Why You Should Shop Makeup Geek Cosmetics

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Before the world blew up with affordable online-only brands like Morphe and Colourpop there was Makeup Geek, owned and operated by makeup artist and educator Marlena Stell. Marlena got her start as one of the OG’s of YouTube where she still maintains a beauty channel. With every product I purchase from Makeup Geek I’m impressed with the overall quality, but the other day I saw down and realized I’ve only ever tried the eyeshadows. Seeing as how I needed to get my hands on her latest eyeshadow palette I decided to make a haul of it and buy several items from the brand and give them a go as well.

In the Nude Eyeshadow Palette ($50.00). This palette contains 9 neutral eye shadow shades in Rapunzel (pale golden champagne, satin),  In The Spotlight (pale coral, foiled), So Pale (the perfect “not quite white”, matte), Tan Lines (medium golden tan, matte), Buffed (peachy tan, matte), Creased (medium taupe/tan, matte), Cabin Fever (medium rusty brown, matte), Grandstand (medium warm tan, foiled) and Dark Roast (deep espresso brown, matte).

The packaging is standard, sturdy cardboard where each shadow is securely in a well. Thankfully the shadow names are listed on the back of the palette for users to reference. A generously sized mirror lives at the interior side of the lid.

This palette introduces 4 new matte shades combine with 5 other best sellers. It’s a neutral shadow lovers dream! Each shade applied very nicely and pigmented. I found all of them easy to blend and even the foil shades were super pigmented when used dry (a rarity with eye shadows, especially lately). Each time I wore shades from this palette my looks lasted all day (over eyeshadow primer) without fading or creasing.

Each shade is swatched below using my finger. The shades are swatched dry and without any primer or base.

In the EOTD below I used Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer Potion as a base, MUG Buffed as a transition shade, MUG Tan Lines in the crease, MUG Cabin Fever all over the lid (beginning at the outer V and buffing inward so the color gradually faded toward the inner corner) and MUG Grandstand at the Inner third of the lid. I also smudged Grandstand under my lower lash line. I mixed MUG Rapunzel and MUG So Pale under the brow-bone and to blend out the crease. The eyeliner is MUG Espresso and the mascara is IT Cosmetics Superhero.

Tawny Medium Skin Bronzer ($22.00). There are three shades of bronzer on the Makeup Geek site. I went with the middle shade because I’m a bit more tan now and really don’t have anything that’s been perfect for my current skin tone.

Tawny ended up being absolutely what I was looking for. It’s pigmented and smooth, but more importantly it’s easy to blend and applies evenly. I’ll definitely pick up Sun-Kissed (currently the lightest bronzer in the line-up) once my tan fades.

Soccer Mom Plush Lip Matte ($12.00). Soccer Mom is described as a medium pinky-nude with a matte finish. This is the most comfortable matte lip color ever. EVER. It’s mousse-y, it’s opaque, it’s easy to apply, it’s even… it just feels and looks amazing. Besides feeling comfortable the formula is also long-lasting, which is a major plus. It’s not transfer-proof and when you eat it will come off, but there is a slight tint of color that’s left behind. It’s perfect for when you want a matte lip and want comfort without worrying about spot-fading.

Espresso Full Spectrum Eye Liner Pencil ($9.00). Espresso is described as a rich coffee bean brown with a smooth matte finish. You know I love to test out liners because I’m the girl that will forever be in search of actual and total waterline perfection. Espresso glided on like a dream – smooth, pigmented… stunning. The formula is soft so I didn’t need to press hard but was still easy to blend quickly (when needed) yet sets fast also. It lasted on the top lid all day with no problem. It faded from the waterline within a few hours but didn’t migrate down my face and was still 100% in place and pigmented AF at the lower lash line which is impressive to me. Usually if they disappear on the waterline they fade or get patchy on the lash line. Definitely happy with the results.

Foiled Eye Brush ($8.50). This is a flat eye shadow brush meant to apply foil shades flawlessly. I used this to pack on both foil and matte shades and was happy with the performance on all accounts. It applied the foils so well, even when dry. I’d definitely buy another based on this experience and the fabulous price point. The brush bristles are synthetic.

In the FOTD below I’m wearing:

Face: Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray, Make Up For Ever Step 1 Mattifying, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealing Pot, Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder, Urban Decay Velvetizer, Makeup Geek Tawny Bronzer and Benefit Galifornia Blush.

Eyes: Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer Potion, Makeup Geek In the Flesh Palette (shade breakdown above), Makeup Geek Espresso Full Spectrum Eye Liner Pencil and IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara.

Brows: Benefit Gimme Brow in 03, Precisely My Brow in 03 and 3D Browtones in 02.

Lips: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Cheat, Makeup Geek Soccer Mom Plush Lip Matte.

What is your favorite product from Makeup Geek? I’m happy that I finally broke down and bought some products other than eyeshadow and even happier that they were all such a win!

Makeup Geek is available at makeupgeek.com and Amazon.

12 Comments / Filled Under: Review, swatches