September 28, 2015

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation ($33) is MAC’s new fluid gel serum foundation that promises a comfortable long wear that offers sheer to medium coverage. Fluid foundations are very popular and on trend at the moment so I was excited that MAC was doing their own formulation although I must say I’ve never been a true fit for MAC foundations as they are always either too orange or too beige on my skin tone.

But the less I was excited to try out MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation as I’m always excited about the introduction of a new fluid foundation so I decided to give this one a whirl for myself.

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation3

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation is available in over 24 shades and sports a multitasking formula that provides sun protection in the form of an SPF 30, oil control, and also promises to add hydration with a moisture-fusion complex to skin along with sheer to medium coverage.

I have to admit I’m always terribly confused by products that promise to control oil plus add hydration. Isn’t that some sort of oxymoron?! None the less I set out to test this out and I was kinda determined to love it (even though I’m not a MAC foundation lover at all).

The name can be slightly misleading as this really isn’t a water or watery in texture at all but has more of a gel-like creamy consistency. Those who love and enjoy using MAC Face & Body Foundation you’ll find the formulas are very similar. This comes housed in a dropper style glass bottle for easy application.

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation swatches

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation Swatches (NC 30)

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation7

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation Swatches (NC 35)

As I mentioned above this formula isn’t water in nature so I never had issues with the product separating. Granted, a little shake before use is a good idea but isn’t always necessary as this isn’t a bi-phase formula so there are no separation issues. The combination of minerals they use to create the formula seems to hold together very nicely and the added octinoxate, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide never causes quality issues such as oiliness or separation problems, or even chalkiness, etc… It contains a nice assortment of antioxidants as well as Vitamin E and sodium hyaluronate which is an excellent ingredient that retains water and moisture.

This strikes the perfect balance between semi-matte and satin. Out of the bottle it’s feels lightly hydrating and blends easily onto skin with a satin finish that never adheres to drier areas or uneven surfaces and still manages to provide not only sheerer coverage built also builds easily to medium coverage with a natural, barely there finish. I love the fact that no matter how much you apply this foundation still provides natural, skin-like coverage. You only need a very little amount to do your entire face as it is pigmented. And unlike other fluid foundations this provides excellent coverage for those seeking a more medium finish to perhaps hide blemishes, redness, or other skin imperfections. You can also easily mix it with primer or moisturizer to make a tinted moisturizer formula of sorts. On my drier skin it wore for several hours unset with powder but seemed to wear shorter in warmer weather and outside at around six hours with minor fading on a very warm day.

I wouldn’t say the finish is exactly matte but it does set to a satin finish but I didn’t feel like it was very moisturizing aside from the initial application. But my skin never felt dry or dehydrated with the sheer application I applied. I do however, strong advise on using a moisturizing primer if you intend to layer this for medium coverage as it does go a bit cakey so you wanna give yourself a nice soft, smooth, well moistened area to work on for the best possible finish.

I’m commonly asked, “What’s your MAC foundation shade?” and I honestly can’t answer as I’ve always gotten different shades recommended to me at MAC. For this review I tested out NC30 and NC35 but THINK my best shade is NC25 just don’t quote me. NC30 seemed the better bet as NC35 was a touch too dark.

I wouldn’t say MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation is my personal favorite fluid foundation because I prefer something a bit more moisturizing and less satin in finish. I will say it’s a excellent achievement with MAC as they took a popular trend and improved upon it by offering more coverage in a creamier, gel-like formula that is not watery unlike the name implies.

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation is worth checking out if you’re a fluid foundation fan!

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation is available now at Nordstrom.com.

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • auntymaim

    Ugh I have the same problems with MAC foundation colors – I have fairly yellow skin and find that their foundations tend to go more orange than yellow. Also the colors aren’t always consistent between formulations, so I might use an NC20 and one and then find that is way too dark/orange for me in another.

    That being said they have some formulations that I LOVE – the pro longwear line, especially the concealer, are so good.

  • breyerchic04

    I’ve wanted to try the fluid foundations from Dior and YSL, but couldn’t really justify the price, so I was thrilled by this! I got matched because I mostly use Face and Body, so I wasn’t sure of my shade. I’m NW20, and it’s great, 25 would have worked but was a little dark and I’m just going to get lighter for fall. The formula is light and feels nice but it is more matte than what I normally wear, which I like for fall, it looks nicer with the lip and eye shades I wear.

    • Isabella Muse

      That was the reason I didn’t like it, it wasn’t matte really but more satiny matte for me!? But I didn’t really like that finish on my drier skin! So you and I had issue 🙂 I wish it was a touch more hydrating!

  • Jessica Siders

    I ordered the Tarte sea water foundation, it is true to tartes shades. I like it, I’m curious of your thoughts on it?

    • Isabella Muse

      I have a review upcoming shortly on it Jessica! I’ve been testing it out!

  • Celia

    I just got a sample of this yesterday from my MAC makeup artist. She said this formula is true to shade, ie doesn’t oxidize darker, so she gave me a sample in NC30. I’m testing it out today & it does remind me of Face & Body. In other formulas like MAC Mineralize liquid, I needed to go down a shade to NC25, but because it’s on the peachy side, I ended up mixing it w/NC30.

  • peoplezine

    What is your favorite fluid foundation so far? Ive tried the perricone md serum and the physicians formula touch of glow foundation on your recommendation and loved them both!

  • Katherine T.

    I had to return MAC Face & Body Foundation as it was too runny (even after shaking) and coverage was really sheer. This one sounds more promising