MASCARA | MAKE UP FOR EVER Excessive Lash

Kind of volumnizing and lengthening

Unfortunately this mascara did not hold a curl for me, although it looks really good on Hollyannaeree with her eyelash primer. Returned

My friend said Too Faced Better Than Sex is really good, so maybe I'll try it out

FOUNDATION | Make Up For Ever MUFE Water Blend

Pros

Natural looking

Large bottle

Easy to blend

Good color selection

Lightweight

Neutral

Sheer coverage 

Doesn't do anything for my large pores (although it doesn't make it worse, which is always good)

Cons

Expensive

Doesn't help with oily skin

Price

$43 for 1.69 oz

Verdict

The texture's pretty similar to the MUFE Face and Body foundation (review here), kinda watery but easy to blend. The biggest improvement MUFE made with Water Blend is the color selection. My Face and Body was the lightest color they offered that wasn't pink but was way too dark for my complexion.

I'm not really sure if there's much of a difference between the old version and this new version, but it gives a nice sheen to your skin and covers minor redness. As you can tell I have some spots/scars going on so I will have to use concealer if I planned to be photographed that day. But all in all a worthy purchase. I don't really wear foundation but on the days I feel like it, it's a nice pick me up.

I'm not sure why people say this is long wearing. Due to its sheer coverage, I don't really worry about the makeup lifting or something but it definitely doesn't stay looking the same throughout the day.

Repurchase?

If I'm ever going to run out, yes.

Would I recommend it?

Yes!

REVIEW | MUFE (Make Up For Ever) Face and Body foundation

20 Ivory

75% water jelly watery texture

My chin is very dry in this photo - you can see it grabbed onto the flaky skin

Pros

Lightweight texture

Easily blendable

Smoothes over pores

Makes skin look dewy

Cons

Sheer coverage

Limited shade range

Price

$43 for 50 ml / 1.69 oz

Verdict

I heard about this foundation probably 5 years ago from Youtuber GossMakeupArtist and never purchased it because I wasn't willing to shell out $43 for a foundation while I was in university. Recently I purchased 20 Ivory from the last VIB 15% off sale. As you can tell, although the coverage is sheer it makes your skin look a lot better, slightly dewy but not overly so while smoothing over large pores. The watery texture spreads very easily and blends nicely. 

Unfortunately, 20 Ivory is the lightest shade and it is a bit too dark for me - I don't know if you can tell, in real life it looks a bit orange on my face. While it is not really detectable to most people, I can see it when I look in the mirror. A lot of people say this is long wearing, but I don't think it is - although it doesn't look bad when your oils start seeping through.

If I have a lot of active acne breakouts I would not reach for this product, as you can see it doesn't cover my blemishes very well; try the MUFE Mat Velvet+ (review here) instead.

Repurchase?

Maybe when there's a lighter shade

Would I recommend it?

Yes, but keep in mind you have to prep your skin well in terms of texture and moisture. Be sure to exfoliate and moisturize well the night before, or it will grab onto your flaky dry skin like most, if not all foundations.

Taken with iPhone 6S

FAVORITES | 2015 (Makeup and Skincare)

Merry Christmas everyone!

My family doesn't really celebrate holidays, so I thought I'd talk about my 2015 favorites, keep in mind I have oily combination acne prone skin.

Makeup:

MUFE Mat Velvet+ foundation (review here)

If I want my skin to look good for photos that wear well the whole day, the Mat Velvet is my go to. The only gripe I have about it is there's no perfect color for my complexion right now.

Maybelline Master Conceal concealer (review here)

Good concealer for blemishes, not much more to say

E.L.F. High Definition Powder

I've had this for a long time and never really used it. Recently I used it with the MUFE foundation and found that it makes my skin look poreless and keeps my oils at bay in conjunction with the other face products I use.

MAC Sheen Supreme in Gotta Dash! (review here)

My favorite coral lipstick, it's moisturizing with a sheen. It's a pale coral but it complements my pale complexion.

L'Oreal Lineur Intense brush tip liquid liner (review here)

Very black and doesn't smudge. Flakes a bit after 10 hours if you have oily lids

Maybelline Lash Sensational waterproof mascara (review here)

I've tried different mascaras after this to see if anything is better out there, but this is the best for my thin, straight lashes - it holds a curl, lengthens, volumnizes, everything you can ask for. The only gripe I have is it smudges on my moist undereye.

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion in 05 Caffeine Rush

I never reviewed this because it's never been an amazing product to me, but it's a go to palette that's travel size and looks good in photos for me. As much as I like matte eyeshadows, I don't wear eyeshadow everyday so it's not a big deal. I especially like the glittery gold and shimmery pale gold for highlighting.

Shiseido lash curler

I've tried the Shu Uemura curler and it's still a bit curvy for my eyes. The Shiseido is perfect, except it doesn't reach the inner corners as well for my eyes personally, but it curls very well - definitely worth the investment.

Shu Uemura POREfinist cleansing oil (review here)

My favorite makeup remover for everything - especially long wearing foundation and waterproof mascara that's usually really stubborn. I've repurchased the 450ml so it lasts longer, but since it's too big to travel with I kept the 150ml bottle

La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated gel cleanser (review here)

I reviewed the 3 step system a while back, and this was my favorite of the 3. It is my go to cleanser (esp used with the Clarisonic Mia) when I have clogged pores or when I'm breaking out. The original set comes with a 4.2 oz, when I ran out of it I tried using other cleansers and noticed how much better the La Roche Posay cleans my acne prone skin. It has a slight cooling sensation - I wouldn't say it's amazing for acne but it does make my face feel very clean and refreshed.

Cotz Face SPF 40 (review here)

My favorite under the radar find of 2015. I was originally going to get the Tizo tinted SPF that a Jenner uses, but ended up with this one when I saw people saying that Tizo and Cotz have virtually the same ingredients. I am pleasantly surprised that the Cotz really keeps my oils at bay, especially in conjunction with the MUFE Mat Velvet and and the E.L.F. HD powder. The tint is basically nonexistent, but this is a great facial sunscreen if you have oily skin. The semi matte finish also makes a great base for makeup. It is alumina based, so it's not slippery on my face like the silicone based sunscreens that a lot of people love.

Oronine H Ointment

This is a Japanese ointment my friend found at a Chinese supermarket. It is targeted towards skin problems like acne, eruptions, minor burns, chapped skin, skin chilblains, minor cuts, dry athlete's foot and ringworm. Sounds kind of scary, but I use this on open acne spots that are bleeding like I used to with Neosporin, usually because I accidentally popped them while I'm cleaning my face. Depending on the size of the pimple this could heal the spot overnight, or at least help with the bleeding. The regular size comes in a jar, but my friend got me this one for my birthday to try out.

I've tried using it on active acne spots and it doesn't seem to help that much. 

I use all these products daily or if needed.

Let me know what your favorites are from this year :)

HOLY GRAIL FOUNDATION | MUFE Make Up Forever Mat Velvet+ Review

Shown in 20
Before | After
On active acne spots

Before | After

On acne scarred skin

Before | After

On active acne spots

Pros

Medium coverage

Natural looking

Long wearing

Fills in pores

Doesn't make me break out

Cons

Not cheap

Might be drying if you don't moisturize

Price

$38 for 1 oz

Verdict

After trying more foundations in the past few years, I can understand why people rave about the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Plus foundation now. I've been breaking out badly and was tired of having an oily face at the end of the day ALL the time despite approaching my mid 20s now. Recently I've found that the combination of the Cotz sunscreen and the MUFE Mat Velvet Plus and the E.L.F. High Definition powder keeps my face pretty matte/satin looking throughout the day.

The tricky part for me was finding a shade that matched. 20 Ivory matches the actual color of my face pretty well, but it is way too light compared to my neck. I tried out 35 which was way too pink. Maybe I'll try 40 and see if it matches my body a little better.

Side note, if you have large pores like me you might see your pores look clogged after you cleanse your face. This foundation hasn't broken me out despite not being able to clean everything out.

This foundation is definitely my go to if I want matte, natural looking coverage that lasts all day long. If you have dry skin you might want to moisturize really well or try a more moisturizing foundation.

Repurchase?

Yes.

Would I recommend it?
Yes.

REVIEW | MUFE (Make Up For Ever) Smokey Extravagant mascara (Sephora Birthday Gift 2014)

Top: curled lashes
Middle: 1 coat
Bottom: 2 coats

Pros

Good length

Decent volume

Cons

Doesn't hold a curl

Makes lashes stiff

Wand is a little too big

Price

$24 for 0.23 oz full size

$12 for 0.16 oz travel size

Verdict

Since I got this for free from Sephora's birthday gift this year, I can't complain. I'm not sure if I have too high of expectations for mascaras, but most of them fail to impress. My biggest gripe with mascaras are the ones that weigh my lashes down and doesn't hold a curl, because without the curl you can't even see my lashes. Regardless, I think this mascara is good for people with shorter lashes because it does give good length, you might just have to recurl your lashes after, or use one of those heated lash curlers.

Repurchase?

No.

Would I recommend it?

Not in particular