Makeup 101: How To Choose The Best Eyeliner

Hello Beauties!


Do you ever wonder which eyeliner is the best for you?  When I first started exploring makeup, I had no idea whether I should use pencil or powder or gel or liquid eyeliner.  When I started playing with makeup, gel and liquid seemed completely impossible!  Eyeliner is a wonderful way to define the eye.  You can achieve a look that is natural or truly dramatic.  In this blogpost I will be comparing different eyeliners and offering some recommendations on my favorite products.


Pencil Eyeliner

Pencil eyeliner is my recommendation for beginners.  It is the easiest to use and very versatile.  You can get a defined look or you can smudge it out for a sexy, sultry look.

So what do you need?  I recommend a creamy liner, one that is easy to apply and that has the ability to set so you can get a long lasting finish.  Look for the work "kohl" on the packaging.  Those are very easy to work with.  You can use any color you want but I recommend starting off with either black or brown.  Black is a good option for those dramatic looks.  Brown is good for the softer, more everyday look.  I also recommend an off-white or flesh-toned nude for the inner rim to give a wide-eyed look. 

1.  L'oreal Silkissme Eyeliner
2.  Jordana 12 hours Made To Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil
3. Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner
4. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Inner Rim Liner (Formerly Emphaseyes Liner)

The Silkissme Eyeliners are rich and creamy.  They come in various colors so you can use them however you want!  I usually will use them for the "pop" of color in a neutral makeup look.  They are easy to work with, but you have to work quickly!  Blend out once you apply the liner if you're going for a smudgy look.   Once it sets it won't be going anywhere. 

The Nars liner is my favorite liner for the water line.  It has a dry formula so it stays in place once I apply it and it won't smudge.  

The Jordana liner is so affordable!  It is also the blackest of the black I could find.  I reach for this liner when I wanna smudgy look.

The Tarte liner is my only flesh-toned nude liner and I love it!  I use in in the lower water line to open up my eyes.  It makes me look very awake.  

Pencil eyeliners can also serve as a base for eyeshadows.  Just apply on the lower 2/3 the lids, smudge it out with the brush and apply eyeshadows on top.  It provides the extra umph your shadows need to pop!  

Powder Eyeliner

Now, I know what you are thinking.  What is a powder eyeliner and where can I get it?  You can use any eyeshadow as an eyeliner!  All you need is an eyeshadow of your choice and either a fine-tipped or an angled brush.  Use the eyeshadow dry to get a very soft look.  You can also use the powder wet to get a more defined look.  Dip your brush into the powder.  Then take either a spray bottle of water or your favorite setting spray (like Urban Decay All-Nighter or Mac Fix Plus) and spray the brush.  This really dampens the shadow and you can get a more defined look that is easy to blend.  

You can honestly use any color eyeshadow you please.  When I use black, I want the blackest of the black shadows.  

1. Blackout from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette or Smoked Palette 
2. Black from the Lorac Pro Palette 

Urban Decay Blackout

Lorac Black

Gel Eyeliner

I love gel eyeliner!  For a beginner it is a challenge but you can get the hang of it with some practice.  All you need is a gel liner and again, either a fine-tipped brush or an angled brush as a tool.  Gel-liners are found in pots and have a very creamy consistency.  In my honest opinion, once you get the hang of gel eyeliner, this is the easiest way to obtain a very dramatic look.

1. Maybelline Lasting Drama Eye Studio Eyeliner
2. L'oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner

L'oreal

Liquid Eyeliner

This is by far the most difficult liner to apply.  It takes a lot of practice and patience.  I am 30, I have been playing with make up since my early teens and only in the past year have I been able to get the hang of it.  I still mess up once in a while if I am not too careful.  The key to liquid eyeliner is finding a good applicator.  Liquid eyeliner either comes in a felt tip applicator or a brush applicator.  Either way, I prefer a stiffer applicator that does not provide a lot of give.  It makes it a lot easier, believe me!  Also, I prefer a pen type applicator.

1.  Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash boosting Eyeliner + Serum
2. Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner
3. NYC Liquid Eyeliner

Physician's Formula, Maybelline, NYC

I also use liquid eyeliner to hide the base of false eyelashes so the glue doesn't stick out.  My favorite is the NYC Liquid eyeliner to do this.  

My Tools Of Choice

A good brush can really help you achieve a perfect look.  I really prefer a brush with stiff bristles so I can really be precise when drawing on the liner.  I am a perfectionist when it comes to eyeliner.  If it doesn't go on completely straight and even, I get annoyed!  

1. ELF Angled Eyeliner Brush
2. ULTA Professional Fine Eyeliner Brush (Discontinued...MEH!) but comparable to the ULTA Pointed Eyeliner Brush
3. Real Techniques Eyeliner Brush which is apart of "Nic's Picks Set"

ELF, ULTA, Real Techniques

In my humble opinion, the bent angle feature seen on the ELF brush helped me out so much when I began playing with gel eyeliner.  It really offers a lot more control.  

Words of Wisdom:

• Practice makes perfect!
• Be patient, it takes time to master the use of eyeliner.
• Keep your hand steady by resting your elbow on your vanity as you apply eyeliner.
• Don't expect to get it in one stroke.  Start off in the middle of the eyelid and use small strokes, especially with the liquid and gel eyeliner.
• Messed up?  Take a q-tip or a fine-tipped eyeliner brush with some concealer to fix your mistakes.  Than take the eyeshadow color on your lid and re-apply!  
• When lining the inner rim of the eye, set your eyeliner with a powder to prolong the wear in the waterline.  
• Draw out the shape of your wing or cat eyeliner with a powder and then go over it with a gel or liquid eyeliner for the most dramatic look!  
• Use a flesh colored pencil eyeliner in the waterline to open up the eyes.  Darker colors make the eyes appear smaller but you appear more sultry and seductive.  
• Tightlining is lining your upper waterline.  This is not necessary but it makes your lashes look fuller at the root.  
• A good brush is everything!  

I hope you all enjoyed this blogpost and learned something!  If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or requests, please leave them in the comments section below.  Don't forget to follow my blog to stay up to date.  You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pintrest, and Tumblr for updates, hauls, mini-reviews.  All the links are in the sidebar.  Stay beautiful, Stay true!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

Save or Splurge? Lancome Grandiose Mascara

Hello Beauties!

I have always been a drugstore mascara girl.  I feel that drugstores have so many good mascaras that trump high-end mascaras.  Not only are they affordable but they work just as well.  Right?  I never understood why anyone would spend triple the price for a comparable product?  However, when this mascara came on the market I found it to be intriguing so I broke down and splurged!  I couldn't help it!  In this blogpost, I will let you know if it was worth the high price tag.

This mascara is currently found on Lancome.com and high end retailers like Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, etc...  It retails for a whopping $32!  Ouch, my wallet hurts at the thought.   It is only available in one color - Noir Mirifique aka Black.  Another important detail is that this product is not waterproof.




The Claims:

According to the Lancome website, this mascara...

• The 1st "swan-neck" mascara is bent to work with the shape of your face for unprecedented access to all lashes.
• Corner-to-corner, root-to-tip giving the ultimate in length, lift and volume.
• Formula is ultra black glossy, quick drying and is the only formula with rose-cell extract so lashes remain soft and supple.
• Formula contains less waxes for intense color with no smudging or flaking through the day. 

In My Geeky Opinion:

I wanna talk about the brush first.  The brush is so important.  The formula can be amazing but if the brush is bad, the mascara will be an automatic fail.

So the curvature in the brush is the new "swan-neck" technology they mentioned in the claims.  The bent feature is brilliant!  It has really made applying mascara very easy.  There is a bit of a learning curve when you first use this brush.  When you get the hang of using it, the design works to your advantage.  As it claims, it really hugs to each and every lash.  I am right-handed so coating the lashes on the left are always a struggle.  No joke, if I don't paying close attention, I would hit the mascara wand onto the bridge of my nose.  This brush eliminates that struggle completely.

When examining the wand more closely, you notice that the bristles are plastic. The pattern of the bristles is a zig-zag pattern that really helps to get each and every lash!

I am also really enjoying the formula of the product.  It is not too wet and not too dry.  When checking my makeup at the end of night, I have no issues with flaking or smudging.  The formula coats the lashes to thicken them and really give them length.  I notice this more when I take off my lashes at the end of the night; it has a polymer feel like you're taking fibers off the lashes.  

The first time I wore this mascara my husband asked me if I was wearing fake eyelashes.  Here is some proof!  This comparison is just one coat of mascara.  I did not curl my lashes and did not use any eyelash primer.  The difference between each eye just speaks for itself.  

Although the mascara is not waterproof, it is quite difficult to take off at the end of the day.  I would recommend an oil-based makeup remover to remove the mascara.  

The Final Verdict:

Since I started using this mascara, I have not used anything else.  I hate to recommend such a pricey product but if you're in the market and looking to splurge...spend your money on this mascara.  SPLURGE!  Do it!  I have tried a lot of mascaras both high end and drugstore and it has no comparison.  The wand makes it very unique and the formula has no dupe that I know of.

I hope you all enjoyed this blogpost!  If you have any comments, questions, feedback or requests, please leave them in the comments section down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog so you stay up to date.  You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pintrest - all the links are in the side bar - for hauls, mini-reviews and updates.  Thank you all so much for the support.  Stay beautiful, Stay True.

Geek2Chic - Christine

Review: L'oreal Youth Code Skincare Line

Hello Beauties!

Today's blogpost will be reviewing three products from the L'oreal Youth Code Skincare line.  I find it funny that when we are young we can not wait to get older and gain more freedom and responsibility.  Then, when we grow older, we would give anything to become younger again...flawless skin, no responsibilities.  Now, I understand why Ponce De Leon was in search of the Fountain of Youth!

Left to Right:
Day/Night Cream, Serum Concentrate, Pore Vanisher

Let me tell you the journey of my skin.  As a teen, when everyone else was breaking out, I had beautifully smooth skin!  I had normal skin, not to oily, not to dry...it was just right.  Than came my stressful years in medical school.  I was in my early to mid twenties and broke out in horrific acne.  And when I say horrific, I mean deep, painful, all over my face, cystic, unable to cure or cover up, acne!  I was completely out of my element, I tried everything and anything to help the acne.  I purchased every drugstore acne preparation you can imagine.  I tried almost every prescription medicine as well.  Finally, in my late twenties, my cystic acne cured!  Hallelujah!  Now, I am left with the aftermath of that acne including scarring, uneven texture, combination skin, and occasional breakouts here and there.  I thank the Lord that makeup was invented to cover all that up.  Ever since I have been in search of a good product line to help my skin.  I am dreaming of the day I can go back to my minimalist days. 

So lets get this Review started!  Here are a few facts about these products.

Where can you find it?  

You can find it at local drug store retailers both in stores and online. 

How much and how much product do you get?  

• Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate: $17.99 - 24.99

1.0 Fluid ounces

• Youth Code Texture Perfector Day and Night Cream: $17.99 - 24.99

1.7 Fluid Ounces 

• Youth Code Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher : $19.99 - 24.99 

1.4 Fluid Ounces

The Claims?

According to the L'oreal website, these products...

• Visibly reduces pores
• Diminishes fine lines 
• Reveals petal soft skin 
• Suitable for all skin tones

In what order should I use them?

Step 1: Cleanse your skin

Step 2: Treat with the Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate

Step 3: Moisturize with the Texture Perfector Day/Night Cream 

Step 4: Finish with the Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher Cream 

It is recommended to use both in the morning and before bedtime, either alone or before your makeup routine.  

In My Geeky Opinion:

I am so impressed with these products!  At first, I thought the price tag was steep for drugstore products.  However, compared to high-end products that claim to do the same, this is some bang for your buck!  I first purchased the Serum Concentrate and the Day/Night cream.  I started using it at the end of last winter when my skin was very dry.  These products really kept my skin nice and soft.  They really locked in the moisture and really evened out the texture of my skin.  I noticed that my pores were visibly smaller and the acne scars and uneven texture were smoothing out.  The products did everything they claimed to do!  I really noticed a difference when I stopped using the products for the summer months.  I truly noticed a huge difference especially with the change in the texture of my skin.  I immediately went back to using these products religiously.

I picked up the Pore Vanisher Cream during the Summer.  I was so excited to try this out.  I started out exclusively using this before applying my makeup.  I felt it to be the same consistency of the Benefits Porefessional Primer.  By the way, this is a total dupe for the Porefessional Primer if you're in the market.  Not only did it help reduce my pores, it helped to keep my oil at bay.  When I noticed an improvement I started using this product as recommended.  

The Final Verdict:

I would totally recommend this product line to anyone who is in the market for new skincare.  I am very happy with the look of my skin after using this line of products, and have even changed my makeup routine.  I use foundation that has light coverage or even BB creams because I don't need that full coverage anymore.  I still have severe PTSD after my acne years so I wanna treat my skin well.   These products truly have a luxury feel with an affordable price tag.  

I hope you all enjoyed this blogpost!  If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or requests, please leave them in the comments section down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog so you stay up to date.  You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pintrest for updates, hauls, and mini-reviews.  All the links are in the sidebar.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

Haul from Across the Pond: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint

Hello Beauties!

Today's blogpost is going to be a little haul/review.  Outside of medicine and makeup, traveling is also a huge passion of mine.  I love traveling to new countries and immersing myself in different cultures.  This past May, my husband and I had a huge European adventure.  We spent three weeks traveling, starting off in England, moving on to Belgium and ending in Portugal.  During the trip, I could not help myself from doing a little shopping!  This blog is going to highlight one of the gems I found while in London...The Barry M Cosmetics Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paints.  

During our last day in London I was perusing the aisles of Boots, which has no American equivalent.  Just imagine an amazing store that combines drugstore and high end products with health and toiletries.  I must have dragged my poor husband into each and every one I spotted!  Anyway,  my nail polish was chipping and I wanted to get something that I would not normally find in the US.  I remembered one of my YouTube Gurus - Tati or GlamLifeGuru (Check her out!) - hauled these polishes several months back while she was in London.  I figured I would given them a go.  

While we were in Portugal I had a some time to switch up my nail polish.  I wore Blueberry (GNP5) which is the most amazing periwinkle blue color!  This color lasted for the rest of my trip on both my fingernails and toenails till I came home...without chipping!!!!  I was astonished because we were having fun on the beach, swimming, and playing in the sand.  

I thought it was a fluke...What nail polish lasts for a week without chipping, right?  So then I decided to put it to the ultimate test.  I removed the nail polish, cleaned up the nails and tried the Guava (GNP15) which is the perfect summer teal color, again on my finger and toe nails.  

As some of you know, I am a doctor so I wash my hands constantly during the day, before and after each and every single patient.  On average I wash my hands about 60 times a day (if not more)!  It was no fluke!  One week later, the nail polish was still holding strong which no chips. I have used different top coats, different base coats and both colors held up!  Why did I not buy more?!?!?!

So, a few weeks ago my husband had a business trip in France and had a stopover at London Heathrow.  He called to tell me he was in Boots and asked if I wanted anything.  Don't I have the best husband ever???  Now, this is what my collection looks like.  

Left to Right:
Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Papaya, Guava, Blueberry, Prickly Pear, Almond 

Each polish is £3.99 or $6.27.  There are 34 different colors and can be found online on BarryMCosmetics.com or in Boots in the UK.  If you live in the UK or are traveling there soon, I would highly recommend picking up a few colors.  I hope one day that Barry M Cosmetics expands their market to the US.  Fingers crossed!  

I hope you all enjoyed this blog!  If you have any questions, comments, feedbacks, or requests, please leave them down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog so you stay up to date.  You can even follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr or Pintrest, all the links are in the sidebar for updates, hauls, and reviews.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

Happy December...Let's Celebrate November Favorites!

Hello Beauties!

Happy December!!!  I know this is such a cliche but WOW, the year has really flown by!  Welcome to the last month of 2014 and I wanna celebrate by talking about my favorites and not so favorites of the past month.  Let's begin by celebrating the hits, shall we?

There have been several new products I have incorporated into my routine that I have been loving this past month.   

The Hits...

It Cosmetics, Your Lips But Better Waterproof Lip Liner Stain
$20.00
7 different shades
ItCosmetics.com, QVC.com, and Ulta 

I was never ever a lip liner girl and just never got the point of them because I have decently pouty lips.  Several months ago, I was getting ready for my cousin's wedding and I was on the hunt for a long wearing lip product.  I also wanted something to help my sister's lips look fuller.  I was perusing the aisles at Ulta and did several swatches of lip products to find the perfect color.  12 hours later, these three colors were the only ones remaining on my skin so now I was intrigued!  I went back and picked one up..and then another... and then another.  Needless to say, I have not been able to them down.  I like a low maintenance lip and these lip liners really fulfill that need.  They are long-wearing products with beautiful color, and I now am a lip liner convert!

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick
$5.49 - 7.99
10 different shades
Various Drugstore retailers like Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, Target, Walmart, etc...

I am in love with this product!  I have four colors so far and am looking to own the entire line of shades.  These are matte shades but the product is so creamy and rich, and they do not dry out the lips.  Although they are drugstore products the quality of this line beat out some of my high-end lipsticks.  My favorite color is the one featured in the picture above called Touch of Spice.  This color is the perfect fall shade!  If you are a trendy girl this is a low cost alternative for the sought after "Kylie Jenner" lip.  I highly recommend this lipstick and promise you will not be disappointed.    

It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil 
$24.00
ItCosmetics.com, QVC.com, and Ulta

I received this product several months back as a gift at Ulta.  I put it aside while I was using my other brow products.  Over the past several months my brow routine has been getting really frustrating because I never have gotten it down pat.  My brows either looked too thick or too thin, too dark or too sparse; I could never find a good balance.  I finally pulled this out and gave it a shot.  Why did I not use this sooner?!?!  I really enjoy this product.  I love that it is a universal shade, I use a lighter touch towards the front of my brow and a heavier hand towards the end for a full & defined look.  It has a spooly on one side to brush up and through your brows for a more natural look.    Always remember, your brows are sisters and not twins... but I strive for biological sisters and not adopted sister..Haha!  

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
$20.00
TarteCosmetics.com, QVC.com, Ulta, and Sephora 

I purchased this mascara on the recommendation of my cousin...not to mention it was on sale for 1/2 the price.  The claim is that it is lenthening, volumizing, curling, and conditioning.  It does just that.  I can spend 5 minutes on each eyelash with layer after layer; this mascara does not clump up my lashes.  It defines and darkens them.  The mascara wears well and does not flake.  I highly recommend this mascara! 

Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner 
$5.99 - 7.99
Various Drugstore retailers like Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, Target, Walmart, etc...

I recently purchased this from Ulta.  For the life of me, I have never successfully been able to draw on a winged liner, cat eye, etc... I have found it to be so difficult.  I tried a pencil liner, gel liner, and liquid liner and failed time after time!  Well, I have found my solution!  Where have you been all my life!?!?!  This makes a winged eyeliner so easy!  Not only is it easy to use and apply, the color is a deep rich black.  It sets to a matte finish and is long wearing.  

LA Girl HD Pro Concealer
$2.99 - $5.00
18 different Shades
LAGirlUSA.com, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, etc...

I have heard this concealer being compared to the cult favorite Mac Prolongwear Concealer.  Now,  I do not agree with that comparison, but it is still an excellent concealer especially for the price.  It is quite affordable and good quality.  It offers a wide array of shades to choose from.  I actually use four shades for different reasons.  I use two different shades under my eyes to cancel out the darkness and to highlight - Nude and Pure Beige.  To cover up dark spots or flaws on the rest of my face, I use either Medium Beige or Medium Bisque.  

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
$40.00
AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com, Ulta, and Sephora

Vanilla, Banana, Sand
Java, Fawn, Havanna 

I have been wanting this contour kit for months and months but it has ALWAYS been sold out!  I finally checked out the Anastasia Beverly Hills website and found it!  I ran to get my wallet and purchased it that very moment!  Boy, it was worth the wait and definitely lives up to the hype.  It comes with three lighter shades to highlight with.  I use the Vanilla shade all over my lid to neutralize the darkness.  The Banana shade is perfect to set your under-eye concealer.  Sand is a beautiful, finely milled highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones.   I use the contour colors alone or in combination to contour my face.  These colors blend easily and are so easy to work with.  Love it!  It is a must have for any professional makeup kit.   

The Balm Frat Boy Blush/Shadow
$21.00
theBalm.com, Nordstrom.com, and Amazon.com

This blush is a beautiful peachy, pink, coral color.  I purchased off of Hautelook.com (which is a Nordstrom Flash Sale website) several months ago at a considerable discount.  One of my favorite YouTube Gurus, EmilyNoel83 (if you don't follow her, do yourself a favor and check her out...she is amazing) raves about this blush so I thought I would give it a go.  I was not disappointed. This is the perfect blush to pair with any look.  I reach for it too often!  It is very pigmented, applies smoothly, and wears well.  Looking at the pan, the blush has a subtle shimmer but goes on the face matte.  I love this blush!   

Cover Girl Ready, Set, Gorgeous Foundation
$6.99 - 7.99
12 different shades
Various Drugstore retailers like Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, Target, Walmart, etc...

This foundation came out several months ago but I finally picked it up.  First of all, I found the perfect color match.  It blends seamlessly into the skin.  It provides a medium coverage and gives a flawless, natural finish.  It has good wear and I do not get oily at all with this foundation.  I do not even need to set this with powder because the finish is so wonderful.  I always seek out that no makeup-makeup look because I love being a natural beauty...This foundation does just that.  

Sonia Kashuk No. 24 Dense Blush/Powder Brush
$17.19 - 17.99
SoniaKashuk.com, Target

I have been on the hunt for the perfect blush brush.  I have gone through so many over the years and never have been truly satisfied.  Finally I have found perfection in a blush brush!  This applies the blush perfectly where I want it.  It is so soft and has a wonderful dense, rounded shape. It has kept its integrity wash after wash and it is affordable! 

The Misses...

And now onto the bad....I hate this part.  However, with the good comes the bad and in order to be a good blogger, I have to tell you about the products that have not performed well.  

Covergirl Lipslick Smoochies Lip Balm
$4.59 - 5.99
18 different shades
Various Drugstore retailers like Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, Target, Walmart, etc...

I remember this product as a teen.  This is one of the first products I purchased as a pre-teen.  I do not remember it being this awful!  First of all, the smell is overwhelming.  It has a strong chemical smell that translates to a strong chemical taste on your lips.  Also, there is no color payoff whatsoever!  Granted, it is a lip balm but if there is no color, why are there 18 shades of nothingness to chose from???  And this is an awful lip balm that feels so uncomfortable on the lips. This is going straight into the garbage.  I prefer anything over this product!  Steer clear...

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
$6.99 - 7.99
3 different shades 
Various Drugstore retailers like Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, Target, Walmart, etc...

I purchased this in the hopes of finding the drugstore alternative to the Benefit - Gimme Brow.  Boy, was I wrong.  This did nothing for me!  The color seemed to be a good match with my brows, but as I tried to comb it through, I wasn't getting any results.  Looking at the applicator, I was very confused.  First of all, the brush is very long and comes to a bulbous end of longer bristles.  This offered no precision and the product got all over the place.  Then, I went on the Maybelline website to figure out if I was doing something wrong.  You are actually suppose to brush your brows backwards and then go over it again forwards.  I tried that, again, the results were poor.  I think its a complete dud unfortunately.  

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Mascara
$9.99
Various Drugstore retailers like Rite aid, CVS, Ulta, Target, Walmart, etc...

I have heard so many YouTubers rave about this mascara.  I thought, was there something I was seriously missing?  I purchased it when Physicians Formula was 40% off at Ulta.  I was really excited to try it.  The claims are that it is 100% free of harsh chemicals, hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive eyes.  The claims could not be more wrong.  I could not wear this mascara for longer than an hour.  First off, it did nothing for my lashes and it flaked everywhere including directly into my eye! Then, it made my eye burn and sting so bad!  I reacted so badly that my eyelids were swollen afterwards.  After I used a cleanser to clean off the mascara, I could not stop tearing for hours!  I had to take benadryl, use cold compresses, and use lubricating eyedrops to help.  I have never had a reaction to mascara ever!  Mind you, I am a mascara addict and have tried tons of mascara and have never had a reaction.  I will never try this again.  In the trash it goes.

These are all my humble opinions.  I hope you enjoyed my November Hits and Misses!  If you have any question, feedback, requests, or comments, please leave them below.  Don't forget to follow my blog so you stay up to date.  You can also find me on Instagram and Twitter, both @geek2chicbeauty for updates, hauls, mini-reviews, etc.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

The Perfect Palette!

Hello Beauties!

Can you guess what this blog post is about?  After my last very serious blogpost, I thought I would do something fun that would give you more insight into my favorite eyeshadow palettes.  Over the past few months I have seen several of my Favorite YouTube Gurus doing this tag so I thought it would be a ton of fun!  


Warning:  I am an eyeshadow palette hoarder as you can see, so be prepared!




1.  Best Packaging?

Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow 
$59.00

The Lolita 206

It is a sleek and slender design.  The palette does not take up a lot of space and is a great on-the-go palette.  It comes in a cloth case which I have kept so I don't get it all scratched up.  I just absolutely love the packaging on this palette.  

2.  Best Color Payoff?

Urban Decay Naked Palettes 1, 2, and 3
$54.00

Naked 1 - Warm toned neutrals

Naked 2 - Cool toned neutrals

Naked 3 - Rose toned neutrals

Hands down, the Urban Decay line of shadows have the best color payoff.  They are so smooth, buttery and pigmented.  They have very minimal fall out and I have never been disappointed in anything I have purchased from Urban Decay!

3.  Most Versatile?

LORAC Pro Palettes 1 & 2
$42.00

LORAC Pro Palette 1

LORAC Pro Palette 2 

I love love love these palettes.  They both have an even distribution of matte and shimmers.  I have done so many looks with these palettes, from the everyday look, to a dramatic night-time look.  I feel these palettes have the most bang for your buck.  I cannot say enough good things about these.  

I have also purchased the LORAC Pro Mega Palette which is a limited edition palette I found on Amazon.  It was a limited release and from time to time will pop up on Amazon.  So, if you haven't already gotten your hands on it...Stalk Amazon!

4. Best for Travel?

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette 
$29.00

When this palette first came out I went to Sephora, swatched it, and quickly decided the palette was not for me.  Months later, my little cousin told me I "have to have it!"  So, low and behold, it arrived on Christmas day.  I have not been able to put it down since!  I use this almost every time I wear makeup and it is always in my travel bag.

It's Judy Time palette by BH Cosmetics
Original Price $20.00 but now you can get it for $8.95 while supplies last on bhcosmetics.com

I am going to cheat on this one because I have found myself reaching for this palette on recent weekend trips.  It has a wonderful assortment of nudes with some colors added in.  It has wonderful pigmentation!  For the price, you really can't beat it!

5.  Biggest Regret?

L'Oreal Colour Riche Eyeshadow Quad
$7.99 - $9.99

Why dear God... why do I fall victim to purchasing these quads in hopes of better quality?  I love L'Oreal but these eyeshadows are such poor quality based on drugstore standards.  The drugstore companies have really stepped up their game lately so come on L'Oreal... I know you can do it!  I love their Infalliable eyeshadows and I loved the eyeshadows from their HIP Studio line (that are now discontinued).  I know they are capable of better.  These shadows are poorly pigmented and so flaky.  I really tried but I only have one word...Ugh!

6.  Best Color Names?

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette
$49.00

With names like Milk Chocolate, Amaretto, Champagne Truffle, and Cherry Cordial, this palette is an absolute winner in more ways than one.  Not only does it have the cutest names, it smells like cocoa!  This palette has a wonderful assortment for colors with several finishes.  I consider this palette to have a majority of nudes with complimentary pops of color thrown in.  The colors are also beautiful and the shadows are very pigmented.

7.  Least Used?

Urban Decay Smoked Eyeshadow Palette
Originally $49.00 but now on sale for $29.00 on UrbanDecay.com

I got this on sale a while ago so I am not too sad about it.  The colors are smokey, deep and beautiful!  However, I am a neutral girl.  I default to the nude and more subtle colors.  This is what makes it the least used in my collection.  However, when I do reach for it, I am impressed by the pigmentation of the colors.  

8.  Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island Palette?

Drum roll please....

LORAC Pro Palette 1!

I love, Love, LOVE this palette so much!  The swatches don't even do these eyeshadows justice!!!!! This is my ride or die palette and I use it for every major event.  I recently used it while doing my own makeup for my cousin's wedding and loved the outcome.  Not only are the colors so wonderfully pigmented, but they also last!  They do not fade during the day.  The palette, like I said above, is half matte and half shimmer so it is very versatile to use.  If you are a beginner with makeup and want to start of with a palette, I highly recommend this one!  You will not be disappointed.  

I hope you all found this blogpost to be enjoyable!  If you have any questions, comments, feedback or requests, please leave them down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog so you can be up to date.  Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter, both @geek2chicbeauty for updates, mini reviews, hauls, etc!  Stay beautiful, Stay true!

Geek2Chic - Christine