Swatches and Review: Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

Hello there lovelies! Has anyone of you tried Makeup Geek eye shadows?

The long wait's finally over and I've got mine a few weeks ago.

I've actually waited for it for a long time after my friend and makeup buddy Sheena offered and asked me if ever I want to try it. She suggested that these eye shadows can definitely top off those from Mac Cosmetics for a fraction of a price!

I've actually heard about it before but since it's only available online in America I didn't have a chance to get my hands on these. I even thought it's impossible to have them since I don't have a Paypal account and credit card. We've used Sheena's and I just paid her in peso as we converted the total amount including the shipping fee here in the Philippines. Since I saw from the box that it was shipped first class, I doubt that the shipping fee's cheap. Thank you so much Sheena! :)

She also made me watch Marlena's a.k.a Make Up Geeks video for her comparison and swatches of MUG eye shadows vs. Mac Cosmetics. There's an uncanny similarity between hers and Mac for their quality, staying power and pigmentation. Unfortunately there's a huge difference between their price. MUG e/s retails for $5.99 per pan, whereas Mac e/s retails for $16! I will definitely go for the cheaper one, ten dollars is ten dollars!

I've been a fan of Marlena since 2007 when I was trying to learn new makeup tricks, and I've seen her succeed as a makeup guru. I've recreated multiple looks from her and I've loved Nyx Cosmetics coz of her too.

Most beauty bloggers and MUAs were raving about these. Since they're mostly sold in pans you have to provide for your own magnetic palette and they mostly choose the z-palette. Since I only ordered 3 neutral e/s from MUG, I have no idea where to keep them.

**MUG - Makeup Geek

**MUA- Makeup Artist

**e/s - eyeshadow

As a neutral makeup addict, I chose three shades. Mocha, Bada bing and Corrupt.  I heard Mocha's a perfect dupe from Mac Ground Brown, and Corrupt's a dupe of Mac Carbon. You have no idea how I've been lusting over a matte brown e/s a matte black e/s from Mac. Finally I have them and thank heavens they're pretty cheap. Lastly I fancied Bada bing. A bronze-copper eye shadow with gorgeous gold flecks.

Here are the swatches. Photos were taken using Ipad mini.

These neutral shadows definitely match my two fave lippies.

Corrupt is the blackest eye shadow I've ever tried. I heard it's really the blackest and most pigmented eye shadow and even beats down Mac's carbon and Sugarpill's bulletproof! I've used it for first time during my husband's and bro's gig and it's really jet black! I can use it as an eyeliner if I'm aiming for a softer smokey eye or softer eyeliner. Perfect dupe and better than Mac's Carbon.

Mocha's perfect if you're aiming for a "no makeup look" just to emphasize or contour your eyes. I even use it on my eyebrows as an eyebrow powder, or dust it off lightly to contour my nose and blend well with a powder. Marlena describes it as a perfect dupe for Mac's ground Brown eye shadow.

Bada bing is perfect if you're aiming for neutral eyes with a touch of glam. The glittery gold flecks makes my eyes appear like I've had enough sleep. This is my favorite among the three. Why? Because I simply love everything with gold flecks in it.

I've tried it yesterday for a dinner date with my husband. I love how it creates a soft smokey effect on my eyes. It'll be my latest everyday/wearable makeup.

Products used:

FACE

Jazzy Cream Foundation in CF-04

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Powder Foundation in Beige

Sugar Skull Cosmetics 10 Correct and Conceal Palette

EYES

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Mocha (crease)

Make Geek Eyeshadow in Bada bing (outer v)

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Corrupt (upper lash line, outer v)

Koshize eyeliner in brown

Christian Dior eyeliner in Noir

Avon Extralast Mascara in Black

CHEEKS

Clinique Powder Blush in Cupid

LIPS

Mac Lipstick in Please me

with my date

These new makeup additions were perfect for my new Mac Flamingo lippie and my other favorite everyday lippie Mac Please me. They're all perfect for neutral looks and they're glamming up my everyday makeup.. I'm so inspired to work and go out and look lovely.

Now my main problem is where to keep them or another option is to buy a magnetic palette that can hold 3 eye shadow pans. I've tried looking for Mac pro palette that carries four eye shadows, but it's unfortunately too expensive. The other palette I'm eyeing on is Elf's custom eyeshadow palette that can hold 4 pans, but it's for pre order and it'll take too long. I'm so impatient when it comes to ordering makeups online.

I'll update you lovelies soon on where I'll be keeping these three HG-material eyeshadow pans I've got. I'm loving Makeup Geek eyeshadows now, and I'm really itching to buy more, and this time I want the colorful ones.

To check out more of MUG eyeshadow shades and makeup brushes, blush and more, you can check out Makeup Geek Store.

Check also the comparison between Makeup Geek Eye Shadows vs. Mac Cosmetics Single Eye Shadows.

What about you lovelies? What eye shadows from Makeup Geek have you tried?
Any neutral shadows from MUG that you can recommend? Where do you keep your pans??
I'm sure most of you were enjoying these as much as I do. Please look forward on where I'll be keeping them, I'm still undecided.

All Ears! Mickey Mouse Themed Birthday Party

I can't believe it has been a year since I received a little angel, and ever since he came our lives have changed. I become a MOM, the hardest responsibility a woman could ever have, yet the most rewarding one. For my baby's first birthday I just prepared a simple family get together. It's like a mini family and friends' reunion.

What we have that day is a Mickey Mouse themed party, which originally and supposed to be is just a red black and white party, which I was so desperate to have. My best friend wants my baby's birthday to be BIG BIG BIG, and whenever there's a special occasion for baby she stresses me out. We've planned and talked about it when she's still in Singapore, and she stresses me even until she comes home.

For baby's big day I've already planned what to mix and match together, thanks to Tumblr and Pinterest, I'm so inspired to make my own creative yet simple D.I.Y parties and more. Of course it won't be possible without my family and friends' help.

My younger brother and cousins made the balloon arrangement and those cupcakes and wonderfully made mickey mouse cake and dessert table were made by my aunt. To tell you honestly I didn't spend much money for putting them all together.

BEWARE: ANOTHER IMAGE HEAVY POST...

Here are the things I used for Draven's Mickey Mouse Themed Party:

Red, black and white balloons from a craft store. I even bought white balloons with red polka dots and black balloon with white polka dots. The air used to make those balloons float were hydro gas, and those balloons filled with ordinary air were just from my younger bro's compressor. We manually put air on each balloons the day before his birthday. For the others balloons, my Aunt Edna manually blew them! Gee! Thanks Tita! Good thing she didn't suffer from hypoxia and low oxygen saturation!

Food with red or black on it. I chose spaghetti as something red, 5 more food from my choice of beef, pork, chicken and fish, and the rest were from the dessert table. I told my aunt I want cupcakes with white icing, with red and black accents on top. Those were actually cut outs from the excess of the fondant Mickey Mouse Cake.

A Mickey Mouse cake of course. I want a cake with Mickey's ears on it, so I told my aunt if she could possibly make one, and the the cake itself should be just plain white with black and red on it. Honestly this is the cake I've been dreaming about, and I was really happy when Aunt Judith made it perfectly. For the red polka dot cupcake stand I just bought it from a store that sells baking stuff.

Mickey Mouse headband with mouse ears for boys, and Minnie Mouse headband for the girls. I originally bought Mickey ears and one Minnie for me, but the night before Draven's birthday my best friend came with more Minnie headbands and a Mickey Mouse costume for Draven, coz of that more guests were able to wear these cute headbands.

Mickey Mouse costume. I've got two, one is I bought online, while the second one was from my best friend. 

Paper plates and paper cups in red or black stripes, or red and black polka dots. It was used for the dessert and for other sweets for the chocolate fountain. There were excess plates and table napkins, I might use them on my husband's birthday this coming December.

Photo Booth as souvenirs, and it'll be fun to see your guest getting crazy at the booth. Still it's Mickey Mouse themed, I choose the lay out for my baby, and the photo booth itself was a present from my three bestfriends.

Tarpaulin. I got it online as the seller happens to live near my place, same as for the mickey costume, the other seller lives near my place too, so they're all cash on delivery. For the lay out of Draven's tarpaulin I was the one who personally choose it, I'm so picky when it comes to details. 

Tell your guest to go with the theme and wear something red, white or black. 

Now for our family picture. This first solo shot of me and my husband happened when we were still decorating the venue. Our baby came shortly with my mom dressed in his costume.

When Draven saw the place and saw his grandfather (my father in law) he was about to cry!

He's too shocked to see his face from the tarpaulin. Though he's only 1 year old he can now recognize himself and his parents whenever he sees us in pictures.

Since for sure he still can't blow his candles, my aunt prepared sparkling candles. 

Draven looks happy and scared at the same time.

MOMMY'S FOTD

Though I was wearing a simple shirt I paired the theme with my makeup and nails. I wore my fave red lipstick and red nail polish. It pops in pictures and even those photos from photobooth. Coz of that most of my friends and relatives tried to borrow the lippie coz they were asking me what lippie was it or what's the shade. Whenever I tell them it's Mac they frown! There were cheaper dupes in the market though, it's just that the only red I have happens to be from Mac Cosmetics.

Products Used

FACE

Nyx High Definition Face Primer

Jazzy Cream Foundation in CF-04

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Compact Foundation in Medium/Peach

EYES

Sephora Custom Eye Palette in Smokey Bronze

Sephora Black Eyeshadow from the Custom Eye Palette for eyelining

Christian Dior Eyeliner in Noir

Christian Dior Diorshow Mascara

Elf gel eyeliner in Black

Koshize eyeliner black

Revlon Eyelash Curler

CHEEKS

Mac Cosmetics Hello Kitty Powder Blush inTippy

LIPS

Mac Russian Red

Nails

Revlon Red Nail Enamel

Top

Moschino Shirt

Earrings

Mise en Dior Inspired Tribal Double pearl earrings

Bag

Coach Sling bag

For my black pants it's a gift I received from my bestfriend, and I also wore the spiked high tops I got from Sunny Sisters.

PHOTO FLOOD ALERT!!!!
These are my favorite photo booth photos :)

my dad, mom and my baby Draven

my cousins wearing their minnie mouse headbands

my family (mom, dad, younger bro) with our new addition: my baby & my husband

my husband's family (with his dad, bro and sisters)

with my cousins and my baby pulling my younger bro's hair

my best friend Kitty, James, and Draven in a Minnie Mouse headband

and how I missed my high school friends!

here's a beautiful shot we got!

We all enjoyed this special day and I've uploaded more photos on my Facebook to share it once again with my friends and family. I'm looking forward to plan and prepare another party like this. At first they thought I was too excited and insane for buying too much and preparing a month ahead. When they saw the results they said the theme's really unique. I've received a lot of messages on Facebook about the details of my baby's birthday party, where did I get some of the stuff and more coz they also want to do the same theme for their kids. I'm glad I could help them and I referred them to those business contacts I had. I also gave my aunt's contact number to them coz they all love the cake! Well for me everything went well, and we all had fun! 

I wish I could do another one, a Minnie Mouse party! It's ok if it's not for me or for my second child as I don't have plans yet to have another one...

Next party I'm planning will be my cousin Jana's Frozen Inspired party for her 7th Birthday!!

If you would want to have the same theme for your child's party don't hesitate to ask me for some tips and party ideas. I'm willing to help anyone. Hope y'all like this long post.

Flamingly Gorgeous: Mac Flamingo Lipstick + November Newbies

NOVEMBER IT IS! How are you lovelies?

Today I'll be sharing with you how happy I am for having new makeups as soon as November came. Even the money for buying them didn't really come from my pocket. Who are those generous people? You'll find that out later. I really love it whenever "ber" months come. I don't know if there's a psychological reason behind that but happiest months for me start from September til February.

As you all know, I keep mentioning from my previous posts that I miss my best friend as she's staying in Singapore. One of the things I look forward to for this month is seeing her once again though for sure her short stay will make her so busy. Since she's she'll be here I smell reunion and bonding once again.

Whenever she comes home she sees to it that she has gifts for everyone. She's the most generous person I know, and I even remember she got the "most generous" award when we were in 4th grade. Well she still is.

A few  weeks ago she sent me a message asking me what shade I want. My bezzie's exactly the opposite of me & my vanity. She just likes what I have, use my lippies or get it but when it comes to cosmetics she's really clueless. She said she's too anxious to enter Mac Cosmetics store coz for sure she won't have any idea what to buy, or even where to go. I told her I want a coral pink shade if she can possibly find one. I want a lippie that I can wear everyday, on a normal day, without getting too much attention.(I'm a sucker for coral pink & peachy lips).

When she sent me this picture, I was like OMAYGASH!!!

I actually didn't know what she picked but I gave her few options. Shades like Please Me, Modesty, Angel, Flamingo, Jazzed, Ever hip or if it's possible I want Viva Glam Nicki.

She then sent me a picture of Sephora's paper bag as proof that she already bought the lippie. Since I couldn't wait and I don't think I can bear the agony of wondering and imagining what the shade is, she gave in and told me she got the limited edition lipstick shade "Flamingo". **me: jumps up and down!!!!**

photos from bezzies iphone, sent through Facebook chat.

AAAANNNDD THE LONG WAIT'S OVER!

When I got the lippie last Friday I couldn't resist swatching it at the back of my hand and put it on my lips! Such a gorgeous lippie!

Flamingo is a light milky bright coral shade which has been repromoted for All about Orange collection from last year's Spring trend. I haven't done any research before and I've found out it's a lustre, so the finish is more of like a tinted lip balm with better pigmentation if you apply it twice on your lips. Though I'm not a fan of balm-like finish, it reminds me of my favorite lipstick, Maybelline's Angel Rose. So yes, though it's a bit glossy, I'm in love with this lippie. It's bright in person, more of like a neon peach (is there such thing?) but whatever it is it's too bright but then when applied it becomes glossy and balm-like.

It looks orange from the tube, but once applied it's pinky coral with a glossy finish.

Here's the infamous picture of Mac Cosmetics 2013 Spring Collection

All About Orange. According to Mac Cosmetics Website:

"Orange. It's vibrant energy and modern edge ignites fashion and beauty big time in Korea, the rest of Asia and the world. It's one of the new global super shades that pops with sizzle and cool sophistication. MAC translates the trend with international impact into a colour collection for face, lips and nails."

More lipstick shades to try: Me want some Razzle Dazzler!!!!

Razzle Dazzler - a light peach cream peach (Lustre)

Sweet & Sour - Soft peach cream (Cremesheen)

Tangerine Dream - Warm orange cream (Lustre)

Sushi Kiss - Mid-tone coral cream (Satin)

Tart & Trendy - Bright neutral orange cream (Lustre)

Neon Orange - Bright clean orange (Amplified)

The test drive's on the way of course. I wore this lippie during our mini reunion and dinner.

They're my high school friends, the people I've known for more than 2 decades. Well, some things didn't change. Even when we talk to each other it's still like the same, we're like kids again. This time I've brought my husband. Surprisingly they all get along well since my husband has officially met them a decade ago, when, according to my husband most of them were still thin and how come they're all fat now. We laugh so hard coz of that. This isn't their first time to meet coz they were all there on our wedding day, and we usually hangout whenever we have time.

My bestfriend also tried to apply the same Flamingo lipstick she gave me just to see

what will it turn out on her lips. While mine appeared to be coral pink, it turned to milky pink on her. The outcome of the lippie's shade really depends on every person.One thing's for sure, this lipstick is perfect if paired with smokey eyes. I've found some runway pictures wherein it was used by some runway models. It looked different on their lips, it's more peachy like.

I still have so many makeup looks in mind to try and to pair with my new lippie, and I wish I'll have time for those. By the way for this dinner date with friends here's my FOTN and the makeups I used in one collage.

Products Used:

FACE

Nyx High Definition Face Primer

Jazzy Cream Foundation in CF-04

Sephora 8hr Wear Mattifying Compact Foundation in Medium/Peach

EYES

Sephora Custom Eye Palette in Smokey Bronze

Etude House Gel Eyeliner in Strong Black

Sephora Black Eyeshadow from the Custom Eye Palette for eyelining

Christian Dior Eyeliner in Noir

Avon Extralast Mascara in Black

Revlon Eyelash Curler

CHEEKS

Maybelline Mineral Powder Blush in Dusty Rose

LIPS

Mac Flamingo Lipstick

NEW MAKEUPS for NOVEMBER!!

Say "Hi!" to my new and still my HG foundation from Jazzy Collections and another powder foundation (which I got from my bezzie) from Sephora. It's my first time to try Sephora's powder foundation and it matches my skintone well. Since it's in medium tone it's just right because I really want my face to appear darker than those pale-white faces I see.

I got two more lippies! One is from Victoria's Secret from my bezzie, the shades name is Mauve and the other one's from my other close friend Doc Edsie, it's Pinkerbell from Wet n' Wild! I'm dying to have it for a long time since it's the exact dupe of Mac's Viva Glam Nicki.

I'll review it next time.

I also got Sigma round kabuki brush. It's really meant for mineral powders but I love how soft it is and I'm currently using it for my two new foundies.

ANOTHER NEWBIES!!!

I'm just too lucky to have generous aunt. I've been receiving too many branded bags from her, and nope she's not my two other aunts who gave me two Louis Vuitton bags. Talk about luck. :) But then coz of them I got many branded and designer bags. When I was young I don't mind brands and designer goods, but during high school and college my classmates used to tell me I'm really lucky. Most of my bags that came from them were Guess, Xoxo, Liz Claiborne, Coach and DKNY. Now another new set of Xoxo and Coach! :)

It'll be my first time to wear sling bags/body bags, but this Coach bag is beautiful.

The reason why I don't have sling bags is just I'm not comfortable wearing them. I'll try using it on my son's birthday and I'm not sure if I'll like it or not.

 NEXT UP!!
 Details and ideas from my son's first birthday! It's red, black and white and Mickey Mouse Themed!