MAKEUP | MAKE UP FOR EVER REBOOT Active Care Revitalizing Foundation

I was trying to figure out the last time I talked about MAKE UP FOR EVER  and it was last freakin' year! For a brand I use so consistently and have a plethora of product reviews for on the blog, I feel a little guilty for letting them slide this last year. Quite honestly, I have let a lot of things slide over the last two years mainly because of work so I have been looking at this time at home as a way to get back to what makes me happy and it seems that I need to find a way to not let my day job zap all of my energy. If I don't get back to work next month, you can bet that you will see more of MUFE, but even if I do go back, I have been organizing and making a list of things that I would like to share as this is a brand with A LOT of products! The last thing I discussed were the Artist Nude Creme Lipsticks and after buying two more since that post, they are still one of my most used longwearing liquid lipsticks. Now, we get into one of MUFE's specialities and that is FOUNDATION. I want to say there is a new formulation every year and just when I think MUFE has covered it all, they come out with REBOOT which, after close to 3 weeks of testing, has been a bit of tempestuous journey for both of us.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation
PR gifted

Available in 24 shades, REBOOT is a skincare-infused foundation formula for normal-dry skin that promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase skin hydration levels and brighten, smooth and firm the skin for 24 hours. As this is meant to enhance the skin's appearance, the coverage is light to medium (not very buildable) with a dewy satin finish.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

What sets this foundation part from its MUFE siblings is the presence of the Active Care Matrix which contains: ginseng (stimulate collagen production), Camelia Japonica (restores skin's natural glow) and mondo grass (helps strengthen the skin barrier). Now, these ingredients are after the 50% mark of the ingredients list and the ingredients that come way before them are big molecules like dimethicone. Even fragrance and the preservative phenoxyethanol are in a higher concentration than the Active Care Matrix components so while it is very nice to have these skincare components in a makeup item, if you truly want to boost collagen production and revitalize the skin, focus on your serums and treatments instead.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

This is very fluid-like foundation that must be shaken before use and reminds me a lot of a BB cream finish, but with a less buildable coverage. When it comes to foundations, I have become used to more flawless finishes and I tried to put that out of my mind when I started using REBOOT.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

There was quite a bit of trial and error with this foundation and after a couple of attempts, I realized that powder was not my friend and that even with primer and setting spray, REBOOT will oxidize a little bit by the end of the day at around the 5-6 hour mark for me no matter what combination I tried. For once in my life, I actually took the time to make notes like a real scientist about my observations so please feel free to read if you are interested in what I tried to make this foundation work for me!

REBOOT Foundation Diary:

  • Worn with Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer and there was creasing and breakdown around the corners of my nose around the 2-3 hour mark
  • Worn with Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Primer and foundation did not crease, but did oxidize
  • Worn with MUFE Hydrating Primer and MUFE HD Powder and foundation did not crease, but slight oxidation 
  • I used the MUFE HD Powder on top and husband commented that my skin looked dry so I tried one day without it and skin looked a lot better (with Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Primer)
  • Worn with MUFE Hydrating Primer, no powder and skin looked better as the day wore on, no cracking around the nose or breaking down around the chin
  • Worn with MUFE Hydrating Primer, no powder and MUFE Mist and Fix Setting Spray and everything was fine except for again slight oxidation 

No makeup
MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

Reboot Foundation, Brows, Blush, Highlighter and Clear Lipgloss
MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation

Final verdictThis is not my favourite MUFE foundation and I am sad about that. Though I am ok with foundation looking not as fresh by the end of the day, the oxidation, the accentuated pores on my cheeks and the lack of buildability makes this a bit of a pass for me. Don't get me wrong, MUFE has so many foundations I love like their Matte Velvet Skin and Pro Finish which are among my top favourites, but this is just not the right finish for me at this stage in life. It did even out a lot of the redness around my nose and on my cheeks and I liked being able to look at my "natural, but better" skin. The oxidation wasn't terrible on me so it's not like I went completely orange by the end of the day, just a touch darker really so if you prefer a lighter coverage and more realistic skin finish, REBOOT is exactly that, but not what I would think to pull out on a daily basis.

You can find the MAKE UP FOR EVER REBOOT Active Care Revitalizing Foundation at www.sephora.com

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