This product has replaced liquid foundations in my makeup bag. It is a cinch to apply, lasts all day, provides great coverage, and easy to travel with. What else can I say? Two compacts last about one year as I use it everyday. I use a the spongy applicator it came with to apply the powder on my t zones and under eye area for more coverage and use a big brush to apply more sheerly to the rest of my face and blend blush more effectively. It is easy to OD on this stuff so be sure to use a light hand and you will look more like yourself and less like a ghost.
EDIT: After seeing pictures taken of myself wearing this powder I had to quit it cold turkey! My face is white as a ghost which is attributed to a specific ingredient in the powder that appears so in photographs. Watch Out!

I loved this powder, the finish it gave was absolutely gorgeous and everything BUT I'm extremely pale and love going for the pale look and NW15 and NC 15 are both too dark for me :(

Although it is my perfect shade, it does nothing for oil control.

I bought this as I was looking for something cute and compact to touch my face in clubs. I don't see how people found it cakey, you must be layering it on. I don't find it chalky either but it's more likely chalky than cakey! The woman in the shop recommended it to me as something which DOESN'T give coverage but just gently evens out skin tone and contributes to looking flawless. So far I've been happy with it, people told me my skin looked really smooth but also they said it looks natural. To apply I just go for a quick light dab on the sponge, defnitely not something you use a lot of. I have yet to break out in spots, but if I do I'll update this review. I use NC40
*update* (Changing it to 5 lippies! Have not broken out at all yet) I've spoken to one of the mac ladies and she said you should always change the sponge frequently/wash it well because it takes oil from your face and sits in the sponge which could explain why people are getting breakouts, the oil is being taken off the face and put back on it all over (which explains why people are breaking out on the cheeks.) Also she recommended using a brush or a puff anyway as the sponge does pick up too much in one go. Also see above about how its not designed to give full coverage, it's a cross between a foundation and a powder so it's more about small flaws and uneven tone, not for hardcore blemishes. Some people said the cakeyness shows up in photos, again, it's only if you apply too much, I gave myself a light dusting and not only did it make me look flawless, but you couldn't tell I had make up on at all because the sheer coverage means it still looks like your skin. I reckon people would tell you have it on more easily in person than a photo, but only because they can stare closely right at your face. (which hopefully they wouldn't do anyway!)*update over!*

Made me look like I just dipped my face in a pile of beige chalk and walked out of the room (no matter whichever way I applied it - their applicator, my own sponges/cotton balls, powder brushes, etc... I gave this piece of expensive junk WAAY too many chances). Very, very bad. Then things get worse because within the next few hours, this makeup will literally look like a miniature re-enactment of a mudslide all over my face. My friends would ask me about what powder/foundation I use - I know, I know, you want to know so you won't get the same disaster! And it literally was - A DISASTER!! To add to things, I broke out in little white heads all over my face because of it. I dont know why, maybe because it was too d@m cakey (I could definately feel it like layer of dirt on my face. YUCK!) that blocks all my pores. THANKS, MAC!! NOT RECOMMENDED!!

Only thing that completely covers up my undereye circles [with a primer] without making me look like Dame Judi Dench. Does require touch-ups for oily skin. Used all over looks too much like baby powder on me - I'm pale. Wish they sold a "palette" of the powder stuff - it's expensive to buy another whole compact when you tan if you don't use much. But they give you so much you'll never hit pan on your first one.

I used to wear MAC for around 4 years and then decided to search for something new in 2003 as I didn't feel that the colour I was wearing was a good match for me. Also, even though I have oily/combo skin, I found this powder foundation drying. My skin had to be well moisturized or else the StudioFix would look cake/mask like. Also, it did not control oil/shine well at all. Approx. once every hour, I would have to blot my face! Would not recommend for those w/ oily or combo skin, plus the colour selection is not that great despite having a wide range of choices! Being a woman of colour, I find none of their shades work well w/ my particular skin tone (i.e., warm medium brown with clearly golden undertones). Although, my mother who is shades lighter than me (like a cafe au lait shade) has better luck. So, all in all, this may work for some women and clearly it does not for others!

I bought this due to my oily combo skin. It was recommended by one of the girls at the counter. I am extremely disappointed in this product. At first, it worked really well and make my skin just beautiful, but now my powder is about 10 months old, and it's really starting to fall. It doesn't go on smooth anymore, it dosen't really cover anything, just makes me look at little chalky, so while I would have given it a five 10 months ago, it really doesn't age well. I'd stick with their liquid foundation and a blot powder. Huge disappointment.

I started trying the MAC products again after I fell in love with their fluid line. I'm asian with combo oily skin and this did nothing for my complexion. It has a rough feel too it and it didn't blend in well and coverage did not last. My cheapie Covergirl Aquasmooth goes on much better (although it doesn't last that well either) but atleast it's a fraction of the cost and great for quick make-up.

This is actually a really good product, it just takes finding a specific way to use it.
The reason I like it so much is that it's quick: I can just apply and go. After application I like to buff it out for a more flawless look. My main trick for keeping it in place is putting a bit of extra loose powder under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, and under my chin. I let it sit there when I do my eyeshadow, and then I brush it away. Not only does the product last longer, I find that I keep oil at bay a little bit better. With MAC's Prep + Prime for the face as the base, it lasts even longer.