Product Roundup #1: Foundation

My Foundation Stash

**Missing from photo is Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation

The average person has one bottle of foundation that they wear everyday. The makeup junkie tires of the same thing very easily and likes variety. This is where my stash comes in. I also know that my foundation shade changes quickly, and depending on how my skin looks I like different amounts of coverage.


Produit: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
Description: HG worthy in summer, too dark for me in winter. Full review here.
Décision: Use it up! Mix with Revlon Colorstay for maximum coverage in winter.

Produit: MAC Matchmaster Foundation shade 1.0
Description: You can find my full review here.
Décision: Use it up! Great for my oily skin!

Produit: Revlon Colorstay Foundation for combo/oily in Ivory
Description:
Décision: Use it up!

Produit: Revlon Photoready Foundation in Ivory
Description: By itself this foundation makes me look straight-up Cullen-esque. Lots of shimmery, sparkly skin. Can be mixed with Revlon Colorstay for a dewy look that lasts all day.
Décision: Undecided. I might keep it to mix with CS or I might get rid of it.

Produit: Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation in 784?
Description: Light coverage, looks blotchy on my skin. Full review coming soon.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Stila SPF30 Oil-free Tinted Moisturizer in Bare
Description: Evens out skin tone without greasies.
Décision: Use it up!

Produit: Sephora tinted moisturizer in Light 15
Description: Might be oil-free but still feels greasy on my skin.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in 13
Description: Covers a little better than a TM but has a very strong perfumey scent.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Bare Minerals Matte Foundation in Fairy Light
Description:
Décision: Use it up!

Produit: Bare Minerals Original Foundation in Fairly Light
Description: I used this for years but I don't feel the love any more. I think I've developed an allergy to the bismuth in it as well.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation in Blush Ivory
Description: Possibly on it's way to HG status. Nice natural look on skin, slightly dewy without sliding off of my face. Full review to come!
Décision: Use it up!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Review

I have finally jumped on the MAC Cosmetics bandwagon, and I am a huge fan. Seriously, why did I not try this stuff sooner? *SMH*

I have some friends who rave about the studio sculpt foundation but I was a little afraid that it would have a too much moisture for my oily skin right now. (I might give it a try in the winter when humidity isn't such an issue.)

I ordered the Studio Fix Fluid in NC15 online after reading many, MANY reviews and swatches. (Seriously, thank God for Makeupalley and Google. Both are such handy tools when you can't just run in-store.) I'm really fair so going with the lightest shade was a no-brainier, especially after I read so many fair skinned gals complain that the SFF shades run darker than the other MAC foundation shades. According to MAC, I should be a warm shade because of the pink/rosy undertones in my skin but so many reviews talked about how the warm shades in SFF were too orange for them, and I know from previously experience that I certainly cannot do foundation with an orange tint. Oompa Loompa, anyone?

SFF applied with quickness on greasy skin

I was so excited to see that black box on my doorstep that I ran inside and applied it on top of my 6 hour old tinted moisturizer greasy skin with my fingers. If it can look good on top of THAT, there must be something special about this stuff.

Morning application

Evening results

I applied the SFF with a sponge for a couple of days and while it still looks great, neither sponge or fingers are my first choice for applying liquid foundation. It's harder to get an even look with my fingers and the sponge soaks up too much makeup. What a waste! The SFF still looks pretty great with a sponge, if I do say so myself.

Morning close-up

Evening close-up

I also added a comparison pics from right after application to the end of the day. (About 8 hours, I believe.) You might think I look like a hot mess by the end of the day, but with my oily skin, I promise that it's a good thing!



My new favorite application method is stippling with a MAC 187. In combination with the SFF it gives my skin an almost flawless, airbrushed finish. My skin looks great with this on and it covers fabulously. I still use a bit of undereye concealer with it but nothing on blemishes.

Applied with stippling method

Yes, I spent the whole day with my eyes closed. :P

I have combination-to-oily skin, (I occasionally get dry spots but it's very rare and only in the winter,) and this foundation is perfect for me. By the end of the day my skin has a slight sheen to it when wearing this, but that could be corrected with a dusting of powder. That is a first for me since most foundations leave me with shiny cheeks within a few hours.
The coverage is anywhere from medium to full, depending on the application. It's a very easily buildible foundation without becoming cakey or blotchy. It does take a little while to dry, which is great for adding coverage but not for when you're in a hurry. It has somewhere between a natural and matte finish when applied to my skin. I would call it one step under matte, if that makes sense. Another great thing is how little product I actually need to use to achieve this look.  One pump is plenty when using the stippling method.

There are only two things that I dislike about this product and both are related to the packaging. It comes in a glass bottle so I think that traveling with it would be an issue and I also had to buy a pump for it separately. Really MAC, you know we need that pump to get it out of the small opening. Way to make a few extra bucks. ;)

While this formula is fabulous for my oilier skin, I'm not sure that it would work well for those with really dry skin.  There really isn't a "one-size fits all" foundation, but I'm sure that there are those who will love this just as much as I do. This foundation is well on it's way to becoming a HG foundation for me!!