MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit.

Looking for the perfect, flawless canvas to start your makeup? Instead of continually trying and mixing and matching brands, try this HD Complexion Starter Kit from MAKE UP FOR EVER and have your look changed - for the better.

Seriously, just think about the different combination of primers, foundations and powders you have tried in the past. Or maybe you are new at getting started with perfecting your makeup look. Both answers can boggle your mind. Finding not only the right shade, but the right primers and finishing powders that actually work with the foundation - not against them - are not as easy to find as you think. No more with this kit, which MAKE UP FOR EVER has perfected. The HD Complexion Starter Kit not only gives you the perfect primer and powder, this one actually gives you a choice of foundations. And not just a few shades. You can select from any of MUFE's full range of 26 foundation shades.

The HD Complexion Starter Kit contains:

• HD Microfinish Powder
• HD Kabuki Brush
• HD Microperfecting Primer
• HD Invisible Cover Foundation

The kit retails for $79, which is a great deal considering the foundation alone is $40.00.

Selecting one of the foundation shades is a breeze too. All you have to do is use MAKE UP FOR EVER's interactive shade finder: www.hd.makeupforeverusa.com/shadefinder. MUFE created the shade finder tool to help women find their perfect foundation match online. Since they hear from clients all the time that they are too afraid to buy foundation online for the first time because they don’t know what shade they are, this tool helps you find the perfect shade - the first time. It is just two steps, and it recommended the shade that I use, 120, which I had matched in the store.

The result from using all three products is pretty flawless.  I smooth on about a pearl sized amount of the HD Microperfecting Primer and rub it gently into my skin. After a minute or so, when it feels dry, I use two pumps of the HD Invisible Cover Foundation.  I actually squirt it on the back of my hand and apply it with my damp beautyblender sponge.  With a bit of the foundation I have left over, I apply a bit to the bottom of my cheeks with my fingertips.  I have a bit of redness here, and using my fingertips insures more of a full coverage, where I need it.  Finally, I finish with a very light dusting of the HD Microfinish Powder. The HD Kabuki Brush makes this process seamless.  I actually gently shade the powder, and swirl the brush into the cap.  You will barely notice any powder there, just a very light dusting, and that is really all of the powder that you need. The result, is a natural, beautiful, almost perfect looking canvas. It isn't too dewy or not too matte.  My skin looks and feels like satin, ready for the rest of my makeup. The best part is, it looks that way all day!

Just in case your new beautiful complexion has you feeling like a model, enter MAKE UP FOR EVER's first ever open casting call to find the model their upcoming unretouched ad campaign.  All you have to do is create your own picture-perfect make up look and then submit it for consideration via the microsite, www.hd.makeupforeverusa.com by February 1st.  All finalists’ photos will be posted on Facebook and the winner will be flown to NYC for a professional photo shoot in late February. How fun! If you enter, let me know.

M·A·C Matchmaster Foundation.

Have you heard about the latest foundation from M·A·C? When I got the information, I was excited as I have always been a huge fan of the M·A·C foundations. When I finally tested out a sample, I was more than excited to tell you about Matchmaster Foundation ($32.50).

Making its debut last week, this range of 14 colors will have you re-think your makeup. Matchmaster comes in the following shades, which actually matches many of the M·A·C shades. 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4,0. 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0. Darker skinned gals will be really happy about the darker shades available. A M·A·C artist will definitely be able to find your shade just by knowing what M·A·C color you usually use.

M·A·C says:

Who doesn’t want a foundation to look as real as your skin tone? With our All Races credo, we’ve redefined what a perfect match should be thanks to the NEW Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation. Simplified, this technology uses translucent pigments to create a formula that enables a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin tone. 

Adding to Matchmaster’s true-to-life appeal is its moisturizing demi-matte finish, medium buildable coverage, and line-reducing soft-focus powders that help soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Add the fact that this formula reduces excess shine-creating oil, and who could resist?

Matchmaster has the ability to resist humidity and perspiration without losing its smooth skin feel. Launching with a spectrum of 14 light to deep dark shades and making its debut on counter with the 193 Angled Foundation Brush and 190 Foundation Brush… isn’t it time you met this match?

I find Matchaster particularly on trend for fall and winter as the look is more on the matte side, but not too matte. I would say it it more of a matte/satin shade, As it cover, skin still shows through, but flaws covered, if that makes any sense. You see, it covers, but looks like real skin as it does so.  As I like a medium coverage, this one suits me.  I am NC30 in the summer and NC20 in the winter. Because I am in between seasons, especially starting to let my tan fade out, I have been mixing a squirt of 2 and 3 to get my shade.

I am anxious to hear what you think about this new one. I find it more on par with higher end foundations (Armani, Dior) and think you will agree.

Matchmaster Foundation is available right now at all M·A·C locations and online at maccosmetics.com. Be sure to look for the MAC Holiday 2011 soon too.

SPF Yourself: Protect Your Skin with Armani Foundation.

SPF Yourself is a series of posts featuring products that contain a sunscreen, or SPF, in them. Not only sunscreens, but body lotions, facial moisturizers, eye creams, foundations, tinted moisturizers, bronzers, hair care and more will be featured. Only the best in beauty with SPF!

I love a good foundation and when I was told by a few friends that I needed to try some from Giorgio Armani Beauty, I listened.  I love Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation and have used it on and off for a few years now. It lacked on thing though. Sunscreen. When I heard that a few of their foundations contained the added protection of sunscreen, I knew I had to try them out too.

Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 - $59.00

This foundation was created to uphold in extreme backstage conditions, and if it coveted there, you know it works. This formula is water-based, so it is light in feel, but this foundation provides a 14-hour satin matte coverage without the heavy coverage feel. It blends onto skin nicely. I have tried it with both a foundation brush and the Beauty Blender Sponge. Both offer a nice, even medium coverage, with a more sheer look from using the sponge damped a bit with water.  It really lasts all day and looks perfect. It comes in eight shades, from Ivory to Natural Suede.  I am using 5.5 Natural Beige, which is a very medium tinted shade that is matching my self tan nicely.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Compact Foundation SPF 35 - $59.00

I was really surprised how much I like this powder foundation. I have sort of shied away from them recently as most seem to settle on me and just make my skin look flat. This did not. Applying it with the enclosed sponge, this seems to lighten the skin with a natural, transparent satin-matte finish. It too, last very long and looks just as nice at the end of the day as when I applied it. I used it alone for a light to almost medium finish, but applying it over a liquid foundation adds more coverage, while not being too heavy. If you need more coverage, I highly recommend using it this way. It comes in eight shades as well, and I use 5.0 Natural Beige . It was a little bit lighter than the liquid foundation, so I would probably opt for .5 darker next time.

Both of these founations are available online at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com, but you can also pick them up at fine retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.  I honestly had a very hard time finding an actual Giorgio Armani Beauty counter to find my perfect shade, but the SOHO Bloomingdales In New York City has a counter and the rep are very patient and helpful in finding the perfect color.