Benefit the POREfessional Face Primer

This primer is super smooth but doesn’t slide too much- it’s very similar to the Too Faced one but has a slight smell (this is the only reason that it’s not my top pick).  Otherwise it works really well in priming the face!  It has a slight color to it, so it helps hide imperfections and works for every skin type.

Best for:  Combination skin

Price:  $29   (.75 oz)

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  eBay

Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector

This primer was one of my first ones I started using as I have problems with pores on my cheeks.   I love using this primer as it does an amazing job at filling in the pores without clogging them.   It isn’t as smooth as the benefit primer, so this will work well on oily skin as it has more of a matte finish.

Best for:  Combination to oily skin;   Those with large pores

Price:  $18  (.5 oz)

Where to Buy:    Amazon  .  eBay .  Some department stores

MAC Mattifying Gel

If you have oily or shiny skin and need a primer that will give a matte finish, this MAC one is amazing!  It has a gel like consistency (which usually means it slides too much), but this one stays put and dries to a very soft yet matte finish.  Since it is so smooth and is clear in color, it should work for everyone.

Best for:  Any skin type looking for matte finish

Price:  $19  (.75 oz)

Where to Buy:   MAC

Palladio Herbal Face Primer

This is another gel like primer that not only preps the face, but slightly moisturizes.   It glides very easily, so I  use this under the eyes where my concealer tends to cake up.  The price is the best selling point with this one as it’s only $12 compared to around $20-30 that most other companies charge. Because it is somewhat slick, I do not recommend this one for oily skin- it works best for dry skin.

Best for:  Combination to Dry Skin;  Mature Skin

Price:  $12  (.68 oz)

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer

If I had to choose just one primer to wear daily, it would be this one.  The creamy formula is super smooth but not slick, plus it feels amazing on the skin!  Because it has a slight color, it also helps to camouflage any flaws.  It doesn’t fill in pores quite as well as the Clinique one, but it gives a more satin finish vs just a matte one.  The price is also better for the amount you get (Benefit’s is $29 for .75 oz while this is $30 for 1 oz)

Best for:  All skin types

Price:  $30  (1 oz)

Where to Buy:    Amazon  .  Sephora . eBay

The Makeup Geek Eyeshadows are shipping worldwide!   If you want to see some video reviews from other YouTubers, check out our review roundup.

Glamorous

This bronzey gold color can we worn at day or night.  Apply a light wash all over the lid for a perfect daytime look, or pair with a dark purple or black to create a dramatic night time look.  I love this one as it’s so versatile!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Razzleberry

This color is so unique!  It’s a deep raspberry pink with flecks of gold- such a fun color for the weekend.  I pair this up with Cocoa Bear to tone down the bright color.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Unicorn

It’s not quite purple or blue- it’s the best of both   I would pair this up with Glamorous or Gold Digger for a glamorous weekend look.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Envy

This is an exact dupe for NARS Night Porter, but 1/4 the price.  It’s a deep shimmery emerald green that is amazing for a night out!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Sensuous

This muted violet purple can be worn during the day as it’s a sophisticated purple- not too bright but still a fun color.  It has tiny specks of gold, so I would put Glamorous on the lid with Sensuous on the outer part of the eye.  So pretty!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Chickadee

This is another crossover color- not quite yellow, not quite orange.  It’s a fun color that actually looks great in the crease with a dark brown on the lid.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Cocoa Bear

A rich, warm reddish brown that is perfect for day or night! This color is unique in that it’s not a traditional flat brown.  I wear this in the crease with Corrupt on the lid for a classic black smoky eye.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Shimmermint

For some reason, no makeup companies seem to have a nice minty green.  I’m predicting this to be the best color for Spring 2012 as it’s very flattering on all skin and eye colors!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Moondust

Similar to MAC’s “Satin Taupe”, this shimmery taupe gray looks amazing for day or night.  I love putting all over the lid with “Preppy” in the crease for a gorgeous neutral smoky eye.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Poolside

This color is not for the shy!  It’s a bright teal with flecks of gold glitter.  The intense color is perfect for summer looks or for smudging along the lashline for a pop of color.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Top 10 Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows:

#69

This color is perfect for putting in the crease to blend out any bright colors on the lid.  It looks amazing paired with a black or dark brown for a fall dark smoky eye.

Color:   Matte Light Apricot Orange

Where To Buy:    Amazon 

Price:   $19

#169

This is the most gorgeous and pigmented dark gunmetal color ever! Perfect for a rocker look or dark smoky eye.  I’ll even smudge this along the lashline to make my lashes look thicker.

Color:  Iridescent Anthracite

Where To Buy:    Amazon 

Price: $19

#9

This is such a unique color-  light purple, but still bright and is a matte finish.  I love wearing this on the lid with dark purple in the crease.

  Here’s a look Kata did using this:   Purple Flower Look

Color:  Vibrant Matte Lavender

Where To Buy:    Amazon 

Price:  $19

#93

Super bright, but so fun to wear!  I love pairing this with a teal and dark blue for a tropical look

Color:   Matte Bright Green

Where To Buy:   Amazon 

Price:  $19

#49

I LOVE wearing this in the outer V with a shimmery tan color on the lid.  It’s more daytime wearable than you think, plus it looks amazing with gold and black for a dramatic party look.

Color:  Deep Plum Wine

Where To Buy:    Amazon 

Price:  $19

#92

This color is known for being the best bright purple out there.  It’s a matte finish so it blends smoothly, and the rich color looks great on everyone.

  Here’s a look Kata did using this:   Purple Flower Look

Color:  Matte Brilliant Purple

Where To Buy:   Amazon 

Price:  $19

#171

This shimmery apple green color is so fun to wear on the lid with a dark purple along the lashline or paired with gold and teal for another tropical look.  You can also pair with a brown for a more toned down version…

Color:  Iridescent Acid Green

Where To Buy:   Amazon 

Price:  $19

#158

If you’ve been looking for an intense, true red- this is it!  This color is not for the faint of heart…. The best way to pull this off is to put just on the lid and put tan in the crease to tone it down.

Color:  Matte Cold Red

Where To Buy:   Amazon 

Price: $19

#306

This sparkly shadow can be worn for day or night if paired up with some browns.  It reminds me of MAC’s All that Glitters but even better

Color:  Peachy Tan with Gold Shimmer

Price: $19

#159

This vivid blue eyeshadow will stop traffic (yes, it’s THAT bright!)  But it’s such a fun and unique color to wear- I love pairing it with #69 to tone it down some.

  Here’s a look Tina did using it:  Blue Iris Look

Color:  Matte Vivid Blue

Where To Buy:   Amazon 

Price:  $19

Even though it is fun to go through the old Makeup Geek video library and see Marlena in her “early days”, there are some great looks that could benefit from a new video tutorial.

A little while back, we had the Makeup Geeks on Facebook nominate their favorite “classic” Marlena tutorials to be remade in HD and using current products (and inexpensive product kits in the Makeup Geek Store).   Now, that we have the top nominations organized, we’re giving everyone the opportunity to vote for the ones they want to see remade first.

Since it can be hard to choose, we’ll let you vote for your favorite THREE looks in the poll below — have fun and thanks for your help!

MAC Tutorial: Twiggy/ Mod Look

Gold Raspberries

Candy Inspired: Raspberries and Chocolate

Classic Black Smokey Eye

Colorful Arabic Inspired

Kat Von D

Kim Kardashian Inspired

Retro Hollywood Glam: Christina Aguilera

Hillary Duff-Inspired

Mila Kunis Makeup

Barbie Loves MAC

Not only are these lipglosses inexpensive, but they come in a ton of colors, are richly pigmented, and aren’t overly sticky like so many other “cheap” lipglosses.  I love how creamy these feel and how I don’t even need to wear lipstick underneath as the colors come out so vibrant.

My favorite colors:  Beige   (it’s actually a pink color- weird, I know…) and Lollipop

Price:   $5.59

Where to buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Lancome La Laque Fever

These lipglosses are also very creamy and rich in color- my favorite part though is the diamond shaped wand to apply the lipgloss.  Some of the lipglosses are more sheer than others, but I found the color “Lucent Nude” to be a gorgeous pink-nude color that is flattering on everyone!  My only drawback on these is the price and the small selection of colors…

My Favorite Color:   Lucent Nude

Price:   $26.50

Where to buy:     Sephora  .  Amazon  .  E-Bay

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips

I have loved these plumping lipglosses for quite awhile now as they really do make my lips look bigger!  They come in  TONS of different colors and are free of parabens and other harmful ingredients.  I chose Melanie as my favorite color as it is a warm bright pink that looks great on everyone.

My Favorite Colors:   Melanie  and Margarita

Price: $18

Where to buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  E-Bay

NARS Lipgloss

These lipglosses are super pigmented, creamy, and come in several different gorgeous shades!  Kim Kardashian made the color “Turkish Delight” popular- it’s a very pale light pink color that goes great with a dark smoky eye.   I would splurge the $24 and get this color as I haven’t found any cheaper dupes for it yet, but in all honesty, I would get the NYX ones instead as they aren’t that much different.  BUT, I still have these on my top 10 as they are great quality

My Favorite Colors:   Turkish Delight and Angelika

Price: $24

Where to buy:   Amazon  .  E-Bay

MAC Cremesheen Glass

Back in the day when these were limited edition, I bought as many as I could as I love these so much!  They’re uber creamy and pigmented- almost like liquid lipstick.   I like these so much better than the MAC lipglasses as they don’t seem as sticky (MAC should just replace their lipglasses with these as they’re SO much better)

My Favorite Colors:   Petite Indulgence and Loud and Lovely

Price:   $18

Where to buy:    MAC  . eBay

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Make Up Designory Lip Glaze 

The MUD lip glazes are very pigmented, creamy, and aren’t overly sticky.  They remind me of MAC lipglosses but in a squeeze tube.  My favorite color is Canteloupe- a rich peach lipgloss that looks great on everyone.

My Favorite Color:  Cantelope

Price: $9.99

Where to buy: Makeup Geek Store

Dior Creme de Gloss

These lipglosses are like the Ferrari of lipglosses- super slick, luxurious, and…. expensive.   If you want to splurge on a lipgloss, I would get the one in #856- a gorgeous red color.   I like these because they aren’t sticky, have a slight shimmer to them, and are very rich in color.

My Favorite Colors:  #856 and #441 “Creamy Rose”

Price: $27

Where to buy:   Amazon  .  E-Bay

Lip Fusion Color Shine

Here’s another Kim Kardashian sponsored product (I’ve lost track of all her products by now…) but I have to say I like these plumping lipglosses as they really do make your lips look full and glossy.  I probably wouldn’t choose these over my Bare Escentual ones, but they still are a great lipgloss.  I like the color “24K’ as its a pale golden color that warms up any lipstick underneath.  The price is a bit steep though…

Price: $38

Where to buy:  .  Sephora  .  Amazon  .  E-Bay

Revlon Color Stay Mineral Lipglaze

These babies are by far my favorite drugstore lipglosses!  I’ve been very impressed lately with Revlon’s products, and you can’t beat the price.  These lipglosses are very creamy and rich and come in TONS of colors.  I love “Continuous Coral” as it’s a gorgeous coral color perfect for summer.

My Favorite Colors:  Continuous Coral and Eternal Blossom

Price:   $6.29

Where to buy:  .  Amazon  .  eBay  .  Most Drugstores

Sally Hansen Lip Inflation

Out of my top 10, this one is probably my least favorite.  BUT, these do feel smooth and most importantly- they’re cheap.  I like the color “Sheer Mocha” as it’s a nice nude color.

Price:   $6.59

Where to buy:  E-Bay  .  Must Drugstores

This is such a gorgeous minty teal color that looks great on the lid for a subtle wash of color.  I usually wear this on the lid with a dark blue in the outer V or just a medium brown in the crease.

MAC’s Description:   Deep Sea Turquoise (Lustre)

Price:  $14.50    (Amazon) (MAC)

Atlantic Blue

The texture is finely milled and is nicely pigmented and yes, it’s bright!  It’s a cool, slightly purple, deep blue color that I would just wear on the lid.  To cut down the brightness, put a taupe or brown color in the crease.

MAC’s Description:   Bright violet blue (Matte)

Price:  $14.50    (Amazon) (MAC)

Bitter

It is a sheer Mountain Dew colored wash. It’s one to be creative with as it’s such a bright color, but it’s such a fun eyeshadow to play with! A unique combo with this is a dark purple (like green and purple grapes )

MAC’s Description:   Vivid green with shimmer (Velvet)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Creme de Violet

This is one of my favorite colors ever!  I love this pink tinted purple as it goes great with so many colors!  I love putting this in the crease with a dark purple on the lid for a sexy purple smoky eye.

MAC’s Description:   Pink-violet with gold pearl (Frost)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Electric Eel

When I think of MAC’s brightest eyeshadow, I think of Electric Eel.  You definitely have to be comfortable wearing bright eyeshadows to pull this one off, but it is a gorgeous teal blue color.  I like pairing this up with dark brown or even with Aquadisiac for a tropical  look…

MAC’s Description:   Bright blue with shimmer (Satin)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Free to Be

If you want a nice matte finish pink that would look great for everyday looks, this one is beautiful!  I put this in the crease to blend out brighter eyeshadows, or wear on the lid for a softer look.

MAC’s Description:   Bright true coral (Matte)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Goldmine

I love wearing Goldmine on the lid with a dark brown in the outer V for a date night look.  I also pair this up with teals for a tropical look- put Goldmine in the inner corner with Shimmermoss on the lid (so pretty!)

MAC’s Description:   Intense gold with shimmer (frost)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Hepcat

Another great purple color is Hepcat- it’s a violet slightly shimmery color that looks amazing on brown eyes!  (actually any eye color could rock this one )  It’s one of my favorite eyeshadows from MAC as it’s not too bright, but still is pigmented.

MAC’s Description:   Jazzy little deep-blue wine  (frost)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Humid

Humid has been my favorite color for years now!  The deep true green color goes well with so many colors- pink, tan, brown, lighter greens…  I love wearing this all over the lid for a sultry green smoky eye.  Just put some Kid or Wedge in the crease to blend it out.

MAC’s Description:   Intense green with shimmer  (frost)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Rule

My favorite finishes for eyeshadows are matte as they blend so smoothly and don’t emphasize any wrinkles (yay for getting older! *cough cough*)  This matte orange color looks great on the lid paired up with a brown for a fall look, or with pink and yellow for a fun flower look, or with purple for a funky club look.  It’s more versatile than you would think!

MAC’s Description:   Vivid orange  (matte)

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

SO many MAC eyeshadows, so little moola…. If you’re just as overwhelmed as I once was in picking which colors are worth making it to your stash, hopefully my top 10 will help you out

So here we go in no particular order…. (drum roll please….)

Nylon

This is a very shimmery and pigmented light white/gold eyeshadow.  It gives a perfect glow that almost looks ‘wet’.  It’s perfect as an under the brow highlight, inner corner of the eye highlight and some even use it as a cheek highlight.

MAC’s Description:   Pale gold with icy shimmer

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon) (MAC)

Samoa Silk

This is a really light peachy nude matte eyeshadow that works great for blending in the crease. It has good pigmentation and amazing texture-very smooth. I love how this warms up any cool toned color I put on the lid (like purples or blues)

MAC’s Description:   Light matte peach

Price:  $14.50 (Amazon) (MAC)

All That Glitters

This shimmery shadow is a great one for day or nightI love the shimmer in it and it lasts all day and does not crease, also you can pair it with warmer eyeshadows for a more  sultry look. It pulls a gorgeous light neutral pinky peach with a golden sheen. It’s a veluxe pearl so the pigmentation is great and the application is smooth and easy to blend.

MAC’s Description:   Beige with gold pearl

Price: $14.50 (Amazon) (MAC)

Kid

This matte eyeshadow is perfect for blending edges of other darker, more pigmented colors.  This light brown color works as a great transition color in the crease- its not too dark or too light.  This is my go to color for blending out a dark smoky eye.

MAC’s Description:   Beige cashmere

Price: $14.50 (MAC)

Expensive Pink

This color is a beautiful mix of pink/gold/coral with a slightly shimmery finish. Expensive pink is a unique color that I love to put on the lid for day or night. I pair it up with Cork for the day, and Carbon or Ground Brown for night.   It is very wearable and not too bright which is great for people who want a pop of color but nothing to bright.  This is my all time favorite color

MAC’s Description:    Warm pink with duochrome

Price: $14.50 (Amazon) (MAC)

Woodwinked

Woodwinked is a gorgeous antiqued bronzey gold colour, it is shimmery but not overly so – more metallic. This color is very versatile. On an everyday basis it looks great on the lid and blended into the crease on its own or it can be used to create a sultry smokey bronzed eye for the night with darker colors. It also works great with colors like greens, purples and deep blues.

MAC’s Description:     Warm antique gold

Price:  $14.50 (Amazon) (MAC)

Cork

Cork is very pigmented and this product can be used for multiple purposes. It’s often used as an eyebrow powder as well as a typical crease color for neutral looks. It works well with any lid color. You can also put another deeper brown in the crease to make it look more defined and dramtic, though still have this soft light brown along with it.

MAC’s Description:     Muted golden brown

Price: $14.50 (Amazon) (MAC)

Twinks

This color has a brown base with red, plum and gold tones running wild through it. A great day or night eyeshadow and looks good on every eye color and skin tone. It  looks neutral but also noticeable, also compliments most other colours. The intensity is very nice and the texture is smooth.

MAC’s Description:     Deep plum with pearl

Price:  $14.50   (Amazon)  (MAC)

Ground Brown

Every girl (or guy) needs a dark brown matte eyeshadow- it’s great for smudging along the lashline to make your lashes look thicker, it turns any daytime look into a night look, and it adds dimension to any color.  I like this Ground Brown color as it is dark yet warm-like a chocolate brown color.

MAC’s Description:     Matte dark brown

Price: $14.50    (Amazon)  (MAC)

Satin Taupe

Satin Taupe has been a favorite by many for years! Its a really gorgeous bronze color with a greyish undertone- it is a classic and versatile smokey taupe. The trick to this shadow is layering the amount you put on your lid as it’s is extremely buildable. A light layer can give you a subtle daytime look, but pack on the color and you get a sultry smoky eye . You can come up with lots of great natural or dramatic combos with this color!

MAC’s Description:    Taupe with silver shimmer

Price: $14.50    (Amazon)  (MAC)

Bobbi Brown Corrector

This peach tinted concealer is perfect for dark circles under the eyes as it counteracts the blueness (orange/peach is the opposite of blue, therefore the colors balance each other out). The gel like consistency is perfect for under the eyes as it won’t cake up or look too dry. It glides easily, isn’t too thick, and covers really well.

To apply I simply take my ring finger and swipe the smallest amount under my eyes before I apply my foundation. If you don’t wear foundation, then you will need a color close to your skin- not peach. Correctors work differently than traditional concealers in that they are colored- specifically for correcting a specific issue (ie blueness under the eyes looking like dark shadows or circles)

Price: $22

Where to Buy: Sephora . Amazon . eBay

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

Very similar to Bobbi Brown’s Corrector, this concealer works amazingly well under the eyes! The difference is this one seems a bit more pigmented in color so hides the blueness under the eyes a bit better. The consistency is exactly the same as the BB one- gel like, so it glides easily without caking up.

Price: $32.99

Where to Buy: Makeup Geek Store

IT Cosmetics – Bye Bye Under Eye

If you want a concealer that is meant to not only cover dark circles but is good for your skin, then this would be it. It boasts of not only being waterproof, but having collagen and several vitamins infused into the actual product. Here’s how the company describes it: “The truly innovative formula contains high concentrations of Vitamins K, A, C, E and Collagen – clinically proven to reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin of the under eye area.”

I will say this is amazing concealer- very similar in texture to the Bobbi Brown and Eve Pearl, but it comes in a more convenient squeeze tube. The texture is also gel like so it glides easily, plus it is incredibly pigmented which means it will cover those dark circles even more without having to use more product.

Price: $24

Where to buy: Amazon . eBay

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

Even though this is claimed to be a “skin brightener”, for me it actually works well as just a plain ole’ concealer I use this under the eyes, BUT I apply after my foundation and not before (because it is the same color as my skin and not peach like a corrector is). You do not need this in addition to correctors- that would be too much product especially under the delicate eye area.

The consistency of this is a bit creamy vs gel, but it isn’t so thick to where it emphasizes any wrinkles or crevices. If you don’t have bad dark circles, then this should be plenty coverage for you- you can get 1 shade lighter than your skin if you’d like to just brighten that area up.

To apply, I take a soft dome brush and gently sweep this under the eyes after I apply foundation. Or you can apply straight to bare skin if you wish to skip foundation- just blend really well.

Price: $40

Where to buy: Sephora . Amazon . eBay

Peter Thomas Roth -Unwrinkle Concealer

This concealer is very similar to the Touche Eclat but the formula is a bit more lightweight. I actually prefer this to the Touche Eclat but I hate how little product you get for the money…. I apply this with a soft dome brush and use it just to brighten the eye area on those days where I actually got enough sleep

Price: $35

Where to Buy: Amazon . eBay

Best Concealers for Blemishes:

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

The difference between undereye concealers and blemish concealers is simply the texture: concealers that work best on blemishes have a thicker, creamier texture. I love this MAC one as it covers incredibly well and doesn’t look cakey like some cream concealers can. It comes in a convenient little pot which is great for travel, and it comes in tons of different colors (I am NC30 right now- yay for a tan! haha)

Price: $14

Where to buy: Amazon . MAC

Coastal Scents Camo Quad

This quad comes in 4 colors and is an incredibly price! Even though I have this listed under blemish concealers, this actually works really well under the eyes also because of its gel like consistency. I love how you get 4 colors in one container so you can custom mix your shade. However, if you have oily skin, you may want to skip this one for blemishes as it can tend to slide since the texture isn’t creamy like the MAC one. I have no other complaints otherwise!

Price: $7.95

Where to Buy: Makeup Geek Store

Makeup For Ever Camouflage Cream

This palette was my first love for concealers- I love how well it covers my blemishes and how it doesn’t get cakey. The texture is almost exactly like MAC’s Studio Finish but it comes in 5 colors in one sleek palette- perfect for custom blending. To apply, I dab my finger (clean finger *cough cough*) into the concealer and dab over the blemish. Do NOT swipe as it will streak instead of covering the blemish- especially if it is raised.

If you need just a little coverage under the eyes, this could work but I would definitely apply with a soft dome brush so you get a super thin layer.

Price: $36

Where to buy: Sephora . E-Bay . Amazon

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Since this is a heavier concealer it works really well for concealing blemishes- I wouldn’t use it under the eyes as it may cake up though. I love how this has 2 different colors to custom mix if needed. This one would be best for combo to oily skin unless you’re just using for blemishes…

Price:$28

Where to buy: Sephora . E-bay . Amazon

Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil

I love this bronzing oil as it not only moisturizes the skin, but it gives a gorgeous bronze shimmery glow.   I wouldn’t recommend putting this on the face though as it may break you out (I’m overly paranoid as I break out easily…), but for the body, this is great!  You can even put in your hair if it gets dry after your dip in the pool

My only complaint is the price- $54.  ouch!

Price: $54

Where to Buy: Amazon .   Sephora

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Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eyeliner

This is my current favorite eyeliner- the color is gorgeous, it glides easily, and it stays put all day.  This peacock color makes my brown eyes pop!   I don’t have any complaints about it- yes the price is a bit steep, but for an eyeliner that stays put all day, it’s worth it to me.

Price: $20

Where to Buy:   Amazon .  Sephora . eBay

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Makeup For Ever Aqua Liner

I love these liquid liners as they come in such gorgeous colors and stay put all day- rain or shine  The felt tip is amazing- it applies in a precise line and puts on just the right amount of product.  They come in 16 different colors ranging from gold to purple to even white. My absolute favorite color is #7 which is a beautiful dark blue-purple.

My only complaint is the price- at $23, I would think there would be more product.  Most drugstore liquid liners run around $6, but they don’t come in so many colors and aren’t as pigmented.  I’d definitely buy a few more of these MUFE ones!

Price: $23

Where to Buy: Sephora . Amazon .  eBay

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Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow

These mousse like eyeshadows are amazing and so unique!  They apply super easily and really do stay on well.  These are perfect for those days when you’re rushed or don’t feel like wearing much eyeshadow- just one swipe of color, and you’re set to go. My favorite color is “Riviera Blue”- which is a gorgeous medium blue color, and “Pink Sands” would be perfect for everyday wear.

My only complaints are I wish they came in more colors, and again- the price…  I don’t feel they are worth $30, but I guess that’s what to expect from a brand like YSL.

Price: $30

Where to Buy: Nordstrom

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Revlon “Just Bitten” Lipstain

If you’re looking for a lip product that lasts all day and is super easy to apply, then lipstains is the way to go.  I love these Revlon ones as they’re cheap, work well, and come in plenty of gorgeous colors.  My favorite is “passion” which is a beautiful medium pink color that looks great on everyone.   One end of the tube has the lipstain, and the other has a lip balm.

My only complaint with these is the lip balm falls out easily.  I love the colors and the price is great.

Price: $7.99

Where to Buy: Amazon .  Most Drugstores

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Palladio Tinted Lip Balm

With the summer heat now here, it’s great to have a product that not only moisturizes the lips but gives a beautiful color.  My favorite is the orange one as it’s most unique  These really do moisturize well, come in beautiful colors, and are cheap!

My only complaint:  I wish there were more colors.

Price: $3.89

Where to Buy: Makeup Geek Store

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Elta MD UV Shield  SPF

If you plan on being outside this summer, it’s super important to protect your face from sun damage and extra wrinkles!  I love this SPF as it doesn’t break me out, doesn’t get oily, and doesn’t smell funky.  I apply this after my moisturizer and under my foundation to make extra sure that no sun rays harm my skin.

I have no true complaints on this other than the steep price- I bought mine from my dermatologist for the full retail (I learned my lesson not to do that again), but I found it cheaper on Amazon…

Price: $28-61 (depending on where you buy and the size)

Where to Buy: Amazon

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L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara

Now you all probably know by now that Loreal’s Voluminous mascara is my all time favorite.  I love how well it thickens, how intense the color is, and how easy it is to apply with this wand.  I won’t walk out the door without applying a little mascara, and this one is perfect for the beach as it is waterproof!

No complaints at all on this one…

Price: $6

Where to Buy: Amazon .  Most Drugstores

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LORAC 3D Liquid Lustre

This is probably the most unique makeup product I’ve come across in awhile- a liquid glitter that doesn’t get chunky and really does last all day.  I love how this gives a sheer shimmer to the lids- I apply with my finger just to my lids, apply some mascara and lipgloss, and I’m set for the day!

Since this is fairly shimmery, you have to apply sparingly.   No other complaints besides that!

Price: $16

Where to Buy: Sephora .  Amazon

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Tarte Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse

Now I realize you’re probably thinking “Why do I need brow mousse for the beach??”  You probably don’t, but some of us have sparse or very light brows and want to fill them in before heading out the door- to work or to the beach.  This brow mousse stays on really well and looks so natural!  I love how easy it applies and how creamy it feels.  It is probably the most natural looking way to get brows.

My only complaint here is it’s hard to find (I’m hoping Tarte starts selling this at Sephora soon).

Price: $28

Where to Buy: QVC

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1. MAC 217 Blending Brush
   

   This is a multi-purpose brush that can be used to “feather” out the outer V, blend any harsh lines, highlight under the brow, apply a light coat of paintpots as a base, or even apply concealer under the eyes.This is the most versatile brush I have come across, and I haven’t found a cheaper alternative yet. This would be my first brush to buy if I was just starting out.Price:   $22.50Where to Buy:   MAC

2. MAC 239 Brush
   

   This brush is perfect for packing on eyeshadow on the lid- it’s stiff so it picks up a decent amount of color.  The size is also perfect for fitting just on the lid.  I love this brush so much that I have 4 of them, and I reach for them every day!Price:   $24.50Where to Buy:   MAC

3. MUG Deluxe Foundation Stippling Brush
   

   This is honestly my favorite brush ever!  I use this to apply my foundation for that airbrushed finish.  Just place your foundation on the back of your hand, dip the brush in, and stipple it all over your face starting at the center of your face working out towards the temples.Price:  $15.99Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

4. MAC  219 Pencil Brush
   

   This brush is great for blending out harsh eyeliner, smudging shadow under the lower lashes, or creating a very defined outer V.Since the brushes are stiff, it picks up a good amount of color. I reach for this brush everyday as it works perfectly for any type of “smudged liner” look.Price:   $24.50Where to Buy:   MAC

5. MUG Cheek Highlighter Brush
   

   Getting that Jennifer Lopez glow is super easy with this brush!  The soft duo fibre bristles apply just the right amount of highlighting powder or liquid.  The smaller size head prevents from applying too much product, while the wispy bristles give that almost airbrushed effect.Price:   $7.99Where to Buy:    Makeup Geek Store

6. MUG Outer V Brush
   

   I realize this is an odd name for a brush, but I named it this as it is the perfect size for applying darker colors to the outer corner (outer V) of the eyes.  It also works really well for that rocker smudged liner under the lower lashline- the size of the head gives a wider smudged line (unlike the pencil brush which is a little bit smaller)Price:   $5.99Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

7. Smashbox Angle Brow Brush
   

   Now I realize there are TONS of angled brow brushes out there, but this one is the perfect size and stiffness for me.  It applies powder perfectly to the brows.  The stiff bristles pick up just the right amount of color.  I use this everyday for filling in my brows with either shadow or Tarte’s brow mousse.Price: $14.99Where to Buy:   Sephora or  Amazon

8. Sonia Kashuk Angled Liner Brush
   

   This bent liner brush is perfect for applying gel liner or for creating that cat liner effect!  The bent handle allows you to easily drag the liner to get a perfectly straight line.  I reach for this brush almost everyday is its much easier than applying liquid liner.Price:   $5.99Where to Buy:   Target or Amazon

9. MUG Blush Brush
   

   This angled blush brush is perfect for applying just the right amount of blush!  Its soft bristles do not apply too much color, yet it is stiff enough to pick up the color.  The angled shape follows the natural contour of your cheekbones, so it is pretty much foolproof on where to apply your blush.Price:   $8.99Where to Buy:    Makeup Geek Store

10. MUG Soft Dome Brush
    

    This soft bristled dome brush is perfect for creating a super soft shadow in the crease or for blending out concealer under the eyes (it helps prevent your concealer from caking up and getting too thick).  I love how soft this feels on the skin!  This brush is not meant for packing on color, but for blending.Price:  $7.49Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

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I hope this helps all of you who are just starting your brush collection, or for those of you who are hoping to fill in those “missing gaps” in your brush set!