- MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation NC20 Review & Swatches Monday, September 21, 2015 Hi Ladies, I am extremely glad to be back with another review surrounding our very favorite brand, MAC.
- Coloring: I'm normally a NC25 in MAC's Studio Fix Fluid, but for the Pro Longwear foundation I had to go a shade lighter – NC20.Upon initial application, the color seemed to match my skin exactly, but after about 30 minutes, I noticed that it had oxidized and turned a darker shade of orange.
- EDIT: Yes, I know my blending is terrible! I cringe at my contour every time I watch this!! I am writing this a year later and have learnt so much more about.
Product Reviews. Rated 3.53 out of 5 stars. Most Helpful Positive Review Purchase Now!!!!! The name kind of through me off when I first seen it at MAC. But the lady there told me that although it is nourishing, it is good for oily skin. She applied it with the color NC50 on. MAC NC20 is described by the brand as 'light beige w/ neutral golden undertone for light skin.' It is a shade in the Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick range, which is a cream foundation with a matte finish and medium-full coverage that retails for $31.00 and contains 0.32 oz.
Buying foundation is such a hit or miss thing for me. Somehow I always end up with a shade that's completely wrong for me. And then I discovered this fantastic megathread at r/MakeupAddiction where the makeup aficionados there listed all the popular foundation shades that matched their skin tones.
I wanted to make that super useful resource easier to use, so I've extracted the shade info from the thread and sorted it by MAC shade.
The full list contains all the MAC shades.
Enjoy!
If NC15 is too light for you and NC20 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
| 3 Concept Eyes Waterful Glossing Foundation | Natural Ivory | review |
| Bobbi Brown foundations | Porcelain | |
| Chanel Le Blanc Whitening Compact Foundation Radiance Thermal Comfort | 20 Beige | review |
| Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation | 10 | review |
| Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Foundation | N20 | review |
| Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation | 30 Beige | review |
| Chanel Vitalumiere Loose Powder Foundation | BC20 | review |
| Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation | Alabaster | review |
| Cle De Peau Teint Naturel Fluide Cream Foundation | 10 | review |
| Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion Foundation | 012 Porcelain | review |
| Dior Diorskin Star Studio Foundation | 020 Light Beige | review |
| DIOR Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion Foundation | 10 | review |
| DiorSkin Forever Undercover 24 Full Coverage Foundation | #010 Ivory | review |
| Estee Lauder Double Wear | W1W (a bit yellow) | |
| Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Smoothing Firming Foundation | #03 | review |
| Giorgio Armani lasting silk | #2 | |
| Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation | 04 Light Sand/Light Golden | review |
| Lancôme Teint Idole UltraWear 24H Foundation | #02 Lys Rose | review |
| L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte | 101 Classic Ivory | |
| MAC mineralize moisture SPF15 Foundation | NC 15 | |
| MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF15 Foundation | NC 20 | review |
| MAC Mineralize Skinfinish | Light | review |
| MAC Studio Fix | NC 20 | |
| Makeup forever duo mat | 200 | |
| Makeup Forever ULTRA HD Invisible Cover Foundation | Y205 Alabaster | review |
| Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless | 110 | |
| Napoleon Perdis Stroke of Genius Liquid Cashmere Foundation | Look 1 | review |
| NARS foundations | Gobi | |
| NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation | Mont Blanc | review |
| NARS Sheer Glow | Gobi | |
| NARS Tinted Moisturizer | Finland | |
| NYX Total Control Drop Foundation | 3 Porcelain | review |
| Pacifica Dreamy Cover Bare-Faced Serum Foundation | medium/tan | review |
| Senna Cosmetics Lasting Illusion Foundation | Buff | review |
| Shu uemura lightbulb | 784 | |
| Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation Compact | No. 21 | review |
| Suqqu Nude Wear Liquid Foundation | 002 Cool Shell | review |
| Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour | Light Sand | review |
| Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation | Cream | review |
| Urban Decay Cosmetics All Nighter Foundation | 3.25 | review |
| Urban Decay Naked Skin | 2 | |
| YSL Le Cushion Foundation Fusion Ink | 10 | review |
| YSL Youth Liberator Foundation | B20 | review |
Before I started using liquid foundation, it was compact powders all the way. They are easy to apply, great for travel, and most brands carry them. Mid-way, I switched to mineral foundation having heard all the good stuff about it. I tried the Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation but my skin didn't react well too it. So I went back to compacts and one of my favorites was the MAC Studio Fix.
I liked it so much I went out to get a backup, way before the first one panned out. When something's that good, you just wanna use it forever, right? =DDD
Evens Out Skin Tone
I have under eye circles, redness around the nose, uneven skin tone aplenty. The MAC Studio Fix Foundation does quite a good job in drastically reducing all these imperfections. It does not hide hideous acne well on its own though.
When the need for more concealment arises, I use a cream concealer like the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette after a face primer, then finish with the MAC Studio Fix Foundation.
Full Coverage
You can build to your desired coverage with this foundation – full, medium, or sheer (like as a setting powder).
Full Coverage:
Use the sponge provided, dab it on (do not rub), and build it on for more coverage.
Make sure to wash the sponge frequently with the Daiso Brush Cleanser.
If you prefer not to use sponges, like me, then load a kabuki brush with powder by swirling it in the pan. Do it in layers for increasing coverage instead of getting a thick first layer.
Medium Coverage:
Use a stippling brush or a kabuki brush like the Sigma F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.
Sheer Coverage:
Use a large fluffy brush like the EcoTools Blush Brush to set liquid foundation. I prefer using the MAC Studio Fix Foundation this way. If your liquid foundation provides medium coverage, the MAC Foundation can bring it to full coverage.
If you have oily skin, it is recommended that you use a powder to set liquid foundation. I use the MAC Studio Fix Foundation or MAC Blot Powder, depending on my mood and need for coverage.
Matte, Almost Mask-like
The MAC Studio Fix Foundation gives a matte finish. You can create a natural look or porcelain-doll kind of finish with the different types of application as stated above.
Be careful, though, if you have bumps and pits on your skin, like I do – aplenty. This foundation, while does well to even out skin tone, does not glide over skin blemishes as well as do liquid foundation. It is perfect for people with relatively good skin. This brings out the worst of my skin during PMS when pimples celebrate in blooms on my face.
Due to its matte finish, it does little to brighten the skin. So using this when you're sick may make your skin look dull and flat. X(
I would think that people with mature skin should avoid this foundation as well as it tends to make fine lines more visible. I used to be able to use this without having obvious cracks under the eyes after a while, but I seem to be slowly losing that luxury! BOO!
Not Long Lasting Enough
Mac Nc20 Foundation Review Makeup
Personally I find that the MAC Studio Fix Foundation does not stay on my skin as long as a liquid foundation does. It tends to slide off within a few hours, maybe 4-5? Good thing that it is easy to reapply.
Therefore I use this in conjunction with liquid foundation now, and not on its own, like I used to. Our skin go through changes, and so must our face products!
I love using this to set the Lancôme Maqui Blanc Miracle Liquid Foundation (review).
Great for Travel
This is a great face powder to have in your travel makeup bag or to bring around every day in your purse for touch-up. It is light, compact, and convenient!
Best Foundation
I would still bring along a liquid foundation though, because I fear that the unpredictable weather might make my skin too dry or too oily, and I want to have options. Lol.
No Breakout
It seems that many people have problems with the MAC Studio Fix Foundation, what with clogged pores, huge cystic pimples, and creating havoc on the skin! Terrible!
I didn't get those from using this foundation. I naturally have pores that are prone to clogging and I never have a face free of pimples (sad life). When I used the MAC Foundation, my skin condition did not get better or worse – it remained the same.
I would think that using the sponge applicator might have caused some reactions on the skin due to accumulated dirt and grime and oil on the sponge. EW. That's why I never use the sponge applicator, even though it is stored in a separate compartment which makes it slightly more hygenic than those that sit on top of the powder all the time.
Instead of throwing out the MAC Studio Fix Foundation the moment mayhem occurs, try switching to a makeup face brush. That could make a difference!
Shades for Everyone
MAC's strong value proposition is that it has such a great color range for skin undertones and skin tones. You are bound to find a good color match, provided you get a right match in the first place. MUAs are reputed to give wrong color matches, so doing some homework beforehand is ideal.
For example, if you use ZA 21, try searching around for people who use the same shade and their respective MAC shade. It is best to go to a store to play with the colors yourself and also ask a MUA for help. Format usb drive for mac and pc.
I did my research beforehand and went down to a MAC store to confirm my shade – NC25. It is good to know your MAC shade as people tend to use MAC as a guideline.
Mac Studio Sculpt Nc20
I am on the lighter side of NC25 though, if I could, I'd like an NC23.5 match, please.
Left: Old NC25 pan; Right: New NC25 pan. No difference!
'I'm NC 20-25, which shade should I use for MUFE Mat Velvet +?', 'What kind of blush is suitable for NC35 skin?', are typical types of questions people will ask.
I also like that MAC Studio Fix Foundation does not turn orange (oxidize) on me. Very important!
Foundation Book Review
Bun Bun gives the MAC Studio Fix Foundation a rating of:
Studio Fix Nc20
Do you know of any good dupes for the (expensive) MAC Studio Fix Foundation? I've read reviews comparing the Maybelling Dream Matte Powder and have even tried it out myself. Not too bad for that price, a little less coverage and not as finely milled though.
Don't forget to leave your name for a chance to win Daiso Brush Cleansers! It's closing at the end of this week! =D
