As I am always on the hunt for anything that will make me more beautiful, I decided to try out a couple of MAC products which I had heard were very good - though very expensive!
So I travelled into London (Selfridges, actually), as MAC cosmetics are not available in a huge number of places ... Read review
Advantages: Good coverage, looks natural Disadvantages: EXPENSIVE! Not widely available in the shops
...try out a couple of MAC products which I had heard were very good - though very expensive!
So I travelled into London (Selfridges, actually), as MAC cosmetics are not available in a huge number of places and found my way to the MAC counter. Obviously a very popular brand, as all the sales assistants were extremely busy applying make-up to customers, so I hovered around the counters for a few minutes hoping someone would notice me, ... ...product I went for is MAC Studiofix foundation - which looks like your average powder compact, but is in fact a complete foundation and powder all in one (I also bought the corresponding concealer). One of the great things about MAC is that they have a HUGE range of shades, so you are bound to find something that suits your skin colour.
It comes in a neat little grey cardboard box, and the compact itself contains a mirror and a little ... more
As I am always on the hunt for anything that will make me more beautiful, I decided to try out a couple of MAC products which I had heard were very good - though very expensive!
So I travelled into London (Selfridges, actually), as MAC cosmetics are not available in a huge number of places and found my way to the MAC counter. Obviously a very popular brand, as all the sales assistants were extremely busy applying make-up to customers, so I hovered around the counters for a few minutes hoping someone would notice me, in the end I got fed up and chose something I thought would be suitable.
The product I went for is MAC Studiofix foundation - which looks like your average powder compact, but is in fact a complete foundation and powder all in one (I also bought the corresponding concealer). One of the great things about MAC is that they have a HUGE range of shades, so you are bound to find something that suits your skin colour.
It comes in a neat little grey cardboard box, and the compact itself contains a mirror and a little compartment underneath the powder foundation for you to keep your sponge in - this obviously helps to keep your sponge from getting clogged up with make-up when you are not using it and is more hygienic, but I am so messy it doesn't help me much!!!!
I handed over my 17 quid with gritted teeth - aarrgh!! The only time I ever paid that much for a make-up item was when I bought YSL's Touche Eclat and that was very disappointing!!
When I got the stuff home, I couldn't wait to try it. Unfortunately, with much effort I couldn't get the fantastic results I had heard that these products can give. The concealer was drying on my face and I just couldn't get the Studiofix foundation to give me that gorgeous film star look - just couldn't get the right coverage. So I abandoned my new MAC products which had cost me about 27 pounds in total, and went back to my old stuff.
Last week, I was in Brighton and happened to stumble upon a "MAC" shop in the Lanes. They weren't very busy and when I told the assistant in the shop about the trouble I had had with my new products, she sat me down and told me how to apply it. In fact, she gave me a complete make over!
The secret is to moisturise the face beforehand - especially the dry under-eye area - then apply the concealer, after it has been softened by blending it on the back of your hand, or a pallette. Then, the studio fix foundation can either be brushed on with a large powder brush for a very sheer look, or use the sponge for a more complete coverage, which is what I wanted. Dab it on, and keep dabbing it on your face until you feel you have the right coverage. You can really build up the amount you have from very sheer to full cover, and it looks great!! It really does give a nice, matt finish and looks very natural, especially as the colour is so close to my own skin colour.
It lasts a long time, and when you need to top up your foundation whilst you are out, you only need to get your compact out and dab your face a few times to regain complete coverage. I have tried this at my first Christmas party, and it works wonders!!
The sales assistant in Brighton was very helpful, and explained to me that they are usually very busy in Selfridges and just don't have the time to help out all their customers. She gave me lots of free samples, too!
Studiofix foundation is probably not right for you if you have dry skin, as it is a powder and therefore has a slightly drying effect, but great for oily skins.
My advice if you want to try these products is to make sure you get the assistants to give you some of their time beforehand - even get a complete make-over if you can!! To me, the product was useless until I was shown how to apply it properly.
One of the drawbacks with MAC products is that they are only available generally in big cities, but I think they are spreading, and have just opened a new department in one of the big department stores (It's either John Lewis or House of Fraser, sorry - can't remember which). Failing that, their assistant told me that they do a mail order service, but I don't have any details on this. Check out their website www.maccosmetics.com for more info.
I give it five stars because it is expensive, but I like it!! It looks natural, the colour match is excellent, and it covers well, and can be touched up very easily indeed. It gives the appearance of a flawless complextion. I wish I had enough money to try out more MAC products - guess I'll have to ask Santa!
Advantages: excellent range of shades (40ish), long lasting, great texture Disadvantages: expensive, specialist stores only
...you guessed it she uses MAC studiofix in NW20). It is simply a question of what works best and has the nicest tone/texture, aswell as individual preference. However, with foundation and bases in general, I think I have found the exception to my philosophy. (I previously used to buy expensive eye shadows and lip glosses and scrimp on the base - now I realise this is clearly the most important part as it is the canvas that allows everythng else to ... ...helpful, especially at MAC.
MAC is an American brand developed for professional use by make-up artists. It has fairly minimal, yet sleek, black packaging, with an emphasis on quality and range of shades available. This includes Asian and black skintones. It works on the principle that skin either has golden or pinkish undertones and produces shades accordingle. Basically, you could have pinky pale skin or olive pale skin, so a generic "pale" foundation ...
elleandbo 06.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of MAC Studiofix
Advantages: Light, amazing coverage, plenty of shades Disadvantages: None!
...recommend going on eBay for MAC however, as recently there have been a lot of fakes popping up on there. I was lucky, this is the genuine stuff! I've tried many foundations in my time, mostly liquid - up until recently I have avoided powder and mineral foundations, since I've always thought they were for women with good skin (mine is terrible, really, really bad) but since this was half price anyway, I decided to get it to wear over the top of my ... ...I really shouldn't be.
MAC has a shade for every skintone too, I do know some darker ladies who have problems finding foundations, so ladies with dark skin will be happy to know that MAC do have a shade for you! If you go to a MAC counter an artist there will match a foundation to your skin so you don't have to worry about your face being a different colour to your neck, this stuff blends really well and builds brilliantly too.
Though it may sound ...
bambicat 16.08.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of MAC Studiofix
Advantages: long lasting, versatile, excellent colour range Disadvantages: not widely available outside London
I've been using this base for a long time now - and 'm surprised that it hasn't got any rave reviews on this site - so here's mine! Basically this is a product for younger, normal to oily skin as it does tend to be a bit drying. For full coverage you apply it with a sponge (supplied in the compact - and a most excellent sponge it is too); while for a much lighter, sheerer, effect it can be dusted on with a brush. It's designed to be an all in one ...
mrswombat 26.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of MAC Studiofix
I initially bought this just because it was the only foundation I could find anywhere at any price that was pale enough for my skin (the N1 is very very pale).
Since then I've discovered others, but this remains a real firm favourite.
It's a 'solid' foundation in a compact which you can apply with the sponge in the bottom of the compact (I like the way this keeps the sponge off the product - more hygienic) or with a big powder brush.
I also like ... ...light coverage, a normal coverage or even build it up without it looking clogged to use as a concealer (you can also wet it slightly for even more coverage, but don't dampen the whole compact).
It will cling to any flaky skin though, so it's not one for people with very dry skin, and normal/dry may need to use a good moisturiser underneath ...
ali99 12.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of MAC Studiofix
...you can mess up on. MAC are a fantastic company with a wonderful range of products. Their counters in department stores look classy and their representatives are flawless. Appearance: The compact is black and has space underneath the powder for a puff or sponge. The powder feels soft to the touch. There is a small circular mirror which is perfect for application on the move. Use of product: I first started off using a large powder brush for application ... ...really well and teamed with MAC concealer gives the impression of a professional application. It stays put for a good 6 hours on a regular day and rarely needs reapplying. MAC are known for being expensive but their products are quality so it's definitely worth splashing out and treating yourself. Would definitey recommend this product - just fantastic! Sephs ...
Sephs 02.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of MAC Studiofix
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wasting any unlike previous foundations i have used such as macstudiofix.
**Claims and results**
On the front it says that it is for normal to dry skin ,then on the back says it is for all skin types?.
?Natural looking coverage and anti fatigue effect?-I did like the effect it had on the circles underneath my eyes and i suppose the overall colour it gave was okay. This also claimed that the formula was non-greasy but i received the first spots i have ever had in years. I am not saying that it broke me out loads just a few over my face but to go from none to even a few ?unwanted visitors?was bad enough. It also made parts of my face flake which at first i thought might have been down to the better weather but as soon as i stopped using it my skin problems went away.
I wouldn't recommend buying this so i am not going to suggest where to ...
Advantages: Easy to apply, good for people who need to cover a lot of blemishes Disadvantages: A bit pricey
This is a good concealer, but its not amazing. I guess it depends on the type of skin you have. I've realised that the studiofix foundation would be enough for me to use as a foundation and concealer combined.
I bought this concealer from the Mac in Newcastle, no offence to the people who work there but I don't think the lady knew much about darker skin so I think the concealer is a bit too dark. Its supposed to hide blemishes and conceal dark areas but instead it makes my skin look a bit weird especially if I wear the foundation on top. Also sometimes the makeup looks great in the shop because of the lighting but when you get home it doesnt quite look as good.
Next tome I'm going to be a lot cleverer when getting makeup and take a better look at it, I also recommend taking a friend who knows a lot about makeup.
If you dont ...
