Face Off: MAC vs. Make Up For Ever Translucent Finishing Powders

There are so many products in the beauty industry that there are bound to be a few products that often get compared with one another. Because of that I wanted to start this Face Off series where I'll compare two (sometimes maybe more) products that are often dubbed as dupes for one another, so you guys can see how they're similar, how they're different, and which one I prefer.

For today's (and the first Face Off!) post I wanted to compare the MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder with the Make Up For Ever Microfinish HD Powder.

Packaging wise, they're almost identical. Both come in loose form (though MAC recently launched a pressed version of theirs) and are extremely finely-milled white powders. In my opinion they both create a really flawless finish when applied over foundation though I do find that the MUFE one photographs better - as it should, considering the fact that the HD line of cosmetics is meant for photography. I don't find that one of them lasts longer than the other as they both leave my skin matte and extend the wear of my foundation. It seems almost impossible to get either one of these powders to leave your makeup feeling thick or cakey, which is something I love about both of them.

It should be noted however that while the MUFE powder is more expensive at $32USD, it also contains 0.35oz of product as compared to the MAC powder which only contains 0.28oz at $24USD. Besides that difference, I don't really see how one of these products is better than the other. That might be a bit of a lame conclusion but the truth is that I love both of these so much and would pick either one of them if I was forced to choose. I suppose, though, that the MUFE gets a little bit more of a bump since it photographs so beautifully while the MAC one can make me look a little ashy at times, depending on the lighting.

What do you think of this new series? Which products do you think I should feature in the next Face Off?

Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge

Make Up For Ever recently added the Aqua Rouge line of liquid lipsticks to their well-loved waterproof makeup line, and the other day I picked up two colors to test out. I'm a huge fan of their Aqua Cream eyeshadows and their Aqua Liners, so this purchase was pretty much a no brainer for me.

I loved the packaging from the get go, it's very classy but simple at the same time. It's functional as well which is what I look for the most in products. On one end there's a liquid lipstick and on the other there's a clear gloss. The lipstick end has a medium sized doefoot applicator while the lip gloss has a brush applicator. Personally I'm not a fan of the brush applicator on the gloss end since it's a bit hard, especially when it's new, and it will scratch off some of the lipstick if you apply it before the lipstick has dried and set. The gloss itself, however, is very shiny and nonsticky, which I love, though it's not very long lasting. I don't really mind though because I bought the product mainly for the lipstick, not the gloss.

As you can see it's very pigmented, just one swipe and your lips will be totally coated in color. I love the two colors I picked because they're so appropriate for the upcoming seasons, though because I did pick darker colors I can't speak to the pigmentation of the Aqua Rouge line as a whole. These two colors, however, are absolutely fantastic. They're so long lasting and feel very comfortable on the lips. Though they're not hydrating, I don't find them drying either, and the lip gloss on the other end helps to keep the lips from feeling dehydrated and uncomfortable. They're shiny at first but dry down to a semi-matte finish, unless you add the gloss on top.

Adding the gloss helps the color to look more smooth and prevent it from seeming like it's sinking into your lip lines. Even after the gloss wears off though the color will still be there and it will stay for a very long time. When I was testing these out they lasted through most of the day, including a meal! These swatches on my hand also took a long time to come off, even though I was scrubbing at my hand with soap and water. Even though these are a bit more pricey I say that they're definitely worth it for the color and for the wear time. I haven't tried too many other liquid lipsticks besides the Yves Saint Laurent one, though I do have the Guerlain ones set aside to be reviewed at a later date, but I think that fans of the YSL Rouge Pur Couture lip products will really enjoy these (for a cheaper price).

What do you think of the MUFE Aqua Rouges? Were you a fan? What other liquid lipsticks do you like?

Ten Products I Would Repurchase!

This is a tag I've seen going around a lot of beauty blogs and YouTube channels recently, and as far as I know this was started by missglamorazzi. I think this is a really fun tag and it's really interesting to see which ten things other people would repurchase! Basically the idea of this tag is, if you lost all your makeup (in some kind of freak accident, I assume), which ten items would you repurchase first?

The first five items were kind of a no brainer for me, but the last five were definitely more difficult to decide. Ultimately, though, I settled!

1. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette: I was deciding between this and the original Naked palette, but ultimately I picked the Naked 2 because the colors in it are much cooler and suit my skin tone more. Plus, it includes a creamy yellow color that matches my skin so for days when I don't feel like wearing a lot of eyeshadow, I can just sweep that over my lids for a nude base. 
2. Urban Decay Primer Potion: The first thing I chose for this tag. My skin is extremely oily so I need a good eyeshadow primer or anything I put on my eyes creases like crazy! While the consistency isn't my favorite, it is the primer that lasts the longest on me. 
3. Tarte emphasEYES for Brows: I'm not sure what color I wear as it's not printed on the packaging, so I'm sorry for not including it! Anyway, this is my favorite brow pencil because it's creamy and lasts for ages. The color matches my hair perfectly now that it's darker and I love the way it applies. Plus, it has a little spoolie at the end so it's really convenient!
4. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation: I don't always wear foundation, but for days when I do, I find myself reaching for this a lot. It looks amazing in photos and I usually only wear foundation for occasions when I know pictures will be taken, so this is obviously a product I love. The coverage and staying power is amazing as well, and it matches my skin perfectly! I use the color #118.
5. Laura Mercier Matte Translucent Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder Shine Control: That may just be the longest name I will ever type. This powder is a light green color in the pan, but once it's on the skin it's translucent for sure and absolutely beautiful as both a setting powder and a blotting powder. It absorbs the oil on my face and keeps it at bay for long periods of time, and even though I carry this around with me everywhere, I don't usually have to touch up more than once or twice a day.
6. MAC Brow Set: There's not much to say about this. It's just a clear brow gel, but it's the one that keeps my hairs in place for the longest, which is why I like it so much.
7. Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner (Perversion): I love these liquid liners. I never use pencil liner and gel liner is a bit of a hassle with the brush and all, so liquid liners are really the easiest option for me. I love these because they're extremely pigmented and last all day. They're not really waterproof, not for me, but they're water resistant enough that I don't mind. 
8. Eyeko Fat Brush Mascara: This is exactly what it sounds like. The brush is absolutely massive but the formulation is amazing and makes this a dream to apply. It's the only mascara that holds my curl really well AND it gives me both length and a ton of volume. I didn't expect to love this, but I absolutely do and would repurchase it again in a heartbeat.
9. Dior Addict Lipstick in 414 Crystal Gold: This is the perfect every day color for me because it's a beautiful gold with a hint of shimmer. It's a bit of a unique twist to a nude color and suits me perfectly, as well as any look I do on the eyes. Though it doesn't last for ages on the lips, I don't mind reapplying. It's expensive, yes, but well worth the price, if you ask me.
10. Dior Rosy Glow blush: Blush is easily one of my favorite things and I have a rather extensive collection (cough) so this was a hard item to choose, but ultimately I decided on my Rosy Glow! I think the claim that it adjusts to suit your skin tone is not a gimmick but actually works. On me, this is a lovely natural light pink color that pairs well with almost every look I do. Its color also changes depending on how much you build it up, so it's very versatile.  

So that's everything I would repurchase if I lost all my makeup! Have you guys done a blog post/video like this? What ten items would you run out and repurchase first?