320 ENGLISH ROSE MAKE UP FOR EVER HD BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD BLUSH is the latest product to be launched by the brand. There are sixteen blendable cream to powder blushes in the collection with a "natural look and finish made specifically for HD technology". The MUFE HD blushes are exclusive to Sephora stores and online at Sephora.com. They currently retail for $26.00 USD and contain .09 oz of product.

According to the Sephora website MAKE UP FOR EVER HD BLUSHES are "formulated with the perfect balance of oils, waxes, and powders, HD Blush combines the second skin look of a cream with the ease of a powder. Created for HD technology, this formula blends into skin with no visible texture for a truly natural flush of color. It’s completely weightless and can be worn over or under powder to flawlessly sculpt and highlight cheeks".

As soon as I saw these cream blushes on the Sephora website I immediately purchased 320 ENGLISH ROSE. The feel of the blush is really creamy and lightweight. It blended easily into my skin and it worked really well with my foundation. There was no streaking or smudging. When I wore the blush it lasted about eight to ten hours with minimal fading.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I was looking for a cool toned pinkish rose blush with hints of mauve but it leans more warm. The warmth in this cream blush brings out a slight peachy-ness which is nice but it just wasn't for me. The pics on the Sephora website really don't give a true representation of the colors. If you are looking to purchase these then I would wait for them to arrive in-stores. That way you can swatch them in person to get a better idea of what will work for you.

108 LARGE FOUNDATION MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTISAN BRUSH

MAKE UP FOR EVER just released a new line of Artisan (makeup) brushes and they are amazing! I was in Sephora yesterday when I spotted the brown wooden handles from across the store. These lightweight brushes are easy to handle and just as gorgeous in person as they look in the promo pics.

ARTISAN BRUSHES
100 SERIES - Face brushes
200 SERIES - Eye brushes
300 SERIES - Lip brushes
400 SERIES - Body and Artistic brushes

The 108 large foundation brush currently retails for $36.00 USD which is a little on the cheap side considering this is the LARGE version - the 106 medium foundation brush retails for the same price. The synthetic fibers of the brush are extremely soft and allow for a smooth and streak-free application of my liquid foundation. I didn't notice any stray fibers or shedding on my face which is a huge plus in my book. The brush fibers did soak up some of the liquid foundation but it was minimal at best. The wooden handle of the brush seems to be hollow near the end with the weight of the brush centered at the middle where the metal ferrule meets the handle. Most makeup brushes that I own, the weight is distributed evenly along the brush handle so this is a welcome change. Although others might find it takes them some time to get comfortable using them. Overall I am really impressed with the quality of this brush.

When applying your foundation, Sephora suggests dotting your face with your liquid foundation and then using this brush to blend it in - which works great! However, what I find works best for me, is to dispense a small amount of liquid foundation onto a sanitary surface and then dip my makeup brush into the foundation. Then I apply and blend it into my face with the end result being a beautiful and flawless foundation application.

When it comes to maintaining and cleaning the MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTISAN brushes it is very important to purchase the brush cleanser as well. It is specially formulated specifically for these synthetic fiber brushes. The travel size currently retails at $12.00 USD for 1.69 oz.

The Make Up For Ever Artisan brushes are currently available at all Sephora stores and online at Sephora.com.

What it is:
A large flat and rounded brush to quickly and evenly apply foundation.

What it does:
This must-have brush is used to apply and blend all kinds of foundation quickly on large areas. Its large, rounded shape and straight bristles are ideal for a high coverage, even foundation result. It can be used with liquid and cream foundations.

What else you need to know:
After five years in development with makeup artists and fiber experts, MAKE UP FOR EVER Artisan Brushes are a revolution in brush craftsmanship. The 100-percent fiber brushes are available in a range of 76 handcrafted styles, each with the perfect balance of straight and wavy fibers that replicate natural hairs. Beveled tips create a two-in-one makeup brush and tool, while innovative hair density and brush head shapes optimize every stroke for ideal makeup application. To achieve the ultimate collection, every brush has gone through 25 production stages by 30 craftsmen and has been checked for quality 50 times.

-Dot your favorite liquid or cream foundation through the center of the face and use the flat side of the brush to blend downward and outward.

**IMPORTANT TO NOTE**

If you are making an in-store brush purchase please be sure to carefully look over the brush for defects or anything out of the ordinary. As you can see below, there is a small gap where the metal ferrule meets the wooden brush handle. It is only on one side but repeated use with this brush could allow for dust, water, makeup, etc. to accumulate around the opening and damage the integrity of the brush handle.

What it is:
An alcohol-free brush cleanser that instantly purifies and removes all make up textures.

What it does:
Perfect for synthetic and natural hair brushes, Travel Instant Brush Cleanser cleans quickly without rinsing and dries on the spot so brushes are ready for immediate reuse. Its unique formula dissolves even the most waterproof and highly pigmented products while refreshing brushes with a mint-oil extract.

Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product.

How to use:
-Spray Travel Instant Brush Cleanser on a tissue and wipe brush.
-Repeat if necessary.
-Use a dry tissue to remove excess cleanser from the brush. 

SEPHORA 2011 FRIENDS & FAMILY: Wishlists and Survival Skills

So the word on Twitter is that Sephora is having their "Friends and Family Sale" starting Thursday, October 20th and it will last until November 2nd. Typically Sephora offers 20% off everything in store and on their website with little to no exclusions. If you've never shopped a Sephora Friends and Family sale before, then you really should keep reading...

Start by visiting your local Sephora store and make a list of the products that you know you want to buy. Then check the Sephora website for those web-only exclusives that might garner you a better deal than those found in the stores. Next, scour the web for reviews, swatches, videos, etc., for any of the products that you have on your list that you are wanting to try for the first time. It saves you time and heartache when you know ahead of time if the product is any good. But keep in mind that although it didn't work for one person someone else may have had more success with it.

Check to see if there are any combo sets or value sets that include any of the products that are on your list. This is a good way to try out a variety of products from the same brand without having to spend a lot of money. Another thing to remember is the more popular a product is, then it will likely sell out within the first day or so of the sale. So if there are any of those items on your list make sure that you purchase them immediately otherwise you might not get them.

Some of the items that I have on my wishlist include foundation primer, some nail polishes, a few makeup brushes, a couple of blushes, two highlight powders, and a couple of gift sets for my sisters. I might even try some Bobbi Brown products as well. I really like that brand but I find it to be a little more expensive than what I want to spend so this might be the perfect opportunity for me to pick up some of her products. One thing to keep in mind is that Sephora has an excellent return policy. So if you get caught up in the excitement and then later you have buyer's remorse, it is very easy to return the products to your local Sephora store.

GET YOUR SHOP ON... ♥♥♥