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| MAC Studio Finish Powder Plus Foundation |
Continuing the "Foundation" series, MAC Studio Finish Powder Plus Foundation does
exactly what it says on the tin. Per MAC, it combines coverage and ease of
application as both a foundation and a finishing powder in one.
Using this as a foundation, medium coverage is usual. It's
not possible to sheer this out particularly, as it's designed to be used dry.
It is possible to achieve full-coverage with this on its own, but it can
look a little chalky. Personally, when I want full coverage, I generally
use this over a liquid foundation to powder it down and give a more long
lasting, heavier cover.
It's also brilliant for "later-on touch ups"in lieu of
foundation, powder and concealer.
Finish
The powder pigments in this create a matte velvet texture, but it's a very dead matte. In general, I spritz this with MAC Fix+ after I apply to help take the dry look off my face, it also helps to meld the foundation into my skin.
Wear
This wears for a standard seven-eight hours, but it's easy to
top-up later on (it's great to use for touch-ups). It's great to use for a really
quick makeup in the morning when you're in a hurry, sprayed with some MAC Fix+
afterwards, as mentioned.
Shades / Undertones
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| The shades. There is quite a range with this formulation |
This comes in a LOT of (thirty seven) shades, organised into C, N,
NC and NW undertones, and in particular there are bunch of really pale colours,
which not all of MAC foundations cater for.
C
(Yellow)
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C2, C3, C4, C6, C7, C8, C30, C35, C40
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N
(Neutral) |
N3, N4, N5, N9
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NC
(Neutral-Yellow) |
NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC40, NC41, NC42, NC43, NC43.5, NC44.5, NC45, NC46, NC50, NC55
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NW
(Neutral-Pink) |
NW15, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW43, NW45, NW50
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Best Applied With
As
mentioned, this is designed to be used dry. It doesn't particularly work
with a sponge (wet or dry). Due to the nature of the
foundation (powder-based compact), fingers don't really work. For me, it
works best with a dense buffing brush (I also use my Shiseido
foundation brush with this foundation).
As
a powder, the dense applicator sponge that comes with it (if it's for applying
on yourself) is good, as is a standard powder brush or buffing brush.
As
a touch-up concealer, I like to use this with my Laura Mercier Camouflage Powder brush.
Formulation
This is a very heavily powder-based compact foundation (as
suggested by the name!). It contains silica, talc, silicones, titanium
dioxide.
Best Suited To
This is a dry, and drying foundation/powder. It's really not
great on particularly dry skin, as it can appear very patchy (or develop dry
patches) if your skin is not normal/combination. It's not bad on oilier
skins, but for very oily skins I find it tends to break up on the skin after
some wear.
Flashback, SPF, Price
The price is in-or-around €28-€30 as I recall. Given that it
contains titanium dioxide, it can flashback with a slight greenish
cast - need to watch use of this for flash photography.