Make Up For Ever HD Powder Review

This is the infamous white powder that has been creating a big fuss due to celebrities being photographed with white powder on their face.

(eg. The beautiful Angelia Jolie... personally this doesn't mar her beauty at all!)

   

This is a pure silica powder product that was originally designed for HD filming (and that it works great for that!) by blurring all the little imperfections that show up so well on HD film. It however was not designed for flash photography, which leads to that ghastly white flashback.

All that information is super important for the industry MUA, as its use really depends on the job. Those working on TV/film love this, those doing editorial photography not so much.

For the non-MUA consumer however, what does this information translate to?

To start with, the same principle applies. If you are going to an event where flash photography is happening (ie. special event/wedding guest), I would just avoid this.  Yes there are ways to cut that flashback down with setting spray or by just using a super light hand, but why have that nagging "what if it flashes back" in the back of your head when there are sooooooo many other great powders out there that don't do this?! (ie. "traditional" pigment powders)

If you're being HD filmed (which is rare if not never for the average person), and at the same time not being photographed, then go ahead this will be great!

What about in person day to day? It does blur imperfections and keep oil at bay, however many other traditional powders does this just as well.

Overall, MUAs need to have this product in their kit (especially in TV/film) but I would suggest that for everyday looks for the consumer, to just stick to the good old traditional powders (there was nothing wrong with them before...why change a good thing!). 

How do you feel about these HD powders? Feel free to disagree with me and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette First Impressions

It's finally arrived! This came out near the end of last year actually, but was limited edition and quickly sold out, which left me feeling like I missed out on something since it has then been raved about everywhere. So when I saw that it come back "in stock" at Sephora online I jumped on it and here we are! $67 CDN later... This is a first impression post so I have only used each 3 colors once, and I love them! I will update later when I've had more chance to play with them.

Gorgeous looking palette as expected from Hourglass

Back view. I didn't realize Hourglass was made in Italy...

This palette contains 3 shades, Dim light, Incadescent light, and Radiant light

The middle shade is Incandescent, which is exclusive to this palette. It has a "pearly" texture as described, and when looking at the palette directly it appears to have very fine micro-shimmer particles. However when placed on the face (I put it on the high points of my cheekbones), they just made my feature look highlighted and glowing, with no sigh of shimmer.

 

Radiant light is a warm bronzey shade. I wouldn't use it as a bronzer though as it's not pigmented enough, perhaps unless you have very very fair skin.  I use this all over my cheekbones, high points of forehead, and bridge of the nose for some warmth where the sun would normally hit. It gives me a nice and healthy glow without looking "bronzed". 

Dim light is the all-around finishing powder at just the right shade and olive-tone-ness for my skin. I've read reviews before that people thought they looked like a "glitter ball" after putting this on and stepping into the sun. I also tested this by natural sunlight, and didn't have the same effect. I do tend to use a light hand with any powders though, so perhaps the key to using these powders effectively is to not put on too much.

 

Overall, a nice touch to your makeup arsenal. Is it HG status... as much as I am excited to have this, I know I have other ways to achieve a nice glow and thus I can live without this... I am quite happy with it overall though and I think given the size and portability it will become a staple for me on travels.

Did you get this palette this time around? Or were you lucky enough to catch it last time! Let me know what you thought of it!