13 Best MAC Foundations For Different Skin Types
1. Best Long-Wearing: MAC Pro Longwear Foundation
MAC Pro Long-wear foundation gives you up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition! It is comfortable, long-wearing, and controls oil to allow your skin to breathe. The specially treated micronized pigments in this foundation help you achieve a flawless, smooth, and natural matte finish. There are over 16 shades to choose from in this foundation. Pros
Long-wearing Controls oil Photo-friendly Transfer-resistant Suitable for all skin types Humidity and sweat-resistant
Cons
You have to work pretty fast with this foundation as it dries rather quickly
MAC Pro Longwear Foundation Review
The MAC Pro Longwear foundation is indeed long-wearing. It looked just as fresh even after a long 12-hour day. It gives your skin a beautiful, natural finish. The coverage is buildable, and it’s great for regular use as it’s quite lightweight and does not clog pores. Coming to the texture, this liquid foundation is just the right amount of creamy. It does not transfer and stays on all day long. If you have acne-prone skin and need to cover blemishes, this does a brilliant job.
2. Best Waterproof Formula: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation With SPF 15
This foundation is an oil-controlling formula, and it offers a matte finish with medium to full coverage. It also comes with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15/PA++ protection and helps minimize the appearance of pores and imperfections, giving you a smooth and flawless finish. It is available in more than 30 shades. Pros
Long-wearing Non-drying Non-caking Waterproof formula Photo-friendly Minimizes the appearance of imperfections Provides stay-true color Suitable for all skin types
Cons
Inconvenient packaging (no dispenser, pump, or nozzle) A bit too heavy for regular use
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation Review
MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation works exceptionally well for oily and combination skin types. It gives a superb matte finish that looks natural. The coverage ranges between medium to full and is buildable. It also has an SPF of 15. It just glides onto your skin and blends in beautifully. It’s also sweat- and humidity-resistant. One of the finest foundations by MAC!
3. Best Hydrating: MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation
MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation is designed to give you a satin finish. It makes your skin look refined, refreshed, and glowing from within. It comes in a combination of powders in cream-gel emulsion formula that creates an optical blurring effect – virtually diminishing imperfections and fine lines for an even tone. It also features MAC’s 77 mineral complex, vitamin E, and shea butter. It’s available in 18 shades Pros
Blurs lines and the appearance of wrinkles Provides instant radiance Long-wearing Instantly hydrates your skin Offers broad-spectrum UVA/ UVB SPF 15 Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
Cons
Sheer to medium coverage Expensive
MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation Review
MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation is one of the best foundations for dry skin. This is your holy grail if your skin is sensitive. You can wear it on a daily basis, it’s lightweight, and the finish is glowy and dewy. It lasts all day long, and you look perfectly put-together without it oxidizing or moving from place. It’s also one of the best foundations for women who are over 40 as it covers fine lines and wrinkles effectively. However, do not wear a mineral foundation to a photoshoot as it may reflect light and make the photos appear white and patchy.
4. Best Lightweight: MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation delivers color in an ultra-fluid, thin, elastic gel-serum formula. The hydrating formula contains a moisture-fusion complex, and it protects your skin with SPF 30. It offers all-day wear and sheer to medium coverage. It is available in an array of 23 shades! Pros
Super lightweight Suitable for all skin types Long-wearing Controls oil Offers SPF 30 Instantly hydrates Non-streaking and non-caking
Cons
Variable results Tricky to apply Sheer coverage
MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation Review
If you were on the lookout for a sheer coverage foundation, this MAC foundation is for you. It is extremely lightweight and provides broad-spectrum sun protection. It contains beneficial antioxidants and reparative ingredients. It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper applicator, and you only need a tiny amount to cover your entire face. It blends in beautifully with a sponge, giving you a satin finish that is neither matte nor moisturizing – just somewhere in the middle.
5. Best Non-Acnegenic: MAC Face And Body Foundation
MAC make-up artists swear by this foundation. The Face And Body Foundation by MAC is lightweight, moisturizing, and long-wearing. It delivers sheer coverage with a satin finish. The foundation glides onto your face and body, providing true-to-color even skin tone. The MAC Face And Body Foundation comes in 13 different shades. Pros
Long-wearing (up to a good 8-9 hours) Hydrating and non-drying Water-resistant Suitable for sensitive skin Non-acnegenic
Cons
Does not cover stubborn pigmentation Not suitable for extremely oily skin
MAC Face And Body Foundation Review
If you’re looking for something supernatural and lightweight, then this foundation is the right choice. I love how easy it is to work with this foundation and the way it just blends in perfectly. It gives your skin a luminous glow by evening out your skin tone and smoothening minor imperfections. It’s a great product for daily wear. It does not accentuate pores, streak, or get cakey. Rather, it stays on perfectly all day long!
6. Best Travel-Friendly: MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation
For special occasions, you need a non-cakey and full-coverage foundation. MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation is a cream foundation that comes in a compact packaging. It leaves your skin looking fresh and dewy. One swipe of this foundation covers spots, acne, blemishes, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation. MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation isavailable in 23 shades. Pros
Water-resistant Long-wearing Non-acnegenic Travel-friendly
Cons
Expensive Not suitable for sensitive skin
MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation Review
MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation is a one-swipe-and-you-are-done formula. It glides on the skin like butter and makes it look flawless, glowy, and nourished. It works well with a foundation brush, beauty blender, sponge, and just your fingertips. If you are in a hurry, you may also use it as a concealer under your eyesand around your mouth, nose, and chin. It wears all day long, does not look cakey (use a blotting sheet if you absolutely need to), minimizes pores, and lets your skin breathe.
7. Best Nourishing: MAC Next To Nothing Face Color Foundation
MAC Next To Nothing Face Color Foundation is a balmy fluid infused with nourishing ingredients and opalescent microspheres. It adds a youthful glow from within. It can be used by itself or under/over foundation. It brings out your skin’s luminosity for sheer, balmy perfection. It is available in a range of 8 shades. Pros
Lightweight Great for everyday use Provides hydration Refines skin texture Provides instant radiance Oil-free Suitable for all skin types Nourishes skin
Cons
Sheer to medium coverage Limited shade range
MAC Next To Nothing Face Color Foundation Review
If you are just starting out with foundation and want a simple sheer formula, then go for MAC Next To Nothing Face Color Foundation. It does what it claims. It lasts all day long, even without a primer on. It does a good job of blurring out pores and evening out your skin tone. It makes your skin look healthy and radiant with a nice soft effect. For best results, you can apply this foundation with a damp sponge (beauty blender), and it will give you that perfect dewy glow. Also, it works for all skin types! But, we felt it’s a little expensive for what it does and the coverage it provides.
8. Best Sun Protection: MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation is a gel-based formula that offers medium to full coverage with a natural satin finish. It provides ultimate hydration and revitalizes dull-looking skin instantly. Its micronized silicone-coated pigments improve skin adherence and blendability. It offers broad-spectrum sun protection. It is available in 8 shades. Pros
Long-wearing Offers SPF 15 Provides long-term hydration Water-resistant
Cons
Limited range of shades Slightly transferable
MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation Review
The Studio Sculpt Foundation by MAC is another one of its gel-based foundations. It is color-true and has a creamy consistency, which gives you good coverage (not full but somewhere between light to medium). It’s a great product to pull off the “no-makeup” look. It also gives you a sheer glow that looks very natural. Also, a little goes a long way and feels very lightweight on the skin. Although it is suitable for every skin type, people with dry skin may find a new favorite in this foundation as it’s quite hydrating.
9. Best Matte Finish: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
If you are just starting out with foundations or are always on the go, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation should have a permanent place in your vanity. This foundation is a powder formula and a one-step tool that gives you a smooth, matte, and flawless full-coverage finish. It is long-wearing and allows your skin to breathe due to its lightweight, velvety texture. This compact comes in over 40 different shades for every skin tone. Pros
Easy to apply Buildable coverage Perfect for the “no-makeup” makeup look Matte finish Color-true Long-wearing Lasts a good 7-8 months (depending on usage)
Cons
Expensive
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation Review
If you are someone who likes to stick to powder foundations that are simple and quick to use and are not too keen on using a liquid foundation, this is a godsend product for you. The coverage is buildable, and the texture is velvety. It’s excellent for cover-ups throughout the day (although you won’t need too many). If you have oily or combination skin, this foundation takes care of all the excess oil on your face and gives you a lovely sheer matte finish. It’s also great to wear during the day.
10. Best For Sensitive Skin: MAC Studio Tech Foundation
MAC Studio Tech Foundation is a tri-system blend of water, emollients, and water that glides on as a soft, creamy emulsion. This innovative formula provides a full range of coverage and gives you that natural powder-perfect finish. It also helps soften lines and create a flawless texture on every skin type. It is available in over 27 different shades. Pros
Long-wearing Full coverage Suitable for sensitive skin Refines skin texture Evens out skin tone Blends beautifully
Cons
No SPF Looks cakey if not blended properly
MAC Studio Tech Foundation Review
The MAC Studio Tech foundation comes in a compact package, and its consistency is thick and creamy. It’s one of the best foundations to hide scars. It’s best to use a buffing brush to apply it for the best results rather than using the sponge that comes along with the product. It is also ideal for sensitive skin. You can choose to top it up with some compact powder, and it stays put all day long.
11. Best Transfer-Resistant: MAC Pro Long wear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation is a formula that you can use as a foundation as well as a concealer. It is oil-free, lightweight, and waterproof. It blends seamlessly and does not budge. It provides hydration and a satin finish. It can help cover dark spots on the face and body. It comes in 32 shades. Pros
Water-resistant Transfer-resistant Long-wearing (up to 24 hours) Oil-free Suitable for all skin types Wide range of shades Buildable coverage Good for daily use
Cons
May require touch-ups
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation Review
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation is a creamy product that goes on the skin like velvet. It adds a matte but satin finish to the face. You can build up its coverage. It comes in a tube that makes it easy to take out a controlled amount of the product at the back of the hand. However, it does leave dry patches, depending on your skin type and weather. It also needs touch-ups.
12. Best Oil-Control: MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation
MAC Matchmaster foundation is the only formula by MAC that contains customizable pigments that adjust to your skin tone. It is buildable and provides medium coverage. It controls oil while keeping your skin looking hydrated and glowing. It is long-wearing and available in 12 shades. Pros
Adjusts to your skin tone Long-wearing Buildable coverage Oil-control Hydrates the skin No oxidation Not cakey SPF15
Cons
Dries quickly Without a MAC artist’s guidance, you may end up buying the wrong pigment for your skin tone
MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation Review
MAC Matchmaster Foundation with SPF 15 is a bargain for the amount and quality of the product you get. You can customize the pigment to match your skin color and undertone. It smoothens out pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. Its medium coverage is perfect for everyday use. You may also build it up to full coverage for special occasions. It lasts all day and gives your skin a natural, glowy finish.
13. Best Non-Cakey: MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick
MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick is great for beginners and people who are always on the go. This stick foundation is designed to conceal, contour, highlight, and even out skin tone. The formula prevents creasing and reduces fine lines and wrinkles on mature skin. It adds a natural-looking finish to the skin and blends well with other products. It offers buildable coverage and does not budge. It comes in 33 shades. Pros
Long-wearing Buildable coverage Can be used as a concealer, contour, and highlight Crease-resistant Hydrates the skin Natural finish Non-cakey
Cons
Limited range of shades
MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick Review
Mac Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stickcomes in a twist-up package. It is travel-friendly and gives you control over the application of the product. It is buildable, blendable, and minimizes pores and fine lines. It hydrates your skin and gives it a natural glow. You may use a shade or two deeper of this foundation as contour. It blends perfectly into the skin and covers spots and hyperpigmentation. It is long-wearing and does not look cakey. These top 13 MAC foundations will give your skin a flawless appearance and help make you look fresh and ravishing throughout the day. But, now the question is how to match foundation color to your skin and undertone. Here’s a quick guide to buying a MAC foundation. Scroll down to check it out.
MAC Foundation – Buying Guide
How To Choose The Right Mac Foundation Shade?
Choosing a MAC foundation is simple. First, find your undertone. MAC foundations come in various shades and skin undertones. Your skin undertone can be warm or cool. Check your veins to find out if you have a warm or cool undertone. If your veins appear green, you have a warm undertone. If your veins appear blue or purplish, you have a cool undertone. MAC marks foundations with warm undertones as NW and foundations with cool undertones as NC. Next, do a patch test on your jaw from the NC or NW series to see which color matches your skin.
How To Apply Mac Foundation?
How Long Does Mac Foundation Last?
MAC foundations are long-wearing. It is safe to say that you can go without touching up for 4-5 hours. However, it will depend on the type of work you do, the weather, and how dry or oily your skin is.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and loves trying out and review makeup products for her readers. She conducted hours of research and sifted hundreds of user reviews online to compile this list of the best MAC foundations for all skin types and tones. These products are available in different shades and can create an even base to cover all flaws. What are the best MAC liquid foundations? The MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, Studio Face and Body Foundation, and Pro Longwear Foundation are a few of the best liquid foundations out there. They stay on for long durations without wearing out or giving you a cakey effect. They are also available in a wide range of shades to choose from. What are the best MAC powder foundations? MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation and Mineralize Foundation/Loose are two of the best powder-based foundations. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear on a daily basis. If you want to avoid a full face of liquid makeup, these are great options to choose from. What is the best MAC foundation for a wedding? MAC Pro Long Wear Foundation and MAC Face And Body Foundation are best for events such as weddings mainly because they are high coverage. They stay put for over 15 hours and are also very photo-friendly. They give you the most flawless base to look your best on your big day. What are the best high coverage MAC foundations? MAC Pro Long Wear Foundation, Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, and Face And Body Foundation give you a medium to full coverage. They are buildable, so you can achieve the highest coverage with these three foundations. They even out your skin tone, hide all imperfections, and stay on for hours. What is the best MAC foundation for photography? MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation and Studio Sculpt Foundation are very photo-friendly when compared to the others. It actually depends on factors like using the exact shade for your skin, its application, and how it sets in. What is the best matte MAC foundation? MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation gives you the most mattifying effect. This powder-based foundation controls excess oil and also absorbs it, giving you a shine-free, matte effect. What is the best MAC foundation for dry skin? You may try MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation or MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. They both have a dewy finish, which gives a natural glow from within. They do not look cakey or cracked and do not enhance dry patches. They apply like a dream andare hydrating and long-wearing. What is the best MAC foundation for oily skin? Try MAC Studio Water weight SPF 30 Foundation or MAC Studio Tech Foundation if you have oily skin. Both of these foundations are lightweight, long-wearing, budge-proof, and do not change color. Your skin will love the light texture and matte finish with a hint of glow. What is the best mac foundation for fair skin? MAC foundations come in a wide range of shades. You may try any MAC foundation depending on your skin type, shade, and undertone. Head to your nearest store or chat online with a MAC artist to know which shade will suit you the best. What is the best MAC foundation for combination skin? MAC Studio Fix Stick Foundation and MAC Face And Body Foundation are good for combination skin. The stick foundation is creamy enough to take care of the dry patches on your face, but it is also matte to control excess oil. It gives your skin an even, flawless pigmentation, does not flake, and offers medium buildable coverage. Is MAC Studio Fix Foundation full coverage? MAC Studio Fix Foundation is medium coverage. Try MAC Studio Tech or MAC Full Coverage Foundation. These foundations provide full coverage that covers dark spots, scars, blemishes, acne, and hyperpigmentation. They even out the skin tone, offer a dewy but matte finish, and allow your skin to breathe. What’s better – Studio Fix or Pro Long wear? Both these foundations are 24-hour long-wearing and waterproof and come in a wide range of shades. Talk to a MAC artist to figure out which one will suit your skin type and lifestyle.
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