Summer-to-Fall Beauty Vol 5: MAKE UP FOR EVER

Products in this post were provided by PR/the brand

With fall right around the corner and summer coming to a close, it can be hard to make a smooth transition from one season into the next. New colors, textures, skin care needs, etc.--all of these things come into play as the seasons change. My goal with this series is to give you guys some ideas on products or colors you may want to integrate into your beauty and skincare routines as the weather grows cooler.  Each post in this series features a look and then highlights the individual products used (with a brief review of each). All posts in this series can be found under the "Fall Transitional Beauty" tab if you'd like to see past posts. Hopefully you'll find this helpful and as always, please feel free to ask me any questions you may have! 

Make Up For Ever Profile

Make Up For Ever offers pro and consumer cosmetics internationally and I'd be surprised to find a makeup fan unfamiliar with them. They have an absolutely enormous variety of product types and shades and they have one of the most comprehensive catalogs of foundation shades I've come across personally. 

Where to Buy

Make Up For Ever products can be purchased directly from their boutiques or through Sephora (in the U.S.).

The Look

Look created using all Make Up For Ever products

Here's a close-up of the eye look

Look Description

When I think fall I instantly think smoky eyes. It's not the only thing I wear in the fall, but it's definitely one of my favorite looks! I wanted to create a wearable look that incorporated a jewel-tone purple with a little sparkle. Here's what I used:

• Aqua Cream #26 on lid
• Eye Shadow #172 in crease
• Eye Shadow #166 in outer v and swept under eye
• Aqua Eyes liner 0L for tight-lining/waterline
• Star Powder #944 dabbed on center of lid and inner corner
• Aqua Smoky Lash mascara
• Sculpting Blush #08 swept over cheek bones
• HD Blush #5 blended into cheeks
• Route Artist Intense lipstick #22

It's ironic, but of course now that fall is almost here in New England the weather is a mix of hot and super rainy and of course the last week has been insanely gray and very stormy. I like taking face shots in natural light, so it took dozens to finally snatch up what little light there was in between blustery, stormy gusts to get a semi-decent shot. 'Tis the season!

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream #26 Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream #26

Shade

#26 is a pretty violet with a metallic sheen. It is a tiny bit more blue-based than shown (more similar to the close-up of the eye look above), but I tend to find purples can be the hardest for me to capture. 

Application

If you're unfamiliar with Aqua Creams they are super pigmented cream products meant to be used on different parts of the face. They are very soft and set fairly quickly with no real tugging on the eye before they set, so I tend to work on one eye at a time when working with them. I use a small paddle brush when applying these--synthetic or natural brushes work fine in my experience.

Wear

These wear like crazy! I have yet to be disappointed by the way in which a Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream wears. On me, they do not crease and they barely fade when worn on their own. They work really well when you pat a powder product over them as well.

Price

This is priced at $23 retail.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

My Thoughts

I'm no stranger to Aqua Creams and I've always been a fan. I found this wonderful to work with and absolutely stunning on the eye. I highly recommend giving MUFE Aqua Creams a try this fall if you don't already own a few. 

Make Up For Ever Star Powder #944 Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever Star Powder #944

Shade 

#944 is a delicate white that flashes turquoise. It is stunning!

Application

Star Powders are extremely fine, making them easy to work with. I like to wear them patted over other products or by foiling them using a mixing medium or water.

Wear

When patted over other products or foiled onto the lid I've found these wear very well. 

Price

This is priced at $20 retail.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

My Thoughts

Products like this are essentials in my collection as I tend to use them frequently to give my looks a little something special. This is perfect for adding a flash of turquoise to your lid or inner eye. Star Powders are so fine texture-wise that they're delicate looking rather than ultra-flashy, so for those that feel they're too old or not a fan of super shimmers this is a great alternative. 

Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow #166 Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever #166

Shade

#166 is an ultra-matte dark brown

Application

#166 is not extremely chalky, but it is slightly on the dryer side, so I strongly suggest blending with a light-hand to avoid swiping away bits of color. It is extremely pigmented! Fallout was minimal. This worked better for me with natural brushes than synthetic.

Wear

This wears really well! I found this faded minimally by the end of the day.

Price

This retails for $20.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

My Thoughts

If you're looking for and like working with mattes this is great! It is a slightly dryer formula (as are most mattes), but the pigmentation is amazing and the wear is really great. 

Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow #172 Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever #172

Shade

#172 is a satin-finished blackened brown. It almost has a slightly purple-looking undertone in the pan, but on your skin it's definitely a deep chocolate brown. 

Application

This has a very smooth feeling formula. It is not as dry as #166, but it's not as buttery-smooth as some of MUFE's more shimmery formulas. I found this to be extremely pigmented! I recommend using a light-hand with this shadow as well when you blend to avoid swiping off bits of color. This worked better for me with natural brushes than synthetic. There was only slight fallout.

Wear

This wears as well as #166 throughout the day with minimal fading. 

Price

This retails for $20.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner 0L Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes 0L

Shade

0L is a matte black.

Application

Aqua Eyes liners are very soft and creamy. They grip well to the skin and waterline without tugging and they're very pigmented.

Wear

Aqua Eyes wear very well on the lid and pretty well with minimal fading/bleeding on the waterline for my eyes. I have almond shaped eyes and tears tend to pool (unnoticeably) in the outer corners of my eyes so I have difficulty with many products on my waterline. These are fairly budge-proof for me and I tend to tightline/apply to my waterline more than anything.

Price

This is priced at $19.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE.

My Thoughts

I have been a long-time fan of MUFE Aqua Eyes pencils and regularly rotate them in among other liners. As I mentioned above, I tend to tightline/apply to my waterline more than any other area of my eyes when using pencils and these are fairly budge-proof for me with the occasional exception of some bleeding in the outer corners of my eyes. I know plenty of people that do not have this issue. These pencils are very pigmented and I have owned dozens of 0L's over the years, so that must say something given how picky I am about my liners!

Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Review

Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash

Shade

Aqua Smoky Lash only currently comes in one shade--deep black.

Application

This applies well to the lashes. I'm a huge fan of waterproof mascaras and tend to purchase waterproof formulas 9 times out of 10. This adds some volume and length to my super short lashes. I always curl my lashes and find this helps them to hold the curl.

Wear

Being a waterproof mascara, I find this wears very well without any bleeding.

Price

This retails for $23

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE.

 My Thoughts

I'm a waterproof mascara lover and this is a great waterproof version of MUFE's Smoky Lash. While I don't personally get a ton of length from it, I get a decent amount of length and noticeable volume. If you like high-end mascara and you want a waterproof formula, this is definitely one to consider--especially if you live in New England like me and have rain and/or snow to deal with from now until May.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush #5 Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever HD Blush #5

Shade

#5 is described as a neutral pink. In the tube it looks like a medium-toned bubblegum pink, but when blended out it's definitely a neutral, subtle pink. 

Application

This is a cream product, so I recommend pumping some out onto the back of your hand or onto a palette, then using a brush to apply it onto your cheeks. This did not set extremely quickly so I was able to easily apply and blend out the product on each cheek. I've used similar products in the past that set so fast you ended up with patchiness, but this is amazing to work with and there's definitely some flexibility. As you'll see below, the effect is soft and very pretty. I applied a decent amount of product here then blended it out so that you could see the full effect.

Make Up For Ever HD Blush #5 blended out

I swatched this on the underside of my arm so you can see the color better as this part of my arm is several shades lighter than any other part of my body

Wear

This wears super well! I did have some slight fading by the end of the day, but not much. It did stain slightly (which I like in my blushes since it extends wear). 

Price

This retails for $26.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

My Thoughts

I really like this formula and I enjoyed working with it! This color is very nice, though I tend to wear a slightly less subtle color on a daily basis as my complexion makes some blushes a bit difficult to see. This color would be perfect for anyone fairer than me or for someone that prefers a subtle flush. Definitely great. Now I'm dying to try a few more colors!

Make Up For Ever Sculpting Blush #08 Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever Sculpting Blush #08

Shade

#08 is a lovely, bright azalea pink with a super subtle shimmer.

Application

This has a lovely formula that is very light, smooth and not powdery at all. It blended into the skin well and had a lovely effect that looked as though it was coming from within rather than sitting on top of the skin. It is light, yet fairy pigmented when applied to the cheeks with a blush brush. Just lovely!

Wear

This wore well for me over the HD Blush with only minimal fading by the end of the day. 

Price

This retails for $25

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

My Thoughts

This blush formula is absolutely lovely and the effect is beautiful! It photographs well and looks just as lovely in person. I can see this being a popular blush for bridal or everyday use. I have to get my hands on a few more! I love it and definitely need a few additional colors for fall!

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #22 Lipstick Swatch & Review

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist #22

Shade

#22 is a medium beige nude color. It was actually a fairly close match to my complexion. It has a satin finish that is very subtle.

Scent 

This has a slightly floral, almost powdery scent. It is not insanely strong and I didn't feel as though I could "taste" it, but it is there, so if you prefer unscented lippies you may want to check this out in Sephora prior to purchasing to make sure it doesn't bother you.

Application

This formula is very creamy and while nudes can be very difficult, this one wasn't bad to work with at all! When viewed extremely close (face almost pressed to the mirror) you can see the color slightly settled into my lip lines, but from a standing distance away it looked completely even. It is quite pigmented and I used 2 thin coats to achieve complete opacity. As with all lipsticks, I recommend exfoliating and moisturizing prior to using this.

Wear

This wore well and was not super drying on my lips, though I wouldn't say it was hydrating. I would recommend wearing a lip liner underneath this as it will last longer and fade more evenly.

Price

This retails for $20.

Where to Buy

This can be purchased on Sephora.com HERE. 

My Thoughts

Nude lippies can be tricky in general, but I find them especially challenging with my complexion. I actually really loved this color and found it worked well with my smoky eye. If you prefer nude lippies that lean a bit pink, I recommend either patting a little pink lipstick over this one in the center of your lips or doing the same with a pink gloss. I will definitely be reaching for this now that fall is almost here and I plan to wear quite a few smoky looks.

Are you a smoky eye person? Will you be trying any of these Make Up For Ever products this fall?

Note: Products in this post were provided by PR/the brand. All opinions stated above are my own based on my personal experience and have not been influenced by PR/the brand.