Monday, May 30, 2011

MAC Foundations Overview

When I first got into wearing liquid foundation years back, MAC was my favourite. I find their staff very useful in helping to find the right shade for you, it's definitely daunting at first to understand the NC and NW system, which is backwards from most makeup brands. I would suggest going to a MAC counter and being colour matched. I am quite pale and wear NC15 in most of their foundations, it's a great match for those who are more yellow toned, or want to offset the pinkish tones in their skin (like me). However, as I started experimenting with other brands of makeup, I began to ignore my MAC foundations, as they started to feel too cakey and thick for my liking. I do feel that MAC makes great foundations but definitely not a foundation for everyday use.

This a general overview of some of MAC's liquid foundations. For the purpose of this review, I will only focus on their liquid foundations. I won't go into much indepth detail here, but if you would like a more detailed review on specific ones please let me know. Foundation is definitely very personal and what may work for me, may not work for you, I tried to not get too personal here.


MAC Studio Fix
Probably MAC's most popular foundation. It gives great coverage medium-full, and probably the most coverage of all MAC liquid foundations. This one has silicon in it which can clog pores and thus should not be used everyday. It gives a matte finish. It does not come with a pump (you'll need to purchase that separately).

MAC Mineralize Satinfinish
This one has light reflecting properties, it you don't like shimmers stay away from this! It has a satin finish. For those with oily skin, I would not recommend this. Also for those with fine lines, not so good cause the shimmers will migrate into the lines. It has a barely there feel and doesn't give great coverage, light-medium. I find the shades run light on this, I can't wear NC15 anymore, it's far too light for me.

MAC Pro Longwear
One of MAC's newer foundations. This is medium to buildable foundation, also water and transfer resistant. Supposed to wear for 15 hours, this stuff stays on! Dries to a semi-matte finish, I'd recommend it for normal-oily skin, a little heavy for dry skin. The shades run a tad darker and more peachy than the rest of MAC's line in my opinion.

MAC Studio Sculpt
MAC's creamy, gel-based foundation for medium to full coverage. It dries to a satin finish and should be set with a powder. This one feels pretty good on dry skin, MAC describes it as hydrating and will instantly revitalize the skin. This one is quite different, it comes with 40ml in the bottle, a bit more than the other liquid foundation that come with 30ml. Personally, I feel it's too thick for warmer weather and dedicate this more for winter wear.

MAC Face and Body
A water based and water resistent liquid foundation. Great for evening out skintone, this gives light coverage. This is available at pro stores online or online. After a year it tends to separate and you have to shake it up because it turns into a weird texture (like cottage cheese). It doesn't come in the NC and NW shades, but in N and C shades. I find the lightest is a bit dark for me (N1) but when blended in well it can look pretty good. The bottle comes with 120ml which is 4x the size of most MAC foundations, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.

And a swatch comparison of how the shades can vary depending on which foundation you choose! They are definitely not the same throughout the line since the foundations vary in ingredients and finish and everything.

Which MAC foundation is your favourite and which have you used?

30 comments:

Sophie said... Best Blogger Tips

This is really helpful, I use the Mineralize Skinfinish (NC15) and it's nice to see the difference in colour x

JC ♔ said... Best Blogger Tips

I've used the Studio Sculpt which I like but I learned recently that it seems to run darker... but maybe that's just me.

Anyway, I've also used Studio Sculpt and it really made me oil up for some reason.

Next time I try MAC's foundation I want to their their Prolongwear and the F&B.

Btw, I really love your blog! I've been following for a while now but I just wanted to show some love.

JC

makeupjelena said... Best Blogger Tips

Great post! :-)

Miss Jones said... Best Blogger Tips

really helpful post i am still debating f and b xxx

River said... Best Blogger Tips

Great post.

I recently bought my first MAC liquid foundation, Studio Fix Fluid. I have oily skin, and this made my skin soooo dry after a few days. I haven't worn it since. My friend has normal skin and the same thing happened to her. Even though we were using moisturiser etc.

I do love the coverage though, and think I will use it for special occasions.

beautyparler said... Best Blogger Tips

I wore MAC fndns as a teen (this is about 16 years ago) & was never a fan of their liquid fndns. Although, I've been lemming to try the Face & Body version as I hear great things.

JC ♔ said... Best Blogger Tips

Oops! I meant to say that I've also used Studio Fix.***

Sorry!

Wendy said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for this post! It's super helpful as I've been searching for a new foundation. :) I currently use the studio fix powder but that isn't cutting it anymore.
Based on your descriptions, I'm going to test out the pro longwear and studio sculpt.
Thanks again for this awesome post! :)

Lilladylife said... Best Blogger Tips

wow it's amazing u got to try so many MAC foundations! their base make up breaks me out in mere days so I have always shy-ed away but I have always been curious on studio sculpt and the face & body!

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@lilladylife - I buy a lot of foundation! It's one of my favourite makeup products.

Kristina said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the post. Really helped me understand each product. :)

Bailey said... Best Blogger Tips

Great post!

I haven't used a MAC foundation in forever, but am thinking I will go back to it once I use up more of the ones I have (too many!). This is so helpful!

Liz (Beauty Reductionista) said... Best Blogger Tips

Holy cow, you have them all!

I tried and loved Studio Sculpt. Even though my skin's oily, it was quite nice. I'll probably try Pro Longwear next, if I can get over the Laura Mercier obsession.

Great helpful post, Justine!

Bubbly Mochi said... Best Blogger Tips

thanks for this, I've been planning to get the studio fix, didnt know that it can clog pores > < I'll probably just get the studio sculpt or face&body.

Isabella said... Best Blogger Tips

The N1 looks really dark on you o.O btw, i love reading your foundation posts because i'm a foundation junkie myself

Irene Blushing Loves said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the overview hun!!I 'm lusting at the Pro longwear,oily skin issues!great review!!

xxx

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Liz - There are some mac foundations that I haven't tried: moisture tint, select spf, full coverage and studio tech. I really want to get full coverage, but I won't for a while because I don't need the extra coverage right now.

@sweetkiss - since the coverage is so light it really doesn't come off as that dark (this is their lightest shade). I did a heavy blob on my skin to show the colour difference between the others. I have a picture of me wearing it on here and I think it looks fine.

Christina said... Best Blogger Tips

Great review! For me the MAC Face and Body is the best! It gives you this light and dewy finish which is perfect for the summer! :) x

Lilit said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for this review, it came in at just the right time as I've been thinking of chaanging my foundations and moving to MAC. I've never tried the MAC foundations, so this was most useful... I'm thinking of going with the Pro Longwear line but I just noticed you've done a full review on it too so I'll have a read of that first.

Lilit
xo

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for this!
- Wow I can't believe how much the shades differ between foundations! I wonder if they make a lighter version of F&B, because I'm lighter than NC15 and that looks really dark.
I want to try pro long wear!

Stacey said... Best Blogger Tips

Great overview, I have MAC F&B and love it but would like something for a bit more coverage, I will check these out! :)

Thi said... Best Blogger Tips

UMMM... i dont think or remember i posted a comment so yap.

This post is heaps helpful!! :D I'm using Mineralize SPF cream compact atm. in NC35 but it's a bit too dark for me and not yellow enough... I wonder if they have it in C?!?!?!?!

But ya, Thank you so much for this post!! ^-^

x

Sheefa F said... Best Blogger Tips

awesome summary of the foundations :) I have the face and body and although it's separated, it works just at good for me :) I think I'll give Studio Sculpt a try for the winter months!

Shifa
x

Marilou said... Best Blogger Tips

Very useful reviews. I do feel the same about mac foundations. At first, when I first started to use liquid foundation I was swearing by mac but I do find them a little bit cakey at times. I'm a NW20 and I have still no idea whatsoever what does that mean but I find it's not the right shade for my skin as I'm super pale and I think I might try to get a NC15 next time.
I'm really tempted to get the face and body foundation and the studio sculpt.
For the face and body foundation I also think that the N1 is a little bit too dark for me though.
I have a question, do you have other foundations for the summer for when you get a tan ? I used to never wear foundation when I'm tanned but this year I want to try a suntan summer makeup routine although I don't know which foundation should I get.. If that even make sense? Héhé

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@marilou - it totally makes sense, I get what you are saying. Most foundations are too dark for me, so if I get a bit of a tan, it looks more natural on me. I've been using st moriz lately to darken myself up and use it a bit on my face, honestly I don't think I will wear foundation in the summer or just wear one of the darker ones that I have (like chanel pro lumiere).

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Nice post! The only MAC foundation that I have used is the Studio Fix, which I totally love. I find the shade selection at MAC to be so good!

Marilou said... Best Blogger Tips

Haha ok I thought it didn't make no sense at all. Are we the only country that doesn't have st moritz or any good self tanner or what :( Everybody is using this brand !!! Thanks though ;-)

Stephanie Daly said... Best Blogger Tips

My fave is def studi' sculpt!

Lisa said... Best Blogger Tips

its been awhile since I commented on a post, I have never tried any Mac foundation so this is a great overview, I might give face and body or studio sculpt a try. Thanks for the review!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

After years of being a makeup artist. The rule stands true. There are no rules to makeup, only rules of thumb. Nothing called "too anything".I disagree with telling anyone how to wear their foundation/blush/powder/eyeliner/eyeshadow. Makeup is subjective. Everyone has their own makeup style. Many light people tend to go light/lighter or mix it with a luminzer to make themselves brighter/radiant/porcelin like. A great example of this would be dita von teese, who even stays out the sun to maintain her light skintone and wears light foundation. Others prefer to be dark/darker and darken in the sun or use bronzer all over their skintone. Different people have different preferences. If I spelled "Horse" "Howrse" than there is no "ifs" "and" or "buts" because grammar isnt subjective. What is wrong is wrong!However. Makeup is subjective. I hate nude lips. Does that mean its right to say "dont wear nude lips" ? No.
I might not like it but someone else might. There is no rule to makeup. Thats the beauty of being a makeup artist. There are soo many different styles.
haters need to get off of it that what they say hold a grain of weight. I hate bronzer. But maybe there is someone who loves that deep bronzed look. I cant go to them and say "dont go soo deep in the bronzer" and say its "constructive". No matter how nice it is.
Also, alot of times..haters wont attack you full force. They will give some bullcrap semi compliment and hit you. Oh your hair looks combed today, but that blonde is soo ugly. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!
No.
All I know is, the people who like to "criticize" better be ready to get their feelings hurt, because not only are people not having it. But someone can also come up to you and talk foolishness! I dont understand why females have to be soo caddy. Some comments I read before were out of pure jealousy. Live and let live. Makeup is subjective. I hate nude lips. Does that mean its right to say "dont wear nude lips" ? No.
I might not like it but someone else might. There is no rule to makeup. Thats the beauty of being a makeup artist. There are soo many different styles.who is anyone to tell someone theyre wearing a too light or too dark foundation, because there is no such thing. Nicole and Sam from pixiwoo(huge makeupartists in Britain) sometimes wear paler or darker foundation and it looks gorgeous! as long as people blend it to the neck its fine....some people prefer to look bright and radiant.
haters need to get off of it that what they say hold a grain of weight. I hate bronzer. But maybe there is someone who loves that deep bronzed look. I cant go to them and say "dont go soo deep in the bronzer" and say its "constructive". No matter how nice it is.
Just a general reminder, not aimed towards anyone..but those who feel they need to force their opinions on others.
I would like to thank the blog owner for letting people get their points across! this was a general reminder.