MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Nude Creme Liquid Lipsticks

You can't go wrong with a classic nude lip... it's the perfect complement to a "no makeup makeup" look or to pair with a bold eye. And now, thanks to the pros at MAKE UP FOR EVER, it's easier than ever to find your perfect nude with the new Artist Nude Creme liquid lipsticks. The line of shades was designed specially to match a wide range of skin tones. After all, what looks like a nude lip on me probably won't look the same on you!

I was very impressed with the range which really is quite inclusive... not just a bunch of lipsticks designed for pale skin. However, you don't need to stick to a classic nude that matches your skin tone if you don't want to -- the shades are all really nice and wearable.

MUFE sent me a couple to try out and I picked 01 (Uncovered), the lightest shade, and 09 (Pure), which is really targeted towards a darker skin tone. For reference in the swatches below, I am a little tan right now since it's summer and probably around a MAC NC25.

Make Up  For Ever Artist Nude Creme in 01 (Uncovered)

Make Up For Ever Artist Nude Creme in 09 (Pure)

I found the darker shade, 09 Pure, transferred rather easily and got on my teeth which was not a problem with the lighter shade, 01 Uncovered. I do think this can easily be fixed next time I wear it by using a lipliner and a two step blotting application process. Personally, however, I will probably get the most use out of 01 Uncovered since I tend to gravitate towards light peachy shades.

Conclusion: the Artist Nude Creme lipsticks are sooooo nice. They are extremely pigmented and opaque with a creamy, satin finish. Although they aren't glossy, there is a bit of a shine and they feel hydrating on the lips. At $25 CAN, I'd say these are in line with the type of quality you can expect from MUFE as well. Find the whole lineup at Sephora.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation

I have tried a few other foundations from MAKE UP FOR EVER (here and here) and each time my comments were the same: they didn't work for my oily/combination skin nor my preference for matte finish makeup. When I received the Matte Velvet Skin ($48 CAD) in the mail this summer, it seemed like the MUFE gods were finally answering my foundation prayers. But did it live up to the hype?

Short answer: sort of. I'll explain.

The Matte Velvet Skin foundation is a reformulation of MUFE's previous matte offering. It features FLEXI-FIT, the brand's exclusive technology for skin comfort and breathability. MUFE claims the new formula resists cracking so you won't look cakey and maintains a velvety finish for up to 24-hours (supposedly it's waterproof as well). It also comes in 40 shades which offers incredible choice for hard-to-match skin tones. 

I really like the texture of this foundation; it's not watery but not too thick either. I find it blends easily and is very buildable. The picture below was taken just after applying the foundation. As you can see, the coverage is medium to heavy (which for me means creating a flawless base but doesn't completely camouflage my freckles) and can be built up without looking unnatural. It also doesn't really feel like I'm wearing heavy foundation so I'd say the claims about Matte Velvet Skin being comfortable are pretty accurate and thankfully I haven't experienced any breakouts due to use.

Unfortunately, where I think this foundation falls apart is wearability. I've worn it to a workout and it didn't separate or melt off. However, for some reason, and I don't know if it's just my skin, but this simply doesn't stay matte... which for me, is kind of the whole point of using a matte foundation. I have tried primer underneath and topping it off with the MUFE Ultra HD Powder, as recommended by the pros, but am constantly blotting my nose throughout the day (where the foundation seems to have the worst time sticking). 

I note that the foundation does seem to remain velvety on the rest of my face but if you suffer from an oily T-zone like me I'd say be aware that this foundation probably will not stay matte "all day." I would recommend this for people with normal over oily/combination skin like mine. 

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Shadow

I feel like I can't keep up with MAKE UP FOR EVER's new launches sometimes... the brand is constantly innovating and building on its products, making beloved staples better and better. For example, the Artist Shadow collection, first introduced back in 2014, has just been relaunched as the Artist Color Shadow.

With 121 shades and 5 different finishes (matte, metallic, diamond, satin, and iridescent), the refillable pans are now rectangular instead of round to fit into revamped packaging that looks a little sleeker this time around.

As always, in addition to its large offering of shades, customization is key to this line, meaning you can pick and choose your eye shadows to create your own palette. It is actually more cost-effective to go with a bigger palette too; a single is $24 CAD, a duo is $37 CAD, a trio is $50 CAD, a quad is $63 CAD, and a six is $77 CAD (for a $134 value).

I have really been feeling a more pink-based eye look lately after rediscovering my love for my Urban Decay Naked3 Palette so I wanted to pick some similar shades from the Artist Color collection to try out. I went with M546 (a matte dark purple taupe) and S542 (a satin pinky clay).

The texture on these shadows is really soft and blendable although I did need to layer a bit to get enough pigmentation for the above swatches. It seems to be less of a problem when actually creating an eye look although I felt M546 could have been darker based on its description. S542 is very pretty neutral that makes an excellent brow highlight.

Overall, the quality is what we've all come to expect from MUFE and highly recommended for both professional make up artists and makeup aficionados alike!

Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color in B206 and B314

A few months ago, MAKE UP FOR EVER introduced its latest innovation in colour and customization: the Artist Face Color. Similar to the Artist Shadow line, Artist Face Color is a line of highlighters, sculpting powders, and blushes that come in magnetized refill pans which you can pop into either a single ($31 CAD for 1 refill + 1 palette), duo ($44 CAD for 2 refills + 1 palette) or a triple ($56 CAD for 3 refills + 1 palette).

The palette (for the duo and triple) is MUFE's standard design that we've seen on other products like the Ultra HD Pressed Powder, for example. It features a large mirror and a very strong magnet so you'll never have to worry about your refill pans falling out. 

I love the concept behind this release because it allows you to truly customize how you want your palette. You could have an entire highlighter palette or create the ultimate highlighter + sculpting power + blush combination. In total, there are 34 shades to choose from in a range of matte, shimmer, and pearl finishes. For ease of reference, highlighter shades are denoted by an H-#, sculpting powders by S-#, and blushes by B-#.

L-R: Artist Face Color in B206 and B314

Since I'm a blush fiend, I obviously went for a blush duo when MUFE offered me the opportunity to test these out. B206 is a matte which is described as a peachy pink. In the pan this sounds about right but an initial swatch looked like a cooler pale pink. However, once I blended it into my skin it did get warmer and appeared true to its description. B314 is a shimmer tangerine which is a lot more bold but very pretty.

Both blushes are highly pigmented and easily blendable. The textures are so nice as well... very soft and finely milled. If you're on the hunt for a new face colour (or two, or maybe even three), definitely check these out!

MAKE UP FOR EVER New Releases: Ultra HD & Artist Liquid Matte

MAKE UP FOR EVER has been churning out quite a few new releases this year and, as always, they showcase the professional MUA-level quality we've all come to expect from the brand while still remaining totally wearable for us regular folks who don't have to worry about actually being camera-ready on the daily.

One of my most popular MUFE reviews, for some unknown reason, is of their HD Pressed Powder which came out back in 2014. For 2017, they've revamped the powder to make it compatible with 4K technology and changed the packaging as well. Instead of the round plastic compact, the new Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder comes housed in a square matte metal compact, similar to the packaging of my Andreja Pejić Eyeshadow Palette (but thankfully with a mirror). There is no sponge applicator included; MUFE recommends that this be applied with their Artisan Brush #160 so it's not exactly the most travel-friendly. I personally apply this right after I do my makeup in the morning and then touch up with my MAC Blot Powder for any shine that surfaces in the day since the finish is only semi-matte.

The powder is finely milled and the texture is extremely smooth. Seriously, it feels so nice to the touch but means you'll have to be careful about over-applying so you don't get too cakey. The overall result is a blurring effect to any pores and lines without depositing any colour. However, one warning: if you over-apply, flash photography might make your skin look whiter than a ghost. In fact, you might recall that I expressed some concerns in my last review about the Translucent (1) powder possibly not being suitable for all skin tones (although apparently it is). MUFE appears to have since addressed that issue with the release of two new pressed powder shades -- Banana (2) to finish a medium complexion and Peach (3) to finish a tan complexion, but I can't confirm if flashback is an issue with either as I haven't tried them.

Another addition to the Ultra HD line are the Skin and Lip Boosters. "What on earth is a booster?" you may be thinking. Well, they are basically intensely hydrating serums for your face and lips that are applied before any other product to improve their ability to hold makeup. I was sent the Lip Booster in 00 (Clear) to try out and it works great as a prepping lip mask (apply then wipe off excess product), especially before a matte lipstick. It doesn't really have a discernible scent and instantly adds hydration to dry lips.

Speaking of matte lipstick... if you are a fan, you really need to check out the new Artist Liquid Matte line. It seems like every brand these days has some form of matte liquid lipstick but I think these MUFE ones are my faves.

L-R:  Artist Liquid Matte in 101, 103, 107

The shade range is pretty limited as of right now (there are only six shades and most of them nudes) but since I'm a huge neutral-lover, most of them appealed to me. Above, I've swatched 101 (Cream Beige), 103 (Warm Beige), and 107 (Neutral Beige). Give me all the beige!!

These liquid lipsticks combine a true matte finish with intense pigmentation, though somehow remain pretty comfortable on the lips. They are also incredibly long-wearing... I had to really scrub to get my swatches off my arm although it was a lot easier when removing from my lips at the end of the day.

MAKE UP FOR EVER High Precision Lip Pencils (#10 and #20)

Over the last year or so, I've been using lip pencils with increasing frequency since I realized it was a great way to keep a base lip colour on even when my lipstick inevitably wears off. I know, I know... definitely not some secret, unknown beauty fact and yet a total game changer in my daily beauty routine. So far my favourites have been the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Re-Shape & Re-Size Lip Liner in "Pillow Talk" (so creamy!) and MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencils (so longlasting!), but I'm also adding MAKE UP FOREVER High Precision Lip Pencils to the list.

These new lip pencils come in 12 shades which fit under three colour families (Nude, Pink, and Red). Today, I'm sharing swatches of two! #10 is a warm beige that leans on the peachy side. On my pigmented lips it's barely noticeable but adds that little bit of extra "oomph." #20 is a great classic pink that will pair well with lots of different pink lipstick shades.

In terms of wear, I'd say these pencils are pretty comparable to MAC's Pro Longwear. However. the texture is on the harder side rather than the extreme creaminess of Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat. This doesn't mean they don't apply smoothly or lack pigmentation... on the contrary, I think the pencils actually work great for their intended purposes (volume and natural lip enhancement) if you follow the below tips from MUFE on application.

If you're looking for volume:

1. Trace the center of the cupid’s bow and the center of the lower lip with to create perfect symmetry.
2. Trace the corners of the mouth. Then, in one motion, connect corners with the cupid’s bow and then with the center of the lower lip. This technique will help add volume and create a plumping effect.

If you're looking for natural lip enhancement:

1. Apply along the lip contour, then blend to the inside of lips with a lip brush.
2. Use the same lip brush to fill in lips, then cover with lipstick.

The High Precision Lip Pencils retail for $22 CAD and are available at Sephora.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Light Fusion (Rose Gold)

One of MAKE UP FOR EVER's Fall 2016 releases is the Pro Light Fusion line and I'm pretty it sure will be a top seller for the company. As you know, I actually prefer a matte look over a more dewy one due to my oily/combination skin, but even I cannot get over how gorgeous these new highlighters are.

Just like the Pro Bronze Fusion, which I have blogged about before, the new Pro Light Fusion comes housed in a round plastic compact and with the brand's signature wave surface pattern for optimal powder pick-up.

It also features the same creamy gel-powder formulatiom (seriously, how does MUFE do it?). The unique texture means it's easy to blend and can be layered depending on the amount of highlight you want. As you can see from my swatches below, a hard swipe will get you a very intense metallic finish which can be buffed out for a more natural radiant look.

I have the Pro Light Fusion in 01 (Rose Gold) which is perfect for light to medium skintones. It also comes in 02 (Gold) for tan to dark skintones. Retail price is $43 CAD which, admittedly, is a little pricey but you're paying for quality and a little does go a long way. Plus, seriously... look how pretty!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Rouge Lipsticks

A fun package showed up in my mailbox a few weeks ago and inside was a selection of the new MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Rouge Lipsticks. With 45 shades (14 matte and 31 cream) plus a dizzying array of colours, I can already tell this lipstick line is going to be a hit.

In keeping with MUFE's minimalist look, each lipstick comes housed in a black and silver metal tube. If you recall my post on the Andreja Pejić Eyeshadow Palette, you'll see the same packaging concept carries over here. As usual, it's no frills and no fuss with a focus on extensive shade range and quality product instead.

These lipsticks feature 25% more pigments than the Rouge Artist Intense line, which was MUFE's last generation of full-coverage lipstick (featured here). As you'll see from my swatches below, the colours are intensely vivid. Each one is also specially formulated for comfort and long wear, while the tear drop shaped tip is designed to make application easy without needing a lip brush.

My sampler provided me with a good range of shades to play with.. you can really see that there's something here for everyone. Artist Rouge was launched in collaboration with electro-pop duo Icona Pop, so there are a few limited edition ones to look out for as well!

(L-R: C105, C211, M401, C502, C603, C506)

C105 (Grege Beige) is a pale pinky nude. I'm always drawn to this type of shade even though it has a tendency to look corpse-like on most skin tones. For something more wearable, there is C211 (Rose Wood), a perfect blend of pink and brown hues which MUFE touts as universally flattering on all skin tones. And then of course there is the classic matte red in M401 (Hot Red by Icona Pop).

If you're looking for more unique and interesting colours, C502 (Taupe Violet) is a matte pale lavender. Or, for the more adventurous, there is C603 (Midnight Blue by Icona Pop), a teal blue. I've noticed this seems to be a hot shade for lipstick these days and am glad I finally have one of my own even though I'm not sure where I would ever wear this. For something in-between, C506 (Dark Purple) is a deep berry/wine which is always a Fall/Winter staple.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Rouge Lipstick retails for $27 CAD each and can be found at Sephora.

Life Proof Eye Makeup with Blinc Box Discovery Collection and MUFE Ultra HD Concealer

I was recently sent the Blinc Box Discovery Collection, which includes 4 of Blinc's best-selling eye products. For those of you who are new to this brand (like I was up until now), their focus appears to be on achieving "Life Proof" results. What exactly does this mean? Apparently, cosmetics that are smudge proof, run proof, and flake proof. If they deliver on their promise -- sign me up!

The Blinc Discovery Box Collection contains the following:

Mascara Amplified. Blinc is known for its original mascara, which creates water-resistant "tubes" around your lashes. It's essentially the fibre lash concept with a focus on ensuring your mascara doesn't smudge at all. The Amplified formula is supposed to build on the original by adding volume and length, but as you know my straight lashes are finicky and I didn't think this mascara did much for them. I also found removal a bit weird... you're supposed to use water and gentle pressure instead of eye makeup remover but this just left me sweeping remnants of the "tubes" off my face for a while.

Eyebrow Mousse. I really didn't think I was going to like this because eyebrow gels never work for my sparse eyebrows so colour me surprised... I love this! It actually fills in the sparse areas and stays put.

Eye Shadow Primer. I've been a die hard UDPP user for many years but this primer is actually quite nice. It's a little on the light side so not sure how it would work for darker skin tones, although I suppose you would be putting eye shadow on top.

Eyeliner Pencil. A basic black eyeliner that's not too creamy (think Urban Decay 24/7) or too hard. It's well-pigmented for an intense line.

I decided to put these products to the ultimate test a few weekends ago when I headed off for a spa day at one of my faves, Miraj Hammam. This meant 30 minutes in a steam room followed by a full-body scrub and rinse. I did this all wearing the eye makeup below and guess what? It looked almost exactly the same after I left the hammam as when I entered, save for a few bits of mascara that must have been dislodged from the water pressure while I was being rinsed off. I was most impressed with the eyeliner... it seriously hadn't budged at all! If you're looking for seriously "life proof" products, Blinc's definitely got you covered.

Since my post-spa eye makeup was pretty much still intact but my face was otherwise bare, I decided a low makeup day was appropriate and I only needed to tackle my under eye circles. Mine are not very dark but the area can get puffy if I haven't gotten enough sleep. Enter MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Concealer, the latest addition to the Ultra HD line (you'll recall it also includes the liquid and stick foundation).

First off, I like the packaging a lot. It's a very skinny tube with a rounded applicator tip. You can dot on the product easily before blending with your fingers or a blending brush.

The formula, however, is very creamy which isn't the most compatible with my oily/combination skin. I've found that's been the case with all the Ultra HD products so far... they're definitely targeted to dry/normal skin in my opinion. The coverage of the concealer is nice but I needed to set it with powder because without it looked a little crease-y (as you can see by the photo above). Thankfully that's not too much of a hassle if it can banish those dark circles!

FOTD: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation

After this look garnered so many compliments, I have become slightly more comfortable with the whole red lip thing (also, not gonna lie, but every time I think about wearing red lipstick, I totally sing that line from Taylor Swift's "Style" in my head). So, since red lips and black liner are makeup bag staples, I decided to do a simple but classic FOTD featuring some products I was sent from MAKE UP FOR EVER.

You may recall my feature of MUFE's new Ultra HD Foundation from the summer, but did you know there's also an Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation? The Ultra HD Foundation line is specially formulated to be undetectable even under 4K digital technology and while the stick foundations don't come in as many shades as the liquid version, the selection is still very good. I found the formulation a little on the thick side with a fuller coverage that blended well into my skin, and I was also impressed at how good the colour match was. However, this is definitely formulated for those with normal to dry skin because I found it way too much for my oily/combination skin. Even with powder on top, I was a greasy mess after an hour. Yuck. Hopefully MUFE comes out with a demi-matte or matte version for those of us who prefer those finishes.

To complete the look, I used the Aqua Eyes Liner in Matte Black and Smoky Extravagant Mascara. The liner is a rich, dark black that doesn't smudge but I did find the texture a bit hard and not as creamy as I like (there was some tugging upon application). The mascara has a great cone-shaped brush for precision application and the formula is good. I'm picky with mascaras since many don't work for me but I have no complaints about this one!

When you're doing a bold lip, a good lip liner is key to lock in the colour and keep it looking vibrant throughout the day. The Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner in True Red definitely delivers in this respect. It's super pigmented and stayed on, even when my lipstick (Rouge Artist Intense in Moulin Rouge) wore off after eating.

Grey Hair + New MAKE UP FOR EVER Releases (Ultra HD Foundation & Pro Bronze Fusion)

First things first -- surprise, I have grey hair! I have been trying to achieve this silver/grey look for a while now (you may recall my most recent attempt), and I'm so happy my stylist and I were finally able to reach my "goal" hair. Unfortunately, silver/grey hair is incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to maintain (you need to tone it every couple weeks, be careful about over-washing, etc.) so this will sadly be a short-lived look for me. 

Secondly, MAKE UP FOR EVER has been killing it with their releases this year so I wanted to put together an entire look featuring their products, including some exciting new ones. 

In particular, the new Ultra HD Foundation is the company's latest innovation and an update to their iconic HD Foundation. The formula is meant to be so seamless it can't be detected by cameras, many of which are starting to feature new 4K technology for extreme detail and clarity. The foundation comes in a staggering 40 shades but even if you're a bit off in picking the right shade for your skin tone, they  do blend really well. I find the consistency much more watery than I am used to and the coverage is sheer to medium with a finish that is neither dewy not matte. If you like lightweight foundations, this is a great option but I don't think this will be an everyday foundation for me as I have oily skin and prefer a heavier matte look. If your skin tends to get oily, this also doesn't have any mattifying properties (although it is oil-free). I personally like to wear MUFE's Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer underneath, which is currently my go-to primer.

To add some colour to this makeup look, I applied a blend of Pro Bronze Fusion, MUFE's new bronzer line, in Sand (20M) and Cinnamon (25I). This bronzer has a unique gel-powder formulation and a wavy surface pattern specially designed for optimal powder pick-up. I typically use a MAC 187 Duo Fibre brush to apply my blush and bronzer but that won't work for this product since it's not a dry powder. Instead, a dense kabuki brush like the 136 Pro Bronze Kabuki Brush is perfect for picking up and depositing colour precisely.

I wanted to add a bit of drama to my eyes so I opted for a layered cat eye featuring the Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eye Shadows in Diamond Light Turquoise (D-21) and Matte Black (M-11). The sharp points make it easy to get a precise line and I love that there is a built-in sharpener in the bottom of the pencil. These shadows are incredibly pigmented and don't budge at all. They were actually a bit difficult to remove but thankfully nothing a little cleansing oil can't help with.

On my lips, I'm wearing the Aquarouge Waterproof Liquid Lip Color in Cool Candy Pink (21). I usually don't like long-wearing stain/balm combos but this product is definitely an exception. The pink colour is applied with a doe-foot applicator and it didn't feel tight as it dried like a lot of other similar products I've tried. The best part, however, is the clear gloss that goes on top. It's super shiny and not sticky at all, making for a really comfortable wear. I wore this lip all day and it held up really well so I was very impressed.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Andreja Pejić Eyeshadow Palette

"Be Bold. Be Unexpected. Be You." This is the tagline for MAKE UP FOR EVER's first brand campaign celebrating individuality and self-expression. The campaign features two limited edition eyeshadow palettes curated by two trendsetting influencers, actress/fashion blogger Jamie Chung and renowned transgender fashion model Andreja Pejić.

I was lucky enough to be sent the Andreja Pejić Eyeshadow Palette, which is more neutral than the Jamie Chung palette, and I'm so excited to share it with you.

The shadows come in a metal tin with Andreja's signature on the front in red. Inside, the four pans are sandwiched between a black removable foam base. Honestly, I don't find the tin that special in terms of packaging. It's pretty basic, there is no mirror (I personally never use the mirrors but some of you might), and the foam is a major magnet for excess powder fallout when you're sweeping your brush through. However, in my opinion, MUFE is known more for its extensive range and quality products and not necessarily for having the cutest packaging. 

But what about the shadows themselves? I have reviewed the Artist Shadows before (see here) and I never cease to be blown away by them. The pigments are incredible, blend well, and these four shades chosen by Andreja can create a number of really beautiful eye looks.

I-526 is a pale champagne that makes a nice brow bone highlight. I-662 is a copper that reminds me a lot of a MAC fave, Woodwinked. I-544 is a taupe and the shade I love most in this palette. It is so so pretty. And lastly, D-652 is a brown with gold flecks of glitter. In the Artist Shadow range, "I" stands for Iridescent and "D" stands for "Diamond" so all the finishes are definitely on the shimmery side.

The MAKE UP FOREVER Andreja Pejić Eyeshadow Palette is available on Sephora for $56 CAD ($111 value) while supplies last.

Futuristic FOTD: Estée Lauder x Courrèges

I'm back in Vancouver after a super fun week in California and I can't wait to share some pictures from my trip. If you follow me on Instagram, you will have gotten a sneak peek at some highlights... and you may have also seen that I now have silver hair! Sort of, anyway (it's just toner). Before it washes out, I thought it would be perfect to put together a kind of space-inspired FOTD based on the Estée Lauder x Courrèges Collection. Design legend André Courrèges is, after all, know for his futuristic designs and the products really pay homage to this legacy.

The main part of this look is obviously the eyes. I used MAC Pro Longwear Paintpot in Layin' Low as a base before layering on Estée Lauder Eye Amplifier in Black Silver. This eyeshadow comes in fun white bubbly packaging and is super shimmery (but not glittery, if that makes sense). Next, I blended MAC Eyeshadow in Bouffant from the MAC is Beauty Collection into the crease and onto my brow bone for a highlight. The pièce de résistance was, of course, the Estée Lauder Ultra White Eyeliner. This liner is super opaque but also a little difficult to work with. However, there's no denying that it does look very cool. I actually thought it made me look like an anime character! To complete the eyes I then layered on two mascaras: AVON AeroVolume with my HG Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost.

On my face, I started with MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer. This new line of ten primers allows you to combine primers targeted towards your skin's texture and tone to create the perfect canvas for your makeup. I used Redness Corrector + Mattifying which is the perfect combination for me. Next, I used Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth Infusing Makeup and set it with Estée Lauder Perfecting Loose Powder (this stuff is super lightweight and gives a really flawless effect). To highlight, I applied MAC Cream Colour Base in Summer Wind from the MAC x Mia Moretti Collection onto my cheekbones. I don't have the highlighter from the Courrèges Collection but this one seems like a pretty good dupe. For hint of light pink cheeks, I topped them off with a sweep of colour from Marcelle Quad Blush in Ultimate Pinks.

Keeping with the 60's mod Space Age theme, I didn't want to go with too bold of a lip. Instead, I used MAC Creme Cup (not pictured above because I forgot it... apparently that's what happens when you're using so many products!)

MAKE UP FOR EVER Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio

Fifty Shades of Grey opens this weekend, so what better way to amp up the anticipation than with MAKE UP FOR EVER's limited edition movie-inspired collection? I've been ogling the makeup sets at Sephora for ages, in particular the Desire Me Cheeky Blush Trio, so it seemed like kismet when it showed up in my mailbox a few weeks ago.

Retailing at $56 CAD, this limited edition cheek palette comes with a keepsake velvet pouch (complete with key charm) and a travel size 150 Precision Blush Brush. If you haven't tried MUFE's Artisan Brushes yet, I highly recommend them. I adore my 110 Foundation Kabuki Brush and this blush brush is also great for depositing product right where you want it.

As for the blushes, the palette is made up of colours from MUFE's Artist Shadow range which I have reviewed before. The magnetic pans come housed in one of MUFE's plastic palette cases which means no fancy Fifty Shades packaging here. This may be a good or bad thing depending on whether or not you're a fan of the series.

The three shades include: I-526 (Pearl Beige), I-808 (English Pink), and S-748 (Coral). As I mentioned in my previous review, the letters before the numbers stand for the finish. In this case, I for Iridescent and S for Satin. My personal favourite is the coral since the highlighter and pink are more shimmery than I typically wear. However, this set also comes with a handy instructional booklet which you can refer to in order to get three of Ana's looks from the movie -- her "Healthy Glow Look", "Highlighted Cheek Look", and "Classic Cheek Look."

Strangely, it never occurred to me that the Artist Shadows could also be used as blush but I guess with 210 shades and the fact that many makeup products can multi-task, it makes complete sense. In fact, I'm kind of inspired to create my own blush trio now after using this one... or maybe a contour kit? The possibilities are endless!

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow (M-540 and D-640)

Last month, MAKE UP FOR EVER introduced the Artist Shadow range, a collection of eye shadows made with a breakthrough formula of pigment atomization (delivers up to 88% concentrated pigment) and water-blend technology (allows for extreme blendability and even texture). With 210 shades, it's the most extensive range of eye shadows currently available to consumers and comes in 5 different finishes to suit all tastes: Matte, Satin, Iridescent, Metal, and Diamond.

The large round pans are magnetized to fit into single, duo, and trio custom palette cases so you can create your own unique colour combinations for ease of portability. The cases are plastic with a clear cover and carry a nice weight despite how inexpensive they are ($1.00 extra at Sephora).

As I'm a huge fan of neutrals, MAKE UP FOR EVER sent over my own customized duo featuring M-540 and D-640. The naming system is based on the finish and the family number that each shade falls into within the colour wheel -- such a cool art-based concept!

M-540 (worn on my top lid) is a matte greyish beige. I personally love matte shadows and this one is no exception. It applies buttery soft and makes a great base. D-640 (worn on my lower lashline) features the brand's diamond finish in a deep gold hue. I don't typically like glittery eye shadows but I thought this was quite pigmented despite its somewhat gritty texture.

If you're on the hunt for some new eye shadows, I absolutely recommend checking out the Artist Shadow range. At $25 CAD for a single ($39 for a duo and $50 for a trio), they are fairly affordable given the high level of quality and number of colour options available.

Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder and Cream Blush

MAKE UP FOREVER has launched a couple new products over the past few months that I am super excited about and thanks to PR, I've been happily testing them out over the past little while. Now to share my thoughts!

First, I've been liking the HD Pressed Powder ($41 CAD), a talc-free finishing powder that offers the same benefits as MUFE's popular Microfinish Loose Powder but in a purse friendly compact.

The product is offered in only one shade which, as you can see from the photo above, looks insanely white in the pan. It actually appears translucent on the skin (apparently for all skin types). The powder is finely milled and once on, gives the skin a "soft focus effect" that feels very comfortable when worn. Unfortunately, I do have to touch up quite a few times throughout the day but with my oily skin this is kind of par for the course.

MUFE recommends using a brush like their #124 Kabuki Artisan Brush to apply the powder which I've been doing when I apply the powder before I leave in the morning. However, for on-the-go, it might make more sense to use a sponge/puff (but note that you'd have to purchase one separately).

This Spring, MUFE is also launching a new line of HD Cream Blush ($31 CAD). Unlike the former cream blush collection that came in pump bottles, these ones come in small compacts with mirrors for easy portability.

With sixteen shades available, I decided to opt for something a little out of the ordinary (at least for me). #520 Black Currant is the darkest shade in the range and I was very curious to see what it would look like. I typically gravitate towards peach and pink blushes but this one just looked so unique!

When initially swatched, the blush is quite pigmented. However, you can blend it into the skin for only the lightest flush, as I did, or keep layering if you want to build on more colour. Personally, I think #520 would make a great Fall/Winter blush for those with lighter skin tones, and would suit a lot of darker skin tones year round.

The formula itself isn't super "smooshy" but more waxy, if that description makes any sense. This means it's easier to control how much product you pick up either with your fingertips, a sponge, or a brush. Foolproof!

MAKE UP FOR EVER #110 Foundation Kabuki Brush

MAKE UP FOR EVER recently released its Artisan Brush Collection, the most expansive luxury makeup brush collection available today with seventy-six (yes, you read that right) brushes in total. Aside from the years of work spent developing these beautiful hand-crafted brushes, what makes them even more special is their specific synthetic fibre technology. The brushes with straight fibres allow for more generous and precise application, while the brushes with wavy fibres allow for a lighter and freer application. 

I was lucky enough to receive one of the face brushes to preview, the #110 Foundation Kabuki Brush (Medium). All of the brushes are numbered (100s = complexion; 200s = eyes; 300s = lips; and 400s = artistic specially designed for professionals).

The #110 is a medium, dense kabuki brush made with straight fibres and tapered bristles that form a point. This shape provides flexibility for even greater firmness and precision than with a traditional kabuki. As you can see, it's also got a short and slender gunmetal handle that fits nicely in my hand and feels quite weighty. However, most of the brushes in the collection are actually made with beech wood handles (though the gunmetal is featured on all the ferrules).

MAKE UP FOR EVER recommends this brush for all types of foundations to get a quick and even result. In particular, liquid foundations but also compact and loose powders. I personally use mineral foundation on an everyday basis so a good kabuki brush is a beauty necessity. The #110 does its job extremely well, blending and buffing to perfection. Plus, the tapered point makes it easy to apply the powder around my nose in a more controlled fashion. Turns out I love this brush so much that it's actually replaced my trusty MAC 182 which I've been using for the past 8 years. Now that's how you know it's good!

All brushes are available at Sephora online and MAKE UP FOR EVER boutiques. Select brushes are also available in Sephora stores.