The Safe List is simply a list of users or domains from whom you would like to receive mail. It works regardless of which filter settings you have applied to your Hotmail account.
To create a Safe List for incoming messages:
Sign in to Hotmail and click Options.
On the left-hand column, select Mail.
From the list presented click Junk E-mail Protection.
From the next list select Safe List.
Enter an e-mail address or domain, click Add and then OK.