Review: MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder

Studio Careblend powder is a newish powder from MAC. Powders are typically meant to mattify the skin, aid in oil control and used for touchup, but the Careblend Powders have ingredients that are actually meant to hydrate the skin. A powder that hydrates the skin? that is crazy to me, I had to try this out. It's described on the MAC website as being a "cream-like powder that offers a virtually invisible, fresh-looking finish." They feel really smooth and comfortable on the skin, which I love. I normally don't use pressed powders because my skin is quite dry, but in the summer and in the heat it's nice to touch up with one. I've been using this powder to set my liquid foundation.

My MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Light is too light for me in the summer and I wanted to try something else. I love the texture of this product, compared to the Studio Fix Powder and Mineralized Skin Finish this stuff is so smooth. I like the packaging too, unlike the Mineralized Skin Finish, the Careblend powder has a puff and a mirror inside, which I like, you can take it on the go. I can feel this stuff on my face when I touch it, but not in a bad way, it feels like silk on my face.

I have read that the Careblend Powder is sort of like a hybrid between the Studio Fix Powder and the Mineralized Skinfinish Natural, so I decided to test it out for myself. I have here the Studio Fix Powder in NW20, Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Light and the Studio Careblend of course. The shades are totally different as you can probably tell. I hardly ever use the Studio Fix Powder, I don't really like it at all, but included it here for review purposes, it way too full coverage and grainy for my liking. Mineralized Skin Finish has given me bumps on my face on and off, so I was often too apprehensive to use it. I feel like the Careblend gives you similar coverage as the Skinfinish (sheer to medium) but it feels nicer on the skin.

As far as size and price go, you get 15g (the most) in the Studio Fix Powder, however this product is meant to be used as a foundation, it can be too cakey to use as a setting, and frankly I think it definitely is! this retails for $32 CAD. The Mineralized Skinfinish Natural is a nice product, pretty well known in the beauty community, it can be used alone but is quite sheer, nice to put over foundation and gives a glowly finish, you get 10g and it's $32.59 CAD. The Careblend is 10g and $27.50, I would say it gives a more matte finish (vs the Skinfinish).

I have swatched all three here, you can hopefully tell that Studio Fix Powder is very opaque for a powder and heavy, the Mineralized Skin Finish is much sheerer and the Studio Careblend is pretty sheer as well, but appears the smoothest of the three. I like how the Careblend Powder sorta dissolves into my skin and looks natural, or I can also build it up using a kabuki brush and get decent coverage. The most important thing is, it looks almost undectable on my dry skin, and it does not irritate it, which is a huge thing for me.

Would I recommend this product? For those with dry skin, I definitely would or for someone who is looking for a new setting powder.