MAC Foundation Review No. 1: Studio Tech

Hi everyone, I've mentioned on here that I have a few of the MAC foundations, and was asked to do a review of them by Happy1234. Well I'm happy to oblige, but I'm sure you all know by now how I like to go on a lot/give a lot of information in my reviews! So rather than reviewing all the foundations in one go, I'll do them one by one, and all feedback/comments as usual will be greatfully received!

First of all, I'll describe the packaging and say a little bit about the colour system that MAC use for their foundations. I have also looked at a lot of feedback and reviews on the makeup alley website about this, so I'll try to present a rounded view of the product so you can decide whether or not you think it might work for you.

MAC organise the colours for this foundation into warm or cool. Cool foundations are more yellow based, while warm colours are more pink/red based. So the NC group are neutral cool - ie yellow/olive based colours, while NW(Neutral Warm) are more pink toned. NC or NW is then followed by a number - the higher the number the more dark the foundation. For reference I am an NC20 in this foundation.

Ok, so Studio Tech is a cream foundation, which comes in a compact. When you open the compact there is a mirror in the lid, and the foundation is below this. It is housed in a sealed foiled section, which keeps it hygienic until you want to start using it. Under the foundation, there is another compartment which contains a flat, round cosmetic sponge. I personally don't use the sponge as I find it soaks up products which means you end up wasting a lot (and in the UK, this costs £21.53 for 10g), I also find you get a much more controlled and airbrushed application using a brush (I use a 109). A lot of the reviewers on make up alley also seem to find this method works well for them, some use a flat foundation brush, others prefer a stippling brush like the 187. Sponges are also breeding grounds for germs, and repeated use of one sponge will cause breakouts etc if you are prone...

The foundation is a blend of water, emollients and powder, it does NOT dry to a powder finish - you would need to set it with a powder to achieve that look. It is buildable, and can be used to give light to full coverage. I find that the coverage can also be blended, ie, I apply the basic level of coverage I want, and can then add extra coverage wherever I need it and blend out the areas of differing coverage really easily. I usually dust it over with mineral skin finish natural powder to set it. I find that this will last for around 4-5 hours. I usually need retouching around the t-zone first, but I find it lasts long enough for an evening out without needing a retouch.

I also find that this being a cream foundation. It tends to 'cling' onto my blusher better - blush usually just disappears on me, because I'm pale so can't put too much on. With this foundation I blend my blusher in (usually I'll use a cream blush with this), prior to dusting over MSF, and I find it works really well. Due to the good coverage I get from it, I usually don't need to use a lot of concealer.

I'd say this foundation would work better for drier skins - a lot of the makeup alley reviews by people with oily/combination skin are more negative, and state that they find the foundation disappears quicker and causes them to break out, so I'd use with caution should you have oilier skin types or be prone to breakouts. In addition, some people with very dry skin feel that this really highlights dry areas - I have dryish skin and don't find this a problem as long as I make sure I moisturise well.

As much as I love this foundation, I don't think I could use it every day, and I can see why some people wouldn't like it, but I love it! This is my HG foundation for evenings! I also wear this at weekends sometimes, and is probably the one I'd take away with me for a weekend as I feel it's possibly the most versatile foundation I currently own. I can get a light dewy look by using it without powder and build it right up to a full on flawless perfectly 'done' face.

Another point about this foundation is that it has a texture which is almost 'skin like', and also photographs really well - the pictures on here in the rocker eye entry were taken while I was wearing this foundation.

Well I hope that this was useful and has answered some questions about this foundation, but feel free if you have any questions about it to post a comment and I'll try my best to answer it.

Also, does anyone else use this? What do others think of it?

Next review will be for studio fix fluid. I will also be reviewing mineralise satinfinish spf15, full coverage and mineralise loose powder foundation. If anyone has a particular request about any mac foundation, or a question that you want me to address in my review then just let me know and I'll do my best

Mizzworthy xxx