As the title suggests this is not my first run in with MAC Face and Body Foundation, I believe it was two years ago when I first crumbled and bought into the hype only to be disappointed. Yes the foundation lives up to the sheer and natural claims yet it can be built for fuller coverage. Great on paper but sadly it did not quite pan out that way for me.
Let's start with the pro's shall we? Unlike a few years ago the MAC Face and Body Foundation formula is now available in two sizes and unless you are using it religiously or on large areas the new smaller 50ml size will last you some time. Unlike some MAC foundations this does not require a pump to make the most of the product rather it is dispensed via an inbuilt nozzle reducing mess and of course offering some control. It is available in 13 shades but unlike any other foundation I have owned in the past you can actually get away with purchasing a shade deeper for those tanned days as it is so sheer. It can be applied on the body to disguise scarring, as a self tanning product and to generally even the skin tone not to mention that although it offers light coverage you can built it in layers for a higher form of coverage and for most (not me) it doesn't highlight any faults on the face.
Although this is not a positive review by any means the shade I wear (if you can call it that) is C5 and I typically wear MAC NC35/37 when it comes to their other foundations. It is also worth noting that the texture is very, very light and liquid based due to the high water content. I have included swatches below with my mole as a reference point so you can see how well it covers.
And that is where the pro's finish as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't matter how I apply this with a sponge, with my finger tips, with a brush, with a primer, without a primer it won't set on my face. It simply remains tacky and a little sticky not to mention instead of giving a glowing complexion it makes my face look greasy...sexy I know. No the finish wouldn't be a problem if it would work alongside a powder but oh no as soon as I apply a powder over the top the tacky substance congeals and looks frankly terrible. Much like my application process there is not a powder I own that I have not tried this with - loose, pressed, baked you name it I've tried it. Adding to the insult to injury it collects within my enlarged pores and makes them appear ten times worse. On occasion I have tried to put up with MAC Face and Body Foundation without a powder hoping that after an hour or so it would somewhat settle and I could understand the hype but no as the hours ticked away this simply made my skin look shinier with each passing second. It is a shame as the level of coverage is great - light but enough to disguise uneven skin without feeling heavy on the skin or masking the complexion but my goodness am I done with this formula.
I throw in the towel, sorry MAC.
But hey on the plus side it didn't break me out and it oddly works rather well on my legs so I guess all is not a complete loss!
MAC Face and Body Foundation 50ml/£21.50 via MAC - link
This is one of my favourite every day foundations but i do totally understand the cons that you've put there.
ReplyDeleteMy skin is on the dry and dull side so i get away with how shiny this is. I do find that it stays really tacky on the skin for a while but on me it tends to dry down by the time i've done the rest of my makeup. I usually then apply powder and a bit of mac fix+ to stop it gathering and looking bad. Such a shame it doesn't work for you because the coverage really is perfect.
x
I asked for a sample of this foundation a few months ago to compare it with my make up for ever face & body foundation and I definitely prefer the mufe one! The finish is not as shiny and it looks so natural and beautiful on the skin :) xx
ReplyDelete// Inês Paúl //
Aww that's a shame, I love it :(
ReplyDeleteI love it :o despite my very oily skin it is the best foundation I've used so far!
ReplyDeleteI try so hard to love it but I have the exact same problems with this foundation!
ReplyDeletewww.rc-makeup.blogspot.co.uk
X
I never bothered with this hype and I'm now glad I didn't ha! I'll stick to my studio fix (though I only wear that occasionally) usually just go for BB creams now! MACS is ok (I have it, but SO pale and could only find it in one colour... and I am pretty damn pale myself)
ReplyDeleteJaynie Shannon Beauty and Style
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I had a sample of this and it was nice enough but I have combination/oily skin and it just didn't work, It would probably work better when my skin in on the drier side in winter but I just couldn't deal with the shine it gave me and I'm a lover of a nice dewy finish.
ReplyDeleteRosalie x
RosalieJayne
I've heard such mixed reviews on this product! I doubt I'll be trying it out incase it's a waste of money x
ReplyDeletewww.crazylins.blogspot.co.uk
I've never tried this and I'm not sure if I ever would to be honest. I must admit though, I really do like the packaging idea :)
ReplyDeleteAmy x
-A Little Boat Sailing-
Eeeks , by reading the review i have concluded that it's a miss from me too . I don't like tacky foundations esp the ones that settle in your pores .
ReplyDeleteI am a MAC girl 100% but I am NOT a Mac Foundation girl. I love their products and swear by them but their foundations just don't work for me and I've read countless other women say the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm fair, dry prone, and need coverage for redness around my nose and chin. Mac foundations don't set and if I touch my face at ANY point, you can see a smear mark-- trust me, my fiance has called me out on it. And when you start getting guys telling you that your makeup is messed up, that is not fun.
I LOVE Bobbi Brown foundation in 0/Porcelain. I use it along with my Mac products and have great results. It's light, shear, and perfect for my skin. It sets and looks flawless with powder.
MAC foundations are way too thick in my opinion and they make me feel sticky.
Love this post! Thanks girl!
Ginny
www.buttergirldiaries.com
Although I LOVE mac products (eyeshadows, lipsticks, MSF), I absolutely hated the mac foundations that I tried. Even Tanya Burr who is a very famous youtube beauty guru/make up artist says that she hates macs foundation as much at she loves their other products.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not a brand I will try again for foundation..
immirhbf.blogspot.com
Aww what a shame! I was thinking about getting this but now I'm not so sure!
ReplyDeleteEmgeorgias.blogspot.com
What is your skin type like? This is supposed to be great for dry skin since water based foundation doesnt grab to dry patches as much... thats why ive been looking into it! definitely need to research this more before buying:) thanks for your honest opinion!
ReplyDeleteerinandkatherine.blogspot.ca
I read a lot of mixed reviews about this product but I still want to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteBritishBeautyAddict
i love this on my oily acne prone skin mixed in with pro longwear for extra coverage and lasting power!
ReplyDeletecheryl
http://flylikeacg.blogspot.com
beauty,lifestyle,reviews,hauls <3
I've heard such mixed thoughts on this, great review :)
ReplyDeleteSophie
http://what-sophie-said.blogspot.co.uk/
xxx
I have this in 3 shades for my professional kit, as I was needing a light but slightly buildable foundation for clients with normal/dry skin and I've had no complaints from them about it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought it, I tried it on myself (I have super oily skin) and it looked and felt fine for the first few hours and then it was like I'd dipped my face in an oil slick. Not cool!!
xx
Still need to try this foundation
ReplyDeleteGreat post
Love Oresiri xoxo
http://oresiriteru.blogspot.co.uk/
I bought this to try out a while ago and I didn't get on with it either! It broke me out and like you, it didn't last on my skin at all. All in all not a great product for me! xx
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. I've been thinking about trying this out because of all the hype. I have quite oily skin, I think even with a primer it would be a waste of money for me, I think I'll stick to some of the cheaper brands that just about do what I need them to do!
ReplyDeleteSharon
http://addictedtonailvarnish.blogspot.co.uk/
This is shame as I love mac.. but great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds absolutely disgusting from MAC! I'm glad I read this as I do need a new foundation and I was contemplating getting this one!
ReplyDeletehttp://abigailalicex.blogspot.co.uk
This seems to be such a love it or hate it product.. I really want to try it though!
ReplyDeletewww.emandthem.co.uk
Oh dear, such a shame as it isn't exactly cheap, I wonder why so many people rate it? I was considering upgrading my Bourjois to this but now I'm not so sure!
ReplyDeletehttp://fairygobmother.blogspot.co.uk/
xo
I love this this product! Every time I wear I get tons of compliments. I especially love how light it feels on the skin.
ReplyDeleteFinally somesone who doesn't like this foundation either!
ReplyDeleteI have the exact same problem as you do! It is wet and streaky.
I retried this foundation several times in different ways, because everybody loves it and keeps raving about it. No effect. It just doesn't work with my skin I guess.
Such a pity!
xx
It's for normal or dry, small pored skins, w/ no major imperfections. That's why it's used on models so much (the Vicky Secret models all wear it in the shows), they have this type of skin. Oily or large pored skins, skins w/ some things to cover...this product will not look good LOL.
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