20160505

The Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Starter Kit


This post has been such a long time coming as my love for Makeup Geek is REAL! I've honestly found this affordable range of customisable eyeshadows completely game-changing. Trust me; once you try their products I promise you won't look back because the quality and range of shades is just fantastic.

First things first: the magnetic palette. I've gone with the Makeup Geek Travel Vault (£11.50) for this post as it's so much more stylish and secure than the Z Palette for only a couple of pounds more. Plus, it's slightly larger so you can choose whether to cram in 11 eyeshadows, go for 9 neatly-ordered eyeshadows or a mix of two of their cheek products with 6 of their eyeshadows. Obviously this post is on eyeshadows and I really had a hard time choosing, so I went with the first option! The style and size of this palette are almost identical to the packaging of the Stila Eyes Are the Window palettes, for reference.

Makeup Geek's standard Eyeshadow Pans cost £4.95 and the Foiled Eyeshadow Pans are £7.95. Obviously I really love a neutral eyeshadow look and that's probably the easiest place to start if you're new to the brand so that's what I've gone for in this kit. I've included a mixture of warmer bronzes and browns, as well as slightly cooler taupe tones.

Highlight

Shimma Shimma

This is a light, cream, off-white shimmer shade that I love on the inner corner. It's really long-wearing and highlights without being too intense. It isn't glittery or anything; it just has a really nice sheen to it. I'm also really impressed with its wear-time as I often find that eyeshadows wear off my inner corner quite quickly, however this doesn't. It's got a nice, creamy formula that's so pigmented and easy to work with. It also pairs nicely with both cooler and warmer looks, which is why I recommend it as the highlighting shade to try out first.



Lid Shades

Homecoming

This is one of my most-used shades as you might be able to tell! I think if you pick up one shimmery shade from Makeup Geek then it should definitely be this. It's a bronze-brown shade with a gold shimmer that seems to pair beautifully with just about every eyeshadow look I go for! Although the shimmer is more noticeable in this shade, it isn't overly glittery. The formula is just so smooth and pigmented. It looks really multidimensional so can also work as a wash of colour all over the lid. Again, it doesn't smudge or smear throughout the day.

Grandstand (Foiled)

The Foiled formula is absolutely fantastic and the only reason I don't have more of them in this Starter Kit is because there are fewer shades in that range so I went with my absolute must-have. The formula is so unique; creamy, super-dewy and intensely-pigmented with a liquid metallic finish. I wouldn't say these last quite as long on my lids as the standard shade but the wear-time is still pretty good. This is a stunning copper rose-gold colour that's just so beautiful and striking.

Taupe Notch

This is a bit underrated in my opinion as I don't seem to see people talk about this as much as some of my other favourites. The formula is unbelievably smooth and it actually only has the very slightest, most subtle sheen. Once applied it almost looks matte, I think. It's kind of a medium taupe-brown shade that's nothing too silvery at all. In fact it almost has warm undertones. It doesn't pack quite the punch of some of the other shades but I still think it's really pigmented and the wear time is pretty amazing.

Crease Colours

Peach Smoothie

It was really hard to pick between this and Creme Brûlée because I quite often blend the two together but I just decided this was more unique. It's a sort of light peach matte shade that doesn't look like much swatched but I like to use it as a transition shade. It just gives the most amazing dimension to any eyeshadow look and I reach for it almost daily. Makeup Geek completely avoids the issue of chalky, under-pigmented light matte colours and this is just as creamy and pigmented as the darker shades.

Frappe

This is my go-to warm crease colour for any bronze, brown or gold eyeshadow look. It's a very warm mid-toned caramel brown matte. It's just so pigmented and amazingly easy to work with. I even love it with slightly cooler tones like Taupe Notch as it adds some dimension to the look. Overall, this has to be one of my most-used shades.

Brownie Points

For the longest time I was really lacking in a good cool-toned crease shade in my Makeup Geek collection so I snapped this up when it was released a few weeks ago. It's a sort of mid-toned charcoal-taupe matte shade. It blends out so effortlessly and just looks beautiful with shades like Taupe Notch and Homecoming.

Wild West

This is another new one but it's just so unique and I've been obsessed with it lately. It seems to work with either cooler or warmer tones, which I love. It's another matte but this time in a reddish-brown with a hint of pink. It's unlike any eyeshadow I own, Makeup Geek or otherwise. Again, the formula is fantastic and Makeup Geek completely nails making this with goo colour payoff but still soft in texture and incredibly long-wearing.



Deep Shades

Cocoa Bear

This is one of the most hyped-up Makeup Geek shades and I have to say I completely understand why! It's a reddish-brown matte colour that's amazing for deepening the crease (on a precise blending brush) of any warm-toned eyeshadow look. It's definitely one of my most-used shades of the lot. I know I'm sounding like a broken record but the colour payoff is just so amazing and the texture is just wonderful (as well as the longevity).

Americano

I really wish I'd discovered this beauty sooner! I think I assumed it would be very similar to the shade Mocha, which I already had. However I picked it up recently and they're actually nothing alike. It has a matte finish and is this really interesting dark wine-toned brown. I sometimes find that with very dark matte shades they can be a bit 'staining'; pigmented but so hard to blend out. However this isn't at all - the formula remains beautiful and takes minimal effort to apply.

Bada Bing

This is the darkest shade in my entire collection, as I don't really go for straight matte blacks. I'm not usually one for glitter but of course Makeup Geek pulls it off! This has a sort of deep, cool-toned brown matte base with a fine gold glitter then running through it. It's nicely pigmented and I like to pack it onto the outer part of my eyelid with a flat brush to add a little bit of smokiness to any eye look. You can even apply it lightly to the crease. It isn't quite as creamy as the others but is still my favourite glittery eyeshadow.




What are your must-have Makeup Geek eyeshadow shades? Which ones are on your wish list?





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59 comments

  1. I shamefully do not own any Makeup Geek shadows. I have added a load onto my beauty bay wish list. A lot of these are on the list but I will definitely refer to this when I make my order! xx

    Blog:: Hannah Rose

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  2. Makeup Geek is amazing, I NEED Frappe and Peach Smoothie in my life asap!!! :-D x

    Makeup, Beauty & Fashion

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  3. Those shades are so pretty wow and look super pigmented! :)

    Lotte | www.lottebeautybox.blogspot.co.uk

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  4. The shades are so stunning! Love this post.

    Anika | anikamay.co.uk

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  5. Homecoming and Grandstand are two of my favourites. I have been using Brownie Points this week and LOVE IT! It looks gorgeous. I love Frappe, Cocoa Bear and Bitten all on the outer crease at the moment.

    Emmy | Emmys Beauty Cave | Bloglovin

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    1. Brownie Points just my perfect cooler-toned crease colour! xx

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  6. That's a great starter palette! In my perfect palette I always need matte white, cream shade for brow bone highlight and black matte for defining the lashes :) x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    Replies
    1. For me they are always the shades I never touch in pre-made palettes - I guess that's the beauty of a custom palette: you can just pick out the shades you'll actually wear! xx

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  7. All such beautiful shades!! I've been looking at Makeup Geek eyeshadows for so long but never really known where to start! So this was very helpful!!

    Amelia | http://amelia-g.blogspot.com.au/

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  8. I can easily understand why you love Makeup Geek Eyeshadows so much, even I (not a huge eyeshadow girl) want to try them. The shade Americano is gorgeous, it reminds me of Mac Swiss Chocolate which I love yet, as you said, it is really hard to blend sometimes!

    http://fannyanddailybeauty.com

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  9. Totally love these shades! Love Make Up Geek.

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  10. Love the shades you have, they're gorgeous!! Xx

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  11. I love the MUG eyeshadows, they're so pigmented and I love the colors that you have.

    Perfect Shade of Mauve

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  12. I was lucky enough to be given two Makeup Geek shadows recently, and I'm hooked! I've really wanted to get more shades but don't know where to start - this was really helpful :) xx

    http://www.alicered.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. It always starts with a couple ;) it's a slippery slope haha xx

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  13. My favourite one so far is actually chickadee. Totally obsessed with it, its stunning! But I need peach smoothie, and wild west in my life soon, they will be on my next order :)

    http://www.makeerinover.co.uk

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  14. I don't own any MG shadows sadly I wish i could get my hands on some, S&H to Canada right now is insane. That is one reason why I haven't bought any yet, but I love the shades. I've heard so many good things about them and I love their pigmentation, there are a couple that I want in my own collection.



    Katie | https://ktmcgworld.blogspot.ca

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  15. This is such a good start to collection, all are super wearable and natural! I own two but need LOTS more! Xx

    OliviaCheryl.com

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  16. I don't have any mug shadows I do have some pigments And I love utopia :) great collection!

    http://makeupwithmona.blogspot.com/?m=1

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    Replies
    1. I've not actually tried their pigments yet! xx

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  17. I have a little list of MUG eyeshadows that I want to purchase and almost all of these are on it! I love the shimmery shades x

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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  18. I've been loving Brownie Points, Wild West and Americano since I got them! Makeup Geek forever!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  19. I need to get on board the MUG train! Maybe when I'm in the U.S. in a few weeks! xx

    Beautylymin

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  20. Love how you swatch the shades; you can really see the colours. Thank you!

    http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/

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  21. I was thinking of getting a small Z palette for MUG shadows but will definitely get this palette instead, so much better in terms of design! I love the shades you have here, gorgeous and right up my street x

    Beauty with charm | Benefit Cheekathon Giveaway

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  22. I have Shimma Shimma, Frappe, Peach Smoothie and Cocoa Bear out of these. I have a starter kit too and I agree that they are great shadows :)

    Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed

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  23. I'm always happy to see Makeup Geek swatches- helps me build my wishlist! Grandstand is totally beautiful :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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  24. Oh I really NEED Makeup Geek in my life, definitely going to put through an order through soon and I'll be referring back to this as a guide of what to buy as I love neutrals! I love the look of Homecoming and Americano most!

    The Makeup Directory

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  25. Shimma shimma is next on my MUG wish list. Id have to say grandstand and mai tai are my favourites.

    www.beautylifebecca.blogspot.co.uk

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  26. This is great for someone like me who has never ordered anything from make Up Geek. Shimma Shimma is gorgeous!

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  27. I completely agree - these shadows are game-changing! They are a few of my favourites here and some that i don't have! Americano and Brownie points have been added to the list! xx

    LPage Beauty

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  28. Oh my god all of these shades are stunning! I need to get some makeup geek!
    Fix Me In Forty Five - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
    Blog Lovin' // Instagram
    xx

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  29. I love this post so much! I've been wanting to get some Makeup Geek shadows for ages but I never know where to start and I love all these shades!

    www.mybeautyandbrownies.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. It can definitely be a bit overwhelming! I got most of my ideas for which to check out from blogs :) xx

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  30. I'm still desperate for some of these, think I might ask for some for my birthday! I need to start using eyeshadows more though. Hoping the UD primer potion will help. Definitely need Shimma Shimma and Frappe though x

    Tamz | http://www.throughneweyesx.com

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  31. When I did a beauty bay order the other day I was debating on whether to pick up a Z palette to encourage me to start a make-up geek collection but I didn't and now I really regret it! Look at all these must have shades I need!
    Charlotte // www.charlottespicks.com

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  32. This was actually very helpful <3

    http://ayeshasglam.blogspot.com/

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  33. I haven't purchased any Makeup Geek products yet but I have a list of eyeshadows I want for when I do. I need to just go ahead and purchase them.

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  34. these shades look stunning, i've always wanted to try their stuff!

    danielle | avec danielle

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  35. I am dying to try out some Makeup Geek Eyeshadows! Grandstand looks so beautiful x
    Louise | helloteddy.co.uk

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  36. I always hear Jaclyn Hill talking about these shadows but because I can only buy them online I've not taken the plunge and bought any for myself. I do really love the look of shades like Grand Stand though.

    www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

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    Replies
    1. I bought them all online too and in the couple of dozen I've bought online only 2 weren't what I expected - there are lots of swatches online you can check out :) xx

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  37. Grandstand looks amazing! I really need to get my hands on some MUG products!!

    Jodie @ Jodetopia x

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  38. Great neutral palette, I might have to make another order to pick up wild west, looks gorgeous.

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  39. Thank you for your comments, hope this post gave you some ideas! xx

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  40. Definitely going to have to get my hands on one of these full of eyeshadows, they're so beaut and affordable!

    Just Little Things xx

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  41. I've been seeing makeup geek everywhere lately, I hadn't even heard of it till last about a week ago and since then so many people have been raving about it! Grandstand and homecoming look amaze, I can Defo see me doing a warm browny eyeshadow look with them!
    Tenz
    www.shesabouthatlife.com
    Xxx

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  42. Your palette is so gorgeous, I just want to hand the money over and have an exact copy! All of those shades are so dreamy and beautiful, they look so pigmented.

    Alice ♡ // beautybyalicee

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  43. There are so many stunning shades here, especially all of those matte browns!

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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  44. Great post Jasmine. Grandstand and Frappe are on my list. When I bought couple of shades last time, Frappe was out of stock. I love cocoa bear and shimma shimma in my collection.

    Love, Ash

    www.mstantrum.com

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    Replies
    1. Aw no - it's well worth trying to get Frappe if you can! xx

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  45. I've been trying to figure out how to start my individual eye shadows collection and these shades are absolutely fab!You don't mind if I take a page out of your book?Hahahaha(:

    www.cutieandherbeauty.com

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  46. Great post Jasmine! I totally agree with you makeup geek are such a game changer when you start buying them! I have picked up a tonne and nearly filled my medium MUFE palette! #OBSESSED! After reading this I need Wild west and Americano next, I also really wanna pick up dirty martini and homecoming but they're always out of stock :(

    Iqra | The Blushing Giraffe

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