Product Review: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Liquid Foundation

Hello, guys! I hope you're all having a blast this weekend. So sad that it's almost over in just a few hours and it's the start of another work week again. Anyway, I'm reviewing a foundation today, which I've had for over a month now and that is the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Foundation. It received raves and had its share of rants from users but most of those who raved about it had combination-oily and oily skin types so mine fits the bill. Here's the review.

Product Description taken from the MUFE website:

MAT VELVET + Matifying Foundation
The Mat Velvet + foundation conceals skin imperfections, evens out the complexion and matifies with a non-oily powdery finish. The result is flawless and lasts for hours long. Its smooth, fluid texture is very stable, water-resistant and long-lasting. While it has a good coverage, it is also easy to apply. The end result can be fitted to your needs. Applied lightly, Mat Velvet + provides a natural, matte look to the complexion. Using several layers to help conceal blemishes creates a supple and elastic velvety finish. This new oil-free and non comedogenic formula is suited to sensitive skins.

How to Apply:
Pour a small amount of foundation onto a clean spatula and spread with the fingers, a dry sponge or our 8N Nylon Brush. Apply powder to set the foundation and increase both the wear time and matte effect on oily skins.

Formula:

Oil-free texture
Organic polymer
Amino acid coated pigments
Mica composite
Glycerine
Oil-free
Dermatologist tested

What I like:
- This foundation feels light on the skin. Not as light as Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation but it does feel light. Definitely not as heavy as Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place.
- This feels velvety and smooth as it glides on the skin but you do have to blend it fast because it easily dries - could be due to its being oil-free.
- It is indeed matte but definitely not flat. It does look natural which is what I like about the finish.
- The shade I got is 40 Natural Beige. It is a tad dark upon application since I have gotten lighter and 30 would seem to be a better match but I am glad that it eventually blends very well with the skin and it then matches with it.
- It does not oxidize so I need not worry about looking like an oompa loompa.
- It stays on for hours. Even though I mostly stay inside an air-conditioned office with the a/c hitting my back, I still walk around a lot due to the nature of my job and even though my face sweats a bit, this foundation does not budge and stays.
- It provides medium coverage but can be built up and sheered depending on your preference. I prefer sheer and light though.
- A little goes a long way. I only need half (or probably a little more) a pea-sized amount for my entire face and part of my neck.
- I like the squeeze out bottle and the fact that it is made of plastic because once I run out, I can just use razor-sharp scissors and cut it in half to get the remaining foundation that I won't be able to get just by squeezing it.
- It has a shelf-life of 12 months.
- There are 16 shades to choose from based on the website. I'm just not sure how many are available or how frequent the stores restock. MUFE in Manila is notorious when it comes to not having stocks.
- Locally available. Just better call the branches first before coming over since a lot of products are almost always out of stock. I only know of 2 branches - EDSA Shang and Bonifacio High Street.

What I don't like:
- It dries easily. So the moment I dot the foundation on my face, I have to quickly blend it so I won't end up with dots and streaks.
- If I use it continuously for more than 3 days, I break out with it. I think I can use it just once or twice a week.
- It dries out my cheeks and I see dry patches I never knew I had.
- A bit pricey for Php 2250 but not bad if you really like it.

Will I buy again? Still on the fence since I break out with it but I'd like to try shade 30 Porcelain.

Overall rating: 4/5 I still gave it a 4 because I like the foundation in general and its performance. If only it does not break me out, then it would've gotten a higher rating. Comparing to the HD Foundation I had in 2009, this is soooo much better. It photographs well too though HD has a bit of edge when it comes to that.

EDIT: I used the foundation earlier for this review and now, I have a budding pimple on my nose. Boo!

Swatch

On me - just the foundation and under eye concealer. No setting powder so you can see how it looks on my combination-oily skin.

Have you tried this foundation?

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :P

Cheers,

P.S. I would like to thank you guys for still visiting my blog and leaving comments even though I haven't done the same for you. I've been really preoccupied with work lately and a few realizations here and there and that is why makeup has totally taken the backseat for now. Will still do my best to keep this blog updated.