Aloha, beautiful people,

Today’s topic will be on the beauty of the brand MAKE UP FOR EVER.  Not a lot of people know about the brand, other than the odd stick foundation being used by their favourite You Tubers.  Considering a new counter opened up in Debenhams, Belfast and it is where I work, I thought it would only be fair that I share a little bit about the products and tell you my favourites (all views are my own!)

First up, a little background on the company.  MAKE UP FOR EVER is a brand that was created in 1984 by an amazing lady – Parisian Dany Sanz.  Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy has since taken over the brand however, Dany still plays a crucial role in the inner workings of the brand.  MAKE UP FOR EVER is a brand that allows their users to be creative and play with make up in a way they never have before.  They provide the tools and products for make up professionals and make up fanatics alike.

In the 1980’s there were very few products available for the working professional and those that were actually available only came in certain shades.  Dany took it upon herself to create her own products that she could use –  and MAN did that take off!  Dany got so many requests from fellow makeup artists and students that she opened up a boutique in Paris.  MAKE UP FOR EVER was born.

Fast forward 33 years and MAKE UP FOR EVER is available in 52 countries and is a widely accredited make up brand.  To have a counter in Belfast is a real treat as it is one of only 3 stores in the whole of Ireland, the others being in Cork and Dublin.  I currently work, as I have said in the store in Debenhams and it has been amazing so far.  The counter opened in June and has created a major buzz already!  The products reputation and popularity allowed us to jump straight in with our customers and we have had the most creative nearly 6 months –  which you will know if my Instagram is anything to go by (@cosmetics.junkiee)

I am going to stop giving you the run down on the company and get on to the good bits that you fellow make up junkies will be gasping for!  These are simply a list of my top picks from the counter and all opinions on the products do remain my own!

PRIMERS

Pictured are a select few of the primers that MAKE UP FOR EVER carry but I have pictures my favourites to use.  The Mattifying, Smoother and Hydrating Primers are my immediate go tos and actually have them in my kit for freelancing.  They do exactly what they say on the tin and you have GOT to appreciate the simplicity of them.  As a Make Up Artist I want something quick and easy that I can put on my clients so I can move on to the base but you don’t have to be a Make Up Artist to enjoy these products.  That’s the beauty of them!  do not be sucked in by primers that claim to do 100 things to your skin.  Take the Mattifying Primer for example – can you guess what it does?  Mattifies.  The Hydrating?  Brilliant,  great for dry skin (my personal favourite.)

Also pictured we have the Redness Correcting,  Nourishing and the Radiant Primer.  These I don’t tend to reach for as often however, they are fantastic to have on hand.  I have a touch of rosacea and use the redness primer, this is also another staple in my kit.  The Nourishing is great if you are a bit of an inbetween skin type and you want something that covers all bases ie.if you aren’t overly oily  or aren’t overly dry  but would still like a primer!  MAKE UP FOR EVER has quite a few Radiant Primers however, I reach for the pink one more often as I personally find it great for brightening up dull skin and this is a common concern in good ol’ Northern Ireland. *retails £14.20-£22.50*

FOUNDATION

We have a good few foundations under our belts here at MAKE UP FOR EVER however, the one that resonates with everyone is most definitely the multiple award winning Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation.  If I had £1 for how many times I get asked about this amazing foundation a day I could probably buy one!  It’s the most recognisable foundation on the counter and for good reason.  I describe it as the Goldilocks foundation in that, it’s ‘just right’ for everything.  Coverage? Just right.  Creaminess?  Just right.  Colour?  Just right.  It’s thee go to medium coverage foundation with a natural finish on the market. It just happens to photograph beautifully as it was designed specifically for film and TV also so it is perfect for that selfie!  Ever wanted to look like your favourite on screen celeb? Well look no further!  Even when I am freelancing I use it as it suits all skin types, especially considering I have so many amazing primers to go underneath.  Of course if medium everything isn’t your bag then there are plenty of other foundations at MAKE UP FOR EVER that will suit you, so you are best popping in to see one of us and we can talk you through them.  *retails at £30*

CONCEALER

Pictured here is my favourite concealer of all time.  I was exhausted from trying out concealers that could do it all as in, cover dark circles under the eyes without settling into lines but also be heavy enough that it will cover up those demon blemishes.  After years of searching,  awhile ago I finally came across it!  Behold, the again award winning Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer.  Not only is it a perfect concealer but it just so happens to be a fab match to the foundation.  The extensive shade range will cater to every skin need and I have collected quite a few colours as  I tend to contour slightly with this product as well.  I like that it comes in a tube as a lot of concealers that twist like a pen do my head in and any others that pump out I always waste so much product.  The concealer may seem small at 7ml however, I cannot stress enough how little you need!  A must have in my kit and on my face and for my customers – if you are ever in visiting the counter and are served by me I guarantee I end up talking about this!  *retails at £20.50*

POWDER

You can’t never have seen this before?  If you haven’t – have you been living under a rock?  The Ultra HD Loose Powder – One of the more controversial products on the counter as there are amazing reviews and some not so amazing reviews.  The product itself was recently updated to leave an ultra fine powder that to me almost feels like Talc x1000.  It is the softest powder on earth.  Honestly, go into a counter and tip some on your hand and I swear you will never have tried a powder like it.  If that’s what it can do to your face then imagine what it will do for your eyes!  The more negative reviews boast that it gave really bad flashback and can leave the face very powdery.  From personal experience, this hasn’t happened to me however, there is a right and a wrong way to apply it.  If you apply too much with the wrong kind of brush for example, it will make your foundation a little lighter.   This powder works best in small doses and therefore will last you ages, so just be sure to ask advice when you are in store to get the best out of your products.  This works amazing under the eyes also if you suffer from creasing!  *retails at £24.50*

BRONZER

SO, Pro Bronze Fusion Bronzer.  Honestly, I hated this bronzer at first.  I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t see the orange stripes on my face anymore until somebody complimented my subtle glow when I was wearing it and I was like ‘ohhhh’.  So when I want a subtle bronzed look that I can build up, I use the MAKE UP FOR EVER bronzer in the shade 20M.  I recently used it at the lastfew weddings I did and it also photographed beautifully.  Plus, Jamie Genevieve uses it… So I use it.  I would recommend a very soft brush to apply as I used a more dense brush and it lifted off too much product and left me grey looking.  You know that grey cheek look? Not cute.  I recommend the MAKE UP FOR EVER brush in #128.

ARTIST FACE COLOR

Oh my GOD I love these!  I use them every day!  There’s a vast selection of blushers, highlighters both matte and luminous and contour shades.  They are magnetic and you can either stick them in a palette you already have or purchase the case.  Anything that is compact and refillable gets my vote, especially as someone who requires everything to be small and organised.  This is brilliant for people who travel also because it has everything!  This one is actually the Jessie J Limited Edition palette but it contains all of my favourite colours from the range.  I use it for highlighter, contour and blush however, there ain’t nothing stopping you peeps from filling it up with all blush or whatever you want!  Each retails at £18 however the Jessie J Limited Edition palette is £54 – which is amazing!

BROWS

MAKE UP FOR EVER aren’t known massively for their brow products, you know like Benefit or Anastasia Beverly Hills are, etc.  but they damn well should be!  I fell in love instantly with the Aqua Brow, which is like pomade in a tube which I prefer than a little jar as it doesn’t dry out at all!  There really is something or everyone with the brows here, I go through phases of which I prefer.  Today I used the Brow Pencil with the Brow Liner to create a fluffier brow and when I want a more sculpted brow I will use the Aqua Brow.  When you buy the Aqua Brow it comes in the cutest little set!  It has a pouch with a small spoolie and small angled brush – a make up bag must have!  One thing I always use on my brows regardless of what makeup look I am doing or whether I am even wearing makeup is the Brow Gel.  It instantly makes me feel better about myself, also considering my brows are feral, it keeps them at bay! *retails from £14-£33*

DIAMOND POWDER

Glitters will come… glitters will go but holy crap this glitter I will keep repurchasing!  There are so many beautiful colours, I can’t cope.  The glitter sticks on itself, without the need of an adhesive which comes in really handy and doesn’t leave eye makeup looking chunky!  The pot seems small but you need so little of it that it will last you ages – plus it’s really nice to look at!  Some advice, please don’t keep it in a make up bag as if it opens everything will be covered! *retails at £18.50*

AQUA XL PAINTS

These wouldn’t be something that you would run to pick up but the range of these face paints are amazing.  They can be used on the eyes, lips and face and are so versatile.  I used them a lot over Halloween creating different looks and they are surprisingly easy to use.  I can recommend MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Seal to go along with them as it’s like a mixing agent, so it thins out the cream so it applies easier.  Pictured are my two favourites to use as a cream highlight, they are so beautiful!

LIP

Liiiiips – who doesn’t love lipstick?  It’s the one accessory I carry around in my handbag and am probably never seen without.  I cleared out my handbag yesterday and I took out 11 lipsticks and about 5 lip liners.  These are some of my favourite colours from MAKE UP FOR EVER’s lip range – we have the Artist Rouge Creme lipstick M300 and the Aqua Lip Waterproof Liner in 8C.  The lip is an amazing creamy matte that does NOT move.  If you are looking for that all day lipstick then yaaaay I found it!  I have also pictured the latest launch of the Artist Liquid Matte (L-R) 101, 105, 301, 401, 501.  The world has fallen in love with liquid lipsticks and while they can be a little on the drier side these liquid lipsticks aren’t!  Now, when they hit the like, 8 hour wear mark they can be a little dry and I normally take them off and reapply and I am good to go!  So 8 hours out of one application of a liquid lipstick is pretty good going!  They are seriously creamy also when you apply them which is an added bonus!

SO ANYWAY, that’s quite enough rambling about my favourite products!  What are your favourite products, if any from MAKE UP FOR EVER?  I would love to hear! Drop a comment or send me a message!  If you are in the Belfast/Northern Ireland area and are wanting to get your make up done – YOU CAN.  Come in and see us in Debenhams, Belfast to have a look at our amazing products and book for a make up application or a make up lesson.  See below for prices which are redeemable on products on the day!

Eyes/Base – £25

Full Make Up – £45

Make Up Lesson – £45

Can’t wait to see you all chicas!

Amy xo