When it was announced that the OG Make Up For Ever HD Foundation was getting a makeover, I was distraught. I've used the original formula for nearly eight years, since I was a pale teenager struggling with acne. But, because I'm nothing if not product obsessed, I was willing to give the new formula, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation, $39, a chance to impress me.

First Impressions

For the first part of my Make Up For Ever HD Foundation review, I pumped a bit out on my wrist for swatching purposes and to gauge the consistency. The formula is relatively thin for a full-coverage foundation, but it is superpigmented. I put a big drop on my wrist, then turned my arm over to see if it would leak or drip -- it's thick enough that it stayed put when upside down, but thin enough to not feel cakey. It comes in 40 different shades in yellow, red or neutral undertones.



I love that this Make Up For Ever HD foundation doesn't contain SPF. I actively dislike when foundations include SPF. One, you'd have to apply so much of the foundation to actually get sun protection that it's pointless; two, many of them are SPF 15 or less, which is not a high enough SPF to begin with. Plus foundations with SPF tend to break me out more than their non-SPF-containing counterparts. Oh, and if your foundation contains SPF it'll give you a white cast in photos. (Since I'm already pale as a ghost, I definitely don't need this.) I prefer to apply SPF 50 as part of my morning skin care routine. (OK, rant over.)

The Application

To apply, I either use a damp Beautyblender, or warm the foundation up with my fingers and pat it into my skin. I know many people are intimidated by foundation because they've had a bad experience with foundation looking cakey or unnatural in the past. Foundation can be magical, but you have to apply it correctly. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation is no exception. It's a remarkable product, but you need to make sure your skin is properly prepped before applying, otherwise your results will be less-than-stellar. Make sure you use a good moisturizer and let it sink into your skin for around five minutes before putting on this foundation (bonus points if you use a primer).

Using the Beautyblender gives light coverage that can be built up; using my fingers tends to result in medium coverage. Either way, it blends oh-so-easily, blurring pores and giving my skin a soft-focus, slightly matte finish.

This HD foundation doesn't feel tacky, or like it's sitting on top of your skin (that feeling is the worst). It also stays put. Normally, long-lasting makeup comes with a price -- namely, that the product in question will dry out your skin and feel increasingly uncomfortable as the day goes on. I hardly notice that this foundation is there. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which makes it hydrating enough to feel comfy all day without turning greasy.

The Coverage

Now, for the most important part of this Make Up For Ever HD Foundation Review: Does it cover what I need it to? In short, yes. I find that I can forego concealer when I wear this foundation because it neutralizes redness and is pigmented enough to cover minor blemishes. (See below for a lovely before and after shot of a pimple I camouflaged.) I simply tap an extra layer or two on any annoying spots and set it with a light dusting of loose translucent powder.



I recently wore this foundation on a ski trip to Whistler, and it lasted for a full day of shopping, frolicking in the snow, happy hour, dinner and hot tub. Throughout the day, people kept complimenting me on my skin -- not my makeup. This directly correlated to an increase in selfies on my SnapChat account. (Also, a lot of sassy girl emojis.)