Hi lovelies! Carly here with an extra special foundation review today. If you’ve been following my beauty blog for a while, you know I’m always on the hunt for that perfect base product that makes my skin look flawless but still natural. Well, after trying out the MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation for the past few months, I think I may have finally found my holy grail!
I was initially drawn to this cult-favorite foundation after seeing so many makeup artists and beauty gurus rave about it. MAC describes it as an “ultra-fluid, long-wearing foundation that provides sheer-medium buildable coverage with a natural satin finish.” That sounded right up my alley, so I couldn’t wait to put it to the test.
First Impressions
When I first pumped out the product, I was surprised by how thin and watery the consistency was. It’s definitely one of the most lightweight, fluid foundations I’ve ever worked with. The shade I chose, N2, looked like a good match for my light-medium neutral skin tone.
As I started blending it into my skin using my fingers (my preferred method with this foundation), I was amazed at how easily it melted in and instantly evened out my complexion. Even with such a thin texture, the coverage was impressive – I’d say a solid medium right off the bat. But the best part was how skin-like and natural it looked. No heavy, mask-like appearance or cakiness whatsoever.
The finish was exactly as described – a beautiful satin that made my skin look healthy and radiant without being overly dewy or shiny. As someone with normal-to-dry skin, I love foundations that give me a glow but don’t slide around or emphasize texture. This one balanced that perfectly.
Formula & Performance
Let’s dive into the details of the formula. The MAC Face and Body is a water-based foundation, which is likely why it feels so weightless and looks so skin-like on the face. It’s also loaded with emollients like glycerin to keep the skin hydrated and comfortable all day. I really appreciate that it doesn’t dry out my skin or cling to any patches like some other long-wearing foundations can.
In terms of performance, I’m happy to report that this foundation truly lives up to its claims. Once it sets down, it does not budge. I can easily get a solid 8-10 hours of wear without any breaking down or separating, even in hot and humid weather. It’s not fully transfer-proof, but it’s pretty dang close. I’ve fallen asleep in this foundation a few times (bad habit, I know) and woken up looking almost as good as the night before.
What really sets this foundation apart for me is how well it works with other products. It plays nice with all of my usual primers, concealers, powders – you name it. I still powder my T-zone area to lock things in place, but I find that I need far less powder than I normally do. The Face and Body melds with concealer seamlessly and doesn’t cause any weirdness under the eyes.
Some foundations can be finicky with skin prep, but this one works great whether I’m having a dry skin day or a more oily one. I’ve applied it over hydrating creams, over mattifying primers, with a brush, with a sponge – it always goes on smoothly and wears well. As for the rest of the claims, I’d say they’re pretty spot on. The coverage is definitely buildable to a solid medium, but can be sheered out if you prefer something more light and natural. I love that versatility for everyday – I can adjust my base depending on how my skin is looking.
Comparisons
So how does the Face and Body stack up against other popular foundations? Let’s compare:
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk: Both are cult favorites for a reason. The Luminous Silk is slightly more radiant and has a touch more coverage in my opinion. However, the Face and Body wins for me in terms of wear time and being less finicky with dry patches. It’s also a much better value.
- NARS Sheer Glow: Another great one for normal to dry skin. Sheer Glow is more similar to Face and Body in coverage – both give a solid medium that can be built up. The NARS has a dewier finish on me and doesn’t last quite as long before starting to break down. It also oxidizes a bit more than the MAC.
- Estee Lauder Double Wear: On the opposite end of the spectrum from Face and Body. Double Wear is a full coverage matte foundation that’s best for oily skin. It wears like iron, but can look a bit flat and heavy compared to the lightweight, skin-like look of Face and Body.
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid: The matte, full coverage sister to Face and Body. Studio Fix Fluid definitely packs more pigment and has a very velvety, airbrushed finish. However, I find it can look a bit cakey and “done” compared to the second skin look of Face and Body. I reach for Studio Fix when I’m going for a full beat, but Face and Body is my go-to for everyday.
Shade Range
Now let’s talk shade range, because that can be a make or break for foundations. MAC offers 13 shades of the Face and Body, which isn’t a ton compared to some newer brands, but I think they cover a decent range. The shades are broken down into C (cool), N (neutral), and W (warm) categories, with 1 being the lightest and 7 being the deepest.
I appreciate that the undertones seem to be well-balanced – no shades that skew too pink or too orange. As I mentioned, I wear N2 which is described as light with neutral peachy undertones. For reference, I’m about an NC20-25 in MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid.
I will say, if you have very fair or very deep skin, you may struggle to find a good match in this range. The lightest shade, C1, isn’t quite as pale as some other brands’ fairest offerings. And while C7 is a good deep shade, they could definitely stand to extend the range on that end with a few more options. Hopefully MAC will take this feedback and expand the shade selection in the future.
That being said, because the formula is so sheer and blendable, I think you have a bit more wiggle room with the shade match compared to a fuller coverage foundation. If you’re in between shades, you can likely make it work.
Packaging
The Face and Body comes in a squeezy plastic bottle with a screw-off cap. It’s nothing fancy, but I appreciate how functional and travel-friendly the packaging is. No worries about it breaking or leaking in your bag.
One thing to note – it comes in two sizes, 50ml and the larger 120ml. If you know you love this foundation, I highly recommend going for the 120ml. It’s a much better value and will last you forever. Just keep in mind that because it’s a thinner consistency, you do go through it a bit faster than a thicker cream formula.
Sample Reviews & Tips
Don’t just take it from me – let’s see what some other beauty lovers have to say about the Face and Body foundation:
“My all time favourite foundation. I have very sensitive combination skin, I cannot wear most foundation except this and studio fix. I wear it on daily basis even on holidays feels waterproof and heat on legs too. It stays put all day at night just add 24 hour concealer or add a dab of studio fix fluid foundation.” – Sara
“I love how dewy and fresh this makes my skin look and it gives me the perfect coverage while being hydrating and not clinging to my dry patches. it also wears well and I blend with my fingertips – it\’s sooo easy! would definitely recommend and I will continue buying this stuff forever.” – Linds
“This is just the perfect foundation for me, it\’s light and luminous without accentuating my pores. It\’s great for summer and winter as it\’s hydrating but also sweat and transfer proof. The coverage is sheer but it can be built up to medium. I love how it lets my skin shine through but it just perfects it. It\’s very long lasting and when it fades it does it in a natural way, it doesn\’t separate or cake up throughout the day. To me this is a your skin but better foundation and absolutely recommend it to everyone, it really is magic in a bottle. Thank you MAC for this formula, never ever discontinue it!” – Carly
There seem to be a few common themes among positive reviews – people love how lightweight yet perfecting it is, how it wears well in different environments, and how great it looks on a variety of skin types. It really seems to be a versatile foundation that can work for a lot of different people and needs.
On the flip side, some reviewers noted that it may not be ideal if you’re looking for very full coverage or a true matte finish. A few people with very oily skin found that it doesn’t control shine enough for their liking.
A few tips that I’ve picked up for applying this foundation:
- Shake the bottle well before use to mix up the formula
- Warm up the product between your fingers before applying to help it melt into the skin
- Use your fingers, a dense buffing brush, or a damp sponge for the most seamless blend
- Build up coverage with thin layers rather than applying a lot at once
- Set with powder only where needed to maintain the skin-like finish
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think the MAC Face and Body is a fantastic foundation for anyone who wants a natural, perfected complexion with great staying power. It truly lives up to its claims and has become a staple in my makeup routine.
I love that it feels weightless on the skin, yet still provides enough coverage to even out my skin tone and blur imperfections. The satin finish is perfect for my normal-to-dry skin – not too dewy, not too matte. And I’m consistently impressed by how well it holds up throughout the day without breaking down or getting patchy.
While the shade range could be more extensive, I think the versatility of the formula makes it work for a lot of different skin tones. Just keep in mind that this may not be the foundation for you if you prefer a full coverage, fully matte look.
At around $30 for 50ml or $60 for the large 120ml size, I think the Face and Body is a great value for the quality. A little goes a long way with this foundation, so even the smaller size will last you quite a while.
I’d recommend the MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation to:
- Normal, dry, or combo skin types
- Anyone who wants a natural, skin-like finish
- Those who prefer sheer to medium, buildable coverage
- Anyone who needs their foundation to last well throughout the day
- People who don’t want to feel like they’re wearing heavy makeup
If you haven’t given this cult favorite a try yet, I highly encourage you to do so. It just might become your new holy grail base product like it has for me!
I hope you found this in-depth review helpful in deciding whether the MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation is right for you. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this foundation and what your thoughts are. What’s your current holy grail foundation?
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