Who hasn't heard of this foundation? Cult famous classic loved by many many out there. The lovely Sal at Ummbabybeauty.com was kind enough to send me a sample to play around with and I'm ready to share my thoughts and experiences!

What Estée Lauder say:

The UK's NO. 1 Foundation.* 15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change colour, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.

BENEFITS

15-hour staying power

FINISH

Natural, Semi-Matte

Shade
3W2 Cashew is the most common shade match for those around the MAC NC40 mark. I'd describe it as a rich warm golden shade. I find it does lean a bit on the warm and slightly orange side on me, it's sometimes more obvious in certain lighting, sometimes I really like it, other times I'm like ooh I look funny. When trying a new foundation out I always get opinions from friends and family and a few have mentioned that the shade is indeed a bit off. Tawny which is a shade below looks too neutral beige so I don't think any other shade from the Double Wear range would work for me so this is the closest I can get. Since trying the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation in 6.0 I learnt that an olive undertone in my foundation really flatters and mimics my skins undertone wonderfully and this is what Cashew lacks. Shades like this really pronounce the green in my skin which I never really realised / noticed before, I was always banging on about yellow yellow yellow, but surprisingly there is green in there too. I do like this shade at night time though when artificial lighting is used, it looks lovely and golden. But yes slightly on the warm/orange side and the undertone seems to disagrees with my discolouration areas for some reason.

Here I've swatched it along side Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Stromboli which is a decent match for my face (could do with a bit more olive TBH), as well as Mehron in Eurasia Japonais which is very warm and yellow too (a bit too yellow for me).

Texture
The Double Wear is quite liquidy, it'll run down your hand but it has that elasticy texture that long lasting formulas usually have so it's not so liquidy that it'll run down really fast, it'll probably start slowing down as it starts to set. For a foundation that is meant to be full coverage it's surprisingly liquidy. It's funny I always thought Double Wear would be thick and paint like. I don't think this is the most forgiving on skin texture at all so be wary if you have a lot of texture and dry skin/flakes. It's best suited for those with oily to normal combination skin types, slightly dry if you're lucky. I'm dehydrated combination but I don't have any dry flakes, I just have those annoying tiny bumps that get highlighted when you put certain foundations on, which I feel like this one does. I've used brushes and sponges and both perform well but it is easier with a sponge as you need to work a little extra to buff it in when using a brush. The formula is definitely a little outdated compared to present formulas but there aren't many like it.

Finish

The Double Wear is a demi matte finish, it's not a flat matte, there is an element of glow to the face, like a slight satin finish but because this foundation sets and it sets really well, it's not an overly dewy glow. Again this isn't forgiving on textured skin types and without setting with a powder the glow can look rather unflattering on bumpy skin i.e. mine! This does look like makeup on the skin, this isn't one of those natural, skin like foundations especially if you have problem skin/texture issues. If you have relatively good skin I think you can get more of a beautiful natural finish. I can't pile this on my face or it looks cakey and heavy. I like it when I've used it lightly and sparingly as a light layer just to even my skin tone a little and not to achieve a full coverage finish, it's just too cakey and obvious for me. I suggest you work on well prepped and moisturised skin and really buff it in well to get a more smoother, natural finish if you have a drier skin type.

Feel

This is not the most lightweight of formulas, at all, compared to the feather weight foundation formulas you get now this definitely isn't one of them. The setting factor is obvious on the face, you can feel something on your skin because of how well it simply adheres to the face. Plus on myself the tackiness is a bit of a giveaway too. This foundation is like glue on the face it really does cling really really well! This doesn't feel drying on the face though, for someone who has dehydrated skin I'm surprised it didn't dry my skin out, so this shows that people with slightly dry skin can wear this too.

Coverage
I would say the Double Wear offers medium to buildable full coverage. But this isn't a little goes a long way type of foundation either where for example you use one pump and get almost full coverage like some of the more recent formulas, this doesn't really spread very far so you need to reapply product and build where you need it. I know people with blemishes and imperfections like to use the Double Wear foundation because it does a decent job at covering blemishes and imperfections and really stays put. But for stubborn blemishes you might just need a concealer. Be wary the more you apply the cakier it can get.

Build-ability Like I mentioned above you can build this foundation up for more coverage but I suggest working in sections as this does set and dry pretty fast. Because it sets so quickly it can apply patchy if you haven't blended it in quick enough so I recommend working fast. Either work in sections or apply an even layer and repeat as fast as you can! It can catch onto dry flakes and such if you have any but if you work fast enough you can definitely make it apply smoothly. This does need extra work in buffing it in if you're using a brush, a sponge would definitely apply smoother but bounce the sponge with a good amount of force to really blend it in and try and worked on well prepped skin for smooth easy application.

Longevity
This formula isn't my ideal formula at all but one thing I can't knock it for is its superb longevity! Boy does this last! It really really adheres to the skin very well! When you've set this with powder this can last you a very very long time! It sticks so well that I actually struggle to take it off! It takes me a little longer to remove this compared to all of my other foundations! I recommend oil based removers or balms to remove this btw it'll be much quicker than your average micellar water or wipe! Once set with powder you'll be surprised how resistant it is to transfer. I mean don't get me wrong this isn't super glue on the face, I wouldn't recommend rubbing your face intentionally on to clothes etc but compared to most foundations out there this will probably transfer the least when set well.

Oxidisation
I find this does oxidise on me a tiny bit. Not a lot but it does deepen a bit. This shade looks warm on me anyway but it doesn't turn unbearably orange or anything so no major qualms here. When I swatched it on my hand for the post I wiped it off and noticed the layer underneath was a little lighter so it does oxidise a bit.

Overall Thoughts
It's been a joy to be able to sample this foundation out, it's such a cult famous product that's loved by so many for its superb longevity and durance. This isn't a foundation that I would buy a full size of I'm afraid, I don't like how it feels on my skin personally and I don't like how it sits or looks on my skin either but I totally rate it for how well it lasts on the skin, it's pretty impressive. Actually my sister is halfway through her second bottle of this stuff and it was the first bottle of foundation that she'd ever finished. To be honest I did think it would be a lot worse on me, I thought I'd be a lot more cake face and weighed down by it's thickness but it's actually not as bad as I thought, but most definitely not the lightest or forgiving formula either. If you want a foundation that will stand the test of time, high humidity or even a downpour of rain this'll be your best friend! As usual hope you enjoyed! Any questions please do ask!

Quick Round-Up
Pros
- Super duper long lasting and durable
- Medium to full coverage
- Not an overly matte finish, still some glow to the skin
- Doesn't oxidise
- Good variety of shades (but no olive ones ;( )
- Best for oily / combination skin types

Cons
- A bit heavy on the skin for my liking
- Little doesn't go a long way
- Emphasises skin texture
- Can look cakey on my skin very easily
- Not ideal for very dry skin types

It's been so long since I've posted anything on my blog, eek apologies, sometimes life gets the best of us. I'm going to review the MUFE Ultra HD Fluid Foundation, I've always wanted to try the original version but never got round to it, oh well, anyway here are my thoughts on the Ultra HD...


What MUFE Say :

Developed specifically for the TV industry's most advanced technology, Ultra HD Liquid Foundation creates a naturally flawless complexion in and out of the spotlight. Invisible under the latest, super-focused 4k lens, this revolutionary foundation features coated pigments that provide medium to buildable coverage with a lightweight, second-skin texture. The formula leaves your complexion with the same flawless results that you’d achieve with a flat foundation brush in a tap and stretch motion.
Benefits

• Natural-looking finish.
• All-day wear; doesn’t require touch-ups.
• Suitable for normal, dry and combination skin types. 
• Contains hyaluronic spheres for time-released hydration.
• Available in 40 shades to match all skin tones

Shade
I always thought I'd be the shade 153 in the HD Foundations so I chose 153 for the Ultra HD which is also known as Y405 Golden Honey. The shade is quite off, I'd say it's around one to two shades dark and the undertone is off, it also oxidises and ultimately I look orange! I remember the first time I tried it I couldn't stop laughing at the Oompa Loompa I legit had become! I've been told by some lovely followers on Instagram that I'm probably a shade Y385 Olive Beige or Y375 Golden Sand so I suppose I'll give them a try soon. Since trying the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in shade 6 I've realised I do need some olive in my foundations as I'm not just yellow but a mix of the two. Golden Honey is an apt name for the shade, it's golden with a tinge of orange/amber/honey. I kinda made it work by highlighting the centre of my face but it's not a practical shade for me as I don't like adding unnecessary layers of makeup if I can help it and funny enough the shade was only a little lighter than my orange corrector haha! You get the picture..

(First picture taken indoors, rest were taken outdoors)

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless 220, Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Stromboli, MUFE Ultra HD Y405

The texture of MUFE Ultra HD is liquidy but not overly runny, it will run down the back of your hand. It's also a little elasticy / stringy which I reckon plays a part in the longevity of the foundation. It almost reminds me of the MAC Pro Longwear Foundation which also has this elasticy / stringy texture. I first applied this with a brush and did find it a bit streaky, patchy and difficult to blend, I must have been doing something wrong as I've used a brush since and it's been fine, maybe I hadn't prepped my well enough that day. I've also used sponges and get more sheerer coverage but a nice natural finish too. I recommend you work quickly and in sections as this does have a setting factor. I'd say this formula is good for combination skin to dry skin. It's a good inbetween formula and can easily be altered to suit either ends of the skin type spectrum.

Finish
It's a natural looking foundation, you can definitely get an undetectable finish (obviously depending on your skins condition and the amount you apply). It is like second skin as they mentioned and exudes the radiance that skin would normally let off but with a little extra glow, it's like a normal, skin like, satin finish on my combination dehydrated skin type. I would have to set it with powder because as my oils start coming out I will look unsightedly oily. Though this is skin like I feel like it's not very pore filling and can sometimes stick to any texture in a weird way hence why I feel it needs extra buffing in, so it can also look obvious and not so skin like very easily.

Considering this has been made for HD 4K TV, it definitely has to be invisible to the lens which as you know can be much more critical than the naked eye so you can expect this foundation to be skin like but it's also been made to look good behind the screen. I've actually intentionally taken pictures with this foundation on and that too with flash photography (which I never really do) and it does look good, you can't see an obvious layer of makeup on the skin and does look rather flawless.

Feel
This is an okay lightweight feel on the skin and quite comfortable but not super lightweight. When I touch my face (before setting with powder) I do find it's a bit tacky, I think this has something to do with the longevity factor of this foundation. I find the tackiness is a bit of a giveaway. Even though it has a setting factor it's not really dry to the touch and you can expect transfer. Again this is lightweight depending on the amount you put on, the more you apply the more obvious it'll be that you have product on your face.

Coverage
I'd say this is a light to medium buildable foundation, definitely a proper medium. It evens out the skin and covers minor blemishes really well but lets the skin peek through at the same time. This isn't one of those little goes a long way type of foundations, the more you build the more obvious it'll be that you have makeup on but you will get the coverage. You might have to go in with a concealer for blemishes etc. I don't think this is the best choice for those with problem skin though, I find this formula isn't flattering on skin blemishes, imperfections and texture, so ideal mainly for those with moderately good skin.

Build-ability
As this has a setting factor I'd recommend working in sections, the first time I used it I dotted it all over my face and by the time I got to the last dot it was proving hard to blend and was patchy. Make sure your skin is well prepped so that the foundation can glide easily or else it can apply patchy. This is buildable but like I mentioned in the previous section building layers doesn't necessarily mean more of a full coverage, just more layers as it does become more obvious that you're wearing makeup.

Longevity
On my skin type this can last decently long especially when I've powdered, it has this tacky elasticy texture that I've seen in a lot of long lasting formulas like the Estée Lauder Double Wear and the MAC Pro Longwear Foundation. I find these formulas don't really sit well on my skin which is why I didn't get along well with the Pro Longwear Foundation but this formula isn't as bad but it's definitely not my favourite. Without setting this isn't transfer proof but the formula has a little bit of that "cling" factor on my face.

Oxidisation
This foundation oxidises quite a bit so I recommend getting a shade or two lower than your skin tone. This is already orange on me so it just turns more orange and this foundation oxidises with the air I've noticed, because when I apply the foundation I see it turn orange and then when I blend the foundation with a brush and that top layer of foundation is moved I can see the original colour of the foundation underneath (which oxidises soon enough). Unfortunately I didn't keep enough foundation to swatch the oxidised shade alongside the initial shade but it does oxidise pretty fast.

Overall Thoughts
I gave this foundation many goes and really tried to look past the off shade and tried focussing more on the formula. I am a little confused with how I feel about it, to be honest I wasn't really wowed by the foundation or formula. It is good, I think I can get a nice undetectable no makeup makeup kinda look with this foundation which is ideal for everyday but my Urban Decay Naked Skin has claimed that spot and offers me more. I have more particular preferences which this foundation doesn't really fulfil, I like my foundations to offer a bit more coverage without having to use too much and for it to be skin smoothing and pore filling. Overall it's a decent foundation but definitely not amazing.

Quick Roundup

Pros
-Natural second skin type finish
-Neither dewy or matte, in-between skin like finish
-Myriad of shades
-Can achieve undetectable finish (depending on application and skin condition)
-Moderately long lasting
-Ideal for combination skin types

Cons
-Tacky feel
-Can catch on and emphasise texture
-Little doesn't go a long way
-Not ideal for problem skin
-Powder can stick to tacky texture in weird manner and can look weirdly cakey, shiny and bumpy at the same time

P.S. Apologies if this review is a little all over the place or if the layout is strange, I'm using a new app for blogging and I'm finding it difficult to adjust. xxx