Sephora Haul and Birthday Shout-out!

Before anything else, I want to greet

my ever so kind

and ever so beautiful

friend,

Nikki Tiu of Askmewhats,

a Happy Happy Birthday!

She just turned 31, and she's fabulous than ever!

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Now for my tiny haul from Sephora!

I got a Cargo blu_ray bronzer, which is on sale for $15!

I really like this bronzer, it looks natural on my skin and it has very understated shimmers so it doesn't look flat. I also love how finely milled the powder is, and definitely suitable for high definition camera, because it really blends in the skin so nicely and seamlessly.

Sephora Platinum Brush #55

This is called the "airbrush brush" by Sephora.

And I couldn't agree any less!

Indeed it's airbrush in a brush!

I've been lemming for this brush for a long, long time and I'm happy I got one!

I think this will topple my Shu uemura #18 brush in the top spot of my favorite foundation brushes. Let's wait see... I'll give an update on this!

MakeUp ForEver HD Foundation in 120.

Last year when this was released in the Philippines, I tried this in the store, but I didn't liked it at all. It looked streaky and the shade that the MA applied on me looked too orangey and dark! So I really stayed away from this foundation. But me being a believer of second chances, I wanted to try this foundation again, and I'm planning to review different HD foundations on my blog. But our MUFE stores here doesn't have stock of it every time I visit. I wanted to try it to see if I would like it if I used another shade that really matches my skin, and if I apply it myself. Thanks to sis Jheng of Abubots, I was apply to try it again. She gave a generous amount of sample of the HD Foundation. She was asking me if I like the shade 117 or 120, but since my skin is slightly darker than hers and her shade was 117, I asked for 120. And LO and BEHOLD! 120 is a perfect match! I have never seen a foundation that matched my skin so perfectly! So that alone, I was sold! And with the sample that sis JHENG gave me, I was able to use different techniques. I liked it so I decided to purchase one for myself.

Last is Rosebud Salve. I just got this to replenish my dwindling stock of this.

That's all folks!

Wait for my Battle of the HD Foundations post!

Now that I have the MUFE HD Foundation, I'm just waiting for my Revlon Photoready to arrive which may arrive next week!

 The Battle of HD Foundations will compare 4 HD foundations: Kryolan High Definition Mattifying Foudation, Coastal Scents HD Foundation, MUFE HD Foundation, and Revlon PhotoReady Foundation. I would like to add the MAC Face and Body Foundation, but our MAC stores here doesn't carry it! And I don't want to buy online because I'm not sure what is my shade. Does anybody have the MAC Face and Body Foundation, and wouldn't mind sending me a sample? It would be great if I could review it too, since it's one of the widest used foundation that claims to be suitable for HD.

Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup Review

Today,the spotlight is on Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup.

Before I begin, I just want to tell you that I really like this foundation. Why? Read on...

The Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup has more of a gel than a cream texture. However, this foundation has a fluidy gel consistency rather than a thick gel consistency like the MAC Studio Sculpt. The foundation comes out like a fluidy blob of really soft Jello if not shaken, so shake the bottle of foundation prior using the foundation to liquify the foundation thoroughly.

This foundation can give sheer to medium coverage and medium to full coverage. This foundation when applied gives a sheer coverage, but can be layered for a heavier coverage. I find that this foundation no matter how much you layer on will not look cakey. This is the most buildable foundation I've tried. This foundation is so light, you wouldn't mind layering it on. I've tried using different brushes with this and I find that using my MAC 180 or shu uemura #18 foundation brush gave me that airbrushed, flawless, and seamless look. What I also like with this foundation is when blended into the skin, it sort of like "become" your skin, so it's really natural looking. I find that it's the foundation that most easily blend into my skin and doesn't give me that mask look even when I use shades lighter than my skintone - in short it's very forgivable!

The formula in this foundation is so amazing (Take note it's oil free)!

It's sweatproof, waterproof, transfer resistant- even with my oil slick face, and can resist high humidity! I have used this when I went to the gym, I swam with it, jog with it, and did more strenuous activities, and to my surprise it didn't bulge!

This stuff photographs really well too!

With this foundation, you don't need to set it with powder since it sets it self. Once this stuff dries, it will transform into a satiny smooth finish. I also find that this stuff doesn't settle into fine lines, though it may gather around extremely peeling skin, so to those with extremely peeling and flaky skin, I suggest you moisturize properly before using this. This has a good oil control too it leaves my skin shine free for atleast 5 hours - used without any powder on top to atleast 9 hours when set with powder. btw I have super oily skin!

The only problem I encountered with this foundation is wastage. Since, this product doesn't have a pump nor a pout controlling the amount of product can be a problem. So I suggest getting a long spatula if you plan to buy this foundation.

I love this as much as the Clinique Superfit. I love Clinique Superfit for its instant coverage while I love this MUFE Face and Body Foundation for it's extreme long wearing ability. Whenever I get lazy I use my Clinique, but when I want super long staying power and I have time to spare I use this!

Verdict: 

8.5/10

I will repurchase this!

I would give this a 10 if they improved the packaging to prevent wastage.

Review/Comparison: MakeUp ForEver HD Microfinish Powder and No Brand Silica Powder Spheres

First, I want to ask for your prayers and support for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

For NCR residents you may give your donation in goods at any McDonalds in NCR; for cash and goods you can give it to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamily Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Tulong Bayan at Balay Expo Cubao, GAWAD KALINGA Centers, CFC Ortigas, Mega Tent at Meralco Ave., White Space at Pasong Tamo ext. and University of Santo Tomas in Tan Yan Kee Student Center.

You may also deposit cash donations at ABSCBN Sagip Kapamilya Banco De Oro account # 5630020111 (btw for those taking advantage of this unfortunate event and spreading fake accounts, please stop! Many are already suffering and we don't need scumbags now!)

For International donations, you may give / send your cash donations using xoom.com

Step 1 – Sign up for a Xoom.com account, or sign in to your existing Xoom.com account.

Step 2 – Select Bank Deposit as a disbursement option.

Step 3 – Enter the following Recipient Name and Bank Account details:

Recipient Name - Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)

Bank Account Details - The following Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) bank

account details will be needed at the time of the transaction. You can enter any one

of the following bank accounts to make their donation:

PNRC Peso Accounts:

•    Banco de Oro – Peso Account: 453-0018647

•    Bank of the Philippine Islands - Peso Account: 4991-0010-99

•    Metrobank – Peso Account: 151-3-04163122-8

•    Philippine National Bank – Peso Account: 3623-3680-0011

PNRC Dollar Accounts:

•    Banco de Oro - Dollar Account:  453-0039482

•    Bank of the Philippine Islands - Dollar Account:  8114-0030-94

•    Metrobank - Dollar Account: 151-2-151002182

•    Philippine National Bank - Dollar Account: 375-283500026

Enter Recipient Address and Phone Number:

Philippines National Red Cross

National Headquarters

Bonifacio Drive, Port Area       

Manila 2803, Philippines

Phone Number: 632 527 0000

Step 4 - Enter the coupon code "HELPONDOY" at the bottom of the Payments page.

So you wouldn't need to pay for the transaction fees.

MakeUp ForEver HD Microfinish Powder

vs

No Brand Silica Powder Spheres

On a lighter note, you probably already saw on my last haul post that I got the MUFE HD  powder and promised to do a comparison with a no brand silica powder. So, here it is! Hope this will help!

AVAILABILITY

MUFE -> Philippines: MUFE stores in Shangrila, The Fort, Cebu, Davao

Internationally: Free standing MUFE stores, Sephora, HSN

No Brand Silica -> Mainly in online shops like Coastal Scents, TKB, etc.

PRICE

MUFE -> $30  for 0.35 oz at Sephora 

No Brand Silica -> $4 for 1 oz at Coastal Scents

Winner: No Brand Silica, clearly you'll be saving a lot more money! You're paying $26 less for more than twice the amount of the MUFE one!

COLOR

Both look transparent and wouldn't give a whitish cast when applied properly.

Winner: IT'S A TIE!

RESULT/EFFECT/APPEARANCE ON SKIN

Both blurs out fine lines well! Both may look cakey if too much product is applied. Both mattifies moderately.

Winner: IT'S A TIE

TEXTURE

MUFE -> I  believe that this are more finely milled than that of the no brand one so this is much more smoother to touch and very comfortable on the skin. Glides on the skin better than the no brand silica.

No Brand Silica -> You can feel that the spheres are much larger so this is a bit more chunkier in touch but still smooth just not as smooth and finer than the MUFE one.

Winner: MUFE!

FEEL ON SKIN

MUFE -> Very light weight. Non-drying so more comfortable on the skin.

No Brand Silica -> As light weight as the MUFE, however I feel that it dries out my skin  by just bit. 

Winner: MUFE!

WEAR TIME

Both has similar length of wear time. These doesn't last all day long, so you need to reapply every once in a while. So, if you're looking for setting powders to make your makeup last, silica powders are not for you. However, if you're interested in the silica powders for aesthetics and for photography, then go ahead, you'll not be disappointed!

Winner: Tie!

MY THOUGHTS: 

I personally prefer the MUFE one since my skin tends to be sensitive at times and the MUFE one feels better in those times. But, for the times that I have normal skin conditions, then I wouldn't mind using the no brand silica spheres. For those with dry skin, I suggest getting the MUFE one, but for oily skin you may settle for the no brand one. For those who wants the best pampering for the skin and doesn't mind the price tag then go for the MUFE one. But if you want the same effect, doesn't want to spend that much, and doesn't mind the slight difference in feel and texture, I strongly suggest to go for the no brand one! 

Haul! Again! Shu uemura, MAC, MUFE

Hello! I'm back with another haul!

I haven't used much of the stuff extensively so I can't give out info as of now but perhaps within the next two weeks I can give you reviews!

And I actually acquired other new stuff but I forgot to take pictures of them so wait for it in my next post :P

Without further adieu let me present you my latest haul!

 2 shu uemura nobara cream foundation in 754

MAC technakohl in artistic license, eyeshadow in violet trance (I dunno why it looked so blue in pictures), studio sculpt concealer (I like this so far, this is my fave concealer as of now)

MAC MSFN in medium, studio sculpt foundation (finally a MAC foundation that doesnt break me out, so far...)

MUFE Best Seller Kit:

HD powder (I'll compare this to the silica powder sold in tkb & coastal scents soon)

HD primer

Sens Eyes

Aqua eyes 0L

Smokey Lash

MUFE Duo Mat

Another MUFE Aqua Eyes 0L

MUFE all mat

MUFE HD kabuki brush (I'll compare this with the elf studio kabuki brush soon)

MUFE Eye Seal (Enabled ny Sis Nikki! :D)

MUFE Camouflage Palette (This too, I was enabled by Sis Nikki! Haven't tried this though since I'm still in love with my studio sculpt I cant seem to part with it heehee)

MUFE Face & Body Foundation

That's it for today! Wait for my next post to see the other items I haven't posted today...

Again if you have any question don't hesitate to ask!

Bye!