The consistency of Studio Sculpt is unlike any other foundation I’ve ever tried – it’s gel-based so it’s thicker than my Estee Lauder Double Wear, and you only need around a 10p sized blob to cover your entire face. Coverage wise, it really does deliver a medium-full coverage on the skin, yet unlike Estee Lauder Maximum Cover, the finish isn’t totally matte, it’s more of a satin-glow, which I suspect is where the ‘hydrating’ part of the description comes into play. It covers all of my blemishes, redness and problem areas, but it never feels heavy or as though it’s sitting on top of my skin. Drier skinned ladies will appreciate the fact that it does not cling or emphasise dry patches in the slightest. I have a slightly dry area under my bottom lip and am pleased to report that no flakes were visible – bonus! However, it does not keep my oily skin at bay all day long, around 6 hours later it slides around my t-zone and wears off my nose. Compared to Estee Lauder Double Wear, Studio Sculpt is long-wearing, but not to the extent that Double Wear or Maximum Cover is. I actually don’t think anything comes close to beating those foundations! Having said that, it does say pretty fresh for around 6-8 hours on it’s own, but if you wear powder over the top, you can easily extend it’s longevity for a couple more hours.

I'm really liking this foundation! It gives a medium, buildable coverage and lasts all day. I LOVE the finish! I would describe it as a demi-matte finish. It is matte in all the right places, yet has a sheen along the high points of your face. I like the formula of it as well. Its creamy- so it's super easy to blend into your skin. The application process can be tricky with a brush, so i use my fingers. Overall, great foundation!

A decent foundation with standard MAC shades to choose from (I can always count on my NC 15 (NC 20 or even 30 in summer). Buildable coverage (You can lay it on thickly in areas where it is required) that lasts - and good for my dry skin (Not sure if an oily skin person could use this.). Photographs well. (No chalky flash from the SPF, somehow.).

Pro's -
Amazing coverage varying from light to heavy (build-able but if used sparingly can be sheer)
- Has an SPF of 15
- Is relatively long lasting when set with powder and primer is used underneath
- Gives face a flawless look
- Packaging comes in a toothpaste like tube - with a twist top and is smooth, sleek and hygienic
- Amount of product lasts for a long time
- Smells amazing - Like coffee in my opinion! has like an old book vintagey sort of smell... hard to describe.

Con's
- Colour range for MAC foundation is terrible NC15 is about 4 shades too dark for my snow white skin so I have to add white foundation in it to match.
- Is one of MACS more expensive foundations, retails for around $60 Australian so about $30 American or around there.
- Is incredibly sticky and Dewey finish wise - needs to be set with powder even if you have dry skin - I often feel I need to wear a lot of powder in order to keep this foundation from melting off me completely and being almost shiny.

I wear this on days I know it's going to be pretty cold outside because my skin throws me for a loop in the dry/cold weather.

The texture of this is on the thicker side, almost like a BB cream. I find it takes a long time to blend into my skin well, even when using over a primer.

The coverage is light/medium but does not do a good job of covering my redness or acne scars.

It feels a bit heavy on the skin but once it settles after a few hours it feels very nice and comfortable. Delivers a satin finish.

Overall, I like it but I'm not gaga over it. I feel like since it's such a thicker consistency it should cover my redness more than it does which is a drawback because my $8 CG aquasmoothers does a better job and is half as thick as this stuff.

Would not repurchase.

I love this foundation time and time again i go back to using it. its brilliant for dry skin types and its gel base blends well and adds to a good finish. i would say it provides medium coverage but is definitely build able for full coverage. Great product would recommend to anyone.

I really like this foundation. I understand why it doesn't agree with everyone. It is a gel base so it is more moisturising and if you have a more oily skin type it probably would not bode well. My skin is normal so after applying moisturister I put this on and it spreads so easily. Some foundations I find harder to blend in with my skin but this one smooths on well and looks so even. I then set it with powder and I love the finish! It lasts for a long time and I get surprised with my reflection hours later (lol) because im use to foundations rubbing off or getting dry and patchy! After purchasing my friend told me I was glowing when she saw me a few days later so I highly recommend it!

I'm a NW15, and this foundation blends very well with my skin. The MAC salesperson recommended it because of my dry, sensitive combination skin, and while it doesn't dry out my skin, I feel that it really accentuates dry, flaky skin.

It has nice coverage (medium to full), and is easy to build up. I use concealer as well, to cover red spots and acne. It has to be set with powder, or else it looks very shiny on me, but sadly, I feel that it often gets cakey, especially on my forehead and my nose. Without primer, setting powder and urban decay setting spray, I barely get an hour of wear before it looks cakey, but with primer, setting powder and setting spray, it lasts for at least 8 hours. I wish it lasted longer and caked less.

My first foundation EVER. I use to go with the studio fix powder before but now, in winter, my skin is too dry for powder.

I love this foundation, perfect finish. Apply with a MakeUp sponge (Quo/pharmaprix are the greatest in my opinion).

ÉDIT: OK, I have now switched to Laura Mercier. MAC foundation are way too yellow for me. Laura Mercier's foundations are more ''beige'' so it's a better match for me.

This foundation gets a bad rap for a lot reasons that I understand. It's one of those formulations that makes a lot of people scratch their heads and wonder why anybody would really care about it since it has characteristics that most people don't look for anymore. It's full coverage, thick, and pretty heavy on some skin types.

However, I recently gave this foundation a third chance after returning it a few times and figured out how to use it properly. I will stress that having a dry skin type will make this foundation perform better, and the finish won't get ruined in cooler, drier climates.

You could skip primer, but my skin looked much more alive when I used Prep + Prime Natural Radiance underneath this foundation. One makeup artist used the 190 paddle brush with it, and I highly recommend using that or a similar brush that has that level of control. The MAC makeup artists who insist on using the 188 or another floppy but popular brush aren't doing the formula justice since its viscosity requires a lot of control (damp sponge, paddle brush, duo-fiber brush with short/densely packed bristles, etc). Spritzing your application tool with water, setting spray, MAC Fix+ or Mineralized Charged Water will also get this foundation to behave. I don't think this foundation will set without powder, so use one that caters to your skin tone and type. I switched from MAC Mineralize Skin Finish to Studio Careblends and got a dramatically different result - more hydration, and the yellow-toned powder made the foundation melt into my skin better instead of clashing with my skin tone.

Despite having to go through all these steps, it only took about 3-5 minutes to do my foundation. I got a smooth, lively looking finish, and my face in makeup matched my neck for once. My skin is incredibly difficult to match for some reason, and I finally got it right. On top of that, my face was happy instead of getting all the moisture sucked out of it. I may have gotten one small pimple on my face after wearing it, but that was most likely due to sleeping in my makeup after a night out and not washing my face until almost a day after applying it.

This review is far too long, but I want to give everyone an idea of how this foundation can perform. It performs well if you have the skin type it targets (dry), and you need to know how to work with it. Playing around with different primers, tools, and setting powders will change what you get out of Studio Sculpt. For some, it's worth the effort.