so I love purple eye-shadows.  I also love reds and burgundies.  They do things to the green in my eyes.  But they can be tricky.  I mean no one wants to look like they have a vicious rash or something.  Okay, maybe someone out there does, and I won't judge you if you're one of those people!

They have been making some pretty ruddy shades for eyes, most brands have them now.  They're very popular in the autumn, but they can add some fire to orange and yellow spring and summer looks.

If you watch YouTube, you'll see a lot of these colors.  Especially, the ever popular Makeup Geek Bitten and Burlesque.  I'd call them the B Team, but Burlesque is straight up A Team.  I had thought about buying Bitten, in fact the thought crosses my mind so much I've considered putting in a cross walk.  Bad joke, I know.  I'm just afraid it will be too warm and Burlesque seemed to fit my bill.

You know that video I keep referring to as my shopping list by Young Wild and Polished?  She's wearing this color in that favorites.  I love her makeup in this video.  I bought her face.  Not literally.  But just what she had on her face!  Burlesque is a beautiful satiny, almost metallic burgundy color.  It is the usual $5.99 for a .064 oz refill pan.  It is on the warm side, but not in a way that cool skin tones won't be able to handle.  Warm skin tones, especially darker skin tones...oh my goodness!

Burlesque

The eye-shadow is very pigmented, soft, and blends well.  It may have fall out because of the pigmentation, so use standard fall out procedures.  SFOP include; putting eye-shadow on first and then foundation, using shadow shields, tapping out excess from the brush, powdering under eyes excessively to "catch" the drops of wine colored beauty on the places they don't belong.  You can use one or more of the SFOP :)

From Left to Right: Makeup Geek Burlesque, MAC Sketch, and MAC Cranberry

As you can see, it is very similar to MAC Sketch and Cranberry but it's not the same or a dupe.  I do think you can use it in place of either one of these shades in looks you love.  Like this Tanya Burr Club and Cranberry Smoky Eye.  If you don't have Club, I would try using the Makeup Geek pigment in Insomnia which is $6.99 for about 2 grams.

As you can see, the pigmentation is a win on the side of MUG

I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, but I think this color is fun and you will enjoy finding ways to play with it!

On another note, Jaclyn Hill said that the Morphé Palette will be back this week.  I don't know the exact date.  But I keep checking!  I'll leave you with this pretty spring/summery look using the palette to help the cravings for the 28 Shades of Jaclyn.  It is perfectly acceptable to drool a little.  Sephora's VIB sale is this coming weekend for Rouge members.  So, yay!  More ways to spend your money!

* No one decided to un-eh my green eyes with this delectable shade.  I pay for my own makeup.

Makeup Geek Bada-Bing Review

Makeup Geek Bada-Bing was on my original shopping list.  Due to having a budget, it was one of the colors I ended up dropping it off the list.  I was sad about the whole having to do that, but I haven't managed to win the lottery, so it's life!

Bada-Bing is a warm deep brown with bursts of gold glitter.  I know, you're terrified of looking like a glitter bomb, don't worry, I hear you.  I love glitter, but there's a time and a place.  If you're buying it and wanting that glitter on your eyes, you will be disappointed.  It transfers slightly in swatches but on your eyes, it barely shows.  Bada-Bing is $5.99 for .064 oz.  It isn't too warm for cool toned skin.

Bada-Bing!

This color is soft and has decent pigmentation.  Marlena uses it in this gorgeous mint and copper look that is great for spring, I totally wore it on St. Patrick's Day.  Anna's Beauty Secrets uses it in this gold glitter look.  It is great in the outer v, as an eyeliner, to blend out eyeliner, or for a different smokey eye.

All swatched up

It's a very nice dark brown, but it's not going to be what it looks like in the pan.  So as long as all you really want it for is dark brown, you'll like it.  If you really loved the glitter, you'll be a sad panda.  This is a color you'll be happy to have.

* I bought my own rich brown fun time.  No one bought this for me, sent it to me, or left if for me as a mystery package of joy.

Makeup Geek Hipster Review

Darn you, Young Wild and Polished, forcing me to buy other colors!  Okay, she didn't come over and hold orange lipstick to my head and threaten to make me wear it or anything.  She just made a video and I went shopping.

The next eye-shadow on our journey is Hipster.  Makeup Geek's Hipster is $5.99 for a 0.064 oz refill pan of eye-shadow joy.  This isn't a bam! color, it's not going to change your life.  It's another fairly basic color.  It's a warm satin sandy taupe.  It isn't too warm and does work for cool toned ladies.

Hipster

The satin of this color isn't in your face and can be used in the crease.  It is soft but not buttery, it has decent pigmentation, as it isn't too pigmented it doesn't have the issue with fall out that you may get with some of the other colors.  It was used in this Kylie Jenner look by Shaaanxo.  EbonyMaizeMakeup uses it in this soft glam look.  

It is good to use with cool toned colors for more warmth.  It wasn't quite the color I was expecting, but it's still nice.  This isn't a color you will have to run out and get right away or that you will have to cry if you don't have.  but if you do get it, you will find it to be quite useful.

* I bought Hipster by myself.  No one thought I should purchase or review it.

Makeup Geek Preppy Review

Oh yeah, just brewed another cup of coffee and I'm ready to get down to business.  I really want to get more of these Makeup Geek shadow reviews up.  Not that I want to get it over and done with, but I have more stuff I have planned and need more excuses to go shopping.  Plus, I didn't post for a bit due to new cat and current cat and all the fun of their introduction.

This was another one of the colors I got on my Young Wild and Polished Shopping List.  Makeup Geek Preppy is a warm matte khaki brown that leans a little olive or mustard depending on your skin tone.  It is $5.99 for 0.064 oz refill pan that fits well into Z-Palettes.

Preppy

This is another one of those basic shades that might not blow you away but that can be very useful.  It's a good alternative to the red and orange crease colors, if you're feeling something different or if those colors aren't your jam...or mustard?

Preppy swatched

The texture is very soft and it has good pigmentation.  It blends well.  It's very similar to Urban Decay's Buck but not a dupe.  Shadesof Kassie used it in this khaki and berry look.  Pin up Beauty used it in this olive look.  It seems to be a great color for blue eyes!  It also looks beautiful on brown eyes, as in this long wearing look by Casey Holmes.

* No one sent me anything to try.  I buy my own Makeup Geek shadows.

Makeup Geek Country Girl Review

I bought this in my second round of Makeup Geek shopping.  I wasn't going to buy it, but there was that whole video that Young Wild and Polished did on her favorite Makeup Geek products.  I totally shopped this list for round two. It's also in this pretty and springy look by Kayleigh Noelle.

Country Girl

Makeup Geek Country Girl is described lightly shimmery pink brown, to me it is a little more ruddy than pink.  It is on the warmer side, but not in a bad way.  I think it could work on most skin tones.  It is also $5.99 for a 1.8 g.  This one is one of the drier shades.  It has good pigmentation, but isn't one of the more pigmented Makeup Geek colors.

It is very versatile and does wonders for warming up a cool toned look.  It's not going to blow your mind, but it might be the basic color you didn't know you needed.

Lol my skin looks like paper!

* I bought my own Country Girl.  No one gave me a Country Girl.

Makeup Geek Drama Queen Review

Even though it is no longer March, I still have more Make-up Geek eye-shadow I want to share.  I love purple.  But it can be hard to find good purple eye-shadow.  MAC's purples are very hit or miss.  You can have a pretty one but most are patchy, powdery, or terrible in pigmentation.  When I saw Drama Queen I knew I wanted it, but I was worried that it would be MAC all over again.

Drama Queen

Makeup Geek Drama Queen is the usual $5.99 for a 1.8 g pan.  It is a deep shimmering plum.  The shimmer is a light purple or pink.  On the eyes the shimmer isn't over the top, just a bare hint of a shimmer that makes it interesting.  With MAC Fix + or eye drops you can turn this a little more metallic for even more fun with your eye-shadow.

Swatchy fun time.

This color is very buttery and pigmented.  It can be a bit powdery because of the high pigmentation, so make sure to tap off your brush and/or do your eye makeup before your foundation so you can clean up any fall out.  Drama Queen makes for a beautiful smokey eye or just to darken up the outer v or to blend out eyeliner.  It's really a good color, it blends fairly well but can be blended out a little too much.

I do think Marlena and her team have a winner in this eye-shadow.  You can see it in action in the beautiful mermaid look by MysteseBeauty and in this Purple Smokey Eye by Janani Selvaradj (this video is in French, but even if you don't speak French, she's very easy to follow).

* I bought my Drama Queen with my own hard earned money.  I didn't even have to be dramatic to get it!