By Contributor: Tejinder Kaur
Today’s review and swatch is on my favourite foundation which I have been using for most parties and functions. I bought this foundation in January this year and its almost finished so would be getting another one soon. I love it to the core as it suits my skin very well.
Mac Claims: MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation – A creamy, luxurious, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish! Hydrating & instantly revitalizes the skin while keeping it looking smooth, soft and plush. Long-wearing, water-resistant and offers broad spectrum SPF 15 protection.
Understanding the concept of NW and NC in Mac Foundations:
Before starting with the detailed review I would like to share some tips with you. First you need to understand what NW and NC actually mean. NC stands for Neutral cool and NW is Neutral Warm. If you have Pinkish tone in your skin then you should choose NW shade of foundations since they correct the coolness in your skin. And those with Yellow skin tone need NC foundations to counter act the yellow in your skin. So basically Mac terminology is opposite. Cool skin needs warm foundation and warm skin needs cool foundations. You really need to take the time out at your local Mac store to find your actual skintone. The MUAs there are very helpful and would tell you about your skin tone. Always go with less or no makeup and try the foundations in natural light instead of the store lights. Test the foundation on your face or jaw line instead of arm while matching as there is always a difference in the tone of your face and hands. As I have pinkish skin tone, I was recommended NW35 by the MUA. And it totally works for me.
Now back to review.
Texture and Finish: Its creamy in texture and blends very nicely. It’s neither thick nor runny which I like the most. Finish is not heavy at all although it depends on how much you apply and how well you blend. It’s better to use a foundation brush to blend it flawlessly. I use the Real Techniques pointed foundation brush. It settles to a matte finish and glides effortlessly on the skin and provides a natural finish.
Coverage: It gives medium to full coverage which is very buildable. You can create a more matte finish by applying powder afterwards; I always use my Rimmel London Matte Pressed powder after applying this foundation to keep the oil at bay and set the foundation. It is the perfect formula for both film and digital photography. Although it does have spf 15 which might not work very well with flash photography.
Packaging: MAC packaging on whole is very classy and simple. It comes in a long clear squeeze tube which is very light weight and can be easily kept in your bag. The shade is mentioned on the back side. You have to be careful when squeezing it because when the tube is full, it squirts out way too much product. The colour can be seen through the tube and lid is a screw top so its secure and won’t spill out. It is very sturdy and travel friendly.
Lasting power: On my normal skin it lasts all day. On oil skin, it would last for almost 5-6 hours without any oil. In fact it gives perfectly matte finish to skin.
It’s perfect for me in terms of coverage, lasting power and finish. This foundation covers all the spots without looking like a mask, I love the natural finish that it gives, which is matte but still looks flawless. You can add any highlighting liquid to add the dewy effect. You only need a small amount and buff in it creates a natural base which lasts all day. For dry skin beauties I would recommend using a good moisturizer before applying the foundation. I have normal skin but in winters I found little dryness so prefer to apply a heavy moisturizer. The gel formula works best as it covers everything from dark circles, pimples acne spots/dis-colouring and scars on face. I have dark circles as you can see in the pictures which it covers nicely. This is the best MAC foundation after my Estee Lauder one. It suits my skin perfectly and looks great all day. It evens out my skin tone and does not make me look cakey or dewy. I use Real Techniques pointed foundation brush or sometimes just fingers to blend and it blends very easily and effortlessly. It has SPF which is a plus point. It’s a bit expensive but totally worth the price. The pleasant fragrance would not bother sensitive noses.
Let’s look the photos and swatches:
And here is a little demo of how I apply it:
I use a tiny amount and use the Real Techniques pointy foundation to blend it. You can build it up to get more coverage.
In the photos I’m wearing nothing but a lip gloss
Pros of Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation:
Cons of Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation:
Price: Rs.1900 approx
VNA Rating: 5/5
Final Verdict: Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation Spf 15 is the perfect foundation for my normal skin. I love its finish, coverage and texture. It works great as a concealer too but I use MAC select cover-up concealer to hide my dark circles. It appears heavy when applied at first but is really light in texture and settles to natural matte look. The foundation can give a beautiful finish if applied correctly. I highly recommend this foundation.
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