Make Up For Ever: Brand Overview & Thoughts
Make Up For Ever: Brand Overview & Thoughts
We’re just about finished with 30 Days of Make Up For Ever, and it sure has been a ride, yeah? Lots of products covered, albeit skewed towards the eyes for sure. (But really, did you expect anything less from me?!) I thought I’d give some of my thoughts on the overall brand based on my experience thus far, as well as tell you about some of my must-haves from what I’ve tried.
A lot of people have asked me throughout the past month whether Make Up For Ever eyeshadows are better than MAC’s. The short answer? No. The long answer? At times, but other times, no. What Make Up For Ever excels at is matte eyeshadows. Their shimmer eyeshadows just don’t do it for me — they tend to feel a little flat. It’ll be a green shadow with green or silver shimmer. There’s just not enough contrast, change in tone, subtleties or what-have-you. Their matte eyeshadows, on the other hand, are extremely pigmented, smooth, and fairly easy to use.
I think MAC makes a mean frost/shimmery shade. A good MAC shadow is just as good as a good Make Up For Ever eyeshadow. MAC’s biggest issue is that it just isn’t consistent, particularly with limited edition eyeshadows. Some of MAC’s matte eyeshadows are amazing, but their variety is a lot more limited compared to Make Up For Ever’s. MAC’s permanent line of eyeshadows is also pretty good and fairly consistent as well — I just find a lot less consistency and overall quality in some of the limited edition launches.
Make Up For Ever also offers a lot of bright, intensely pigmented shades that MAC doesn’t offer. One really great thing about Make Up For Ever’s eyeshadows is that even if you buy them off of Sephora, so they’re in individual compacts, they’re all magnetic and can be popped out like it’s no big deal. No depotting necessary! Make Up For Ever eyeshadows are larger with 0.08 oz. of product for $19.00, compared to MAC, which are 0.05 oz. for $14.50, which does make Make Up For Ever cheaper by the ounce.
Bottom line? You can’t really go wrong with either brand on the whole. If MAC doesn’t make the shade you’re looking for, definitely consider Make Up For Ever. If you want intense pigmentation or love matte finishes, try Make Up For Ever.
Their lipglosses were less impressive, though I only tried the Glossy Full Couleur. Their Smoky Aqua Lash mascara was so-so, but it didn’t make me want to switch from MAC Plushlash or Chanel Exceptionnel. I did, however, love their Aqua Eyes Liners, which are pigmented, have a nice sheen, and are long-wearing–all good things in my book! The Star Powders and Pure Pigments are nice, and I definitely prefer the Star Powders for their versatility and wearability. Pure Pigments are just a little too intense for me–just not something I’ll wear often, if ever!
- Must-Have Eyeshadows: #5, 52, 72, 75, 83, 91, 92, 93, 99, 118, 159
Skip These Eyeshadows: #101, 147
Must-Try Products: Star Powders, Aqua Eye Liners
P.S. – Don’t forget, all Make Up For Ever eyeshadows can be used as blushes, too. They are meant to be used interchangeably.
I used to love their line..I started with their foundations/concealers which I think are amazing…and then I tried the loose pigments which are awesome, but besides all that I feel like it’s just expensive junk…most of their shadows stain my lids, their glosses are gross and even their aqua liners run on me/gather in the corners of my eyes and NOTHING does that. I’ve just kinda moved on from this line.
Oh wow! I can’t believe their Aqua Liners run on you!
I knooow what is up with that??…I was given two and I had to give them away! 🙁
oh no! I love MUFE shimmery e/s but i don’t like its matte ones. I especially LOVE its diamond shadows. I don’t like MAC e/s but love its Pigments. I think it’s a personal prefernce. 🙂
I’d love to know what you think makes the shimmery eyeshadows so standout! I am always curious 🙂
I love all mufe shadow finishes. They never stain my lids. I use their eye makeup remover which is awesome. I just started to get into mac shadows and they are nice, but I will only buy unique ones because mufe offers all the colors I need. MUFE will be my fave brand ever because their hd and face and body foundations are my HG’s. I also love their primer, elixer and concealer and that’s the 1st step to a good look.
I don’t like their mascara or lip products. In that area, mac has it beat. But, I love that I don’t have to scramble for Limited edition products and I don’t have to perform surgery to get a shadow into an empty palette. Love MUFE.
I’m definitely going to look into their makeup remover next time I’m at Sephora. I just hope it isn’t *too* pricey, ha!
They’re really great shadows, so if you have a ton of MAC, it’s worth getting shades you like, but you don’t need to toss out your MAC shadows for them.
It’s definitely a great point that there’s no LE drama over at the MUFE line, too!
LOL @ performing surgery. I understand, if it is depotting night, that means nothing else is going on!
That temptalia MUFE month was fun and delightful but it didn’t change much to me: I will stick to MAC. It’s hard to find brands not causing me all kind of allergies (burning eye balls, eczema and red puffiness on the lids, stinging lip product, eczema on the face) and MAC happily doesn’t. Now that I’m quite in peace, I don’t feel too adventurous about a new brand – and I don’t want to waste money on stuff I risk not being able to bear. I love their brushes, though. The 14S is very great. 🙂
I’m really happy to hear you’ve found a line that doesn’t irritate you or cause your allergies to flare up — I’d be the same way… very hesitant (and probably wouldn’t bother) to change or try new brands!
Thank you so much Christine for this great and detailed review, it is goung to be very beneficial for me as I am a MUFE virgin and who really wants to try the brand and I also happen to love matte eyeshadows!
It was my pleasure, Chocobon! What do you think you’ll start with? Anything on your list?
Hey Christine, I agree with EVERYTHING you say. I agree MUFE has great matte shadows, Aqua liners, Star & Diamond powders! Their glosses are mediore, but then I prefer their Glossy Full Couleur over Cremesheen. They lack pretty duochrome shadows like Vellum!! I had to laugh at the last line though (about shadows can be blushes). When I bought #92, it said ‘blush’, not ‘shadow’ and thought who would wear this bright, intense purple on their cheeks? Beetlejuice?
I don’t like MAC’s Cremesheen glasses at all myself! The Cremesheen lipstick is so-so (not sure which you meant). I’ve heard their lipsticks are pretty good, but I didn’t have a chance to check those out for myself. (Hopefully at later date!)
Oops yeah I meant Cremeglass. I have two MUFE lipsticks and I don’t think they are anything special? I bought #303, just because everyone has been raving about it and it turned out to be a menopausal mauve-purple. Eeek
I haven’t tried any, but I can’t imagine they’re so fantastic, really!
I think your 30 days of MUFE has been amazing. I already was familiar with the line, but liked getting someone else’s opinions on the items I already love (and some I don’t) The one thing that I haven’t tried and you mad me excited to test, are the Aqua Liners.
Ooh, I hope you like the Aqua Eyes Liners, Cassykins! Do you know which ones you’re excited for?
I think the 12L might be my first try. All the others are similar to things I already have, but the 12L is just a little brighter and makes me happy!
I hope you like 12L, Cassykins!
Have been a fan of MUFE for a long time, especially the star powders, so it’s nice to see them here. I use a lot of their products when it comes to Halloween or stage make-up since their strong in pigment and have a lot of versatility. Thanks so much for the MUFE overview, it’s been great to see the products looked at from another perspective!
m.u.f.e. pops out? can they fit into mac palettes?
they pop out ultra easy but are way bigger than MAC pans – 2.5 grams of MUFE vs 1.5 grams of MAC
No, they’re bigger than MAC shadows!
I caved and got 92! its soooo vibrant and it looked fantastic! I’m so happy; 92 was my first matte colour!.
Am going to get 159 (the cobalt blue) and maybe either 83 or 168 next. Christine, between 83 and 168, which would you say is a better bet for an NC43 who already owns colours like MAC Steamy, Freshwater, Flashtrack, Strike a Pose and MES Sea and Sky (i know, a lot of blues LOL!) thanks
Oh, i forgot, I’ve also got Teal pigment and the Graphic Garden palette (with that Parrot-like blue).
I have too many blues!
YAY! I am glad you are liking your first matte color!!
I’d say 83!
What do you think about the aqua cream eyeshadows from make up for ever? i was thinking of getting one but should i just stick to mac paint pots?
Hi Elisa,
If you search for “aqua cream” in our search box, you’ll see several reviews come up. Thanks!