Sephora Mini Haul

It was 19 degrees in NYC today, just painful-colder than a pimp's heart. I showed up early for a meeting and had to find something to do for 45 minutes so I wandered into Sephora with a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. Quite dangerous in my opinion as I like to already have a purchase list going in so I do not make foolish decisions because I get giddy around all of that color and glossiness. Whole Foods has the same effect on me, as if I've never seen food.

I replenished my MUFE HD Foundation stash, I purchased a travel sized They're Real Mascara from Benefit because I am tired of hearing how wonderful and amazing it is, I will try it for myself and report back to you. I also purchased 2 YSL lip glosses which I will review after I have worn them for a minute. I believe I showed some restraint and actually put products back on the shelf after making the big girl decision that they weren't in my budget this shopping trip. While I was at it, I did pick up a sample of Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation. What is with all the ridiculous long names of products? Shorten it up people. 

I will wear these for a bit and then tell you my thoughts. Thanks to my Sephora visit, I now have my eye on Ardency Inn Monster Smooth Ride Super Charged Eyeliner (the names) in a really gorgeous deep purple color, Kat Von D's Lock It Tattoo Concealer, MUFE HD Invisible Cover Concealer and MUFE cream blush in a pump, I don't know the proper name but I am sure it is a mile long. 

You guys probably will not hear from me the rest of the week. I will be in Boston for a business trip. I am quite excited about that because I've never been.

I hope all of you have a splendid week.

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Makeup Forever HD High Definition Foundation Review

Photo Source

I don't know why it has taken me so long to write about Makeup Forever HD Foundation.

 MUFE HD Foundation is the foundation I compare every other foundation I use to. MUFE HD is for me, that boyfriend that you always go back to in between the other boyfriends that you think are going to be better for you, but almost always end up disappointing you. That is my relationship with MUFE HD. 

This foundation was formulated for use in filming with high definition television and film, so it is as invisible as a foundation can possibly be. It is for the everyday woman, as well as the professional makeup artist. You can keep 5-6 of these shades in your kit and make pretty much any color you would need. This is oil and paraban free. It is medium coverage but can be built up to a full coverage. It has a really nice, natural finish- not too dewy, not too matte. So what is my problem? Why haven't I put a ring on it?
Maybe it's boredom or the grass is greener somewhere else but there is just too much variety to settle down with one. 

This is the foundation I entrust when I absolutely need my skin to look it's best. Where other foundations fail me, this one does not. I do not know what prevents me from awarding it Holy Grail status. I can be a fickle one with my foundations. I do recall feeling this was too sheer and simultaneously too heavy. Obviously, I have issues but I return to it time and time again. Between this foundation and my growing romance with my Beauty Blender, I am for the moment content. 

I will probably never be a loyal, one foundation kinda gal. I used to be, I would loyally use 1 foundation for years. However, there are way too may formulations, colors and brands to not want to try them all. I already have my eye on two new one's that I would like to take a crack at. Also, if I stuck with one where would you guys get your foundation information from? 

Straight out of the pump

Semi blended in

Blended in

This foundation comes in 26 shades. I am shade 120. I don't think the colors on this chart are very true to the real shades but you can read the descriptions to get an idea of what would be for you.

Photo Source

If you would like to learn more about MUFE HD Foundation, 

click here:

Makeup Forever 

Something weird and annoying has happened to my blog. It seems that most of my pictures on my older post have disappeared. I am trying to figure this out and replace them so please be patient. 

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Coastal Scents Silica Powder Spheres and the Great Debate

Clearly states "approved for use on eyes, lips, face, and nails"

Originally, this was supposed to be a post praising the magic that is silica powder and explaining where you can purchase it for a fraction of the cost of that big named brand's version. Now it may turn out to be a warning on why you shouldn't use it. Ugh-I hate when that happens. Apparently, this has been written about extensively for years now so I am quite late to this debate, however in case any of my readers are unaware, I wanted to write about it. 

First let me explain what silica powder is. Silica Powder (also called silicon) is a nonmetallic element occurring extensively in the earth's crust. It is found in sand and quartz and is used to make glass. 

You may know silica from the gel packets that you find in your shoe box or in a new hand bag. It is put there to absorb moisture, which is one of the reasons it works so well in cosmetics, it is highly absorbent and controls oil and shine. Also, it creates a beautiful airbrushed matte finish to the skin, hiding flaws and masking imperfections. It does not settle into fine lines. 

There is one drawback to using silica based powders. One of the reasons silica powder gives such a flawless finish, is because of the way light reflects off of it. It is great for everyday powdering or if you have oily skin. Also if you need to set your make for a long period of time or especially if you are going to be filmed in HD. It is not so great if you are a celebrity that has to face a galaxy of flashbulbs. A crazy thing happens when a flash of light hits those reflective spheres. It creates something called flashback, which means you will see the powder sitting on your skin in a photograph. So this powder is not good for anyone who is going to be flash photographed (celebs, brides). Have you ever seen the photos of Eva Longoria or Nicole Kidman looking like they were face planted in a pile of cocaine? Google it and you will see what I mean. Their makeup artist, I am certain, used Makeup Forever's HD Powder. (I couldn't find where to purchase the photos and I didn't want any copyright issues so you'll have to Google them).

Anyhoodles, back to my initial post. I like to give everyone a heads up when I find a less expensive version of a popular product. I wanted to share the alternative to Makeup Forever HD Powder and introduce to you Coastal Scents HD Powder Spheres. On their website, Coastal Scents describes their powder as:

Silica Powder Spheres are a fine-grained, translucent white powder that offers a smooth, silky finish. This filler powder is highly absorbent and is used for oil control in many formulations. Silica Powder Spheres also improve slip in cosmetics and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

I was not sure if they were marketing this product as a use alone powder or if it was to be added to other products so I asked them. I was told this can be used on it's own. 

When I started doing my research for this post about the origins of silica powder, I came across this link:

 http://www.specktra.net/t/126776/to-anyone-using-silica-powders-coastal-scents-mufe-hd-a-must-read

Which basically says that you will die if you use this product. Well, maybe not death but irritation, allergic reaction and Silicosis, which according to this article " (also known as Grinder's disease and Potter's rot) is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs." I am not sure how much truth there is to this article but it does not sound good. I wrote a post a few years back disputing an episode of Dr. Oz where he made a big deal of inhaling cosmetic powders. I may have to eat my words, powders are so finely milled these days. I can clearly see it being an issue (same way I feel about airbrush makeup). Any foreign object in your lungs cannot be good for your health. 

Then the debate gets a little nutty from there, with the founder of Coastal Scents calling a YouTuber ignorant for making a video about this and casting Coastal Scents in a bad light. 

Part of Coastal Scents response was:

1. No, you will not contract silicosis by using cosmetic grade, fda approved silica powder by itself or mixed with other products.
2. Yes, the silica we sell, and the silica others sell, including companies selling it as a finished product are the same product.
3. Yes, all cosmetic silica has gone through special processing, just as the silica used by finished makeup companies, the same exact process.
4. No, Coastal scents silica is not any different than any other silica being sold on the market, we are not special nor should we be singled out.

So to wrap this up, obviously do not snort this stuff (which I accidentally have btw, my nose is still burning thinking about it). Cosmetic grade spheres are safe to use on their own but use your own judgement if it would be better to mix it with another powder product. You would have to be exposed to this product everyday for decades or snort piles of it to see a negative effect, so don't do either. And lastly, DO YOUR RESEARCH! 

Coastal Scents Silica Powder Spheres cost $2.97 for 1 ounce
Makeup Forever HD Powder cost $34 for .3 ounces

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Until next time!

~Jessica~