MAKEUP | MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation *Flexi-Fit Formula* with Before and After

It has been a hot minute since I have talked about actual foundation and though I don't do a lot of individual foundation reviews, I am quite the foundation hoarder as I consider it to be on the cusp of a skincare product so I will spend what I have to to get that perfect finish! MAKE UP FOR EVER was the first foundation brand I ever tried and I remember when I first started blogging being terrified to review the Pro Finish when it first came out because I just didn't think I would know how to apply it or make it look good. Turns out that I didn't need to worry because MUFE has been making solid foundation formulations for YEARS so that even a novice like me could figure it out! I have been a faithful MUFE foundation user since my first experience with Pro Finish and when Matte Velvet Skin ($48.00 CDN) got a revamp last month, I was immediately curious as to how a full coverage matte finish foundation would work with my dry skin. Spoiler alert: I have never had such flawless skin in such sweltering summer heat!  

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review

PR samples

Available in 40 shades, this new oil-free Flexi-Fit formula provides "life-like" full coverage that does not look cakey, flakey or heavy on the skin. As someone who generally prefers light to medium foundation coverage, I have generally steered clear of "flawless finish" or matte foundations because I didn't think my dry skin needed any more mattifying and I have fairly decent skin that just needs a bit of evening out here and there. I am also a bit lazy when it comes to foundation application so anything I can just sponge on with a Beauty Blender makes me happy.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review

The release of Matte Velvet Skin was perfect for the Vancouver summer heat wave because it really put this 24H, long-wearing waterproof foundation to the test! On the day of the event at Curlique, I wore my summer shade (Y245) in some sweltering heat from 2pm to 9pm and my skin looked exactly the same for all seven hours! My skin wasn't sticky and true to its promise of a matte finish, my skin was indeed velvety right until I took it off that night.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review

Though I was advised by an artist at the event to apply this foundation with a brush, she said a sponge would provide the same results, but that I just wouldn't be able to see the "stretch" of the formula compared to when application was done with a brush. I did end up trying this foundation with a brush and I understood what she meant!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review

The formula is definitely thicker than my regular foundations, but was surprisingly weightless. I squeezed out a bit on the back of my hand and it didn't move no matter how I moved my hand compared to other foundations that would have been running down the sides! After applying the MUFE Step 1 Primer, I dot the foundation all over my face and blend.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review
Before

I tend to do just "one pass" for more medium coverage, but if I am redder around the nose area, I will go in again for more full coverage. I mainly want to even out the broken capillaries on my cheeks which this foundation certainly does, BUT it also manages to keep from breaking down as the day goes by which is ultimately even better!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review
After

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation Review

Final verdict: This foundation was definitely better for my skin than I thought it would be. I really thought it would be far too drying and too thick for my makeup purposes, but this last month of steady summer heat has really put this foundation to the test and having skin that doesn't look like it's breaking down in 30 degree weather is pretty fantastic!

You can find the MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation at Sephora.com and all Sephora locations.

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