I don’t know when it happened, or why (though I have my suspicions), but somehow over the past year I have become developed a serious passion for blush – probably one of the only makeup areas that used to leave me cold. Where eyeshadow used to be my ‘thing,’ blush has swiftly replaced it as the new ‘must buy’ purchase. I am trying to curb this impulse before it gets too crazy – I’ve seen how that turns out and it’s not a pretty sight (well…it IS technically…very pretty indeed…but you know what I mean!). I’m determined to make my most recent blush purchase, Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Blush in #12 First Kiss, tide me over for a couple months anyway. My goal is to be able to keep my blush purchasing to one per every three months. Though, I made that decision last week, and then broke it in about three days, so you can see how well that worked out! I really want to try Buxom’s new True Hue blush, as well as one of the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes, and I’m not sure I can hold out that long. We’ll see.
MUFE’s HD Microfinish blushes are designed with both mattifying and light-reflecting powders to create a soft focus effect while still creating a radiant look to the skin, and are supposed to be longwearing. First Kiss is labelled as a ‘bright apricot,’ and I think that’s pretty near the mark. Initially when I was swatching colors at Sephora, First Kiss scared the bejesus out of me – what came out seemed so bright and intense that I couldn’t imagine anyone wearing it! However, once I blended it in, it left the prettiest coral-orange glow behind, I had to have it.
Sunlight
Natural light
I thought perhaps it would be a bit tricky to apply, as it’s a creamy liquid formulation that comes out via a pump, but once I got the hang of using the pump and dispensing the right amount (you only need very little), everything else was a breeze. I put a small dot of product on the back of my hand, then dipped my MAC #130 brush into it and swirled it around my cheekbones to diffuse the color. It doesn’t take long to blend, and it doesn’t set too quickly so that you’re left with streaks. It’s really very, very easy to use! The wear on First Kiss throughout an entire work day was quite good, only the slightest fading. In the photos below, I’m wearing MUFE’s HD Foundation in #155 underneath First Kiss (all shots are in natural light).
Another one of my ‘beach’ faces 
For fun, I thought I’d swatch First Kiss, NARS Torrid, and MAC Early Morning side by side to compare the shades. As I’ve noted before, these types of colors seem to look best on my skintone. I actually think that I prefer First Kiss and Early Morning over Torrid now – they just impart the perfect healthy glow on my skin, whereas I sometimes find Torrid a bit TOO much. It’s definitely better on me with a tan, that’s for sure. On the cheek, they’re all fairly similar, but in swatches you can see the differences quite clearly:
Sunlight (left to right: First Kiss, First Kiss blended, NARS Torrid, MAC Early Morning)
Natural light
I’m so pleased with MUFE’s HD Blush that I’ve been eyeing a few more shades I’d like to add to my collection. It’s ease of use and color selection and formula make it a total win in my books! It’s perfect for all seasons and all occasions.
Have you tried Make Up For Ever’s HD Blush? What blushes do you think I absolutely MUST try??
#1 by Emi on February 10, 2012 - 10:10 pm
I love MUFE HD blush – I have it in #6 Quickie, which is a pinky coral, and I really love it. It’s super pretty and it lasts really well. I want more! . . . . I also have a blush problem.
#2 by Latoya on February 11, 2012 - 8:15 am
I was originally going to buy Quickie!! But somehow came home with First Kiss
Quickie is still on my list though, Emi! I wouldn’t mind owning a handful of these blushes.
#3 by Larie on February 10, 2012 - 11:26 pm
I have Quickie, too, though it was up for sale during my blog sale. No takers, though
I do like MUFE’s blush formula, actually, but I felt I had too many similar colors. This one is gorgeous on you! I like that it’s such a warm apricot color – very lovely.
#4 by Latoya on February 11, 2012 - 8:19 am
Aw, thanks Larie!! I really love it too. No takers on Quickie? Bummer! I will get that one eventually too, though not for a while – after Jamaica I’ll be too tanned for it likely (and I’m trying to slow down on the blush purchasing!).
#5 by Liz (Beauty Reductionista) on February 11, 2012 - 4:05 pm
I ALSO had Quickie… but it was a deluxe sample from Sephora that ended up being almost as big as the regular size. And I was never going to finish using it. I actually didn’t like the way the pump dispensed so much of the product because you need so very little… and while it was pretty, I found it a bit difficult to work with in the morning when I was in a rush. So I swapped it away and became done with MUFE HD blushes forever. But I’m glad to see you becoming so adventurous with your blush and enjoying the hell out of it.
Looking great!
#6 by Latoya on February 13, 2012 - 9:15 pm
Thanks Liz!! There’s so much makeup in the world and so many formulations etc., which is great because then everyone gets their needs met in one way or another. That’s too bad you weren’t into the MUFE blush, but totally OK because there’s bound to be others that will fit the bill, probably even in the same shades! Goodness knows there’s enough blush in the world for all of us blush fiends hehe
#7 by Eugenia on February 11, 2012 - 10:53 pm
I’ve never tried MUFE blushes – never even swatched them in-store, but your photos make a pretty good case for this one. It reminds me a bit of NARS’ Orgasm, or my new Hourglass Petal Cheek Stain (yet another item I haven’t reviewed yet….bad Eugenia!), and I’m really partial to these peachy hues. By the way, you’re such a natural beauty, did you know that?! I’ve heard some people complaining that too much product gets dispensed and subsequently wasted with this blush system, probably the reason why I’ve avoided this to date, but seeing how lovely this looks on you – I think a trip to Sephora is in my immediate future!
#8 by Latoya on February 13, 2012 - 9:19 pm
Whoa, thanks Eugenia, wow! Thanks for the beautiful compliment!!!!
Please, oh please, review the Hourglass stain, I can’t get enough of that brand – even though I only own two items from the line LOL. It just seems so fabulous!!
Anyway, yes, peachy hues are where it’s at I find, because the shades seem to go with all seasons and almost all looks. I also read complaints that the pump dispenses too much, but it’s interesting – because I never found I had an issue with that as I knew going into it that the blush was pigmented and I only would need a small amount. I think you’d benefit from at least checking them out!!
#9 by Maggie (@MaggiesMakeup) on February 17, 2012 - 7:37 pm
It looks gorgeous on you! I love, love, love the finish on these. It creates the most natural flushed look I’ve ever seen. I recently tried applying it with the Real techniques contour brush, and it made the application even more seamless, if possible.
#10 by Latoya on February 21, 2012 - 8:03 pm
Thank you so much Maggie! I’ll have to investigate these brushes, I’ve never heard of/seen them before. I do love these blushes though, you’re right – they’re awesome!!
#11 by nailsNAILED on February 18, 2012 - 5:58 am
I just have to say it, your skin is gorgeous! It’s so flawless and such a nice colour – sounds like I’m talking about a beauty product or something haha
#12 by Latoya on February 20, 2012 - 11:09 pm
Ohh, thank you, that’s really kind of you to say! I’m not trying to be modest, seriously though it was all the MUFE HD foundation’s work – it made my skin look so much smoother than it is LOL! So that’s a good test of it’s efficacy
Thank you still for the compliment – I’ll take it! hehe
#13 by nailsNAILED on February 21, 2012 - 4:14 am
Well that foundation is definitely doing it’s job! It looks great, haha. Definitely a good test! No problem, just had to comment!