Makeup Forever Cosmetics
Make Up Forever cosmetics (www.makeupforever.com) was created in the 1980′s in France by Dany Sanz for fashion and show-business professionals. In 1995 the US flagship store opening in New York. In 2008 to meet the needs of those now behind the HD camera lens Makeup Forever came out with their HD Complexion line. I find it funny that there are so many spelling combinations (Make up Forever, Makeup4ever, Makeup For ever, etc), but no matter how you spell it, it sounds the same at the end of the day.
In the winter times I like to use the Makeup Forever HD Foundation. It gives great coverage without feeling heavy or cakey. I’ve also been using their Duo Mat Powder Foundation regularly through the Spring/Summer.
7 Makeup Forever Cosmetics Reviews since 2010
FOTD – Featuring Urban Decay Smoked Palette
I’m pretty dang excited right now! Remember how I told you that I was most excited for the Mushroom eyeshadow from the Urban Decay Smoked Palette? I was planning on buying just the single eyeshadow when I discovered that it was going to be included in this amazing palette. Well, today I discovered the BEST base pairing for it! It’s Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Skinny Jeans! It’s like they were meant to be together. Click here for my review for Skinny Jeans!
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Skinny Jean – $19
Urban Decay Mushroom Eyeshadow – $18
Urban Decay Smoked Palette – $49
On the left is a swatch of Benefit Skinny Jeans and on the right is a swatch of Mushroom
It’s COMBO-TIME!! This is Mushroom eyeshadow with the Skinny Jean base (indoor)
And outdoors – isn’t the color gorgeous??
And now the look
So I started off with Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Skinny Jean as a base. Then I used Freestyle from the Urban Decay Smoked Palette to blend it upward. I used Kinky right under by eyebrows as my highlight and then Evidence on the outer corner of my eyes. I lined my eyes with MAC Fluidline in Added Goodness and lined the outer bottom lash line with Barlust. Then highlighted my inner lash line and corners with theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer. Last step, I curled my lashes and used Covergirl LashPerfection mascara.
Whew- that sounds like a lot of steps just for eyes but honestly it’s so fast when you do it (versus writing it all out!).
I wish my camera did a better job at capturing the true colors of the eyeshadows. Trust me it looks darker in person.
I know, my eye is red 
I LOVE my Urban Decay Smoked Palette!
And last but not least, CRAZY-EYE!!
I’ll keep working at figuring out how to take better photos. In the meantime, let me know if you’ve discovered an amazing eyeshadow combo! I’d love to give it a try!
Wishing you a love-filled day!
What’s in my travel makeup bag?
I’m headed for the big apple tomorrow!! I’m excited yet anxious as this will be both my and Max’s first time there. Packing for this trip will be a bit of a challenge since I’m packing for a week in Bermuda and then a week in NYC. I’ve noticed that while I’m on vacation especially in tropical climates I usually tend to not wear much makeup, especially on my eyes so I’ve TRIED to limit what makeup I take. Here’s what I’ve decided to take in my makeup bag.
What’s in my Travel Makeup Bag?
Cute pink quilted makeup bag from Victoria Secret a 2-3 years ago
And here are the face products I’ll be using- a simple tinted moisturizer with SPF and finishing powder
Tarte Smooth Operator (spf20) – Agent 04
MAC Prep + Prime Finishing Powder
And for the cheeks-
NARS Gaiety
NARS Madly
Benefit Coralista
Benefit Hoola (bronzer)
MAC Mineral Skinfinish By Candlelight (highlighter)
MAC Cream Colour Base – Pearl (highlighter)
And for lips-
MAC – Everhip (my all time favorite lipstick for vacays)
MAC – Lazy Day
MAC – Chatterbox
MAC – Soft Sell
Burt’s Bees Chapstick w/mango butter (smells so good!)
Buxom Lipgloss – Bunny & Amber
Kiehl’s Lipgloss – French Rose
And for Eyes-
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer – Original
MAC Liquidlast Liner – Point Black (the only eyeliner that does not smudge on me ALL DAY)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil – Zero
NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner – Madison Avenue
MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil – Duck
d.j.v. beautenizer mascara – Fiberwig LX (best sweatproof mascara)
Covergirl Lash Perfection mascara (best for volume)
Shiseido Eyelash Curler
And we can’t forget eyeshadows
Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow – 2CE Iced Mauve
NARS – Lhasa
MUFE Aqua Cream – 13
MAC Paint Pot – Fresco Rose
MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow – Thunder & Rain
MAC eyeshadow – Concrete (for eyebrows)
MAC eyeshadow – Carbon
MAC Quad – Brule, Warming Trend, Prepped for Glamour, Mystery
NYX For Your Eyes Only Palette – Smokey Eyes
And lastly (this is a longer post than anticipated!) my makeup brushes
Okay, so I hope this was somewhat entertaining and/or helpful! :) Have a lovely Thursday everyone!
A New Chapter
**One update- Just saw that Sephora is will give you 10% off any purchase with the code: “THRILL” :)
Hi Everyone!
Last week was definitely a week of changes. We had to put my pup of 18 years down. It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but I know that it was her time and she lived a full life filled with family and love. It’s pretty amazing how much one little dog can change your life/family. She came into our family and loved us and brought so much laughter and joy. She was definitely such a blessing and we are thankful to have had her for so long!
Last week was also my last week working for “the Man”. I’ve been blessed to be given the opportunity to really pursue my passions in writing, blogging, makeup and also to focus on family and my relationships. This means having so much more time to focus on ABD and exploring my creative side. :)
Finally, my family and I are headed for NYC and Bermuda at the end of the week to celebrate my dad’s 60th! This will be our first completed family vacation ever- I say completed because it’s the first with my sister-in-law and Max. I’ll be posting about what’s in my travel makeup bag soon!
And to not leave without anything relevant to makeup, here’s my face of the day. Today’s casual since I’ve mostly stayed at home besides running some errands.
Tarte Smooth Operator (spf20) – Agent 04
Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Foundation – 203
Benefit Hoola bronzing powder
NARS Gaiety blush
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish – By Candlelight
Clinique Eyeshadow – 2CE Iced Mauve
Covergirl Lash Perfection Mascara (loving this right now!)
MAC Chatterbox lipstick
Hope you all are having a beautyfull week!
Sephora’s Chic Week 15% Off!
I’m so excited to be back posting again without the fear of my posts disappearing forever!! We have lots to catch up on, yes??
Let’s see- Last weekend, Max and I booked our HONEYMOON!!! Woohoo!! That combined with all of the fun Spring/Summer wear that has taken over the mall has put me into high-gear honeymoon shopping mode! So far, I’ve bought a few new swimsuits and maxi-dresses. I foresee a haul post coming shortly… hopefully… hehe. My next targets are a cute travel/beach tote and sandals. I’M SO EXCITED!!!
Today, I wanted to share with you what I’ve bought so far with Sephora’s 15% off promo. If you haven’t taken advantage of this yet, I highly recommend that you do since Sephora (and makeup in general) RARELY ever go on sale. You can order online and enter the code “CHIC” at checkout until the 21st of April. 
So far, here is what I’ve purchased. Well actually, Max bought these for me on Friday.
(Sorry for poor quality of picture!)
Make Up For Ever Sens’eyes Makeup Remover – $24
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #13 (Warm Beige) – $23
Sephora 4-Step Buffer - $8
See that self-control?? Okay, okay it MAY have helped that Max was there as the angel on my shoulder keeping me in line… BUT I must admit that there will be one final online order to come before the end of this promotion. Here are the things that I have my eyes on…
1. Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
2. Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream #16 Pink Beige
3. NARS Lose Yourself Blush/Bronzer Powder Duo & Lip Gloss Set
4. Buxom Buxom Lips – Sandy
5. Illamasqua Powder Blusher – Katie
6. CLEAN Shower Fresh Eau de Parfum Spray
7. Benefit Cosmetics Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner – Get Figgy & Strut
Not sure if all of these will make the cut- especially since I’m wanting so many other things this month… but I’ll definitely keep you updated!
Happy Sunday!
The Quest for the perfect oil controlling product | Part II
Hey all! I’ve finally decided to do another post on my quest for the perfect oil controlling product thanks to a little nudge for Daphne! Thanks girl!
The product that I’ve been using lately is MAKE UP FOR EVER’s All Mat ($45). This primer has a silicon gel base that is designed to remove shine and help makeup last all day.
So far, I’m liking it. It definitely prevents my skin from getting oily for much longer than the Bare Escentuals primer! I’ve been using it under my MUFE HD foundation daily. Now, I can’t say that my quest is over and I’ve found my holy grail… but I’m quite pleased for now. I DO still need to use an oil blotter throughout the day so I will not claim that this product is PERFECT for me, but I would recommend you go get a sample at Sephora to try it out.
Another face primer that I have heard good reviews for and am testing out currently is Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer. I’ve tried it out once so far and haven’t seen any miraculous differences… but then again, I wasn’t really paying attention throughout the day 
I’ll keep you updated.
Okay, hopefully this has been helpful! I’ll be blogging again soon to show you my haul from LUSH, woohoo!
I hope you have the strength to keep your chin up even when life doesn’t go the way you planned 
Makeup Forever HD Foundation VS NARS Sheer Matte Foundation
** Update 8/7/12: I’ve decided to give NARS Sheer Matte another go. Here’s my newest update review on NARS Sheer Matte in Punjab.**
I’ve been happily using the Makeup Forever HD Foundation (Invisible Cover in #118). But about a month ago I stopped by the NARS counter to get new blushes and I also picked up NARS Sheer Matte Foundation in Fiji. I’ve been switching between the two since then and here are my thoughts.
MUFE HD Invisible Cover Foundation
Price: $40 for 1.01 oz
Coverage: Med-Full
Application: Applied with fingers smoothly for an even finish
Longevity: Lasts all day
My Thoughts:
A few cons would be that I don’t always want a full-coverage foundation on. Also, it leaves my skin flat so I definitely need to use it with a bronzer/blush for contouring. Lastly, I’m not completely in love with the shade but again, bronzer/blush fixes that problem.
My favorite aspect of this foundation is that the application and finish is sooo smooth and light! It’s smoother than any other liquid foundation I’ve ever tried! The formula just melts into your skin.
The packaging is great! I just press the applicator down once on the back of my hand and start applying with my fingers. One pump is enough.
I will definitely keep repurchasing this, perhaps try a different shade?
Price: $42 for 1 oz
Coverage: Sheer-Med
Application: Harder to apply smoothly and if you rub for too hard or for too long it’ll start flaking and rolling off
Longevity: Lasts most of the day, although it will wear down faster since it is more sheer
My Thoughts: I love the shade of this foundation which is the reason I bought this in the first place even though I have plenty of my Make up forever hd foundation left.
Here’s what I don’t like: I find the packaging inconvenient. The square top can pop off without taking the real lid off of the bottle. It’s like needing to go through 2 lids to get to your foundation! Also, I absolutely cannot work with the application. I apply all my foundation with my fingers and I find that as I work it onto my skin it will flake off of my skin and leave me looking patchy and frustrated. I’ve tried this foundation multiple times and get the same application results. I’ve seen some other girls recommend using a damp sponge applicator for NARS Sheer Matte foundation but I currently do not own one.
Conclusion
The winner is Makeup Forever HD foundation!! The application is essential for me and I was getting too frustrated with all the flaking that NARS was causing. So frustrated that today I took it back to Nordstrom and exchanged it for MAC’s Cyndi lipstick, hehe. You really can’t beat the smooth application and flawless look of Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. And as a bonus, it’s $2 cheaper to get MUFE than NARS.
Have you tried either of these foundations? Have you ever experienced foundation flaking off of your skin? Let me know! I’d love to hear about your experiences!
Hope you have a BEAUTYFULL day! <3
Face of the Day
Face: Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation
Cheeks: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola + NARS Gilda blush
Eyes: MAC Patina + Satin Taupe + Mystery w/False Lashes from Daiso
Lips: MAC Myth + Benefit Cosmetics Lady’s Choice + Benefit Cosmetics Her Glossiness