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

Hi Makeup Geeks!! We are back and ready to have you knock our socks off with your incredible makeup skills and creativity once again! You’ve all continued to impress us with your entries, we are looking forward to you doing the same this month. Hope to see lots of your beautiful faces again and again as the challenges proceed, along with some newbies!

Nebula

Nebulas are within our grasp these days. The trending interstellar cloud is plastered all over the web, and available at your fingertips. Whether you prefer Nebula printed leggings, shoes, hats, shirts, blankets, nails or even Nebula inspired hair, it’s been done. What we want to see is how you will recreate this trendy combo of colors and sparkle into your makeup look!

A Nebula is a cloud combined of dust, hydrogen, helium, and other ionized gases, therefore varies in color, size and shape. Because of this, we are sharing a few images with you (shown below) to gain inspiration from, but feel free to use your own images to base your look off of as well.

Looking forward to seeing all of your ‘out of this world’ creations! Have a fabulous month, stay happy and healthy!

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: Makeup Geek Vegan Kit and Z-Palette Bundle, and 7 Piece Brush Kit of Makeup Geek Brushes

• Winner chosen at random: 7 Piece Brush Kit

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 Photos Here!!

Prom season is here and in full swing!  We wanted to share a few simple but always stunning makeup looks to help you spark some ideas for the perfect look to match your dress, eyes and overall style. Most suggestions for Prom makeup is neutral, and barely there. Where we love a good neutral eye, we also think that since Prom is your chance to go all out with your looks, why not throw on some color! We will share a few examples on how to wear color without looking like a bad 80′s ad. Whether you win the crown or not, follow some of these guidelines and quick tips, and surely you will be looking like a Prom Queen in no time!

Add A Little Drama!

If you have a simple dress, you can afford to add some extra drama to your look with your makeup. Here are a few options for more dramatic looks.  Don’t be afraid to add a punch of color or some glitter!

Color

The trick to wearing a great colorful look is to keep the brighter shade on the lid and blend out with neutrals. Here the artist used a combination of products for this fun and festive look but we will provide you with some Makeup Geek duplicates to help you recreate the look. Begin by gently patting the shade Sea Mist over the lower part of the eye coming up slightly past the crease. This is a lovely blue/green color that has a slight shimmer to it so it works perfectly for this look. For the inner corner use the shade Pixie Dust and sweep the color up above the crease beginning at the inner corner and into the crease coming in 1/2 of the way. Make sure and put a small amount of the same shade under the inner 1/3 of the eye also. Now go in with a matte brown color, here the artist used the color Tease from the Naked 2 palette, but Latte would be a great shade as well. Feather the color on the outer 1/2 of the crease making sure to blend out any harsh lines. Bring the same shade under the eye from the outer corner coming in to where the lower lashes begin. You may have to go back in with the shade Pixie Dust and touch up the green. Line the lower waterline with an blue/green liner, here the artist used Urban Decay’s 24/7 liner in Mainline. Curl you lashes and add your favorite thickening mascara. To finish the look put on a pair of thick lashes like Ardell’s #109.

Glitter

If you want to add sparkle and glamour to your look then this is definitely the one for you. Begin by patting a medium grey shade like Stealth on the lower part of the eyelid making sure to stay below the crease. Run the same shade under the entire length of the eye as well. Next, using a fluffy dome brush and windshield wiper motions, place a darker grey like Graphite, or for a darker look you can use Corrupt, and blend the color into the crease. Use a smaller dome brush and a bit of the lighter grey and use to blend the color out slightly. You want to make sure you don’t bring the color up to high, you just want to eliminate any harsh lines. Then take flat, stiff brush and dip it into your favorite glitter (L.A. Splash Renaissance is ours at the moment) and pat gently onto the lid. To help avoid glittery fallout, hold a piece of tissue under your eye while applying the glitter.  To complete this stunning look, add a pair of lashes like Ardell’s Demi Wispies to the top of your eyes and a few individual lashes on the lower lashes as well to add extra drama.

Simple and Sweet

The perfect eyes to pair with a princess dress, keeping it sweet, simple and elegant.

Sweet

This sweet look is perfect for anyone who wants a charming and elegant look for their special night. With a fluffy dome brush, use a warm pink like Simply Marlena and work the color into the outer part of your eye keeping the majority of the color on the outer part. Sweep the color in slightly allowing it to fade as it comes into the crease. This color will warm up the shades we are going to apply over it. Next, with a flat, stiff brush and pat a shimmery white like Ice Queen over the lower part of the eye. Use the excess shadow on the brush and place under the brow bone as our highlight. Now go in with a soft brown like Latte and pat over the lower lid where the pink and white eyeshadows meet and up into the crease slightly. To add some depth to the look, go in with a darker brown like Mocha and gently sweep the color into the crease making sure not to cover the pink. You want to be able to see the pink peeking through the brown. Use the same dark brown and a small brush to line the upper lashline keeping the color close to the lashes. Bring the same dark brown under the eye as well very softly just to connect the top and bottom of the eyes. Place a shimmery light color like Shimma Shimma in the inner corner to open the eyes and make them appear brighter. Line the lower waterline with a white liner like Makeup Geek’s Cottontail. To finish, curl your lashes and add a good mascara. For an added touch of drama and romance, add a pair of lashes like the Ardell Romantic.

Simple

This striking look is simple to do and catches the attention of everyone around you. Begin by placing Gold Digger on the lower lid and bring the color up slightly past the crease. Run the same gold shade under the entire length of the eye as well. With a fluffy dome brush, sweep a soft brown like Latte on the outer 1/2 of the crease and blend out the color making sure to avoid any harsh lines.  Place the same brown under the outer 1/3 of the eye. Wipe off that same brush really well and use a color close to your skintone to help blend out the lines and as a highlight under the brownbone. Use the gel liner in Immortal to create a winged liner on the top of your eye and to line your upper and lower waterlines. Curl your lashes and sweep on a couple coats of mascara. Add a pair of great lashes like Ardell’s Demi Luvies to finish this gorgeous look. (If you want a more intense gold color on your eyes, begin by using a gold base on the eye like the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold or any gold base)

 Classic Cat Eye

Simple Cat Eye paired with a good lipgloss, how could you go wrong? This look is timeless and will look good with almost any dress you choose. Amp up the drama by flaring out the wing a bit more.

Cat Eye

To create a good Cat eye I’ve found, starting with the wing, and working your way to the inner corner of your eye works best. I would suggest using a gel liner, as it goes on smoothly and is easier to create the fine lines with, perfect for a winged eye. Check out the quick tip below for some extra advice on how to apply. (Cut Crease Kitty Cat Look Step-By-Step)

 Kitten Eye

This Kitten eye has all elegance of the cat eye, but with less drama. If you’re not quite that bold just yet, take the same approach as explained in the Cat eye but stop your line 3/4ths or ½ of the way to the tear duct. Bring the line down a bit on the lower lashline if you would like. This technique will elongate your eye and make it look bigger.

Quick tip: If you apply a pencil liner first you can create a smooth line easier, using it as a guideline when you add the gel or liquid liner. Sort of like coloring in the lines. When using gel liners, the brush makes all the difference. I would suggest using a bent liner brush. It has the perfect shape and angle to easily reach your eye and applies the liner effortlessly, it’s about as close to fool proof as you can get.

Not your average liner

If you are wearing a fun bright dress or really bold patterns, and still want a splash of color in your makeup look without it feeling too overbearing, keeping it neutral but wearing a colored liner is a great option. Here are a few examples.

Upper Lashline

This simple and sultry look has a perfect pop of color to catch everyone’s attention. To create this look, sweep a color that is a shade or two darker than your skintone over the lid. Here the artist used the shade Beaches and Cream. Use a fluffy dome brush and sweep the shade Mocha in the crease making sure to feather out any harsh lines. You may have to go back in with the first shade and blend out the lines. Use a small dome brush and place Bada Bing in the outer part of the eye to add depth to the look. Run the same dark brown under the eye. Now for that liner, you can use any shade as the possibilities are limitless. Here, Makeup Geek’s Electric was used.  Starting with the wing, and working your way to the inner corner of your eye. Curl your lashes and add a couple coats of your favorite mascara to finish this amazing look!

Lower Lashline

For this look, use a neutral champagne shade like Shimma Shimma or Glamorous on the lid, staying under the crease. Use a fluffy dome brush and a soft brown like Latte and sweep into the crease blending out any harsh lines. For your pop of color line the lower water line with whichever shade will compliment your dress and eyes best. To add a bit more depth, you can apply a small amount of black eyeliner on the upper lash line, this step is completely optional. Lastly, throw on a few coats of your favorite mascara or a great pair of lashes and viola!

Quick Tip:  To make your liner stay in place and last longer, apply a sheer layer of a similar colored eyeshadow right on top to help it set. This also helps tone it down, creating a softer look. Or on the contrary, pick a shimmer/glitter and make it pop even more!

If you are still new to makeup or unsure how/where to apply it, here is a great video where Marlena shares some of her favorite teen makeup products and how to apply them.

To complete your look here are some of our favorite products:

• NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss – “Beige” – (Amazon) (eBay) (Makeup Geek Store)
• L’oreal Voluminous Mascara – “Carbon Black” – (Amazon) (eBay)
• Milani Minerals Blush – ”Luminous” (Amazon) (eBay)
• Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeliner – “Black” – (Amazon) (eBay)

We hope this helped spark a few ideas on how to do your makeup for Prom. Don’t forget the best thing for any look though, your smile! Have the time of your life getting all dolled up, and dancing the night away! Stay healthy and gorgeous as always!!

Special thanks  goes out to the lovely and ever so talented ilovemyaddiction, iheartmakeupart, pigmentsandpalettes, makeupbyhilary, olennka177,  and MarilynMUA for their skillful and creative looks. Check out our Idea Gallery for more inspirational looks by them and others.

Today I have another review for you all and this time it’s for NARS concealers. I recently reviewed the NARS Lip Pencils, but I also picked up some NARS concealers at the same time and wanted to share them with all my wonderful Muggies!

These are the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealers. They come in a wand type packaging much like the Maybelline Fit Me Concealers. They are very similar in size with the Maybelline being .23 ounces and the NARS being .22 ounces. I really like the packaging on these. They have a  sleek see through container that allows you to see the product and a matte finish handle on the wand. The matte finish not only looks great but is easy to clean as well. The wand inside is a flat doe-foot wand which I really like a lot. When you apply the concealer the flat part of the wand allows you to put it on the skin effortlessly.

The formula is very creamy and very pigmented so you don’t have to apply a lot to get the desired amount of coverage. This means a little will go a long way. I like the way it feels as it is super silky, smooth and it has no odor to it. These concealers would be best for under the eyes or for light touch-ups. If you have blemishes the concealers that come with this type of wand are to thin, you want this for more for delicate areas and that’s why under the eyes is best.

The best way to apply it is to sweep it on under the eye and take a fluffy dome brush like the Makeup Geek Soft Dome Brush and gently blend it into the skin. This hides the eye bags and brightens the area a little as well. The price on these is $28.00 which I think is far to expensive for what they are. They are good products if you want a good concealer and don’t mind spending the money or just want a high-end product.

These come in 10 different shades so there is a good range of colors for everyone. These do run on the warm side with the only cooler toned one being “Honey”. The lightest color here will be great for you porcelain skinned gals, it’s “Chantilly” and the darkest shade is “Cacao”. For reference my shade is “Biscuit”.

1. Chantilly – True Ivory for Fair Complexions (Amazon) (Sephora)
2. Vanilla – Tiny Cast of Pink for Fair Complexions (Amazon) (Sephora)
3. Honey – Warm Peach Toned for Light to Medium Complexions (Amazon) (Sephora)
4. Custard – Yellow Toned for Light to Medium Complexions (Amazon) (Sephora)
5. Ginger – Golden Undertone for Medium Complexions (Amazon) (Sephora)
6. Biscuit – Medium Dark Natural Balance of Pink and Yellow Undertones (Amazon) (Sephora)
7. Carmel – Medium Dark Yellow and Golden Undertones (Amazon) (Sephora)
8. Amande – Medium Dark with Golden Olive Undertones (Amazon) (Sephora)
9. Cafe – Dark with Warm Red Undertones (Amazon) (Sephora)
10. Cacao – Dark with Deep Gold to Brown Undertones (Amazon) (Sephora)

These claim to be “Long wearing and crease-proof. Paraben-free, Alcohol free, Synthetic fragrance free, Non commedogenic” which means it’s great for those of you with sensitive skin.

ADVANTAGES

• Smooth
• Covers Great
• Great Color Range
• Good Packaging
• Highly Pigmented

DISADVANTAGES

• Price

These are good products if you are willing to pay the price but for me personally, I am going to stick with the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer as it is pretty much the same product at a fraction of the cost.

So I hope that help you all out and gives you and idea of what you will be getting if you have one of these or are planning to pick one up. Be sure let me know in the comments what you all think. And I really do hope you all are staying both happy and healthy!

XOXO,

Marlena