MAKE UP FOREVER HD ELIXIR

MAKE UP FOREVER’S High Definition Elixir is a relatively new product for the brand. I have been carrying it around in my kit for several weeks waiting and wishing for the perfect opportunity to whip it out and finally see what all the fuss is about.  Lucky for me, I was given two opportunities this past week  to test out the product.

What is it?

MUFE Elixir is a serum desinged to hydrate and brighten your skin.

What it Claims to Do:

MUFE says that their Elixir boosts the skin’s hydration levels up to 520% after 15 minutes, and lasts throughout the day (175% after 6 hours)!!! The unique formula is also said to restore skin’s radiance and leave a super smooth surface for the rest of your makeup.

Does it Really Work?

Yes, yes and yes!

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The Skinny

Test 1: On a recent photo shoot, I was working with a model who has been taking Accutane (an intense acne treatment), leaving her with extremely dry, flaky skin. Obviously, any makeup I put on her would not glide seamlessly if the canvas was not properly prepared. I began with the Elixir and applied it to her whole face using a foundation brush and I let it sink in for a few minutes. A little goes a long way!! It is very lightweight and it absorbs into the skin really quick. After the Elixir,  I applied a heavier creamy moisturizer and finally,  foundation. I kept a very close eye on her skin throughout the 8 hour shoot and it held up amazingly! I barely had to touch it up.

Test 2: During the same week on a commercial shoot, another model with dry skin sat in my chair. Her skin was not as bad as the first model, but she had flakiness in corners of her nose and dryness underneath her eyes and around her chin. I massaged MUFE’s Elixir into the dry spots with my finger tips and they disappeared completely allowing the rest of the makeup to glide on. There was no hint of dryness anywhere, and we were shooting in HD! HD sees EVERYTHING.

I definitely recommend this Elixir if you suffer from dryness anywhere on your face. When your skin is flaky and dehydrated, makeup tends to get caught and gather in the dry areas. If you massage in a little bit of the Elixir, the dryness disappears! It’s not greasy at all and it’s oil free. I cannot say I really noticed a change in the overall radiance of the skin, but I usually work on brightening the skin with other products so maybe they masked it

The only con about MUFE’s magical Elixir is the price At $38 a bottle, it might be out of  budget for many customers, especially if you are already using moisturizer and primer in your skincare routine.

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However, if you can afford to try it, I recommend that you do! You’ll be hooked.

Twilight Makeup

I was in Hot Topic the other day and spotted this! I heard that Twilight was coming out with a line of makeup, but I didn’t think the rumor was serious! haha. Anyway, I swatched a few of the products because I figured that some people might care

The Low-Down:

The eyeshadows were nice, a little flaky but the colors were pretty pigmented.

The lipglosses on the other hand, were not that impressive. Enrapture wasn’t bad but it reminded me of the kind of gloss you give to children to make them feel grown up, but it’s really just a creamier chapstick with a hint of color.

Feel me?

And don’t even get me started on Arsenic! Who wants grey lips??? I know that black lips were trending last year, but this is not what they were talking about lol! The color is super sheer and it just made my hand look really dirty.

Needless to say, I’ll be passing on the collection. I am however more intrigued to see the movie! If a movie inspires a makeup collection (good or bad), it must be doing something right!

Albatross Review and Pictures

I finally bit the bullet and bought NARS’ infamous highlighting powder, Albatross. While it’s no secret that I am in love with their Copacabana Multiple for highlighting, this gorgeous powder definitely gives an old stand-by some new competition!

At first glance this highlighting powder looks white, so I was pleasantly surprised when it went on perfectly golden and warm!  I placed it on the tops of my cheekbones, and it gave me a gorgeous candlelit glow that wasn’t too glittery. I have heard some people compare it to MAC’s Vanilla Pigment, and while I can definitely see the similarities, Albatross is less gold and way more velvety.

Most of my highlighting products are liquid, and I love that Albatross is pressed! It’s perfect for those who want easy highlights without dealing with the mess and hassle that some liquid ones cause. It’s also small enough to throw in your purse for touch-ups.

When applying Albatross, I recommend using a fluffy large blending brush, or a small blush brush. The key to highlighting is placement and if you use too big of a brush, you might get it everywhere. Swipe some along the tops of your cheekbones, and down the bridge of your nose, and you’ll be glowing in no time!

On a personal note: I really like Albatross a lot, and I am definitely going to be putting it in my makeup kit BUT I still love Copacabana more  The foundation I wear on an everyday basis is very matte and I feel that Copacabana gives me the dewiness I need in order to counteract that.

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It’s not the easiest product to get to show up on camera! If you look on my upper cheekbones, you will be able to see a subtle golden glow…

The Perfect Moisturizer at a Price You Can Afford!

I bought Cetaphil about a year ago after hearing tons of people raving about it, and have been using it everyday since. I must say, I am officially in love! Cetaphil is also the #1 dermatologist and pediatrician recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers! I love finding amazing products like this at the drugstore, truly makes my day

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If you have extremely sensitive skin, or are looking for a product that is gentle, wallet friendly and non irritating, this moisturizer should definitely be on your beauty shopping list. The formulas are so mild and fragrance-free, that they are often recommended to women who have just gotten facial or chemical peels. They are also non-comedogenic, which means they will not clog your pores or make you break out!

I use the “Moisturizing Lotion for All Skin Types” because I do not have sensitive skin, but they also have one specifically for sensitive skin. I love the way it soaks into your skin but still makes you feel moisturized. I hate when moisturizers soak in too fast and you feel like you need to add five more coats to even feel like it’s working! It also acts as a great makeup primer, I feel like my foundation glides on after using Cetaphil.

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Tip: Apply your moisturizer and give it a chance to soak in before moving on to foundation. Brush your teeth or do your hair while you wait!

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The best thing about Cetaphil is the size! The moisturizer is 16oz. and it’s under $12 (in most stores)!!  At that price, you can pretty much coat your whole body in it!

I use Cetaphil a lot on set because it works well with most skin types and will not irritate, which is especially helpful when doing several looks!

CONS:

So obviously, nothing can be perfect, so here are a few of the cons I could come up with:

- If you have oily skin to begin with, it might make your face a little greasy looking mid-day. Combat this by using blotting papers to take away the shine, or by using a smaller pump. You really only need a little dollop anyways.

- They test on animals :( :(  NO BUENO

Paying Thanks to the Products that Make My Life and My Job Easier!

1.  Embroylisse Moisturizer

Thank you Lait Creme Concentrate Moisturizer by Embroylisse for hydrating the skin of my models and actors so perfectly! Thank you for providing smoother, firmer and softer skin and for being the ultimate moisturizer in my kit!

2.  Artificial Light by Smashbox

Thank you Artificial Light for helping my achieve dewy skin and radiant highlights. Thank you for looking even more amazing on camera and for being my favorite go-to highlighter!

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3.  Banana Boat Self Tanner

Thank you Endless Summer color for being the best self tanner I have found in my quest to be tan but not leathery. Thank you for making me look bronzed and not orange, and for only needing one application to achieve the perfect color.

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4.  L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara

L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara, you are my best friend lol!! Thank you for making my lashes thick, long and black. Thank you for living up to your name and for not breaking my bank account.

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5.  Yaby Cosmetics

THANK YOU YABY for making being an amazing addition to my kit!!! I love your eyeshadows, pearl paints and freestyle palettes. Thank you for helping me condense my kit into a more manageable load to carry.

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6.  Beauty Blenders

I love you Beauty Blenders! Thank you for helping me achieve perfectly blended foundation and concealer. You never give me lines and you always help me make skin look flawless and gorgeous.

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7.  MUFE HD Powder

MUFE HD Powder, you have been a God-send. Thank you for being truly transparent and for working on every skin color I have ever used you on. Thank you for providing a soft, natural finish and for not ever looking “powdery.”

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8.  Eve Pearl Salmon Concealers

Thank you Eve Pearl Salmon Concealers for being the perfect answer to dark circles. You are a miracle product and every time I use you, I am thankful for my decision to buy you.

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9.  OCC Lip Tar

Lip Tar you are my favorite new product this year!!! Thank you for your incredible pigmentation, versatility and performance. Thank you for being the only lip product I really ever need and for being so easily mixable. I LOVE YOU!!

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10. Sunscreen!

Kind of broad, but so important. Thank you sunscreen for protecting my skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Thank you for reducing my risk of skin cancer, wrinkles and sun spots. Your long term benefits completely outweigh the annoyance of having to apply you everyday

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Smashbox’s Wish for the Perfect Palette!!

Smashbox has been coming out with some great gift sets this season!! I recently received an email about their newest “Wish for the Perfect Palette” and didn’t really look twice at it, until I heard rave reviews from other makeup artists. I just purchased mine today at Ulta and I’m REALLY happy that I did!

What is it??

This palette has it all! 64 eyeshadows, 8 creme eyeliners, 6 brow tech powders, 1 brow wax, 8 lip glosses, 2 blushes, 1 complexion brightener, 1 bronzer, 4 mini brushes (eyeshadow, eyeliner, brow and lip). All compactly held together in a portable palette that closes up into a little box.

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Why is it amazing??

I love this palette because of how much you get for a VERY reasonable price! The quality is the exact same as item that you would buy separately from Smashbox.  It comes with all colors of their brow tech powders (which I LOVE). It’s totally worth it for these alone, especially if you are a makeup artist.

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How much is it??

It’s only $59!! (A $225 Value!)

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Where can I buy this??

This is an Ulta exclusive item. You can only get it at Smashbox.com, Ulta.com, and at any Ulta retail store. If there is no Ulta near you, Smashbox.com is offering free shipping right now!

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Are there any cons??

The only thing that I’m not thrilled about is the packaging. It looks super cheesy and cheap like the enormous makeup palettes you can find at Wal-Mart or CVS during the holidays. I wish I could take it apart somehow and arrange it in my makeup kit how I want it. Also, the brushes are kind of cheap and not that great of quality. HOWEVER, these are only cons for ME because I’m planning on using this palette professionally. It could definitely be great for women on the go because the palette is still small enough to throw in your car, or your  bag to touch up, or change your makeup mid-day. It has everything you need in a compact set-up.

One other negative is that the complexion highlighter, and blushes are suited more for lighter skin. Ladies any darker will probably not be able to use these items. Laaaaaame

Overall Rating: 9/10!

I Don’t Really Want My Face to Vibrate.

Now, I thought that vibrating mascara was useless and unnecessary, and now they have come out with vibrating foundation. What’s Next?! I am all about new innovations in the beauty world, and if something that comes out makes my job easier, I will snatch it up in a heartbeat. However I am highly questioning the practicality of Lancome’s new Oscillation Power Foundation.

Released earlier this month, Lancome’s new mineral foundation has been far from a breakout hit in the beauty world. People seem to be questioning it more than singing it’s praises. It’s said to pump out 7,000 micro vibrations per minute to “break down” the powder for seamless blending. It also claims to provide baby smooth skin that lasts for up to 14 hours. It comes in 12 shades and costs a pricey $48.

I’ve been trying to understand what the vibrations are good for, but I’m at a loss. It could be to stimulate the skin in a Clarisonic type way? However, when I apply foundation to models and actors, I get the best results by lightly buffing it in, and I feel like vibrations might be too rough, especially at a speed of 7,000 a minute!

I’m not going to be testing out this foundation, but I would love to hear reviews of those who have!!

An Unexpected Yet Effective Eye Makeup Remover!

I saw this face cream sitting on the shelves at Target and picked it up out of sheer curiosity. I was drawn toward the old-school looking jar (hello 80’s!), the words “all purpose,” and the $3.99 price tag! Not quite sure what I was going to use it for, or what it even did, I ended up buying a jar that day and fatefully, it has turned out to be one of my absolute favorite items in my beauty routine!

Sooo.. What is It??

The jar says that it “deep cleans to remove makeup and dirt and provides a radiant, dewey base for makeup. Also, softens and moisturizes to help smooth skin and prevent dryness.” I have heard rave reviews about this item being a life saver for ladies with very dry skin. It is very emollient and great for sensitive skin as well. It doesn’t irritate or burn. I don’t think I would use it as a makeup base, as the jar suggests, because it is a little greasy and I can picture makeup sliding off of it quite easily.

How I Use It.

I use it as an eye makeup remover, and let me tell you,  this cream is fabulous!! It gets off even the toughest mascaras and leaves my eyes completely clean. I wear a lot of eye makeup and tons of mascara, and this is one of the best removers that I have come across. To use, I pick up a little of the cream on a cotton ball and swipe across my lid. It picks up the makeup instantly, and I usually only have to go over it, a maximum, of 2 times! No harsh rubbing that could irritate the soft skin around your eyes. It’s also great because it doubles as a moisturizer so you don’t have to worry about getting all of the remover off your skin. The leftover cream just softens and moisturizes!

I’ve never used it as a full face moisturizer because I have somewhat oily skin, but as an eye makeup remover I give it 5 out of 5 stars! And did I mention its only $3.99 for 15 oz!??!

Pros:

- Price!!

- Size  (I’ve had my jar forever. I should probably get another one just because I’m sure the shelf life is almost up. I use it everyday and it’s only 2/3 gone!)

- Great Eye Makeup Remover

- Very Emollient

- Amazing Moisturizer for Dry Skin.

- Soft, Clean Scent.

- Gentle. Non-Irritating or Burning.

- Absorbs quickly.

- Leaves Skin Feeling Silky Smooth.

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Cons:

- A Little Greasy

- The Jar is Ugly and Outdated (IMO).

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Who Should Use It:

-Women with Dry Skin.

-Women with Sensitive Skin.

- Mature Skin.

-Anybody that Wants a Bomb-ass Makeup Remover for Super Cheap!

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Who Should Avoid It:

-Women with Oily Skin (you can still use it as a makeup remover though!)

Olay Anti-Wrinkle Nutrient Night Renewal Cream

I am always on the lookout for a great night cream! I have several that are in a constant rotation in my beauty routine, and one of my long time favorites is Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle Nutrients Night Renewal Cream. This moisturizer is awesome! It goes on smoothly, and feels so rich and emollient. I am only 22 years old so I can’t tell you how well it works on wrinkles, but hopefully it is working hard to prevent them! It does, however, leave my skin feeling super silky and soft, and did I mention that it smells AMAZING!? It has a fresh fruity smell, but not overpowering at all. To be honest, I pretty much only buy it for the smell haha! Just Kidding..

Unfortunately, for some reason everything I end up falling in love with is always SUPER hard to find. I have only seen this cream in several drugstores, and trust me, I look! I buy this product online Here

Beauty Tip: When applying night cream, DO NOT forget your neck! This is just as important as applying to your face.

At Home Airbrushing- Do or Don’t?

Professional makeup artists have known about Temptu for years, and now, regular makeup consumers will soon be in the know about this popular airbrushing brand. On September 15th, Temptu launched their new airbrush system in Sephora’s nationwide, giving the general public a chance to spray their way to flawless skin!

The Temptu AIRbrush system comes with the mini, light weight compressor and airbrush gun. “The Air Pod Foundations” are sold separately, in sets of two. There is also the option to by blush and a highlighter, also sold in “pod” form that can be sprayed through the airbrush gun.

So this all sounds fabulously exciting, but what are the downsides?

First of all the cost! It is $225 for the Airbrush set (gun and compressor), not including the actual makeup. If you want your foundation, tack on another $55! These prices alone makes this new makeup must-have seem depressingly out of reach for a lot of women.

I am very skeptical of how well this new product will do in Sephora, if the price doesn’t make women run for the hills, how about the unconventionality of product in general? Sephora’s website  talks about how hygienic it is, and how there is no more need for brushes or sponges. This is definitely true, but add on the time you MUST spend cleaning your airbrush gun after each and every use, and all of a sudden, you might start to miss your sponges after all! Airbrush guns are very temperamental and need to be taken care of in order to work properly.

I hate to sound like a downer because I actually love Temptu and own one of the airbrushes, but this just does not seem like the most practical investment for Sephora customers.

One other thing to remember: You do not need an airbrush to achieve  flawless looking skin! The magic is in the application and it is entirely possible to make yourself look thick and cakey even when using an airbrush. I challenge you to find what works best for you! I have not tried this particular product yet, so if you love it, please let me know!