MAC Foundation Guide!

Ask any MAC MUA, one of the most requested demos on counter is a foundation match. People often want to know their foundation colour and find a foundation that's best for them and their type of skin. If you're unsure of your skin type check out my Primer blog post. Now MAC in my opinion do the best foundations for two reasons. 1. The variety of colour options and 2. The variety of consistency. 

Firstly to understand how MAC name their shades here's a brief break down of their foundation codes. 

C - Cool Yellow tones / Golden- Olives 

NC - Neutral Cool 

N - Neutral/Beige 

NW - Neutral Warms/ Pink Beige 

W- Warm/Pink 

Foundations 

1. Mineralize Moisture

Price: £27 30ml

The Scoop: The latest addition to the Foundation family a combination of powders and brand new blurring formula that is supposed to diminish fine lines. Sheer to medium coverage. I do NOT recommend this for oily skin. It comes with a quite a  shine  which is  subtle but it's extremely greasy in texture. Perfect if you have dry skin and want something with a dewy finish but if you're oily or prefer matte finishes I'd stay clear. But GREAT for everyday if you have dry skin

Application: use sparingly with a brush or a pro performance sponge and use a mineralize skin finish to set.

Tips: Not the best for photo shoots or occasions where you'll want to take pictures! It does contain SPF 15 and you may get that annoying ghost like look when the flash sets off! Go a shade lighter than usual it tends to get a bit dark once dry

2. Face & Body

Price: 50ml £21/ 120ml £27

The Scoop: Ask any make up artist its a "Must- have" perfect as a base for your other foundations or great as a stand alone product. very sheer in coverage but is a great if you're looking for something with versatility  

 Application: If a light sheer finish is something you're after apply lightly with a brush. This isn't a full coverage foundation so you need to work the skin and build it for more. If full coverage is something you like I wouldn't recommend you use this on it's own. But this is perfect if you're after something light.

Tips: If you're a make up artist this is perfect to have in your kit it  looks great on all skin types. It's great on photo shoots and can be used  other places than your face and won't transfer onto clothes. Keep the foundation in a cool dark place and shake well since it tends to separate. Water-based and water-resistant.

3. Studio Fix Plus Powder Foundation

Price : £21.50 15g

The Scoop: I always think this foundation is great for darker/tanned skin tones the colour ranges it comes in is amazing! Now if you have oily skin and like powder foundations this is GREAT for you! Powder foundations are generally good for oily skin types.

Application: this foundation comes with a sponge applicator but you can use any sponge of your choice however for a controlled application and lighter airbrushed finished use a brush!

Tips: If your skin is oily you need to change your sponges!! If you continue to use the same sponge the oil from your face will cause a seal on your foundation. This won't ruin it forever but it does mean you'll have to scrape the top layer off to be able to use it again. Wasting product. Which we don't like!

4. Studio Fix Fluid

The Price: £21.50

The Scoop: This is one of my favourite MAC foundations. You should be aware that these foundations do lean towards the yellow undertones so if you've found that other MAC foundations are slightly too red for your skin give these a go! This foundation is great for both dry and oily skin tones it's oil free yet still leaves your skin glowing. it's medium to build-able full coverage and lasts all day.

Application : Use a brush to apply this! I recommend any stippling brush or some people use their fingers to apply as the warmth in the finger tips helps it melt into the skin giving a natural finish.This product tends to sink into sponges which wastes the foundation and doesn't give you your moneys worth 

Tips: Make sure you really do get the correct match for your skin! Once dry this foundation can look slightly darker than it does in the bottle.

5. Matchmaster 

The Price: £27 33ml

The Scoop: My favourite MAC foundation to date! I love Match master first of all this product is great for most skin types because it adjusts to the undertones in your face. It's not too pink/red or too yellow which you may find with other MAC foundations. It's especially great for normal to oily skin types as it glides on and keeps a fairly matte finish throughout the day but still provides a great glow. It's Medium to full coverage and lasts all day!!

Application : See Studio Fix fluid Foundation above^^

Tips: This foundation line is numbered very differently from MAC’S regular NC and NW shades. These are labelled strictly as numbers and range from 1 to 10.

6. Studio Tech 

The Price: £25 10g

The scoop: This foundation is perfect for dry and or mature skin. It's creamy and sexy in texture makes the most driest of skin look moisturised and flawless. However if you have oily skin do not buy this foundation!!!

Application: I'd recommend using a set spray or mist like MAC fix plus all over the face and using a buffing or stippling brush.

Tips: DO NOT USE THE SPONGE IT COMES WITH!!! Throw it away in fact! It absorbs so much product you'll end up losing half of it and well we don't have make up to waste!

7. Studio Sculpt 

The Price: £25 40ml

The Scoop: I adore this foundation in the winter!! It's a thick gel based foundation and is perfect if you want something heavy with full coverage. It's perfect if you have any acne or bad scaring and is very moisturising 

Application : I would suggest using a sponge applicator for this foundation or a synthetic brush to get a more even coverage.

Tips:  BLEND!! 

8. PRO Longwear 

The Price: £25 30ml

The Scoop: So this foundation is very similar to studio fix fluid in consistency just has much better staying power. I'd say its medium to build-able coverage works well with dry skin however if your skin is oily you may need a setting powder. It's also great if you have problem areas.

Application: See studio fix fluid foundation above 

Tips: Built for extreme temperatures and conditions, this foundation is perfect for events like weddings, proms and events that you need your makeup to last for up to 15 hours!

9. Mineralize Foundation 

Price £27.00 10g

The Scoop : This is a rich compact foundation that's really creamy in texture medium - build-able and just like Studio tech it's great for dry skin.

Application : Use a short fibre brush from MAC it's great for buffing this into the skin 

Tip: Again throw away the stupid sponge it absorbs so much product! 

10. Mineralize foundation loose

price : £25 7.5g

The scoop : This is my least favourite of all the MAC foundations it doubles as a foundation and setting powder although I'd say it was more of a setting powder and not a foundation but hey.

It has a natural satin finish that leaves the skin glowy and smooth. With the usual  layer of primer to smooth any dry patch on  skin, it lasts 8-9 hours.

Application : It's build-able but you need to use the right brush a fluffy brush will NOT work well try a 109 MAC or a Sigma F82 round top kabuki 

Tip: Use mineralise concealer by MAC with this it pairs nicely 

11. Studio Moisture Tint

Price: £21.50 40ml

The Scoop : I want to make it clear to you ladies that this is not a foundation!! This is a tinted moisturiser but it's still relevant to the post It's a light tinted moisturiser with SPF 15 and it's VERY sheer suitable for all skin tones and types however there isn't a shade for extremely dark skin. I've used this whilst on holiday when I just wanted something for the beach days and it works well. Would I used it everyday though? No. It's too sheer.

Application : This is easily applied with fingers or a sponge it goes on really easily and smoothly.

Tips: be careful to pick the right shade for you can come up grey.