MUFE HD Foundation in #N125

This is one of those products that have been raved about by make up artists and beauty bloggers for a long time. During my first recent trip to IMATS London this year I had the opportunity to swatch and test at a counter and I just had to get one! There is nowhere near Birmingham UK where I can get Makeup Forever products. 

I have been using this foundation on and off for the last 6 months so I think it's time for a good old review right?

Makeup Forever HD Foundation in N125

When I first swatched this at IMATS I didn't even think about the coverage or the finish. I was literally looking for the right shade and because I have heard such good things about this product I had a lot of faith in it. 

I ended up with the shade N125. N for neutral. I think they have a wide range of shades but not necessarily for each undertone like Mac do. Mac will do for example NC 20-40 and same 20-40 but NW. MUFE just do 123, 125, 157 and so one but 123 will be pinker than 127 which will be more cool. I found this a little frustrating because when swatching them they were either too cool or too light I just couldn't figure it out. The girl at the counter tried several on my face and I ended up with 125 which is a perfect match for me.

One thing I find so convenient is the packaging! It has a pump with a click on lid! Woo!! It dispenses just the right amount for the whole face. You can pump a little more out if you want more coverage.

This foundation is medium-buildable coverage. The texture is very runny and liquidy. I prefer to use a denser foundation brush for this for more coverage. Make up sponges and stippling brushes just don't do it for me. If you want a truly airbrushed look then a stippling brush will work great with this. As for the "buildableness" it's best to wait for the first layer to set before adding another straight away.
In the picture above I do have moisturiser and primer on so my skin is very radiant looking and the foundation just has a very slight sheen to it. It feels like second skin. I do prefer to set this powder aswel because of my combination skin but it has never made me break out, even when wearing for weeks in a row. Yayy! It also does a good job at covering any blemishes and doesn't accentuate any dry patches which is great because my skin gets very dry in the winter.
Lasting power is around a goof 8hours when used with setting powder.

I do like this foundation and I think it's great for those who work professionally on shoots etc or on clients in general. They have a wide shade range so it's great for mixing too. But for everyday use I would still like to try another.  I will use till it's empty but won't repurchase just yet. There's just sooo much more beauty products calling my name right now! lol!

Have you tried this product? What do you think? x

NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder

Helloooo there my beauts!
My recent thoughts for blogging have constantly been skincare as I have really been getting into more skincare products this year. There's no point putting makeup on nasty skin right? It'll just look worse! HOWEVER, I already did a skincare post last so without trying to bore you all here's a makeup review for you todayy =)

When you have a long and hard week at work without leaving yourself much time to look in the mirror AT ALL through the day you need your makeup to last flawlessly. Sound like you? Well if so you will know that setting powder is an essential in a makeup routine to make your makeup last all day!
It's certainly within my EVERYDAY routine!

My current HG is the Laura Mercier Universal Loose Setting Powder, but recently I have been using the NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder.

(I have new makeup brush storage in the background, aren't they prety :D:D:D. (I did have the old clear rectangular muji ones)) Needed a change...

anyway back on the subject!

The packaging is very basic. It did have a removable plastic sticky sheet that you peel off initially and when that's gone you get this basic round hard plastic container with little holes inside. With the amount of setting powders I've used I don't rate this at all. Everytime I twist this thing open there's too much powder out so when I dip my brush into it, half of it flies away. Bleh, messy.

The actual product itself however is very nice.
It's 6g for arond £10 (prices vary online) compared to 11.34g for £29 (Laura Mercier setting powder).
It's less than half the price for around half the amount.
I wouldn't say it's quite as finely milled as the higher end finishing powders but  when blended on the face it's exactly the same. It mattifies the face and makes my makeup last just as long as higher end powders have. It's also completely translucent and doesn't give a cakey white or dry layer over my face. I've used it in targeted areas, under my eyes, my slightly oily t-zone, and all over the face and never any problems.

Overall if you don't want to splurge your money on a high end setting powder, this will do the same job for a fraction of the price. Yes you get less product but you can buy 2 of these and it would still be cheaper than Laura Mercier or Makeup Forever.

I purchased mine from IMATS this year. In the UK I believe this is only available online.

Have you tried this? What are your thoughts? x