Let's be real, foundation shopping is a right 'mare. There's nothing like handing over your hard earned cash, only to get home and find you picked completely the wrong shade, or that 3 hours later, your face has turned into an actual oil slick.
One of the biggest factors when it comes to what foundation you want, is the level of coverage and that's where I come in. I thought (to help you guys out), I would test every single MAC foundation on half my face, so you know just how much, or how little coverage you're getting, before you buy. You can thank me later.
Oh and let's lay down some ground rules before we start. All foundations were applied with the same foundation brush (except one) and I didn't apply any additional powder or concealer. But I did fill in my brows and apply mascara, to make the whole thing slightly less horrifying.
1. MAC Studio Face & Body Foundation
Shop now £24.50
Coverage: Light
Ngl, I'm slightly bias here because Face & Body is my fave MAC foundation. I was first introduced to it when studying makeup in college, and trust me when I say this is a staple in every makeup artist kit. This is the lightest coverage of all MAC foundations, but it's buildable. I like it because it feels like you're not wearing anything, and just evens everything out, whilst leaving your skin, looking like skin.
2. MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation
Shop now £27.50
Coverage: Medium to Full
From my most favourite, to my least favourite. For some reason, my skin just doesn't get on with Studio Sculpt. This is a gel based formula, which is incredibly hydrating for drier skin types, but on my combination skin, I find it sits on the surface and doesn't sink in. This is a medium to high coverage foundation, with a dewy finish. Most heavy coverage foundations tend to be quite drying, so if you suffer with dry skin and want more coverage, this is a good option.
3. MAC Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Foundation
Shop now £29.50
Coverage: Light
So clearly this isn't a great shade match for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by this foundation. It's a cushion formula, so I used the sponge that comes with it to apply, rather than a brush. This gives a similar amount of coverage to Face & Body, just with slightly less glow. If you like a light coverage and do your makeup on the go, this is one for you.
4. MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation
Shop now £30
Coverage: Medium
This was my first time trying Mineralize Moisture and I loved it. This is a medium coverage foundation that gives a dewy finish. I found this sunk into my skin a lot better than Studio Sculpt. You definitely need to powder this one, but if you like the finish of Face & Body, but want a bit more coverage, I'm sure you will love this.
5. MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation
Shop now £27.50
Coverage: Medium
This is a very thin, serum-like foundation, which is pretty undetectable on the skin. I would say this gives a light-medium coverage and would be a good one if you hate the feeling of makeup on your face. I like the fact it took away my redness, without looking like a mask. It's similar to Face & Body, but with more coverage.
6. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
Shop now £26
Coverage: Full
If you don't like heavy makeup, you will hate Studio Fix. It smells a bit like paint, it's full coverage and there's nothing natural about it. But if you want flawless skin, you can't go wrong. This used to be my "party" foundation, because it makes your look skin look plastic fantastic in IRL, and in pictures, plus it lasts all day.
7. MAC Pro Longwear Foundation
Shop now £27.50
Coverage: Full
High coverage, matte finish and budge proof. If those three things sound appealing to you, Pro Longwear has got your back. It's definitely not a 'no makeup' look, but if you don't want to worry about touching up your makeup throughout the day, this is fab. But be warned, if you have dry skin, this isn't going to be forgiving.
8. MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
Shop now £27.50
Coverage: Full
This is a more forgiving version of the original Pro Longwear. It has all the original benefits (plus it's waterproof) but I just prefer the slightly less matte finish. If you want high coverage and long-wear, but have dry skin, this would be the one to go for.
See you at the MAC counter.
With thanks to King of the Booth.
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