MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Collection

Beauty giant MAKE UP FOR EVER has released four makeup kits inspired by the film Fifty Shades of Grey, that opens up in theatres today. Love or hate the novel (I personally laughed my way through it), there’s no such ambivalence about the makeup, in particular the Give In To Me Alluring Color for Eyes & Lips set shown here today (CAN $90.00). The collection includes a customized eye shadow palette featuring four cult-favourite Artist Shadows, lipstick, lipgloss, mascara, and new Graphic Liner – all in a reusable soft case which bears a large mirror on the inner lid, a ‘secret compartment’, as well as a booklet that allows you to recreate 3 iconic looks from the movie, as created by Victoria Down, Head of Makeup Department for the Fifty Shades of Grey film.

The Graphic Liner shown below was previously reviewed in full here, so I won’t go into detail in this post.

At the end of the post, I have also included the instruction sheets for the 3 looks (Natural, Sultry, and Empowered) created by Vitoria Down for the Anastasia Steele character (portrayed by Dakota Johnson), all of which can be reproduced with the products of this collection.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Alluring Color for Eyes & Lips

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Alluring Color for Eyes & Lips (showing secret compartment)

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Alluring Color for Eyes & Lips

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me 4 Artist Shadow Palette

If you haven’t had a chance to try out MAKE UP FOR EVER’s range of recently launched Artist Shadows (300 shades available, at last count) then you are seriously missing out on what has got to be some of the best eye shadows available in the market. Made with the highest levels of pigment compared to every other brand, they come in 5 different finishes (S = Satiny, I= Iridescent, D= Diamond, M= Matte and ME-Metallic), can be applied either dry or damp, are long lasting, super blendable, and display a buttery/velvety texture.

The four shades of the Give In To Me Palette (breakdown below) are all in highly wearable colours that you can tweak for either an easy daytime look, or ramped up for evening.

I-514 – described as ‘pink ivory’, I see this as more of a champagne hue
S-556 – described as ‘taupe grey’, this shade is the most matte of the four
ME-612 – described as ‘brown silver’, reads more warm copper to me
I-628 – described as ‘reptile’ (which is perfect), this complex hue has mossy undertones

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me 4 Artist Shadow Palette, swatched dry

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me 4 Artist Shadow Palette, swatched damp

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Graphic Liner

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Graphic Liner swatch

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Smoky Extravagant Mascara

This is the latest mascara to be released from MAKE UP FOR EVER (also available in a waterproof version), and is meant to provide ‘dramatic impact & graphic precision’, with the aid of its ‘ergo-conic’ brush head and intense formula.

It’s definitely one of the deepest black mascara shades I’ve tried and even by the first coat, I notice that my lashes look plumped up, longer, and fuller. A second coat gives serious drama and almost makes lashes look fake – very impressive. What I find, however, is that I have better success applying this to my upper lashes; I usually end up smearing the product on the outer corners of my lower lashes, possibly due to the width of the brush head. The formula also has a tendency to clump slightly (contrary to the ‘clump-free’ claim), but I personally don’t have an issue with that (clumps can also add to the appearance of volume, and basically disappear against eye makeup anyway) and it’s also nothing that a quick lash combing can’t solve (a habit I’ve only lately gotten into doing, and can’t believe what a difference it makes to my finished lash look). Staying power is impressive, smudge and flake-free, and looking just as fresh at the end of a day’s wearing as it did from the start.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Rouge Artist Natural N4 Lipstick

Rouge Artist Natural N4 Lipstick | The description of ‘Pink Beige’ is spot on, although it definitely leans more warm than cool. Available in a range of 50 shades, the Rouge Artist Natural formula is ultra creamy and nourishing, enriched with a ‘cocktail of vegetal ingredients, made of waxes and Cupuassu Butter’ to hydrate your lips with a natural sheen‘.

The texture is unbelievable silky and literally glides along the lips without any tugging or pulling. Considering the creamy consistency, I am pleasantly surprised to find how well pigmented N4 is, while still managing to offer full coverage. Staying power is yet another surprise, lasting about 4-5 hours without any fading (eating and drinking will definitely drop that number, however). Suitable for a variety of skin tones across the board, except for darker complexions where this shade might just prove almost invisible.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Lab Shine Lip Gloss D-14

Lab Shine Lip Gloss D-14 | Available in 3 finishes (D=Diamond Collection, S=Star Collection, M=Metallic Collection) and 35 creative colours, these glosses are designed to achieve an ‘ultra-bright effect, with the silky brush ensuring an optimal and dazzling coverage‘.

This shade from the Diamond Collection, has sheer coverage for a more natural effect and filled with sparkling shimmer (of the non-gritty variety). The feel is at once lush and lightweight, as well as non-sticky throughout the wearing. Worn alone on my lips (which are rather pigmented naturally to begin with), it appears as a clear gloss with a whisper of a rosy undertone, with the shimmer more visible when seen in bright light/sunlight. Lasting power is about what you’d expect with a gloss and perhaps a touch longer than usual (approx. 3.5 hours), leaving lips quite nourished and hydrated long after it has worn off.

Pairing the lip gloss and lipstick of this collection together, yields a significantly more lush appearance than wearing either lip product alone – and they seem to perfectly compliment each other.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Lab Shine Lip Gloss D-14 swatch

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Rouge Artist Natural N4 Lipstick swatch

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me lipstick + lip gloss combined swatch

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Natural Look

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Sultry Look

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Give In To Me Empowered Look

If you’ve been curious to try some MAKE UP FOR EVER colour cosmetics, then this Give In To Me set is a great place to start; all you’re basically missing here is foundation and blush, and you literally have all the products you need to create a myriad of looks. The Artist Shadows alone which retail for CAN $24.00 each, further the case for this purchase, if their stellar quality hasn’t already sold you.

Do let me know if you’ll be seeing the movie (fingers crossed the movie is a lot more entertaining than the ∗cough, cough∗ novel).

The limited edition Give In To Me Collection is available now at Sephora and Sephora.ca across Canada. Find more information on the brand by visiting makeupforever.ca