MAC • Mineralize Foundation / Loose - Light • Powder

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*TOP REVIEWER* stl on 2/23/2013 3:28:00 AM more reviews by stl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I use this as a setting powder, so I cannot comment on how it works as foundation. But even as a setting powder, it is nothing to rave about. My skin is combination, and this makes my skin oily within 3 hours, I've tried it with different foundation and it is all the same. I cannot wait to finish it up and buy something else.
I hate the packaging too. I spill it every time I use it!!!!

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CamiBell on 1/4/2013 4:56:00 AM more reviews by CamiBell

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Ugh. This stuff. This foundation is the most misleading product I have ever used, truly. When you first apply it, like other reviewers have said, it looks great. Not a pore in sight.


But then it gets ugly.


This stuff is beyond flimsy, meaning it doesn't hold at all and makes your face look extremely oily. As someone with clear, normal skin that is properly hydrated, I was horrified to see that upon leaving my house, my skin looked flawless, yet when I returned an hour later, it was shiny. Thank goodness I had some alternative powder lying around because this was just awful. Oh, and it gets everywhere too.


The only upside to this is that the color matches perfectly, provided your skin is moisturized and you don't have a tendency to get oily skin throughout the day, because this will oxidize, and will do so in patches, not evenly across your face. If I want to look orange, I'll get a tan. This shouldn't do it for me.


Will absolutely never be repurchasing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Tindra78 on 11/26/2012 4:08:00 AM more reviews by Tindra78

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

My skin: NW15/NC15, sensitive and acne-prone.
Got this in the shade Light.

I'm not impressed at all. When you first apply it it looks really good and seems to hide pores and even out the skin. But a few hours later it seemed to oxidize... It left orange/dark patches where on the areas where I had applied it. It also looked messy! I have really oily skin, so I really need something that stays on! One third thing is that it didn't cover enough!! When I first applied it, I really tried to cover all the needed areas, but after a few hours this had disappeared...there were no coverage left!!

I also think this contains a lot more ingredients than other mineral makeup, and if you have really sensitive and troubled skin, this can cause you problems....(even if I didn't like this enough to continue using it and find out for myself)

And for being a brand like Mac, with their prices, I don't think this is worth the money.

Not recommended.

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mascara_junkie on 7/12/2012 12:09:00 PM more reviews by mascara_junkie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I really do not like this powder at all. I normally use MAC's Studio Fix powder which is *awesome*.

This powder, however, sucks - which is not what I'd expect from MAC. Barely any coverage, goes on blotchy - and then wears off quickly. So expensive, and the packaging is terrible too ~ I don't know who would try to put it on usiing that powder puff attached to the handle :S

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*TOP REVIEWER* YoHarajuku on 6/4/2012 8:59:00 AM more reviews by YoHarajuku

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

This is one of those products that doesn't do anything wrong but isn't impressive either. As a finishing powder its covers okay and seems to make foundation last a while and didn't find there to be any caking. It doesn't look particularly beautiful though. It's completely useless as a foundation, giving only the bare minimum of coverage. I tried mixing it with cream to use as a liquid foundation but the effect was horribly aging. I disliked the smell of it, the talc fragrance made it seem cheap, like you were only using talcum powder with pigment mixed in. The packiging is useless, the sponge and tub are just plain rubbish. I don't know why they isist on putting mineral powders in the worst packiging ever. Overall I'd possibly try it again if I can't find powder that doesn't clog my pores or cake my makeup.

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plasticbambi on 5/22/2012 1:10:00 PM more reviews by plasticbambi

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Not in love with this product
expensive
not as good as bare essentials/minerals
coverage is lacking
doesn't stay on face
doesn't cover all over only where it wants
the sponge as an applicator is horrible
you have to use a medium-large powder brush for the best result
you'll get a better finish with the skinfinish
you don't need both

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ayalalaya on 5/22/2012 12:46:00 PM more reviews by ayalalaya

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

My first thought was "For over $30 this $#!& better be good!!! >.<" and after the first application, I fell head over heels. I've been searching for a powder foundation that would give me coverage but still be light enough for the summer heat without breaking me out. I have angry zits, acne scars, and red and dry patches of skin. This powder foundation almost covered it all when I used a very little amount. I buffed this in with my Real Techniques Stippling brush and it gave me an airbrushed look that I had given up trying to attain until now! It doesn't break me out or dry out skin and it's easy to remove unlike my favorite liquid foundation, Revlon Colorstay. A little amount goes a long way with this product, so I'm expecting this jar to last me at least 5 months. I will be repurchasing. The packaging has also been changed to the standard mineral powder jar.

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neurosciguy on 5/18/2012 11:40:00 PM more reviews by neurosciguy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Eh, it's a loose powder foundation. I find it just doesn't give enough coverage for me- I'd call it just a hair more than non-existent. And no matter how I applied it, it ALWAYS looked cakey, and I'm kinda going for a "no makeup" look here. Pass.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bubblegumpoo on 5/18/2012 5:43:00 AM more reviews by bubblegumpoo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I only recently realized that I like this product a lot. I thought I hated it for the longest time because I had been using the sponge that comes with it. That thing applies too much product onto your face and looks so obvious! Applied with a nice fluffy brush, I really like the effect this has. Doesn't give that obvious powdered look to the face with light coverage (it's buildable, but it looks too obvious when it's piled on). A great alternative to tinted moisturizer for summer! The packaging is really silly though, and I feel like I waste a lot of it to try to get some of the powder out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* stls on 3/5/2012 7:05:00 PM more reviews by stls

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Pros:

1. Natural dewy finish- not too matte, not too shimmery
2. Doesn't look cakey
3. Medium coverage
4. Doesn't break me out
5. Seriously longlasting
6. Good color selection


Cons:
1. Controls oil well but not great
2. A bit pricey


I love this one. If you don't need heavy coverage just try it, my skin looks so radiant with this! I need to blot after a few hours but it's no big deal.
One day I walked in the pouring rain for at least half an hour- that's a looong story behind the fact- and when I got home mascara, pencil liner, blush, lipstick were gone. The only thing that remained - and actually looked still very decent- was mineralize loose foundation. I was speechless!
I even like the packaging. It took some time to get used to the applicator but after this point I can get flawless application without bothering with extra brushes.
My only concern is that it might be unhygienic at last- although I haven't experienced any breakouts from this one- and I've been using it frequently three years now.
I also use it on top of liquid foundation sometimes when I need some extra coverage but don't feel like adding a second layer of liquid foundation.
One last thing: I just discovered from the MAC website that the packaging changed. Now it's in a regular loose powder container. I don't mind really, I'm sure it will be perfect applied with a kabuki brush! ...But now there are 7.5 g inside instead of 8.5 -slightly less product.
For reference I have combination acne prone skin around NW10 and use the extra light one.

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Honeypot on 1/10/2012 2:26:00 PM more reviews by Honeypot

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

Hands down, my HG foundation!!! I have been using MAC Mineralize, off and on, for 3 years. I'm obsessed with finding the perfect mineral foundation, and have purchased and tried many others in that 3 years. Without exception, I have junked the other foundations and always come back to MAC, wondering why on earth I ever strayed in the first place!
Bad packaging aside (just pull/toss the sponge and use your favorite brush), this is the best mineral foundation I've found, and I've tried a bunch; expensive department store brands, some of the organic brands, and all of the drug store brands.
This MAC foundation is totally buildable and provides anywhere from sheer to medium coverage. It is completely neutral on my skin, never clogging my pores or causing any irritation or acne. The color selection is good, and I've found that a 50/50 mix of Light and Extra Light matches my fair skin perfectly.
If you want to wear a mineral foundation, with great coverage and no clogging/irritation, I can not recommend this product enough!

***Update - the ladies at the MAC store just informed me that MAC is in the process of re-packaging this product. That's great news considering that the packaging is usually the only user complaint about this product.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* luisajames on 12/26/2011 12:49:00 AM more reviews by luisajames

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

i absolutely love the finish of this product. it's a beautiful dewy finish and there's not much more to it. easy to apply for an amazing light but buildable coverage. great for over a tinted moisturizer or over my mac bb cream. i really dislike the packaging on this one though. it does look very sleek as most mac products do but it's not very functional. it's bulky, doesn't fit in my makeup bag and the sponge applicator does not do the powder any justice. even when i pulled the sponge applicator off, i ended up shaking it into an empty loose powder container and i enjoy it much more. highly recommended powder to some one that is looking for a light-medium coverage with a dewy finish.

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tereesees on 11/19/2011 10:56:00 PM more reviews by tereesees

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Other, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I use this over pretty much all my foundations because it gives extra coverage without looking cakey. It also smooths onto skin without accentuating lines. i love this powder, and i'll probably keep using it forever, the only downside is it seems to run out way too soon.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

LauraW74 on 11/8/2011 2:35:00 PM more reviews by LauraW74

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Relaxed, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Firstly, I just want to say that the price of this stuff is so worth it! I got mine for Christmas last year, and here we are in November, and I've still got a little left, probably enough for another two days. Still, it's lasted almost a year, and I wear it almost every day! It would have lasted even longer too, but twice it's been dropped with a LOT of powder spilling out... Darn my clumsiness.

This powder has great pigment and coverage without being heavy. If my skin is well exfoliated and moisturized (it's pretty dry to begin with, so doing this is best for summer), sometimes I'll put on just my MAC primer and this powder - covers redness so well!
I also use it on a concealer brush sometimes, and use it to conceal (non-flaky) pimples or undereye circles. It's really not that drying for a powder, which is great for my skin. You can wear it all year round too!

I like using a kabuki and not the buffer. Because the package can be a hassle, sometimes I'll pat the powder on with the buffer and then blend with a brush.
I would give it five lippies if it came with a nice brush instead of the buffer, and sometimes it's a little cakey, but that only happens when I don't let my foundation sink in first (give it a couple minutes before you apply the powder!!), but that's really not much of a downside. I wouldn't really recommend it for oily skin, as it might not control shine well enough.

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netaavisrur on 10/14/2011 12:41:00 PM more reviews by netaavisrur

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

i didnt love it

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nicolemcnally on 8/7/2011 3:51:00 PM more reviews by nicolemcnally

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy   Eyes: Blue    

i actually have it in extra light and its far to dark for me. its really good on my sister though who has darker skin and really bad acne, it hides all her spots! and doesnt affect them at all, highly recommend but be warned if you have very pale skin buy it as a gift for someone else and it will be a great treat to them.

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bohobabe on 8/5/2011 1:55:00 PM more reviews by bohobabe

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I have this in 'extra light' not 'light'. I really wanted to love this foundation, and while it has some good points, it's just really not working that well for me.
Pros: gives a nice natural finish, lightweight, kind to my skin, and is a reasonably good match for my skin (although still not quite as pale as i'd like). Quick and easy to apply with my e.l.f. powder brush, and applying it with this brush gives a nice finish.

Cons: awful packaging. The sponge thing that comes with it is just useless and once i realised i could just pull it out of the packaging, i just chucked it straight away. It's a nice idea in theory to have a kind of handle on the lid with the sponge applicator inside, but it just doesn't work. The lid is really annoying when the sponge has been removed however, as it's an awkward shape and just collects products in the rim, but because it's so narrow it's almost impossible to get a brush in there to get the product out. It would be way better if this just had a flat lid like other mineral foundations.
The coverage is also just not as much as i was hoping for, i'd say it's light coverage and buildable to medium. However, when i build this up to medium coverage on my pale skin it looks weirdly caked on and a bit orange, even in the extra light shade. For the way i apply my my foundation it's ok though, as i use a different liquid foundation on the areas i need a lot of coverage, and then this all over, which looks quite nice and natural.

This was my first mineral foundation, and i'm quite disappointed as i thought from MAC it would be better. It's an OK product though so i'm going to finish the pot, then shop around for a better mineral foundation as I do like them in general.

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Smanga on 7/25/2011 3:04:00 AM more reviews by Smanga

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this loose powder for two weeks now and I absolutely love it. I took the suggestion from a few other reviewers and pulled out the 'buffing' applicator from the lid (as well as the disposable sponge protector pad), and just tap the jar to one side to spill out some of the powder through the holes - which I apply with an EcoTools powder brush (if it its on top of my liquid foundation, however, i'll use my stippling brush to blend it nicely together).

Also upon recommendation of two other reviewers here, I also purchased the Mac Fix+ to finish the foundation which apparently would give that "airbrushed look". Oh my, did it ever! What a great pairing, these two products are. WOW! When I apply the loose foundation without the Fix+, it's a good finish and very natural - disguising all redness and just giving my skin the general appearance of 'my skin but better; - but when I spritz with this stuff it just gives me this glow and makes the foundation look *that* much more natural. I also have noted that after 8hrs at the end of the day, my blush and foundation is still perfectly in place as the start of the day.

V pleased with this foundation, and especially so given that it's my first foray into the mineral makeup world, which until now I didn't think could give me natural glowy looking skin without the inclusion of glitter/sparkels :)

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Kati3 on 6/22/2011 10:49:00 AM more reviews by Kati3

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

I have this in extra light not light; my skin is about a NW15, but even lighter in winter. I absolutely love this powder for daytime/work, the coverage is really buildable but doesn't give super coverage.
The only downside about this is the stupid packaging, I have never bothered to use the lid/applicator, I use an Illamasqua powder brush.
I usually need to reapply after lunch as my T zone is oily, but the rest of my skin looks and feels smooth and soft. No apparent breakouts and I've almost gotten through my first container. Best powder foundation for day time.

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izzybop on 5/7/2011 2:04:00 AM more reviews by izzybop

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I really love this powder, it tones down the red in my fair skin just enough and matches my skin nicely I think. It still looks like my own skin, and I like that I have the choice to let my freckles show through (I wear it alone with some concealer under the eyes and the sides of the nose). It doesn't make my skin feel dry and dehydrated and at least on me I don't notice any caking. Mid-day I do need to dust a little more over the t-zone. Really the only thing negative to say in my opinion is the packaging. I absolutely hate this packaging, and why they couldn't do a simple screw-on lid I do not know. You basically have to tip it to the side and tap, and that can get messy, or put your powder brush of choice over it and gently shake it up and down. Overall, the product is lovely, the packaging is not. Will be repurchasing and praying they redesign it.

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