Mac Mineralize Satinfinish Foundation

Mac Mineralize Satinfinish Foundation is the only foundation that has required me to continuously add powder whilst wearing it. For my usual dry, slightly parched skin this was certainly a surprise, but not a good one.

Mac Mineralize Foundation is Macs’ liquid take on the ‘mineral’ trend, I’m not sure exactly how much of this is pure minerals, but it apparently contains some, along with vitamins A, C and E. It is meant to provide skin with a luminous, light reflective, skin flattering satin finish, and was apparently ideal for dryer skin.

I feel really cheated with this product, as I’m sure had I got the right shade I may have agreed with it more, as it was, the stupid sales assistant (who transpired to be on her first day) pushed me into getting NC44, when I was pretty certain it was too dark. I should never listened to her and got a shade or two lighter, but when someone’s cooing, “ooh, it’s perfect, definitely the right shade, you’re skin is glowing” it’s hard to not give it a go. I’ve since discovered some black women wear lighter shades of this foundation then the one I bought.

But anyway, moving on. Mac Mineralize comes in a glass bottle, with a black pump that twists to close, big thumbs up for that! I like products that safety shut, removing all risk of accidental leaks or spills. You get a decent amount (30ml) and it’s relatively well priced at £20.

Application

When I first tried applying this, I used my fingers. Big mistake. This is a strictly brush product in my opinion, I found you really need to work the product into your skin to get good coverage and for it to take, otherwise it is way too light. I also found it quite tricky to build in coverage as it is sooo greasy, and doesn’t seem to set. You might wanna use a very light moisturiser if you skin is anything but parched, if you skin is parched (like mine), wait about 20 minutes or longer after moisturising before using this.

I found the best way to use this foundation is to apply as much as I could to get a decent coverage, and then to powder my face down! What a strange concept for me, who usually find the lightest touch of powder dehydrating! I used my Mac Select Sheer on top, and would literally just press product onto my foundation, in a bid to set it. Once that was done, and skin was slightly more manageable, I would apply high lighter pen/concealer, and also a stick foundation (I used Stila Perfecting Stick Foundation), to give extra coverage to the center of my face (and to lighten it up). I had to do this in that order as otherwise those products would not take onto my skin after the Mineralize.

Verdict

Well, my skin certainly didn’t dry out! But oddly the opposite happened, it felt greasy! On some occasions, say on a particularly warm day, I would have to keep continuously adding powder, as I could feel the make-up not setting. To its’ credit, bar colour wise, it did look fine and not cakey, despite the amount of powder I was wearing. And on a few occasions it even looked damn good! They weren’t lying when they said “Satinfinish”!

Generally I found it wore very well, once I had gone through the whole palavar of applying it in the manner I described above, it would stay in place and I even went to few hot sweaty festivals in it and have pictures of me with my hair hanging in strings of sweat, and my face immaculate. I do remember always being pleasantly surprised when I checked my make-up on the way home.

I also do believe had I got the correct shade, this review may be very different, which is the thing that annoys me the most. I was just too much hard work trying to a) get the appearance of the correct colour, and b) powdering it down. So unfortunately for me, as it stands, it’s a resounding thumbs down for Mac Mineralize Satinfinish. Too much work, and on it’s own way too greasy with barely any coverage.

Here are some pics of me in it:

On a good day (with HEAPS of powder):