I bought Studio Fix Fluid Foundation last week, the MA recommended NC30, after trying NC25 (it was light/ashy) and a NW (too orange). This was my first foundation purchase from MAC. I have been using SFF NC30 for the past few days but it turns a little orange on me and is a touch dark. Revlon Colorstay vs MAC Studio Fix Fluid Ivory: NW15/NC15 (lightest shade of the ranges) Buff: NC20 (yellow undertone) Sand Beige: NC20-25 (with somewhat neutral undertones) Nude: NC25 (with peachy undertones, definitely not for pinks or true goldens) Natural Beige: NW20 (tends to run pink) Medium Beige: NC27 (between Sand Beige & Golden Beige). MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC25 for Women, 0.52 Ounce 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,765. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 NC25. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15 NC30 4.2 out of 5 stars 164. 16 offers from $39.42. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15 NC35 4.5 out of 5 stars 117. ♥ OPEN FOR PRODUCT DETAILS & THUMBS UP THE VIDEO! ♥ All About My MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid, Pro Longwear Concealer, & Studio Fix Powder Shade & Mini Rev.
Before I started using liquid foundation, it was compact powders all the way. They are easy to apply, great for travel, and most brands carry them. Mid-way, I switched to mineral foundation having heard all the good stuff about it. I tried the Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation but my skin didn’t react well too it. So I went back to compacts and one of my favorites was the MAC Studio Fix.
I liked it so much I went out to get a backup, way before the first one panned out. When something’s that good, you just wanna use it forever, right? =DDD
Evens Out Skin Tone
I have under eye circles, redness around the nose, uneven skin tone aplenty. The MAC Studio Fix Foundation does quite a good job in drastically reducing all these imperfections. It does not hide hideous acne well on its own though.
When the need for more concealment arises, I use a cream concealer like the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette after a face primer, then finish with the MAC Studio Fix Foundation.
Full Coverage
You can build to your desired coverage with this foundation – full, medium, or sheer (like as a setting powder).
Full Coverage:
Use the sponge provided, dab it on (do not rub), and build it on for more coverage.
Make sure to wash the sponge frequently with the Daiso Brush Cleanser.
If you prefer not to use sponges, like me, then load a kabuki brush with powder by swirling it in the pan. Do it in layers for increasing coverage instead of getting a thick first layer.
Medium Coverage:
Use a stippling brush or a kabuki brush like the Sigma F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.
Sheer Coverage:
Use a large fluffy brush like the EcoTools Blush Brush to set liquid foundation. I prefer using the MAC Studio Fix Foundation this way. If your liquid foundation provides medium coverage, the MAC Foundation can bring it to full coverage.
If you have oily skin, it is recommended that you use a powder to set liquid foundation. I use the MAC Studio Fix Foundation or MAC Blot Powder, depending on my mood and need for coverage.
Matte, Almost Mask-like
The MAC Studio Fix Foundation gives a matte finish. You can create a natural look or porcelain-doll kind of finish with the different types of application as stated above.
Be careful, though, if you have bumps and pits on your skin, like I do – aplenty. This foundation, while does well to even out skin tone, does not glide over skin blemishes as well as do liquid foundation. It is perfect for people with relatively good skin. This brings out the worst of my skin during PMS when pimples celebrate in blooms on my face.
Due to its matte finish, it does little to brighten the skin. So using this when you’re sick may make your skin look dull and flat. X(
I would think that people with mature skin should avoid this foundation as well as it tends to make fine lines more visible. I used to be able to use this without having obvious cracks under the eyes after a while, but I seem to be slowly losing that luxury! BOO!
Not Long Lasting Enough
Personally I find that the MAC Studio Fix Foundation does not stay on my skin as long as a liquid foundation does. It tends to slide off within a few hours, maybe 4-5? Good thing that it is easy to reapply.
Therefore I use this in conjunction with liquid foundation now, and not on its own, like I used to. Our skin go through changes, and so must our face products!
I love using this to set the Lancôme Maqui Blanc Miracle Liquid Foundation (review).
Great for Travel
This is a great face powder to have in your travel makeup bag or to bring around every day in your purse for touch-up. It is light, compact, and convenient!
I would still bring along a liquid foundation though, because I fear that the unpredictable weather might make my skin too dry or too oily, and I want to have options. Lol.
No Breakout
It seems that many people have problems with the MAC Studio Fix Foundation, what with clogged pores, huge cystic pimples, and creating havoc on the skin! Terrible!
I didn’t get those from using this foundation. I naturally have pores that are prone to clogging and I never have a face free of pimples (sad life). When I used the MAC Foundation, my skin condition did not get better or worse – it remained the same.
I would think that using the sponge applicator might have caused some reactions on the skin due to accumulated dirt and grime and oil on the sponge. EW. That’s why I never use the sponge applicator, even though it is stored in a separate compartment which makes it slightly more hygenic than those that sit on top of the powder all the time.
Instead of throwing out the MAC Studio Fix Foundation the moment mayhem occurs, try switching to a makeup face brush. That could make a difference!
Shades for Everyone
MAC’s strong value proposition is that it has such a great color range for skin undertones and skin tones. You are bound to find a good color match, provided you get a right match in the first place. MUAs are reputed to give wrong color matches, so doing some homework beforehand is ideal.
For example, if you use ZA 21, try searching around for people who use the same shade and their respective MAC shade. It is best to go to a store to play with the colors yourself and also ask a MUA for help.
I did my research beforehand and went down to a MAC store to confirm my shade – NC25. It is good to know your MAC shade as people tend to use MAC as a guideline.
I am on the lighter side of NC25 though, if I could, I'd like an NC23.5 match, please.
Left: Old NC25 pan; Right: New NC25 pan. No difference!
“I’m NC 20-25, which shade should I use for MUFE Mat Velvet +?”, “What kind of blush is suitable for NC35 skin?”, are typical types of questions people will ask.
I also like that MAC Studio Fix Foundation does not turn orange (oxidize) on me. Very important!
Manage alexa on mac. Bun Bun gives the MAC Studio Fix Foundation a rating of:
Do you know of any good dupes for the (expensive) MAC Studio Fix Foundation? I've read reviews comparing the Maybelling Dream Matte Powder and have even tried it out myself. Not too bad for that price, a little less coverage and not as finely milled though.
Don't forget to leave your name for a chance to win Daiso Brush Cleansers! It's closing at the end of this week! =D
Choosing a foundation can be really daunting, but it’s a key part to our makeup and can make or break a flawless face so it’s important to get it right. Many clients ask me about the labelling of MAC foundations as they don’t understand what NC and NW means and how to colour match themselves.
In colour theory, we’re taught that cool undertones are reds, pinks and blues and that warm undertones are yellow, peaches and golds. However, in MAC labelling, the undertones are the opposite.
NC: Neutral Cool – golden beige undertones.
NW: Neutral Warm – red, pink or blue undertones.
N: Neutral – beige undertones.
Mac Studio Fix Foundation Dupe
C: Cool – Yellow, golden or olive undertones
So a person with yellow, peach or golden undertones would be suited well to an NC foundation whereas a person with red, pink or blue undertones would be better suited to an NW foundation. A person with a beige undertone would be perfectly suited to an N foundation.
You might have heard that some ladies use an NC foundation but have been given an NW concealer, this is because the pink undertone of an NW concealer helps to cancel out dark green under eye circles. For blue tinged under eye circles, you could cancel them out with an NC concealer.
Mac Studio Fix Foundation Nc25
My client Nina has warm undertones (reds in MAC terms) with cool under eye circles (yellow). I used MAC Studio Fix in NC20 over her face to even out and correct the redness and NW10 concealer to correct the dark circles Mp3 player mac.
The number that follows each NC, NW, N or C is simply the colour of each foundation. Sharon, from Sharonthemakeupartist.com explains this perfectly:
“…there are some odd numbers peppered along the way in some of the foundations. For example there is an NC27 or an NW18 in Studio Fix Fluid . These colours don’t have quite as strong an undertone as those that end in 5 or 0. These odd numbers have more of a neutral undertone. So an NC27 is not as yellow as an NC25 but it is a little bit darker.
Conversely there are also plain C’s and plain N’s. These have a stronger yellow or pink undertone than their NC/NW counterparts. Very few of the foundations in the range now have these strong undertones, it’s mostly the old school formulas like Face and Body, or Studio Fix Powder.”
The shade I wear myself is NC15 – this is much more flattering to my skin tone and helps to cancel out any unwanted redness over my cheek area. This is my personal preference too and I find that the NC blends seamlessly into my skin. I find that with the majority of my clients, an NC foundation always looks better and evens the skin tone beautifully.
The most important thing is to make sure that your foundation matches with your chest and looks natural. If you are still struggling, don’t be afraid to ask a counter makeup artist for advice and a colour match. Makeup is all about having fun so there is no wrong or right way to wear your foundation, as long as you have a good match and avoid the dreaded ‘tideline’ around the neck, you’re good to go!