Make Up For Ever Spring 2012 Collection - La Boheme

Make Up For Ever has had some huge product releases over the past few months, making them a key brand in the front of my local Sephora store.  Lately, we have mostly been seeing brand new products for the lips and eyes but not actual new collections.  I was at Sephora the other day and only saw a huge display of this company's new lipstick formula but no type of trend collection or even a group of products that suggested to create a great new look for season.  Finding this somewhat odd, I decided to visit the Sephora website and confirm that nothing in the way of a trend collection came out for this company.  What I found was that a small spring collection was released however it will only be carried on the Sephora website and won't be found in any store.  Why?  Good question...I have no idea why the company would decide to do this since these palettes would sell out in the stores but I don't know what this decision was based on.

The new collection is named La Boheme, a French word translating out to "Bohemian".  This collection consists of an eye palette, a mascara, and then lipstick shades to complement the palette.  The eye palette is the hero of this little collection and I think that it will sell out quickly even though it can only be ordered on the Sephora website.  This palette will really be helpful in creating many of the colorful eye makeup looks that re so popular this season, this palette contains such a variety of shades that this might be the only palette you need this spring to try out some bright new eye looks.

Here is the La Boheme collection...

La Boheme Baked Eye Shadow Palette - A palette featuring baked eye shadow in six pearly shades for creating a range of soft, romantic looks.  Enriched with mineral powders and a high concentration of pearl, La Boheme Baked Eye Shadow Palette includes luminous shades with a lightweight texture and a silky feel.  Apply dry for a natural-looking result or wet to intensify the color and finish.
- Lagoon Green - bright aquamarine shimmer
- Vegetal  Green - medium moss green shimmer
- Beige - warm pink beige shimmer
- Parma Purple - medium cool purple shimmer
- Brown - medium cool brown shimmer
- Coral - warm peach shimmer

La Boheme Aqua Eyes - An award winning, waterproof, smudge-proof, and fade-proof eyeliner that doubles as a vibrant eye shadow.  Now available in a rich brown, matte-finish formula, this bestselling eyeliner has become a favorite among all women who fear the dreaded raccoon eyes.  Formulated to glide on effortlessly and withstand the most extreme conditions, it stays put on eyelids without melting for precise application and intense color throughout the day.  The La Boheme Collection comes beautifully wrapped in limited edition packaging.  Aqua Eyes is available in an extensive range of 25 vibrant shades.  Fun Fact: Dany Sanz originally created this product for performers of water ballet.
- Gypsy - matte dark brown

La Boheme Rouge Artist Natural - A collection of limited edition, light coverage lipsticks with a soft, shiny finish.  Rouge Artist Natural's ultra creamy formula hydrates the lips with a natural sheen.  Enriched with nourishing properties, its smooth texture glides on effortlessly and its colorful pigments compliment the lips with a transparent finish.  These fresh and romantic shades add the perfect touch to your favorite spring look.
- Boheme - iridescent peach beige
- Folk - iridescent red coral

The eye palette in this collection is one of my favorite pieces of this season, I really wish that it was available in the stores instead of just the website.  I love the range of shades in it, especially Vegetal Green and Parma Purple.  This palette is going on my list of Most Wanted products for the next month, I don't need another eye shadow palette but I really love this one and I want to try out the Baked formula from this company.  I will also check out the Aqua Eyes, I can always use a neutral eye liner in my collection and I have a friend who loves and swears by this product. 

This might be one of the smallest but best collections for the spring season, that palette is great and will create any type of colored eye.  Furthermore, the package of this palette is awesome and I would love to show it off in my makeup bag.  This might be the one palette that you need to create all the colored looks for this season!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever Holiday 2011 Collection - Wild and Chic Collection

The holidays are getting closer and closer and that means that we are coming to the end of the holiday collections, I believe that we have less than five of them left to look at.  Today's choice is a collection from Make Up For Ever that is a small collection of sets and palettes.  This collection is named Wild and Chic and the shades from it could work equally well for a fall or holiday collection.  This collection is based on the python prints that we have been seeing all over the runways and print magazines since the beginning of the fall season.  This collection is not a traditional holiday looking collection however it is still a great looking group of sets.  The one drawback about this collection is that it mostly contains eye makeup products, I wish that there was some more variety in this collection...
"Take a walk on the wild side.  You have seen it on the catwalks, in the shops, and worn by fashionistas around the globe, the Python print is back!  And Make Up For Ever is making the most of it!  For this holiday collection, Make Up For Ever takes up the trend and creates arty python prints, showcased in objects of desire.  Clutch style palettes, Minaudiere cases, holding selections of Eye Shadows, Aqua Creams, mini Aqua Eyes or mini Lab Shines.  A new limited edition Wild and Chic collection with an offbeat tone directly inspired by the fashion trends.  May the safari begin..."

Here is the collection...

Wild and Chic Must Have Palette - The Wild and Chic Palette is our must have product for this collection.  This compact clutch-style cardboard palette decorated in an anthracite gray snake print holds six existing eye shadow shades and a mini Black Aqua Eyes, fabulous to create multiple harmonies.  Saturated with matte or pearly pigments, this eye shadow selection will give you that perfect intense and radiant color result for the urban jungle out there.
- pale champagne gold pearl/pale gold shimmer/matte olive/reddish copper shimmer/deep matte chocolate/deep matte forest green

Purple Minaudiere - The Wild and Chic Aqua Cream and Aqua Eyes Minaudiere is a selection of your 4 beauty faves: 2 Aqua Creams and 2 mini Aqua Eyes, presented in a glam collector purple snake print metallic box.  Aqua Eyes are great no fade, no smudge, long-lasting eye pencils.  Their creamy, subtly iridescent texture lights up the eyelids with extra fine pearly particles.  Aqua Cream are fabulous waterproof eye shadows with an impeccable hold that does not crease or run.  Highly concentrated in mother-of-pearl and pigments in each of its shade, its pearly texture offers an intense payoff making the colors look luminous and instantly radiant on the skin.
- Aqua Eyes - Matte Black and Pearly Brown
- Aqua Cream - Anthracite and Taupe

Khaki Minaudiere - The Wild and Chic Aqua Eyes Minaudiere is a selection of 5 mini Aqua Eyes presented in a trendy khaki snake print metallic case.  These long lasting, highly pigmented eye pencils are great no fade, no smudge eye liners.  Their creamy, sublty iridescent texture lights up the eyelids with extra fine pearly particles.
- Matte Black/Black with Purple Highlights/Pearly Brown/Copper/Forest Green

Turquoise Minaudiere - The Wild and Chic Shine Minaudiere is a selection of 4 Lab Shine Glosses presented in a trendy turquoise snake print metallic case.  The Lab Shine lip gloss mirror formula is light catching and provides a spectacular and intense shiny result.  Specially designed to achieve an ultra-bright effect, its silky brush ensures an optimal and dazzling coverage.
- Light Beige/Fresh Pink/Electric Rose/Ruby Red

Premium Aqua Cream Palette - Wild and Chic Aqua Cream Premium is a set of 10 best selling Aqua Cream products and one 5N brush, presented in a glam collector metallic clutch style box decorated in black snake print.  Aqua Cream are fabulous waterproof eye shadows with an impeccable hold that does not crease or run.  Highly concentrated in mother-of-pearl and pigments in each of its shade, its pearly texture offers intense payoff making the colors look luminous and instantly radiant on the skin.
- charcoal/taupe/white/gold/copper/pale pink/mauve/deep brown/warm pink/violet

My favorite pieces of the collection are the minaudieres, these are some of the best gifts that I have seen so far this season - I would love to give on of these or get one for myself.  The one that I would love to have for myself is the Turquoise with the lip glosses in it, I have never tried any of the lip products from this company and this looks like an awesome way to try them out.  The Wild and Chic palette is awesome too and I must buy this for myself.

These might be the best gifts of the season!!

photo courtesy of Make Up For Ever

Make Up For Ever Wild & Chic Collector Case

Oh my!!  Look at this new set from Make Up For Ever, it is rare that something beauty related can really take my breath away but look at this set!  Look at that case and all the makeup products inside it!  This is the one and only beauty gift that I really want to see under my tree on Christmas morning!  This set really contains everything that I would need from this company and it is in a full traincase - I even need a new traincase anyway!

"A limited edition makeup kit piled high with Make Up For Ever's best-selling products, handpicked by Creator and Artistic Director Dany Sanz.  Perfect for every occasion and look, this wild makeup case features a combination of Make Up For Ever's most iconic products and newest additions for the complexion, eyes, and lips.  As a bonus, these must-haves come in a fashionable, faux snakeskin case."  I love faux snakeskin and that makes me want this set even more than I already do!

This set contains...

- Travel Mist & Fix
- HD Microperfecting Primer
- Lip Line Perfector
- Aqua Lip in Red 8C (true red), Light Rosewood 14C (muted dusty rose)
- Aqua Eyes in Blue with Green Highlights 12L (metallic teal blue), Mat Black 0L (black)
- Aqua Liner in 8 Iridescent Electric Purple (bright purple sheen), 13 Mat Black (matte black)
- Faux Lash 156 Genevieve (natural black with dense outer corners), 113 Betsey (extreme criss-cross flairs with glitter strip)
- Smoky Lash in Black (black), 6 (plum)
- Brow Seal
- HD Kabuki Brush
- HD Elixir
- Travel Sens'Eyes
- Uplight in 23 (pearly golden flesh)
- Aqua Cream in 1 Anthracite (silvery charcoal shimmer), 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer)
- Metal Powder in Honey Gold 3 (tannish gold shimmer)
- Star Powder White/Orange 940 (iridescent golden pearl)
- Diamond Shadow in Diamond Burgundy 311 (burnish mauve with copper shimmer), Diamond Beige 306 (peachy tan with gold shimmer)
- Rouge Artist in 43 Moulin Rouge (satin vibrant red), 34 (satin light raspberry)
- Lab Shine Diamond Collection - D16 (shimmering beige), Metal Collection - M10 (chrome morello cherry)
- HD Microfinish Powder
- Double Pencil Sharpener

The picture really speaks for itself with this toy - just look at all this makeup beauty!  I can't even describe how much I want to find this under the tree this Christmas morning!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever Fall 2011 - Smoky Couleur

The fall collections are beginning to draw to an end and we just have a few more left to go over.  Hints of the holiday collections are beginning to come out and I shudder to think about how soon they will be upon us.  But don't worry, we have lots of fall collections and products to go over in the next week or two.  Today we are looking at another strong eye makeup collection for this fall, Make Up For Ever's Smoky Couleur.  This look is focused around a smoky eye and this collection contains one palette that will contain all the eye shadow shades needed to create multiple shades of smoky eyes.  I can't say that I am overwhelmed with need for this palette since all we have been seeing this fall is eye palettes that promise to help create the perfect smoky eye.  But we will see how this palette stacks up to the rest of the products that have been released so far this fall.

From the Make Up For Ever website, "It's back, hitting the catwalks once again and this fall it's in full color.  Inspired by the fall 2011 fashion shows, the Smoky  Eye is a must-have makeup look this season.  More colorful than ever, it's a wonderful Smoky story that contains after the great success of Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash Mascara.  One concept, 4 Smoky Looks.  Eyes that speak color: Purple, Green, Blue, and Brown.  There is now a Smoky look for each and every one of you."
Let's see how this version of the smoky eye stacks up to the dozen other versions that we have seen so far this season...
 
Smoky Palette - Smoky flirts with color with this limited edition palette that brings together the most beautiful, intense, and smoky colors of the fall season.  The Smoky Palettes contains a complete color range of 8 eye shadows in smoldering fall shades.  A matte black and 7 iridescent or satiny eye shadows: Deep Plum Shimmer, Metallic Navy Blue, Peacock Green, Metallic Copper, Metallic Taupe, Yellow Beige, and White Shimmer.  Intense and enchanting colors to try on their own or together to create 5 smoky makeup looks.  The Smoky Palette also contains two exclusive brushes with natural bristles, specially designed by Dany Sanz to facilitate smoky eye makeup application.

Smoky Lash - Smoky Lash enhances lashes, for exceptional volume, infinite length, and ultimate curl.  Its formula is rich in ultra-fine mineral pigments to create the perfect smoky look: saturated lashes and smoldering eyes.  Its ultra wide and dense new generation brush holds a maximum amount of product for instant spectacular lashes.
- 03 Brown - deep warm brown
- 01 Black - deep dense rich pure black
- 04 Green - medium forest green
- 05 Blue - bright navy blue
- 06 Plum - medium cool plum

Kohl Pencil - Especially adapted to sensitive and thin skin around and inside the eye, the Kohl Pencil gives depth and intensity to the eyes.  Its particularly gentle formula is tolerated by the most sensitive eyes, its soft and smooth texture blends effortlessly and keeps the skin around the eyes hydrated.
- 2K Matte White - matte pure white
- 4K Intense Pearly Green - forest green pearl
- 3K Pearly Turquoise - bright aqua pearl
- 5K Pearly Night Blue - bright blue purple pearl
- 1K Black - deep true black
- 7K Metallic Gold - bright true metallic gold
- 6K Black With Metal Highlights - deep black with warm copper flecks
- 8K Pearly Deep Blue - deep navy blue pearl
- 9K Matte Mocha Brown - deep matte brown
- 10K Pearly Black Purple - deep purple black pearl

Do I like this palette?  Yes but the better question is do I need this palette?  I would answer that in the negative since none of these shades are all that unique and I could live without it.  I would be more likely to purchase one of the mascaras or the Kohls.  The only mascara shade that I want is the black one since I only wear black mascara to begin with.  From the Kohls, I love the Black With Metal Highlights shade the most since I can still wear black but it will have flecks to brighten up the blue in my eyes.  I also want the Metallic Gold shade too since I have been looking to find a shade to replace my beloved Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in the Honey shade.

I must say that I am officially sick of all the eye makeup heavy collections that came out this fall, they are all blending together and even the most devoted eye shadow junkie only needs so many shades of shadows to create a smoky eye.  I am so hoping that some of the holiday makeup collections are more based toward lip products and not just another group of eye makeup palettes.

photo courtesy of Make Up For Ever

Make Up For Ever Spring 2011 Collection - Tres Vichy

This spring, Make Up For Ever has introduced a small collection focusing only on eye makeup looks. I am a bit disappointed since this company offers high quality in every single type of product that they design. The look that this spring collection was created to make is not one that can be pulled off easily and won't even be an option for those of use who aren't major fans of bright eye makeup and over-the-top eye lashes. The little bows on the eye lashes are beyond anything that I would even try to wear but I do wonder who will pull it off and how they will make it work.

The newest eye makeup collection from this company...

Star Powder Diamond Collection - The Star Powder Diamond Collection is available in four delicious new pastel and iridescent shades: Diamond White, Diamond Pink with purple highlights, Diamond Pink with gold highlights, and Diamond Green with golden highlights. Thanks to their high concentration in pigments and mother-of-pearls, the shades are more intense and sparkly. To mix and blend endlessly.

- 969 - diamond pink with golden highlights

- 968 - diamond pink with purple highlights

- 967 - diamond white

- 970 - diamond green with golden highlights

Tres Vichy Eye Lashes - Tres Vichy Eye Lashes is a limited edition pair of faux lashes adorned with a pink and white checkered bow. A new bold and creative accessory, by Make Up For Ever of course!

Tres Vichy Palette - In limited edition, the Tres Vichy Palette features two matching shades, hidden in a delicious palette, to play the "Vichy" trend up to the tips of the lashes. The palettes include shimmering diamond white and pink eye shadows (Vichy Blossom Palette) and pearly white and baby pink powder blush (Vichy Trendy Palette).

- 311 Vichy Blossom - diamond white and pink eye shadows

- 312 Vichy Trendy - pearly white and baby pink blushes

I am in love with both of the Tres Vichy Palettes however the eye palette is the only one that ended up on my Most Wanted list this month. I'm not sure how well I will be able to pull off that white shade of blush without looking strange. The false eye lashes are a complete no for me, I have a hard enough time with normal false eye lashes and I would need to master them before I can try the more exotic versions from this company. I love how shimmery the new Star Powder Diamond shadows are, my favorite shades are the 969 and 970.

Very unique collection but the false lashes are way over-the-top for most people that I know.

photo courtesy of Make Up For Ever

Make Up For Ever Fall 2010 Collection - Moulin Rouge Collection

We have already looked at the Gold Icon Collection, now it is time for us to look at the second collection, the one inspired by the Moulin Rouge. I love this collection already, I am so easy to please when it comes to Parisian inspired collection. "Teaming up with the glamorous Parisian dancers of Moulin Rouge, Make Up For Ever has created yet another collection of bold must-have shades. Aptly named, this exclusive assortment of red-heavy products will create a dramatic, sexy look worthy of an oh la la".

Colors for "four bad-ass chicks at the Moulin Rouge" (can't forget this song!)...

Rouge Artist Intense - A highly pigmented, long-lasting lipstick that delivers rich color in one stroke. Formulated with 50% more pigment than the traditional lipstick, Rouge Artist Intense gives an immediate true-to-color result. A blend of three natural waxes, the creamy texture glides on effortlessly for a long-lasting hold. The extensive color and texture range provides unlimited creativity. Available in 3 finishes - matte, pearly, and satin - for varying effects.

- 43 Moulin Rouge - satin vibrant red

Glossy Full - A gel-textured lip gloss. Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Couleur has a light, non-sticky texture that is long-lasting and leaves lips ultra shiny. Lips will remain supple and mentholated fragrance reinforces the iced, frosty effect of the gloss.

- 43 Moulin Rouge - vibrant red

Strass - Round crystals that add a sparkling, jeweled effect. Formulated for use on the entire face, Strass provides sparkle and drama to any look. It can be used on the lash line as an alternate liner or applied on the face to create an artistic design. Add Strass to dress up and add some fun to any occasion!

- 43 Moulin Rouge - red/black/crystal

Eyelashes - Strip - Intensify and add depth to your eyes with these high-drama, professional-quality lashes. Create spectacular effects for evening parties, photo shoots, or just for fun.

- 243 Moulin Rouge - extreme criss-cross flairs with red glitter strip

I love it all except the false lashes - I could never pull them off. Even though I think this collection is beautiful, I doubt that I could pull off the same look as the dancers at the Moulin Rouge. The only product that I know that I will purchase is the new Moulin Rouge Lipstick, I don't know that I would get much use of the gloss or the Strass.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever Fall 2010 Collection - Gold Icon Collection

Make Up For Ever has released two new collections this fall for Sephora. The first one is named Gold Icon and the other one is named Moulin Rouge. We are looking at Gold Icon today and Moulin Rouge in a bit. About Gold Icon, Sephora states the following, "This is no fool's gold. The Gold Icon Collection from Make Up For Ever is the read deal. Get instant glamour with their assortment of all-over gold-hued powders, accent eyes with foiled kohl liner for a metallic highlight, or cover your lids with luminous gold shadow". I have only used the HD collection from Make Up For Ever but I love it so I have high expectations for these products.

Here is the collection...

Metal Powder - A 100%-mineral loose powder with a brillant metallic finish. Formulated with bronze powder covered in silica, Metal Powder creates luminosity and shine. Its extra-fine, soft, and silky texture glides on effortlessly and gives an intense result. You can customize your application by applying it dry for a metallic finish or wet for a liquid-metal result.

- Sunflower Gold 1 - yellow gold shimmer

- Maize Gold 2 - coppery gold shimmer
- Honey Gold 3 - tannish gold shimmer

- Olive Gold 4 - green olive gold shimmer

Kohl Pencil - Soft, smooth, and easy to apply, this creamy Kohl Pencil can be used to achieve diverse looks, from dramatic to subtle. Specifically adapted to the sensitive and thin skin surrounding and inside the eye, the formula is a particularly gentle blend of vegetable lipids, vitamin E, mango seed oil, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, and jojoba oil to keep the skin around the eyes hydrated. Suitable for even the most sensitive eyes.

- Black with Metal Highlights 6 - black with gold flecks

- Metal Gold 7 - metallic gold

Diamond Powder - Diamond Powder combines both the pearly iridescense of Star Powder and the brightness of Glitter. It is almost entirely composed of pure synthetic mother-of-pearl. The particles are finer and literally radiate extreme brillance as soon as they are applied.

- Gold 16 - yellow gold shimmer

I want to try the Kohl Pencils in both of the new shades but especially the Black with Metal Highlights. I am thinking that I am going to need to treat application of the Metal Powder as I would use a MAC Pigment, I might be wrong on this one though. From the new Metal Powders, I like Sunflower Gold and Maize Gold. I am loving all of these gold shades in this collection!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer

After loving the HD foundation and the matching powder, I don't hesitate to try anything from the Make Up Forever HD collection. Today, we are going to look at the Primer, which is actually the first item that I bought from this collection at Sephora (many items from this line are exclusives) but I had put it aside and totally forgotten about it. I found in the other week in my train case and decided to give it a try. I have never used face primer before even though I swear by eye shadow primers. The other week, I was at MAC and Prep + Prime was used on me and I loved the feel of it so much that I bought it and decided to try out this product that I already owned to see if I got the same feeling from both.

Sephora states that this product is "A lightweight, oil-free complexion corrector that enhances the skin's texture and primes the skin for makeup application". The website provides further product details right here, "HD Microperfecting Primer deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect. Creates a protective layer on the skin allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer". This product is available in one translucent shade and six color correcting shades. I have have the clear shade and imagine that this would work for every single skin type and tone.

So what I do I like about it? First of all, it feeling cooling and calming going on. I apply it with my fingers and let it set for about 30 seconds after application. I tried applying it with a makeup sponge but I felt that too much of the product was just absorbed right into the sponge. I have been told that primers can be worn on there own on low maintence days and I have tried this out yet but I would really like to. Right away, I can see a reduction in the redness on my cheek area. Also, my pores appear much smaller and any oily areas in my T-zone are mattified. Using this primer makes my foundation apply much easier and I have to use less foundation than I did before working with this product. I am really happy with the results.

This product comes in the same style pump bottle that the HD Foundation is available in. Two full is perfect for covering my whole face without wasting any product. I actually have nothing bad to say about this product and I would recommend it to pretty much anyone.

Here are the shades that you can choose from...

- 0 Neutral - adds natural luminosity to the complexion

- 1 Green - minimizes redness (ideal for skin with rosacea)

- 2 Mauve - counteracts sallow undertones

- 4 Caramel - combats ashiness in medium to dark skin tones/warms golden tones

- 5 Blue - adds radiance to fair skin/reduces minor imperfections

- 6 Yellow - lightens dark complexions

- 7 Pink - brightens the complexion/counteracts sallow undertones

After the success of the Neutral shade, I would love to try this product in both the 1 Green and the 5 Blue shades. I love Make Up For Ever HD and I am beginning to believe that this collection is one of the highest quality lines on the market today.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever HD Powder

This is a product that I have been using for the past several months but haven't gotten around to talking about yet. I bought this product at Sephora in the end of May and have been using it ever since with fantastic results. During French Week last July, I talked about the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation and how much I adored it. Yet somehow, this product got left out of everything so far. But I feel that the time has come for me to sing the praises of this powder and convince all of you that you need to go out and buy it right away. If you love the foundation (or even if you have never tried), you will love the matching powder.

Before buying the product off of the recommendation of a coworker, I hadn't used loose powder since my Bare Escentuals debacle in 2007. I never liked loose powders and always ended up creating a disaster all over myself when trying to apply them. This powder is available in one universal shade and appears white in the package. However, my coworker and I both have very different skintones and it works beautifully on both of us so I guess that this really is a universal shade. Here is the description of the powder from Make Up For Ever, "Make Up For Ever HD line was originally created to keep the complexion of the actors looking flawless in the 6x magnification of high definition compared to regular cameras. HD Powder is a unique, extremely fine powder available in one universal shade to make skin absolutely radiant. HD Microfinish Powder consists solely of mineral silica powder, thereby respects all types of skin, even the most sensitive. Its talc free formula does not dry skin".

This product really does manage to make your skin look a million times better after application. My favorite aspects of the product are that it completely sets my foundation and concealer, while minimizing the appearance of redness and large pores. It has been my experience that loose powders always make my pores appear even larger, so this really is a different type of loose powder.

To use this product, I simply shake a bit of it out onto my hand then use a big fluffy powder brush to apply it to my whole face. I have been using the same container of this product since June and it barely looks as though I have made a dent in the product. So this one should last me quite a long time. The only thing that could make my love this powder more? If I came a in pressed version so I could carry it in my bag for touch ups throughout the day.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collector Set

So far from Make Up For Ever, I have only used the HD collection but I have a friend that loves all of their products and one of her favorites is the Aqua Eye Eye Liner. I believe that I once got this product as a Sephora Beauty Insider sample but I haven't opened it up yet to try it out. But to a fan of both this line and this product itself, the Holiday Collector Set of these liners that is being sold at Sephora is a dream come true. The first 100 of these that are made and sold will be numbered and signed by Danny Sanz (founder of the company). For a huge Make Up For Ever fan, this is a dream come true.


The set is limited only to distribution at Sephora so I turned to their website to get a description of the product, "The 25 Aqua Eyes Collector Set includes the full range of 25 shades so that you can create endless eye looks. Aqua Eyes is an award-winning, waterproof, and long-lasting eye liner pencil that contains a unique formula that adheres to the eye lids and resists water - even under the most extreme conditions. Its creamy texture glides on effortlessly for precise application and intense color and by smudging it immediately after applying to the lid, it can double as a shadow".


Here are the colors that are in the set...


- Champagne 23 L - metallic pink champagne
- Fushcia Pink 13 L - metallic fushcia
- Purple 11 L - metallic purple
- Black Purple 6 L - deep purple
- Shimmering Plum 4 L - soft plum sheen
- Burgundy 18 L - deep burgundy sheen
- Pearly Brown 2 L - golden brown sheen
- Light Brown 19 L - dark taupe
- Light Taupe 24 L - taupe brown
- Bronze Green 5 L - golden olive sheen
- Bronze 10 L - metallic bronze
- Gold 9 L - metallic yellow
- Pistachio 17 L - metallic vibrant yellow green
- Green 16 L - medium yellow green sheen
- Forest Green 20 L - deep pine green
- Turquoise 7 L - light turquoise sheen
- Blue With Green Highlights 12 L - metallic teal blue
- Majorelle Blue 15 L - metallic royal blue
- Iridescent Navy Blue 3 L - navy blue sheen
- Mat Black 0 L - black
- Star Black 1 L - black sheen
- Dark Grey 21 L - dark metallic grey
- Grey 22 L - silvery grey
- Silver 8 L - metallic silver
- White 14 L - pearl white sheen

This huge set should make any Make Up For Ever lover or even any eye makeup lover jump for joy when they unwrap it. This quite possibly could be the end-all set for eye liner selection. Now if Urban Decay would make the same type of set so I could get it for myself...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Make Up For Ever - French Week Day 2

Yesterday we looked at the products that are produced in the French countryside. Today, we are going right to the heart of Paris and looking at a company that is on the cutting edge of the beauty industry. Make Up For Ever was started by Dany Sanz in 1984 to aid her in creating up to the minute fashionable looks with high quality products that could withstand outside elements. Sanz's objective in creating her own line is as follows, "To develop an all-encompassing line for fashion and show business professionals that has every product, texture, and color needed to achieve any effect a makeup artist's heart could desire".

This line was one of the first to venture into the world on HD and the types of makeup that would need to be worn by professionals in order to appear flawless on the screen. With the advances in technology, it very quickly became evident that traditional makeup no longer passed and wasn't sufficent to cover flaws and still look natural. This line of products is used by many T.V. and movie professionals in order to create a flawless skin look and is a favorite of many women who desire a fuller coverage foundation that will not budge all day long.

The HD foundation is a favorite of mine since the first use and the matching powder is fast becoming a HG product for me. This foundation comes in a array of shades with 25 currently being offered. the array is dazzling and any skintone will be able to find themselves a great match from this collection. I use Pink Porcelain or Ivory, both pale shades with pink undertones and I have fantastic results from both shades. This foundation is oil-free and is considered to be a medium to full coverage liquid foundation. It makes flaws invisible under HD and therefore is also a great good choice for women who exist in real life.

I must say that it took a long time for me to try this product out. I had previously been quite content with my Clinique foundations and wasn't really in the mood to try something new out. Also tis product is also mentioned on the Makeup Alley Makeup Board and I was uncertain that this product could live up to the hype that centers around it. The first time that I used it, I used two full pumps and wasn't happy with how heavy it felt. I went down to using a pump and a half and later down to one pump. With one pump of product, this foundation delivers amazing coverage with no clumping or caking and without making me look too made up. After about 2 weeks, I joined the group of women who worship this product.

photo courtesy of Sephora