Hello beautiful Makeup Geeks. Happy June! I don’t know about you but I am so thrilled that it’s finally here, bring on the summer. We are overly excited to see what you beauties create for this months challenge.  You continue to impress us with your skills and creativity. We can’t wait for you to raise the bar once again, and really blow us out of the water with your looks.

Superheroes

This month, in honor of the up and coming Superman movie, “Man of Steel” (which premieres June 14th) we are embracing our inner geek.  Amber and I are secretly big fans of both DC and Marvel characters and thought, what better than to kick off June with a Superhero theme!  Superheroes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and the fun part, with a variety of super powers.  But regardless of their differences, they do have a few things in common; fighting evil villains, protecting humanity, saving planet Earth, and restoring faith in mankind.  Embrace your inner geek with us this month by creating a look inspired from one of your favorite Superheroes.  Below, to help give you some ideas, we have shared a few of our favorite crime fighting heroes.  The images shown are minimalistic posters created by Calvin Lin.

Hope you have a blast creating your look! We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Have a fabulous month Muggies! Stay happy and healthy, as always!!

We have had some AMAZING entries these last few months, that unfortunately have been disqualified due to one minor detail, not including the MUG Monthly Challenge signs in their photos (information required listed in the rules below). This is a reminder for all of you to get those signs up! They don’t have to be anything special, you can even just jot down the information on a piece of scrap paper real quick… just please don’t forget to add them in. Otherwise we will have to disqualify your look, and we really don’t want to do that!! Also, a friendly reminder that editing the images submitted in any way will be disqualified as well. Thanks for your cooperation!

Don’t forget to check out the details (rules and prize) listed below.

The Prize

Two winners chosen: one for best look, and one at random, giving everyone a chance to win!

Winners will be announced in the forum and contacted by the end of the month

This month’s challenge prize is:

• Winner of best overall look: 5 Makeup Geek Pigments: Paparazzi, Prince Charming, Liquid Gold, New Years Eve, Birthday Wish.  3 Violent Lips Temporary Lip Appliques : The Leopard, The Strawberry Lemonade and The Black Cherry.

• Winner chosen at random:  5 Makeup Geek Pigments: Paparazzi, Prince Charming, Liquid Gold, New Years Eve, Birthday Wish.

The Rules

• Looks must be submitted by the 20th of each month
• Open to all ages from any country
• Limited to one look per person, please do not create an alternate user name to get out of this rule
• Makeup must be done by yourself
• The spirit of these challenges is to practice and create something new, thus to enter a look into a Monthly Challenge please create a look specifically for this challenge, i.e. do not upload a photo that was taken for another purpose
• Do not edit or alter your images in any way – images that have been altered will be disqualified *Any entry suspected of violating these rules will be deleted, and the user disqualified. Repeat offenders will be banned from entering future competitions.

• In one of your photos, please make sure you are holding a visible sign while wearing the makeup look that you are entering in the contest that says “MUG Monthly Challenge ___(insert challenge name)___ by ___ (insert user name)___(date)___”

As always if you have any additional questions concerning this months challenge feel free to contact either Amber or I via e-mail.

jena AT makeupgeek DOT com / amber AT makeupgeek DOT com

Best of luck to you all! We are excited to see what creations you come up with!

 *ENTER YOUR LOOKS HERE

Hello my fellow Makeup Geeks! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Leslie an I am beyond thrilled to be able to review new items that you may never have heard of or just haven’t tried yet. I am going to be reviewing both high-end products as well as more inexpensive products that are budget friendly. My reviews will be fair and honest; I won’t recommend anything to you that I wouldn’t spend my own money on!

So you may be asking yourself, “Who is this?” Well, let me give you some information about who I am and how I came to be part of this amazing group of people. I live in Southwest Virginia on the border of Tennessee and Virginia in a little town named Gate City. I am as southern as you get and have the accent to prove it. I am 41 years old and have been married to my best friend and husband for 21 years. I have two children, my son is 20 and my sweet daughter is 16. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who was born on July 4, 2012. She’s our little firecracker.

Hopefully over time while reviewing products you can get to know me and my family and be part of our lives as well. I look forward to it. And if there are any products you would like to see reviewed please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below letting me know. I would love to hear from you! So let’s get started with our first review!

Noya Lip Balm Review

Price & Where to Buy : $3.49  at  Makeup Geek Store

For my first few reviews I wanted to focus on some things that we have begun to carry in the Makeup Geek store that you may not have necessarily heard of or know we are selling. Recently, we began carrying NOYA Lip Balms. Personally, I had never heard of these. Many times this can be a good thing so you aren’t not swayed one way or the other and can more easily give a personal and honest review.

NOYA Lip Balms only contain 3 – 5 ingredients depending on which flavor of balm you choose. These come in four different flavors; vanilla, cherry, natural and spearmint. They are all natural and kosher. The claims on the website are as follows; “NOYA kosher lip balms contain no more than 3-5 simple, all-natural, kosher ingredients. Packed full of moisture, they’ll leave your lips begging for more, but don’t worry – all the ingredients are the same ones you can find in your kitchen, so feel free to reapply as often as your heart (and taste buds!) desire. They come in four fun flavors, sure to satisfy even the pickiest of puckers!”

The first thing I should mention is that I am not much of a lip balm girl. I know some people love them, but it was just not something I ever really got into. The only time you would find me using one was when my lips felt ordinarily dry or chapped and even then I would just use whatever I had here at the house. They always left my lips feeling smothered and the product felt heavy and never did what it claimed to do. The other thing I noticed immediately was the flavors. One thing I strongly dislike is artificial flavors. You know what I mean, that fake cherry flavor that comes in most gums and lip balms. Every kind I ever tried that claimed to be “all natural” or “taste like really cherries” never did. It always tasted like a bad synthetic version of the real thing to me, so I wasn’t expecting much more than I had tried numerous other times with the same results.

So I received two from the Makeup Geek store to try and test. The first one I used was cherry. I placed it on my lips and began to immediately rub my lips together to see how bad the flavor was truly going to be. Immediately I noticed the texture of the lip balm. These didn’t feel greasy like a lot of other balms I had tried in the past. These were lightweight, smooth and felt natural on my lips. The only thing that I could actually feel was a hydrating feeling as if my lips were being nourished.

The next thing I noticed was the flavor. I actually had to pick up the tube and look to make sure I had put on the right one; sure enough I was wearing the cherry flavor on my lips. It was amazing! This is not that fake flavor that many lip balms possess. This is a delicious, natural flavor that tastes as good as it feels. It really does taste like real cherries and I found myself licking my lips to continue to taste it. After basically licking the first coat off, I put on a second coat to sleep in and see if I could notice a difference by morning. And to my surprise, I really could. My lips were much softer and subtle and felt hydrated without a greasy or oily residue.

It took a while for me to actually switch and give the vanilla flavor a shot because I absolutely loved the cherry so much, but finally I gave in and put down my much loved cherry. The vanilla has a surprising flavor, this taste far more like a sugar cookie or yummy cupcake rather than your basic vanilla flavor making it a sweet surprise.

After a week of using them nightly before bed I could tell a huge difference in my lips. Not only were they softer and much more subtle, the looked and felt more hydrated and had a better overall appearance. The other things I truly love about these are the all-natural ingredients. I know exactly what I am putting on my lips. The flavors and ingredients are as follows:

• Natural – Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil  – (Makeup Geek Store)
• Vanilla – Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Flavor, Organic Stevia - (Makeup Geek Store)
• Cherry – Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Flavor, Organic Stevia – (Makeup Geek Store)
• Spearmint – Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Flavor, Menthol – (Makeup Geek Store)

The other great thing is the price, for only $3.49, these are budget friendly enough to try all four!

Advantages 

• Leaves lips soft and subtle
• Taste AMAZING
• Feels light and natural
• Doesn’t feel greasy
• Doesn’t weigh down lips
• All natural ingredients
• Extremely moisturizing
• Great Price
• Inexpensive

Disadvantages

• None that I can think of — especially for the price

I highly recommend these! They are the best lip balms I have ever tried and I will never use another one. In fact I like these so much I will be purchasing the other two to have the entire set of these spectacular lip balms! Well, there you have it. I highly recommend these to anyone who has a love for lip balms, and for those of you, who were like me, give these a try, they are sure to surprise you! Be sure and let me know what you think and if there is anything you would like to see me review just post it in the comments below.

Welcome to the best of our Idea Gallery for April 2013! (See previous Round-Ups here)

For this months Idea Gallery, we wanted to try something different. We are going to give specific instructions on how to recreate 10 of our most popular and most wearable looks. These looks will be great for the office, a day outing and even at night when you are going out with friends or that special someone. If the artist listed the products they used we will use those products in the description, if not we will give you some great Makeup Geek alternatives for recreating the look. We wanted to make sure you had a “go-to” list that you could pull up whenever you needed it and find a look that you are sure to love. And remember, you can swap out any shades you want to create a look that is specifically designed and create by you and customized to your liking. Makeup has no boundaries and is only limited by your imagination.

We were fortunate that this month we saw some amazing neutral looks highlighted by soft pops of color. The use of warm hues showed up to usher in the summer months and give our eyes a soft yet stunning look. Cool tones reminiscent of the ocean and long days at the beach made a dazzling appearance as well.  As always. the artist showed amazing technique in creating these looks. So no matter what kind of look you need, from a soft day look that’s easy to recreate, or a more dramatic look, there is something here for everyone.

Just click on each individual picture to visit the original Idea Gallery post for a complete list of products and more pictures. Under each image, we have also included some tips for each look to give you an idea on how to achieve it.

mango tango by Dressed-in-mint

This soft look is ideal for day or night and by changing the color on the lid is extremely versatile. Begin by placing a white base on the lower  part of the eye making sure to stay below the crease. Here the artist used the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk. Next, with a flat stiff brush like the Makeup Geek Eye Shader Brush and pat the color Mango Tango over the lower lid leaving the inner corner of the eye open. Bring the color up slightly past the crease. Use a fluffy dome brush like the Makeup Geek Crease Brush to feather out any harsh lines left. Use that same brush and wipe it off really well, or go in with a smaller dome brush and blend the color Mocha onto the outer part of the eye and bring the color up into the crease. Use the Crease Brush to blend out any harsh lines. Use the Makeup Geek Outer V Brush and go back with Mocha and darken the outer v part of the eye. Run the same brown shade under the outer 1/3 of the eye allowing the top and bottom to connect. Go back with your flat brush and apply Bleached Blonde to the inner 1/3 of the lower eyelid and run the color under the eye until it meets the brown. Use White Lies as a highlight under your browbone. Use the gel liner in Immortal to line the lower waterline 1/3 – 1/2 of the way and to create a stunning winged effect on the top of the eye. Add a pair of accent lashes like the Ardell #301 or for a softer day look, curl your lashes and add your favorite mascara.

Welcome, Spring! by maxineczka

This striking summer look combines both the warm shades of summer with a cool pop of color. Ideal for adding some color to your work look or when you want a look that’s easy and still looks amazing! Begin by patting Gold Digger over the inner 1/2 of the eye with a flat brush like the Makeup Geek Eye Shader Brush bringing the color up past the crease of the eye. Use a fluffy brush like the Makeup Geek Crease Brush and apply Mango Tango to the outer 1/2 of the eye bringing the color up and through the crease. Use the same brush to blend out any harsh lines. This should have look like a soft wash of color over the entire lid so make sure there are no lines left by any of the shades you use. Use a color close to your own skintone as a highlight under the browbone, here the artists used Beaches and Cream. To add that pop of color, smudge Mermaid under the entire length of the eye extending it past the outer part of the eye into a wing. The wing can be left off for a more subtle daytime look. Liner the upper and lower waterlines with the gel liner in Immortal and apply a small amount to the upper lashline. Add a pair of feathery lashes like Ardell #102 Demi or curl your lashes and add a great mascara. The great thing about this look is you can change the color under the eye to a soft brown for a more wearable office look, or change it to any color you want for a more fun or dramatic take on this striking creation.

Couleurs chaudes pour journée frette by juddde

This fun and girly look is ideal for when you want to add more color to your look. Begin by placing a white base over the lower part of your lid. Here the artist used NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk. With a flat, stiff brush like the Makeup Geek Eye Shader Brush, apply MAC’s Motif over the lower center part of the lid keeping the color below the crease. A great alternative for the center part of the eye would be Makeup Geek’s new pigment in Afterglow, keeping in mind that will also add a shimmer. Next, go in with Sugarpill’s Dollipop or as an alternative Makeup Geek’s Simply Marlena, and gently pat the color over the inner and outer 1/3 of the eye and bring the color up into the crease connecting the color. Use a combination of Sugarpill’s 2A.M. and Makeup Geek’s Unicorn above the pink in the crease making sure to blend out any harsh lines with a fluffy brush. Run the same two shades under the eye coming in 1/2 to 3/4 of the way. Use a white shade as your highlight under the browbone, here the artist combined Sugarpill’s Tako and MAC’s Vanilla but you could also use Makeup Geeks White Lies. Use the same white in the inner corner to help open the eyes and make them appear brighter. Use the Makeup Geek Outer V Brush and the color Purple Rain to darken and intensify the outer v portion of the eye. Line the upper and lower waterlines with the gel liner in Immortal and create a slight winged effect on the upper lashline. You can also add a bit of the black liner under the eye coming in slightly to add depth to the look. Curl your lashes and add a great thickening mascara to complete this colorful look.

Classic with a touch of cobalt by ilovemyaddiction

We love this amazing look not only for it’s timeless beauty but for it’s versatility as well. Don’t let the blue liner intimidate you. Simply switch it out for a soft brown liner for a perfect soft work look, a black liner for a more dramatic work look or easy neutral look, or your favorite shade of liner that perfectly fits your eye color or mood. With so many options to choose from the possibilities with this are limitless. Begin by sweeping Beaches and Cream over the lower lid and feather the color up slightly past the crease. Use a fluffy dome brush like the Makeup Geek Crease Brush and apply Mocha to the outer part of the eye blending the color inward toward the center of the eye and also sweep the color into the crease. Use the brush to eliminate any harsh lines giving this a soft blended look. Use the Makeup Geek Outer V Brush to apply the color Bada Bing to the outer v part of the eye to add depth to the look. Smudge the same color under the eye as well. Line the lower waterline with the gel liner in Mobster. Now for the fun, line the upper lashline with a bright blue liner. Here the artist used Lime Crime’s eyeliner in Lazuli but you could also use the Makeup Geek gel liner in Electric. Curl your lashes and add a couple coats of a great mascara. This is a great way to show case your eye color by picking a liner that will bring out your eye color.

Prom Perfect by Elizabeth Marino

This stunning and simple look is sure to turn heads. Perfect for the prom season, the eye-catching look will look amazing with any dress color. However, this look is so great it would be ideal for a night out with that special someone whether you are going to prom or out with the girls. Begin by placing a white base like the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. Make sure to keep the color below the crease. Use a flat, stiff brush such as the Makeup Geek Eye Shader Brush and gently pat the shade Shimma Shimma over the white base and in the inner corner of the eye. Now go in with a rounded tip brush like the Makeup Geek Pointed Crease Brush and sweep the color Sensuous on the outer part of the eye and up into the crease making sure to feather out an harsh lines. Use the color Cupcake and the Makeup Geek Crease Brush as a transition color and to feather out any harsh lines. This should be blended well enough so it leaves a soft wash of color on the eye. Now go in with the Makeup Geek Outer V Brush and the color Drama Queen and darken the outer v portion of the eye to add depth to the look. Line the upper and lower waterlines with a black liner and smudge the black under the eye coming in to where your lashes begin. Use a smudger brush and smudge the color Purple Rain over the black for a smokey effect. Use the gel liner in Immortal and create a dramatic winged liner effect on the top of the eye. Use the same liner and begin under the eye where the liner left off and create a “peak” in the inner corner of the eye. Use a gold glitter liner like the NYX Glitter Liner in Gold to create a line at the edge of the wing. Add a pair of dramatic lashes like the Red Cherry #47 to finish the eyes. For the lips, the artist used the soft pink color Adorable. Add a touch of pink gloss like NYX’s Beige to finish the perfect lips for this exceptional look.

 by JuliaMakeUpGirl

This simple yet amazing look is easy to recreate and is sure to be one you add to your makeup arsenal as a “go to” look. The artist here used the Sleek Mattes V2 Palettes but we are going to give you some Makeup Geek alternatives to recreate this stunning look. Begin by sweeping Crème Brulee over the lower lid and bring the color up slightly past the crease. Use a fluffy brush like the Makeup Geek Crease Brush and blend the color Peach Smoothie in the crease feathering the color upward making sure to blend out any harsh lines left behind. With a smaller dome brush, apply a cool purple like Duchess on the outer part of the eye and into the crease. You may have to go back with the Crease Brush and blend out the lines. Run a shimmery green like Appletini under the entire length of the eye. Line the upper lashline with the gel liner in Immortal and you upper and lower waterlines. Add a pair of lashes like the Ardell #102 Demies to finish this look. The great thing about this is you can change out the bottom color for any shade that brings out your eyes or fits you mood. Tone it down to a soft brown for a perfect office look, then add a pop of color for a night on the town.

Simply look by ilovemyaddiction

This soft and subtle look is not only elegant but truly one that you are sure to fall in love with. To get started recreating this look, begin by patting the color Cupcake over the center of the eyelid leaving the inner and outer 1/3 open. Blend the color up slightly past the crease making sure to eliminate any harsh lines. Use a small dome brush like the Makeup Geek Pointed Crease Brush and gently apply Fairytale to the outer part of the eye feathering out any harsh lines. Make sure NOT to bring the color into the crease.  Use a small brush and smudge the color Twilight under the eye coming in to where your lashes begin. Add Shimma Shimma to the inner 1/3 of the eye. Wipe off the Crease Brush and make sure you blend out any harsh lines leaving a soft faded effect above each color but not blending them together. Use Corrupt to lightly create a soft wing on the upper lashline. Using an eyeshadow will give this a softer effect than a gel liner or pencil. Curl your lashes and add a good mascara to complete this look.

Sunset Eyes by maxineczka

What better and beautiful way to add color to your summer makeup than the cool beached toned look. Begin this look by using a flat brush like the Makeup Geek Eye Shader Brush and gently patting the shade Mermaid to the inner 1/3 of the eye bringing the color up past the crease. Use a fluffy brush to buff out any harsh lines. The key to this look is making sure the colors have a gradient effect from one color to the next. Wipe off your brush really well and go in with Boo Berry and pat the color over the rest of the lower lid again allowing the color to come up past the crease and blend out any lines left behind. Run the same blue color under the outer part of the eye coming in 1/2 of the way. Go back with Mermaid and place the color under the eye where the Boo Berry left off and bring it in to where you lashes begin. With a small dome brush, apply Razzleberry above the Boo Berry making sure not to bring the color in over the Mermaid. Wipe off your brush very good and go in with Chickadee directly above the Razzleberry allowing it to come in slightly further. Add a pop of Shimma Shimma to the inner corner of the eye and as a highlight on the browbone. For a touch of added drama, add a pair of accent lashes like the Ardell #301 to the top of your eyes. Add a great mascara for a polished look.

Arabic inspired Drama by NaturallyErratic

This striking Arabic inspired look is perfect for when you want to create something more dramatic and eye-catching. Don’t let a look like this intimidate you by thinking you can’t achieve this. The artist here used all Makeup Geek products for this amazing look. Begin by placing a piece of scotch tape at the end of the eye to create a crisp, clean line. Using a flat, stiff brush, pat Pixie Dust over the inner 1/3 of the lower lid allowing the color to come up slightly past the crease. Wipe off your brush really well and go in with the shade Mermaid and repeat the same process. Use a small tip brush like the Makeup Geek Pointed Crease Brush, gently brush Corrupt from the edge of the tape feathering the color inward until it meets the Mermaid. Make sure you blend where all the colors meet. Use a fluffy brush like the Makeup Geek Crease Brush, and go in with the color Sensuous and gently feather the color above the black. This time you want to leave a soft line from the black so don’t over blend the color. Use a color close to your skin tone as a highlight and to soften the harsh lines left from the Sensuous. Now using a small eyeliner brush or an angled eyebrow brush, draw a line from where the black stops in a curve over the edge of the Pixie Dust. Remove the tape from your eye and if you prefer, go in with a Q-Tip and soften the edge of the line. Line the upper and lower waterlines with a black liner and smudge the black under the eye as well. Add the color Sensuous to the outer 1/2 of the eye and Pixie Dust under the rest of the eye coming in to the inner corner. Use your small brush again, or a sharp pencil to extend the liner and create a “beak” in the inner corner. Curl your lashes and add a thickening mascara for a stunning Arabic inspired look.

Jewel Bug by ilovemyaddiction

This stunning look is inspired by the exotic colors found on jewel bugs. Here the artist used a combination of Makeup Geek and other products to achieve this look, but we will give you Makeup Geek alternatives for completing this gem toned inspired look. Begin by patting a soft gold like Bleached Blonde over the inner 1/3 of the eye. Make sure to bring the color under the inner 1/3 of the eye as well. Wipe off your brush and go in with the color Burlesque or Bitten, and pat over the center of the eye keeping the color below the crease.  Now go in with a small fluffy brush like the Makeup Geek Crease Brush and the color Shimmermint and place over the outer 1/3 of the eye and blend the color up into the crease making sure to feather out any harsh lines. Run the same soft green under the rest of the eye picking up where the gold leaves off. Use the fluffy brush to make sure you feather out any harsh lines. Use a small amount of Pixie Dust on the outer 1/3 of the eye above the Shimmermint making sure not to bring the color to far into the crease. With the same brush, use a coral shade like Mango Tango to blend out any lines left behind. Use a color close to your skintone as a highlight under the brow bone. No go back in with a small dome brush like the Makeup Geek Outer V Brush, and apply Nautica into the outer v part of the eye and run the color under the outer 1/3 of the eye. This will add depth and dimension to the look. Each shade should fade into the other and appear as one soft wash of color. Line the lower waterline with a blue eyeliner or pat a small amount of Nautica over it. Create a winged effect on the upper eyelid and add a great pair of false lashes like the Red Cherry #46.

Spring Laguna by Dressed-in-mint

This soft yet elegant look is the perfect way to add a soft wash of color to your look without feeling overpowered by your makeup. Begin by placing a white base over the lower part of the eyelid. The artist here used the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. Apply a small layer and blend out with  your finger keeping the color below the crease. Using this will help the soft blue shade pop off the lid. Next, with a flat stiff brush like the Makeup Geek Eye Shader Brush, gently pat on Poolside over the lower lid keeping the color below the crease. With a fluffy brush, buff on the color Mango Tango to the outer part of the eye and up into the crease feathering out any lines left behind. Wipe off our brush and use the color Cupcake as a transition color and to blend out the lines from Mango Tango. Use a color close to your skintone like Vanilla Bean as a highlight. Use a smaller dome brush like the Makeup Geek Outer V Brush, and go in with Mocha and apply to the outer v part of the eye to add depth to the look. Run the same brown shade under the eye coming in 3/4 of the way. Add a pop of Shimma Shimma to the inner corner to brighten and open the eyes. Use the gel liner in Immortal to create a soft winged effect on the upper lashline, curl your lashes, add mascara and a pair of lashes like the Ardell #120 to finish the look.

Rainbow by kamini

The key to pulling off this daring look is all attitude. Don’t let bright shades intimidate you. When doing a look like this, make sure to blend your colors where each one meets. You want each shade to have a gradient effect. To achieve the crisp line and the edges that accompany it, use a pointed Q-Tip and very small amount of makeup remover and draw the area that you want to be filled in with the white. Then use a white pencil to color in the area. Make sure you final shade in this look that is closest to your eyebrow is well blended and leaves no lines. The key here is to blend, blend, and when in doubt, blend some more. The artist here used all Makeup Geek products for the look and includes, Appletini, Beaches and Cream, Drama Queen, Peach Smoothie, Pixie Dust, Poolside and Shimma Shimma.

Cut crease with color by Elizabeth Marino

Nothing is as daring and dramatic as a cut crease. Adding color to the looks gives it a whole new level of definition and drama that you are sure to love. Pair the cool jewel tones of the purple along with the warm oranges gives this look an exotic feel that is breath-taking. The key to achieving this amazing look is to place a piece of tape along the outer part of the eye to create a sharp line. Once your eyeshadows are in place use a Q-Tip to smudge the line for a softer effect. Begin the lower eyeliner where you lashes begin and extend the color to a wing. Line the lower waterline with a white eyeliner and then place a stripe above extended part of the purple. Add a pair of dramatic lashes like Red Cherry #46 and for added drama apply purple mascara to the bottom lashes. The artist here used a combination of MAC, MUFE and Makeup Geek products for this astonishing look. The colors are; MAC Crystal Avalanche, Orange, Passionate, Vibrant Grape and Reflects Pearl. Makeup Forever matte eyeshadow #92, Makeup Geek’s Mango Tango and NYX’s Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.

Blue Flame by pigmentsandpalettes

Inspired by a face chart found on MAC, the artist here wanted to show an inexpensive way to create the same stunning look. Using Makeup Geek products, this artist created a prom perfect look that will make you queen of the prom for sure. The captivating part of this look is the bright blue liner on the waterline. The artist used NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Electric Blue to perfectly line her eyes. Other products used were Corrupt, Galaxy, Nautica, Purple Rain, Vanilla Bean, the gel liner in Immortal, and the Makeup Geek Lipstick in Innocent as a ideal color for these cool blue eyes.

Emerald Liner by makeupbyhilary

This look is not only stunning but versatile. With the ability to change the top liner to the color of your choice the possibilities with this look are endless. Each person can customize the look to play up the color of their eyes. For green eyes, try a plum or purple eyeliner as it makes the eyes appear more vibrant. Since hazel eyes are a combination of brown and green they have the benefit of being able to use colors from either family. Try using silvers, pinks, pops of teal and even some greens to make your eyes appear greener.  For you blue-eyed babes, plums, silvers and even expresso eyeliners will warm up your eyes while adding a beautiful contrast to your eyes. The artist used Makeup Geek colors to show off this wonderful look and are, Beaches and Cream, Corrupt, Latte, Purely Naked and the gel liner in Mystic.

 by JuliaMakeUpGirl

This colorful creation is ideal for adding some summer fun to your look. The warmth of the yellow and brown is played perfectly along with the cool tones of the blue and purple under the eye. Makeup Geek’s Lemon Drop would be perfect for adding to the lower lid. Sweep a soft brown like Frappe in the crease and set this look apart from the rest by placing Boo Berry under the outer 1/2 of the eye and Unicorn coming in the rest of the way.

Poisoned Neptune by MakeUpLoveZz

This months Idea Gallery was full of amazing creations by some very talented artist. Every month we are pleasantly surprised by what you have to showcase. Please keep sending in your ideas and looks. And if there is anything we can do to make the Idea Gallery more appealing please let us know in the comments below.

*NOTE – Please understand, we do our best to give you tips and tricks to recreate these look. However, is it important to note that the images that are displayed are edited to enhance the color and over all look of the picture to provide you with a clear understanding of how the look was achieved. If the artist listed the products used then we list them in the descriptions, if not we try our hardest to give you duplicates so you can have the same amazing look.

Hi everyone!

I’m Jena. I wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me and what I do here at Makeup Geek.

I am the Marketing Assistant, and basically, I have about the coolest job a girl like myself could ask for. I get to dabble with all of my favorite things and call it a job. I get to take photos, design graphics and packaging, write for the site, review/test new makeup formulas, and best of all I get to chat with all of you. You are always so cheery and fun, chatting with you, really brightens my day!

Hiking, cliff jumping, soccer, snowboarding, golfing or pretty much anything active and outdoors are some of my favorite things to fill my spare time. Throughout the years, I’ve learned the hard way how to avoid looking like a complete mess while still keeping my makeup routine simple and fool proof. So today, I wanted to share with you some simple tricks to help you look good even when you’re working out! With the hot summer months coming up, makeup can be such a bother as it seems to smear easier and quite literally melt off your face. When you are exercising outside, or just laying out by the pool the key is to have breathable makeup.

This past weekend, my sister and I decided to head to the beach to hike on the dunes and just enjoy the beautiful weather. I knew I’d be sweating after a few steps up those treacherous sandy dunes, and I also knew we were meeting up with some friends afterwards. So, the trick was to keep my makeup barely there but still look decent enough to meet new people later.

You want to find that balance between no makeup at all and wearing too much. The best way is to only apply where you actually need it. The tips I share below are what I follow for days that I’m on the go.  You won’t look your absolute best, but that’s not the goal here.  Save that for girls night out. The goal is to get by without looking like a sweaty mess.

Beauty Tips For The Active/Athletic Girl

Unfortunately, my skin isn’t as clear or as evenly toned as I would like and because I have naturally lighter hair, my lashes and brows don’t show up well on their own. We all have our problem areas, but just because you are working out doesn’t mean you have to let them show. Whether you’re heading to the gym, out for a hike, or kayaking out on the lake, you can still look your best without layering on the makeup. After all, you never know who you’ll run into.

Skip The Foundation

Let your pores have some air when you work out. Only cover up what you have to with a matching concealer, a very light/sheer tinted moisturizer or BB Cream and again only apply where needed. If you wear too much you risk the chance of clogging your pores as you sweat. I prefer just using a concealer stick. It’s more discreet to carry with you for touch ups later. Just use your finger and lightly dab it on any blemishes, blending it into your skin.

Tint Your Lips

Tinted Lip Balm is the perfect way to add a little light weight color to your lips. You’ll forget you even have it on. Having that extra boost of color will help your lips stand out and brighten up the rest of your face with one effortless swipe. My favorite brands are Maybeline’s Baby Lips, and Palladio Tinted Lip Balm. If you choose the right shade, these can double as a blush when you’re in a pinch. Just put a little bit on your finger, dabbing it along your cheekbone to add an extra splash of color.

• Maybelline Baby Lips – (Amazon) (ebay)
• Palladio Tinted Lip Balm – (Makeup Geek Store)

Regular Mascara. Or none at all

I never wear waterproof mascara. I have found it clumps like mad once wet, doesn’t come off and, to me, is just a pain. I always wear regular mascara, so if I end up going to the beach spur of the moment and want to take it off easily (before it runs down my face) I simply rub my lashes gently between my fingers with a little water. If I know I’m going to be surrounded by water, I skip the mascara altogether. If you absolutely hate going with bare lashes, try vaseline or clear mascara. They’ll define the lashes and help you avoid looking like a raccoon.

Frame Your Face

If you have darker hair/fuller brows, you can afford to skip this step. If you have lighter brows like me, the extra definition really helps. Keep your brows looking natural, just filling in where needed.  It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I use the Palladio brow pencil in taupe. I personally prefer pencils over powder, but that’s just me. Fill them in with whatever works best for you. By filling in your brows, you are creating a sort of frame to your face, helping your other facial features stand out more.

• Palladio Brow Pencil – Makeup Geek

Braid Your Hair

It’s simple, out of your face and cuter than the average ponytail. Between the basic three strand braid, fishtail, french, and dutch, there are plenty of styles to help you switch it up.

If you are a newbie with braids, to help get you started here is a good tutorial on how to create the fishtail braid.

Stud it up

If you are doing something low key, you can wear a pair of simple studded earrings. It may seem silly to wear jewelry when your playing tennis or whatever it is your doing, but most people won’t even notice them. All they will notice is the overall effect. A pair of sparkly studs will play up your eyes and leave them looking bigger, and brighter.

Wear Shades

Throw on a pair of stylish sunglasses if you’re doing something outside and less intense so you won’t lose them. They’ll protect your eyes from any harsh sun rays, hide any ‘no makeup’ fears you might have and do it all in style.

Smooth Skin

Always, always, keep your skin hydrated. Use your favorite moisturizer and lather up. For summer you can get away with choosing one with a little added shimmer to boost your natural glow.  My skin can be easily irritated so I stick to Cetaphil Fragrence Free as it seems to work best for me.

Keeping your makeup natural and quick to throw on can be such a breeze. I hope you find that following some of these tips are helpful and have you feeling good about yourself. Go out, be active, and enjoy the weather this summer without worrying about how you look!

Hello Makeup Geeks! Today I have another review for you all of a drug store product that I love. I featured these in my “Summer Tag” video as well so please feel free to take at that. I love these so much I wanted to do a full review of them for you. These are the “Revlon Lip Balm Stains”. I am usually not a fan of regular lip-stains simply because all the ones I have tried feel drying on the lips. Revlon Balm Stains are different in that they apply with a glossy look and feel, but when you wipe them away or they fade over time you are left with a beautiful soft, stained effect to the lips. These last a very long time and are very highly pigmented.

What I like about these is that it is a balm that has been infused with color that comes in a crayon form and are retractable so they need no sharpening. These retail for about $6.00 depending on where you purchase them at. Many drugstores will have sales so keep an eye out for those! I got these at Ulta who was having a sale also. I want to share with you the colors I got.

• “Rendezvous” – Soft Orange Color
• “Cherish” – Girly Pale Pink
• “Darling” – Cool Toned Pink with a Hint of Lilac
• “Lovesick” – True Bright Pink
• “Sweetheart” – Medium Warm Pink

The other shades that are in this line are:

• “Honey” – Rosy/Natural Color
• “Crush” – Deep Berry Red
• “Smitten” – Plum with a Touch of Fuchsia
• “Charm” - Light Warm Nude/Peach
• “Romantic” – Warm Red with a Touch of Orange
• “Precious” – Nude/Natural
• “Adore” – Brown Toned Red

These retail at most drugstores, Target, Ulta, Amazon and eBay for around $6.00 – $8.99 depending on where you purchase them. Be sure and look for BOGO sales.

These are like a lipgloss but not sticky in any way. They are very sheer, shiny and still have a good amount of pigmentation. Ideal for the summer, these would be perfect to toss in your beach bag and take along with you for an added pop of color. The only thing I don’t like about these is that you really do have to rub them on because they are a buildable color. So you really have layer the color by putting a little extra on. What I love is that they aren’t tacky in any way like many lipglosses and have great color payoff.

ADVANTAGES

• Highly pigmented
• Feels Smooth without being sticky
• Leaves a soft stain on the lip
• Last a long time
• Buildable color
• Great for summer
• Nice color range (12 to be exact)
• Good price
• Easy to find

DISADVATAGES

• You do have to build the color

So these are a definite 2 thumbs up from me on these amazing Lip Balm Stains! These will be great for the upcoming hot summer months. If you have tried these or if you plan on trying these, let me know what you think of them in the comments below. Stay happy and healthy!

XOXO,

Marlena

Hello my wonderful Makeup Geeks! Today I have a review for you of the NARS Satin Lip Pencils. I am not usually a huge fan of lip pencils just because they can be drying, but I really like these. The come in typical crayon fashion, are available in 13 shades and are really good. The one I am wearing now is “Yu”.

These are on the higher-end price wise which is typical for NARS as it is a high-end cosmetics company. These sell for $25.00 and contain .07 ounces of product. I do love that these are very moisturizing and even after they start to come off and have worn for a while they appear as a lip stain and not just a regular lipstick or pencil. The great thing about this is if you want to wear one of the brighter shades, but you are leery of bolder shades, you can simply apply the lip pencil and blot your lips for a more muted stained effect. These are very creamy and glide on smoothly and are very highly pigmented. I was actually very surprised at how much I liked them. The only downside was the price.

As for the packaging, I have never really like the “crayon” type lip pencils simply because I feel like a kid drawing on my face, but that’s my personal preference. The one complaint I do have about the packaging is with the lids. They are easy to remove, but unfortunately the lid doesn’t want to stay on very well. Because of this I have had the lid fall off a couple of mine and it messed up the lip color. For the price the lids should be better quality and remain on.

NARS Satin Lip Pencils

• Floralies – Light Apricot (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Biscayne Park – Pink Guava (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Lodhi – Vibrant Coral (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Palais Royal – Sangria (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Majella – Garnet (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Luxembourg – Vivid Watermelon (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Yu – Shocking Pink (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Isola Bella – Peach Beige (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Rikugien – Rose Pink (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Het Loo – Cognac (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Golshan – Spiced Wine (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Hyde Park – Cardinal Red (Amazon) (Sephora) (NARS)
• Jardin de Plante – Fuchsia (NARS)

Advantages

• Non Drying
• Creamy
• Moisturizing
• Give a Nice Stained Effect
• Very Highly Pigmented

DISADVANTAGES

• Price
• Packaging

So let me know what you all think of these new lip pencils if you already have them or if you buy a few for yourself. And I hope each and everyone of you are staying happy and healthy!

XOXO,

Marlena

Hi Makeup Geeks!

I am SO excited to announce the release of 10 new pigments!!  A few of these are dupes for MAC ones, but are less than half the cost.  I love how pigmented these are, smooth, and easy to apply.  My favorite way to use these are patting on the lid for a pop of shimmery and shine. You can also use a soft neutral one on top of the cheeks for a glow to the skin, or can even mix in with detangler or MAC’s Fix Plus spray to add shine to your hair. OH! You can mix with clear lipgloss to create a custom color! There’s so many use for these, so I will do a special video soon showing you how to use them

I would love to hear your feedback on these as these are formulated for all of you.  Thanks again for your continued support!

MUCH love,
Marlena and the Makeup Geek crew

About the Shades

This listing corresponds to the image above.  The shades are in order to their placement from left to right in each row, and rows top to bottom.

• New Year’s Eve: Light Gold Reflective Glitter – Look New Year’s Eve ready anytime of the year with this striking light gold reflective glitter. The perfect addition to any look, this glitter is finely milled for a smooth application. Use dry for a soft, elegant look or wet for a more daring and dramatic look. (Buy New Year’s Eve in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Afterglow: Soft Shimmery Champagne – Bask in the Afterglow of this soft yet stunning champagne color. Between the creamy texture and shimmery finish, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of warmth to any look. Whether you add a splash of this pigment to highlight your cheeks or as a finishing touch to a dramatic eye, this color is sure to keep you glowing. (Buy Afterglow in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Sweet Dreams: Light fleshed toned beige pink with slight shimmer- You are sure to be the cause of many sweet dreams when this amazing shade graces your lids. This light flesh-toned beige pink has a slight shimmer and is the ideal shade for transition or as a highlight under the brow bone. The finely milled color is stunning used when used wet and adds the perfect pop to your eyes. Goes on smoothly and evenly for a striking look every time. (Buy Sweet Dreams in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Liquid Gold: True Metallic Gold – A true treasure for the eyes, this stunning Liquid Gold pigment will make you look and feel like a fortune. The high pigmentation and rich texture allows it to glide on smoothly without clumping and gives you long lasting wear. Use dry for a soft wash of color, or wet for a true metallic finish. Either way, you are sure to be a stunner! (Buy Liquid Gold in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Enchanted: Light Plum Shimmer – This Enchanted color is sure to leave those around you spellbound. The light plum shimmer compliments any skin tone and is ideal for adding a touch of magic to your look. The creamy formula glides on smoothly and evenly leaving a flawless finish. (Buy Enchanted in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Birthday Wish: Shimmery Light Gold Peach – May all your Birthday Wishes and more come true when you wear this whimsical pigment! This light golden peach shade is highly pigmented and has a velvet-like texture making it easy to apply. The crease proof formula means it will last all day and never fade. (Buy Birthday Wish in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Utopia: An Antiqued Gold Glitter – Regardless your skin tone, this is sure to be a match made in Utopia!  Perfect for everyone, this amazing duo-chrome pigment adds a sparkling and stunning pop to your eyes. This is the perfect mixture of deep browns and antique gold shimmer that looks dazzling. Use alone and pat over a base for a soft shimmery effect, or with a mixing medium for a more alluring look. The creamy texture allows it glide on smoothly with little fallout. (Buy Utopia in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Paparazzi: Glittery Smokey Grey – Just because you aren’t a celebrity, doesn’t mean you can’t look like one! This dazzling smokey grey color will have you looking like a star. It has just enough pizzazz to have the paparazzi’s following you in no time. The incredible pigmentation and rich texture allows this to glide on smoothly and evenly without fading or creasing. (Buy Paparazzi in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Prince Charming: Metallic Cool Silver – You don’t need a glass slipper to attract your Prince Charming when this shade adorns your eyes. This cool silver shade has a creamy texture and high pigmentation, making it a gem to work with. Apply wet or dry, this astonishing color is sure to have every prince’s eyes on you. (Buy Prince Charming in the Makeup Geek store!)
• Insomnia: A Duochromed Teal/Bronze – This pigment will leave you wide awake and ready for the evening.  This dark chocolate colored pigment has sparkling blue/teal reflects that will light up your eyes. The duo-chrome effect simply means the color changes as you blend.  It will appear as multiple colors, although you are using just one pigment. Its velvet-like texture makes it easily applicable, gliding on with ease. Use alone or with a wet  brush for a multitude of endless looks. (Buy Insomnia in the Makeup Geek store!)

Swatches

Here are the swatches of each of our shades, and an extra set up swatches that show some of our colors that are dupes of popular MAC pigments.

Great Price Per Ounce and Reasonable Quantity

We wanted to find the best balance of having a good price per ounce without making the Makeup Geeks out there having to buy a large jar.   Each jar of Makeup Geek pigment contains about 2 grams of product (the jars are rated at 1.5 grams, that is on the box and label, but packed them full as you can tell from the photos below.

Every year trends come and go, and we try our best to stay on top of what is hot for the year. Regardless of whether it’s makeup you covet, fashion, nails or accessories, be assured there is something here for everyone.

HOT COLORS

This year’s hottest colors are by far mint green and peach. The cool tone of the mint and warmth of the peach make this pairing an ideal match. Pair these up on your eyes by creating a soft peach eyelid with shades like Makeup Geek’s “Mango Tango” or “Peach Smoothie” for example, and adding a pop of mint like Makeup Geek’s “Shimmermint” or the gel liner in “Mystic” under the eye. Add the color to your nails, or add a peach or mint green necklace to a shirt of the opposite color. Color blocking is a great way to wear these shades. Do this by wearing a monochrome peach outfit and adding mint green accessories, like a pair of mint green shoes and hand bag or vice-versa. With so many ways to play up these shades you are sure to be in style.

MAKEUP

Metallic

For summer, bare is always beautiful, but so is a pop of color. And if you thought the metallic trend was a thing of the past, think again. This year, silver metallic adorned the runways and lit up the eyes of models worldwide and saw the addition of gold metal to turn up the summer heat. Makeup Geek’s pigment in “Liquid Gold” is right on trend for a look like this. The trick this year is to add bold eyeliner to the top of the eye in a winged shape to give the look even more added drama.

Go Natural

There is no better time to let your natural beauty shine through than in the spring and summer months. Add a tinted moisturizer, a little mascara and a tinted lip balm and you are ready to go.  Don’t forget to make sure they include a little SPF to help protect your skin, and keep your natural healthy glow.  Matte, velvet like finishes replaced dewy skin this year also. The key to pulling off such an effortless look is to keep your brows defined and in shape. This will frame the face and give your look a finished and stunning, graceful look.

Eyeliner

Ever since cat eyes came on the scene, eyeliner has become a new essential in everyone’s makeup arsenal. Last year’s cat eye seems to have been replaced by the retro grunge look. A lined inner rim and smudged color under the eye gives high impact to your look and can be worn softly to take your natural look from day to night. It is also great to add drama to your best high impact looks. Use bright shades like Makeup Geek’s “Electric“, “Fame“, “Poison“ or “Amethyst” for a colorful grunge look or “Immortal“, “Rave“, “Twinkle” or “Mobster” for a more neutral effect.

Lashes

This is definitely the season of the lashes. Whether you prefer fun flirty lashes like the Ardell “Fairies“, dramatic long lashes like the Ardell #115 or spiky rocker lashes such as the Ardell #102, this season they are in full effect. From clumpy and chunky to double up and fierce, make sure you play up your lashes with extra mascara or the addition of false lashes.

Lips

Let the world know that you’re not afraid of color this year by adding a pop of vibrant color to your lips. Hot pinks and neon shades are showing up everywhere along with our much loved reds. The bolder the color the better, all you have to do is throw on your sunglasses and you’re ready to go. Just make sure to keep the bright shade to one area of the face, eyes or lips. To try a assortment of bold shades, try the “Makeup Geek Adventure Pack” to get 5 of this years hottest shades.

Nails

Neon shades for nails, especially in the warmer months isn’t such a shock. But something that has been gaining momentum is the “pale nail”. Shades by Essie like “Blanc”, “Curtain Call”, “Limo-Scene”, “Muchi-Muchi”, make up your pale pinks. For you coral lovers, hues such as “Tart Deco”, “Shop Till I Drop” and “Van D Go” all provide soft washes of coral color that can be left soft and subtle or built up for more color. “Mint Candy Apple” and “Absolutely Shore” lend to the mint green trend that is carrying over from last year.

• “Blanc” – Amazon, eBay
• “Curtain Call” – Amazon, eBay
• “Limo-Scene” – Amazon, eBay
• “Muchi- Muchi” – Amazon, eBay
• “Tart Deco” – Amazon, eBay
• “Shop Till I Drop” – Amazon, eBay
• “Van D Go” – Amazon, eBay
• “Mint Candy Apple” – Amazon, eBay
• “Absolutely Shore” – Amazon, eBay

Hair

Time to dig out our flat irons as it seems straight hair is all the rage this spring/summer. The key to pulling off a great sleek look is to have your hair in its best condition. Invest in a good conditioner and oil that will add shine and nutrients to your hair the heat will pull out. Whether you pull it up, wear it half up and half down or twisted and turned, keeping it straight is the key. Tightly wound knots and elaborate braids also made the list this year as did everyone’s favorite ponytail, just make sure to wear it low this year.

Clothes

Say good-bye to the peplum look that was everywhere last year. 2013 is all about sleek and straight. Peach and mint green is the color combo of choice this year. Regardless of whether you color block or add touches of the shades to accent your clothes. These are the “must have” colors this year. Hot sundresses add heat to the warm months as well as color blocked black and white maxi dresses.

• Pleated Mint Dress - Forever 21
• Black and White Maxi Dress – Forever 21

Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune to look great. Great pieces can be found anywhere and to fit any budget.  Having a few items that can be mixed and matched in your closet is an easy and inexpensive way to be on trend this season.

Hello Makeup Geeks! Today I have a beautiful summer look for you using some blues, greens and even some pinks. I will also give you some alternatives to make this look more wearable if you don’t want to wear this much color. I really wanted to do something with a fun glitter on the middle of eye, something fresh and spring inspired. I will also be using one of my new pigments on the center of the eye so you will get the first look at these amazing pigments!

So let’s begin on this cool spring look.

Face:

• Emani Pressed Mineral Foundation – “292 Golden” – (Amazon) (Emani)
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush – “Exposed” – (Amazon) (eBay)
• Burberry Luminous Fluid Base – “Fresh Glow” – (Amazon) (eBay)

Eyes:

• Makeup Geek Eyeshadow - ”Cupcake” – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
• Makeup Geek Eyeshadow – “Unicorn” – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
• Makeup Geek Eyeshadow - ”Appletini” – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
• Makeup Geek Eyeshadow  – “Duchess” – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
• Makeup Geek Pigment – “New Years Eve” – (Makeup Geek Store)
• Lancome Gel Liner – “500 Emerald Seductive” -  (eBay) (Lancome)
• NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil – “604 Milk” (Makeup Geek Store)
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara – “Carbon Black” – (Amazon) (eBay)
• Palladio Liquid Eyeliner – “Black Forest” - (Makeup Geek Store)
• Ardell False Lashes – “110 Black” – (Makeup Geek Store)

Lips:

• Too Faced Lipstick – “Naked Dolly” – (Amazon) (eBay)
• MAC Cremesheen Glass – “Fashion Scoop” – (Amazon) (eBay)

Tools:

• Beauty Blender – (Makeup Geek Store)
• MUG Crease Brush – (Makeup Geek Store)
• MUG Eye Shader Brush – (Makeup Geek Store)
• Outer V Brush – (Makeup Geek Store)

It’s not always all about the eyes!

Sometimes, it’s about the pout. Lipsticks can be the perfect way to add an extra punch of color to your everyday look. Especially with these hot summer months coming up, when temperatures sky rocket the makeup literally seems to melt off your face, that fancy eye makeup just won’t do. Lipsticks are quick and easy to throw on, instantly brightening your complexion creating an effortless yet “put together” look. Not to mention, with the right lipstick shade it can actually intensify the color of your eyes and help slim your face.

Here are some of our favorite bright and beautiful lipstick shades for spring and summer.

Bright and Bold:

Captivating

This indie orange-red is the perfect shade to wear when you’re rocking it out at those summer concerts and festivals. This looks amazing on medium/darker skinned gals.

Fearless

Fearless is anything but dull. This bright hot pink shade will instantly brighten up your face. Glam it up with some chunky jewelry and a pattern print top or make it pop (even more) with a simple monochrome sundress. A great shade for all skin tones.

Famous

This gorgeous shade of purple demands attention. Great color to wear for a night out on the town with your girls (aka dancing divas). Perfect for medium to dark skintones.

Ravishing

Ravishing is the perfect matte red shade for summer. Dress it up for date night with your favorite LBD or pair it with a simple short sleeve v-neck and some aviators for a casual daytime look. Ideal for all skintones to heat up those summer nights.

Subtle and Sweet

Adorable 

Adorable is that girly pink everyone goes crazy for. Pairs with just about anything, and has just the right ratio of pigment verse gloss to keep your lips looking sweet and kissable for your summer love. This shade is great for all skintones.

Innocent

This shade is true to its’ name.  Innocent is a subtle pale peach shade great for an everyday look, whether you’re at the office or on a day trip with friends this shade is ideal. Pair it with a flowy sundress and sandals, or your favorite blazer and jeans. The ideal color for light/medium skin, using this on darker skin tones may look too ashen on the lips.

Make It Last

Lipsticks are fairly discreet and easily thrown in your purse for touch ups, but let’s be honest, even that can be a hassle.  You may not have the time to re-apply your lipstick when you need to nor should you have to.  Here’s a great tutorial on how to make your lipstick last so you will have one less thing to worry about! This same technique can be used for any shade as long as you have a matching lip liner and lipstick. Softer shades can also use a little gloss overtop if you like.

Don’t let yourself be intimidated by color, try something new and let your lips be the center of attention this summer. A great way to try some color is with our “Lipstick Adventure Pack“. This has 5 of our brightest and  boldest shades that are just waiting for you to test them out.

To check out more of our lipstick shades visit the Makeup Geek Store