Hello Friends! Today I am going to review a powder foundation. I personally feel powder foundations are best as they are so quick to apply and mess-free. But of course, liquid foundations are always going to be on the top hierarchy as they provide a flawless canvas and hence, are simply irreplaceable.
Important things to mention is, my skin is Normal/combination. I love to wear matte natural-looking foundations with medium coverage. And I don’t mind if some nasty acne/spots peek through it.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
On website it says, “a one-step pressed powder and foundation that gives skin a 12-hour ultra-matte finish while controlling shine and without causing acne.” So yes! that’s true. It is such an amazing product by MAC. It is a beautiful matte press powder foundation & lightweight. It indeed feels like your second skin if you get the exact color match. Although it has 53 shades to choose from, one should know what shade to choose without any doubt as even if the light application can give you the desired result.
So my shade is NC 42 – TANNED PEACH WITH GOLDEN UNDERTONES FOR MEDIUM TO DARK SKIN (NEUTRAL-COOL). And unknowingly if I go overboard with it like even 2 layers, instantly my face looks like an orange. Well reason is, I was recommended a wrong shade by the Mac Rep. When I contacted MAC again they suggest NC40. After that, I did not dare to spend money blindly unless I go to the store and try it personally.
I use it during hot/summer days, as I know my skin easily get tanned so NC42 works good if I use it mindfully.
Anyways, yes it is easily buildable and flawless. Definitely wearable on its own if you wish to skip a liquid foundation like I do (No-makeup look) or can be used as a setting powder.
Here, I am going to validate few points as to what MAC says and what I think after using powder as a foundation without any liquid foundation.
- Long-wearing, 12 hours – I don’t think so it is true as I can see after wearing it for 7-8 hrs, I can feel my skin getting little bit oily and foundation starts to wear off so touch-up is needed.
- Immediately reduces the appearance of pores – Yes, skin looks even-toned and since it is a powder it blends well into the skin so apparently pores might look smaller.
- Controls oil and shine, 8 hours – Yes, true but touch-up is needed.
- For all skin types, especially oily skin – Yes, for combination/normal like mine.
- Stay-true color, 12 hours – Not sure as I never tried it for 12 hrs.
- Does not cause acne – Yes, very true.
- Non-streaking/non-caking/non-settling, 12 hours – Yes true but not sure for 12 hrs.
- Sweat- and humidity-resistant – Yes, up to a few hrs in hot summer. .
- Photo-friendly – Yes, true!
Price – 15 G / 0.52 US OZ $33.00 (USD)
Estee Lauder double wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation
Best seller and flawless matte pressed powder foundation. Sink into the skin beautifully and I really like the way it blends into the skin with minimum effort. Coverage is buildable to full coverage and can wear as a foundation or over it.
My shade is 3W1 TAWNY. It is a good match for me. But at least it does not make me look clownish. I use it with my Tarte powder brush to sweep over the face and voila! I get a gorgeous natural finish without any hustle.
It offers 41 shades. I hope there is something for pretty much every skin tone except a few as there is scope for improvement in terms of making more variety of shades.
On EL website it says,”Versatile formula is silky soft, weightless, flawless. Controls oil and shine. Stays color true.”
So, yes! Double wear by EL is a game-changer compact totally Worth a try. It does not cause acne, better version of compact, non-caking and it surely controls oil and shine but roughly for 5-6 hrs after that touch-up might be needed.
It is a matte powder (but not ultra-matte) and it has just the right amount of softness in it. Once applied, it gives a very natural look without being heavy on the skin.
I use it as a foundation, I like to wear sheer/medium coverage finish and never tried to achieve full coverage. I must say I am pretty much happy with what I get from a small compact.
I have been using it for the last 4 years in a row, I always go back to EL no matter how many compacts I try.
Price – 0.42 oz. $43.00 (USD)
Recommendations
Mac and Estee Lauder (EL) both are beautiful compacts. Having said that, the Mac formula is a little bit thicker than EL. This is the only reason always be watchful while using it.
Use it as a foundation or setting powder/touch-ups. However, Mac studio fix would be a better choice during sunny summer days as it provides an ultra-matte finish.
I would say go for EL Double wear Stay-in-Place matte Powder foundation if you want to use it as a foundation for those easy days to get the natural finish during winter or summer.
So this is for now, Thank you so much guys !
Revivelifewithme