Today we’re talking beauty. Getting a jumpstart on my resolution, I decided to start clearing out old or unused makeup. Since my favorite foundation needed to be replaced, I stopped by Sephora for a new bottle, but instead decided to branch out and look for a foundation strictly for photos. I purchased the MUFE Ultra HD Stick Foundation in a shade darker than my usual since it was out of stock, and I also purchased the MUFE Utra HD Liquid Foundation in my correct shade as a backup. I ended up returning the liquid foundation because it wasn’t full coverage and didn’t hold up against my combination/oily skin. That same day, my usual shade was back in stock for the stick foundation, hence why I now have two. Now that you have some background information, let’s get into my first impression:

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation (x)

The Claim

Pulling straight from Sephora’s website, the Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation claims to:

• Create a flawless complexion both on camera and to the naked eye
• Provide medium-to-full coverage with second-skin texture
• Leave a natural-looking finish
• Have time-released hydration that’s perfect for normal to dry skin

It’s also worth noting that the product is ideally used for foundation touch-ups and contouring. Despite the claim regarding normal to dry skin, I still wanted to try it out since I wasn’t looking for anything to wear on an everyday basis. Besides, nothing could make my skin oily as fast as the Ultra HD Liquid Foundation did. The emphasis on the product being developed for film and TV use is what piqued my interest. I mean, how perfect is it to look for a foundation strictly for the camera and find a foundation meant for that very concept?

The Application

As far as application goes, I tried a few different methods. This was my first time trying a foundation stick, so there was a bit of a learning curve with discovering the best tool to use for application.

• Straight from the Tube  – Obviously, I knew this method would probably end up a disaster, but I had to see for myself. I applied the stick foundation directly to my face, covering as much ground as I could. I blended it out with my fingers so that I could reach the smaller areas like around my eyes and nose. End result? A cakey mess.
  The Results
• With a Flat Top Foundation Brush – The second time around, I applied the stick foundation around the perimeter of my face, as well as a line on each of my cheeks. To blend it out, I used one of my Morphe flat top foundation brushes. Overall, I wasn’t a fan of the foundation brush application. It blended out the product, but it all still rested on top of my face.
• With a Beauty Blender – The stick foundation is made for a Beauty Blender. I loved how the product blended into my skin instead of sitting on top of it.

The one drawback I intially noticed was the finish. The stick foundation feels like it never really settles to a dry finish like liquid foundation does. Instead, the foundation felt like a cream product in the sense that I was afraid of product transfer if I touched my face to anything before applying a setting powder.

Because of my skin type, I always set liquid with a powder so it’s not a huge issue, but it is something to think about if you aren’t a fan of setting powders. Below is a photo of my full face after setting with a translucent powder. I’m wearing the shade Y455:

First Impression Recap

Overall, I can see myself using this product consistently throughout the year when it comes to makeup for photos. Whether or not I’d repurchase it is something I still have to decide. If my impression doesn’t change over the course of using this product, I probably would repurchase it for a splurge item. As far as the color selection goes, I think the stick foundation is lighter than the liquid version because I’m usually a Y455, but the Y505 shade appeared to be a perfect match. As you can see from the above photo, the undertone is perfect even though Y455 looks a little too light.

Have you ever used a foundation stick? What were your thoughts?