Foundation Nation - Best Mac Foundation. Part one. Studio Fix Liquid

I have been inundated with emails, facebook messages - and just in general chit-chat ( when people realise I'm a makeup artist ) asking what the best MAC foundation is.

Seriously girls ( and guys ) I've never known a generation so obsessed!

It seems everyone is on a lifelong mission of finding that perfect foundation which will leave them with that completely, mannequin looking skin.
Now, I know not everyone wants THAT sort of look, but be honest, what's the main reason you want a foundation? Even the individuals who say they want it to look 'natural' still want it to hide every flaw and imperfection.........

People are obsessed with MAC foundations, what am I saying? Peole are obsessed with MAC full stop!

I had a lightbulb moment the other day, why not do a series on MAC foundations?

I've used them ALL. I have my preferences, but they all have differences, and all will suit a different skin type and individuals needs.......

So, stay tuned, I will be uploading a post each week, with an indepth look at a different MAC foundation.

But, with which to start?

I think it has to be their most popular.
Studio Fix Liquid

Even if you haven't used this, I'm pretty sure you will have heard of it

You want full coverage? Here it is.

This was one of the first foundations I used on myself, and to be honest, I'm pretty sure it's their most popular foundation.

Whos it good for?
Great if you want quick buildable coverage. It's advertised as full coverage, but if you apply a little with a MAC stippling brush ( on a well moisturised skin ) it looks flawless but not 'heavy'
Fantastic if you have oily skin. It contains Silica, which absorbs oil on the skin surface. It also contains 'soft focus' powders to minimise skins imperfections....

Who shouldn't use it?
I've always felt the same about this question. My personal opinion is, if you wanna use it. Use it. In my experience if someone is adament they want it 'cus their best friends auntie uses it, they will buy it.
I would say, if you are a drier skin, it will not 'help' or enhance your skin. Due to it being an oil-controlling foundation.
If you are drier, it will show that as it will stick to any dry patches.
Now, that doesn't mean its not a good foundation, it just means it's not the right foundation for you.
Just because it looks good on your best mate, doesnt mean it will on you.

Other benefits?
Contains SPF 15.
Contains Vitamin E - Which helps protect skin.
Dermatologist tested
Non-acnegenic
Studio Fix Liquid has the largest range of colours out of all the MAC foundations.
You are sure to find a colour for you. They have even brought out an NW10 and NW13 now. Fabulous.

How to use it.
Yes, this may sounds daft, but, necessary. Trust me.
When you are offered to buy the pump for it, don't be stingy. Its £3.50. And you actually get more use from the product with a pump. Its very difficult to get the last remnents out of the bottle without one.
I personally think MAC should sell it with the pump, but what do I know....

Use it with the right brush.
I love to apply this with MAC #187 Stippling Brush. It builds up beautifully.

Want a sheerer finish? Spritz your #187 with a little FIX+, then apply the foundation. This will also give the skin a nice glow.
It's advertised as matte. To be honest, I don't think it is completely matte. Its still leaves a glow on the skin when I use it. If you want it Matte Matte, use a powder on top. Hell, use the Studio Fix Powder on top for extra coverage....

This product does contain talc, so isn't ideal for photographs. It tends to make you look alot lighter. Not great for big nights out or wedding days.....

Well there you have it. Part one of Foundation Nation.
Do you use Studio Fix Liquid? How do you find it? 
Post any questions you have about this foundation below.

If you are unsure, pop into your local MAC store and get a sample.

RuthE
x

The best mascara....

Finally.

Finally I have found the mascara I will buy again, and again, and again......

I have tried, God knows, how many mascaras.

Lancome ( which ARE good ) Bobbi Brown, Rimmel, Maxfactor, Loreal - Oh the list is endless!

I'm too down right fussy for my own good. I want it all ( what woman doesn't )

I want thickness, length. I don't want it too clumpy, but I want it thick enough to see I'm wearing it. I want seperation-definition, I want a brush that's not too big, nor too small. I want a brush that doesn't dry out within weeks. I also want to only have to use one, two coats MAXIMUM, to get a fabulous effect. Mmmmm, I think thats it.

God help the makeup consultant who asks me what I wanted from my mascara.

I think I've covered everything I would want from my perfect mascara, trouble is, I could never find one that did fit the above requirements.

I've found ones that do seperate beautifully, but give little volume.

I've tried ones that have a silly little brush, promising superior results. As if.

I've thrown away the ones that give fabulous results, then within a week - dried out.


Here it is. My perfect mascara.

Handbag worthy

MAC - In Extreme Dimension Lash - £18.00

Why is it perfect?
The brush - its one of those plastic ones. The funny thing is, I hate these brushes. I find they dont pick enough of the mascara and create no volume. MAC have a secret here, 'cus they have converted me! This one is large, and has 'canals' down the applicator. These hold 'reseviors', of mascara. So when you brush it through your lashes you are left with intensly black, thick, defined gorgeous lashes.

The brush is also fab for bottom lashes, it seperates perfectly.

This brush holds an immense amount of mascara

I just can't fault it.

I usually found with plastic applicators they never left enough lash impact for me. They left my lashes wimpy, in need of a good meal. Too skinny, waif like.

I want thick, blow you over if I so much as bat an eyelid at you, lashes.

Well here it is girls.

Finally, after 31 years, I have found the mascara I will buy, again.

Mascara in action. Lash inserts not included

What's your favourite mascara?

RuthE
x

Best MAC Lipstick for.....

Okay lovely readers.

I've been doing a little blog research today, and it seems people are obsessed, yes, obsessed with MAC Lipsticks.

People want to know what MAC Lipstick will suit a fair skin / Dark skin / NC30 skin / Best bridal MAC lipstick.
The list is endless!

So, I have compiled a little list of the ones I tend to use most on jobs. The ones that suit certain skin tones more, the most popular among brides and so on.

For the purpose of this post, Im not going to take photographs of me wearing them. Im not a huge fan of the close up lip in photographs any how... so I have swatched some onto white paper and the ones that didn't take too well due to lighting or low pigment I have just taken a picture of the bullet.

Bear in mind, when you go to a MAC store don't assume the colour in the bullet, is going to look the same on your lip. The colour will look different on everyone because you natural lip colour will alter it.

So, please try the colour on before you purchase! I've kept this post very MAC product orientated. So I'm going to be cross - referencing the colour alongside MAC foundation colours, as this seems to be how people are searching for their perfect MAC lipstick.
Ie. Best MAC lipstick for NC30.

Fair skins NW10 / NW15 / NC15 / NW20 / NC20
Now this could be a long list! You have to take into account how strong you want the colour. Do you want a natural daytime lipstick, or are you veering more towards an evening colour?

Natural on fair skin -
I love Creme cup. Soft pink. Its a Cremesheen, so looks rich and glossy.
Myth - This is very light. Think of concelaer on your lips. I dont use this very often. It does look nice on fair skins when you have gone for a very dark, smokey eye. Try a little trick of buffing some on with a brush. Like the MAC #217, rather than using it straight from the bullet.
I find it flatters the fairest of skin. It is very dry on the lips, so either pop a little gloss on top or go for the Cremesheen version - Creme de  Nude. Gorgeous on fair skins, to DIE for on alabaster skin.
Other populars are:
Shy girl ( Beige, glossy nude )
Please me ( Matte, soft pink )
Blankety ( Amplified, pink brown nude )

I'm sure you have heard me rant before how fair skins and dark skins always seem to cop out in makeup. Even the bigger makeup companies like to think they cater for all, when alot of their colour ranges (especially limited editions) will still only have one or two colours that will suit a darker or lightest of skins.

Well, I feel lipsticks wise, we have just as much range to choose from, you just have to be bold enough to try them.
Fair skins look immense with strong colours on the lips. The contrast is so flattering, you rarely need any other makeup product on.

So come on Snow White! ( I am NW10 too ) lets do this. Get yourself down to your local MAC store and try these:

Ruby Woo. Amazing, pillar box red. Completely matte. Fabulous on ALL SKINS. Fair skins, its stunning.
Lady Danger - Amplified - Orange / Red. Stunning. Im still unsure if only MAC stores now sell it, or if it is limited to MAC Pro stores. I will find out for you!
Rebel - Oh wow, this is like a dark purple plum, amazing on fair skins.
Girl about Town - Amplified colour - Pink/Purple
Candy yum yum! - This is BACK! Permanent. Matte-neon pink. Sells out everywhere !

Don't shy away from the bright colours, they look seriously amazing on you!

Medium skin tones / olive skin tones / Asian - Indian - NC25 / NC30 / NC35/ NW25 / NW30 /NW35
Mmmmmmm. Lots and lots suit you too, and alot of the ones that do are the really popular ones!
Let's go for the natural ones first.

These are highly sought after colours:
Kinda Sexy - Again, unsure if it is MAC stores / pro only, as it was taken off Concessions.
It's matte, and on warm skin tones ( and warmer lip tones ) it goes a lovely  peach/beige. I love this colour so much. I used it on a bride again the other day. It has a 'regal' feel. I don't know why, the colour just looks expensive!
Honey love - again, matte. This is a lovely nude for warmer skins. Again, the warmer your lip, it will go lighter. Try it first.
Velvet Teddy - Matte, deep brown tone.
Double Shot - A relaunch, now permanent. Amplified colour. Creamy. Looks amazing on warmer lips. It looks extremely dark in the bullet, but on warm lips, it either looks natural, or pinky/peach. Seriously, try this!
Taupe - Matte, Mid-tone brown.

You may think there are too many browns here  - I ADORE all the above colours. On a warm skin they look so beautiful, Id go as far as saying, I get jealous. Think of your Bollywood stars and think of Jennifer Lopez' skin tone, and the lipsticks she wears. These kind of looks will be achieved with the above colours.

Another popular is Frecktone. Its a Lustre, worn by Kim Kardashian. Peachy nude. Women usually turn their nose up when I show it them, then when they see it on. Their face lights up. Looks amazing teamed up with dark kohl, smokey eyes.....

Hug Me - Another Lustre ( glossy, sheer colour ) More brown/pink toned on medium skin tones.

Strong colours for you, again, are endless. It just depends how brave you are feeling.

I love strong pinks on your skin, I think they look really striking against the warmth of your skin.
Try:

Impassioned: Amplified, strong, electric pink. In a word, gorgeous.
Morange - Pure Orange. Heaven. Anything orange,peach on your skin tone is Red carpet territory.
Mehr - again, a relaunch, which is staying permanent. It's not strong, but it's pink. It's a bit warmer than Please me, that's why I like it on your skin tones, Please me could sometimes go ashy on your lips colour. This is a deeper matte pink. Lush.

Dark to Darkest Skins - NC45 NC50 NC55 NW45 NW50 NW55 NW58
I LOVE DARK SKINS! I love the warmth, the glow, the versatility. I love when I meet a client for the first time and they fall into the darkest of MAC foundations. I have always loved these skin tones, your skin is just amazing. So many colours flatter you, and you are lucky in the fact, that only one or two are needed to make such an impact.

Natural colours on you.
Jubilee - This is a lustre. Goes a soft glossy peach / beige nude on most dark skins. Remember try first.
Midimauve - Again a Lustre. Very sheer, has flecks of Gold through it.
Naked Paris - Plummy Lustre. Looks Glossy on.
Freckltone - Nude, peach. Lustre/Glossy
Sophisto - I think this is also a Lustre, Its always out of stock when I visit. Popular. Nude brown.

All the above colours come out nude on warmer skins. Again, with the warmth of some lips they can go lighter. None of the above colours are matte. So they wont go an ashy. grey tone, but still try them.
I use alot of these colours on warmer lip colours with MAC Chesnut lipliner, and it looks gorgeous.

Other colours to seriously consider:

Ruby woo - This colour suits everyone, but I absolutely love this on a darker skin. A fave of Rhianna
Girl about Town - Yum, this looks amazing on you.
Nikki Minaj Viva Glam Pink or Candy Yum yum. They can both go a little more towards the pale pink depending on the depth of you natural lip colour. Team it up with MAC Magenta lipliner to add warmth and definition.
Dubbonet - Amplified, glossy. Deep plum colour.
Rebel - Ooooooh ya. Just try it....
Hang Up - Red/ purple. Glossy and rich

I hope these guidlines have given you something to go on. As you know, MAC sell so many lipsticks, and hand on my heart, it is more about what YOU want to wear, and what you feel comfortable wearing.

An NC35 lady may love Kinda Sexy on herself, and another NC35 may hate it!

Go into you nearest store, with a definite idea of what you want. Don't just say I want a lipstick to suit me.
You need to be specific.
What is natural TO YOU. To some, natural is a mid pink, to others a complete nude is their idea of natural.
Do you want it matte or glossy. Sheer or solid colour.
Is it every day wear or evening?

Choosing a lipstick aint easy! At least now I hope you have some ideas, and you can walk into a MAC store confident and narrow down your choice, a little!

If you have any questions, just post below!

What are your favourite MAC lipsticks? What colours would you recommend?

Ruth E
x