I think the reason that I love MAC is I can always find the perfect match for my skintone. :) Like mineralize silkfinish medium, and this one NC20. I found both of them are perfect and price are not that expensive. Though it could be better if it can control oil and shine more and longer. :) Anyway it's a very good powder and I will buy it again when I don't know what to try. :D

I sooooo want to love this product! But it just doesn't work on my oily skin. First of all - I can't seem to get a good coverage out of it. Maybe I lack the proper technique, but it's just not providing enough coverage for me. I have oily skin, not super-duper oily, but still. After half an hour of applying this powder foundation, my whole forehead, nose, inner cheek area, and chin feels oily - and I hate it. I mean, come on, after half an hour!! :-( So I can't even use it to set a liquid foundation, cause it will just make it oily. I like the way it looks when first applied, but not the feeling 30 min after. The color, on the other hand, is spot on! I got the NC20, and it's perfect! But won't be buying it again...

Makes my skin look flawless and amazing!

Great coverage, however, this has broken me out a lot so I had to stop using it. It also oxidizes later on in the day so I end up looking darker/orange. It also feels extremely heavy on my skin compared to other foundations. If you have sensitive skin, be cautious when using Mac products.

You will look like a ghost in your pictures if you just use this product alone. You will need a real foundation underneath and then this powder on top. Then, you will need another powder to set. It will also dry you out. I noticed when I started taking pictures, I was looking like a ghost. But, never attributed it to the makeup. Then, I noticed that in winter time, my face was often dry with this. Dont get me wrong, it does provide coverage, but it just cannot be worn alone. Also, it starts to cake, and if you have wrinkles it would seep right in there so that people can see just how "young" you really are. Its good, just not great.

This is the best powder foundation I have ever used!! I am onto my third compact. I use it with Smashbox Photo Finish and get excellent coverage over my moderate acne. I do need to blot after about 4-5 hours but that's not a big deal to me. What matters to me is good quality coverage without a thick layer of makeup. I don't think it's overpriced for what it is. In the past, I have paid more for powder foundation (for example, MUFE) and been less impressed with the level of coverage.

I have never used the applicator that comes with the compact so I can't speak for the quality of it. I have always used my Sephora Classic Retractable Travel Powder Brush (#51) and been pleased with the results.

it is a great product

I used this product from 8th to 11th grade. Then, my family moved to a remote farm community, so it was difficult to access this product. There were only drug / grocery stores in the area. NO DEPARTMENT STORES = NO MAC :(

I went 5 years without this product. I jumped from this drugstore mineral make up to that generic liquid foundation. EVERYTHING felt terrible and broke me out SO BAD! I stopped using foundation all together for years. Then I moved back to the city and one of the first things I did was head to a Macy's to get my Studio Fix.

I'm a powder foundation devotee and have tried a multitude. I've yet to find my perfect one, but this is one of the crappier ones that I have tried.


Like most powder foundations, this offers very buildable coverage and a matte finish. The initial application is beautiful, and the finish is flawless...Just be warned that you WILL be able to tell that you have makeup on though. It makes the skin appear almost surreal.


If this foundation stayed looking as flawless as it does initially, I'd have rated it higher...However, after a few hours it starts to melt off and pretty much disappears completely! I left the house at 7 in the morning, and by the time I got home at 12, I literally had practically none of this left on my face.

This powder does NOTHING to control oil and tends to oxidize on oily girls. It's definitely better for combo or dry skin types. Oily girls should try something with better lasting power and more oil control.


This hasn't broken ME out, but I have heard that it breaks a lot of people out, so avoid if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin.


Bottom line? This product is great for when you want to look flawless for a very short period of time. It's not for girls who have oily, acne-prone skin, or need all day wear.


If you're planning on investing in this, I suggest that you also invest in Fix + or some other thermal spray. I find that it looks less porcelain-doll like when set with some sort of mist.


BTW- Don't even THINK of using this as a setting powder. It does not control oil, plus it'd look WAY too cakey layered over a liquid foundation.


BTW x2- This really clings to and exaggerates dry skin. I literally looked like I had a beard or something!

I love this powder! It is my alternative to foundation. I use concealer on any blemishes I have and then apply this with a powder brush. I wouldn't recommend using the applicator included if you don't want a cakey finish. This powder keeps my face matte and stays on all day. I was really surprised with the coverage that this powder gives, especially for acne and an uneven skin tone. I don't wear foundation when I wear this, I find it's just too much makeup and looks cakey. It's best alone!