Song of the Day: Firework (Phil Monnerat Remix) / Katy Perry
You have no idea just how long I've been waiting for MAC to release a shade perfect for me. It seems a lot of cosmetics companies focus on either only incredibly pink-toned skin or go the opposite direction and make their foundations orange. Just as often, cosmetics companies focus only on that ideal medium shade of skin and forget about the darker skinned people, and especially about the pale people. If you happen to find something in a pale tone, chances are it only looks right because it's so sheer you're mostly seeing your own skin. It's frustrating!
Anyways, I was reading somewhere online and saw this girl with a MAC Studio Fix (my favourite foundation ever) in NW10. I thought she must have ordered it from somewhere selling counterfeits because MAC has never before offered anything lighter than NW15 or NC15. Turns out, they've been pumping out "shade extensions" in their Studio line and I could literally jump for joy. I ran into the local MAC and picked up a bottle of Studio Fix Liquid Foundation in NW10, the accompanying Powder Plus foundation, the lightest concealer palette, and even grabbed a lipstick in Passioned because I was so happy. In the past, I wore NC15 because my undertone is more yellow than it is pink, but the NW10 is a perfect neutral really - not too cold and not too warm and just pale enough.
MAC Studio Fix, to this day, is the only foundation I've ever truly been able to do a second layer with or apply extra to certain areas without it looking funny or ruining the application as a whole. It dries incredibly well, and applies well with either a Beauty Blender or brush (most foundations I've used in the past only work with one or the other). I'm telling you now, as I told the sales person who assisted me, if they ever try to discontinue NW10 they might as well ship the remaining supply to my address so I can create a foundation stock pile which will last me for the rest of my life. I'm over the moon.
If you've read any of my past posts, you'll know I've recently worn both the MUFE HD Foundation and Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation. MUFE (I tried 115 and 117) proved too orange or too pink for me, and slightly dark, and the Kat Von D foundation is simply way too thick and doesn't layer well. That, and it's been sold out for over a month and I'm beginning to think the line is being discontinued (I was wearing Light 42). As a Canadian with Scottish heritage, I not only spend the majority of my year in the cold but also don't tan easily or well, and if I do manage to soak up any colour it fades within a week. If you have similar problems, I strongly suggest you run into MAC and try one of their new shades. Apparently they're also starting to roll out half shades in MAC Face & Body as well as an NW13 in Studio Fix. Here's hoping they keep up with the innovation, because their prices are much better than most brands at Sephora!
***Update January 26 2013: I've found that now that the sun is getting brighter outside and we're having longer days, the foundation is pulling more pink that it seemed to be originally. I still LOVE it and will probably wear it and just blend it extra well where it meets my neck, but I wanted to let you know. I've found using NARS Sheer Matte or Sheer Glow in "Siberia" to be an even better match, though I much prefer the consistency and finish of MAC's Studio Fix. On that note, if anyone who has any power at all over at MAC reads this - PLEASE make neutral and gold toned versions of NW10.. heck, even make an NC05. We'd love you for it!****
I've always been tempted to try this foundation as it gets good reviews but it always look so orange and scary to me! I think this shade would be good for me so maybe I'll give this a try. But first I want to try the NAKED one by Urban Decay as it looks so natural and I like a more natural look :)
ReplyDeletexo
if you apply with a beauty blender, you can get pretty sheer coverage. All depends on what you want :)
DeleteIve never been one for liquid foundation, but everyone has been raving about this product. Maybe I should just give in. Great post!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
annpaige
http://annpaigefashion.blogspot.ca
:| I don't know how you can live without liquid foundation! lol I wish I was more into powder foundations but I can't give up the coverage I get with liquid. I love it!
DeleteYES. It is so incredibly frustrating to be a person of colour and having to deal with finding a nice - light coverage - foundation. And even if they do have a foundation for darker skin tones it's too dark or it's not got enough pink in it (because according to makeup lines darker skinned ladies all have the one deep shade. I have heard my paler skinned friends complain about the lack of choice for you ladies too. Makeup companies really need to step up to the plate - do they live in a bubble? It's like they've never seen women before! I use Nars (their tinted moisturizer and their sheer glow foundation when i want an actual foundation.) So glad you found your perfect shade!
ReplyDelete/End of Rant!
I know exactly what you mean. I've been considering buying the Dinair air brush system so I could mix and make my own shade that matches ME perfectly because of how frustrating it can be dealing with the cosmetics companies in Sephora and in the mall. They never make anything outside their medium range and their "light" shades are still way too medium, and their dark shades aren't dark at all. Bah!
DeleteWow! It looks like you highly recommended MAC's foundation. I've not tried a MAC's foundation. The only MAC make-up I've tried is their Mineral's Bronzer and it gave me a breakout so I tend to stay away from them. Maybe foundation will be different =)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog and commented on my watch. I've put up a clearer picture of my new watch. Hope you'll visit again soon.
http://www.diva-in-me.com
I'm in love with it - always have been. :) Some of their products do make me break out... like their prep + prime face product. I loved it because your makeup honestly looks flawless on top of it, but my skin hated it and gave me a break out whenever I used it.
DeleteDo yo have any swatches of this foundation im really keen to see the shade as im pondering between this and nw13 thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI don't, sorry! I am going to do another post on the different foundations I've tried recently and I'll definitely post some swatches then. I'll do the Revlon Colorstay, two MUFE ones, the Kat Von D AND the MAC so you can see the difference. :)
DeleteI just purchased this. L0VE! I'm more on the golden side of the pale spectrum as well though, and found that a very light dusting of Powder+ in NC25 all over does the trick (;
ReplyDeleteSmart thinking! Maybe I'll give that a try. I've been hooked on Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation in Soft Ivory as of late!
DeleteI have started to use NW10 but cant find a concealer as pale as it anywhere1, i currently use MAC pro longwear in nc 15 and it just looks a bit odd with the paler foundation, please help!
ReplyDeleteI have started to use NW10 but cant find a concealer as pale as it anywhere1, i currently use MAC pro longwear in nc 15 and it just looks a bit odd with the paler foundation, please help!
ReplyDeleteHey Rebecca!
DeleteThis is what I use: http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/157/23771/Products/Face/Concealer/Studio-Conceal-and-Correct-PaletteLight/index.tmpl Hope it helps!
katelyn