Introducing Make Up For Ever's HD Elixir

Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Elixir ($38)

HD complexion collection uses innovative formulas to create a new generation of makeup that is invisible on high-definition cameras and to the naked eye. This unique, lightweight elixir absorbs quickly into the skin, instantly hydrating and brightening the complexion. The breakthrough formula contains D-Panthenol and Glycerin to ensure an immediate boost of hydration (+520% after 15 minutes) that lasts throughout the day (+175% after 6 hours). Argatensyl is added to provide an immediate smoothing effect. Each ingredient was specifically added to prepare skin for high- definition makeup so you can count on the camera picking up the perks of this perfecting formula.

The purported extreme hydrating benefits of Make Up For Ever's new HD Elixir remind me quite of a bit of my much loved Peter Thomas Roth 75% Hyaluronic Acid Complex (review HERE), but at a much better price point, which of course means I'm seriously tempted to check this out. Unfortunately at this point it's online only, and you all know that I need to try before I buy!
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Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Invisible Cover Foundation Review and Swatches

Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Invisible Cover Foundation ($40)
What it is: An oil-free medium-to-full-coverage liquid foundation that covers skin imperfections flawlessly while remaining invisible on-screen and in real life. Creates a soft-focus effect, designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It creates a complexion that looks flawless, even in bright or harsh lighting. This Sephora-exclusive foundation comes in 25 different shades to suit all skintones.

I'm a sucker for rave reviews when it comes to cosmetics, and so seeing all of the buzz on this foundation I couldn't resist ordering it. But after all my excitement and waiting, look what came in the mail! A cracked, leaky bottle that had swirls of foundation trapped within the inner plastic layer of the bottle (click to enalge the photo)--boooo! I decided to test it out anyway since it's not like Sephora could resell this cracked bottle to anybody else, and I was only in for further disappointment.

Shade Selection: With a range of 25 shades, you'd think it'd be easy to find one that works, but nope! I'd tested all of the lighter shades at the store: 118 had been a little too dark and 117 much too yellow. I finally settled on 115 as being the shade closest to my natural skintone. Well apparently not so much--it didn't look terrible on per se, but it just didn't blend with my skin the way I wanted it to.

The Foundation: First of all, I just need to say "invisible cover" my butt. MUFE's HD foundation (at least on me) looked cakey and gave me the worst case of "hey look at me I'm wearing foundation" ever. While I love heavy duty coverage, I don't like for it to be so blatantly obvious that I'm wearing makeup, and no matter how light I went with this stuff, my foundation was most definitely still visible. That coupled with the fact that HD brought my oilies on much earlier than usual = bad. Perhaps if I'd been able to find a better shade-match this would've looked better on, but as of now I'm just not a fan.

A small squirt of MUFE's HD foundation. It has a medium consistency that's decently easy to work with and blend.

Blending.

All blended in. I feel like it emphasizes all the little lines.

I really wanted to love this but between the cracked bottle and the makeup-y look MUFE's HD foundation just didn't work for me. But I know some of you love this and it works amazingly well for you--it definitely seems to be a love or hate thing. On the bright side I still love and use their HD Microperfecting Primer regularly!

RATING: 2.5/5

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Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer in #1 Green: Review and Swatches

Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Microperfecting Primer in #1 Green ($32)
What it is: A lightweight, oil-free complexion corrector that enhances the skin's texture and primes the skin for makeup application.

What it does: HD Microperfecting Primer deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect. Creates a protective layer on the skin allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer.

Make Up For Ever's HD Microperfecting Primer comes in a range of 7 shades that run the gamut from pink and mauve to green and blue and is an all around great primer for the price. Your 1.01 oz of primer comes packaged in an attractive double-walled slim plastic tube that takes up little space on your already cramped vanity yet really packs a punch.

Shade 1 (green) minimizes redness and is supposedly ideal for those with rosacea. I've become accustomed to green primers being a pretty shade of mint green, so was surprised to see the rather unappealing shade of darker swamp green that this primer came in. But hey it works so who am I to complain?

I shot a wider surface area than usual so you can see the difference in redness before and after.

Redness Minimized? Well here's the thing. Have you ever found a green color-correcting product that 100% fixed your redness? I thought not and this is no exception. The green HD primer gets rid of I'd say 20-30% of your redness on its own, but the real magic happens when you apply foundation over this. I usually apply foundation all over my face and then go back to my cheeks and apply 1-3 more layers of foundation to mask the redness (depending on the day/foundation), but using the HD primer I didn't feel the need to go back at all.

The Good: I purchased Make Up Forever's HD primer primarily because it sounded like it was pretty great for my skin. Check out the list of active ingredients!

Active Ingredients:
-Argatensyl: Immediately smoothes and enhances the skin's surface.
-Silica micro balls & Elastomer silicone: Give a soft finish to the skin.
-D-Panthenol & Glycerin: Provide optimal skin hydration. (+60%)
- Phycosaccharide: Creates a shield that protects from external aggressions and brings stability to the makeup.

When I wear this my skin feels balanced and looks wonderfully smooth. Unlike most primers I've tried, the HD primer really creates a beautiful canvas for my foundation to glide over and I really do see a difference. Plus it's light, fast absorbing, non-irritating and hasn't broken me out!

The Not So Great: I actually just exchanged the green for the blue because based on MUFE's primer shade suggestions (on their site here) the blue just seems better suited for my skintone. Well that and the fact that I was convinced that the green left just the tiniest hint of a greenish cast to my complexion. But I'm still not certain whether or not this was my imagination. Check out the photo down below and tell me if it looks green please!

One other complaint I've heard from people is with regards to the scent. It took me a few minutes to place the scent, but it smells exactly like Pert Plus! I actually quite like the scent as it stirs up fond childhood memories, but I do no many aren't too crazy about it.

And one last little quibble--this isn't really the ideal primer for controlling excess oilies. While MUFE's HD Primer does help my foundation color to stay truer longer, I'd say that it does very little in the controlling-oil department--but that's what a good powder is for!

Redness smoothed away! And see the difference in texture?

The Verdict: This is one of my favorite primers at the moment and I can quite possibly see myself repurchasing (in a different shade), which would be a primer first!

RATING: 4.5/5



Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-10, Laureth-4, Ethylglycerin, Panthenol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 60, Parfum (Fragrance), Argania Spinosa Extract (Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract), C12-14 Pareth-12, Hydrolyzed Algin, Dodecene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Tromethamine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool. [CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), CI 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)].
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Make Up Forever 12 Flash Color Base

Make Up Forever 12 Flash Color Base ($93)

What it does: This 12 Flash Color Case is found in the kits of many well-known makeup artists. You can create an array of looks with this palette and it's great for traveling. It can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips.

What else you need to know: This palette is a Sephora-exclusive and contains Gold 004 (metallic gold), Coral 002 (vibrant coral), Turquoise 000 (light turquoise), Fuchsia 005 (bright fuchsia pink), Yellow 013 (vibrant yellow), Brown 023 (dark brown), Silver 003 (metallic silver), White 010 (pure white), Red 017 (bright red), Bright Blue 014 (bright royal blue), Leaf Green 008 (bright green), and Black 011 (pure black).

While browsing through the Sephora exclusives this morning I stumbled upon this vibrant palette of shades. Both the price and the colors are a little too crazy for me (I'm reminded of Halloween/clown makeup) but the product is interesting nonetheless.
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