Lucy Jordan, Author at mamabella

MAC Studio Fix Foundation review: Is it really worth £32?

Lucy Jordan — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 07:00:17 +0000

In our MAC Studio Fix Foundation review, we look at whether the cult classic foundation is still worth the money in the face of increasing competition

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How we tested MAC Studio Fix foundation

How to use the MAC Studio Fix foundation

Performance

Before and After

MAC Studio Fix Review: Verdict

Ingredients

UPDATE: Since we published our Studio Fix foundation review, MAC has released the Studio Fix Every-Wear All-Over Face Pen.

Part concealer-part foundation, the pen promises to “conceal and correct” for 36 hours and provide a natural-looking matte finish.

What’s more, it contains skincare benefits in the form of Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and caffeine to plump the skin and energize your under eyes.

Like all MAC products, it doesn’t come cheap though and at £28 it will be out of many people’s reach. However, considering it promises to replace your eye cream, foundation and concealer in a single product, it would at least be good value.

We’ve bought the pen and will be putting it to the test as soon as it arrives to confirm whether it’s worth the money, or worth avoiding!

Original MAC Studio Fix foundation review continues below

The Studio Fix foundation from MAC Cosmetics has been a firm favourite among makeup artists for years due to its diverse shade range and staying power.

It’s so popular, over the years the formula has been reformatted from a fluid foundation to a powder compact, a foundation stick, a concealer, and even a loose powder. Each one promises buildable coverage with a matte finish.

For this Studio Fix foundation review, we’ve concentrated on the fluid foundation version, with references to the foundation stick.

We’ve also recently reviewed and ranked all of the best MAC foundations to discover which is worth your time and money, and which should be avoided. Spoiler alert: The Studio Fix Fluid foundation scored highly…

MAC Studio Fix foundation review

The MAC Studio Fix foundation is one of the original base products sold by the iconic makeup brand and over the years, it has been available in an increasing number of shades.

At the time of writing, there are a staggering 67 Studio Fix foundation shades ranging from light to deep dark – this is one of the most diverse and inclusive foundation ranges on the market. Each one then offers SPF 15 protection.

This covers a wide spectrum of skin tones with warm, cool, and neutral undertones; whether you’re warm with rosy undertones, or dark with red. The names of the shades reflect this.

The letters tell you which undertone each shade is best suited to, while the number reveals where on the light-to-dark spectrum it sits – from 3.5-60.

For example, our shade is NC16. This means we have neutral (N), cool (C) undertones and we have light skin. The description of NC16 is light beige with peachy undertones.

If you’re not sure which MAC Studio Fix foundation shade you need, check out our guide on how to find the perfect foundation match online.

FURTHER READING: We’ve reviewed and ranked every MAC foundation to finally reveal which is best

MAC Studio Fix foundation: At-a-glance

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The MAC Studio Fix foundation offers medium to full coverage in 67 shades

What is MAC Studio Fix? The MAC Studio Fix Foundation is known for its full coverage and matte finish. It comes in a huge range of shades to suit different skin tones, and it is designed to last all day without fading or creasing. It is a buildable foundation, which means that you can apply multiple layers to achieve the desired level of coverage.

MAC Studio Fix price: £32 (30ml)

MAC Studio Fix foundation shades: 67

Base: Silicone

Coverage: Medium-Full

Finish: Matte

Who should use the MAC Studio Fix foundation? Suitable for all skin types but will particularly suit people with oily or combination skin types.

Where to buy: MAC | Lookfantastic |

MAC Studio Fix alternatives: Maybelline Fit Me foundation (£5.99)

How to use the MAC Studio Fix foundation

The MAC Studio Fix foundation comes in a glass bottle with a screw cap, meaning you have to purchase a pump separately if that’s your preferred method of application. This used to be really common and was usually a sign of a premium product.

For example, the brilliant Estée Lauder Double Wear is the same. In both cases, you can buy a pump separately, and the MAC pump costs an extra £5.

Lucy Jordan/mamabella

The MAC Studio Fix foundation is available in 60 shades

When you consider you’re paying this on top of what is already a relatively expensive foundation (pushing the total price above the £30 mark), it seems a bit of a cheek.

However, the pump can be rinsed and reused so you’ll at least only have to make this purchase once.
Thankfully, even without the pump, the consistency of the Studio Fix foundation is quite thick which means it’s not as easy as it is with the thinner, runnier Double Wear foundation to pour out too much.

You can read more about what we think of the Estée Lauder foundation in our Double Wear review.

You can pour a small amount of the Studio Fix Fluid foundation onto the back of your hand and increase the amount as you build to your desired coverage.

It applies and blends well with both a foundation brush and a damp beauty sponge and the coverage always impresses us, even with a single application.

We should also mention the smell. We’ve read many online reviews bemoaning the foundation’s scent; claiming it smells like paint.

It does smell more chemically than other foundations we’ve used – the Huda Beauty Faux Filter by comparison smells lovely! – but we don’t think the smell is strong enough to make a significant impact on our overall review of this foundation.

It also only smells like this when you first pour it out of the bottle. It certainly doesn’t linger once it’s on your face.

If anyone has used the original Studio Fix Prep + Prime Setting Spray will know that this also smells a little odd, but it’s not a game changer in our opinion.

FURTHER READING: How to clean makeup brushes and how to clean beauty blenders

How we tested the MAC Studio Fix foundation

For our MAC Studio Fix foundation, we used it as our primary foundation three times a week for two months.

We added the foundation to our routine without making any other changes to make it easier to identify any differences in coverage, oiliness, and finish, as well as its compatibility with our other products.

We tested the foundation and its finish when applied using different methods, including a foundation brush, stippling brush, fingers, and a damp beauty blender.

For each application, we took note of how well the coverage and finish lasted throughout the day, if it caused cakiness or breakouts, and how easy it was to remove.

Additionally, we conducted a unique test on fruits, specifically an orange and a strawberry, to see how well the foundation covered and hydrated the skin. You can read more about this in our How we test foundations to find out which is the best guide, and our best foundation list.

MAC Studio Fix foundation: Performance

@victoria_woolly_web Another foundation without a pump but is very popular #fyp #fypシ #mamabella #foundationtest #makeuptiktok #mac #maccosmetics #studiofixfluid #foundations #FilmTeyvatIslands #SuperShow @maccosmetics ♬ Sunroof – Nicky Youre & dazy

In our fruit tests, the MAC foundation performed better than expected in terms of coverage, providing what we considered to be full coverage on the orange, and medium coverage on the strawberry. It let out no oil (due to the fact it has an oil-free formula) on the blotting paper.

It lost points due to the fact that the brand isn’t completely vegan, and while MAC itself doesn’t test on animals, it does sell products in regions where animal testing is performed. It also dropped the hydration levels of our skin by a fair amount – 6.7 points, or 23%. This isn’t a surprise considering the Studio Fix is a matte foundation, of course.

Despite its thick consistency, once the Studio Fix foundation is on the skin, it doesn’t feel too heavy or matte. A single application gives medium coverage.

It is a highly buildable foundation that doesn’t leave your skin looking cakey. All while drying to a nice soft matte finish.

Many matte foundations are either too thick – designed to block any shine or oil from escaping – or dull the skin. By contrast, the Studio Fix fluid foundation gives your complexion a subtle healthy glow without looking shiny. This is likely because it contains silica, which helps to absorb excess oil and reduce shine, as well as micronised pigments that create a smooth, even finish.

When applying concealer and powder products on top – we use the Laura Mercier Loose Powder (£32) and the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£24) – they blend seamlessly with the foundation complementing the overall finish without weighing this healthy glow down.

MAC claims the Studio Fix foundation lasts for 24 hours, which we think is a bit of a stretch. We find that it lasts well for around 12 hours, so looks great at the end of the day, even if the matte finish fades a little if you have oily skin (like us).

Our skin still usually looks flawless and breakouts are still covered when we get home from work, although we have noticed that it has a tendency to transfer a little onto our phone’s screen throughout the day.

By the end of the day, this foundation doesn’t feel too heavy, and despite some of our natural oiliness seeping through, it also doesn’t feel too slick. Although it does feel more noticeable and heavier than when it’s first applied.

MAC Studio Fix foundation: Before and After

The image below shows how the MAC Studio Fix foundation looks before application, and after.

MAC

The before and after photos of the Mac Studio Fix foundation

As you can see, the foundation easily, and naturally covers redness and blemishes without making the skin look flat or dull. It gives a healthy glow and even skin tone.

MAC Studio Fix foundation review: Verdict

Retailing at £32, MAC Studio Fix foundation is definitely a luxury purchase yet its thicker consistency and impressive coverage means a little goes a long way.

It’s also not the most expensive foundation on the market, far from it, yet outperforms pricey rivals.

We’ve used both the fluid and stick versions of Studio Fix and prefer the former. The latter is much easier to apply and blends really well but we don’t feel it lasts as well as the former and the coverage isn’t as impressive. This will suit you if you’re after the Studio Fix foundation quality with a more natural finish, though.

MAC posits its Studio Fix Fluid foundation as being suitable for all skin types, however, we’d say it is best suited to normal/oily skin due to its matte finish and longevity.

For dry skin, we would recommend using a hydrating primer before using Studio Fix – our favourites are the NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Jelly Primer (£15) and the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (£22).

You could also mix the Studio Fix foundation with your moisturiser to sheer it out and add extra hydration. The Smashbox Primer Water doubles up as a setting spray if you’re worried about spending the extra money.

Overall, the Studio Fix Fluid Foundation performs extremely well, gives an impressive finish, and definitely offers the coverage and longevity it promises. This is our go-to foundation and we’ve converted a number of friends to switch to it as well.

FURTHER READING: We’ve reviewed and ranked the best Charlotte Tilbury foundations

MAC Studio Fix foundation review: Ingredients

The MAC Studio Fix foundation contains no “icky” ingredients and has a very low irritation and comedogenic rating, meaning it shouldn’t cause breakouts.

Cyclopentasiloxane emo|solv, PEG-10 Dimethicone emu, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Trimethylsiloxysilicate emo, Read more">Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate sunsc 0 0, Dimethicone emo 0 1, Read more">Magnesium Sulfate vc, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer emu, Read more">Titanium Dioxide sunsc|col, Laminaria Saccharina Extract h|so, Read more">Algae Extract emo|h, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Read more">Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Lecithin emo|emu, Hydrogenated Lecithin emo|emu, Xanthan Gum vc, Read more">Sorbitan Sesquioleate emu 0 0–1, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Read more">Laureth-7 emu|surf, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone emu, Read more">Disteardimonium Hectorite vc, Silica vc, Read more">Dimethicone Crosspolymer vc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate solv|vc, Read more">Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate aox|pres, Read more">Sorbic Acid pres, Chloroxylenol amic|pres, Phenoxyethanol pres

Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

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Lucy Jordan

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The Ordinary primer review: At £3.90, is The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone primer a bargain or a dud?

Lucy Jordan — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 20:39:33 +0000

The Ordinary has become a cult favourite in recent years, offering affordable and accessible skincare and makeup to all, and one of it’s most popular products is its High-Adherence Silicone primer.

As its name suggests, the primer contains silicone and grips onto your makeup so it “adheres” to your face.

According to the brand, this is achieved via so-called “advanced adaptive silicone particles” that blur the look of imperfections – including fine lines and enlarged pores – and which create a smooth base for your foundation and other skincare products.

It also has a non-greasy formula, free from alcohol and oil, to leave your complexion free from shine. All for just £3.90. But does this cheap price mean you have to make sacrifices?

FURTHER READING: What does primer do? An expert explains the one rule you MUST follow if you want flawless makeup

The Ordinary primer review

The Ordinary primer comes in one size – 30ml. Not the largest of tubes, but not the smallest either. It’s cruelty-free, vegan and is not fragranced, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types.

The benefit of it coming in a small-ish tube is that this primer is travel-friendly – not that many of us are travelling very far these days – but it also means it takes up little space on your dressing table. Plus, a little goes a long way with this primer.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

Application

In fact, the first thing we noticed about The Ordinary primer was how smoothly it went on, and how a very small amount left our entire face feeling silky and almost velvety to the touch.

The closest we’ve come to this feeling and texture in the past has been with the Smashbox Photo Finish primer. A silicone-based primer that similarly comes in a 30ml tube, yet charges £29 for the privilege.

FURTHER READING: The best The Ordinary products for all your skincare concerns – from large pores to redness, wrinkles and acne

You don’t need to rub this primer particularly hard into the skin, as it forms a light film over the surface. This means pores are instantly blurred, as promised, and fine lines are filled. It’s not powerful enough to blur out more deep-set wrinkles, but we’ve yet to come across a primer that does and for this price, we can’t really complain!

We were also super impressed by the way this primer mattified our skin without making it look dull – which is common. Even after we applied a matte foundation on top, the skin looked smooth with a hint of natural radiance.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

Performance

The Ordinary

We applied the MAC Studio Fix foundation on top of The Ordinary primer.

This foundation has good staying power, anyway, but it tends to melt off a little by early evening.

Using it with High Adherence primer saw it last well into the evening, right up until we came to take our makeup off before bed.

Part of this is because the primer grips hold of the makeup, but it’s also because it controls sebum and shine so effectively. There’s no oil slick on our face for the makeup to run down, which helps keep it in place.

The downside is that silicone primers do have a habit of causing skin problems if used repeatedly, for too long.

The benefits you get from a primer creating a thin, sealed layer on your face is that this also stops any moisture reaching it. Over time, this can cause dry patches, fine lines and wrinkles.

Silicone primers can also trap dirt and dead skin cells in the pores and unless you’re cleansing properly every night, this can lead to blemishes and breakouts as well as enlarged pores, which can make oily skin worse.

You should also be aware that to get the best from this primer, you need to use it with a silicone-based foundation.

Using a water-based foundation on a silicone primer lessens the effect somewhat and can almost curdle on the face, causing skin to look cakey.

You can read more about this in our What’s really in your foundation? guide, as well as our What does primer do?.

The beauty of using a silicone primer, though, is that it can be worn under makeup or on its own.

This is the premise that the recently released Becca Zero foundation is based upon; using silicone in a clear formula to create a flawless layer on the skin without the need for anything tinted or pigmented.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

The Ordinary primer review: Verdict

All things considered, The Ordinary primer would be a fantastic primer at twice the price, so seeing as it’s less than £4, this is an absolute bargain. Even with some of the issues that accompany silicone-based primers.

With properties that work for most skin types and the fact that it does actually do what it claims to do, which is to blur pores, we recommend trying The Ordinary primer.

It’s especially a must buy for those with oily/combination skin due to its ability to keep the slick at bay for longer, and therefore adding to the longevity of your makeup. We’ve also used this as an eyeshadow primer.

At the very least, if The Ordinary primer doesn’t work for you, you’ve only spent what you would have done buying a large cup of high-street coffee. And if it does work, you just can’t put a price on flawless skin.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

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Lucy Jordan

The post The Ordinary primer review: At £3.90, is The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone primer a bargain or a dud? appeared first on mamabella.