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Which is the best MAC Foundation 2018?

Which is the best MAC Foundation 2018?
Team LF
Writer and expert7 years ago
View Team LF's profile

When it comes to the perfect foundation base, no brand does it better than leading makeup artistry brand, MAC.

With a huge selection of foundations to choose from, in finishes ranging from matte and satin, to dewy and natural, choosing the best MAC foundation for you is all about finding your perfect shade and texture.

As MAC is the face behind many a catwalk, photo-shoot and award ceremony, they know a thing or too when it comes to finding and creating your perfect foundation base. With a lot of their foundations as the secret weapons of many a celebrity complexion, we teamed up with them to break down what each foundation does, and how it can perfect your skin, for that coveted supermodel glow.

 

12 of the best MAC foundations for 2018

  1. MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation
  2. MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation
  3. MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
  4. MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation
  5. MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation
  6. MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation
  7. MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Powder Foundation
  8. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
  9. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
  10. MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation
  11. MAC Studio Tech Foundation
  12. MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation

MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation

This is one of the most cult and coveted foundations in the beauty industry, and is even a staple in celebrity makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge's cosmetic kit bag.

MAC's Face and Body Foundation is loved by pretty much every beauty enthusiast all over the world. Unlike regular foundations, and like the name suggests, it can be used on the body as well as your face, making it the multitasking makeup miracle you never knew you needed.

The coverage is quite sheer, but can be built up to cover minor imperfections and redness on the skin, and lasts for a huge 8 hours, making it perfect for everyday wear, and even those who have oily skin types.

The formula itself is supremely hydrating and non-drying, making it ideal for drier or more dehydrated skin types, but don't be put off if you have blemish-prone or sensitive skin. The foundation has been dermatologically tested, and is non-acnegenic, meaning it won't block your pores or cause you to breakout.

  • Coverage: Sheer for when you're having a good skin day.
  • Finish: Natural finish with a satin texture for a "barely-there" makeup look.
  • Benefits: Helps to hydrate the skin.

MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation

The MAC Pro Longwear Foundation is indeed as its name suggests, and is the foundation of choice for many a makeup pro and makeup artist.

The foundation itself has a huge 15 hours wear, and the longest-lasting of all MAC foundations. This means that it's also resistant to sweat and humidity, making it a great choice to use if you are heading somewhere warm this summer. Despite it's longevity though, the foundation itself feels comfortable and lightweight on the skin thanks to its creamy formulation.

It's brilliant to use if you have oily or congested skin, as its oil-free formula means that it won't cause your skin to become shiny throughout the day, while it also works to control excess oil so your skin appears perfected, even after 10 hours of wear.

The foundation also has a unique blend of Micronized Pigments, which work to smooth the skin and give the appearance of a perfected complexion; great to use if you know there are going to be a lot of photos and your skin needs to look its best.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable.
  • Finish: Matte finish, for when you need makeup longevity.
  • Benefits: Has an incredible 15 hours wear.

MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

This full coverage foundation is ideal for those wanting to cover up blemishes and skin imperfections without drying out the skin or causing it to become irritated.

Formulated to be the most waterproof and water-resistant foundation on the market, the Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation lasts on the skin no matter what the weather throws at you. Because of this, it's a great product to use if you are self-conscious of your skin in the summer, and know you are heading to the pool but still want good coverage.

Even though the foundation repels water molecules, it's still intensely hydrating and helps to keep the skin moisturised while wearing it. Its oil-free formula makes it the perfect base for anyone with blemish-prone skin, as it won't block your pores or cause you to break out.

The formula is also super long-wearing and won't transfer onto clothes or anything that touches your skin, making it ideal if you are wearing a white top and don't want it covered in your foundation.

  • Coverage: Medium to full.
  • Finish: Natural satin finish.
  • Benefits: Completely waterproof and water-resistant.

MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation

The MAC Matchmaster SPF Foundation has been formulated especially to give you a true and lasting colour which doesn't oxidise on the skin. Unique Shade Intelligence Technology means that the pigments in the foundation customise to your natural skin tone and give you the most natural and perfected finish possible.

The foundation itself has a beautiful demi-matte finish, making it ideal for those oilier skin types, who want to keep shine at bay and the complexion looking its best. Although the foundation has medium coverage, it can be built up to your desired finish to help cover imperfections and blemishes on the skin.

Thanks to its SPF content, the foundation helps to offer further sun protection and shield your skin against environmental aggressors, when used in conjunction with a suncare product. Unlike most other SPF containing makeup products however, it doesn't make the skin appear grey or chalky, instead leaving your complexion gorgeous and healthy looking.

If you have blemish-prone skin, this foundation is also non-acnegenic, meaning it won't clog your pores or cause you to breakout further, perfect if you want excellent coverage without letting your skin breathe.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable.
  • Finish: Demi-matte finish.
  • Benefits: Colour which doesn't oxidise, so you can be sure your face matches your neck all day long.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation

For anyone wanting a healthy, dewy and fresh complexion, the MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation is your new beauty best friend.

Formulated with a blend of 77 Minerals, Vitamin E and Shea Butter, the foundation is extremely moisturising and helps to keep the skin hydrated through its wear, making it ideal for anyone suffering from dry or dehydrated skin.

In addition, the foundation is also formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to keep the skin plumped up and moisturised, alongside Beet Root and Tamarind Extracts, which help the skin to retain moisture and stay supple and soft.

The foundation is made up of a combination of powders that help to visibly blur out imperfections and leave you with a perfected and flawless complexion. The formula itself however is a cream-gel consistency, which glides onto the skin beautifully for a dewy and luminous finish.

  • Coverage: Sheer to buildable.
  • Finish: Natural and luminous finish. 
  • Benefits: Gives fatigued complexions an instant boost of radiance.

MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation

This creamy compact foundation is the perfect antidote to dry and dehydrated complexions thanks to its delightfully hydrating formula that leaves skin glowing.

Although the formula is extremely nourishing, the texture of the foundation itself feels super lightweight on the skin so it never feels uncomfortable or heavy. Beet Root Extract helps to soften the skin and keep it conditioned throughout the day, even through an impressive 8 hours wear.

Created with the exclusive MAC Multi-Mineral Complex, the foundation feels super silky and glides beautifully onto the complexion to even out the skin tone and provide a healthy luminosity so your skin always looks fresh and natural.

Formulated with SPF 15, it also helps to keep the skin protected against environmental aggressors and provide UVB protection to shield your complexion from the sun's damaging rays.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable.
  • Finish: Natural and fresh finish.
  • Benefits: Gives dehydrated complexions a boost of moisture.

MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Powder Foundation

If you prefer the feel of a powder foundation over liquid, you will love the MAC Mineralize Loose Powder Foundation, which has a medium to buildable texture to provide excellent yet natural coverage.

Unlike traditional powders which contain Talc and fragrance, this foundation is naturally-derived and free from common skin irritants, making it suitable for even the most sensitive of complexions.

Infused with Mica to reflect light and give skin beautiful luminosity, Seracite to even out the skin tone and provide a lit-from-within look, and Wheat Germ Extract to nourish the skin, this foundation is perfect for all skin types, but especially those with dehydrated or dulling complexions.

As the foundation has been ophthalmologist tested, it is also suitable to use if you wear contact lenses as it won't irritate your eyes.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable.
  • Finish: Natural and radiant finish.
  • Benefits: The powder formulation is talc-free, making it suitable for sensitive complexions.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation

This high coverage foundation can be built up to provide a full and flawless finish that will leave your complexion looking completely even.

Formulated with Silica, the foundation helps to absorb excess oil and leave the skin with a matte finish for 8 hours wear. Although it's suitable for oily and combination skin types, MAC's Studio Fix Fluid Foundation also contains nourishing ingredients such as Sodium Hyaluronate and Vitamin E to condition, soften and smooth the skin, making it ideal for dehydrated and blemish-prone complexions.

As the formula is non-acnegenic, it won't clog pores or worsen existing breakouts, so you can wear it all day without any irritation. It also has SPF 15 protection, making it ideal for sunnier days when your complexion needs a little boost in addition to its regular sunscreen.

  • Coverage: Full.
  • Finish: Matte finish.
  • Benefits: Ideal for oilier skin types as it helps to control oil production.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

This full coverage foundation feels surprisingly lightweight on the skin despite its flawless finish. Thanks to its velvety smooth texture, it leaves skin with a full and even coverage without compromising on its ability to breathe.

Formulated with a unique blend of powder and pigments, the foundation is suitable for even acne-prone skin thanks to its non-acnegenic formula which means it will keep your skin breathing through its long-wear coverage.

Infused with Silica, it works to absorb excess oil on the skin's surface so your complexion appears matte throughout the day, without ever looking shiny. It's great for all skin types, but especially perfect for blemish-prone and combination complexions that need a little nourishment.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable coverage.
  • Finish: Matte finish.
  • Benefits: Can be applied with either a brush, sponge or powder puff, depending on the finish you want.

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

This uniquely textured foundation actually feels like gel on the skin, which helps to soothe irritation and provide an instant burst of moisture to dehydrated complexions.

Formulated with Vitamin E and Tamarind Seed Extract, the foundation feels incredibly nourishing, helping to provide a full and flawless finish, without ever looking heavy, cakey or settling into dry patches or fine lines and wrinkles.

As it's a gel based formula, it glides onto the skin beautifully and gives skin a natural, satin finish which helps to perfect the complexion. The addition of Mirconized Silicon Pigments allow the foundation to adhere to the skin without sticking to problem areas, so you can be sure your skin looks flawless.

Although this foundation is great for dehydrated, dry and more mature skin types, its non-acnegenic formula also make it suitable for congested and blemish-prone skin too.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable coverage.
  • Finish: Natural to satin finish. 
  • Benefits: Has broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

MAC Studio Tech Foundation

The MAC Studio Tech Foundation is pretty much the perfect all-rounder. Ideal for all skin types, it's the best foundation to always keep in your handbag for on-the-go touch-ups, and when you know you need to look your best.

The foundation itself combines a powder, conditioning agents and water into a hybrid formula that feels like a nourishing cushion on the skin's surface. Its solid texture means that it's great for taking with you on holiday and can always be relied upon when you need to adjust your coverage going from day to night.

Formulated with Purified Water and Squalane, it adds a burst of hydration into the skin so it stays conditioned and nourished while you're wearing it, so your complexion feels comfortable all day.

Unique particles help to soften the appearance and texture of your complexion, making it ideal if you suffer from an uneven skin tone, while its luxurious formula makes it the perfect foundation to perfect your complexion when you need it.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable coverage.
  • Finish: Natural to matte finish. 
  • Benefits: Perfect all-round foundation.

MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation

The MAC Studio Waterweight foundation looks more like a serum bottle than a cosmetic product, but that's what makes it so special.

The unique formula feels like a gel-serum and glides onto the skin beautifully to deliver a weightless and natural finish that makes the complexion appear perfected and flawless. Infused with Sodium Hyaluronate and MAC's exclusive Moisture Fusion Complex, the foundation adds hydration into your skin so that through its wear, your complexions stays nourished and well-moisturised.

It also has broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 to help protect your skin against environmental aggressors and the sun's damaging rays.

The formula itself is super-fluid, which allows you extra time to work with it on your skin until it has been perfectly applied, so you can be sure your complexion looks and feels its best.

  • Coverage: Medium to buildable coverage.
  • Finish: Natural to satin finish. 
  • Benefits: Feels weightless on the skin, so your complexion stays comfortable.
Which is the best MAC Foundation for me? Skin type Coverage Finish Benefits
MAC Face & Body Foundation All skin types Sheer to buildable Natural satin Hydrates the skin
MAC Pro Longwear SPF Foundation Oily or combination Medium to buildable Matte 15 hours wear
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation Oily to dry Medium to full Natural satin Waterproof
MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation Oily Medium to buildable Demi-matte Doesn't oxidise
MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation Dehydrated to dry Sheer to buildable Luminous Radiance-boosting
MAC Mineralize SPF Foundation Dehydrated to dry Medium to buildable Natural fresh Moisture-boosting
MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation Sensitive Medium to buildable Natural radiant Talc-free
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation Oily Full Matte Controls oil production
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation Acne-prone Medium to buildable Matte Can be applied with all tools
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation Dehydrated Medium to buildable Natural satin Broad spectrum protection
MAC Studio Tech Foundation All skin types Medium to buildable Natural matte Perfect all-rounder
MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation Dehydrated to dry Medium to buildable Natural satin Feels weightless

A Q&A about the best MAC foundation for me

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Team LF
Writer and expert
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