MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation Review

This is a review of one of MAC's latest addition in its foundation range.

I'm going to review the MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation.

This particular foundation has a concealer counterpart - Studio Sculpt Concealer.

I like the foundation, but I love the concealer, which I'll review soon!

The MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation has a mousse-y / aerated thick gel consistency.

This stuff doesn't give the lightest feel but doesn't give a heavy feel.

This foundation is concentrated with pigments that I only need a pea size, even when I need to cover up numerous blemishes. It also provides medium to a full coverage.

I don't even need concealer when I use this.

Even if it gives good coverage, this foundation gives a nice finish to the skin.

This can look cake-y if excessively used, but you barely can overuse this stuff.

I really like that even after long hours of wear, my face still looks fresh.

However, this stuff doesn't provide any oil control. I need to blot my face for just an hour of wear. Using primer that's meant for oil control is highly recommended.

People with drier skin may enjoy this, since its more of hydrating instead of mattifying.

This foundation also have a better transfer resistance than that of Studio Fix Fluid, but stiil there's still room to improve on under this category.

Doesn't settle on to the fine lines or the flaky ares in the skin.

I haven't tried its waterproof capacity yet- that's to follow.

My skin didn't react to this foundation, but I heard people gets bad reaction with the shea butter in this foundation.

I found that this applies smoothly, flawlessly, and seamlessly when I use my MAC 180 or ELF Studio Powder Brush. 

Due to it's formula containing SPF, it will give you a whitish cast when used in flash photography. But when used under normal lighting, it photography fairly well.

 I like that it's on a squeeze tube rather than the normal bottle packaging, since I can travel more easily with this and less tendency to break.

Verdict:

 I like this foundation, but not enough for me to love.

6.5/10

I would recommend this for people with normal or dry skin.

But if you have oily skin and don't mind blotting once in a while, then I say go ahead and grab one!

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation Review

This is a review of the shu uemura face architect smoothing fluid foundation.

This is one of my favorite foundation.

This foundation has a slightly thick liquid consistency. 

I really like that this is water based but with a more thicker consistency than with other water based foundation. There are lots of times when foundation accidentally drips at the back of my hand or in a palette since it's too liquidy (this happens alot when I use my Clinique Superfit and my NARS Oil Free Foundation). With this one, no mess!

Even with the thicker consistency, this feels so light even lighter than the Clinique Superfit.

This foundation also gives a great coverage,  better than the Clinique Superfit.

This is the only water based foundation that I have tried that gives similar coverage to oil based foundation.

This stuff is perfect for summer, when you don't want to pile makeup.

This also gives a good oil control - atleast 6 hours shine free face. 

I also like that this gives my face a nice glow, but not overly dewy finish.

This is also about 90% transfer resistant even with my super oily skin!

The best thing I like about this foundation is that it makes my face look fresh all day even under the scorching heat!

I must say that this stuff is true to its name that it is smoothing. There was a time that I got tons of super small bumps in my jaw and upper cheek and this was the only foundation that  helps to conceal the look / texture of it. (BTW I got those bumps from MAC Face Protector SPF50.)

You also won't get the sticky feeling on your face even when you don't set this powder.

Blush and what not goes and blend smoothly too even when not set with powder.

For oily skin, I suggest to set this with powder to help with oil control, but people with drier skin can skip this step. For dry skin people, this stuff is amazing since it feels hydrating and doesn't gather around the flaky areas of the skin! 

No breakouts on this foundation too!

One more thing, this is the best foundation I have for photography! I had my picture taken for my sister's debutante ball and the photographer/owner of the studio really like how this foundation looks on the skin/photo and even asked me where to buy this foundation as he will buy some for his makeup team!

Another plus of this product that it has a pump so virtually no wastage!

Verdict:

This is a light weight, oil free, transfer resistant, hard working, and hydrating but has a good oil control foundation. This stuff makes me photogenic :)What more can you ask for? Love this stuff!

9/10 (There's always room for improvement!)

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Review

This is a review of the MAC Studio Fix Foundation.

Unlike the first two foundations I've reviewed, I must warn you that I don't love this even half way as I loved those foundation. Better read on to find out why...

The MAC Studio Fix Fluid has a very thick liquid consistency. Actually, this has the thickest consistency out of all the foundations I've tried.

With that being said, this stuff feels so heavy on the skin! When I use this stuff, I feel like I'm wearing a mask and it feels like its suffocating my skin! This stuff also cakes up easily. However, this foundation has a really good coverage. It covers everything! That's one of the reason why this is really popular among the TV and print industry. Even though this has SPF, I didn't find that it gives that whitish cast when used on flash photography. I must say it photographs really good.

I really have oily skin and this foundation can keep me shine free for just the first  three hours regardless if I set it with powder or not.

This foundation needs to be set with powder or else you'll be left with a bit of a sticky feel, and you'll have a hard time blending in your blush, contour, highlight and what not.

I find that this foundation is best applied using a damp sponge, and damp dense fluffy brushes. Since water would thin out the consistency a bit and the foundation wouldn't feel as heavy as it would on the skin.

I feel that this foundation melts a bit when its used in a super warm environment, but not excessively though.

This stuff isn't transfer resistant too, actually I think that this stuff has almost a ninety percent probability that it would transfer into the surface it makes contact to. 

This stuff do gather around flakey/dry patches of the skin so do moisturize first before using this!

I heard alot of people having bad reaction to this foundation, and I am one of them unfortunately. I get acne even after just a few minutes of wearing this foundation. I used this for one straight week and my face was filled with acne! After that I consulted a dermatologist and she freaked out and scolded me badly when she learned that I was using this foundation!

BTW you need to buy a separate pump with it. For me, it's fine as long as it's available! Which sucks for us here in the Philippines since our MAC doesn't carry the pump for ages now!

(I just got mine from Mona! Thanks dear!)

Hello, MAC?! Send some foundation pumps here!!!

Verdict:

4/10

2 points for giving incredible coverage and 2 points for how well it photographs.

I wouldn't mind using this up, even with its heavy feeling on the skin and even if it cakes up easily, if only this doesn't ruin my skin and cause me to breakout so bad!

Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup Review

Today,the spotlight is on Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup.

Before I begin, I just want to tell you that I really like this foundation. Why? Read on...

The Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup has more of a gel than a cream texture. However, this foundation has a fluidy gel consistency rather than a thick gel consistency like the MAC Studio Sculpt. The foundation comes out like a fluidy blob of really soft Jello if not shaken, so shake the bottle of foundation prior using the foundation to liquify the foundation thoroughly.

This foundation can give sheer to medium coverage and medium to full coverage. This foundation when applied gives a sheer coverage, but can be layered for a heavier coverage. I find that this foundation no matter how much you layer on will not look cakey. This is the most buildable foundation I've tried. This foundation is so light, you wouldn't mind layering it on. I've tried using different brushes with this and I find that using my MAC 180 or shu uemura #18 foundation brush gave me that airbrushed, flawless, and seamless look. What I also like with this foundation is when blended into the skin, it sort of like "become" your skin, so it's really natural looking. I find that it's the foundation that most easily blend into my skin and doesn't give me that mask look even when I use shades lighter than my skintone - in short it's very forgivable!

The formula in this foundation is so amazing (Take note it's oil free)!

It's sweatproof, waterproof, transfer resistant- even with my oil slick face, and can resist high humidity! I have used this when I went to the gym, I swam with it, jog with it, and did more strenuous activities, and to my surprise it didn't bulge!

This stuff photographs really well too!

With this foundation, you don't need to set it with powder since it sets it self. Once this stuff dries, it will transform into a satiny smooth finish. I also find that this stuff doesn't settle into fine lines, though it may gather around extremely peeling skin, so to those with extremely peeling and flaky skin, I suggest you moisturize properly before using this. This has a good oil control too it leaves my skin shine free for atleast 5 hours - used without any powder on top to atleast 9 hours when set with powder. btw I have super oily skin!

The only problem I encountered with this foundation is wastage. Since, this product doesn't have a pump nor a pout controlling the amount of product can be a problem. So I suggest getting a long spatula if you plan to buy this foundation.

I love this as much as the Clinique Superfit. I love Clinique Superfit for its instant coverage while I love this MUFE Face and Body Foundation for it's extreme long wearing ability. Whenever I get lazy I use my Clinique, but when I want super long staying power and I have time to spare I use this!

Verdict: 

8.5/10

I will repurchase this!

I would give this a 10 if they improved the packaging to prevent wastage.

Clinique Superfit Makeup Foundation Review

I would start a series of foundation reviews with Clinique Superfit Makeup.

What Clinique claims:

"High performance makeup. Stays smooth all day, come stress or high humidity. Oil-free."

My take on the Clinique Superfit Makeup:

This is the first liquid foundation that I bought, repurchased, and will keep repurchasing.

My shade in this foundation is 05 Neutral. 

The texture of this foundation is really watery and light (as you can see in this picture).

As watery as it seems, believe it or not this foundation have a moderate to full coverage depending on the method and amount you'll use. I use a stippling brush for a lighter coverage and I use a regular paddle foundation brush for heavier coverage. However, lately I discovered that this works best with the use of really dense fluffy brush like the MAC 180, 182, 109, Smashbox Face and Body brush, and ELF Studio Powder brush. By using these dense and fluffy brush, you can get that airbrushed look. This is also the foundation that you can get that airbrushed finish easily. You don't have to buff really hard like other foundation to get that airbrushed look. 

This foundation is so fluidy it mix really well with moisturizer for your custom made tinted moisturizer! I even mixed it once with my body butter and a bit of bronzing powder for my legs.

This foundation also gives a really natural finish.  When blended well, it will look like skin, so you couldn't look overly made up. 

I really like the fact that this is oil free and does break me out. I also find that this is quite versatile foundation, since my sister and I use this. My sister have super dry skin while I have extremely oily skin, but this foundation works for the both of us! For me that's amazing! Makeup artists could save with this products, coz this foundation will suit any skin type.

I like that this foundation can set itself. You don't really need to set if with powder. However, setting it with powder will help with its oil control power. Without setting it with powder, my face is shine free for 4 hours, but when I set it with powder, my face looks shine free for atleast 6 hours. 

I must agree that this stuff is long wearing. Living in the Philippines, I am exposed to extreme humidity, and this foundation really stays put. I have worn this foundation for straight 18 hours without retouching it with powder but using just powder free blotting sheets if I get shiny, and the foundation was pretty much there. What's even better that it is so lightweight that I can wear it for such a long time without feeling I have makeup on, and it gives incredible finish and coverage! 

One possible con in this product is its lack of sun protection. I'm fine with this because I use sunscreen even if my foundation has SPF in it. I find that the lack of SPF gives the product more versatility, since you can use this more readily for flash photography, since foundation with SPF usually gives a whitish cast when photographed. BTW this stuff photographs really really well!

Another con is the packaging, though it has a pout, the foundation is so watery it still gets messy and there would be foundation all over the cap and the pout. They should have provided a pump to come with this foundation.

One tip: shake before using to avoid streakiness.

Verdict: I love this stuff and I would repurchase this over and over again!

Whenever I get breakouts from other foundation, I always come back to this since I think this is the only foundation that doesn't worsen my breakouts.

8/10 since there's still much to improve on the packaging and improved oil control would be great too!